Federal Education Policy and COVID Relief Legislation Overview

Federal Education Policy NOELLE ELLERSON NG VASS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 18, 2021

COVID-Relief Legislation Recap COVID 1: H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (3/6/20) Small in scope and focus; bolstered capacity to respond to the COVID-19 health emergency. COVID 2: H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (3/18/20) Includes funding adjacent to education: critical flexibility for school nutrition programs and mandate for paid sick/family leave. COVID 3: H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) (3/27/20) First bill to include dedicated funding for K-12 education ($13 billion). COVID 4: H.R. 266, Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (4/24/20) Series of technical changes, along with money for testing, hospitals and PPP. COVID 5: H.R. 133 Consolidated Appropriations Act / Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CAA/CRRSAA or CARES 2.0 ) (12/27/20) Massive FY21 spending and COVID-relief package that was months in the making. COVID 6: H.R. 1319 The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA or ARP) (3/11/21) Third round of dedicated funding for K 12 education.

COVID 6: American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding for LEAs (Districts) = $110 billion How does this compare to other federal COVID-relief funding? Annual federal Title/IDEA funds per-pupil = + March 2020 CARES Act = + December 2020 CRRSAA/ CARES 2 = + March 2021 ARP = +$640/student +$250/student +1,100/student +$2,400/student For comparison, the ARP is roughly 10x CARES or 2.2x CRRSAA Cuts child poverty in half!

ESSER Spend Timeline LEAs have until 2024 to Obligate ARP Funds $123B ARP ESSER III LEAs must obligate by 9/2024. ~$2,400/pupil *20% must be used for learning loss. $54B CRRSAA ESSER II LEAs must obligate by 9/2023. ~$1,100/pupil *Broadly flexible. ED says expenses must relate to COVID-19. $13B CARES ESSER I LEAs must obligate by 9/2022. ~$250/pupil SY 21-22 SY 22-23 SY 24-25 SY 19-20 SY 20-21 SY 23-24 2021 2022 2023 2024 Calendar 2020 Ap r Jul Ja n Ap r Jul Ja n Ap r Jul Ja n Ap r Jul Ap r Jul Ja n Oc t Mar Oc t Oc t Oc t Oc t Ja n *Image adapted from White Board Advisors and Edunomics Lab, Georgetown University.

ARP: Distribution/Use of Funding 90% of funding distributed to districts based on their relative share of Title I, Part A (not a fan favorite). Allowable uses are flexible, similar to CARES/ESSER I and CRRSAA/ESSER II. (20% must be set aside for learning loss/recovery.) Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission Addressing learning loss/recovery Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning Providing mental health services and supports, including through community schools Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) Providing meals to students during school closures Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean buildings And more! Read USED s ARP ESSER FAQs on Allowable Uses

ARP: Use of Funding (AASA Survey) Snapshot: How Are Districts Spending ARP Funds? 75% indicated they were using ARP funding for summer learning and enrichment offerings. 66% plan to use funds to add specialized instructional support staff and other specialists (e.g., counselors/ social workers/reading specialists) to support students. 62% are using funds to purchase technology/devices and/or provide students with internet connectivity during the school year. 61% plan to invest in professional development for educators. 60% are using funds to procure high-quality instructional materials and curriculum for students. Over half said they would use ARP funds to implement or advance social-emotional learning practices and systems in districts and/or on trauma-informed training for educators. 44% said they would provide high-intensity tutoring. 42% would add learning time by compensating staff through stipends for working longer days and years.

ARP: Use of Funding (AASA Survey) Long-Term ARP Spending Priorities 83% expressed a desire to use this investment to meet the needs of their students physical, social- emotional, and behavioral development. 58% indicated their district would be able to improve educational outcomes by investing in re-engaging high school students who have fallen off-track to graduate and who need additional support to navigate college and career transitions. 57% said they would be able to renovate and build school facilities 46% said that they planned to enhance special education services and programming for students with disabilities. 35% said they planned to expand dual enrollment programming, apprenticeships and high-quality CTE offerings for students. 32% said they would seek to expand early childhood learning opportunities using ARP funding. School Construction Funding w/ ARP 45% of districts indicated they would spend between 1-10% of ARP funding on school facilities improvements 13% of districts said they would spend between 11-15% of funding on facilities. 27% said they would spend between 16-25% of funding on facilities. 16% said they would spend between 26-50% of their funds on facility projects. For district spending of CARES/ESSER I & CRRSAA/ESSER II funds, read ASBO s COVID-19 Financial Survey Report.

