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Federal Programs and Services
Welcome to the ESSER section of the website.
Arkansas schools and districts use federal resources in their efforts to improve student achievement, to ensure that students are proficient in meeting our state standards, and to prepare for a successful future.
The Arkadelphia Public School District is a subrecipient of Federal Grant Program funds to supplement and complement the efforts of local school systems, the private sector, public and private nonprofit educational research institutions, community-based organizations, parents and students to improve the quality of education.
District personnel receive technical assistance from ADE:DESE personnel in our efforts to apply best-practices in both fiscal and programmatic matters and to maintain communication efforts not only in the program planning stage but the implementation stage as well.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act into law. The ARP law is available at https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr1319/BILLS-117hr1319enr.pdf. The 1.9 trillion package of assistance measures, includes $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. Funds are provided to State Educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students. More information about the ARP ESSER funds is available at https://oese.ed.gov/american-rescue-plan-elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/?key=604bc93d9d597.
The U.S. Department of Education also released two informational documents:
Volume 1 - 2021 ED COVID-19 Handbook Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools available at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening.pdf.
Volume 2 - 2021 ED COVID-19 Handbook Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs available at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening-2.pdf.
On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, US ED published guidance on lost instructional time during the pandemic: Strategies for Using American Rescue Plan Funding to Address the Impact of Lost Instructional Time available at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/lost-instructional-time.pdf
State Plan for ARP Funding
Arkansas utilized stakeholder feedback and available data to develop and submit the state plan for ARP funding. The plan was submitted on June 7, 2021, and approved by the U.S. Department of Education on July 7, 2021. The approval letter is available here. Access the Arkansas ARP State Plan. This plan will be revised as needed. Stakeholders may continue to provide input regarding the state ARP plan by completing the Stakeholder Survey. (Stakeholder Survey in Spanish - Encuesta Para las Partes Interesadas)
Arkansas is required to post information about school mode of instruction (see instructional option tab), disaggregated enrollment (enrollment tab) and attendance data (attendance rates tab). These data are available on LEA Insights at https://insight.ade.arkansas.gov/?lea=AR
ARP ESSER Fund
ARP ESSER funds are provided to state educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation's students.
Budgeting and Reporting of ARP ESSER Funds
LEAs will utilize eFinance to budget and report financial expenditures. LEAs will be responsible for supporting evidence and documentation of expenditures for reporting and audit purposes.
Upon request by DESE, the LEA will also upload the expenditure ledger for ESSER funds into Indistar.
DESE is required to monitor LEA expenditures of ESSER funds.
Focus of ARP ESSER Funds
The focus is to help schools return safely to in-person instruction, maximize in-person instruction time, sustain the safe operations of schools, and address the academic, social, emotional, and mental health impact of COVID-19.
DESE has established three areas of planning for use of funds:
Creating Safe and Healthy Learning Environments
Addressing Lost Instructional Time or Loss of Learning
Supporting Educator and Staff Stability and Well-Being
PLEASE NOTE: The LEA must spend a minimum of 20% of ARP ESSER funds to address lost instructional time or loss of learning. The LEA will use the funds it reserves under Section 2001 (e) (1) of the ARP Act to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through implementation of evidence-based interventions. The full implementation of evidence-based interventions include personnel, materials, equipment, professional development, and expensed needed to meet the needs of students. Other evidence-based practices may be utilized if the intervention meets one of the four tiers of evidence. Evidence-based practices resources can be found on page 7 of Empowering School for Success: Using Effective Evidence-Based Practices to Impact Student Outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply for ARP ESSER Funds?
LEAs (districts and charter schools) that receive Title I funds.
What are the ARP ESSER funding allocations for LEAs?
Allocations for ARP ESSER funds are posted on the DESE website at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/fiscal-and-administrative-services/school-funding/allocations
What is the timeline for ARP ESSER funds?
LEAs must obligate ARP ESSER funds by September 30, 2024.
What are allowable expenditures of ARP ESSER funds?
