| Source: CT Facebook
HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut’s Department of Education Summer Enrichment Program will continue in 2023 and 2024 with $11.5 million in funding from its share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
With the release of this additional funding for 2023 and 2024, Connecticut will have dedicated $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding over four years for students’ summer enrichment programming. Since its creation in 2021, the program has provided funding to more than 400 organizations in Connecticut that offer summer learning opportunities.
Governor Ned Lamont created the program in 2021 to connect students whose education may have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to high-quality enrichment opportunities when they are out of school during the summer months. This includes summer camps, childcare centers, and other similar programs, prioritizing those in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
“Investing in our children’s future is a priority for Connecticut,” said Lamont. “With this investment, we can extend this successful program for another two years and ensure that more of Connecticut’s children have access to summer enrichment and learning opportunities, regardless of their family’s income level.”
According to Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, their independent research shows that summer enrichment programming has effectively expanded access to summer programming and energized and engaged students.
“Summer enrichment programming helps students reengage with their peers, adults, as well as provide them with enriching social and mentally stimulating opportunities to prepare them for return to school after summer vacation,” said Russell-Tucker
Applications from organizations that want to participate in the program in 2023 and 2024 are now being accepted by the State Department of Education. To apply, visit portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/AccelerateCT/Summer-Enrichment. Applications must be submitted no later than April 3, 2023.
Like the prior two years, the program will award funding to the most competitive summer programs. For 2023 and 2024, applicants can apply for either two expansion grants (up to $50,000 each, for a maximum of $100,000) or two innovation grants (up to $150,000 each, for a maximum of $300,000) per program site. Camps must use the funds to expand the number of students served, subsidize enrollment costs by providing scholarships, or provide transportation for program participants.
A video recording of the virtual information session for interested grant applicants was conducted today, March 16, and will be published on the Summer Enrichment website.
An independent evaluation of the 2021 program concluded that the initiative successfully connected more than 108,000 Connecticut students with summertime enrichment opportunities. A similar evaluation of the 2022 program is expected to be released soon.
Connecticut families seeking to enroll their children in summer programs this year will soon be able to browse available opportunities online by visiting summerct.org. A listing of opportunities for 2023 will be published on that website in the coming weeks as the summer season approaches.
–-With Ricky Rillera/PDM
