HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—The Lamont Administration has launched a $10.7 million program that aims to help students in grades K-12 who struggled with absenteeism and academic disengagement amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) will focus on re-engagement efforts with 15 participating school districts using the state's federal COVID-19 recovery funding.
According to state officials, the funds will go toward increasing school staff numbers, so staff members can directly engage with families and students through home visits.
Also, Connecticut's six state Regional Education Service Centers will work with school district officials and local community organizations to help provide support, officials said.
"Improving attendance and reaching each and every one of our students require forming strategic partnerships that involve the entire community, establishing systems of support and focusing resources on the areas of greatest need," Acting Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker said.
Home visits, Russell-Tucker and other officials agree, will allow for other student needs to be identified and addressed, including behavioral health needs, internet connectivity, transportation, and other support services.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal applauds LEAP and says an additional surge of funding is on the way to turbocharge the program and, in turn, help students recover from learning loss.
"On the horizon is a massive surge in federal funding. Literally, $1.1 billion coming to the state of Connecticut alone, billions more around the country, from the American Rescue Plan, signed by the president in early March," Blumenthal said.
According to Blumenthal, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said those funds are expected to reach Connecticut within days and the American Rescue Plan requires states to distribute the funds to school districts within 60 days.
With that requirement in place, Blumenthal said efforts to help students recover academically can begin this summer.
The 15 participating school districts include Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham and The Capitol Region Education Council.
