Governor's Additional Emergency Nonpublic School (GAENS) Program FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Governor's Additional Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (GAENS) Program

Allowable Use of Funds

Note: All allowable use of funds must address the intent of the program which is to respond to needs arising from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q. Can these funds be used to pay for cleaning services?

A. Yes, if the services respond to the needs arising from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q. Can these funds be used for online student subscription-based platforms?

A. Yes, as long the scope of the content is secular, neutral, and non-ideological. Subscriptions must not exceed September 30th, 2023. Also, services respond to the needs arising from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q. If I have already purchased items...can we get reimbursed for those purchases through GAENS?

A. No, reimbursements are not allowed for the GAENS Program.

Q. If a school has subscriptions which we have contracted for the next two years. Could the school submit both this year and next year on one invoice since it would be paid before the end of September next school year?

A. GAENS Funds are only good through the end of the performance period. We can only pay for the subscription through 9/30/23.

Amount of Funding

Q. If the total amount of funds applied for exceeds the amount available, will applicants receive a prorated amount?

A. No. If CDE receives requests exceeding the funds available, priority will be given to schools with a higher percentage of Free/Reduced Lunch students.

Q. The max is $100,000 for one school to apply for, but I'm wondering if there are limits to what % of the funds we request (or if there's a % of funds that you all give out in total) that can be limited for requests for technology devices?

A. CDE is not capping or limiting the amount of technology that can be purchased with these funds. All requests must describe how that purchase will address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q. Will purchases be made on our behalf of the school, or will we receive a check that we can then use to purchase items?

A. No funds will be sent to non-public schools. CDE or its provider will purchase all approved items requested on behalf of the school.

Application

Q. What is the application window?

A. The application opened on September 23, 2022, and will close on October 21, 2022

Q. After the application window closes (October 21st, 2022), how long will it take for funding to be allocated?

A. Because of the abbreviated period that this grant allows for, CDE will work diligently to approve applications by October 31 however it will depend on the number of awards received.

Q. What level of income for a family qualifies as "low income"?

A. See the 2020 Federal poverty level.

Eligibility Requirements

Q. Is there a minimum percentage of students eligible for free and reduced lunch to apply for the GAENS Program or does my school have to meet a certain poverty threshold to participate in the GAENS Program?

A. No. There is no minimum percentage of students eligible for free and reduced lunch or poverty threshold required.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Q. If my school received a PPP Loan, is the school eligible to participate in the GAENS Program?

A. Yes. Applicants that received a PPP loan are eligible to participate in the GAENS program.

Staffing

Q. Can these funds be used to hire educational staff member(s)?

A. The GAENS funds are meant to be supplemental to funds already received by the school. When evaluating the schools' staffing needs, if the staff member is already in the school's budget, then this might not be the best way to utilize these funds. However, we will review each school on a case-by-case basis to ensure these funds are being used to address the deficiencies of the pandemic.

Q. Since reimbursements are not allowed in the GAENS Program, how will additional staff members such as a tutor be compensated?

A. If the school is approved to hire additional staff members, the school will collaborate with FACTS Education Solutions to hire the staff member. If a school has a person in mind, is NOT being paid for by the school, and the work the staff member will perform is reasonable, necessary, and allowable within the program, the school and staff member will work with FACTS Education Solutions to complete the independent contractor agreement.

Q. Does the school have to use FACTS Education Solutions for services?

A. No. If the school is already using a vendor such as Above and Beyond, the school may continue to partner with that vendor. However, if a school does not have an established vendor for services, FACTS Education Solutions can assist with providing those services to the school.

Q. Are their fees associated with Staffing that need to be included in the budget?

A. Yes. If a school is hiring an individual the school needs to account for the staff members' salary. That includes benefits and taxes. FACTS Educations Solutions charges 12% for benefits, 7.62% for FICA and 2.5% for state and federal unemployment. Please work with FACTS Education Solutions to find out the total fees charged.

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