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May 18, 2021
Dear School Leaders,
Today, Governor Tim Walz announced a plan to fund enhanced summer learning programs in Minnesota to help students recover from the learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor will allocate $75 million of the flexible State Fiscal Stabilization Funds in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan toward programming that will provide solutions for academic enrichment and mental health supports starting this summer. These funds are separate from Minnesota's $1.3 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds under the ARP.
Below you will find additional information about each area of funding.
Academic and Mental Health Supports ($34.614 million)
Public schools and districts will receive a general allocation in order to create partnerships with organizations and provide services in the following areas:
- Expand mental health and well-being supports to youth and adolescents attending school district and charter school summer learning programs.
- Partner with community businesses and organizations to develop a summer mentor and/or tutoring model that covers enrichment programming and other costs such as transportation and meals to increase student participation.
- Bring school-based summer programs into the community, providing opportunities for enrichment, social and emotional skill building, mental health supports, and tutoring services.
- Provide students with field trips for hands-on learning opportunities, such as trips to nature centers, state parks, zoos, museums or theaters.
Funding for academic and mental health supports will be allocated to districts based on 40% average daily membership (ADM) and 60% on concentration of historically underserved students with an emphasis on students receiving special education services. See the allocations on MDE’s Federal Relief Funding webpage.
Streamlined applications will be available in SERVS next week. Funds will be available starting in summer 2021 and the intent is to establish programming to support students as soon as possible. However, the funds can be used through August 2022.
Preschool for 4- and 5-Year-Olds ($20 million)
This allocation provides preschool or prekindergarten to 4- and 5-year-olds. These funds can be used in a three- or four-star rated, public or private preschool or prekindergarten in-person learning program. These high-quality early learning programs help children develop their social-emotional skills before they begin kindergarten.
The program is intended to serve historically underserved communities and children who may have one or more risk factor or who may not have been able to attend a high-quality early childhood program due to COVID-19. A formula will be used based on child poverty concentration. The formula will determine the amount available for each eligible school district, charter school and Head Start program as well as the amount available in each county for eligible three- or four-star rated child care programs.
The application process will be streamlined in an online survey which will be sent to eligible programs soon. Dollar amounts for each program will be announced in early June.
School-linked Mental Health Grants ($6.011 million)
This investment in School-linked Mental Health Grants, administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, will address an increased need for community mental health services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expanded Access to Tutoring ($3.25 million)
These funds will expand access to tutoring services including academic enrichment, mental health supports and other wrap-around services for K-12 children. Grants will be provided to experienced entities, including community organizations, to deliver tutoring and increase access to enrichment opportunities.
Funds for expanded access to tutoring will be awarded through a competitive grant program. The tentative timeline is below:
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By May 28: Application for the competitive grant available online
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June 22: Application window closes
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June 22 - July 9: MDE reviews applications
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July 12-16: MDE makes funding recommendations and award letters are mailed out
Increased Adult Basic Education Program Funding ($10 million)
This investment will strengthen Adult Basic Education (ABE) programming statewide to ensure access to, enhance the quality of, and increase the ABE programming available. This will fund expanded ABE programming beginning this summer and any remaining funds can be used in fiscal year 2022 in order to build and help sustain enhanced programming year-round. Additional information about this funding will be provided to school leaders soon.
Learning Acceleration and College Readiness Initiatives ($1.125 million)
This allocation for the Office of Higher Education (OHE) will expand two programs for the summer months. Funding for OHE’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program will increase by $625,000 and the Intervention for College Attendance Program will increase by $500,000. These programs work to address educational challenges due to the pandemic, which is disproportionally impacting the most underserved students.
Thank you again for your partnership and leadership,
Heather Mueller, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Education
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