The deadline for LEAs to file an online Request for Public Assistance (RPA) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the close of business on April 17, 2020. Any school district, county office of education, or directly-funded charter school that has incurred, is incurring, or may incur costs categorized as “emergency protective measures” related to the COVID-19 response should file an RPA in order to be eligible for reimbursement.LEAs may fund these types of expenses with their allocated SB 117 COVID-19 LEA Response Funds. If state funds do not meet an LEA’s total need, FEMA Public Assistance may be able to address the gap. In order to ensure LEAs have maximum flexibility to pursue federal funding to support COVID-19 response, CDE encourages all LEAs to file an RPA by the April 17 deadline.The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has information and training for local governments (including LEAs) on the RPA application process and federal procurement rules on their COVID-19 recovery web page: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/covid-19.FEMA’s March 19, 2020 Fact Sheet describes emergency protective measures in more detail: https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2020/03/19/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-eligible-emergency-protective-measures.LEA questions about FEMA Public Assistance and the RPA deadline can be directed to Cal OES at PAProcurement@caloes.ca.gov.
