LEGISLATION
H.R.3293 The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Departments and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill
· Sponsor: Rep Obey, David R. (D-7th WI)
· Passed the U.S. House of Representatives July 17, 2009, and the Senate Appropriations Committee July 30, 2009
LATEST INFORMATION
On July 30, 2009, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed, by a vote of 29 to 1, the committee's version of the appropriations bill funding the federal Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2010. This provides for an array of programs impacting counselors' professional development and their work, including the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP). The bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee included $55 million for ESSCP, $3 million above the FY 2009 level and Pres. Obama's FY 2010 Budget Request for the program. The bill version that passed the full House on July 17, by a vote of 264 to 153, also included $55 million for ESSCP.
The full Senate was expected to vote on its version of the appropriations bill in September, but has yet to act. Nearly all of the 12 appropriations bills that Congress is supposed to pass annually to fund the federal government remain unfinished. Therefore, the government is operating on a continuing resolution, funding federal agencies at FY 2009 levels with few exceptions, until October 31, 2009. Congressional leaders are considering a second continuing resolution to provide more time to finish appropriations.
Also noteworthy, the Loan Forgiveness for Service in Areas of National Need Program was not included in the president's FY 2010 Budget Request, or the House or Senate versions of the appropriations bill above. Thus, the loan forgiveness program remains unfunded. The program would cover 17 areas of national need, including full-time school counselors in low-income schools.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Counselors are encouraged to urge Congress to fund the Loan Forgiveness for Service in Areas of National Need Program.
BACKGROUND
Below you will find a table on the appropriations status of key programs with links to further information on each program.
Key Labor-HHS-Ed Appropriations(in Millions)
| Program |
FY 2008 |
FY 2009 |
President’s FY 2010 Budget Request |
FY 2010Passed House |
FY 2010 Passed Senate Committee |
| Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP) |
$48.6 |
$52.0 |
$52.0 |
$55.0 |
$55.0 |
| Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems |
$4.9 |
$5.9 |
$6.9 |
$0 |
$6.9 |
| Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk |
$48.9 |
$50.4 |
$50.4 |
$50.4 |
$50.4 |
| Safe and Drug-Free Schools -- State Grants |
$294.8 |
$294.8 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
$0.0 |
| Safe and Drug-Free Schools -- National Programs, including Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative |
$137.7 |
$139.3 |
$250.9 |
$195.0 |
$224.9 |
| 21st Century Community Learning Centers |
$1,081.2 |
$1,131.2 |
$1,131.2 |
$1,181.2 |
$1,131.2 |
| Education for Homeless Children and Youth |
$64.1 |
$135.43 , includes $70 from ARRA* |
$65.4 |
$65.4 |
$65.4 |
| Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) |
$63.9 |
$63.9 |
$63.9 |
$63.9 |
$63.9 |
| Federal TRIO Programs |
$828.2 |
$848.1 |
$848.1 |
$868.1 |
$848.1 |
| GEAR UP |
$303.4 |
$313.2 |
$313.2 |
$333.0 |
$313.2 |
| Pell Grant Max Award (mix of mandatory and discretionary; in thousands) |
$4,731 |
$5,350 |
$5,550, and proposes to make it a mandatory program with increases based on the Consumer Price Index +1% |
$5,550 |
$5,550 |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) |
$757.5 |
$757.5 |
$757.5 |
$757.5 |
$757.5 |
| Federal Work-Study |
$980.5 |
$1180.5, includes $200 from ARRA* |
$980.5 |
$980.5 |
$980.5 |
| Federal Perkins Program, including Loan Cancellation |
$64.3 |
$67.2 |
Proposes changing it to a mandatory Perkins Loan program funded at nearly 6 times the current Perkins loan volume of $1billion |
$49.7 |
Only references President's proposal |
| National Health Services Corps (NHSC) Recruitment, including Loan Repayment |
$83.7 |
$335.2, includes $240 from ARRA* |
$122.6 |
$102.1 |
$100 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dominic W. Holt, MSW, MFA
Legislative Representative
American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
800.347.6647 x242
703.823.6828 TDD
dholt@counseling.org