A local educational agency (LEA) may use funds it receives under section 2001(d) of the ARP for any activity listed in section 2001(e). Any activity that is an allowable use of Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER I) funds by an LEA under section 18003(d) of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act, funds by an LEA under section 313(d) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act (ESSER II) is also an allowable use of ARP ESSER funds by an LEA under section 2001(d) of the ARP ESSER.
Please see Commissioner’s Memo COM-21-106 for guidance on the use of ESSER funds. The memo also provides the program codes. Due to the end of the fiscal year, districts should utilize ESSER I and ESSER II funds through June 2021 and can begin obligating and expending ARP ESSER funds after July 1, 2021, if Arkansas Legislative Council approval for appropriations is finalized. Preliminary allocations are posted in Commissioner’s Memo FIN-21-035. Information regarding summer reimbursements is available in Commissioner’s Memo FIN-21-045.
What are the funding codes for ARP ESSER funds?
To access the codes, go to program codes.
What are the retention requirements for ESSER II funds records?
Financial records, supporting (primary) documents, and all documentation of reasonable, necessary, and allocable must be retained for four (4) years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. 2 CFR § 200.333.
ARP ESSER Application
The American Rescue Plan Act requires three parts for a complete application of funds:
Part A: LEA Plan for Continuity of Services, ARP Section 2001 (i)(1) By April 15, 2021, posted on district website; updated every six months with public comments.
Part B: LEA Signed Assurances (DOCX) (PDF)By June 24, 2021, posted in ESSER folder in Indistar.
Part C: LEA plan for Use of ARP ESSER Funds, ARP Section 2001(e) (DOCX) (PDF)By August 15, 2021, posted in ESSER folder in Indistar and posted on district website.
Appropriations - ESSER II – approved December 27, 2020
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021. The 2124 page Act is available at https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr133/BILLS-116hr133enr.pdf.
Congress set aside an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ( ESSER II Fund). Additional information about the ESSER II fund is available at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/education-stabilization-fund/elementary-secondary-school-emergency-relief-fund/. The Letter from Secretary Devos and attachments (Fact Sheet and Methodology for Calculating Allocations) provide additional information regarding ESSER II funding.
On July 13, 2021, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) submitted state assurances for the ARP HCY Funds. More information will be available soon.
ARP Homeless I
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act provides emergency relief funds under section 2001(b)(1) of the ARP available to grantees of the Education for Homeless Children and Youths program (EHCY, also known as McKinney-Vento) for the purposes of identifying homeless children and youth, providing wraparound services in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing assistance needed to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities, including in-person instruction, before/after school, summer learning, and enrichment programs.
This disbursement (ARP Homeless I) is designed to provide funding to States immediately as a supplement to their McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) funds, so that States can address urgent needs of homeless children and youth—including academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs—and so States and local educational agencies (LEAs) can increase capacity by hiring staff, dedicating resources, and planning partnerships with community-based organizations, among other strategies. For the definition of homelessness under the Education of Homeless Children and Youth program, see https://nche.ed.gov/determining-eligibility/.
Grants
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will make $1,539,246 ARP Homeless I funds available to current EHCY grantees.
Timeline for Funds
ARP Homeless I funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024.
Uses of Funds
ARP Homeless I funds supplement the EHCY program, and all allowable EHCY uses apply to these funds. For more information, LEAs should reference the list of authorized activities in section (d) of the EHCY statute, 42 U.S.C. §11433 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nF5wq4xI40EG_IyeqhJmKe1dgd3Zcp_u06qOBpYA1KQ/edit?usp=sharing.
providing wraparound services (which could be provided in collaboration with and/or through contracts with community-based organizations, and could include academic supports, trauma- informed care, social-emotional support, and mental health services);
purchasing needed supplies (e.g., PPE, eyeglasses, school supplies, personal care items);
providing transportation to enable children and youth to attend classes and participate fully in school activities;
purchasing cell phones or other technological devices for unaccompanied youth to enable the youth to attend and fully participate in school activities;
providing access to reliable, high-speed internet for students through the purchase of internet-connected devices/equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installation of Community Wi-Fi Hotspots (e.g., at homeless shelters), especially in underserved communities;
paying for short-term, temporary housing (e.g., a few days in a motel) when such emergency housing is the only reasonable option for COVID-safe temporary housing and when necessary to enable the homeless child or youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities (including summer school); and
providing store cards/prepaid debit cards to purchase materials necessary for students to participate in school activities.
