Arkansas EANS Program Information

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act) provides $2.75 billion for the Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program, which is part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund. Under the EANS program, the U.S. Department will award grants by formula to each Governor with an approved Certification and Agreement to provide services or assistance to eligible non-public schools to address the impact that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on non-public school students and teachers in the State. Learn more about EANS at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/education-stabilization-fund/emergency-assistance-non-public-schools/ The State Education Agency (SEA) or Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) under Section 312(d) EANS will make up to $22,872,412 available to eligible Arkansas non-public schools. Eligible Non-Public Schools: An eligible non-public school must meet the following criteria:

1. The school requesting services or assistance is a non-profit school.
2. The school requesting services or assistance existed and operated prior to March 13, 2020.
3. The school requesting services or assistance is accredited, licensed, or otherwise approved to operate in accordance with State law. A non-public school must be incorporated as per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-2-102.
4. The school requesting services or assistance did not and will not apply for and receive a loan under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(37)) that is made on or after December 27, 2020.
   • NOTE: If a non-public school applies for a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020, but does not receive funds under the PPP, the school may apply for services or assistance under the EANS program, as long as the non-public school meets the requirements and deadlines of the application. If a non-public school applied for or received a PPP loan prior to December 27, 2020, it remains eligible for the EANS program. Similarly, if a non-public school applies for but does not receive services or assistance through EANS, nothing in the Education Stabilization Fund would preclude that non-public school from applying for and receiving a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020.
5. No expenses may be reimbursed through a loan guaranteed under the PPP (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) prior to December 27, 2020.

Timeline for Funds: Reimbursement and payment with EANS funds must be completed by September 30, 2023. Allowable Uses of Funds: (all costs must be reasonable, necessary and allowable) All services or assistance provided under EANS, including equipment, materials, and any other items, shall be secular, neutral, and non-ideological. The Non-Public School understands that the control of funds provided and title to materials, equipment, and property purchased with such funds, shall be in the public agency (SEA), and the SEA shall administer such funds, materials, equipment, and property. The SEA must gain title to materials, equipment, and property for which it provides reimbursement or payment. At the end of the CCRSA funds (September 2023) the SEA will consult with the non-public school to determine if materials, equipment, and property shall remain in use at the non-public school or must be returned to the SEA. This consultation may require additional documentation from the non-public school. An eligible non-public 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 (not available for reimbursement), including windows (not available for reimbursement) 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 (not available for reimbursement)
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 (not available for reimbursement)
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 (not available for reimbursement)
M. Reimbursement for the expenses of any services or assistance described above that a non-public school incurred on or after March 13, 2020, except for:

• Improvements to ventilation systems (including windows), except for portable air purification systems, which may be reimbursed.
• Staff training and professional development on sanitization, the use of PPE, and minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
• Developing instructional plans, including curriculum development, for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss.
• Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss.
• Any expenses reimbursed through a loan guaranteed under the PPP (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) prior to December 27, 2020.

Reimbursement of services or assistance: An eligible non-public school may request reimbursement of reasonable, necessary, and allowable expenditures with proper documentation. Proper documentation includes a detailed invoice or bill of sale and a copy of a cleared check or credit/debit card statement for the same amount of each reimbursable item/total. Written justification may be required to ensure the expenditures align with the requirements listed below:

• Supplies to sanitize, disinfect, and clean school facilities
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Portable air purification systems
• Physical barriers to facilitate social distancing
• Other materials, supplies or equipment recommended by the CDC for reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain health and safety https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/School-Admin-K12-readiness-and-planning-tool.pdf
• Expanding capacity to administer coronavirus testing to effectively monitor and suppress the virus
• Educational technology (including hardware, software, connectivity, assistive technology, or adaptive equipment) Non-public schools will need to submit an inventory of educational technology including serial number or identification number, acquisition date, cost of property, location, and use and condition of the property. See sample format.
• Leasing sites or spaces to ensure social distancing
• Reasonable transportation costs

Requesting services or assistance (not available for reimbursement): An eligible non-public school may request services or assistance. Please contact elizabeth.gomez@ade.arkansas.gov for consultation prior to submitting a request for the following services or assistance. DESE will require a work order including final delivery date prior to approval of services or assistance. DESE will require documentation that any service or assistance has been received in full before payment is made to vendors.

• Improving ventilation systems, including windows
• Training and professional development for staff on sanitization, the use of PPE, and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases
• Redeveloping instructional plans for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss
• Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss

Please see the list of approved vendors (filter by state).

State Contracts, Office of State Procurement: https://www.transform.ar.gov/procurement/vendors/state-contracts/ Tips Vendors: https://www.tips-usa.com/allvendors.cfm

  Click here to view the Arkansas FAQ for EANS Click here for more information on EANS funds