The Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES has received $667,742 to address pandemic-related learning losses.

Additionally, the Dunkirk City School District has received $290,572 and Gowanda has received $182,733 to provide students with additional mental health supports. The grants were announced recently by Gov. Kathy Hochul as part of a $100 million package for 50 school districts and BOCES outlets.

“New York is making historic investments to ensure all our students are on the path towards success,” Hochul said. “This funding will help our teachers and school staff pinpoint where students have fallen behind and provide students with the crucial resources needed to support their mental health, especially after the pandemic.”

Fifteen school districts and BOCES across the state have received the Learning Loss Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS) Grant. The funding will expand student access to academic recovery professionals to counter learning loss; improve capacity for school staff and students to identify learning loss; implement evidence-based and evidence-informed school-based learning loss and academic recovery practices; and ensure financial stability for school-based academic recovery opportunities.

Another 40 school districts and BOCES have received the Mental Health RECOVS grant that expands and supports practices that promotes mental health and wellness, improves capacity for staff and students to identify mental health concerns and increase help-seeking behaviors, and promotes student diversity, equity, and inclusion.