Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS I) Program
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed in December 2020, created the Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS I) grant within the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) II Fund. The $2.75 billion program will provide funding for emergency assistance to nonpublic schools.
Under this provision, state education agencies (SEAs) will administer the funds. Nonpublic schools can apply for these funds for “secular, neutral, and nonideological” services and assistance, including sanitization, personal protective equipment, COVID testing, educational technology, and connectivity. The state must provide these services directly or under contract and retain control of funds and titles to equipment. The NDDPI is required to prioritize services or assistance to nonpublic schools that enroll low-income students and are most impacted by the qualifying emergency.
On Monday, February 22, 2021, the Governor’s Office submitted North Dakota’s grant application for EANS I. The U.S. Department of Education approved North Dakota’s application on March 1, 2021.
- EANS Frequently Asked Questions - updated 4.27.21
- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) - United States Department of Education's website for the EANS program.
- OESE Frequently Asked Questions - United States Department of Education's website for the EANS frequently asked questions.
A nonpublic school may apply to receive services or assistance from the SEA or its contractors to address educational disruptions resulting from COVID-19 for:
A. Supplies to sanitize, disinfect, and clean school facilities
B. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
C. Improving ventilation systems, including windows or portable air purification systems
D. Training and professional development for staff on sanitization, the use of PPE, and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases
E. Physical barriers to facilitate social distancing
F. Other materials, supplies or equipment recommended by the CDC for reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain health and safety
G. Expanding capacity to administer coronavirus testing to effectively monitor and suppress the virus
H. Educational technology
I. Redeveloping instructional plans for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss
J. Leasing sites or spaces to ensure social distancing
K. Reasonable transportation costs
L. Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss
Reimbursement for the expenses of any services or assistance described above that a nonpublic school incurred on or after March 13, 2020, are allowable from the categories above, except for:
- Section (C) shall not be reimbursable, except that portable air purification systems shall be an allowable reimbursable expense
- Section (D) shall not be reimbursable
- Section (I) shall not be reimbursable
- Section (L) shall not be reimbursable
- Any expenses reimbursed through a loan guaranteed under the PPP (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) prior to December 27, 2020
- Any expenses or services already provided through ESSER I equitable services, GEER I equitable services, or North Dakota CARES Act funding
For additional information on allowable services or assistance, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted online.
NOTE: All nonpublic school expenditures must be allowable, COVID-related expenses. The nonpublic school must have sufficient documentation supporting such expenditure for reimbursement. Also, the nonpublic school acknowledges that the SEA or another public agency gains title to materials, equipment, and property for which it provides reimbursement. The NDDPI will require reasonable documentation (i.e., paid invoices, receipts, etc.) and inventory demonstrating public control for those items for which the nonpublic school is requesting reimbursement or services.