Rep. Susie Lee Secures Nearly $2 Million for Nevada State College School of Nursing, CCSD Social Workers, and STEM Education in Federal Funding Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee announced that she secured the following funding for education projects in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies appropriations bill:

• $35,000 for Nevada State College School of Nursing equipment enhancements
  • This funding would be used to acquire equipment and technology enhancements to enrich curricular offerings for Nevada State College's nursing training program and, ultimately, enhance patient care.
• $950,000 for more social workers for Clark County School District
  • There is a growing need for mental health support in Clark County School District, especially after school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding would allow CCSD to hire social workers to provide support services that improve school climates, including mental health services, social and emotional support, anti-bullying programs, and trauma-informed care.
• $975,000 for The Nevada STEM Co-Lab to strengthen STEM education
  • This funding would strengthen the STEM education community in Nevada by leveraging the abilities of the Desert Research Institute's Science Alive program to develop and deliver innovative K-12 STEM programming and University of Nevada, Las Vegas' expertise in teacher training. The STEM Co-Lab will serve both rural and urban STEM educators, students, and families throughout Nevada by providing them with hands-on, interactive STEM curriculum and activities.

Rep. Susie Lee submitted several Community Project Funding requests to the Appropriations Committee, of which she is a member. She has also secured $1 million in funding for a Henderson Workforce Development Center and $1 million for updating wastewater facilities in Boulder City.

"It is critical, especially as we recover from the pandemic, that we ensure that students have the resources they need to succeed at all educational levels," said Rep. Susie Lee. "From funding access to necessary equipment to expanding STEM education and providing enhanced mental health services, we are continuing fight to ensure that all students can thrive in their education environments. Nevada's students are Nevada's future, and I will continue to work day in and day out to improve our education system."

"Investing in our medical workforce is more critical than ever," said Nevada State College Acting President Dr. Vickie Shields. "I applaud Congresswoman Susie Lee for working with Nevada State College to advocate for important technology upgrades for our nursing skills and simulation laboratories. This funding will enhance our School of Nursing's curricular offerings in high-need areas and improve patient care for healthcare consumers in southern Nevada."

"I am grateful to Congresswoman Susie Lee as she has been a leading voice on the national level to assist the students of the Clark County School District," said Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara. "Our children have suffered the most, enduring sudden changes to life as they knew it due to the pandemic. Their families may have suffered economically and their social landscape was tremendously changed. All of this may have impacted their mental health and we must work to help them find their footing again. As we look forward to welcoming all students back for full-time, in-person learning in August, providing mental health support will be critical. School social workers and so many other positions in our schools will play a key role in assisting our students."

"DRI is home to leading scientists who are improving our air, water and land," said Desert Research Institute President Dr. Kumud Acharya. "DRI's STEM education program is an important way for us to help prepare the next generation of scientists. We look forward to being able to expand our STEM education in schools and the communities throughout Nevada, including underserved urban and rural communities, with this funding."

The inclusion of Community Project Funding requests in the Appropriations Committee draft bill is the first step in the funding process. Rep. Susie Lee will continue to fight for this funding as the bill moves to the full Appropriations Committee this week, consideration on the House Floor, and negotiations with the Senate.