CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - Cuyahoga County will contribute $500,000 to the continuation of Academic Learning Pods, an innovative program created by United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Cleveland Foundation. Academic Learning Pods are safe, socially-distanced places for students to participate in remote schooling with adult supervision, enrichment activities, and meals for students in grades K-8.

Cuyahoga County’s contribution will be funded through the County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). County Executive Armond Budish sought and received approval from Cuyahoga County Council President Dan Brady to release the $500,000 in funding as part of the County’s Emergency Purchase Request process.

When COVID-19 caused Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) schools to go remote, children in poverty unable to access a computer/internet at home were put at risk of losing out on their education. Meanwhile, parents were forced to choose between staying home to watch their kids or going to work to provide for their families.

Academic Learning Pods were created by United Way and the Cleveland Foundation to better meet the needs of those at-risk, unsheltered, seeking safety from violence, homes being led by front-line workers and elder grandparents, or for whom the English language is a barrier. Initial investments totaled $700,000 and allowed United Way to serve 700 students for nine weeks through November 9. These 700 students represent many of the most at-risk families in the CMSD network, including those experiencing homelessness.

Twenty-four Academic Learning Pods, located across Cleveland neighborhoods, serve students from more than 25 neighborhoods and 80 CMSD schools.

The County’s $500,000 contribution will further prevent students from behind left behind and will extend these services through December 21, 2020.

“Seamlessly continuing remote education for our young students during the pandemic is extremely important,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “Since we know that CMSD schools are not planning to go back to in-person sessions before the beginning of the new year, it is crucial that these services continue through this time. I am grateful for United Way and the Cleveland Foundation’s work on this innovative program and for all of the local hosts of these Academic Learning Pods who are doing all they can to prevent learning loss for our at-risk students.”

“We are thrilled to be partners on a program as impactful as Academic Learning Pods,” said President & CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland Augie Napoli. “What makes this program so important during the pandemic is that it provides children in the CMSD school system with a safe, supervised environment to supplement their virtual learning. Providing internet access and in-person enrichment, without the financial burden of hiring a tutor, allows parents to return to work with confidence that their child can continue to learn in a safe environment. We believe in this program’s continued potential and hope that it provides a model for other communities.”

To learn more about the Academic Learning Pods initiative, visit the Cleveland Foundation website.

About Cuyahoga County Cuyahoga County is focused on Economic growth and Opportunity, Fairness and Equity and a Government That Gets Results. We believe that we can create and support a vibrant and prosperous region where everyone thrives and all things are possible. For more information on Cuyahoga County please visit cuyahogacounty.us. Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuyahogaCounty Twitter: https://twitter.com/CuyahogaCounty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuyahogacounty/ and sign up for our newsletter: https://cuyahogacounty.us/county-news/newsletter-registration.

About United Way Founded in 1913, United Way of Greater Cleveland is a local, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty across the Greater Cleveland area. The largest private-sector investor of health and human services, United Way invests in efforts that address poverty using a two-pronged approach. The first prong focuses on the daily issues affecting those living in poverty, the Community Hub for Basic Needs. The second drives research and innovation through the Impact Institute, a think tank with an action plan, focused on identifying long-term solutions to the root causes of poverty. For more information or to donate, please visit www.unitedwaycleveland.org.

About the Cleveland Foundation Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $2.6 billion and 2019 grants of more than $114 million. Through the generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of residents of Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and providing leadership on vital issues. The foundation’s program areas include arts and culture, economic and workforce development, education, environment, leadership development, neighborhoods, and youth development and social services. For more information, visit www.ClevelandFoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.