Emergency Assistance for Non Public Schools (EANS)

EANS Reimbursement Requests through BrightWorks

BrightWorks, formerly Metro ECSU is the fiscal host for the federal EANS funds. EANS funds are available to non public schools to address education disruptions caused by COVID-19. To receive financial services or assistance, an eligible nonpublic school must have submitted an application to MDE and have been approved.

To comply with the requirement that MDE, or another public agency, must control funds for services or assistance to nonpublic schools and teachers under the EANS program (CRRSA Act section 312(d)(7)), BrightWorks shall administer the program for MDE.

Schools receiving funding should expect to be audited. Schools will need to be able to provide documentation showing that services and goods purchased are their schools response to the COVID crisis.

All services and goods must be secular, neutral and non-ideological.

If you have a question regarding the eligibility of an expense, please contact Anita Tayson at anita.tayson@state.mn.us.

EANS funds may be used to:

1. Provide reimbursements to non public schools for allowable expenses (PDF) incurred after March 13, 2020. Any of the following cooperative purchasing programs can help save you time and money in your procurement process for future expense. Simply use any of the hundreds of competitively bid and awarded contracts available for you to purchase equipment, products and services. View the contracts offered through each program below:
   • Minnesota Cooperative Purchasing Programs
   • Minnesota State Purchasing Venture (CPV)
2. Establish contracts for allowable services and assistance. BrightWorks, in coordination with other Minnesota Regional Service Cooperatives, shall establish service contracts for the nonpublic schools. For those contracts entered into on behalf of nonpublic schools, BrightWorks or other Minnesota Regional Service Cooperatives may apply a 7.5% indirect charge to each service contract. The indirect charge will come out of the amount allocated for individual schools.

How to receive reimbursement for previous expenses:

1. Complete the reimbursement form. Reimbursement and Contract Form
   1. Each request must be associated with a listed category.
   2. The requested amount must match the documentation provided. Any discrepancy will cause the request to be denied.
   3. Documentation must be in the form of an invoice or receipt. Bids or quotes are not acceptable and will cause the request to be denied. If you have a question regarding the eligibility of an expense, contact Anita Tayson at anita.tayson@state.mn.us.
   4. Documentation requested includes but is not limited to:
      1. Name of school
      2. Signature of authorized representative of school
      3. Category for which the reimbursement is requested
      4. Description of item(s)
      5. Quantity of item(s)
      6. Amount of each item(s)
      7. Date item(s) purchased
      8. Documentation relating to the purchase of equipment must include the following. 
         1. Invoice
         2. Receipt
         3. Brand Name(s)
         4. Model Number(s)
         5. Serial Number(s)

         If the model and serial numbers are not provided at the time of request, the request will be denied.

2. BrightWorks will review each requested reimbursement for eligibility under the EANS program’s allowable services and assistance. For those items that are refused, BrightWorks shall provide the reason for the refusal to the school. Schools will be allowed to appeal the refusal to the MDE AR who is also the EANS Program Manager.

“How to request contracts for direct services:

1. Complete the form for contracts. Reimbursement and Contract Form
   Be sure all information is filled in.
2. Information that will be requested includes but is not limited to:
1. Name of school
2. Signature of authorized representative of school
3. Category for which direct service is requested
4. Description of direct service
5. Total amount for direct service requested

Contact Information

For questions related to reimbursement of expenses or contracts for direct services contact:

Tom Wieczorek, Business Manager
eansreimbursement@brightworksmn.org, 612-638-1504