Mineola, NY--- During today’s meeting of the Nassau County Legislature’s Legislative Committees, two pieces of legislation were passed, which will provide necessary monetary aid to public, private and charter schools, as well as to the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board (VEEB) in an effort to assist with the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The first piece of legislation authorizes the County Executive to award grant funding through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program to public and non-public schools. The funding will go to COVID-19 mitigation, screening and testing programs in order to maintain in-person learning and keep children in the classroom.
These funds will be administered through intermunicipal agreements (IMAs) or subrecipient grant agreements with schools and districts. Public school districts will be eligible initially for up to $150,000. Non-public schools will be initially eligible for up to $15,000 and any non-public school with less than 10 students will be eligible for up to $10,000. Subsequent eligibly amounts will be based on student population receiving free or reduced lunch, as well as the overall student population size. The funds will then be awarded by the County Health Department as well as the County Office of Emergency Management.
The funds may be used for:
- Hiring of additional personnel
- Equipment used for COVID-19 testing and testing supplies
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Cleaning supplies
- Hardware and Software for reporting public health information and tracking of COVID- 19 cases, as well as tools that assist in identifying, reporting, monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of control measures that reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Portable HEPA fan/filtration systems that allow for improved air circulation
- Public health events aimed at increased detection and prevention of COVID-19
Funds may be applied for by the schools or districts through the Boost Nassau portal on the Nassau County government website once it passes through the full legislature.
The second piece of legislation will authorize the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement with the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board (VEEB) to grant them the ability to utilize the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund money. These funds will be used to address negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the financial hardships created by increased operating costs, and COVID impacts on the supply chain. The funds will also be used for COVID-19 prevention tactics.
VEEB is a qualifying 501(c){3} not-for-profit organization that operates a special school district licensed by the New York State Department of Education to conduct courses in occupational skills and related topics. Its operating divisions include a School of Practical Nursing, the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy, a Public Fire Safety Education Division and the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.
Both pieces of legislation are expected to pass through the full legislature on June 27th.