LEAs must ensure that all costs are reasonable and necessary and that these uses of funds align with the purpose of, and other requirements in, the EHCY statute. In addition, when considering funding decisions, the DESE wants to emphasize that section (d)(16) of the EHCY statute allows the use of funds for “other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.” Accordingly, when considering funding decisions, LEAs should analyze the needs of students experiencing homelessness in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary impact.
Application
Current EHCY grantees may apply for ARP Homeless I funds to supplement current EHCY competitive grant funds and ESSER funds to supplement the EHCY program, and the uses of funds are governed by EHCY allowability. Uses of funds may include, when responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, expenses that are reasonable and necessary to facilitate the identification, enrollment, retention, and educational success of homeless children and youth.
The LEA must comply with, all reporting requirements at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including but not limited to the requirements under EHCY, and including but not limited to numbers of students experiencing homelessness identified and supported through ARP-Homeless I funding, and specific details about supports and services received by students.
LEAs are encouraged to use these funds to focus on identifying students and to connect students experiencing homelessness and their families to summer learning and enrichment programs, and to engage students and their families in preparation for on-site instruction during the school year. LEAs are encouraged to consider granting subawards to community-based organizations to supplement existing EHCY subgrants and allow LEAs to address the needs of students experiencing homelessness
The current 22 EHCY grantees may apply for ARP Homeless I funds by completing the Addendum authorized under American Rescue Plan (ARP) - Homeless I (attachment 1) by October 6, 2021, and uploading to McKinney-Vento Indistar into the (MVAR) district folder labeled ARP Homeless I. Please see Commissioner’s Memo COM-22-052 for more information about ARP Homeless I eligibility.
Questions regarding current EHCY grantees and this funding opportunity should be sent to Jessica.Hickman@ade.arkansas.gov or call 501-683-5428.
ARP Homeless II
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act - Homeless Children and Youth (HCY) Program provides funding for the purposes to help States and local educational agencies (LEAs) identify homeless children and youth, provide wraparound services that address the multiple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on homeless children and youth, and ensure that homeless children and youth are able to attend school and participate fully in school activities.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students experiencing homelessness are increasingly under-identified, as learning outside of school building settings likely impeded the critical role of educators and staff in schools and LEAs to properly identify students, and these students have remained underserved by schools, LEAs, and States. The ARP-Homeless II funding to support students experiencing homelessness has tremendous potential to expand the systems in Arkansas to identify and support the needs of homeless children and youth.These funds will support the work of the designated Homeless Liaison in each LEA, as required by the McKinney-Vento Act, and build capacity in LEAs, which will help to identify greater numbers of students experiencing homelessness and better coordinate services for those students in LEAs receiving funding through this formula.
These funds may be used to address urgent needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness—including academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. The funds may also be used to increase capacity by hiring staff, dedicating resources, and planning partnerships with community-based organizations, among other strategies.Eligible Districts
The allocation formula is based equally on the proportional share of an LEA's allocation under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 for the most recent fiscal year, and the LEA's proportional share of the number of homeless children and youth identified by each LEA relative to all LEAs in the State, using the greater of the number of homeless children and youth in either the 2018-19 or 2019-20 school year in each LEA. This formula ensures a balance in the distribution of funds to focus on the needs of the LEAs, considering both the LEA's number of low-income students and the number of homeless children and youth. In addition, allowing the use of either the 2018-19 school year or 2019-20 school year homeless counts takes into consideration the potential for undercounting in the 2019-20 school year due to COVID-19 by allowing LEAs to use the greater of the two numbers.
NOTE: An SEA may not make a subgrant to an LEA under 42 U.S.C.A. §11433 (c)(1) if the amount of such subgrant would be less than $5,000. An LEA that does not meet this minimum allocation requirement may receive a subgrant only as part of a consortium with other LEAs if the total of their combined allocations is at least $5,000.
Allocations of Funds
Arkansas will post the preliminary allocations on the DESE website at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/fiscal-and-administrative-services/school-funding/allocations
Final allocations will be determined after all applications have been reviewed. All funds are reimbursement only.
