From the COVID-19 Blog
COVID-19 Updates: January 25, 2021
Mon, Jan 25 2021
A summary of COVID-19 updates, guidance, and news
Arizona LEAs have twice been allocated funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. These highly flexible funds are designed to help address local relief, prevention and preparation, and recovery efforts relative to responding to COVID-19. See the distinctions between ESSER I and ESSER II.
ESSER I dollars are available for obligation through September 30, 2022. ESSER II dollars are available for obligation through September 30, 2023.
Arizona eligible LEAs were allocated $1.084 billion in ESSER II Funds through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act that was enacted on December 27, 2020. Download the LEA allocations here.
In order to guarantee a baseline funding amount for every public school district and non-profit charter organization in the state, the Arizona Department of Education is contributing discretionary dollars we received from the CRSSA Act to ensure every non-profit LEA – regardless of size or location – receives at least $150,000 in base funding, with $175,000 guaranteed for rural school districts and charters, and $200,000 guaranteed for the most remote school districts and charters.
Read the overview guidance for ESSER II.
Download the list of available ESSER II allocations to LEAs.
The ESSER II application is now live in GME.
Read the comprehensive guidance (Application information begins on page 6).
Watch our video overview of the application process & view the accompanying slides.
Watch the February 2021 ESSER II Grant Application Webinar (hosted by ASBA/ASA/AASBO/ACSA) and view the PowerPoint
Watch the March 2021 ESSER II 'Utilizing ESSER I and II' AASBO Webinar (1:06:38 – 1:58:10) and view the PowerPoint (joint presentation with HeinfeldMeech)
Read the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) FAQ 'Common Use of Funds Questions for ESSER & GEER'
Recorded webinars are available that provide and overview of the ESSER II program, the application process and allowable uses for these federal relief funds.
Watch the January 2021 ESSER II overview Webinar and view the PowerPoint.
Watch the February 2021 ESSER II Grant Application Webinar and view the PowerPoint
Watch the March 2021 ESSER II 'Utilizing ESSER I and II' AASBO Webinar (1:06:38 – 1:58:10) and view the PowerPoint (joint presentation with HeinfeldMeech)
All non-profit district and charter LEAs may apply for federal ESSER Funds. LEAs that have not yet applied may still do so and are encouraged to apply. LEAs that have already submitted their applications can revise their applications if needs have changed.
Please review the menu items below for more information on both processes. Click here to download a list of all ESSER Allocations.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is designated to support K-12 schools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the declaration of statewide school closures. These are federal funds that are administered by the Arizona Department of Education. Arizona’s award is based on the proportionate share of Title I-A funds received in FY20 (SY19-20). The initial project term is March 13, 2020 - September 30, 2022.
Arizona LEAs were allocated $264 million in ESSER I funds to support local K-12 relief, prevention and preparation, and recovery efforts. In order to guarantee a baseline funding amount for every public school district and non-profit charter organization in the state, the Arizona Department of Education is contributing discretionary dollars we received from the CARES Act to ensure every non-profit LEA – regardless of size or location – received at least $50,000 in base funding.
Funds will remain available for obligation through September 30, 2022. All non-profit district and charter LEAs may apply for these funds. Grant applications are now available for LEAs on the ADE Grants Management (GME) system for the FY20 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund Grant.
ESSER Funds are highly flexible, and are designed to help address local relief, prevention and preparation, and recovery efforts relative to responding to COVID-19. Supplement and not supplant requirements do not apply to LEA use of ESSER Fund monies.
LEAs may use their funds for any of the following categories depending on local needs:
Any activity allowed under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
e.g.: Title I-A, Title I-C (Migrant Education),Title I-D (Neglected and Delinquent Students), Title II-A, Title III-A (English Language Learners), Title IV-A, Title IV-B 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title V-B REAP (SRSA and RLIS),Title VI-A (Indian Education), Title VII (Impact Aid)
Any activity allowed under the following Federal education acts:
For the following COVID-19 related relief, prevention, and recovery efforts:
Unallowable uses of ESSER Funds:
There are a number of webinars & guidance documents available to help you in your application process. The application process is broken apart by Title I LEAs* and Non-Title I LEAs. Please review the appropriate guidance accordingly before starting your application.
*Title I-A LEAs | Non-Title I-A LEAs |
*Title I LEAs include schools that received Title I-A Funds in Fiscal Year 2020 (School Year 19-20), including FY21 Title I-A New and Expanding Charter LEAs.
We are here to help you complete your application! Questions about the application process can be sent to [email protected].
Approved applications may be revised, as needed, to ensure ESSER funds are leveraged to meet changing local needs.
Please view ‘GME User Resources/Training’ resources on the Grants Management Resource Library on gme.azed.gov for additional guidance and instructions on how to complete an application revision.
*Title I-A LEAs
*Title I LEAs include schools that received Title I-A Funds in Fiscal Year 2020 (School Year 19-20), including FY21 Title I-A New and Expanding Charter LEAs.
Non-Title I-A LEAs
Click below to download the list of available ESSER I allocations to LEAs. This list was last updated in July 2020.
Please reach out to [email protected] for questions on the application process, revision process, allocations, or for more information. You may also contact Peter Laing, Policy Advisor, at (602) 364-3842 or [email protected].