In November, TEA released the COVID-19 School Health Support Grant, a federally funded grant opportunity through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). In addition to a separate COVID-19 testing program that reimburses districts for the expense of testing students and staff, this new grant allocates $221 million for expenses related to maintaining a safe and healthy school environment. Allowable expenses include PPE, cleaning supplies, air filtration systems or units, vaccine promotion events, and partial funding of staff involved with COVID testing or prevention programs. The cost for staff to administer COVID tests is also reimbursable from the state-approved providers through the K-12 COVID-19 Testing Project.
Grant applications are due to TEA by December 9, with payments starting in January. More information is available here.