Attorney General William Tong secured a federal court order blocking the U.S. Department of Education from terminating school-based mental health grants serving Connecticut public school students.

The order came in a lawsuit joined by Tong and 14 other state attorneys general, days before the department would have terminated the grants, cutting $3 million supporting social workers in Hartford, New Britain, Vernon, and Waterbury schools through 2029.

Congress appropriated $1 billion after school shootings to bring 14,000 mental health professionals into schools most in need. The programs served nearly 775,000 students nationwide in their first year, with sampled projects showing a 50% reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools.

The Department of Education notified grantees in April 2025 that the grants would be discontinued, later revealing they were targeted over perceived support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Connecticut and the coalition have won six favorable rulings, including a December 2025 order declaring the discontinuations unlawful and a permanent injunction barring their implementation.

Tong said, "Another victory against the Trump administration. The court has once again stepped in to stop this unlawful attack on our schools and students. These grants were approved by Congress to provide critical mental health services to children. Trump has no authority to hold them hostage for his own political agenda."

The order, which prevents the department from terminating the grants without required procedural protections, expires August 24. The court is expected to schedule a hearing on a preliminary injunction that would provide longer-term protection for the grantees.