Last updated October 15, 2021

 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
The ESSER funding dashboard provides the public an opportunity to access information about how much of the funds have been used so far 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 provides flexibility for 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 student, 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 safely reopen schools for in-person instruction and keep them open, and to 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 be used to address lost learning opportunities, remove barriers to learning, and personalize supports 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, comprise millions of dollars of emergency funding. The interim final rule requirement states that each LEA will develop a plan for the use of 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, in particular those students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort 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 ensure that schools and LEAs serving large proportions of historically underserved groups of students receive an equitable share of State and local funds as the Nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. Click here to view the baseline and initial data submissions to the U. S. Department of Education. 

Georgia's School Operating Status-05.07.21

SAVE THE DATE! 

Open Office Hour Sessions

Have pressing questions? Or, just need to stay informed? Send us your questions ahead of time here.

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Join Us: Click Here

Missed an Open Office Hour Session? Click here to view the recording and handout.
 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
Regina Purvis
Contractor
Regina.Purvis@doe.k12.ga.us
Cassandra Dobbs
Program Specialist
Cassandra.Dobbs@doe.k12.ga.us
LEA Formula Allocations

​Webinars

​Resources
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U.S. Department of Education Resources
Equitable Services ​
Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools Program (EANS)​
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.
  • ESSER I - Grant period ends September 30, 2021; Carryover ends September 30, 2022.
  • ESSER II - Grant period ends September 30, 2022; Carryover ends September 30, 2023.
  • ​ESSER III - Grant period ends September 30, 2023; Carryover ends September 30, 2024.
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