ESSER Funding Eligibility for Schools to Encourage Play

The COVID-19 pandemic had a large impact on schools and their ability to educate learners across the country. In response to this crisis, the United States government created the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund to help schools recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting loss of learning.

This is an incredible opportunity for eligible schools to support their students and families, but the deadline for ESSER funding use is nearly here. All schools need to create implementation plans as soon as possible to take advantage of this funding.

Understanding ESSER Funding

The federal government created the ESSER fund in March 2020 as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This act focused on providing emergency assistance to those affected by the pandemic, and the ESSER fund was specifically allocated to help elementary and secondary schools. This part of the fund is called ESSER I and received a total of $13.2 billion in funding.

The idea behind the ESSER fund is for schools to use them to support their student’s academic, emotional, mental and social needs following the pandemic. This is vital, as many students lost crucial learning time during school closures. The funds should also be used to increase health and safety protocols and aid students most impacted by the pandemic, such as students with disabilities and low-income students.

In December 2020, The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act added a further $54.3 billion to the ESSER fund, called ESSER II. Finally, another round of funding — totaling $122 billion — was added through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act in March 2021. These extra funds aimed to help schools reopen and recover from the impact of the pandemic. This most recent round of funding is called ESSER III or ARP ESSER.

School Eligibility for ESSER Funding

Schools and educational institutions looking to access and utilize ESSER funding should know how the fund is distributed. This can help you determine if your school qualifies for funding.

The ESSER fund applies to state educational agencies (SEAs) — agencies responsible for the public elementary and secondary schools in the 50 States, as well as Puerto Rico and The District of Columbia. SEAs must distribute 90% of their ESSER funding to local educational agencies (LEAs), which are:

• School districts
• Special education local plan areas
• Charter schools that qualify as LEAs
• County offices of education

LEAs that did not qualify for or accept Title I, Part A funding are not eligible to receive ESSER funding. However, any LEA or organization serving students and families can receive ESSER funds from the SEA’s reserves. Charter schools that are not LEAs also won’t receive a direct subgrant from their SEA but can receive support through their LEA. For-profit private schools are not eligible for funding.

ESSER Funding Distribution Requirements

SEAs must distribute 90% of their ESSER funds to LEAs based on the formulas in Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). However, the ESSER fund is distinct from the ESEA Title I, Part A grant award and should be recorded separately. Furthermore, the ESSER is not restricted by the Title I, Part A requirements.

SEAs must keep the remaining 10% for emergency needs resulting from COVID-19. This is called the SEA Reserve. However, this reserve must meet the following requirements:

• 5% should be allocated to address learning loss, such as for summer learning or after-school programs.
• 1% should be used for evidence-based summer enrichment programs.
• 0.5% can be used for administrative costs.

LEAs have one restriction for the funds they receive — they must use 20% of it to address learning loss. The remaining 80% of the funds can be used for any needs related to the pandemic. A few examples include improving air quality in the school, increasing health and safety measures, purchasing educational technology, training staff and installing playgrounds.

ESSER Funding Applications

The ESSER I and II application deadlines have passed, but your school can still apply for ARP ESSER funding by contacting your LEA or SEA. You will need to submit an application that covers why you need the funds, how you will engage with relevant stakeholders regarding the funds, your plans to use the funds, and how you will measure the impact of the funding.

If your application is successful and you receive ESSER funding, your school will need to create and maintain a health and safety plan and submit various reports regarding the use of the money. Schools with ESSER funding may be audited and reviewed by the Government Accountability Office.

ESSER Spending Deadlines

SEAs must have awarded their ESSER funds to eligible LEAs and organizations within a year of receiving them, which was in March 2022. Agencies that received ESSER funding have until September 30, 2024, to obligate the funds. ESSER funds are considered obligated when the recipient allocates and commits them to a specific purpose and use, like purchasing a playground from Miracle Recreation.

Technically, your school can still use the funds for projects past September 2024, as long as you have signed a contract to implement the project before the obligation period ends.

Use ESSER Funding for Playgrounds with Miracle^® Recreation

One of the most impactful ways you can use ESSER funding for your school is to invest in a fun, educational and inclusive playground. Through play, children develop independence, self-confidence and leadership skills that follow them into adulthood. At Miracle Recreation, our mission is to create exciting playgrounds for schools, daycares, parks, places of worship and more.

What started as a small idea for a merry-go-round nearly 100 years ago transformed into the wide range of creative and innovative playground solutions we now offer today. Some of our new products that engage kids both physically and mentally include:

• The Rube Goldberg® Miracle Machines™ offers STEM-inspired designs that teach cognitive and fine motor skills.
• Interactive Play Panels are a simple way to add an accessible, sensory activity to any play space.
• Our Phyzics® Moon collection features adventurous climbing structures perfect for kids ages 5-12.

If you’re unsure how to allocate ESSER funding for your project, our team is happy to help. We know all about funding and resourcing in education and offer step-by-step guides about other ways to raise funds for playground projects. Simply download our handy guides or contact our team today for assistance. We’ll work with you to ensure your project is completed within your budget.

If you’re ready to start planning, take a look at our available playground products and request your quote today!