Use of Funds for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing

Summary

Department of Education frequently asked questions on using ESSER and GEER funds for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. The answers say vaccinations are an allowable use because the funds may implement public health protocols in line with CDC guidance, including outreach, clinics, incentives such as paid time off, and offsetting administrative fees where required. Testing is likewise allowable, with State and local educational agencies told to consult health officials and follow privacy rules such as FERPA and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. The guidance notes that the Department of Health and Human Services separately provided $10 billion in Reopening Schools awards for school testing and says it does not have the force and effect of law. No date is printed.

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Issuer: Congressional materials
Document type: Department Of Education Here Www Ed Gov 51D960810A
Case: Department Of Education Here Www Ed Gov 51D960810A

Cite this document

“Use of Funds for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing.” Original at www.ed.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/department-of-education-here-www-ed-gov-51d960810a/, SHA-256 c5209851193764a510b7493ed398e3a3ea1541da38b8390147e61dddb4a9e346.

Full text

  Frequently Asked Questions Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and
                       Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund

                           Use of Funds for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing

Listed below are frequently asked questions about acceptable uses of ESSER and GEER funds1 to State
educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to support COVID-19 vaccinations and
testing.

Other than statutory and regulatory requirements included in the document, the contents of this
guidance do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public. This document is
intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency
policies.

    1. May ESSER and GEER funds be used to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers, staff, and
       eligible students?

         Yes. Because ESSER and GEER funds may be used to implement public health protocols,
including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) for the reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain
the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff, providing COVID-19 vaccinations is an
allowable use of ESSER and GEER funds. Allowable vaccination outreach efforts in general could include
activities to create awareness and build confidence, facilitate clinics, and provide incentives such as paid
time off for staff to get vaccinated. In cases where administrative fees are required to obtain a
vaccination, ESSER or GEER funds may be used to offset the cost as long as the cost is reasonable.

    2. Is COVID-19 testing for students and school staff an allowable use of ESSER and GEER funds?

        Yes. Because ESSER and GEER funds may be used for public health protocols, including, to the
greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the CDC for the reopening and operation
of school facilities to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff,
providing COVID-19 testing is an allowable use of ESSER and GEER funds.

        SEAs and LEAs should consult with State and local health officials to ensure the adequacy of any
SEA or LEA COVID-19 testing program and that testing procedures comply with all applicable laws and
requirements, including those related to privacy, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and the confidentiality of information

1 For purposes of this document, references to ESSER and GEER funds include funds awarded under the

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (ESSER I and GEER I); the Coronavirus Response and
Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act (ESSER II and GEER II); and the American Rescue Plan (APR) Act
(ARP ESSER).
requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Please
note that the Department of Health and Human Services separately provided $10 billion under the ARP
Act to States as Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious
Diseases (ELC) Reopening Schools awards to support the implementation of COVID-19 testing programs,
as recommended by the CDC, in K-12 schools. This funding was deployed quickly through State health
departments in order to help LEAs safely reopen schools in the remaining months of school year 2020-
2021, during summer activities, and in the subsequent school year. State and local health departments
will provide technical assistance to LEAs and schools in establishing COVID-19 testing programs. More
information on the program can be found at: www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dpei/pdf/guidance-elc-reopening-
schools-508.pdf.

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