Update, 1/29,2025, 1 PM: The Trump administration rescinded the order this afternoon, which would have frozen federal funding, including grants, loans, and other financial assistance. The original order had caused widespread confusion among organizations and states that rely on federal funding. It threatened to disrupt payments for medical and child-care providers and potentially impact trillions of dollars in government funding. The rescission came shortly before a federal judge in Rhode Island was scheduled to consider a request from 22 states and the District of Columbia for a temporary restraining order against the policy. This followed a separate case in which U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan had already temporarily blocked the freeze until the following Monday. The reversal was communicated through a two-line memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget, simply stating that the previous directive was "rescinded" and directing any questions to government lawyers.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued this memo ordering a temporary halt to “all federal financial assistance,” potentially paralyzing a wide range of federal programs. This action caused confusion and concern; however, we want to assure our Carver families that our programs will continue uninterrupted. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are likely as the legal challenge to the freeze proceeds.

Temporary Administrative Stay

Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan ordered that payments for active federal awards must continue immediately and remain in place through at least Monday, February 3. However, it is uncertain what will happen after Monday. Even now, the Trump administration may assume the authority to pause and review new awards, meaning the memorandum may suspend new grants and funding.

What This Means for Carver Programs

Carver programs are evenly supported by government, municipal, private, and other funding streams—existing budget allocations support Carver's many programs. The federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which provides crucial funding for many of Carver’s programs, received funding for this school year and does not appear to be affected by the current suspension. Similarly, federal block grants like Title I education funding and the Child Care Development Block Grant, which support our schools and many other partners, were already distributed to state agencies and, we assume, remain operational.

Continued Uncertainty

While Carver's programming is secure, other vital services that support our families may face disruptions as agencies assess the impact of the funding pause. The federal government has given agencies until February 10 to analyze programs affected by the executive actions, but no clear timeline has been set for when funding decisions will resume.

Connecticut Leadership Actions

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the implementation of the Trump administration's policy. They are seeking an immediate restraining order to prevent the enforcement of the OMB policy and preserve essential funding. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz emphasized that Connecticut has a sound fiscal situation with a robust rainy-day fund. State officials have committed to continuing critical programs that provide residents food, childcare, housing, healthcare, and other vital supports.

 Staying Informed

We encourage our community to stay informed and engaged as new guidance emerges. At Carver, we remain committed to providing our students a safe, enriching environment. We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for the resources our families rely on.