State Fiscal Stabilization Fund - Government Services Fund

States receive support from a second program, totaling close to $9 billion, that they can choose to use to support several kinds of government services, including pre-K and K-12 education. In their applications to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), states indicate how they plan to make use of this money.

Click here to review your state’s application and its plans. In July 2009, the government announced it would make the full allocation from this funding source available once a state’s application had been reviewed and approved.

States can choose to make the funds available for modernization, renovation or repair of school facilities. According to the federal government’s guidance document, that includes “altering, remodeling, repairing or retrofitting an existing facility. Depending on the nature of the project, permissible activities might involve work related to electrical systems, plumbing systems, sewage systems, heating, ventilation or air-conditioning systems, the installation of energy-efficient windows, the repair or replacement of roofs, asbestos abatement or removal, bringing facilities into compliance with fire and safety codes, making facilities accessible, or upgrading facilities to support new programs or services.” The department has also “strongly” encouraged schools to “engage in modernization, renovation and repairs that are “consistent with a recognized green-building rating.”
 
States will provide their own instructions to government agencies in their states on how they intend to manage these funds.