Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact

Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact

School districts throughout the country have faced previously unheard-of difficulties in recent years, including learning loss, infrastructure requirements, equity disparities, and pandemic recovery. Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact is one important tool that has had a significant impact. Schools have been given federal stimulus money with the sole objective of not only recovering but also creating more robust and resilient systems that will help students for years to come. To optimize long-term educational outcomes, this essay examines how communities, educators, administrators, and districts can effectively plan and allocate federal stimulus funds.

Best practices for budgeting, important program areas (such as teacher retention, digital equity, mental health, and infrastructure), and how data-driven decision-making and community participation boost outcomes will all be covered. By doing this, you will learn how to use Federal Stimulus dollars for long-term school impact to change school systems in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and holistic.

1. Understanding the Foundations: What Are These Stimulus Dollars For?

The CARES Act, CRRSA, and ARP-ESSER grants are some of the mechanisms through which federal stimulus funds have been distributed. The purpose of these resources is to assist schools:

  1. Talk about academic recovery and learning loss.
  2. Encourage the well-being of workers and students
  3. Improve the facilities and infrastructure of schools
  4. Promote technology and digital equity.
  5. Encourage the retention and capacity of educators

Districts use Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact by emphasizing sustainable progress rather than just short-term recovery. This calls for meticulous planning; instead of implementing one-time adjustments, schools must create multi-year budgets, closely monitor spending, and match spending to strategic plans. For example, learning rehabilitation programs that are combined with continuing support networks guarantee long-term benefits.

2. Strategic Investment Areas

Utilizing Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact can have enduring benefits in the following crucial areas:

A. Infrastructure & Facilities

Putting money into energy-efficient systems, better ventilation, and HVAC renovations promotes sustainability and good health. These improvements are long-lasting and continue to help staff and students long after they are first put in place.

B. Digital Equity & Technology

Equitable access to hybrid and digital learning is increased through staff training, device purchases, and broadband expansion. These actions go beyond crisis management; they also affect the way that education is provided in schools moving forward.

C. Mental Health & Student Support

Students’ mental well-being is enhanced by funding social-emotional learning initiatives, counselors, and trauma-informed treatment. For years to come, having robust support networks in place is essential.

D. Professional Development & Teacher Retention

High-quality faculty retention is aided by initiatives that promote mentorship, skill development, and burnout prevention for educators. Investing sustainably in your core staff is what it means to use Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact.

E. Curriculum Innovation & Equity

In order for reforms to become ingrained in future practice, stimulus monies might be used to launch new, equitable curricular initiatives, particularly those that emphasize project-based learning or inclusive pedagogies.

Schools should implement evidence-based practices, track results, and establish feedback loops to improve their programming in each area. This is the epitome of using federal stimulus dollars for long-term school impact: methodical, deliberate, and outcome-oriented.

3. Planning & Governance: Keeping the Impact Long Lasting

Strong governance is necessary for long-term success:

  • Multi-year Planning: Create an expenditure plan that spans three to five years rather than using stimulus monies in a single fiscal year. This gives time to develop sustainable habits and helps prevent boom-and-bust cycles.
  • Data Tracking & Transparency: Track results, including attendance, academic advancement, well-being, and infrastructure performance, and update the community on your success.
  • Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Involve local partners, educators, parents, and students in the planning process. This increases support and guarantees that investments meet regional needs.
  • Partnerships: To increase access and expertise, work with universities, technology companies, mental health providers, and nonprofit organizations.
  • Flexibility & Responsiveness: Be prepared to change course when circumstances demand it; a program’s continuation does not imply that it is rigid.

Therefore, the use of Federal Stimulus dollars for long-term school impact is based on how you manage, adapt, and care for those investments, as well as where you invest.

4. Case Studies & Real-World Examples

Case Study A: Green Valley School District – Infrastructure and Health

Green Valley installed energy-efficient lighting, upgraded windows for ventilation, and retrofitted HVAC systems using some of its stimulus funds. This classic, Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact, was put into practice when the district reported better air quality, lower utility expenses, and fewer absences due to sickness within two years.

