What Are ESSER Funds?
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund is a major federal assistance program that provides $122 billion to states and local educational agencies to assist schools in reopening.
ESSER funds can be allocated for a range of initiatives that will assist students in recovering and returning to school in the best condition possible.
Preventing illness in the classroom
School is an environment where students are frequently exposed to germs and viruses. This presents teachers with a challenge; they typically need to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer in order to keep their classroom clean and safe for students.
Schools can prevent illness by implementing ESSER funds, a program which assists with school-wide repairs and improvements. Projects like new HVAC systems, eliminating dust and allergens from classrooms, or replacing flooring and furniture may all benefit from these funds.
Many school districts are taking advantage of ESSER funds to create a safe learning environment for their students. By purchasing masks and other safety gear, these districts can prevent germs and illnesses from spreading in the classroom.
They provide students with supplies like hand sanitizer, tissues and other hygiene items. Furthermore, they encourage their students to stay healthy by getting a flu shot so that they can avoid becoming sick.
Schools across America can access these funds for any purpose that enhances student safety. Schools may purchase items like hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and masks with these funds.
ESSER funds can also be allocated for substitute teachers and other full-time staff members who will fill in during times when schools experience shortages in teaching staff. Having extra help on hand helps reduce teacher burnout and makes the classroom more welcoming for students.
Another way ESSER funds can prevent illness is by providing mental health care to students. They can get assistance managing the strain of a long school year and dealing with difficult circumstances, as well as access to a therapist for emotional support.
As the school year draws to a close, schools may be searching for ways to use up any remaining ESSER funds they have available. The Department of Education has encouraged schools to make use of these resources quickly if they are facing severe staffing shortages.
ESSER funds are accessible to all public and private schools in the US, and can be used for anything that helps enhance their student’s safety or educational experience. This includes addressing any unfinished learning projects.
Keeping students safe
ESSER funds are an invaluable source of funding for schools. The federal stimulus package passed in 2020 and 2021 included three separate bills providing more than $190.5 billion to ESSER, previously known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).
Districts must abide by certain spending guidelines when using ESSER funds, such as dedicating 20 percent of their ESSER allocations to evidence-based interventions to address learning loss and investing in classroom furniture and equipment for safe, healthy in-person instruction.
In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act added an additional $122.8 billion to ESSER funds. These funds were allocated for various purposes such as student safety and health, educational advancement, and mental health support.
Many school districts across the nation are taking advantage of ESSER funds awarded to them as part of the three stimulus packages. The money is meant to help reopen and sustain their schools in ways that promote academic, social and emotional wellness for students.
However, some schools face difficulties in allocating the funds. Our survey revealed that 8 percent of respondents reported their state still hadn’t approved their ESSER plan document, thus prohibiting them from spending the funds until approval had been given.
Additionally, some states are taking longer than others to approve their plans. States such as Florida and Missouri had to wait a year after the funding package had been approved before they could access their full allocations.
Many schools are seeking solutions that will keep their students safe. One way of doing this is by investing in ESSER funds in various safety and security measures, such as physical barriers to prevent students from entering dangerous areas and hiring additional staff members.
Maintaining students’ safety should be a top priority for schools, particularly as COVID-19 continues to impact campuses nationwide. To accomplish this goal, school leaders must take time to inspect their buildings and identify how best to utilize ESSER funding. Whether it’s improving security or installing technology for flexible scheduling, taking an holistic approach to school planning is the best way to guarantee all students receive the services they require for success.
Providing mental health care
ESSER funds are federally provided funds that schools can use to provide mental health care for both students and educators. Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $122.8 billion in funding has been provided to state education agencies through the ESSER Fund.
School-aged children and youth are at an increased risk for experiencing a mental health disorder, yet often lack access to psychiatric treatment or services. These can include various methods that help manage symptoms like psychotherapy or medication, but the majority of them don’t.
Unfortunately, many of these services are not accessible or affordable for everyone. There are a variety of barriers that prevent people from receiving the care they require, such as transportation issues, financial costs, and lack of access to providers.
Mental health is an integral component of overall wellbeing and can significantly impact a person’s cognition, perception, and behavior. It also shapes how they relate to others and make decisions.
Mental health care is a personal decision. While some changes in mood and thinking are normal, they can be managed with primary care physician or psychiatrist assistance; other cases may need more specialized medical assistance.
Mental health treatment is determined by the severity of symptoms, their impact on daily life and the risks and benefits associated with available treatments. The most appropriate course of action is an individualized plan created in collaboration with patients and their family.
Community-based mental health care can be provided through a range of resources, such as social service organizations, homeless shelters and other nonprofits, along with community-based hospitals and clinics. These services provide an opportunity to address the needs of those unable to access private care and offer support to patients and their families.
A mental health plan may also include self-help strategies and other tactics to enhance a person’s mental wellbeing and quality of life. These may include making lifestyle changes, engaging in an exercise regimen or getting enough sleep each night.
States can utilize ARPA funding to address the mental health needs of their students through various strategies, such as increasing the comprehensiveness of school-based mental health systems. These efforts may include providing staff with mental health training, creating a statewide network of providers and organizations for easy access to services for students, and expanding youth-centric initiatives like telehealth.
Keeping parents involved
School districts and states across America are seeing an unprecedented boost in federal education funding thanks to ESSER funds. Schools can use this money for infrastructure improvements, recruitment of more teachers and support staff members, as well as creating new opportunities for students. But administrators must ensure parents are included in decision-making processes so these funds have maximum impact.
This is especially essential if the funds are meant for the district as a whole. When administrators are willing to involve families in their decision-making process, they can create an educationally focused approach when spending the funds.
Some of the most influential ESSER programs are those that keep parents involved in their child’s learning and education even after schools have resumed in-person classes. Examples include extracurricular activities, community resources, and mental health services.
Parents’ involvement in their child’s school helps students maximize the experience. Furthermore, parents can be the first to recognize signs of stress or issues that need additional attention from educators.
One way to involve parents in education is by creating a program where they can come into the classroom after school and participate in student learning, tutoring or extracurricular activities. This demonstrates that their efforts have not gone unnoticed and makes school more inviting for everyone.
In addition to using ESSER funds to develop new programs that keep parents engaged, many districts are also considering how they can enhance existing ones. This includes providing more technology, employing additional teachers and support personnel, as well as offering more enrichment activities for students.
Another way districts can keep parents involved is by using ESSER funds to implement programs that track and reduce learning loss. This issue has been well-studied and may pose a significant obstacle for some students.
Maintaining student and parent involvement can be a challenge, but it’s essential for helping children excel in the classroom. The ESSER funding program can be an excellent opportunity to do just that – administrators just need to ensure they use these funds wisely with the correct priorities in mind.