KDE Requests Assistance with Nonpublic and Home School Communication
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is charged with the administration of equitable services under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund II (GEER II). KDE is asking districts to share the following message with nonpublic and home schools.
Please copy the following message into an email and send it to any nonpublic and home schools for which you have email addresses. It is not necessary to send this message via hardcopy through the mail. KDE staff appreciate any assistance you provide with distributing this communication.
Dear Nonpublic School Official:
Congress recently authorized Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has allocated to Kentucky $40,817,799 to administer services to nonpublic schools in the state. Under this program, any nonpublic or home school meeting certain criteria may apply to the state for reimbursement of COVID-19-related costs dating back to March 13, 2020, or for COVID-19-related services to be provided.
In order to apply, the nonpublic school must:
- Be nonprofit (Note: In Kentucky home schools are considered to be nonprofit by nature, as long as they are not charging tuition for services.);
- Be accredited, licensed or otherwise operate in accordance with state law (Note: Nonpublic schools are approved to operate within Kentucky without accreditation, licensure or certification.);
- Have been in existence prior to March 13, 2020, the date the president declared the national emergency due to COVID-19; and
- Not have applied and will not apply for and receive a loan under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(37)) that is made on or after December 27, 2020.
The EANS program allows nonpublic schools to take advantage of various services and assistance. The list of allowable activities is limited to the following:
- Supplies to sanitize, disinfect and clean school facilities;
- Personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Improving ventilation systems, including windows or portable air purification systems;
- Training and professional development for staff on sanitization, the use of PPE and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases;
- Physical barriers to facilitate social distancing;
- Other materials, supplies or equipment recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain health and safety;
- Expanding capacity to administer coronavirus testing to effectively monitor and suppress the virus;
- Educational technology;
- Redeveloping instructional plans for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss;
- Leasing sites or spaces to ensure social distancing;
- Reasonable transportation costs;
- Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss; and
- Reimbursement for the expenses of any services or assistance described above that a nonpublic school incurred on or after March 13, 2020.
Note, according to question D-3 of the nonregulatory guidance cited below, although the following activities are allowed for services to be provided, they are not allowed to be reimbursed:
- Improvements to ventilation systems (including windows), except for portable air purification systems, which may be reimbursed;
- Any expenses reimbursed through a loan guaranteed under the PPP (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) prior to December 27, 2020;
- Staff training and professional development on sanitization, the use of PPE, and minimizing the spread of COVID-19;
- Developing instructional plans, including curriculum development, for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss; and
- Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss.
Under the EANS, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) must administer reimbursements and services, including the approval of applications, prioritization of funding, and the maintenance of fiscal and programmatic control. Except in the case of approved reimbursements, no funds are directly provided to nonpublic schools.
Services or materials are provided and overseen by KDE. Further, KDE must retain title to all materials and supplies provided. More in-depth explanations of the program, including roles and responsibilities, may be found in the nonregulatory guidance document produced by USED titled “Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program.” Additionally, USED maintains a website for this program with supplemental information and KDE has created an EANS webpage. It is highly advised that any nonpublic school consult these resources prior to completing an application.
The EANS application will be available on this webpage and will be open March 23-26, 2021, for completion. Applications for funding will not be accepted beyond the closing date. Further, applications that fail to provide all required information, including the completion of each application section, will be deemed nonresponsive and funding will not be provided.
Note: Official submissions will only be accepted using the SurveyMonkey link provided above. Additionally, KDE will hold online applicant trainings on March 3 and March 4. The information below specifies the times and provides links to access the trainings:
- March 3: 10-11:30 a.m. ET
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-694-1960 United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 121 372 90#
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 502-694-1960 United States, Louisville
Phone Conference ID: 911 702 919#
KDE anticipates awarding funding amounts on or around April 23, 2021. For planning purposes, awards will be made based on per pupil amounts, tentatively set at $400 for each student enrolled and an additional $250 for each low-income student enrolled. Questions related to the EANS program or the application process may be sent to [email protected].