Aumua Provides Federal Funding Update Following Release of Consolidated Grant
Washington, D.C. –Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, would like to provide the people of American Samoa a quick update on some of the federal funds coming to the islands.
Representatives John Kline (MN), Tom Price (NC), Erik Paulsen (MN), Dan Benishek (MI), and Ruben Hinajosa (TX) with Congresswoman Amata at Pago Pago Intl Airport during a recent CODEL
(Photo Courtesy of Ola M. Foster)
“One of the questions I most often get asked when back home is, where the money that funds our programs comes from, and how much it is,” said Amata. “This is a great question, and one that takes a bit of knowledge and research to get a complete answer to, which is why I want to provide the people of American Samoa with a quick overview on just a few of the ways our local governmental departments are funded” continued Amata.
As an example, for education funding on the island in 2015, the American Samoa Department of education (ASDOE) received nearly $30 million in federal funds for their operations. These federal funds come from a variety of annual grant programs including:
Consolidated Grant to the Outlying Areas - $17.5 million
-(Covers Title I-A and other eligible programs)
Special Education Grants to States - $6.3 million
Head Start - $2.3 million
Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems - $2.2 million
Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant Program - $880 thousand
Striving Readers - $200 thousand
Fund for the Improvement of Education - $18 thousand
Consolidated Grants to the Outlying Areas, Recovery Act - $330 thousand
While these funds have remained fairly stagnant for the past decade, barring any reduction in the budget for education funding (which is NOT expected), American Samoa can expect that number for total education funding to increase from $30 million to approximately $38 million beginning in the 2017 – 2018 school year, thanks to the change in the Title I-A formula, which funds the elementary and secondary education programs in the territories.
The change to Title I-A is the result of long and hard fought negotiations between Congresswoman Amata and Rep. John Kline, the Chairman of the House Education & Workforce Committee. The Congresswoman was able to point out the disparity in elementary & secondary education funding between the states and territories, and as a result obtained the only formula change contained in the landmark legislation. The new formula will increase the Consolidated Grant to the Outlying Areas from the current $17.5 million, to over $25 million beginning in the 2017 – 2018 school year.
“By coming together, we were able to institute a significant change in the amount of money our islands will receive in the near future for the education of our young people…our most important resource,” stated Amata. “However, there is still much that needs to be done, including getting an increase to our transportation funding, and improving the services for our veterans,” continued Amata. “I want our people to know that I will not rest until we are on par with the states regarding funding for our beautiful islands. Our people sacrifice so much in service to our great nation, and I will continue to remind Congress of that fact every day until these disparities are reconciled…I am pleased to note that it really does seem like they are finally beginning to hear us.” concluded Amata.
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