ESSER Spending: Potential Pitfalls 5 possible mistakes districts might be making with federal relief funds: Spending in a way that creates a disruptive fiscal cliff. Issuing problematic contracts that come back to haunt district leaders. Deploying funds inequitably across schools. Failing to ensure the community can see and recognize investments. Investing withoutdemonstrating real results for students.

ARP: Maintenance of Equity (MoEquity) New provision! Applies to SEAs & LEAs SEAs cannot (for FY 22 and FY 23) Cut per-pupil $ to high-need LEAs at a steeper rate than other LEAs. Reduce state per-pupil $ for the highest-poverty LEAs below 2019 levels. For LEAs (for FY 22 and FY 23) LEAs cannot cut per-pupil $ *OR* per-pupil staff FTEs at the most economically-disadvantaged quartile of schools at disproportionately high rates. (Districts will want to keep track of spending by school.) Law exempts small districts under 1,000 students. Guidance offered a different interpretation with broader implications for district budgeting: The provision would now also apply to districts with growing revenues, affecting an estimated 7,000 districts serving >80% of all students. Read USED s MoEquity FAQs guidance. (Note: This guidance was updated in August 2021 to provide more flexibility for schools as compared to USED s original June 2021 guidance.) What about Maintenance of Effort (MOE)? MOE requirements for CRRSAA (ESSER II) and ARP (ESSER III) are mostly the same, except that ARP extends the CRRSAA requirements for an additional fiscal year. Read USED s MOE FAQs guidance.

ARP: Additional Set Asides McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act: $800 million. Translates into an increase of 8x McKinney-Vento program funding. IDEA / Special Education $2.5 billion. This is an increase of 20% in IDEA program funding when compared to annual appropriations. Be careful! This is one-time funding. Beware of running into MOE issues. Education Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) $2.75 billion for non-public schools.

ARP: Homework Gap Funding ARP includes $7.17 billion to help schools address homework gap issues. The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) was designed to support remote and in-school access for both staff and students. ECF helps schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during COVID-19. First ECF application window = June 29 through August 13, 2021 Second ECF application window = September 28 through October 13, 2021 Eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase connected devices like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity to meet unmet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons during COVID-19. During this application filing window, eligible schools and libraries, in addition to consortia of schools and libraries, can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. (See FCC Fact Sheet for more information.)

Infrastructure & Budget Reconciliation The two bills everyone is talking about two different and connected paths. Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF), aka The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act $579 billion in new spending over five years to rebuild roads and bridges, improve public transit, expand passenger rails, upgrade ports and airports, invest in broadband, fix water systems, modernize power sector, and improve climate resilience. School-related provisions: Some funding for electric school and transit buses and for eliminating lead service lines/pipes to deliver clean drinking water to 400,000+ schools and childcare facilities. Passed the Senate 69-30. House vote delayed due to disagreements between moderate and progressive Democrats. Maybe we ll see a vote by October 31? Budget Reconciliation, aka The Build Back Better Act All 50 Democrats are needed to pass this bill without GOP support. A $3.5 trillion massive social spending package. You need #1 to get to #2 or do you?

