Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Over $63 Million in Additional Funding for Disaster Recovery Available to Floridians Impacted by Hurricane Michael

On December 19, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has been awarded an additional $63.2 million in federal disaster funding through the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to restore educational programs in counties affected by Hurricane Michael. The $63.2 million in funding includes $44.2 million under the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (K-12 Restart) program, $2.6 million for postsecondary education, and $6.3 million for Emergency Impact Aid.

“Since day one of my administration, we have used every resource at our disposal to ensure Northwest Florida completely rebuilds from Hurricane Michael,” said Governor DeSantis. “I’m grateful that we have been able to work with Secretary Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education to secure these additional funds that will provide much needed relief to local students and families who deserve to return to normalcy after Hurricane Michael. For the many families, educators, and schools who are still recovering from this storm, I can assure you that we are working every day to make sure you and your community recovers.”

“As Panhandle communities continue to rebuild after Hurricane Michael, these additional funds help ensure students, teachers, and school leaders have further support to return to normalcy after the devastation of Hurricane Michael, helping these communities rebuild safe and healthy learning environments,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Of the total $165 million awarded nationwide, Florida’s $63.2 million award represents nearly 40 percent of these new funds distributed by USDOE, and I believe that speaks volumes of both Governor DeSantis’ tremendous advocacy for Florida’s hurricane-impacted communities and Florida’s incredible partnership with Secretary DeVos.”

Specifically, under the K-12 Restart program, the USDOE is authorized to award funds to the Florida Department of Education to help students and schools impacted by natural disasters recover. The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) will provide assistance to districts and schools in the following counties that previously submitted requests to and were subsequently approved for FDOE’s K-12 Restart application to USDOE: