WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $53,968,575 from the American Rescue Plan to strengthen special education services for children across the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for special education services across our state,” the lawmakers said. “This new infusion of American Rescue Plan funding will help Maryland children and families access early intervention programs, speech-language therapy and counseling services. We will continue to secure federal resources that invest in critical special education programs and support children with disabilities.”

The lawmakers previously announced $1.95 billion in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds to help K-12 schools cover the significant costs they have borne throughout this pandemic. Combined with the previous COVID-19 relief bills, this provides our local school systems and Maryland State Department of Education with more than $3.02 billion in funding to serve students.