AIHA Welcomes Federal Grants Supporting School Infrastructure
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (June 13, 2023)—AIHA, the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community, welcomes the U.S. Department of Education’s June 2nd announcement of two grants created to support infrastructure in schools. Improving school infrastructure is critical to promoting public health because the construction of school buildings significantly impacts indoor air quality and other environmental factors, which in turn affect students’ physical health, well-being, and ability to learn. Many schools located in economically disadvantaged communities must use aging infrastructure, further worsening educational inequities.
To address these challenges, the U.S. Department of Education has issued notices soliciting applicants for two new grant programs:
- The Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) grant program, which provides funding and assistance to improve the quality, safety, and functionality of school facilities
- The National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) grant program, which will establish a national center on school infrastructure providing guidance, support, and expertise to improve the quality and effectiveness of educational facility infrastructure
According to Lawrence Sloan, CEO of AIHA, the association “applauds the U.S. Department of Education for taking this important step in prioritizing school infrastructure and investing in the well-being of our nation's students.” AIHA has consistently advocated for policies and measures addressing school infrastructure, as expressed in its Workforce Development and School Infrastructure Public Policy Priorities document (PDF).
“AIHA firmly believes that by providing the necessary resources and support, we can create improved learning environments that promote students’ health, safety, and overall well-being, enabling them to thrive academically and personally,” Sloan continued.
The [Re]Build America’s Schools Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC), of which AIHA is a member, also endorsed the announcement of the new Department of Education grants. BASIC is a nonpartisan coalition of civic, public sector, labor, and industry associations that aims to secure federal funding to help underserved public school districts modernize and build kindergarten through grade 12 public school facilities.
About AIHA
AIHA is the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community. Founded in 1939, we support our members with our expertise, networks, comprehensive education programs, and other products and services that help them maintain the highest professional and competency standards. More than half of AIHA's nearly 8,500 members are Certified Industrial Hygienists, and many hold other professional designations. AIHA serves as a resource for those employed across the public and private sectors, as well as to the communities in which they work. For more information, visit www.aiha.org