Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Resources for Students

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) reintroduced the Student Support Act to ensure all students have access to the mental health services and support they require to thrive academically and personally. The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis among students.

Published

6 months ago

November 7, 2023

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By Sean Ryan

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) reintroduced the Student Support Act to ensure all students have access to the mental health services and support they require to thrive academically and personally.

The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis among students.

Recognizing the significant challenges students face today, the act aims to break down barriers to access and would provide $100 million in grants to states for additional school-based mental health and student service providers.

Currently, there is a national average ratio of 1,653 students per school psychologist, despite the 1:500-700 recommendation from the National Association of Social Psychologists. This legislation would allow schools to have the maximum recommended ratio of 1 school social worker for every 250 students.

“Our students are our future, and their mental health is paramount,” said Lee. “Educational institutions, parents, policymakers, and communities must work together to ensure that every student has access to the mental health resources they need to succeed.

“With the Student Support Act, we are making a substantial investment in the well-being of our youth, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help take that significant step toward creating a safer and more supportive environment in our schools.”

Sarah Butts, director of Public Policy for the National Association of Social Workers thanked Lee for continued leadership to address the mental health and behavioral health needs of children and their families.

“We endorse the Student Support Act because students and school communities can benefit greatly from access to social workers and other mental health professionals on site,” Butts said.

Lee understands that student success is intrinsically linked to their mental health. Participation in the use of school-based mental health centers (SBHC) was positively associated with increases in grade point average (GPA) and attendance.

By implementing these comprehensive measures, the Student Support Act is taking bold steps to ensure that no student is left without the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

To view the bill, go to: https://lee.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2023_student_support_act.pdf

Sean Ryan is a media relations officer in Rep. Barbara Lee’s press office.

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.

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Activism

Rep. Barbara Lee, CBC Members, Raise Concerns Over Layoffs of Black Tech Workersi2s

In 2015, the CBC launched Tech 2020 to ensure that Black Americans would be better represented in the industry by 2020. However, Lee says those tech companies that pledged to be more inclusive are falling short of their promise.

Published

4 months ago

December 26, 2023

Oakland Post

Rep. Barbara Lee

By Post Staff

Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee and several other Congressional Black Caucus members have written a letter to Julie Su, the acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, addressing the disproportionate layoffs of Black tech employees.

“We write to express our concerns with recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women,” the letter stated.

“Tech companies who previously agreed to address bias and discrimination and create greater opportunities in the workforce are now quietly defunding diversity pledges,” the letter continued.

Lee told the Grio, “We’ve been fighting for justice and for economic parity and security as part of the mission of the CBC,” she said, “and so when we established Tech 2020, it was about equity and inclusion.”

“Now with all the Supreme Court decisions and with all of the backsliding, especially by Republicans, it’s very important that we be very assertive in our fight for equity and justice within the private sector and public sector,” she said.

According to the letter, since the beginning of 2023, more than 240,000 tech workers have been laid off, more than 50% increase from 2022.

Lee found that minorities and women make up most of the tech layoffs that have occurred this year.

“If you don’t have African Americans developing content,” Lee said, “then we’re going to have Black people, Brown people [and] women disproportionately impacted.”

“This country is supposed to be a representative democracy where you include people, and you don’t discriminate against them,” she added. “When you see the disproportionate numbers of people being laid off, then that is a red flag that it could be discrimination occurring against these workers and employees.”

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Congresswoman Lee Releases Statement on Vandalism of Lake Merritt Menorah

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2023

Oakland Post

Chabad of Oakland’s menorah at Lake Merritt on Dec. 10, before it was vandalized (right) and graffiti left where the menorah stood before it was pulled down. (Photos/Courtesy Chabad of Oakland)

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the destruction of the large Menorah on display at Lake Merritt in Oakland:

“I’m deeply saddened and disheartened that the Lake Merritt Menorah was destroyed earlier this week. My heart and prayers go out to the Jewish community in Oakland, and I strongly condemn this vile act of antisemitism.”

“Oaklanders salvaged the menorah and gathered together (Wednesday evening) to celebrate its re-lighting, spreading love and support in the way only Oakland does. I’m proud of my constituents. We will not let hate win.”