Education, Lead Stories

County announces $1.27M in CARES Act funding for remote learning

At the New Rochelle YMCA, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced $1.27 million in CARES Act funding awarded to remote learning centers
throughout Westchester.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latimer has recognized the critical need for children to have a safe place to learn and be cared for, with many
school districts transitioning to online learning and parents returning to work.  Westchester County was able to create a program using federal funding through the CARES Act, at no cost to county taxpayers, which allows students to continue their education at remote learning centers throughout Westchester.

“As we continue to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our children, and their education, will always remain a top priority,” Latimer said. “Students need to be able to continue their schooling whether it be in person or remote, and parents need to be able to return to work to maintain essential services, and help our local economy bounce back.  I want to thank our federal delegation partners for understanding the importance of programs like these, to
help the County get back on its feet again.”

The federal funding was awarded based on applications that were submitted, and the online learning centers are affiliated with either a school district, municipality or non-profit.  The funding will last through the end of 2020, with the hope that additional federal legislation will be enacted to continue
these programs into 2021.

The agencies that received a portion of the $1.27 million in CARES Act funding are as follows:

• Family Services of Westchester, Inc., White Plains

• Town of Greenburgh Department of Community Resources/ TDYCC, Greenburgh

• The Guidance Center of Westchester, Inc., New Rochelle

• New Rochelle YMCA, New Rochelle

• Hudson River Museum of Westchester, Yonkers

• YMCA of Yonkers, Inc., Yonkers

• YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester, White Plains

• YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester (Camp Combe), Ossining, Somers, Yorktown

• Lakeland Children’s Center, Yorktown Heights

• Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, Mount Kisco

• Healthy Kids Extended Day Program, Inc., Harrison, Peekskill, Yonkers

• Young Men’s Christian Association of Rye, Rye YMCA, Rye

• Ossining Union Free School District, Ossining

• Danielle’s Helping Hands, Pelham

• T own of Lewisboro Parks and Recreation Department, Lewisboro

Westchester County has ensured that each program meets the required health and safety protocols, sufficient staffing ratios, and adequate connectivity
for effective online learning. The programs have been tailored to meet the needs of each local community. (Submitted)