On March 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education issued the revised Frequently Asked Questions Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) Program for the EANS funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA Act). The Frequently Asked Questions provides information on a number of topics, including eligibility to receive EANS funds and allowable uses for EANS funds. Importantly, the Frequently Asked Questions makes clear that a non-public school whose students and teachers receive services or assistance under the EANS program is not a “recipient of Federal financial assistance” by virtue of the receipt of EANS services or assistance. Therefore, Federal laws applicable to recipients of Federal financial assistance would not apply to a non-public school whose students and teachers receive services or assistance under the EANS program unless the non-public school accepts other funds that do make the school a “recipient of Federal financial assistance.”
Governor Newsom submitted a signed certification and agreement for EANS funding for California on February 22, 2021. For information about applying for EANS funding, see April 1, 2021, LCW Special Bulletin, CA Dept. of Education Releases EANS Program Reference Application; Portal To Submit Application Opens April 12, 2021. Schools may find additional information about EANS funding on the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/cr/eans.asp.