Press Releases

ST. CROIX - Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement announcing a $2 million grant to the Virgin Islands Department of Education:

“I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded the territory a $2 million SERV grant to assist our local Department of Education in restoring the learning environment following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This funding, which is larger than the SERV funding typically awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands, is welcomed news for our education officials throughout the territory. While our needs concerning restoring an environment conducive to learning are vast, this funding represents good faith from the federal government in supporting the recovery and rebuilding effort.”

Additional Information on Project SERV

Project SERV provides funding for local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and, in cases of major disasters, state education agencies (SEAs) that have experienced a significant violent or traumatic event and need resources to respond, recover and re-establish a safe environment conducive to learning. Project SERV initially was funded in FY 2001 as part of the Department of Education’s (Department) appropriations act (Public Law 106-554). Congress has continued to fund Project SERV through appropriations and has now authorized Project SERV in section 4631(a)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Project SERV funds remain available until expended for LEAs, IHEs, and SEAs in which the learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or traumatic crisis.

The Department makes two types of Project SERV awards -- Immediate Services grants provide emergency, short-term assistance to affected entities; Extended Services grants assist eligible entities in carrying out the long-term recovery efforts that may be needed following a significant, traumatic event. Immediate Services grants typically provide up to $50,000 to meet needs in the first six months following a violent or traumatic incident; Extended Services grants provide up to $250,000 for up to 18 months. Each of these amounts may be increased at the discretion of the Secretary.