ESSER II CSDE

CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION



Elementary and Secondary School Emergency
         Relief Funds II (ESSER II)

   Charlene Russell-Tucker, Deputy Commissioner
        Desi Nesmith, Deputy Commissioner
       Kathy Demsey, Chief Financial Officer
            Jessa Mirtle, Legal Director
          Connecticut State Department of Education
                      February 2, 2021
  Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
      Appropriations (CRRSA) Act – ESSER II
 CT's ESSER II Funding  $492,426,458

 CT’s total ESSER I and II Funding  $603,494,517

 CSDE may reserve up to 10% of the funds for state-level
  activities

 No less than 90% of the funds must be allocated to Local
  Education Agencies (LEAs)

 LEAs do not need to reserve funds for “equitable
  services”

                                CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
             ESSER II Funding Timeline
 January 29, 2021:
   CSDE released LEA allocations and spending priorities

 Week of February 22, 2021:
    CSDE plans to release online application through eGMS
    Application will require a needs assessment, an articulation of steps
     to be taken to mitigate gaps, and description of the intended plan
     for resource

 Upon funding, CSDE expects updates on plan
  implementation
 September 30, 2022: ESSER I grant period ends
 September 20, 2023: ESSER II grant period ends
                                (extended by the Tydings Amendment)
                                       CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
        ESSER II State-Level Priorities
 Academic Supports, Learning Loss, Learning
  Acceleration and Recovery: Accelerate learning;
   measure learning loss; facilitate recovery; target supports to
   students disproportionately affected

 Family and Community Connections: Engage with
   families and the community; provide parents and guardians
   with the skills to support their children’s academic
   endeavors




                                  CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
         ESSER II State-Level Priorities
                              cont’d
 School Safety and Social-Emotional Well-being of
  the “Whole Student” and of our School Staff:
   Address unprecedented physical and mental health concerns
   through following public health safety measures and mental
   health support both in-person and remotely
 Remote Learning, Staff Development, and the
  Digital Divide: Maintain or upgrade access to technology
   and connectivity for the long term; increase robust
   professional development in providing remote learning;
   provide technical assistance and/or training for families

                                   CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     ESSER II Additional Uses of Funds
  Eligible activities under ESSER II are unchanged from ESSER I
                 except for the following additions
 Addressing learning loss among students
  disproportionately affected by: Administering high-quality
   assessments; Implementing evidence-based activities;
   Assisting families to support students; Tracking and improving
   remote student attendance and engagement; Identifying
   students that experienced learning loss

 School facility repairs and improvements to reduce risk
  of virus transmission and exposure to environmental
  health hazards

                                   CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                    What’s Next?
 CSDE:
   Develop online ESSER II application in eGMS
   Set up application review and technical assistance team
   Disseminate additional information as it becomes available
 LEAs:
   Using ESSER II allocation information, begin planning how
    you will identify and address student needs
     Significant preparation and union support may be
       needed depending upon the intervention
   Review current funding streams (ESSER I and CRF) to
    ensure any remaining balances are used to support current
    needs in accordance with your approved applications

                                CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
              Key Reminders:
 As of February 1, 2020:
   CRF Funding Allocated  $126,733,451
   CRF Funding Available  $70,700,063
   ESSER I Funding Allocated  $99,961,253
   ESSER I Funding Available  $61,694,542




                        CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Q&A
Thank You! Be Safe & Be Well!