The SOF code for ARP-HCY II is 6767.
Timeline for Funds
ARP-HCY funds expire September 30, 2024.
Uses of Funds
Funding under this program must be used for the purposes of identifying homeless children and youth and providing homeless children and youth with (A) wraparound services in light of the challenges of COVID–19; and (B) assistance needed to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities.
Funding provided under ARP Homeless II must follow the final requirements at https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/07/EO-12866-OESE-FY-21-NFR-ARP-HCY-with-disclaimer.docx.Furthermore, funding under the ARP Homeless II program must adhere to the allowable uses of funds described in Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act). Under section(d) of, 42 U.S.C.A. §11433, LEAs may use subgrant funds for activities that support the purposes of the program, including:
The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youths.
The provision of expedited evaluations of the strengths and needs of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as educational programs for gifted and talented students, children with disabilities, and English learners, services provided under title I of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq., or similar State or local programs, programs in career and technical education, and school nutrition programs).
Professional development and other activities for educators and specialized instructional support personnel that are designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to the needs of homeless children and youths, the rights of such children and youths under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths.
The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services.
The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under 42 U.S.C.A. § 11432 (g)(4)(A), not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under section 11432 (g)(3) of this title.
The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, for preschool-aged homeless children.
The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youths, particularly homeless children and youths who are not enrolled in school, in public school programs and services provided to non-homeless children and youths.
The provision for homeless children and youths of before- and after-school, mentoring, and summer programs in which a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities.
If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youths in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services.
The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youths, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of such children or youths.
The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths, as described in section 11432 (g)(5).
The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention counseling) and referrals for such services.
Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youths that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems.
The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any non-school facilities made available under subsection(a)(2) of 42 U.S.C.A. § 11433 to provide services under section(d) of 42 U.S.C.A. § 11433.
The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities, or other appropriate locations.
The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.
Activities under Homeless II may include any expenses necessary to facilitate the identification, enrollment, retention, or educational success of homeless children and youth in order to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities, such as:
providing wraparound services (which could be provided in collaboration with and/or through contracts with community-based organizations, and could include academic supports, trauma-informed care, social-emotional support, and mental health services);
purchasing needed supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, eyeglasses, school supplies, personal care items);
providing transportation to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities;
purchasing cell phones or other technological devices for unaccompanied, homeless children and youth to enable such children and youth to attend school and fully participate in school activities;
providing access to reliable, high-speed internet for students through the purchase of internet-connected devices/equipment, mobile hotspots, wireless service plans, or installation of Community Wi-Fi Hotspots (e.g., at homeless shelters), especially in underserved communities;
paying for short-term, temporary housing (e.g., a few days in a motel) when such emergency housing is the only reasonable option for COVID-safe temporary housing and when necessary to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities (including summer school); and
providing store cards/prepaid debit cards to purchase materials necessary for students to participate fully in school activities.
LEAs must ensure that all costs are reasonable and necessary and that these uses of funds align with the purpose of, and other requirements in, the McKinney-Vento Act. In addition, when considering funding decisions, we want to emphasize that section (d)(16) of 42 U.S.C.A. § 11433 allows the use of funds for “other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.” Accordingly, when considering funding decisions, LEAs should analyze the needs of students experiencing homelessness in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its extraordinary impact.
Additional Resources
For additional resources that address the needs of students experiencing homelessness, please see the Department’s COVID-19 Handbook Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools and Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs.
Timeline
LEAs participating in a consortium must submit a participate in a consortium form by December 1, 2021 to Jessica.Hickman@ade.arkansas.gov
LEAs will submit their completed application or consortium application by January 11, 2022, by uploading the application and budget into Indistar folder labeled ARP Homeless II.
ARP Homeless II funds expire September 30, 2024.
Notice to Participate in Consortium
Any LEA may participate in a consortium to better utilize funds to identify and serve students experiencing homelessness. An LEA that does not meet the minimum allocation requirement of $5,000 may receive a subgrant only as part of a consortium with other LEAs if the total of their combined allocations is at least $5,000. All LEAs participating in a consortium must submit an intent to participate in a consortium form prior to submission of the consortium application.
