Abrupt changes to state DoE priorities is putting our work at risk
Our Situation: Loss of Funding
On Sept 1, 2023, Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction abruptly canceled over $70 million in funding for K-12 educational services that were provided through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER). The Arizona Department of Education received the funds through the Presidential American Rescue Plan (ARP) to offset the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and education. The funds are planned to be diverted to a tutoring program, at the cost of abandoning the holistic learning approach via the ESSER plan.
With the ESSER grant, Mindfulness First tasked to mitigate post-pandemic trauma for K-12 students. We won this funding because Mindfulness First provides sustainable, evidence-based mental health education in K-12 settings since 2013.
As a result of Superintendent Horne’s recent actions, Mindfulness First now has a funding shortfall of $424,291.
Our Work: Proven Impact
Mindfulness First trains both teachers and students through online and in-person channels. We teach skills for lifelong mental health wellbeing through trauma-informed mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Utilizing Department of Education statistics, school data, anonymous surveys, and collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) to examine the efficacy of our programs, the schools supported by Mindfulness First have:
seen as much as a 93% decrease in suspensions
sustained or improved their State Grade
In 2023, ASU research determined that:
94% of teachers affirmed that mindfulness has been helpful for themselves and their students in classroom
96% of teachers affirmed that mindfulness has benefited their interactions and communications with students in the classroom
Our Ask: Social and Financial Support
As a result of this funding shortfall, we have had to lay off 16 instructors and have taken on pay cuts in order to retain foundational staff. Even with these emergency interventions, because the funding was such a significant part of our budget, we have only several months of runway till we exhaust our remaining budget,
The science of trauma conclusively shows us that the long-term consequences of this funding cut will be felt by students and communities for years to come.
You can help by donating or spreading the word to interested parties that believe in equipping K-12 students with mental health skills to promote resilience and support their ability to learn, thrive, and realize their dreams.