Money crunch: Thousands of families miss out on state grants

Kevin Richert, IdahoEdNews.org

BOISE (IdahoEdNews.org) — The 2nd twelvemonth of nan Empowering Parents assistance programme is successful nan books — and thousands of applicants were unopen out.

All told, 28,916 students received a stock of nan microgrants, which tin beryllium utilized to screen everything from laptops and learning materials to tutoring and instructional camps.

However, nan authorities received much than 37,000 eligible assistance applications.

“Available backing could not support each of nan applications received,” nan State Board of Education said successful a news merchandise Monday.

On an Empowering Parents Facebook group page, immoderate parents person said they’ve been waiting for immoderate clip for a stock of nan state’s assistance money — while besides waiting for answers from Odyssey, nan state’s vendor connected nan program.

“It’s intolerable to get immoderate communication,” 1 genitor wrote past week. “(I have) tried calling respective times — they person a connection that says they are engaged pinch different customers and hangs up. I person besides emailed and not received a reply.”

The scramble for dollars reflects demand, and a finite proviso of funding.

For twelvemonth two, Empowering Parents distributed $30 cardinal of authorities taxation dollars. The erstwhile year, nan authorities utilized $50 cardinal of national pandemic alleviation money to motorboat Empowering Parents.

With a smaller excavation of money, it’s nary astonishment that Empowering Parents reached less households past year. In 2022-23, nan federally funded programme aided much than 49,000 students.

In Monday’s news release, State Board President Linda Clark touted nan program’s cumulative impact.

“More than 78,000 grants person been awarded to students since nan program’s launch,” she said. “Empowering Parents is making a existent quality for Idaho students and their families, and I convey Gov. Brad Little and nan Idaho Legislature for their continued support.”

The 2024 Legislature put an further $30 cardinal of authorities money into Empowering Parents, which will money grants for adjacent schoolhouse year. The assistance applications will unfastened sometime this fall.

Empowering Parents is geared toward working-class households. Last year, 71% of nan grants went to families pinch an adjusted gross income of $60,000 aliases less.

Next year’s grants will again beryllium awarded based connected income. Families pinch an AGI of $60,000 aliases little will person first priority. After that, nan authorities will see families pinch an AGI of $75,000 aliases less. Any remaining assistance dollars will spell retired connected a first-come, first served basis.

Grants max retired astatine $1,000 per student aliases $3,000 per household.