ddress within their state plans.
Rescue Me: How the American Rescue Plan Act Helps Students: Explains critical provisions of the relief act – signed by President Biden on 3/12/21 - that have allocated additional resources to support learning loss, provide education and wrap-around services to students experiencing homelessness, and increase access to broadband and technology. This short 7-minute video – part of the Federal Flash series by the Alliance for Excellent Education -- overviews salient dimensions of the legislation, including an equity protection to ensure states do not cut funding disproportionately in high-poverty communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended provisions to provide free school meals for all students, and the U.S. Department of Education has now released the application for states to waive federal school accountability requirements.
An Unparallel Investment in U.S. Public Education: Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Details the opportunities and requirements of states to use funds from the largest-ever federal investment in K-12 education to address both short-term needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help make schools more equitable and “whole child”-focused in the longer term. This analysis by the Learning Policy Institute details statutory requirements for dispersal of relief funds among state [SEA] and local education agencies [LEA] to enable and facilitate students’ safe return to in-person learning as soon as practicable; to address lost learning, support after-school and summer learning programs; and for any other generally allowable use of federal funds. The site also links to an interactive tool to explore the funding breakdown, by purpose, for each state.
USA.gov - COVID-19: Links to a broad range of assistance offered by the federal government (e.g. child tax credit and stimulus checks; financial assistance for food, housing and bills; passports and travel during COVID-19; small business loans and assistance; unemployment benefits). A Spanish version is also available.
SAMHSA Releases 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Announces release (10/26/21) of findings from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH]. The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted Americans’ mental health, including by exacerbating use of alcohol or drugs. Youth ages 12 to 17 who had a past-year major depressive episode (MDE) reported the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected their mental health “quite a bit or a lot.” “SAMHSA’s annual NSDUH provides helpful data on the extent of substance use and mental health issues in the United States,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., who leads SAMHSA. “These data show the urgent need to intervene at every opportunity to reduce substance use disorder and meet people where they are,” said Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy Regina LaBelle. People searching for treatment for mental or substance use disorders can find treatment by visiting findtreatment.samhsa.gov, or by calling SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Children's Bureau, DHS Administration for Children and Families
A Message on COVID-19 from the Children's Bureau: Provides curated resources for children involved in the child welfare system, foster care providers, child welfare providers, and child welfare workforce guidance from medical professionals about ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during an infectious disease outbreak. Updated September 2021.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights
FAQ on Telehealth and HIPAA During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency: Provides responses to frequency asked questions on the provision of telehealth as it related to HIPAA compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic from the DHHS Office for Civil Rights.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights
Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency: Includes informat