Federal Programs » ESSER Funding - ESSER I, II, III

ESSER Funding - ESSER I, II, III

In response to the economic outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Congress passed three bills that provided immediate and direct economic assistance to state and local educational agencies through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.  These funds were provided to support areas with the greatest need, where the academic and non-academic components for school districts had the greatest impact due to COVID-19.  As additional funding was provided, the intent of the funds was to support States and local school districts’ efforts to safely reopen schools, address significant gaps in learning, and support measures of implementation that will continue to reduce the effects of COVID-19 on students and families.

CARES Act - ESSER I

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020.  The funding provides flexibility for states to respond to the COVID-19 emergency in K-12 schools.  Funds to local school districts may be used for coronavirus response activities, such as planning for and coordinating during long-term school closures, purchasing educational technology to support online learning for all student, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws.

CRRSA Act - ESSER II

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 27, 2020, provides an additional $54.3 billion for an ESSER II fund.  Following the same distribution as the CARES Act, which is based on the share of ESEA Title I, Part A funds follows the same use for coronavirus-response activities.  Planning for and coordinating activities that address learning loss, preparing schools for reopening, testing, repairing, upgrading projects to improve air quality in school buildings, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws are continually permitted. 

 

ARP Act - ESSER III

The American Rescue Plan (ARP)Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, to speed up the United States recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.    

ARP ESSER funds will allow SEAs to take additional steps to safely reopen schools for in-person instruction and keep them open, and to address the disruptions to teaching and learning resulting from the pandemic. This includes using funds to enact appropriate measures to help schools to invest in mitigation strategies consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools to the greatest extent practicable; address the many impacts of COVID-19 on students, including from interrupted instruction; implement strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs; offer crucial summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; support early childhood education; invest in staff capacity; and avoid devastating layoffs at this critical moment, ensuring that all students have access to teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to support their needs.

Information provided by Georgia Department of Education
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief link
 
ESSER Funding Transparency link 

ESSER Funds Awarded to Jeff Davis County Schools

Title

Funding Amount

CARES Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Grant – ESSER I

$893,973 

ESSER II – CRRSA ACT – ESSER II

$3,583,921

American Rescue Plan Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – ESSER III

$8,048,977

ESSER Funds Availability Timeline

ESSER Funding

CARES Act
​ESSER I

CRRSA Act
​ESSER II

ARP Act
​ESSER III

Period of Availability

03.13.2020 - 09.30.2021 

03.13.2020 - 09.30.2022 ​

03.13.2020 - 09.30.2023 ​

Carryover Period

10.01.2021 - 09.30.2022

10.01.2022 - 09.30.2023

10.01.2023 - 09.30.2024

ESSER I and ESSER II – Use of Funds Form

 

Jeff Davis County Schools held many meetings with the District Leadership team, which included: Principals, School Improvement Specialists, Federal Programs Director, Financial Director, Human Resources, Curriculum and Professional Development Director, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent to discuss the best use of funds allocated to the system.

 

Items paid for by CARES I and II

 

Salaries

Updating technology

Security for facilities and buses

School Nutrition Program equipment

Custodial cleaning supplies

COVID cleaning of facilities and buses

ESSER III – Use of Funds Form

 

Jeff Davis County Schools held many meetings with the District Leadership team, which included: Principals, School Improvement Specialists, Federal Programs Director, Financial Director, Human Resources, Curriculum and Professional Development Director, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent to discuss the best use of funds allocated to the system. A survey was placed on Facebook for community and parent input for the use of funds. Results of the survey were reviewed and considered during the finalization of the ESSER III budget. ESSER III funds was required to be spent for the impacts of COVID-19 on students.

 

Items paid for by CARES III

 

Salaries

Summer school

Technology access

School supplies for students

Custodial needs

COVID spraying 

ARP ESSER III Survey

Please provide comments/suggestions on the use of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act ESSER III funds that Jeff Davis County Schools received from federal funds. Click on the link listed: