Michigan, like many other states, has utilized funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to address long-standing student mental health needs that were exacerbated during the pandemic. Karen Storey, the head of the Brighton School District’s multitiered system of support, recognized the importance of providing students with a strong support system, including a team of mental health professionals. Additionally, Storey founded Michigan’s successful school therapy dog program in 2009, which has proven to be beneficial for students struggling with anxiety and stress. The therapy dogs have helped students feel more at ease and have even encouraged reluctant readers to engage with books.
In response to a tragic incident in 2015, where a student took their own life, Brighton’s therapy dog program expanded to include 15 dogs. As student mental health continued to suffer during the pandemic, Michigan districts used ARP funding to expand the Pack of Dogs program to 52 counties. This initiative has been successful in not only providing emotional support to students but also in fostering a positive school environment. Other states, such as Colorado, Oklahoma, and Virginia, have also used ARP resources to launch therapy dog programs of their own, highlighting the importance of mental health support in schools.
Furthermore, ARP funds have been instrumental in addressing student hunger in Nevada. Elizabeth Martinez, the director of nutrition services for Nevada’s Carson City Schools, emphasized the transformative impact of universal school meals on the school community. By providing meals to all students, regardless of their ability to pay, the stigma associated with free and reduced-price meals has been eliminated. This has resulted in an increase in the number of meals served in the district, highlighting the need for continued support for universal meal programs.
In Kentucky, the Biden administration’s focus on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) has had a significant impact on educators like Tyler Murphy. With over 793,000 borrowers serving as public employees being granted $56.7 billion in student loan forgiveness through PSLF, educators have been able to alleviate the burden of student debt. Murphy, a high school social studies teacher, expressed gratitude for the forgiveness of his student loans, which has provided him with more financial flexibility and peace of mind. The efforts to improve PSLF reflect a commitment to supporting educators and ensuring their financial well-being.
Lastly, in North Carolina, Club Boulevard Elementary School in Durham has seen significant academic gains by leveraging federal ARP dollars and Title I funding. Gloria Suarez-Aviles, the community schools coordinator at Club Boulevard, has played a crucial role in providing students with the support they need to excel academically. By utilizing ARP funding for after-school tutoring and creating clubs that promote student engagement, Club Boulevard has been able to improve early-grade reading scores and create a positive learning environment for students.
Overall, the utilization of ARP funding in Michigan and other states has been instrumental in addressing various challenges faced by students and educators. From mental health support to universal school meals and student debt forgiveness, these initiatives have had a positive impact on the well-being and academic success of students across the country. The continued support for these programs is essential in ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to thrive in school and beyond.