Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides financial assistance to schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families.
IN SY24-25, WASHTENAW COUNTY RECEIVED:
$8.2 Million
for local school districts and public school academies.
MICHIGAN RECEIVED $509 MILLION TOTAL
DISTRICT ALLOCATIONS
Ypsilanti Community Schools
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Public School Academies
Lincoln Consolidated Schools
Milan Area Schools
Saline Area Schools
Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Chelsea School District
Manchester Community Schools
Dexter Community Schools
Total
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
$3,101,984
$2,004,762
$1,968,803
$691,133
$147,829
$126,081
$96,641
$57,623
$33,600
$0
$8,228,456
BACKGROUND
Title I represent the largest federal assistance package for public schools. Part A funds can be used for targeted assistance programs to help children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet academic standards.
Schools where children from low-income families make up at least 40% of enrollment are eligible to use these funds for school-wide programs that serve all children in order to close the achievement gap. For example, funds could support enhanced instruction in reading and math through hiring additional teachers, purchasing technology, providing professional development, and more.
Recent statements from the President, the Secretary of Education, and members of Congress about restricting Title I funding based on DEI initiatives or eliminating the U.S. Department of Education altogether have raised serious concerns about the future of Title I funding, a critical lifeline for schools to provide high-quality learning, regardless of zip code.
Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood education program that promotes the school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families.
IN SY24-25, WASHTENAW COUNTY SERVED:
HEAD START 451 Children
MICHIGAN SERVED 28,052 TOTAL
CURRENT IMPACT
Washtenaw ISD*
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Lincoln Consolidated Schools
Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Ypsilanti Community Schools
Community-Based Organizations
Total Washtenaw County
Total State of MI
$2,220,722
$704,228
$323,270
$107,790
$2,176,090
$172,464
$5,684,564
$436M
*Washtenaw ISD provides home-based Early Head Start services plus support for three of the four district-based programs.
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
The federal government has already declined to award the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) grant and in April closed five regional Head Start offices, which may disrupt future services and support. News reports of the President’s FY26 budget (yet to be released publicly) show a complete elimination of federal funding for Head Start. This would be catastrophic for children and families across Washtenaw County, the State of Michigan, and the nation.
Head Start also plays a crucial role in the economy, providing childcare so parents can go to work, go to school, serve in the military, or participate in job training. Research shows the program returns $7-10 long-term for every federal dollar invested. and families through Head Start programs.
BACKGROUND
For 60 years, and with bipartisan support, Head Start has prepared the nation’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and life, delivering services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners at each step. These services include medical, dental, vision, and hearing screenings, health meals and nutrition support, parenting training, and referrals to other community services.
Head Start is federally funded and delivered through local agencies that tailor services to meet the local needs of families. Washtenaw County has Head Start centers in Ann Arbor, Lincoln, Whitmore Lake, and Ypsilanti.
MEDICAID FUNDING
The federal government provides Medicaid funding to increase access to quality physical, mental, and behavioral health care services for eligible students in the school setting.
IN SY23-24, WASHTENAW COUNTY RECEIVED:
$6+ Million
in Medicaid reimbursements for school-based services.
MICHIGAN HAS PARTICIPATED SINCE 1993 BACKGROUND
WHAT MEDICAID COVERS
Medicaid provides health coverage to nearly half of all children in the United States. School reimbursements cover services such as:
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy
Mental health counseling
Specialized medical equipment
Transportation
Developmental delay screenings
Early intervention services
Medicaid funds help pay for medically-related services provided to students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and students from low-income families enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP programs, including routine health screenings, preventative care, and various forms of therapy. In recent years, Michigan has expanded school behavioral health services and streamlined billing policies through the Caring 4 Students (C4S) program.
Students are six times more likely to access mental health care when services are offered in school.
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
The President and members of Congress have discussed various ways to cut or cap Medicaid funding in recent weeks. Elimination of school-based Medicaid funding would significantly reduce a valuable funding stream used to provide students essential health services needed to access their education programs. To address any funding gaps, districts would need to either raise local taxes for special education or perform these services out of General Fund dollars.
IMMIGRATION
The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) supports 5.3 million English learners nationally. Changes to federal immigration policies also impact academic achievement, privacy issues, family engagement, and student social-emotional needs in many other ways.
IN FY24, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED:
$890 million
in Federal Title III funding to support English Learners language proficiency and enhanced instruction for immigrant children.
MICHIGAN ALLOCATED AN ADDITIONAL $40M BACKGROUND
NEW NEIGHBORS
In the past few years, Washtenaw County has welcomed nearly 1,500 immigrant neighbors* from around the world who speak 29 different languages and contribute to the linguistic and cultural diversity that makes up our Washtenaw community. Last year alone, we welcomed 210 students under Refugee/Special Immigrant Visa statuses.
*Data provided by the Office of Global Michigan and Jewish Family Services
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
Schools receive federal and state funding to ensure English learners attain English language proficiency. These critical funds are used for staffing needs and curricular materials.
Undocumented/mixed status immigrants play a crucial role in our economy. They fill key jobs as farming, construction, and care workers, and contribute billions to Social Security and Medicare programs that they can’t even access.
The ongoing reduction and dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education created significant restructuring at OELA and raises concerns for the distribution of Title III funds.
Anti-immigration policies have affected student attendance and parent participation. The underlying fear about ICE on campus and the threat of mass deportations without due process creates chronic stress that negatively impacts academic achievement and development.