Case Study B: Lakeside Unified – Digital Equity

It also provided teachers with training in digital pedagogy. Long after emergency needs had passed, this tech-driven change nevertheless supported remote options and blended learning.

Case Study C: Urban Heights District – Mental Health & Support Staff

Urban Heights introduced SEL programs and hired social workers and school counselors. Over the course of three years, there was a decrease in student disciplinary occurrences and an increase in early mental health referrals, which are indicators of early intervention and fewer crises. Utilizing Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact that improves equality and well-being is a sustainable approach.

Case Study D: Pine Ridge – Teacher Development

Once more, excellence through Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact resulted in sustained advances in reading and math achievement as well as increased retention rates.

While maintaining the idea of strategic, long-term investment, these illustrated examples show how the same keyword—Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact—can take on several shapes based on local objectives.

5. Pitfalls to Avoid & Lessons Learned

Errors can impede progress even when done with the greatest of intentions:

  • Short-Term Spending Frenzy: Unsustainability results from using all of the money in the first year without developing systems.
  • Lack of Evaluation: You won’t know what works if you don’t measure impact.
  • Ignoring Equity: Existing gaps may be widened by funds that don’t specifically target underrepresented communities.
  • Siloed Planning: The investment underperforms if departments plan separately (for example, a tech purchases hardware but disregards training).
  • Inflexibility: Opportunities are lost when plans are strictly followed while needs change (for example, due to changing pandemic conditions).

Districts can steer clear of these blunders and instead concentrate on adaptability, equity, and durability by making Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact the focal point of their strategy and mentality.

Conclusion

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to transform public education is provided by federal stimulus dollars. However, how strategically we use these resources will determine how real the promise is. Using Federal Stimulus Dollars for Long-Term School Impact entails making intentional investments in long-lasting infrastructure, bridging digital divides, promoting mental health, assisting educators, and integrating innovation into routine operations.

School systems may guarantee that stimulus financing creates routes rather than merely patchwork by implementing deliberate governance, community participation, multi-year planning, and ongoing review. The choices we make today will have an impact on future generations of students as we recover from current catastrophes.

The ultimate objective is straightforward but profound: to transform short-term funds into long-term advancements by building robust, just, and superior educational systems. That is how Federal Stimulus Dollars can have a lasting impact on schools.

Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation: Building Fairness in Action

Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation

It has never been more important to ensure equity in the implementation of federal programs. Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation must be implemented across agencies, from the FCC and FEMA to HUD and the Department of Labor, in a way that breaks down structural obstacles and improves underprivileged neighborhoods. This blog examines the instruments that agencies employ, how they operationalize equality, and the reasons that every choice and procedure must incorporate Ensuring equality in Federal Program Implementation.

1. The Foundation: Executive Orders & Equity Action Plans

Executive orders like EO 13985, EO 14091, and others that mandate agencies to develop Equity Action Plans are frequently the first step toward ensuring equity in federal programs.

Federal agencies were prompted to identify obstacles and incorporate equity into their grantmaking, procurement, and service delivery procedures by Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.”

Equity was codified by follow-up directives such as EO 14091 (“Further Advancing Racial Equity…”), which included it in interagency coordination, procurement procedures, budgeting, and priority goals.

The foundation for Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation across departments was established by these mandates.

2. Embedding Equity Across Agencies: Real-World Examples

HUD: Homeownership, Homelessness & Procurement

Homelessness, homeownership, and procurement are all covered in HUD’s Equity Action Plan:

  • Increasing communication with underserved and small companies
  • Addressing Black, Latino, LGBTQ+, and underprivileged populations inequalities in homeownership
  • Enhancing the results of homeless aid for underserved populations

FCC: Digital Equity & Connectivity

The FCC’s EO 13985 strategy seeks to:

Create a task team and establish regulations to stop discrimination online.

