Iowa Association of Christian Schools

The Public Policy Voice of Iowa's Protestant, Christ-Centered Schools.

We are the public policy voice of
Iowa's Protestant, Christ-centered schools.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Iowa’s Christian Schools

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There are many questions and many agencies engaged on the coronavirus pandemic.  We have put all the relevant information on one page.  We’ll update this page as new resources and information is available.  Please contact us with additional questions or resources that should be added.

Articles and Updates:

IACS Page for Distance Learning and School Closure Resources

IACS – Admissions during Covid-19

Return to School Roadmap

Iowa Alliance For Choice In Education COVID-19 Resources Page

Council for the American Private Education – Coronavirus Updates

Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE): COVID-19 Resources

ACSI Coronavirus Resources
(ACSI) Legal & Legislative Coronavirus Resources

Christian Schools International COVID-19 Resources

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Coronavirus Page
(NAIS) Sharing Solutions – Evolving Education in the time of COVID-19
(NAIS) COVID Resources Page

Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod COVID-19 Information

American Enterprise Institute – The Paycheck Protection Program: An Introduction

School Accepting COVID-19 Loans Must Be Aware of Workplace Law Consequences

Alliance Defending Freedom video on CARES Act questions

Iowa 211 Counts


Iowa COVID-19 Resources For K-12 Schools:

Iowa Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Resource Page

Iowa Governor’s Office-Newsroom

Iowa Department of Education – COVID-19 Page
(IDE Guidance on Concurrent Enrollment
(IDE) Resources to Support Learning During COVID-19
(IDE) Emergency Operations Planning Resources
(IDE) CARES Act Summary – Includes List of Possible Uses (not exhaustive)
(IDE) CARES Act District & Nonpublic Allocations
(IDE) CARES Act – Department Guidance on ESSER Funds
(IDE) Guidance on Summer Learning and Activities – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Guidance on Summer Sports – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Guidance on Use of School Facilities – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Return to Learn Support

Iowa Department of Public Health – COVID-19 Page

Iowa Department of Human Services – COVID-19 Page

Iowa Economic Development – COVID-19 Page and Links to Multiple Grant and Loan Programs

Iowa Small Business Development Centers – COVID-19 Page

Secretary of State – Remote Notary Services Now In Effect

Iowa Legislature

Legislative Services Agency (LSA) – COVID-19 Impact on States’ Schools Map
(LSA) – Workforce and Labor Issues
(LSA) – State of Iowa and Federal Response to COVID-19 – Taxation


Resources For Childcare Facilities:

Iowa Department of Public Health Childcare Guidance

Iowa DHS Childcare Availability Map


Federal COVID-19 Resources for K-12 Schools:

White House / CDC Main Coronavirus Page

Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
(CDC) Preparing for a Safe Return to School

U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 “Coronavirus” Information and Resources
(USDE) Updated CARES Act Programs Guidance! (Oct 9, 2020)
(USDE) Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Page
(USDE) CARES Act Equitable Services FAQ

Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance Page
(SBA) Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
(SBA) PPP Loan Interim Rules
(SBA) PPP Loan FAQs for faith-based organizations

IRS: Employee Retention Credit

Healthdata.org projections and data on COVID-19 hospital use and deaths over time

 

We cannot guarantee the accuracy or the validity of all the facts and details contained within these resources. They are posted for reference and convenience.  
Link does not imply an endorsement of the organization or its stance on any particular subject or issue.

Free Tools To Help Educators and Students Connect

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With schools, teachers, parents, and students all searching for the best methods to keep in touch and continue relationships and education throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic; we’ll try to update this list regularly as we collect more ideas. The following are free tools to help educators, parents, and students connect with each other and continue learning during this unique time:

Google: Teach From Home – This page helps teachers familiarize and use Google products to help with distance learning strategies

Ed Choice – Free Tools to Help Educators and Students Connect While Social Distancing

AP Central (College Board) – AP Changes and online resources for 2019/2020 school year due to COVID-19 crisis

ACT – COVID-19 Updates

Scholastic Offering Free Online Courses

School Choice Week’s website has a list of resources

California posted good guidance on distance learning

CACE: The Emergency Pivot to Online Teaching and Learning
CACE: Assessing Distance Learning: A Virtual 101

ExcelinEd put out a newsletter with some great resources for online/distance learning

Google’s tips on distance learning

Arizona State University – ASU For You free coursework and resources

Updated CDC Resources

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Below is a list of the latest CDC Resources that may impact and/or help IACS member schools:

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations

EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19

Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Centers For Disease Control – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Includes link to information “For Communities, schools, and businesses.”

Centers For Disease Control FAQ

Centers For Disease Control – School-Specific Guidance

New Bill Tracking Feature

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New this year to the IACS website is a bill tracking feature as part of our “Action Center” section available on the right side of each page.

Just click on the Action Center link from anywhere on our website and then click on “View Key Legislation” to see a selection of bills we are working on. Although it doesn’t include every bill we are following, it will give you an idea of the kinds of legislation IACS is tracking and working on.

Please contact us with questions!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

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03/20/2020 Update – The US. Dept. of Education has its COVID-19 resources page up. The state of Iowa now has its own Coronavirus general landing page up with lots of resources.

03/19/2020 – Childcare Resources: COVID-19 DHS Resources Page and the latest DHS childcare-specific guidance page.

03/18/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Education put out new guidance yesterday dealing with IDEA questions and how they impact AEAs, districts, and nonpublic schools.  Updates from Fisher Phillips law firm on FMLA and paid sick leave changes.

03/16/2020 Update – Governor Reynolds has announced assistance for employees and employers affected by COVID-19 related layoffs. Additionally, the Dept. of Education has released new guidance, including information on distance learning affecting state accredited nonpublic schools.

3/15/2020 Update 2 – The Governor has released a statement and video encouraging Iowa schools to close for four weeks to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. IACS is working with member schools to help determine the next steps. Public Health has released a statement too. Here is the latest Dept. of Ed. guidance.

3/15/2020 Update – “Community Spread” confirmed in Iowa. The IDPH has released further guidance based on this new development. The Iowa Legislature is now suspended for 30 days. We are not sure how this will affect the current status of bills or the schedule moving forward. Additional school districts are extending Spring Break but no new guidance is available. Check back here frequently!

3/13/2020 Update – The CDC released guidance on considerations for school closures. The Iowa Department of Education also released guidance on coronavirus for PK-12 this afternoon.

3/12/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Public Health has released updated guidance on their website. Also, there is a specific guidance document for schools released today.

Many educators and parents are wondering how the recent outbreak(s) of COVID-19 affect Iowa’s schools and students. Although risk in Iowa is currently low, there are many things we can be doing to minimize risk and add to preparedness. There are many resources available online. We suggest sticking to trusted, verifiable sources when researching COVID-19 and planning your response. Below is a list of resources from State and Federal organizations.

Iowa Department of Public Health – Emerging Health Issues (Novel Coronavirus): Includes updates on Iowa cases and a “For Schools” section.

We have another post devoted to Centers For Disease Control links that may impact or have helpful information for your school.

Please let IACS know if you have questions or we can help track down information for you.