The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III) provides federal relief funds to states and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and to address the impact the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had on students. The Department's Educational Plan and Fiscal Plan outline the strategies and use of federal relief funds under ESSER. These two plans are part of a three-part framework that also includes detailed expenditure reporting. The purpose of the three-part framework is to provide statewide direction and guidance for the implementation and use of the federal relief funds while allowing the state and complex areas to leverage funds to the greatest extent possible. Its overall design has been influenced by multiple stakeholders, including School Community Councils, community organizations, student advocacy groups, and students and their families. To ensure student needs are met, the Department will focus on re-engaging students in in-person learning to determine the extent of learning loss; identify social, emotional, and mental health concerns; and address absenteeism. For this important work to be sustainable, the Department will prioritize staff well-being and focus on supporting and caring for employees. The Department will ensure expenditures are appropriate and aligned to the intent of ESSER by supporting and sustaining the reopening and safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department will equitably distribute and utilize these funds to collectively emerge as a stronger, healthier, and more committed learning community.