On February 3, 2026, Congress passed its spending package that will fund the vast majority of the federal government through September 30th of this year, ending a partial government shutdown. IEL celebrates several funding victories for federal programs in this Omnibus appropriations bill that align with our Policy by the People Congressional agenda to advance opportunity in education and workforce development.
Specifically, we are pleased that the package includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations Act, 2026, which provides a funding increase for Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) at $150 Million. It also includes level funding of $115 Million for the Reentry Employment Opportunities Grant, which is housed in the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) and supports IEL’s Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative. Level funding of $104 Million was also allocated for youth mentoring programs at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in the Department of Justice, which supports our Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP).
These allocations make it possible for IEL and our partners to continue the imperative work of supporting Full-Service Community School grantees, and of implementing programs for underserved youth, both with and without disabilities.
After a precarious few months of uncertainty around the future of federal funding for the essential Full-Service Community Schools program in particular, IEL, its Coalition for Community Schools, and our many national and local partners involved in this work are relieved and overjoyed to see this allocation secured.
The $15 million increase over the Senate-approved level for Full-Service Community Schools in FY26 is a welcome turn of events, given the President’s earlier budget request, which would have eliminated the program. We thank the 370 organizations from 48 states and the District of Columbia for their ongoing support and signing on to our recent letter in support of funding Full-Service Community Schools at the highest level possible.
We also applaud Congress for continuing to fund this bipartisan, evidence-based strategy for educational success. Community Schools are a lifeline for communities in every corner of the country – whether they be rural towns or bustling cities. Through dedicated funding, resources, and partnerships, they provide innovative learning environments and better conditions for both students and families to thrive in school and beyond.
“The $150 Million allocated for FSCS in this budget is there thanks in no small part to the countless schools, districts, states, and community members who made their voices heard – calling their members of congress, sending letters of impact, and sharing their stories with the media and others about how important their Community Schools are,” said IEL President Eddie Koen. “These schools focus on improving the efficiency of both academic and non-academic resources, accelerating positive student outcomes.”
The federal budget is set to be funded at $1.2 trillion. Total discretionary funding for the Department of Education is set at approximately $79 billion, or 6.6% of the federal budget, preserving critical funding for students and families in communities across the country.
In support of K-12 funding, Congress has also allocated:
- $18.43 billion for Title I Grants
- $15.5 billion for Special Education Programs
- $1.3 billion for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- $2.2 billion for Career, Technical and Adult Education
- $24.6 billion for Federal Student Aid Programs, including $22.5 billion for Pell Grants
- $890 million for English Language Acquisition Programs
We look forward to continuing our work to support these programs and the students they lift up, partnering with Congressional champions and advocates from across the education field and within every community.