House Joint Resolution 7016, sponsored by Hemmer, urges TennCare and the Department of Education in Tennessee to collaborate and apply for federal grants and programs aimed at enhancing student mental health services and resources. The resolution highlights the recent initiatives by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education, which have provided guidance and funding opportunities to support school-based health services, including mental health care for eligible students. It notes that several states have successfully adopted policies to utilize Medicaid for broader access to mental health services in schools and emphasizes the availability of over $1 billion in federal funding to bolster the mental health workforce in high-need school districts.

The resolution further outlines various federal funding sources, including the Bipartisan Safer Community Act grants, which allocate significant resources for developing school-based mental health programs and training personnel to recognize mental health challenges. It encourages Tennessee's education and health departments to take proactive steps in securing these funds to improve mental health support for students, thereby fostering a more comprehensive approach to addressing mental health needs within the educational system. The resolution concludes by directing that copies be sent to the relevant state officials to ensure awareness and action on this initiative.