Department of Education Announces Project SERV Grant to Support Texas Communities Impacted by Flooding

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced that it is making $250,000 in Project SERV funding available to support students and community members as they recover from devastating flood damage.

The pre-approval will provide Texas the opportunity to secure critical supports to students, families, and schools impacted by the flooding in Kerr County. The Texas Education Agency will be able to distribute these funds to eligible school districts, based on need, so that students have access to mental health supports as they respond to this disaster and to help ensure that school starts on time in August.

"My heart is with the people of Kerr County, Texas, as they recover from the devastating flooding and loss of many precious lives," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "The U.S. Department of Education has pre-approved the Texas Education Agency for a $250,000 Project SERV grant, and stands ready to support administrators, teachers, and students as they recover from this tragedy and prepare to return to school in the coming months."

"President Donald Trump's swift action to deploy resources to our state has been critical to Texas' ongoing response and recovery operations following the devastating flooding," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "The Project SERV funding will ensure students across the state receive crucial support as their communities are recovering. I look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration to help Texas families and communities impacted by the recent catastrophic floods recover and rebuild."

"TEA is grateful for the department's support through the deployment of these critical resources," said Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. "Our hearts and prayers remain with the Hill Country and affected communities and families as they work to recover from this tragedy."

Background

The School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program funds short-term education-related services for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help them recover from a violent or traumatic event in which the learning environment has been disrupted. SERV grants have been made available to school districts impacted by severe weather events, including Hurricane Harvey.

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