The first of three "bright spot" briefs dives deeper into examples of how states are leveraging ARP funds to improve SEL for all students. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act (2021) provides a $122 billion historic federal investment to help states and districts safely reopen schools while addressing students' academic, social, and emotional learning in response to COVID-19. CASEL has recommended three priority areas for social and emotional learning (SEL) investment that can assist states and districts in optimizing ARP for student success: (1) Promote SEL for students; (2) Support adult SEL competencies and capacity building; and (3) Align SEL efforts across schools, families, and communities. This "Bright Spots" brief highlights policy innovations around Priority Area 1 through state investments in evidence-based SEL to support academic recovery and social and emotional wellbeing, the need for which was made abundantly clear by COVID-19. It also spotlights state ARP spending plans in 12 states.