This week, discover new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on waiver requests for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief as well as resources from the Treasury on pre-award requirements for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund as well as the Homeowner Assistance Fund.
U.S. Department of Education releases guidance on Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements and Waiver Requests under Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds
This guidance document — which can be found by CLICKING HERE — includes:
- A chart outlining the major similarities and differences between the MOE requirements in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.
- Frequently Asked Questions about the MOE requirements and the process for states to request a waiver under Section 2004(a) of the ARP Act. The Department of Education’s approach to waiver requests will be rooted in consideration of the impact on students. The purpose of these funds is to expand resources for K-12 and postsecondary schools and students, not to replace existing state commitments.
- An MOE worksheet describing how to calculate MOE under the CARES Act, the CRRSA Act and the ARP Act.
- The MOE submission form that each state must use to report MOE data for the CARES Act, the CRRSA Act and the ARP Act.
- The MOE request form that a state must use when requesting a waiver of the MOE requirements.
In the near future, the department will release guidance on the new state and local educational agency maintenance of equity requirements in sections 2004(b) and (c) of the ARP Act.
Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund — pre-Award requirements released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released pre-award requirements for entities eligible to receive direct payments through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Preparatory steps outlined are intended to better position eligible entities to receive payments in a timely manner once the program is launched. Direct payments will be made to states, the District of Columbia, territories, tribal governments, counties and metropolitan cities. For the preparatory steps outlined, CLICK HERE.
Homeowner Assistance Fund — Treasury releases guidance and Notice of Funds request On April 14, the Treasury released guidance on the allocation of funds to the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), a program created through the American Recovery Plan intended to provide relief to vulnerable homeowners. Guidance on qualified expenses, homeowner eligibility and further program specifics can be accessed HERE. All prospective participants must submit a Notice of Funds request, accessible HERE. States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories must submit a Notice of Funds request by April 25, 2021. Tribes, tribal entities and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have until Sept. 30, 2021 to submit this request.
Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund — request form and instructions, initial guidance released During the week of April 12, theAdministration for Children and Families (ACF) released an Allotment Request Form for the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) intended to support state, local and tribal agencies administering the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. CLICK HERE to access this form. The request form also includes a breakdown of PEAF allotment by state. Guidance on requesting, allocating and using PEAF also was released and can be accessed HERE.
Department of Education releases additional materials for Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools program
This week, the Department of Education released the following materials regarding the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) program established by the American Rescue Plan (ARP):
ARP EANS Notice Inviting Applications and Announcing Allocations; Invitation for Comment
- Announces amount of funding allocated to all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
- Provides information on the application process (deadline July 15, 2021)
- Solicits comments pertaining to the requirement in the ARP to “provide services or assistance to non-public schools that enroll a significant percentage of low-income students and are most impacted” by COVID-19 under the EANS program
ARP EANS Methodology and Allocation Table Provides a state-by-state breakdown of EANS funding allocations and details the methodology used to determine such allocations
Small Business Administration – Restaurant Revitalization Fund portal launches Applications are now open for restaurants impacted by COVID-19 to seek relief from the Small Business Administration. For more information or to apply, please CLICK HERE.
Allocations of $38.9 billion in American Rescue Plan child care funds released Funding allocations by state can be accessed HERE.
U.S. Department of the Treasury establishes Office of Recovery Programs On April 14, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the establishment of the Office of Recovery Programs. The office will coordinate and lead the Treasury’s implementation of the federal economic recovery programs authorized by Congress including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act. The office will be led by Chief Resiliency Officer Jacob Leibenluft and potential stakeholders are directed to reach out to the office by email, [email protected]
U.S. Department of Transportation announces initial steps toward Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program — encourages businesses, especially small businesses, to begin preparing for the application process On April 14, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced initial steps toward launching the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) Program. AMJP will provide funding for employee compensation costs for up to six months. In return, companies will make several commitments such as to not involuntarily lay off or furlough certain workers during the time period covered. Eligible businesses include those actively engaged in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and repair. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Biden Administration announces $1.7 billion investment to fight COVID-19 variants On April 16, the Biden Administration announced the allocation of $1.7 billion from ARP funds toward efforts to research COVID-19 variants and support the development of bioinformatics infrastructure necessary to respond to and stop outbreaks. For a breakdown of total funding and initial disbursements to states CLICK HERE.
Biden Administration invests $4 billion in American Rescue Plan Funding to combat COVID-19 in Native American areas This funding from the American Rescue Plan is intended to expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment; increase preventive health services to Native Americans and Alaska Natives at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand the ability of hospitals and health clinics to serve their communities during the pandemic and beyond. For a breakdown of total funding, CLICK HERE.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the Safe Return to School Diagnostic Testing Initiative with $33 million in available funds On April 15, the National Institutes of Health announced the awarding of up to “$33 million over two years to fund projects at 10 institutions across eight states to build evidence on safely returning students, teachers and support staff to in-person school in areas with vulnerable and underserved populations.” These awards will be known as the Safe Return to School Diagnostic Testing Initiative. Funding is made available by the American Rescue Plan. For more information, CLICK HERE.