Spokane City Council creates grant for youth programs in wake of pandemic

SPOKANE, Wash. -- With students heading back to class, the Spokane City Council is looking for ways to help kids bounce back from the repercussions of the pandemic.

"We see absenteeism as a major problem in schools today," said city councilmember Zack Zappone. "Oftentimes in my class teaching first period tenth grade, half of my class will be gone in the morning."

Zappone can say firsthand that classroom dynamics have changed.

"That chronic absenteeism has shot through the roof since COVID," he said.

The Spokane City Council is addressing these concerns with $80 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan. The city has until the end of the year to give this money to causes that need it most: the areas of Spokane still hurting from the pandemic.

"We're hearing the needs of youth being engaged and staying out of trouble and having places to go after school," said Zappone.

After school programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County said they have had to navigate rising expenses and a heightened demand for services in recent years.

They said "The Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County are dedicated to providing inclusive programs and services to families in our community. Opportunities like the Youth Sports and Activities Grant makes programs even more accessible to learn, have fun and thrive."

The Youth Sports and Activities Grant allows students to find programs outside of school too.

"These are the types of programs that are giving kids opportunities to reengage and do so in a way that's not necessarily clinical but really creates a peer group type of support group. Because we know that kids are more successful when they feel like they belong," Zappone said.

Until September 21, after school organizations or recreation sports can apply for a $50,000 grant to bring itineraries to kids from lower income families.

" The goal is to lower the cost for low income folks and especially that they're able to have those programs after school," Zappone said.

Zappone said it is important to address these problems now in order to better Spokane's future city and workforce.

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