Michigan is among six states selected for a program designed to help meet the social and emotional needs of students as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer has released the following:
The National Governors Association (NGA) will collaborate with Michigan and five other states on strategies for equitably meeting the social-emotional needs of students and families during and beyond COVID-19.
The NGA Center for Best Practices announced today that it has selected the six states for technical assistance from its staff and national and state partners, as well as grant support to develop and carry out action plans focused on one or more specific state policy priorities related to students’ social emotional development during and beyond COVID-19. In addition, Governors’ offices will engage with and learn from peers and national and state experts to advance their policy priorities.
Michigan’s project is centered on informing and implementing recommendations from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s cross-agency, cross-sector Student Recovery Advisory Council. The Council is identifying strategies for Michigan to ensure students have the tools and resources they need to get back on track.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all Michiganders, especially our young people. As we continue to reopen school buildings and vaccinate more people every day, we need a comprehensive recovery plan to support students’ academic and social emotional needs,” said Gov. Whitmer. “This partnership with the National Governors Association will strengthen our efforts to support each and every young person in a comprehensive recovery.”
The initiative comes as students and their families confront fear, anxiety, trauma, isolation and stress during COVID-19, as well as growing public concern about economic instability and persistent racial inequities. Governors have increasingly emphasized and prioritized the importance of addressing the holistic needs of students as schools reopen.
The rapid shift to remote learning brought on by widespread school closures in the spring of 2020 amplified the importance of creating positive and equitable learning environments; building and sustaining strong relationships and engagement among students, their peers, and teachers; and meeting the unique needs of all students, including students with disabilities, English learners, and those experiencing homelessness.
At the same time, the pandemic has also highlighted the need for comprehensive whole child approaches to education grounded in the science of learning and development, including support strategies such as community schools, wraparound services, and parent, family, student and community engagement. NGA’s work with the six states will run through March 2022.
