Federal Disaster Aid Going to Schools, Students Affected by Wildfires, Hurricanes
The U.S. Department of Education has announced additional federal aid for schools and students impacted by recent natural disasters.
To assist schools in California impacted by wildfires, the Department has disbursed $2 million in Project SERV funds to the California Department of Education. The funds will help fund portable classrooms, substitute teachers, mental health services, and transportation for displaced students (along with substitute bus drivers).
The Department this week also opened the application for state education agencies (SEAs) to apply for funding under the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart) program. This program was authorized in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, providing $2.7 billion in federal aid to PK-12 schools, districts, and institutions of higher education to assist in recovery from the recent wildfires and hurricanes. Eligible SEAs (which include those from Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) can now apply for aid funding and can then provide assistance to local educational agencies. SEAs interested in applying for funding under the Restart program have until March 30 to submit their application package.
For more information on disaster relief efforts by the Department, visit this website.
Tags: federal issues, funding