With the help of the Emergency Connectivity Fund ($7.17B) and the Affordable Connectivity Program ($14.2B), link millions of homes and students to the internet.

Department of Labor: Jobs & Infrastructure Equity

  • The infrastructure-related Good Jobs Initiative
  • Collaborations to create career routes
  • Technical support and focused outreach to underprivileged workers, particularly in the Southeast

Cross-Agency: Justice40 & Environmental Equity

Agencies such as EPA, DOE, FEMA, and DOD promote environmental justice through the Justice40 Initiative, which allocates 40% of investments in clean energy and resilience to underserved communities.

3. Tools & Strategies for Achieving Equity

Data, Transparency & Participation

  • To promote accountability, agencies must use equitable data gathering methods (disaggregated by race, income, etc.).
  • Additionally crucial are participatory budgeting and stakeholder engagement, which involve asking representatives with lived experience for their opinions.

Budget, Grants, & Procurement Reforms

  • Strategic planning, grant scoring criteria, and procurement choices all need to incorporate equity.
  • Agencies provide underprivileged candidates with technical assistance and streamline grant applications.

4. Why Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation Matters

  • Leveling the playing field: Because of past bias, programs frequently disadvantage vulnerable populations; fairness guarantees equitable access to opportunities.
  • Effective outcomes: Results from community-informed policies are more targeted, inclusive, and long-lasting.
  • Trust & legitimacy: Public confidence in government is strengthened by fair and transparent procedures.
  • Legal & ethical imperative: Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation is shaped by EO requirements and civil rights laws that serve as agencies’ pillars.

5. Challenges & Critiques

Despite advancements, there are still legitimate worries:

  • Political opposition: Programs that prioritize equity are occasionally contested by courts and new administrations. For instance, there are legal risks to DBE rules ($37B).
  • Intentional misunderstanding: FEMA’s equity objective was misrepresented as deprioritizing white applicants; in reality, equity entails removing obstacles rather than excluding any group.
  • Limitations of performance measurement: It is still politically and technologically difficult to guarantee that data and results appropriately reflect equity gains.

These difficulties highlight the need for constant attention to detail and flexibility to ensure equity in the implementation of federal programs.

6. The Road Forward: Recommendations

To make equality initiatives stronger:

  • Institutionalize equity: Maintain Equity Action Plans, current and included in agency performance reviews and budgeting.
  • Prioritize data equity: Enable real-time monitoring and extend disaggregated metrics.
  • Sustain community partnerships: Utilize participatory mechanisms and advisory groups to direct policy.
  • Build capacity: Continually train management and employees on equity.
  • Protect equity initiatives: Programs should be codified to withstand legal challenges and political changes.

Conclusion

Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation is an operational necessity, not only a catchphrase. Through action plans, advisors, data reform, and communication, federal agencies are actively adopting equality across a range of activities, from procurement and connection to research and grantmaking. Even in the face of legal or political obstacles, fairness is maintained by remaining alert and flexible.

For agencies to create a government that really serves all Americans, particularly those who have historically been underserved, they must adhere to the principle of Ensuring Equity in Federal Program Implementation.

Exploring Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide

Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities

The need for revolutionary reform in the global education system has grown in recent years. Reform is more important than ever, from curriculum modernization to fair access to technology and high-quality education. However, financing is necessary in addition to a clear policy goal for significant change to take place. Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities can help with that.

Globally, education foundations are taking action to meet the urgent demands of educational reform. These public and commercial organizations provide financial programs, grants, and fellowships to help educational startups, schools, non-governmental organizations, and policy-based groups that are seeking to bring about change. We will go into great detail in this blog about these financial options, including what they are for, who can apply, how to apply, and how they are influencing education going forward.

What Are Education Reform Foundations?

Nonprofit or charitable organizations known as education reform foundations place a high priority on enhancing educational systems by providing targeted support. They frequently back initiatives and programs that are centered on:

  • Development of curricula
  • Training and development for teachers
  • Integration of technology
  • Education that is inclusive
  • Programs for digital literacy and STEM

Above all, these foundations provide focused Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities aimed at starting, accelerating, or scaling up educational reforms.

