Last updated April 14, 2021

 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Schools
COVID-19 K-12 Resource Homepage > 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 Georgia Department of Education is working in earnest to allocate these funds to districts as quickly and seamlessly as possible once we receive the funding from USED.

The CARES Act provides education funding to state education agencies and local education agencies to support schools as they are dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

GaDOE has received approved from USED for it's state application for K-12 CARES Act funding. On May 5, 2020, these allocations will be awarded to districts.
School districts are allowed to utilize funds for a wide-variety of Covid-19 related costs and to support long-term plans to reopen schools:
  • School Meals: Offset costs due to serving school meals (not covered through USDA reimbursements). Cover additional personnel (‘hazard pay’, hours, etc.) or logistical costs (transportation, etc.).
  • Distance/Remote Learning: Cover costs of devices, connectivity (hot spots, wireless, internet service, etc.), printing/preparing learning packets, instructional resources/tools, and other technology costs (hardware, software, assistive technology, outfitting buildings/buses with WiFi, online learning platforms, subscriptions, etc.).
  • Facilities/Equipment: Cover costs of sanitizing/disinfecting buildings, additional personnel costs (‘hazard pay’, hours, etc.), and equipment (gloves, masks, PPE, cleaning supplies, etc.).
  • Mental and Physical Health: Cover the costs of counseling, telehealth, school nursing, therapeutic services, and wraparound services and supports (contracted hours, professional learning, programs, etc.). •
  • Supplemental Learning: Cover costs of extended learning, remediation, and/or enrichment opportunities for students (summer learning, afterschool programs, additional pay for teachers and staff, extended schedules, etc.).
  • Professional Development: Cover costs of additional professional development for school leaders, teachers, and staff (trainings, extended professional development days, consultants, programs, etc.).
  • At-risk Student Populations: Cover costs of specific activities, services, supports, programs, and/or targeted interventions directly addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, English Learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
  • Continuity of Core Staff and Services: Restore any potential LEA FY21 budget reductions due to decreased state and/or local revenue. Cover costs of offsetting the need to furlough or reduce the salaries of any state or locally funded, school-based staff and/or continue core operations (transportation, utility, and other operating costs.
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.
  • Funds expire September 2022.
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