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Senate Education Committee advances mechanism to fund K–5 social-emotional health program when money is available
Summary
Senate Bill 178, which sets up a line item and framework to fund a K–5 Social and Emotional Health Act when appropriations are available, was advanced unanimously by the Senate Education Committee. Sponsors emphasized the bill creates a ready pathway for future funding and does not request new dollars now.
The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 178, a bill that establishes a budget line and framework for the kindergarten-through-fifth-grade Social and Emotional Health Act to be funded when the General Assembly provides money. Senator Michaelson Janae, the bill sponsor, described the measure as a way to have a ready structure "for the time when we have money to be able to invest in it." She said the original pilot began in 2019 and that local districts that participated found the approach useful.
Senator Michaelson Janae recounted personal experience and program history to explain the bill's purpose: a pilot placed teams of therapists in schools to follow students and provide consistent supports. "The K-five Social and Emotional Health Act was a pilot that put teams of therapists in schools, to follow the student," she said, describing continued interest from some districts despite the absence of state funding.
Witnesses included representatives of Committee for Children, a nonprofit that produces skill-based curricula. Jordan Posimentier, vice president of policy and partnerships at Committee for Children and a former teacher, told the committee social-emotional learning (SEL) can reduce chronic absenteeism and help students feel safer and more connected to school. "This bill serves as a pressing need for Colorado to make sure Colorado students have skill building opportunities they need to thrive," Posimentier said. He cited chronic absenteeism rates that rose during the pandemic and remain elevated compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Benjamin Teavon, also representing Committee for Children, urged the legislature to have an established framework ready to deploy when funding becomes available: "Wouldn't it be nice if we actually had something ready to go if and when the time is right and we're not making policy on the fly? That's what this is supposed to do." Committee members asked whether the bill precludes charter schools from participating; the sponsor said it does not.
The bill does not request new funding in its current form and carries no fiscal note, testimony and the sponsor said. Committee members and witnesses framed the measure as preparatory — creating parameters and priorities for future investment (for example, focusing on chronic absenteeism and student mental health) rather than obligating immediate spending.
The committee voted to send Senate Bill 178 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the clerk recorded affirmative votes for members present and the measure was placed on the consent calendar for the next stage.
Ending: Sponsors described the bill as a structural step so future appropriations can quickly be directed toward an established K–5 SEL program; the committee advanced the bill without amendment and placed it on the consent calendar.