Types of Foundations Involved in Education Reform

  1. Private Foundations – The Ford Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are a few examples.
  2. Corporate Foundations – The Cisco Foundation, IBM’s educational programs, and Google.org are important corporate donors.
  3. Family Foundations – These are frequently founded by affluent families and provide funding for educational initiatives that reflect their own values and objectives.

The Role of Funding in Driving Education Reform

Reforming education requires a lot of resources. It includes systemic policy reforms, new technology infrastructure, teacher retraining, and occasionally the creation of whole new pedagogical or accountability frameworks. Even the best ideas can fail in the absence of sufficient finance.

For this reason, funding opportunities from the Education Reform Foundation are essential. These chances guarantee:

  • Innovation is funded – Ideas with transformational potential that are risky or unproven receive the necessary support.
  • Sustainability – Long-term financing guarantees that reforms won’t be shelved in the middle.
  • Equity – Communities that are marginalized and underserved can get focused assistance.

How to Find Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities

Here’s a methodical way to find and apply for the appropriate opportunities:

1. Research the Right Foundations

Finding foundations that support your mission should be your first step. Several well-known platforms are:

  • Formerly known as the Foundation Center, Candid
  • GrantWatch
  • Money for Nonprofits
  • Online Foundation Directory

To focus your search, use keywords like “teacher development,” “education reform,” “K-12,” or “policy change.”

2. Follow Foundation Websites and Newsletters

Through their websites and publications, foundations frequently publicize forthcoming opportunities, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and grant cycles. Applying early is possible if you remain subscribed.

3. Network and Attend Education Conferences

Major foundations and funding organizations frequently send representatives to events like the Education World Forum, ISTE Conference, or ASCD Empower. These are great places to find out about funding opportunities offered by the Education Reform Foundation, both now and in the future.

Top Foundations Offering Education Reform Funding

  • The Walton Family Foundation

Focus: K–12 innovation, charter schools, and school choice

Possibilities include startup capital for nonprofit organizations and new schools.

  • Carnegie Corporation of New York

Focus: Reforming assessments, creating creative policies, and teacher education

Grants for research and development are available.

  • Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)

Focus: Technology in education and whole-child education

Opportunities include cooperation grants and seed money.

Tips for Writing a Winning Grant Proposal

The next step after identifying appropriate Education Reform Foundations funding opportunities is to obtain the grant. Here’s how to differentiate your proposal:

1. Align with Foundation Priorities

Show how your idea aligns with the financing focus and objective of the foundation.

2. Show Impact and Sustainability

The goal of foundation funding is to support initiatives that go beyond immediate success. Describe your strategy for scalability and sustainability over the long run.

3. Include Data and Evidence

Support your strategy and expected results using facts, research, or case studies.

Challenges in Accessing Education Reform Funding

Even with the availability of funding opportunities from the Education Reform Foundation, a number of obstacles still exist:

  • High competition – Thousands of ideas are sent to foundations.
  • Complex application processes – Comprehensive measurements, assessments, or pilot testing are necessary for certain projects.

In order to overcome these, businesses ought to think about:

  • Employing seasoned grant writers
  • Developing connections with foundation employees

Impact of Foundation Funding on Education Reform

Foundation-led investment has yielded impressive outcomes over the years:

  • Greater availability of technology in underprivileged schools
  • Experimenting with cutting-edge approaches like project-based learning and flipped classrooms
  • White papers and research supported by foundations have an impact on policy developments.

The long-term ability of Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities to change the course of educational systems is demonstrated by the knock-on effects of such investments.

Future Trends in Education Reform Funding

Funding priorities change as the schooling landscape does. Here are some potential future developments:

1. EdTech and AI Integration

Foundations are spending more money on digital infrastructure, data-driven education, and AI-powered learning systems.

2. Focus on Equity and Inclusion

Anticipate additional money aimed at reducing educational disparities based on aptitude, gender, and race.

