Reply March 7, 2021 The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) today notified the state's non-public schools that they can begin applying for funding through the federal Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program, which is part of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER II) Fund. CSDE is contracting with the State Education Resource Center (SERC) to administer the application process for the $15.8 million in EANS aid including the procurement of eligible items and services under the control and supervision of CSDE. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, CSDE must prioritize EANS services or assistance to non-public schools that enroll low-income students and those most impacted by COVID-19. CSDE may consider other factors including whether schools received funding under ESSER I through the equitable services provision. Since CRRSA provides for a separate relief program for which eligible non-public schools in Connecticut may apply to CSDE for services or assistance, local public school districts are not required to provide equitable services to students and teachers in non-public schools under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II Fund) or the GEER II Fund.