ESSER Funds Available
ESSER is the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, and it's currently available to school districts across the United States. Now on its third round, over $193B is available. The most recent funding in the American Rescue Plan accounts for $168B. Higher Education is also eligible for funding with $76B available for distribution.
Steps To Getting Started
Step 1: Document Your School’s Needs
Take a moment to figure out what your school's educational needs might be. Do you need new sheet music, instruments, or general equipment for your school?
Step 2: Request Documented Needs
After assessing your needs, you will need to contact your federal program manager or representative to find out what your district is eligible to receive from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Contact your school administrator to find your federal program manager or representative.
Step 3: Advocation and Follow-up
Set a reminder in your calendar to advocate and follow up with your federal program manager or representative each month.
Educator Resources
As teachers continue to navigate their path back to in-person learning, we have compiled a few resources to help advocate for programs, access funding, understand safety guidance, and more.
- NAfME//NFHS: Return to Music Guidance & Resources Phase III
- ESSER Funding Toolkit 2021: COVID Relief funding in the music classroom
- NAfME Response to CDC guidelines for K-12 schools
- American Rescue Plan State and Local Education Agency Plans
- School Operating Status & LEA Plans for a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction
- U.S. Department of Education - "Staying In School, In-Person 2022"
- Education Week provides a breakdown of state funding
- Get a better understanding of your states funding availability with this Tableau visualization