Communities In Schools National Office Issues Statement in Response to Administration's Budget Proposal

Communities In Schools (CIS) National President & CEO Dale Erquiaga today expressed deep concern about the proposed budget released by President Trump’s administration.  

For the third year in a row, the President’s budget would make deep cuts in spending on our nation’s most disadvantaged students. This includes the elimination of important programs within the U.S. Department of Education, like the new Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant, which provides support for much-needed health and safety programs, well-rounded education programs, and the effective use of education technology. The proposed cuts are similar to two previous proposals that were already rejected by Congress. 

“Based on the Administration’s own findings, issued just a few months ago by the Federal Commission on School Safety, we should be talking about a national strategy to improve school climate and address the impact of trauma on the lives of children,” Erquiaga said. “Requesting an additional $200 million for school safety while eliminating other programs, like the $1.17 billion Title IV-A, is not a comprehensive strategy and does not advance this work.  It is my hope that Congress will reject this proposal and invest in the initiatives that we know help kids overcome the challenges they face, like social-emotional learning and positive relationships with adults and peers.  Forty years of experience and our research demonstrate that we must set partisan politics aside and continue to invest in what works.” 

Evidence-based programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a grant that funds out-of-school enrichment activities for nearly two million low-income students, are again on the chopping block.

“It is concerning that the Administration continues to overlook both the fact that 92% of Americans support after-school programs and that decades of research demonstrate a wide range of positive outcomes for young people,” said CIS Chief of Staff and Vice President of Policy Tiffany Miller. “Once again, we will work closely with our partners to explain the impact of these proposed cuts to lawmakers in Congress.”