Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti allocated $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support child care and literacy programs. Cognetti hopes to expand new and affordable child care options, while also addressing learning loss caused by the pandemic. $750,000 will go to K-12 catchup and assistance programs, $500,000 will go to affordable child care programs, and $250,000 will go to educational programs on literacy and financial literacy.
As reported by the The Times-Tribune, “'We thought that this would be a great place to announce this as our kids are an asset here in Scranton,' Cognetti said. 'This $1.5 million is to help them grow and help them catch up from what has been a really tough, tough few years for kids in school and also in the child care space.' The grants, which will come from the city's $68.7 million in ARPA funding, will enhance what school districts and other educational entities do, the mayor said.”
Update:
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti announced the recipients of over $725,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to early childhood providers to support access to affordable programs. Recipients will use the funds to add staff and classrooms to accommodate more families, while expanding educational opportunities and enrichment activities for children.