{"id":5505,"date":"2021-04-05T16:30:19","date_gmt":"2021-04-05T16:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prichard-backup.com\/July\/2021\/04\/05\/american-rescue-plan\/"},"modified":"2022-09-27T19:49:51","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T19:49:51","slug":"american-rescue-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prichard-backup.com\/July\/american-rescue-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does the American Rescue Plan Mean for Education in Kentucky?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][wyde_heading subheading=”The Kentucky General Assembly concluded the 2021 session last week which included passage of the revised state budget \u2013 a spending plan still impacted by the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic on the state\u2019s financial resources, as well as what the ultimate effect will be of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March” animation=”slideInDown”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”slideInLeft”]This begs the question \u2013 what does the American Rescue Plan (ARP) mean for Kentucky?<\/u><\/strong> Broadly, the state is expected to receive an estimated $2.4 billion<\/a> from the ARP\u2019s State Fiscal Recovery Fund.\u00a0 This large pot of money can be used for a broad set<\/a> of purposes including infrastructure necessary for Kentucky\u2019s future success \u2013 like broadband (for which the General Assembly already dedicated $250 million<\/a>).\u00a0 Additional funds from the ARP will be distributed to cities and counties directly from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.\u00a0 Kentucky counties are estimated to receive $1.15 billion<\/a> with Kentucky cities receiving $751.5 million.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”slideInLeft”]What about Education Specifically?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kentucky has already received considerable support for education from federal stimulus packages Congress enacted last year. \u00a0With the inclusion of the ARP funds, these are record amounts for federal funding to education. \u00a0Table 1 provides an overview of major education investments in the three main federal stimulus packages. These investments – at their best – provide an opportunity not just to return to pre-pandemic status quo, but rather to envision a better system of supports for students, families and educators into the future.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”slideInLeft”][wptb id=14578][\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”slideInLeft”]The ARP funds can be used through 2024, providing significant opportunity for Kentucky to leverage these investments to best support families, students and teachers. Breaking down the American Rescue Plan in more detail further paints the picture of opportunity these funds represent.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”slideInLeft”]Child Care<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

The ARP included two pots of funds for child care totaling $39 billion of which Kentucky is to receive approximately $764 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n