ERIC Number: ED597867
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Jul-31
Pages: 43
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Education-Related Regulatory Flexibilities, Waivers, and Federal Assistance in Response to Disasters and National Emergencies. CRS Report R42881, Version 17. Updated
Granovskiy, Boris; Hegji, Alexandra
Congressional Research Service
The majority of federal assistance for disaster management is made available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act: P.L. 93-288). The public assistance available under the Stafford Act largely provides funds for disaster relief activities such as debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of public facilities damaged during the disaster. On several occasions, Congress has also enacted legislation to create temporary targeted assistance programs to support Department of Education (ED) administered programs at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education levels. Such assistance was authorized to meet the needs of students, schools, and states during specific disasters. For example, temporary programs have provided funds to restart school operations, reopen schools, and re-enroll students. In addition to the assistance authorized by the Stafford Act and temporary targeted assistance programs, a wide range of disaster aid is provided by ED under statutory authority that specifically refers to disaster assistance, as well as under general assistance provisions. The first part of this report briefly describes recent education-related developments in response to numerous disasters in 2017, 2018, and 2019. It then describes education-related federal assistance provided by FEMA in the aftermath of disasters generally. This is followed by an examination of education-related disaster recovery and issues related to elementary and secondary education, postsecondary education, and various ED-administered programs typically serving adult learners. The report also includes an appendix summarizing education-related disaster appropriations administered by ED from between 2005 and 2010. [This report draws largely on a previous report authored by Cassandria Dortch, Rebecca R. Skinner, and David P. Smole.]
Descriptors: Natural Disasters, Federal Aid, Elementary Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, Federal Legislation, Educational Legislation, Disabilities, Higher Education, Emergency Programs, Veterans Education, Grants, Compliance (Legal), Student Financial Aid, Vocational Rehabilitation, Federal Programs
Congressional Research Service. Web site: https://crsreports.congress.gov/
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Higher Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Elementary and Secondary Education Act; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; Higher Education Act 1965; Rehabilitation Act 1973
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A