Whats In the Build Back Better Act? Most relevant sections of the budget reconciliation bill House Education & Labor Committee, House Ways & Means Committee, and House Energy & Commerce Committee legislative text. Elementary and Secondary Education: $82 billion for school infrastructure: Includes $80.6 billion for K-12 construction via a Rebuild America s Schools grant program States receive funding based on Title I. Funds can be used for major repairs, safety and facility upgrades, and new facility construction. States must provide 10% match from non-federal funds. MOE can be waived for state if it can prove financial hardship. Educator pipeline and training investments: $197 million for Grow Your Own teacher programs $198 million for teacher residencies $198 million for school leadership programs $297 million for IDEA Part D personnel development. $35 billion for school nutrition programs Community Eligibility (CEP): Lowers Identified Student Percentage (ISP) eligibility threshold from 40% 25%. Increases the multiplier that determines the federal reimbursement schools receive from 1.6 2.5. New: Optional statewide CEP program Allows Medicaid direct certification for free or reduced-price meals Extends the Summer EBT program nationwide for students who receive free or reduced-price meals Higher Education: Tuition-Free Community College For five years starting in award year 2023-24, provides two years of tuition-free community college for eligible students. States receive grants that decline to 80% of total student costs in award year 2027-28, with states contributing the difference.

Whats In the Build Back Better Act? Career & Technical Education (CTE): $3 billion for CTE programs through FY2022; $1 billion for innovation and modernization under Perkins/CTE Act available until 2028. Child Care: New birth through five childcare and early learning entitlement program for low-income families $90 billion over FYs 2022-2024 and "such sums as may be necessary" for FYs 2025-2027. State grants for creating childcare information networks to help families choose providers: $400 million total for FYs 2022 23. Infrastructure grants for childcare facilities: $15 billion for FY 2022 (funds are available through FY 2026) for up to $250 million to states for improving childcare safety by acquiring, constructing, expanding, or renovating facilities. States must provide a 10% match. Universal PreK: For FYs 2022 2028, the federal government will provide "such sums as may be necessary" to provide the federal share of the cost of universal, high- quality, free, inclusive, and mixed delivery preschool services on a voluntary basis through local educational agencies, Head Start, or licensed childcare providers or consortia. The federal share declines each year but starts at paying 100% of costs in FYs 2022, 2023, 2024. Decreases to 90% federal/10% state share in FY2025; 80% federal/20% state share in FY2026; 70% federal/30% state share in FY2027; 60% federal/40% state share in FY2028. Subgrants from states to providers shall prioritize expanding universal PreK in high-need communities. Funds shall be used to enroll and serve children in the PreK program including: Personnel (Administration and classroom, including compensation and benefits); costs to implement state PreK standards; providing curriculum sports; meeting early learning/development standards; professional development; teacher supports and training; implementing developmentally appropriate health/safety standards and teacher to child ratios; materials, equipment, and supplies; meeting health/safety standards including licensure; rent or mortgage, utilities, building security, indoor and outdoor maintenance; and insurance. Provides $2.5 billion to improve pay to Head Start staff each year from FYs 2022 2027.

Whats In the Build Back Better Act? Universal Paid Family & Medical Leave Creates a new 12-week federal paid family and medical leave program in the Social Security Act. Authorizes an individual to receive benefits for qualified caregiving on behalf of qualified family members (which is defined more broadly than the original FMLA definition). Includes spouse/domestic partner, spouse's parent, child and a child's spouse, parent and a parent's spouse, sibling and a sibling's spouse, grandparent or grandchild and their spouses, or any other individual related by blood or affinity and whose relationship with the employee is equivalent of a family relationship (as determined by U.S. Treasury regulations). The amount of a person s monthly benefit will depend on their weekly earnings before the period of leave. It s based on the following formula: Weekly benefit rate X (The number of caregiving hours credited to each week / the number of hours in a regular workweek) The weekly benefit rate is calculated as a percentage of the person s annual earnings based on the following chart. (Example: If someone earns $30K per year, they will receive 75% of $577, since $30,000 divided by 52 is $577) 1/52 $15,080 85% 1/52 $34,248 75% 1/52 $72,000 55% 1/52 $100,000 25% 1/52 $250,000 5% Wage amounts are indexed to the national wage index for years after 2024. Funds appropriated for this universal paid leave program would come out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, so it is a different funding scheme from state paid leave laws, which typically assess payroll taxes on employers to fund the paid leave program. The BBA would also create a grant program for states with existing paid family leave programs, i.e. Legacy States, and employers with existing paid family leave programs. Legacy States already provide at least 12 weeks of paid leave benefits (D.C, CT, MA, NJ, NY, OR, RI, WA) States would receive a grant in the amount equal to the total cost of the state paid family leave program. Employers may receive a grant in amount equal to 90% of paid leave benefits distributed to employees if the employer s program meets certain requirements and if the benefits are equal to or more generous than what s in the BBA.

