Department Awards $211 Million for the Promoting the Readiness Of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) Initiative

Press Release

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $211 million in five-year grants to five states and a consortium of six states to establish and operate model demonstration projects designed to improve the education and employment outcomes of child Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and their families.

"All children deserve a chance to achieve their educational and career goals," said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The PROMISE initiative provides services and support to help our most at-risk students and their families so that they can focus on their education and a brighter future."

The PROMISE initiative is intended to improve the provision and coordination of services for child SSI recipients and their families. The services help child recipients achieve better outcomes, including graduating from high school ready for college and a career, completing postsecondary education and job training, and obtaining competitive employment in an integrated setting. As a result, these child SSI recipients can achieve long-term reductions in reliance on SSI.

PROMISE is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

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