Funding for legal representation for 800 Michigan children and 26,000 nationwide has been terminated, significantly reducing legal protections for vulnerable PreK-12 students.
The President rescinded the protected areas policy, which ensured that sensitive spaces such as schools were protected from immigration enforcement.
SCHOOL MEALS
In recent years, Michigan has combined state dollars with federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) funding to provide free school meals to all public PreK-12 students.
IN WASHTENAW COUNTY,
20,600 Students
would be negatively impacted by proposed CEP changes.
AND UP TO 12 MILLION NATIONALLY
RECENT SCHOOL MEAL CUTS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently terminated $660 million funding for the Local Food for Schools program, which supported schools in purchasing fresh food from local farms and producers. Michigan was set to receive $18 million through this program. The USDA also announced the cancellation of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, which would have provided an additional $10 million for similar usage.
In FY24, the federal government spent $17.8 billion on the national school lunch program.
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
BACKGROUND
It’s simple - children need nutritious meals to learn and thrive. School meal programs also already operate on a razor-thin margin. Research shows that a universal free meal program benefits academics, mental health, engagement, and even student discipline.
CEP allows eligible schools (25% free and reduced) to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, ensuring none fall through the cracks due to barriers. By eliminating applications for free and reduced-cost meals, the stigma of free meals goes away, student cafeteria debt doesn’t accumulate, and the administrative burden on schools is reduced.
A budget resolution passed in February directs Congress to cut $330 billion in spending over the next decade on programs it oversees, including school meal programs. Those cuts would come in part from changes to CEP, including income verification requirements and raising the eligibility threshold from 25% to 60%. Project 2025 proposed outright elimination of the program, which would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when families are struggling with rising food costs.
E-RATE / BROADBAND
The Schools and Libraries Universal Service Fund (USF), also known as E-Rate, helps schools obtain affordable broadband internet access and other telecommunications services.
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WASHTENAW COUNTY RECEIVED:
$7.02 Million
MICHIGAN RECEIVED $306 MILLION TOTAL
E-RATE CATEGORY 2 FUNDING
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Saline Area Schools
Dexter Community Schools
Lincoln Consolidated Schools
Ypsilanti Community Schools
Chelsea School District
Milan Area Schools
Washtenaw ISD
Manchester Community Schools
Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Schools nationwide receive $4 billion annually in federal funding that connects students to the internet and keeps schools more secure online at a time when schools are major targets for cybercriminals. for school internet service and supporting equipment.
Total
CAUSES FOR CONCERN
$2,980,115
$890,561
$650,031
$584,283
$582,569
$407,146
$366,515
$310,871
$129,258
$120,908
$7,022,257
BACKGROUND
E-Rate has been a successful, bipartisan program for nearly 30 years, connecting students to broadband internet, upgrading school staff and parent communications, improving the security of technology systems, and helping maintain and replace aging equipment. This program particularly benefits schools in rural and/or low-income areas.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has actively begun the deregulation process. Congress recently nullified a FCC rule that permitted schools to purchase discounted Wi-Fi hotspots or other connectivity services for off-premises use by students to address the homework gap. The Supreme Court is considering a case to declare USF unconstitutional, which would jeopardize all E-Rate funding. This would greatly reduce school internet access and make student data less secure.
GENERAL ADVOCACY
Public education shapes the future of our community, and your voice can help protect it. Whether you’re just getting started or already plugged in to local networks, there are meaningful ways to advocate for policies and funding that support students, educators, and schools. The more we connect and collaborate, the more powerful the message becomes.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
Stay Informed
Policy and budget discussions are fluid and can change quickly. Follow reliable news sources, school district updates, and trusted advocacy organizations. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be.
Speak Up
Call or email your elected officials to share your perspective. A personal message or story about how your family or child is impacted is meaningful. Also, talk to others in your circle to raise awareness around key issues.
Rally Together
Team up with friends, colleagues, and/or neighbors to craft a joint letter. When lawmakers see multiple names behind a message, they take notice.
Lead Collective Action
There is power in collaboration. Organize your workplace, community group, club, or organization to send an official letter or policy position. Coordinated advocacy shows unified public support and can drive real change.
MICHIGAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Senator Gary Peters 202-224-6221
Senator Elissa Slotkin 202-224-4822
Congressman Jack Bergman – District 1 202-225-4735 | Staff: alec.zender@mail.house.gov
Congressman John Moolenaar – District 2 202-225-3561 | Staff: ed.kim@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten – District 3 202-225-3831 | Staff: rachel.kline@mail.house.gov
Congressman Bill Huizenga – District 4 202-225-4401 | Staff: remy.fortin@mail.house.gov
Congressman Tim Walberg – District 5 202-225-6276 | Staff: jeb.houpt@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell – District 6 202-225-4071 | Staff: william.seabrook@mail.house.gov
Congressman Tom Barrett – District 7 202-225-4872
Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet – District 8 202-225-3611 | Staff: kara.verma@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Lisa McClain – District 9 202-225-2106 | Staff: charles.dahan@mail.house.gov
Congressman John James – District 10 202-225-4961 | Staff: arian.beckwith@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Haley Stevens – District 11 202-225-8171 | Staff: ahmed.moneib@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib – District 12 202-225-5126 | Staff: will.flagle@mail.house.gov
Congressman Shri Thanedar – District 13 202-225-5802 | Staff: valeria.lopez-postigo@mail.house.gov
