American rescue plan - elementary and secondary schools emergency relief fund (ARP-ESSER)

The American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER) provided $1,121,814,984 to the Oregon Department of Education from the U.S. Department of Education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the local educational agency level. The funding was awarded on March 24, 2021 through the Education Stabilization Fund program (CFDA 84.425) and must be expended by September 30, 2023.

The vast majority of funds were subawarded to 40 individual school districts and 19 education service districts across Oregon to support continued operation of K-12 schools and address the impact of COVID-19 on students, educators, and other school and education personnel. Subawards ranged from several million dollars for larger urban districts like Portland Public Schools, to smaller allocations under $1 million for rural districts. Services provided through the funding included virus mitigation and prevention efforts, coordinating provision of services to students and families impacted by the pandemic, and other activities authorized under ARP ESSER to support safe operation of schools and address student needs.