Connecticut to Restore $4.5M in Canceled Federal School Grants to Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury

Gov. Ned Lamont announces plan to use state contingency funds to offset recent federal education cuts

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he will use state contingency funds to restore $4.5 million in community school grants to the Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury school districts. The grants, which were recently canceled by the Trump administration, provided funding for wrap-around services and support programs for students and families in these cities.

Why it matters

The community school grants played a crucial role in supporting vulnerable students and families in Connecticut's largest cities. The restoration of this funding will help ensure that critical services and programs remain available to those who need them most.

The details

In December, the U.S. Department of Education canceled previously approved Full-Service Community Schools grants to Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury, which totaled $4.5 million. These grants funded partnerships between schools and community organizations to provide wrap-around services, after-school programs, family engagement initiatives, and other support programs. Lamont announced that he will use $332.4 million in state contingency funds, established by the legislature in a November special session, to offset the federal cuts and restore the community school grants.

  • In December, the U.S. Department of Education canceled the community school grants to Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury.
  • On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Gov. Ned Lamont announced his plan to use state contingency funds to restore the $4.5 million in canceled grants.
  • The 2026 legislative session is set to begin on February 4, 2026.

The players

Gov. Ned Lamont

The governor of Connecticut who announced the plan to restore the canceled community school grants using state contingency funds.

Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST)

A group representing 115 member municipalities with populations of 35,000 or less, where Lamont made the announcement during their annual meeting.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency that canceled the previously approved Full-Service Community Schools grants to Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury.

Trump administration

The previous federal administration that announced the cancellation of $168 million in remaining grant funding to 19 recipients, including the $4.5 million in grants to Connecticut's cities.

Biden administration

The current federal administration whose grant program does not align with the priorities of the previous administration, leading to the cancellation of the community school grants.

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What they’re saying

“We'll be doing the announcement in a couple of days.”

— Gov. Ned Lamont

What’s next

The legislature's four top majority leaders and two minority leaders have 24 hours to disapprove Lamont's spending initiative to use state contingency funds to restore the community school grants.

The takeaway

The restoration of the $4.5 million in community school grants for Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury demonstrates the state's commitment to supporting vulnerable students and families in its largest cities, even in the face of federal budget cuts. This move highlights the importance of state-level contingency funds to offset the impact of changing federal priorities.