3. Global South Investments

In order to encourage regional educational changes, foundations are reaching out to South Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Conclusion

Education reform is urgently needed and has to address a wide range of issues, including systematic inequality, digital barriers, and outmoded curricula. Thankfully, for those individuals and groups prepared to spearhead this effort, the Education Reform Foundations Funding Opportunities offer a lifeline.

Through securing appropriate funds, developing compelling proposals, and remaining committed to reform-oriented goals, change agents can create and expand innovations that improve education’s effectiveness, equity, and accessibility for all.

The moment has come for anyone involved in education funding, be it a teacher, school administrator, legislator, or non-governmental organization.

Federal Grant Management Training Online: A Comprehensive Guide

#1 Best Federal Grant Management Training Online - Edusolve

Federal funds are essential for corporations, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and charity groups. Effective grant management minimizes financial mismanagement, maximizes money usage, and guarantees adherence to federal rules. As digital learning has grown, federal grant management training online has emerged as a vital tool for professionals who want to improve their proficiency in effectively managing federal grants.

The significance of training, available courses, important learning objectives, compliance requirements, and best practices for grant management are all covered in detail in this comprehensive introduction to the complexities of managing federal grants.

What Is Federal Grant Management Training Online?

The administration of grants given by the federal government to different organizations for particular objectives is known as federal grant management. Strict guidelines, such as reporting obligations, financial management standards, and performance evaluation procedures, must be followed while using this money. Organizations that manage grants well stay in compliance and get the most out of the money they are given.

Why Federal Grant Management Training Online Is Essential

The ever-changing regulatory environment makes it difficult for many groups to administer federal grants. Federal grant management training online equips workers with the know-how and abilities needed to successfully navigate these obstacles. Online training is essential for the following main reasons:

Regulatory Compliance: Grantees are required to follow consistent guidelines issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Professionals who receive training are better able to stay current on these rules.

Financial responsibility: The risk of financial inconsistencies is reduced and responsibility is guaranteed when federal monies are managed properly.

Better Grant Writing and Reporting: Accurate reporting and a higher likelihood of obtaining future funding are two benefits of knowing the grant lifecycle, from proposal submission to closeout.

Flexibility and Accessibility: Learning at one’s own speed without being constrained by geography is made convenient via online training.

Improved Career Prospects: Federal grant administration specialists are more likely to get employment in government organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

Key Components of Federal Grant Management Training

The following topics are usually covered in an organized online course on federal grant management training:

1. Introduction to Federal Grants

  • Federal grant types include cooperation agreements, project-based, formula-based, and discretionary awards.
  • Federal grant-making organizations
  • Important parties involved in the funding process

2. Grant Application and Proposal Writing

  • Finding avenues for funding
  • Creating an effective grant application
  • Planning and justifying a budget

3. Award Acceptance and Implementation

  • Knowing What the Notice of Award (NOA) Is
  • Creating a project schedule with deadlines
  • Allocating resources and staffing

4. Financial Management and Compliance

  • Requirements for financial and performance reporting
  • Monitoring progress and gathering data
  • Making sure the program is sustainable and evaluating its impact

5. Grant Reporting and Performance Evaluation

  • Getting ready for audits
  • Handling problems with non-compliance
  • Final paperwork and financial reconciliation

6. Audit and Closeout Procedures

  • Uniform Guidance from OMB (2 CFR 200)
  • Cost guidelines and permitted expenditures
  • Risk assessments and internal controls

Best Federal Grant Management Training

Online Programs

Online courses for federal grant management training are available from several respectable organizations. These are a few of the best programs:

  • National Grants Management Association (NGMA)

An offers extensive training on grant administration and compliance, as well as certification programs.

  • Management Concepts

Provides a range of training courses on federal grants that concentrate on various grant management topics.

  • Grant Training Center

An offers specific instruction in financial management, reporting, and grant writing.

