<div dir="ltr">A quick explanation of the new Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. We will be scheduling a library-specific webinar with Lorrie soon, with particular attention to where CIPA-compliance does and does not apply in the use of these funds.<div><div><br></div> Don Yarman<br> Director, Ohio Public Library Information Network<br> 2323 W Fifth Ave Suite 130, Columbus OH 43204<br> <a href="mailto:don@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">don@oplin.ohio.gov</a> | 614.728.5250</div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Lorrie Germann</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:lgermann@ohiocsc.org">lgermann@ohiocsc.org</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, May 13, 2021 at 10:34 AM<br>Subject: FCC Releases Emergency Connectivity Fund Order<br></div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div>Good morning E-Rate Community,</div><div></div><div>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">This week,
the FCC adopted rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF), providing $7.17
billion for schools and libraries to purchase connected devices and
broadband connections for use by students, school staff, and library patrons <strong><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">at locations
other than a school or library</span></i></strong>. <span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">While ECF is
earmarked as E-Rate funds, this differs from E-Rate, which provides broadband
services delivered <em><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">to and within</span></b></em> schools and libraries.<span> </span>However, in the interest of time, the ECF
will leverage the FCC's experience administrating the E-Rate Program. <span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The support
provided through the ECF will first allow eligible schools and libraries to
seek funding for <em><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">upcoming</span></b></em> <strong><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">purchases </span></i></strong>of eligible equipment.<span> </span>This includes Wi-Fi hotspots, modems,
routers, and connected devices (tablets and laptops), as well as advanced
telecommunications and information services to meet the remote learning needs
of students, school staff, and library patrons who lack access to connected
devices and broadband connections sufficient to engage in remote learning
during the upcoming school year.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">USAC will
soon open up a 45-day application window for funding requests for
purchases to be made between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, which aligns with
the coming school year and the E-Rate funding year.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <em><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">If additional
funding remains</span></b></em> available after the requests for future
purchases of eligible equipment and services, the FCC will provide a second
window to allow schools and libraries to apply for reimbursement of the costs
they have already incurred in purchasing eligible equipment and services from
March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">For more information
on the ECF, I've provided a breakdown of the Order's key points at <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help/ecf/ecf-resource-library/" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://www.ohio-k12.help/ecf/ecf-resource-library/</a>.<span> </span>I will update the site as new information is
received.<span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Also, I will
be scheduling webinars to discuss details of the Order in the upcoming weeks <b>and
training sessions on the application process once USAC updates the EPC portal
and makes the applications available.<span> </span><span></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">I know this
is a hectic time as we're wrapping up this school year, but please watch for my
updates.<span> </span>I will share information as it's
received.<span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Sincerely,</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Lorrie</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>
</div><div><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><font color="003366"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Monotype Corsiva"">Lorrie Germann</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2">State E-Rate Coordinator<br>
<font color="003366">O<font color="003366">n <font color="003366">b<font color="003366">ehalf of the Ohio De<font color="003366">partment of Education</font></font></font></font></font></font></span></font><br>
<span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><font size="2" color="003366"><font color="003366"><font color="003366">lorrie.germann@ed<font color="003366">ucation<font color="003366">.<a href="http://ohio.gov" target="_blank">ohio.gov</a><br>
www.ohio-k12.help/erate<br>
</font></font></font></font></font><font color="003366"><span dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:white">Office: 740-223-2420</span></span></font><br>
Cell: 740-253-1153</span></div></div></div></div></div>
</div></div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><br></div></div></div></div>