November 30 UPDATE:
After initial approval of the Vaccine Incentive Program (VIP), The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is not refusing to cover them. WCRIS and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) are appealing the Department’s decision. Schools reach out to CESA 6 at eans@cesa6.org if they are planning to do a VIP.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released its promised guidance on Vaccine Incentive Programs (VIP) on Friday, September 10.
This guide comes after countless hours of meetings over the past month between WCRIS,DPI and CESA 6 staff to explore this innovative option for EANS funds.
Schools interested in running their own VIP should read the following guidelines from the DPI and register for the VIP information webinar hosted by CESA 6 on September 15 at 2 pm. A recording of the webinar will be available after the event.
Schools should wait to plan their VIP until the CESA 6 webinar. Many of the questions you have may be answered in the upcoming webinar.
Schools should create their programs in consultation with their insurance provider and school attorney. Plan to prepare a paperwork trail to show how your school verified a person received a vaccination, and how, when and where the incentive was paid out. This information is vital in the event of an audit by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), or some other federal agency charged with auditing federal relief program funds like EANS.
You don’t have to offer $100 gift cards. Depending on your EANS allocation and community needs, you may want to offer chances for a drawing for laptops, spirit wear, school supplies, a Wii console, etc. For example, you may find the VIP more motivating in your school if it instead offers a chance to win 1 of 20 laptops, cell phones or Chromebooks.
Beware: Schools that have not filed any claim or request for EANS-funded services should file for something before September 30.
Failing to participate in the first round of EANS will prevent your school from being eligible for the second round of EANS funds, called ARP-EANS. More schools might be eligible in the second round than originally thought. While the law requires a 40 percent poverty cut-off, it allows exceptions that are research-based. Working with WCRIS, the DPI was able to identify a 20 percent threshold in the state’s application to USDE. If USDE approves that request, many more private schools can be served in round two than previously thought.
Stay tuned to Current Events for the latest news on VIPs and EANS.
