The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was a landmark piece of legislation designed to provide financial assistance across the United States in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Signed into law on March 27, 2020, this bipartisan act allocated a $2 trillion aid package to various sectors, including direct payments to individuals, unemployment benefits, business loans, and crucial funding for state and local governments. For Idaho, a significant portion of this funding was directed towards supporting the state’s education system through various initiatives, collectively known as the Idaho Cares Program.
Within the broader CARES Act, specific provisions were made for education, particularly through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds and the Coronavirus Relief Fund. These funds were crucial in helping Idaho schools navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, from transitioning to remote learning to addressing the social and emotional needs of students.
Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds in Idaho
Idaho received $47,854,695 in ESSER funds on May 18, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds were specifically allocated to support K-12 education and were distributed in several key areas:
Flow-Through to Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
The largest portion, $43,069,226, was directly allocated to Idaho’s Local Education Agencies (LEAs). This flow-through funding was released on June 24, 2020, and was designated under fund number 252 and Revenue code 445900 for accounting purposes. These funds were intended to provide LEAs with the flexibility to address their most pressing needs related to the pandemic, such as:
- Implementing safety measures and sanitation protocols in schools.
- Providing resources for remote learning, including technology and internet access for students.
- Addressing learning loss and providing academic support to students.
- Supporting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students and staff.
State Set-Aside Reserves: Enhancing Learning and Well-being
The Idaho CARES program also strategically utilized state set-aside reserves within the ESSER funding to address specific statewide educational needs:
- Learning Management System (LMS) / Blended Learning ($3,785,470): Released on July 28, 2020, these funds prioritized the enhancement of digital learning infrastructure. They could be used for existing LMS costs, setting up new systems, and providing professional development for educators in utilizing these platforms effectively for blended learning approaches.
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) ($1,000,000): Released on September 3, 2020, this allocation focused on the critical area of student well-being. These funds supported the development, expansion, and continuation of social and emotional learning and behavioral health services. This included initiatives related to anti-bullying, suicide prevention, Title IX training, SEL curriculum development, professional development for staff, and even counselor positions and behavioral health services within schools.
Coronavirus Relief Fund (Idaho Rebounds) for Education
In addition to ESSER funds, Idaho also received a significant allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, totaling $1.25 billion. While these funds were broader in scope, a portion was directed to support education initiatives under the “Idaho Rebounds” program.
Targeted Technology and Distance Learning Investments
Within the Coronavirus Relief Fund, specific allocations were made to further support technology and distance learning capabilities within Idaho schools:
- Technology Flow-Through to Selected LEAs ($1,000,000): Released on July 15, 2020, these funds were targeted towards specific LEAs to bolster their technology infrastructure.
- Non-ESSER Flow-Through to Selected LEAs ($3,785,470): Released on July 23, 2020, this non-ESSER funding stream provided additional support to selected LEAs, likely addressing needs not covered by ESSER.
- Distance / Blended Learning Flow-Through to All LEAs ($30,000,000): This substantial allocation was made available to all LEAs as applications were submitted and reviewed. It aimed to ensure all schools had the resources to implement effective distance and blended learning models, reflecting the ongoing need for flexible learning environments.
Key Restrictions on CARES Act Funding Usage
It is important to note that the CARES Act stipulated specific conditions for how Coronavirus Relief Funds could be used. Expenses had to meet the following criteria:
- Necessity: Expenses must be necessary expenditures incurred directly due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Unbudgeted: Expenses could not have been accounted for in the most recently approved budget as of March 27, 2020.
- Timeframe: Expenses had to be incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020.
The performance period for these funds was also defined as March 1, 2020 – December 30, 2020. For accounting purposes, Coronavirus Relief Funds were to be tracked using fund numbers between 271-289 and Revenue code 445900. Crucially, Coronavirus Relief Funds were not subject to equitable services requirements, providing further flexibility in their targeted use.
Conclusion: Supporting Idaho Education Through the Pandemic
The Idaho CARES program, fueled by ESSER and Coronavirus Relief Funds, played a vital role in supporting Idaho’s education system during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds enabled schools to address immediate needs, invest in long-term improvements in digital learning and student well-being, and ultimately continue to provide quality education for Idaho students during a difficult time. The strategic allocation of these resources reflects a commitment to ensuring that Idaho’s educational infrastructure could adapt and thrive in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
