Governor Mike DeWine




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
July 11, 2023




*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Breann Almos: 614-644-0957
Lacey Snoke (Education): 614-995-1855






Governor Announces?$33.3 million?in Grant Funding?to Provide Students Safer, Healthier?
Learning Environments?

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)? Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced $33.3 million was awarded to 747 districts and schools [ [link removed] ] across the state to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments through the Ohio Department of Education's Stronger Connections Grant [ [link removed] ].??

?The Stronger Connections grant strengthens our commitment to ensuring students are safe and have the resources they need while addressing the mental and physical health needs that are critical to ensuring students are ready to learn and be successful in the classroom and in life,? said Governor Mike DeWine.?

This grant opportunity complements Future Forward Ohio [ [link removed] ], which prioritizes student wellness, including addressing barriers that prevent students from engaging in learning. Districts and schools can use Stronger Connections Grant funds to support their local health and safety needs, including student wellness and mental health.??

All school districts and community schools that applied for the Stronger Connections Grant received a Tier 1 or Tier 2 award based on health and safety factors collected from data, including rates of poverty, chronic absenteeism, and exclusionary discipline. Eligible schools and districts that demonstrated the highest need and applied for additional funding received an additional Tier 3 amount. The Tier 3 grantees collaborated with local stakeholders and community partners to determine the health and safety needs of their communities and plan for use of funds to support students and educators. The tiered Stronger Connections Grant Awards [ [link removed] ] have been released to school districts and community schools through the Department?s Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP) e-grant system.??

?It is critical for students to enter a positive, safe and supportive learning environment each day as they explore, discover, and achieve,? said Dr. Chris Woolard, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction. ?The Stronger Connections grant helps schools to continue addressing challenges that impact a child?s learning so students can focus on reaching success.??

The Stronger Connections Grant is a supplement to the Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment program.?Read more about the program and view the list of grant recipients on the Department?s Stronger Connections Grant webpage [ [link removed] ].??

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