Investing in Community Healing Act of 2021

To address the psychological, social, and emotional needs of racial and ethnic minorities who experience trauma associated with law enforcement violence, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Investing in Community Healing Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, African Americans are more likely to have face-to-face contact with law enforcement and are 2.5 times more likely to experience a threat or use of nonfatal force by police. (2) Research shows that young men who have experienced these law enforcement practices display higher levels of stress, anxiety, and trauma associated with the interaction. (3) Witnessing or experiencing invasive encounters with law enforcement can also be an everyday stressor for racial and ethnic minorities, leading to physiological and psychological strain. (4) Racial and ethnic minorities face inequities in accessing mental health services. (5) Addressing the stigma in some communities of color associated with receiving mental health services and informing individuals about available treatment can encourage better utilization of these services. 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of the Congress that it is imperative that a comprehensive public health approach to addressing trauma and mental health care be focused on care delivery that is culturally sensitive and competent. 4. Research on adverse health effects associated with interactions with law enforcement (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the Secretary 42 U.S.C. 300u–6a (b) Effects among racial and ethnic minorities The research under subsection (a) shall include research on— (1) the health consequences, both individual and community-wide, of trauma related to violence committed by law enforcement among racial and ethnic minorities; and (2) the disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality associated with such trauma. (c) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1) complete the research under this section; and (2) submit to the Congress a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from such research. 5. Grants for increasing racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, shall award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the purpose of increasing racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care. (b) Eligible entities To seek a grant under this section, an entity shall be a community-based program or organization that— (1) provides culturally competent programs and resources that are aligned with evidence-based practices for trauma-informed care; and (2) has demonstrated expertise in serving communities of color or can partner with a program that has such demonstrated expertise. (c) Use of funds As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, a grantee shall agree to use the grant to increase racial and ethnic minority access to high-quality trauma support services and mental health care, such as by— (1) establishing and maintaining community-based programs providing evidence-based services in trauma-informed care and culturally specific services and other resources; (2) developing innovative culturally specific strategies and projects to enhance access to trauma-informed care and resources for racial and ethnic minorities who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources (such as obstacles in geographic access to providers, insurance coverage, and access to audio and video technologies); (3) working with State and local governments and social service agencies to develop and enhance effective strategies to provide culturally specific services to racial and ethnic minorities; (4) increasing communities’ capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for communities of color; (5) working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting culturally specific issues and resources regarding racial and ethnic minorities; (6) providing culturally specific programs for racial and ethnic minorities exposed to law enforcement violence; and (7) examining the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing. (d) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities proposing to serve communities that have faced high rates of community trauma, including from exposure to law enforcement violence, intergenerational poverty, civil unrest, discrimination, or oppression. (e) Grant period The period of a grant under this section shall be 4 years. (f) Evaluation Not later than 6 months after the end of the period of all grants under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) conduct an evaluation of the programs funded by a grant under this section; (2) include in such evaluation an assessment of the outcomes of each such program; and (3) submit a report on the results of such evaluation to the Congress. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. 6. Behavioral and mental health outreach education strategy (a) In general The Secretary shall, in coordination with advocacy and behavioral and mental health organizations serving racial and ethnic minority groups, develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health, and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions, among racial and ethnic minorities. (b) Design The strategy under this section shall be designed to— (1) meet the diverse cultural and language needs of racial and ethnic minority groups; (2) provide information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate and adapted interventions and treatments; (3) increase awareness of symptoms of mental illness among racial and ethnic minority groups; and (4) ensure full participation of, and engage, both consumers and community members in the development and implementation of materials. (c) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress, and make publicly available, a report detailing the outreach and education strategy that is developed and implemented under this section and the results of such implementation.

Summary: Investing in Community Healing Act of 2021 This bill requires, with a focus on racial and ethnic minority groups, research on adverse health impacts associated with violent interactions with law enforcement and additional activities to promote access to mental and behavioral health care. Specifically, the Office of Minority Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must research the health consequences of trauma related to violent interactions with law enforcement. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must award grants to community-based programs or organizations to increase access to trauma-support services and mental health care. The Department of Health and Human Services must also carry out a campaign to raise awareness of, and reduce stigma associated with, mental and behavioral health conditions.