LEAs are eligible to apply for Project SERV funds if (1) their learning environment has been disrupted as a direct result of a traumatic event (see answer to the next question below for a discussion of "eligible event"), and (2) responding to the crisis poses an undue financial hardship. Charter schools that are considered LEAs under state law may directly apply for funding for Project SERV. Consistent with state and local procurement procedures LEAs may provide services directly and enter into contracts with other providers for necessary services. LEAs may not sub-grant funds received through Project SERV.

Many types of events have the potential to seriously disrupt the learning environment. Further, events that appear similar do not always affect the learning environment in the same way. These facts make it difficult to determine in advance all the types of events that would be eligible for services. Any traumatic event that disrupted teaching and learning is eligible for funding under Project SERV if the LEA is able to: (1) demonstrate the traumatic effect on the learning environment, including how the event has disrupted teaching and learning; and (2) demonstrate that the needed services cannot be adequately provided with existing resources in a comprehensive and timely manner; and (3) that the provision of services and assistance will result in an undue financial hardship on the LEA. Generally, eligible events are those events that occur outside of the normal routine of school operations. The following are some examples of potentially eligible events. Other serious events not listed here also may be eligible.

• Shootings or other serious violent incidents in schools, such as stabbings
• Suicides of students, faculty members or staff
• Hate crimes committed against students, faculty members or staff
• Homicide of students, faculty members, or staff off campus

Project SERV will fund costs that are reasonable, necessary, and essential for services and activities that are intended to restore a sense of safety and security, help students stabilize their lives, and assist LEAs in managing the practical problems created by the traumatic event. Project SERV funds are available to supplement, not replace, resources provided for these purposes by other federal, state, local and private agencies and organizations. Examples of allowable services and activities are:

• Technical assistance for developing an appropriate recovery plan for addressing student needs and assessing the federal, state, and local resources available to the LEA and community to carry out this response;
• Mental health assessments, referrals, and services related to the traumatic event (with the goal of restoring victims and survivors to their pre-incident levels of functioning);
• Overtime for teachers, counselors, law enforcement and security officers, and other staff;
• Substitute teachers and other staff as necessary;
• Emergency transportation such as expenses incurred during evacuation;
• Transportation and other costs to operate school at an alternative site; and
• Temporary security measures such as non-permanent metal detectors and additional security guards and security cameras;

This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Applications to fund other services will be considered if the proposed activities are not among the list of services and activities that may not be funded (see below) and are necessary to restore the learning environment.

Project SERV funds may not be used for the following types of services and activities:

• Any activity for which other funding sources are available, such as, insurance claims and reimbursements, capital improvement funds, and disaster assistance;
• Construction;
• Permanent security measures such as stationary metal detectors or permanent security cameras;
• Claims recoverable under insurance coverage, including Medicaid reimbursements for related services to students, staff, and their families;
• Payments of fines assessed upon the LEA, employees, or members of employees' or students' families;
• Payment of settlements assessed against the LEA, employees, or members of employees' or students' families in civil court actions;
• Payment of legal fees or loss of wages due to court appearances incurred by the LEA, employees or members of employees' or students' families;
• Costs for hospitalization, treatment of physical injuries, rehabilitation, or prescription costs;
• Payment for public relations consultants or other media activities;
• Services of existing county and other public or private non-profit mental health agency staff whose role is to respond to the emergency mental health needs of children;
• Mental health services for persons other than students, faculty, other school personnel, and members of their immediate families; and
• Implementation of prevention programs.

Services may be provided to students, teachers, and school staff. Services may also be provided to individuals directly affected by the traumatic event, such as those who are personally victimized or injured by a crime or disaster; those who witness a violent event; or those whose family members are victimized, injured, or killed. Services may also be provided to those who are not directly injured or victimized but who are indirectly affected, for example, by attending or working in a school where a traumatic event has occurred.

NOTE: Counseling services for school staff may be requested only if those services are not covered by the insurance policy provided by the school district.

Yes, the determining factor in eligibility for funding is that the crisis disrupted the learning environment. Incidents that occur off-campus, such as accidents and shootings of students that take place in the community, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods, can have an impact on the learning environment, and therefore are potentially an "eligible event" under which an LEA may apply for funding.

Project SERV funds are to be used to restore the learning environment by addressing the disruptive effects of a traumatic event. Although an LEA may understandably wish to respond to such a crisis by initiating or strengthening prevention activities, Project SERV funds may not be used for such activities.

No. Generally ED will provide a maximum of $50,000 per incident in Immediate Services funds. The LEA may apply for an Extended Services grant to cover needs above those covered by the Immediate Services grant.

Yes. It is not necessary that an LEA be awarded an Immediate Services Grant to be eligible for an Extended Services Grant.

Applications for Project SERV grants should be submitted electronically to Sara Strizzi at sara.strizzi@ed.gov.

LEAs applying for funding must also ensure that the application is coordinated and shared with their State Education Agency.

All Project SERV grants are at the discretion of the secretary of education and subject to the availability of funds. The secretary may deny funding, even to a high-scoring project, if the project is not consistent with the goals and purpose of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA), or does not further national needs related to the SDFSCA. Examples of additional circumstances under which ED may deny a request for funding under Project SERV are: if the applicant fails to document the need for federal funds; if the applicant is not an LEA; if the application is incomplete; if the purposes for which funding is being sought are inconsistent with the statutory authority for the use of these funds; if funding is unavailable; or if the proposed activities are unallowable under the non-regulatory guidance for the program.

Funds for Immediate Services grants will usually be made within 15 business days of receipt of a complete, acceptable application. Extended Services grants will usually be made within 30-60 days of receipt of a complete application.

There are several assurances that an LEA must submit as part of the application package, such as:

• Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424 Form)
• Assurances-Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)
• Certifications regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion (ED 80-0014 Form)
• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL Form)
• Budget Information Form (ED 524 Form)

Copies of these forms may be accessed at: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html