March 9, 2021 3:20 a.m.

On Monday, Governor Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney, and House Speaker Tina Kotek unveiled a restorative $250 million Summer Learning and Child Care package that they say will help students and children learn, thrive and have fun this summer.

A release said combined with up to $75 million in federal funds, both in district matching funds and funding for the Employment-Related Day Care Program, as much as $325 million will be invested in summer learning and child care programs.

It said that the package will create grants for enrichment activities, academic support, child care and early learning programs with investments being made equitably for Oregon’s Black, Indigenous, Tribal, Latino, Latina, and Latinx communities, along with Pacific Islanders and children of color.

Brown said, “The past year has been hard on Oregon kids and their caregivers – especially working mothers – in so many ways. As COVID-19 recedes from our communities, its time to bring back the summer enrichment programs that spark joy, foster creativity, and encourage healing for our children, who have persevered through adversities few generations have faced at their age”.

Speaker Kotek said with students getting back into the classroom this spring, “…we have to facilitate a fulfilling summer for kids and their parents”.

President Courtney said, “This is good news for students and families”.

The release said the Summer Learning and Child Care package makes five specific investments:

*$90 million for Summer Enrichment and Academic Program Grants

*$72 million for Summer Academic Support Grants

*$40 million for Summer Activity Grants

*$30 million for School Child Care Grants

*$13 million for Early Learning Programs

Additional details regarding the program are linked: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G1M8PsMah0vnrBQ3JYA7APphvnOKiB2h/view