Whats In the Build Back Better Act? Bond/Tax Provisions for Infrastructure Financing Issuer tax credits for certain infrastructure bonds. Similar to Build America Bonds (BABs) under the 2009 ARRA law, issuers of qualified infrastructure bonds would receive a tax credit equal to an applicable percentage of the interest paid, providing direct financing support for infrastructure. State/local governments may claim this credit for bonds whose interest would otherwise be eligible for tax-exempt status, and the entirety of whose net proceeds are used for capital expenditures or the operation and maintenance of capital expenditures. Bond proceeds must meet Davis-Bacon Act requirements. Applies to qualified bonds issued after December 31, 2021. Restores tax-exempt advance refunding bonds for state/local governments. Allows school districts to take advantage of lower interest rates to refinance long-term debt obligations. Applies to advance refunding bonds issued more than 30 days after the BBA is enacted. Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC). Allows LEAs with eligible public school buildings to feasibly leverage the HTC and finance infrastructure projects via public-private partnerships. Public school buildings are now exempt from prior use" limitations under the program. This provision is effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2021. Homework Gap Funding Extra $4 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to provide connectivity support regardless of whether costs are incurred during COVID-19. Medicaid/CHIP Permanently extends the CHIP program. Also requires 12 months of continuous eligibility for children in Medicaid/CHIP (instead of 10).

Shutdown Threat, CR, & Debt Ceiling Congress passed a stopgap funding bill (continuing resolution or CR), barely averting a federal shutdown on 9/30. CR funds federal agencies on auto-pilot until Congress passes a full-year FY 2022 appropriations package, including for USED. (More on FY22 funding later!) Extends USDA authority to grant nutrition program waivers (if needed) through June 30, 2022 for the 2021-2022 school year (excludes summer feeding programs). Debt Ceiling Failed to pass with the CR bill Congress must address this before 10/18, when the U.S. Treasury runs out of cash and the ability to pay debt obligations. If ceiling isn t raised or suspended, what will happen? Financial catastrophe, nation would go into default (1st time ever in history). U.S. credit rating would drop. Potential recession. Social Security checks, Child Tax Credit payments, Medicaid, SNAP benefits, and other federal entitlements could be frozen.

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Schools Biden Vaccine Mandate Requires staff of Head Start programs, DOD schools, Bureau of Indian Educations schools to be vaccinated. Calls on all states to adopt vaccine mandates for all school employees (doesn t require states to mandate vaccines for school staff) Creates a new grant program, Project SAFE (Supporting America s Families and Educators), to restore funding withheld by state leaders who oppose efforts like mask requirements, virtual learning, etc. The funding can also be used to backfill salaries for district leaders who are implementing masking, etc. Providing new resources so students and school staff can be tested regularly and beefing up vaccine testing processes/systems. Providing every resource to the FDA to support review of applications for vaccines for <12. Note:There is no authority to mandate vaccines for children at the federal level. The administration is strongly encouraging states/districts to adopt COVID vaccine mandates for students 12 years and older. There will not be a school mask mandate from the federal level either.

More on Vaccines & Other Policy Issues HHS: WeCanDoThis.HHS.Gov Resources for school district leaders, teachers, parent leaders, and school supporters to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence, answer questions, and outline school guidance about COVID-19. Guide to On-Site Vaccination Clinics for School: This toolkit helps school administrators, school district leaders, and other community organizations work directly with vaccine providers to set up vaccination clinics in their schools and neighborhoods. Letter template with placeholder language for school districts to keep parents informed about COVID-19 and vaccines. Resources for high school students who want to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake among their peers. Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccinations Toolkit: A toolkit for parents with resources about COVID-19 vaccinations for adolescents. ED OSEP Guidance on Child Find (IDEA) A few weeks ago, USED released a new guidance document reiterating the importance of complying with child find requirements during the pandemic. They also stated they would be releasing a series of other policy guidance on meeting IDEA in the coming weeks.

