Legislative Center
State Policy
Beginning this Summer 2021, Utah Local Education Agencies (LEAs) will be receiving approximately $615 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) funds from the American Rescue Plan. Now is the time to use this funding to help our youngest learners that will need the additional instruction and interventions now more than ever.
In this explainer, Voice's staff Anna Thomas and Laneta Fitisemanu will cover the ESSER funding Utah is set to receive as well as ways that we can use the funds and support full day kindergarten and preschool expansion.
We have exactly two school years (2021-22, 2022-23) and three summers (2021, 2022, 2023) to spend these funds. It is critical that we think big picture about where we invest this money when it comes to education.
We have strong data and evidence supporting that full day kindergarten and preschool programs help improve learning gaps for children that participate particularly for our most vulnerable and underrepresented student groups. This is why using ESSER funds to help expand these much wanted and needed programs is critical and one of the most important investments we can make that will have a huge impact for years to come.
Let's invest in Utah kids by using this relief funding to expand early education programs and further support the value and importance of giving more of Utah children and families access to full day kindergarten and preschool programs!
Resources and References
Local education authorities, the state Office of Education, and the Office of Child Care have received hundreds of millions of dollars that can and should be spent to invest in what is best for Utah’s children.
We must work together to put these investment dollars to use with creative, community-supported solutions that help all Utah families with young children.
Let’s rise to the occasion and build quality early care and education plans and programs that work best for Utah kids!
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE BOLD PLANS IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Here are some ways that American Rescue Plan funding can be used in your community to support early childhood care and education:
- Free summer enrichment programs for families in need of academic support as well as child care!
- Expanded full-day kindergarten opportunities to ensure all kids in your community can get caught up and start first grade on par with their peers!
- On-line and in-person home visiting support for families with young children who want and need extra guidance regarding child development, safety and nutrition, and family financial stability.