  • The Grantsmanship Center

Provides a thorough training curriculum that covers grant administration and writing.

  • Online Universities and Government Training Portals

Both free and paid courses on federal grant management are offered by platforms like Coursera, edX, and websites connected to the government.

How to Choose the Right Online Grant Management Course

It takes careful thought to choose the best online course for federal grant management training because there are so many possibilities accessible. Consider the following factors:

  • Certification and Accreditation: Verify if the course is accepted by the appropriate governmental or business associations.
  • Curriculum & Course Content: Every important facet of grant management should be covered in the program.
  • Expertise of the Instructor: Trainers ought to possess a great deal of experience in administering federal grants.
  • Flexibility and Accessibility: Self-paced learning and constant access to materials should be permitted in the course.
  • Reviews and Testimonials: To determine the efficacy of a course, look for comments from previous students.

Tips for Successful Federal Grant Management

Continuous learning and adherence to best practices are essential, even after finishing online federal grant administration training. Here are some professional pointers:

  • Keep Up with Regulations: Federal grant policies are subject to regular changes. Keep an eye out for developments on the OMB website.
  • Put Strong Internal Controls in Place: To stop fraud and guarantee compliance, set up explicit policies and processes.
  • Keep Thorough Records: Reporting and auditing procedures are made easier with proper documentation.
  • Engage Stakeholders: Program execution and results are enhanced when team members and recipients are involved.

Make use of grant management software. Programs such as Salesforce, eCivis, and GrantVantage help make grant reporting and tracking more efficient.

The Future of Federal Grant Management Training

Online federal grant administration training will continue to develop as technology progresses, incorporating:

  • Automation and Artificial Intelligence: AI-powered solutions will improve compliance tracking and grant writing.
  • Interactive Learning Platforms: Case studies and virtual simulations will enhance hands-on learning.
  • Blockchain for Transparency: Secure and impenetrable grant tracking will be made possible by decentralized ledgers.
  • Personalized Learning Paths: AI-powered suggestions will adjust classes to meet the needs of each learner.

Conclusion

Organizations and professionals looking to obtain and efficiently handle federal funding must become proficient in federal grant management. A convenient and adaptable method of acquiring the required knowledge and abilities is through online training. People may guarantee compliance, increase their financial management skills, and better their career prospects in the grant administration industry by signing up for a respectable online course on federal grant management training.

Investing in top-notch federal grant management training online is a step toward success in managing the complexity of federal grants, regardless of your role—grant writer, financial officer, or program manager. With the correct online training program, you may begin your path right now and become an expert grant manager!

Teaching Is a Work of Heart

Teaching Is a Work of Heart - Edusolve

The National PTA says it best, “The pandemic has ushered in a new way of teaching and learning. From in-person to virtual to a hybrid learning environment (some all in one school year!), our students have faced challenging, yet innovative times in their learning and development—and teachers have been at the heart of it all!”

America’s schools – and their teachers – are still overcoming the setbacks of the pandemic. One does not have to look far to see that teachers are leaving the profession in droves, teacher attrition is at a fever-pitch, and we are seeing fewer students enrolling in teacher-preparation programs (Will, 2021). Conditions in the education field have always trended toward demanding, but today they’re a recipe for burnout—which teachers experience almost twice as much as other government employees (Perna, 2022, para 3). While these tremendous pressures may never be completely eradicated, there are ways in which we can alleviate some of the stressors and factors that contribute to burn-out. One of these ways is through adult social and emotional learning skills and capacity building.

By shifting from a strictly student-centered approach to professional development to an all-encompassing understanding of both adult and student SEL, we create an opportunity for teachers to learn how to manage the stressors of the classroom, reduce feelings of burnout, and support feelings of preparedness and satisfaction.

When a teacher’s social emotional competence is high, they can model and impart those skills and abilities to their students. We know from our practice that SEL is not isolated to a classroom or the children within it; rather SEL purposefully, and by-design, includes adults with its framework (Hamilton & Doss, 2020; Schonert-Reichl, 2017; Jennings & Greenberg, 2009;).

