Press Releases
03/04/2021
CSDE Opens Application for Non-Public Schools to Access Federal Emergency Assistance
State of Connecticut Distributing $15.8 Million through Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program
(Hartford) - The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) today notified the state’s non-public schools that they can begin applying for funding through the federal Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program, which is part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER II) Fund. CSDE is contracting with the State Education Resource Center (SERC) to administer the application process for the $15.8 million in EANS aid including the procurement of eligible items and services under the control and supervision of CSDE.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, CSDE must prioritize EANS services or assistance to non-public schools that enroll low-income students and those most impacted by COVID-19. CSDE may consider other factors including whether schools received funding under ESSER I through the equitable services provision. Since CRRSA provides for a separate relief program for which eligible non-public schools in Connecticut may apply to CSDE for services or assistance, local public school districts are not required to provide equitable services to students and teachers in non-public schools under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II Fund) or the GEER II Fund.
For purposes of the EANS program, an eligible nonpublic school is an elementary or secondary school that is non-profit; accredited, licensed, or otherwise operates in accordance with State law; was in existence prior to March 13, 2020; and did not, and will not, apply for and receive a loan under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection that was on or after December 27, 2020. Faith-based non-public schools are eligible to participate in the EANS program to the same extent as other eligible non-public schools, however, all services or assistance provided under the program must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological.
Non-public schools may apply to receive a variety of services or assistance to address educational disruptions resulting from COVID-19. For example, these services and assistance may include supplies to sanitize, disinfect, and clean school facilities; personal protective equipment (PPE); improving ventilation systems; educational technology to assist students and teachers with remote or hybrid learning; and reimbursement of most allowable expenses incurred after March 13, 2020.
Visit SERC’s website to access the EANS application and, once completed, it should be e-mailed to eans@ctserc.org no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021. Additional details and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program can be found here.
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