National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act

This proposal creates a national grant program to help communities respond when children are exposed to trauma. The Justice Department, working with Health and Human Services, could fund States, local governments, Tribal governments, and neighborhood or community groups to set up Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Teams and related services. Money could be used to make clear steps to follow when a child has faced trauma, build referral partnerships with mental health and addiction services, coordinate police with mental health and crisis teams, run support programs for affected kids, spot barriers to getting care, train schools and first responders in trauma‑informed practices, improve teamwork across agencies, and offer technical help to prevent and reduce the harm from violence and trauma.

It authorizes $10 million per year from 2026 through 2029 for these grants, and eligible applicants must apply to the Attorney General.

• Who is eligible: States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and neighborhood or community‑based organizations
• What changes: New grants to create and support trauma response teams, build care partnerships, train community partners, and coordinate services for children and families exposed to trauma
• When: Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026–2029