Technology for MS Students
Every school district in Mississippi has submitted plans to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to provide all public-school students with the technology to learn at school and at home. The effort is a part of an MDE program called Mississippi Connects. The Mississippi Legislature allocated $200 million through two new laws for Mississippi Connects, so school districts can purchase computer devices and other tools that will enable students to continue learning when they are not in a school building.
Mississippi Connects includes the following components:
- Laptops or tablets for students and teachers to use at home or school. Districts select Chromebooks, Windows laptops, MacBooks and/or iPads.
- High-quality instructional materials, learning management systems and other online learning tools. All software, security and support features come pre-loaded and configured for immediate use.
- Enhanced internet connectivity in areas of the state where students do not have broadband service. Districts will use funds to purchase services such as data plans and hotspots or to expand broadband access in community locations accessible to students.
- Professional development and technology support for teachers and students to implement distance learning.
- Student access to telehealth and teletherapy services for their physical, social and emotional health.
Districts plan to purchase nearly 390,000 computer devices, which are expected to be delivered from late September through November. Districts that already have computer devices for students will use their digital learning funds to pay for other eligible expenses.
PPE & Testing Reimbursement Program
Health clinics, assisted living facilities and other healthcare facilities may be eligible for reimbursements on personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing. The Healthcare Providers PPE and Testing Reimbursement Program is designed to provide CARES Act funds to reimburse eligible recipients for PPE purchase and providing COVID-19 testing for employees and staff. The legislature determined the awardees, funds, and total grant amounts in House Bill 1782. Some of the program's eligibility requirements defined in the legislation include:
- “Ambulatory surgical centers” are those entities as defined by and licensed by MSDH
- “Assisted living facilities” are those entities as defined by and licensed by the MSDH
- “Alzheimer’s/dementia care units” are those entities as defined by and licensed by MSDH
- “Intermediate care facilities” for individuals with intellectual disabilities” as defined by and licensed by MSDH
- “Permitted ground ambulances” as defined by and licensed or permitted by MSDH
- “Nursing home facilities” as defined by and licensed by MSDH
Click here to learn more about the program.
Click here to apply.
FEMA Extends Grace Period for Flood Insurance Renewal Premiums
According to the Mississippi Insurance Department, an extension on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance policies may cover flood-related losses due to Hurricane Laura. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FEMA has extended a 120-day grace period to expiring NFIP policies that would have expired between February 13, 2020, and June 15, 2020. In order to take advantage of this extension, policyholders will need to renew the policy and then file a claim for losses. They can call their insurance agent or the NFIP Call Center at 1-800-427-4661 to determine if their policy is still within a renewal grace period.