The Ohio Department of Education recently announced that it has awarded $89 million to fund out-of-school time services across the state. 

According to a press release, funding will be used to expand before- and after-school and summer education opportunities and wellness programs for Ohio students. The opportunities will focus on addressing the educational needs and physical and mental well-being of students who were the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education selected 161 Ohio community-based partners to award funding too out of more than 700 applications from across the state.

Regional programs receiving funding are Flying Horse Farms in Mount Gilead; the SPARC Council in Mansfield; and three locations in Marion County: the YMCA, Marion Technical College and Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs.

“The Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities grants provide students with opportunities to accelerate learning in unique and engaging ways outside of the traditional school day,” Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction Stephanie Siddens said, according to the press release. “These before-school, after-school and summer enrichment programs will help accelerate student learning and address students’ mental health and wellness through academic and tutoring programs focused on literacy, wellness, college and career-readiness activities and more.”

Visitors can find more information about the grants at the Department’s Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grant webpage.