CARES Act ESSER and CSSRA ESSRA II funding can help K-12 schools maintain cleaner, healthier environments during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The purpose of the CARES Act is to provide states with funding to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSA), was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and provides an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II Fund).
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is the portion of the CARES Act that awards grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency funds to address the impact of the coronavirus. The ESSER II is the additional funding under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021.
American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund
The Department announced the allocation that each SEA will receive under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund, totaling $122 billion in relief for K-12 schools. Funds are provided to state educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students.