Other Policy Issues (Continued) ED s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Guidance/Enforcement OCR to examine School Discipline Practices and Disparities in Student Experiences OCR is requesting comments on the administration of school discipline in PK 12 schools. According to ED, the information will assist OCR in better understanding whether and how it should revise or expand existing guidance around reducing racial disparities in school discipline and ensuring compliance with civil rights law. Title IX Regulations Submitted comments urging ED to immediately rescind the 2020 amendments to the Title IX regulations and replace them with nonbinding guidance for K 12 schools, technical assistance, and best practices to ensure the fair, prompt, and equitable resolution of reports of sexual harassment and other sex discrimination. Comments focused on three major issues: The length of the process and the ability of administrators to adequately mitigate potential and actual sexual harassment and assault of students in a timely manner, especially when compared to other similar disciplinary infractions; Staffing burden; Confidentiality requirements. OCR Back-to-Back Data Collection Vouchers Will Democrats push back on D.C. vouchers & require civil rights protections for federal funding?

Other Policy Issues (Continued) Transportation Senate Surface Transportation Bill (S. 2016) Opposed Sen. Duckworth amendment that would have added 11 unfunded mandates impacting school buses to the surface infrastructure bill. Thankfully, it wasn t introduced in mark up (win!), but we are monitoring the issue. K-12 Bus Driver Shortages ASBO International, AASA, and the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) are exploring federal solutions to address school bus driver shortages. ASBO International s Executive Director, David Lewis, is serving as an advisory member on NAPT s Collaborative coalition. Medicaid in Schools Advocating to update and streamline school claims/billing processes. IDEA Full Funding

Whats Next on the Federal Agenda? Things to monitor through 2021 Debt Ceiling Full-Year FY 2022 Appropriations Oct 1, 2021, through Sept 30, 2022 FY 2022 federal funding will be available to districts for the 2022 2023 school year. House passed 9 of 12 funding bills. Senate has yet to produce any. School Nutrition Changes in meal program flexibilities and waivers during COVID-19 USDA support to schools for navigating supply chain and labor issues. FEMA New guidance on the way! 2021 Elections to Watch VA & NJ (governor races) and OH (special election for U.S. House seats) What s on our radar for 2022? Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) Will it happen? 2022 Midterm Elections 469 seats in Congress are up for election (34 in the Senate and 435 in the House)

FY 22 Appropriations - Education Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS-ED) This is the first year in a decade not bound by budget caps. What remains to be seen: Relevance of the President s FY 2022 Budget request in relation to House and Senate proposals, in terms of key priorities and overall funding levels. POTUS FY22 Budget Details Includes a record increase for ED funding $29.8 billion (41%) over the FY21 level, and big increases for education programs in Health and Human Services (HHS). LOTS of new programs and money (including a Title I parallel program) and for school-based health professionals. Remaining increases are in a handful of programs (including IDEA). Level funding for a lot of other programs. Small increase for Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP); no funding for Forest Counties.

FY 22 Appropriations - Education House FY22 L-HHS-ED appropriations bill bundled in a 7-bill minibus (H.R. 4502) and passed the House in July. (Senate bill is still TBD.) Provides $102.8 billion in discretionary funding for USED programs (+$29.3 billion above FY21 and equal to the POTUS FY22 Budget) Title I: $36 billion (+$19.5 billion from FY21) IDEA: $17.2 billion (+$3.1 billion from FY21; $7 million more than POTUS Budget) English Language Acquisition Grants: $1 billion (+$203 million from FY21) Title II-A Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants: $2.3 billion (+$150 million from FY21) Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants: $1.3 billion (+$85 million from FY21) Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grants: $90 million (+$10 million from FY21) Perkins/CTE: $2.2 billion (+$208 million from FY21) Other non-ED programs of interest: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Grants: $3.1 billion (+$250 million from FY21) Child Care and Development Block Grant: $7.4 billion (+$1.5 billion from FY21). Head Start: $12.2 billion (+$1.4 billion from FY21) Preschool Development Grants: $450 million (+$175 million from FY21). Unemployment Insurance: $3.1 billion (+$559.4 million from FY21 and equal to POTUS Budget). It also includes $155 million in emergency funding to help states address spikes in unemployment claims. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): $9.16 billion (+$3.14 billion from FY21). Includes funding for mental health resources for children/youth, suicide prevention, opioid response grants, and more.

