WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced a $466,931 grant for the Board of Education of the City of Peoria. The funding is awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Full Service Community Schools Program and is part of a five year grant, which would total $2.5 million. Specifically, these federal dollars will serve Harrison and Roosevelt elementary schools to support academics, social-emotional/physical wellness, financial literacy and career planning for students. Parents classes focused on the GED, adult literacy, financial literacy, wellness, early childhood and career guidance will also be supported by this funding.
“This announcement is great news for the Peoria community and our public school system,” stated Rep. LaHood, “This funding will empower students through community collaboration, improve the overall quality of their education, and set them up for success as they meet challenging academic curriculum. Educating our future leaders is critical to our nation’s success, and I applaud the Trump Administration for their commitment to students in the Peoria public school system.”
“As a product of public schools, I’ll always go to bat for our public school system and am pleased to see these federal funds be invested in Peoria students,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Community-based programs like this foster partnerships that help ensure every student has a fair shot at success. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Department of Education, I’ll continue to work to secure the resources students and parents across our region need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.”
“We believe that learning happens at all times of the day, and by extending the school day through this grant, we can provide rich experiences for an even longer period of time beyond the school day,” said Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools. “When we connect to community and immerse our families in the many resources and attributes our city offers, we will open doors of opportunity by helping students set goals for their future. This grant focuses not only on our children, but also our families and community.”
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Education’s Full Service Community Schools Program encourages the coordination of academic, social and health services through partnership among public elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies and other community-based organizations. The purpose of the collaboration is to provide comprehensive academic, social and health services for students, student family members and community members that lead to improved educational outcomes.
