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American Rescue Plan Act, ESSER III Funds

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, signed into law on March 11, 2021, provides the third economic stimulus package to individuals, businesses, hospitals, and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in response to the economic distress caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Education Relief (ESSER III), provides additional money for LEAs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. ESSER III supplements ESSER I, created by the CARES Act in March 2020; and ESSER II, created by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in December 2020.

The ARP Act also includes:

  • Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY): to support the identification, enrollment, and school participation of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including through wrap-around services.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): funding to offset costs of providing programs and services to students with disabilities under IDEA.

  • Public Libraries: funding for public libraries from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support digital inclusion efforts, implementation of public health protocols, library services that meet community needs, and reaching tribal and museum partners best positioned to assist with pandemic response efforts.

  • Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF): supports remote learning by reimbursing libraries and schools for devices and internet services for students, staff, and patrons. Schools providing face-to-face instruction can apply for funds to close the homework gap.

  • Broadband Access Grant: up to $100 million for projects to expand high-speed broadband internet to unserved and underserved households

  • Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS II): The ARP Act provides continued funding under the EANS program. As with EANS I, Governors apply for the funds, and the program is then administered by the state education agency.

For more detailed information on the American Rescue Plan Act, visit the DPI American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act web page.

For more detailed information on the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant program, including allowable expenses and required components of district plans, visit the DPI ESSER III web page.