Application
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ua1TcVY7C-VOFg0WYDePHglaRaxp4uzOC0R7s0KbrAw/edit?usp=sharing
Questions regarding current EHCY grantees and this funding opportunity should be sent to Jessica.Hickman@ade.arkansas.gov or call 501-683-5428.
Section 2014(a) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) provided more than $3 billion in supplemental funding for Fiscal Year 2021 for the three IDEA formula grant programs described below:
$2,580,000,000 for IDEA Part B Grants to States (Section 611)
$200,000,000 for IDEA Part B Preschool Grants (Section 619)
$250,000,000 for IDEA Part C Grants for Infants and Families
ARP IDEA Fund and Revenue Codes:
611 School Age: SOF 6703; Revenue 45603
619 Early Childhood: SOF 6704; Revenue 45604
Period of Funds Availability:
Funds are available for obligation by SEAs and LEAs between July 1, 2021, and September 30, 2023, and must be liquidated by January 28, 2024.
Fact Sheet:
Commissioner’s Memo with the allocations: FIN-22-004.
Currently, APSD expended all of the funds from this area per state and federal guidelines.
This is visible on the ADE:DESE ESSER Transparency Dashboard (screenshot below)...
Public comments can be submitted using the APSD Federal Programs Engagement Survey.
Personnel, students, their families, and other interested parties are invited to ask questions, to provide feedback, and to contribute to the process as part of our consultation with stakeholders. Therefore, we invite you to use our APSD Federal Programs Engagement Survey (feel free to provide feedback for this and any of the pertinent sections).
The APSD Ready for Learning (RfL) Committee consists of APSD personnel, parents, and community members.
This committee and its subcommittees will evolve over time based on current needs.
Public comments can be submitted using the APSD Federal Programs Engagement Survey.
Personnel, students, their families, and other interested parties are invited to ask questions, to provide feedback, and to contribute to the process as part of our consultation with stakeholders. Therefore, we invite you to use our APSD Federal Programs Engagement Survey (feel free to provide feedback for this and any of the pertinent sections).
You have a right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child.
Our district or school will be able to provide you with the following information regarding the qualifications of your child’s teacher(s):
Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subjects that he or she teaches.
Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.
Whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and the field of discipline of the teacher’s certification or degree.
If at any time your student has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher(s) that is not highly qualified, then you will be notified by the school.
You also have the right to request information regarding the qualifications of the paraprofessional(s) assisting your child’s teacher(s). If your child is receiving Title I, Part A services from a paraprofessional, then our district or school is able to provide you with the following information:
Whether the paraprofessional has completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education.
Whether the paraprofessional has completed an associate’s degree (or higher).
Whether the paraprofessional has met a rigorous standard of quality through our state’s certification procedure for determining the quality of paraprofessional staff.
Whether the paraprofessional has: (a) the knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics or (b) the knowledge of and the ability to assist in learning activities, such as homework, reading readiness, writing, mathematics, and other support as appropriate.
To request this information, please contact the office by phone during school hours:
Peake Elementary School at 870-246-2361
Goza Middle School at 870-246-4291
Arkadelphia High School at 870-246-7373
This letter is available annually on the district website (here).
Disabled parents have a right to ask for auxiliary aids and services to afford them an equal opportunity to participate in and to enjoy the benefits of a Title I, Part A Programs.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) requires the state educational agency (SEA) to investigate any complaint provided to the SEA.
Any individual, organization or agency (complainant) may file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Education if that individual, organization or agency believes and alleges that a local educational agency, the state educational agency, or an agency or consortium of agencies is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under the ESEA. The complaint must allege a violation that occurred not more than one (1) year prior to the date that the complaint is received, unless a longer period is reasonable because the violation is considered systemic or ongoing.
For more information, please refer to:
Please complete any surveys for any campus and for the district
APSD Federal Programs Engagement Survey (feel free to provide feedback for any of the pertinent sections)
Please consider volunteering by campus
Each campus trains its volunteers for the specific roles and/or tasks
Please let us know how we can collaborate with you more effectively