Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools announced a $26 million investment to hire 254 new full-time, school-based positions for the 2018-19 school year to ensure students in high needs schools have equitable access to the social and emotional and special education support they need to succeed, inside and outside of school. To better support student needs, $26 million will be allocated to fund a total of 160 social worker positions to support 160 schools and 94 special education case manager positions at 78 schools. This investment aims to provide students with critical resources that will support their emotional and academic well-being, and allow teachers, counselors and administrators to focus more of their time and energy on quality instruction and student supports. To select district schools that would benefit most from a dedicated social worker, CPS focused on high needs schools— including those educating a high number of low income students, students in temporary living situations, English Learners (ELs), and refugees— and considered data from the 2013 Chicago Economic Hardship Index to identify 60 high schools and 100 elementary schools.  The district’s 94 additional special education case managers will work with school leaders, teachers, and support staff to create an inclusive environment and ensure that all students with diverse learning needs receive services specified in their IEPs.