Last updated September 27, 2022

 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
COVID-19 K-12 Resource Homepage > CARES Act
​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.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act
Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act 
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act
ESSER I
ESSER II
ESSER III
GA: $457,169,852
GA: $1,892,092,618
GA:$4,252,431,691
End date: 09/30/2021
Tydings: 09/30/2022 
End date: 09/30/2022
​Tydings: 09/30/2023 
End date: 09/30/2023
Tydings: 09/30/2024 
The ESSER funding dashboard provides the public an opportunity to access information about how much of the funds have been used to improve student learning; address lost learning opportunities, support students’ mental health and wellbeing, and more. The dashboard shows spending under all three rounds of ESSER funding – through the CARES Act in May 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act in January 2021, and the American Rescue Plan in March 2021. 

CARES Act

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 allows 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 students, and additional activities authorized by federal elementary and secondary education laws.

CRSSA Act

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

​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 reopen schools for in-person instruction, keep them open safely, and 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.

Georgia's ARP ESSER State Plan

Georgia’s state plan for the remainder of its federal stimulus funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP – ESSER) was approved on July 22, 2021, by the U.S. Department of Education, bringing an additional $1.4 billion to support K-12 schools in the state.  At the state level, ARP funds will address lost learning opportunities, remove barriers to learning, and provide personalized support for students, schools, and educators. Click here to view highlights of Georgia's ARP ESSER State Plan. 

ARP ESSER LEA Applications
 ​ARP ESSER provides significant federal resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that, for some LEAs, comprises millions of dollars of emergency funding. The interim final rule requires that each LEA develop a plan for using those funds. The developed plans ensure the ARP ESSER funds are being used consistent with statutory requirements and meet the needs of schools, students, and educators, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote accountability, transparency, and effective use of funds, the link below provides all Georgia LEA ARP ESSER applications submitted to GaDOE.  

ARP ESSER-Maintenance of Equity 

The maintenance of equity provisions outlined in the ARP Act ensures that schools and LEAs serving large proportions of historically underserved students receive an equitable share of state and local funds as the nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.

​Georgia Schools' Learning Mode Status

May 07, 2021               Excel File View-Statewide
November 05, 2021   Excel File View- Statewide
January 12, 2022       Excel File View-Statewide
May 06, 2022             Excel File View-Statewide

​Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Grants Program

The Georgia Department of Education is proud to partner with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) to administer $85 million for afterschool and summer learning in Georgia. Funding for the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants program has been made available through the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Biden in March of 2021.

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 Team Members
Matt Cardoza
Program Director
404.550.7298
mcardoza@doe.k12.ga.us
Charmaine Simmons
Program Manager
404.308.6797
csimmons@doe.k12.ga.us
Stephanie Reed
Program Specialist
678.850.1224
Stephanie.Reed@doe.k12.ga.us
Cassandra Dobbs
Program Specialist
678.340.6621
Cassandra.Dobbs@doe.k12.ga.us
Regina Purvis
Contractor
678.850.6577
Regina.Purvis@doe.k12.ga.us
Lakshmi Subramaniam
​Contractor
​404.450.5611
Lakshmi.Subramaniam@doe.k12.ga.us
Krystal Horsford
Program Specialist
​404.295.8085
Krystal.Horsford@doe.k12.ga.us
Courtney Reid
Program Specialist
404.354.4220​
Courtney.Reid@doe.k12.ga.us
Formal Complaints Under ESSER
Filing Formal Complaints Under ESSER Programs
View the ESSER Webinars at:
 GaDOE Professional Learning Events​
Key Information
  • One-time, formula allocation made directly to districts
  • Supplement not supplant does not apply. COVID-19-related expenses are retroactive to March 13, 2020, and after.​
Georgia Department of Education's COVID-19 Resources, Supports, and Guidance
​The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is working closely with the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Department of Public Health (GaDPH), and other agencies to ensure local school districts, parents, and students have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). > Learn More