The message is clear: for social emotional learning to be effective and integrated within the context of whole-school implementation, adults must be included in the development and application of social emotional learning. Let’s do more than just appreciate teachers, let’s recognize the emotions they manage and give them real strategies and resources to feel respected.

Teaching is indeed a work of heart. Join me and the EduSolve team in thanking a teacher.

The developing federal budget is a quiet win for needed programs

The developing federal budget is a quiet win for needed programs

As states and school districts begin to think about life after ESSER, the current bipartisan government spending agreement is poised to increase federal education spending. In K12 it provides $45 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion over the fiscal year 2022 enacted level, for K-12 and special education programs.

Here are some highlights:

Formula Funding

Title I is set for a 5% increase or roughly $850M. Be on the lookout for changing allocations based on pandemic-related enrollment and population shifts.

IDEA and Special education will realize a much-needed increase of $934 million, for a total of $15.5 billion.

Competitive Funding

Full Service Community Schools that positions school campuses as community hubs grows to $150 million.

21st Century Community Learning Centers program would see $1.3 billion under the bill, an increase of $40 million above fiscal year 2022 funding levels.

Project AWARE is a mental health and wellness program designed to identify and help children and youth who need mental health care as part of funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This grant will see a $12M increase, well timed considering the ongoing youth mental health crisis documented by HHS and the Surgeon General.

EduSolve recommends three important considerations to make now, ahead of an approved federal budget:

  1. Plan now. Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to document the current need and organize your plan with community partners.
  2. Consider competitive grants as part of your ESSER “step back plan”.
  3. Consider the ROI and LOI of what worked well in reopening and protect those resources from budget cuts.

For more information on comprehensive needs assessments or step back planning, contact me at Edu-Solve.com.

The 2022 snapshot that reveals a trend of increased diagnoses of anxiety and depression

Culturally Affirming Community Engagement - Edusolve

The effects of COVID-19 pandemic are coming to light, confirming what educators and administrators have experienced on their campuses and across their districts: increased need for mental health awareness, interventions, and services.

The Surgeon General calls this a Youth Mental Health Crisis and warns that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects as a result of the challenges experienced by their generation, including the coronavirus pandemic.

The report cites significant increases in self-reports of depression and anxiety along with more emergency room visits for suicide attempts, which rose 51 percent for adolescent girls in early 2021 as compared to the same period in 2019.

A Health & Human Services (HHS)[1] sponsored study, published in the Journal of American Medicine, and conducted by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), reveals 5-year trends over a variety of categories. Of note is the 5-year upward trend of increased diagnosis of anxiety and depression:

 “With respect to pre-pandemic trends, there was a significant increase in diagnosed mental health conditions, specifically a 27% increase in anxiety and a 24% increase in depression, between 2016 and 2019. These findings are consistent with reports from other data sources.  The direction of these trends continued into 2020, representing 5.6 million children with diagnosed anxiety and 2.4 million children diagnosed with depression” (Lebrun-Harris, et al., 2022) [2]

Of additional note was the “a significant (21%) increase in behavior or conduct problems between 2019 and 2020”.[3]  

Part of HHS’ response to the need for increased attention to mental health is $35million in grants to increase healthcare availability and access, nationally. 

What school districts do, when faced with the increased need for attention to mental and behavioral health, will matter this year, and beyond.

As part of budgeting and planning, EduSolve recommends that district administrators focus on evaluating and implementing the following: 

  • A current or planned assessment of campus climate & wellness for both students and faculty.
  • A clear and documented MTSS approach to mental heath.
  • A collaborative approach to maximize the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

 

 

[1] See: 2022 HHS announcement  

[2] Lebrun-Harris, L. A., Ghandour, R. M., Kogan, M. D., & Warren, M. D. (2022). Five-Year trends in US children’s health and well-being, 2016-2020. In JAMA Pediatrics, (176), e220056. American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0056

[3] Ibid