FY 22 Appropriations - Nutrition Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies In total, includes $196.7 billion for discretionary programs funded on an annual basis and mandatory funding for entitlement programs like SNAP and school meal programs. Child Nutrition Programs: Provides $26.9 billion (+$1.774 billion from FY21) in funding. $14.7 billion for National School Lunch Program (NSLP) $5.2 billion for School Breakfast Program (SBP) $4.3 billion for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) $581.1 million for Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) School Kitchen Equipment Grants: $35 million School Breakfast Expansion Grants: $10 million Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Pilot/Demonstration Program: $45 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): $105.8 billion in mandatory funding, including $3 billion for the SNAP reserve fund. Has additional protections for SNAP to provide such sums as needed to ensure it doesn t run out of funding in late FY22. Rural Broadband Programs: Invests over $907 million (+$165 million from FY21) to help improve internet connectivity for rural communities. Special provisions: Meal Pattern Flexibility Differences in House vs. Senate bill. House & Senate: Reduces the amount of fruit and variety of vegetables that must be served in school breakfast in place of potatoes. Allows schools to serve low-fat (1%) flavored milk as long as it is not inconsistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations. Senate Only: Allows schools to serve more refined grains by waiving the requirement that all grains be whole-grain-rich (51% whole grain) through product-specific waivers. Halts requirements for schools to meet additional sodium reduction targets for meals beyond the first phase (Target 1). Status? House version was bundled in H.R. 4502 with L-HHS-ED and other bills. Senate bill (S. 2599) was marked up and introduced in August, but no additional action has been taken.

School Nutrition COVID-19 School Meal Waivers for SY21 22 (FRAC Resource: Summary of USDA Nationwide Waivers) All schools are allowed to operate National School Lunch Program s (NSLP s) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through SY21 22. Meals served during SY21 22 will receive the higher Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) reimbursement rate. (Expires 6/30/22) Non-Congregate Feeding, Meal Service Time, Parental/Guardian Pick Up, and Specific Meal Pattern Flexibilities are all allowed for the SSO, NSLP, School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). (Expires 6/30/22) These flexibilities are no longer allowed for the SFSP. (Expired 9/30/21). New! Fiscal Action Flexibility for Meal Pattern Violations for SBP, NSLP, and SSO only. (Expires 6/30/22) Waives the requirement that fiscal action be applied for missing food components or repeated violations involving milk types and vegetable subgroups in the event of supply chain disruptions. CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program Area Eligibility (Expires 6/30/22) Allows schools/afterschool care centers to service at-risk afterschool meals and snacks to students regardless of their location. Note: The Area Eligibility Waiver for SFSP is no longer allowed. (Expired 9/30/21) Monitoring Requirements for School Food Authorities (SFAs) and State Agencies for SBP, NSLP, and SSO; and for Sponsors and State Agencies for CACFP Waives for SFAs, state agencies, and CACFP sponsors the requirement that monitoring must be conducted on-site. SFAs and state agencies should continue monitoring activities remotely. (Expires 30 days after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency). USDA 9/29 announcement: $1.5 billion to help states/schools respond to supply chain issues ASBO/AASA Advocacy Asking USDA/Congress to help schools feed students during COVID-19 while navigating labor shortages and supply chain challenges. Advocating for preserving school meal pattern flexibilities re: fruit and vegetable variety, sodium, milk, and whole grain rules. Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) Unlikely this year, maybe in 2022? Will universal meals happen?

Questions? Noelle Ellerson Ng nellerson@aasa.org @Noellerson Sasha Pudelski spudelski@aasa.org @SPudelski Tara Thomas tthomas@aasa.org @TaraEThomas1