Local educational agencies (LEAs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) are eligible to apply for Project SERV if (1) their learning environment has been disrupted as a direct result of a violent or traumatic event (see answer to question 2 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 and HEIs may provide services directly and enter into contracts with other providers for necessary services. LEAs and HEIs may not subgrant 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 which would be eligible for services. Any traumatic or violent event, that disrupted teaching and learning, is eligible for services under Project SERV if the LEA or HEI 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 that the provision of services and assistance will result in an undue financial hardship on the LEA or HEI. 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 and/or staff
• hate crimes committed against students, faculty members and/or staff
• homicide of students, faculty members, and/or staff off campus

Many types events may have the potential to disrupt the learning environment, yet are not considered eligible for funding under Project SERV. The following are examples of incidents that are not considered eligible for funding:

• presidentially declared disasters
• actions taken by school boards, administrators or other school officials as part of their normal educational administrational function

Project SERV will fund costs that are reasonable, necessary, and essential for services activities that are intended to restore a sense of safety and security, help the victims/students stabilize their lives, and assist LEAs and HEIs 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 on developing an appropriate recovery plan for addressing student needs and assessing the Federal, State, and local resources available to the LEA, HEI, and community to carry out this response.
• mental health assessments, referrals, and services related to the traumatic event (with the goal of restoring victims/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
• repairs of minor damage caused by the traumatic event (Extended Services Grants only)
• 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 response to FAQ Question 5); 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 resources, such as, insurance claims and reimbursements, capital improvement funds and disaster assistance for which payment will be received by another agency such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), or other Federal, State, local, or private agencies or organizations.
• construction
• repairs of minor damage caused by the violent or traumatic event [Immediate Services Grants only]
• 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 or HEI, employees, and/or members of employees' or students' families
• payment of settlements assessed against the LEA or HEI, employees and/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 or HEI, employees and/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/public/private non-profit mental health agency staff whose role is to respond to emergency mental health needs of children
• mental health services for persons other than students, faculty, other school personnel, and members of their immediate families
• emergency management services, such as development of emergency management plans, conducting vulnerability assessments, etc.

Services may be provided to students, teachers, and school staff, and to immediate family members of students, teachers, and staff. Services may be provided to individuals directly affected by a traumatic crisis or 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 or natural disaster has occurred.

NOTE: Counseling services for school staff may only be requested 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 or HEI may apply for funding.

Project SERV funds are to be used to restore the learning environment by addressing the disruptive effects of a traumatic crisis or 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. The LEA is encouraged to use its Safe and Drug-Free Schools State Grant funds, to solicit funding from other organizations or sources, such as its Governor's SDFS Program Office, and to identify other available funds that can be used to support prevention efforts as a supplement to the recovery activities funded under Project SERV.

LEAs and HEIs may apply for two types of assistance under Project SERV—Immediate Services Grants and Extended Services Grants. Each requires a separate application. LEAs and HEIs are not required to apply for, or have received, an Immediate Services Grant to be eligible for funding under Extended Services. LEAs and HEIs that wish to apply for both Immediate Services and Extended Services Grants must submit a separate application for each.

Project SERV can provide immediate assistance to a LEA or HEI to enable it to reopen or keep open a school disrupted by a traumatic event, and to begin the recovery process necessary for teaching and learning to continue. These funds are intended to serve the short-term needs of a LEA or HEI, that is, for a period of 6 months. Funds under this portion are for activities that occur within the 60 days after the event. Immediate Services Grants under Project SERV generally are limited to a maximum of $50,000.

Project SERV also provides for the longer-term needs of an LEA or HEI. Extended Services Grants generally may provide a maximum of $250,000* over a period of up to 18 months to help maintain safety and security in an affected school and to help students, teachers, school staff and family members recover from the traumatic event.

*Amount can be waived.

Yes. LEAs and HEIs may apply for both Immediate Services funding and Extended Services funding; however, a separate application must be submitted for each. ED may request clarification or information on submitted applications in order to make a determination about funding.

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. Eligibility for an Extended Services grant does not require having previously received an Immediate Services grant.

Repairs of minor damage are not eligible under Immediate Services grants because in order to consider funding requests for such repairs, the Department would need more detailed information than can be provided by the LEA or HEI in the abbreviated Immediate Services Grant application, and reviewing such requests could delay the initial, rapid response to the crisis. “Minor repairs” is synonymous with “minor remodeling” which is defined as minor alterations in a previously completed building, such as repairs of broken glass or broken doors.

Applications for Immediate Services grants can be emailed to Sara Strizzi at sara.strizzi@ed.gov . Applications for Extended Services may be emailed or mailed to Sara Strizzi in the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
10295 Willowbridge Ct.
Littleton , CO 80126

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

All Project SERV grants are at the discretion of the Secretary 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 or HEI; 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 five (15) business days or less of receipt of a complete 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:

• Non-Construction Programs Assurances (SF 424B)
• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL and Grants.gov Lobbying Form).

All assurance statements and applicable forms are found in the application package mentioned in # 16 above. In addition, applicants should also provide assurance that funds received from Project SERV will not supplant funds received from other sources.