During the week of August 23, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made updates to two temporary programs aimed at closing the homework gap during the COVID-19 pandemic, opening a second application window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and creating new outreach materials for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. The actions come as the Delta variant threatens to push students and teachers across the country back to online instruction. Both the EBB and ECF represent an important bridge for schools, libraries and low-income households as counties and our federal partners work to implement long-term solutions to the homework gap.

First, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will open a second application period for the ECF program after receiving more than $5 billion in funding requests from schools and libraries during the program’s first application window. The new application period will continue to serve the 2021-2022 school year and will be open from September 28 to October 13. County-owned libraries and county school districts may be eligible to apply for the new round of funds.

Additionally, as students and teachers across the country prepare to go back to school, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a “Back to School” campaign, to promote uptake of the EBB program among eligible households. New materials include school posters, bookmarks, handouts and Pell Grant and school lunch and breakfast program specific flyers. Additional social media posts and images have also been added. The FCC hopes that universities and K-12 schools will use these items to notify their communities about this available resource. County leaders can access the full range of EBB promotional materials here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide impacting counties across the nation, with rural and low-income students in particular facing barriers to remote learning. Counties play a crucial role as policymakers, funders, data aggregators and partners in pursuing sustainable solutions to broadband access, affordability and reliability. While the county role in local public schools varies across the country, all counties share a tax base with local school boards and providing complementary services to local students. Further, counties do play a role in supporting and funding K-12 schools in five states: Alaska, Md., N.C., Va. and Tenn.

NACo urges Congress to establish permanent solutions to the homework gap and a permanent program to help low-income families afford internet service.

Additional Resources

• Broadband Task Force: High-Speed Internet Is Essential For All Counties
• FCC releases funding, starts broadband benefit program to aid schools, libraries, rural and low-income residents