Mount Oread Messenger: September 25, 2020

KU launches childcare assistance fund Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Mount Oread Messenger]( Good morning! Yesterday, KU announced that it would use some federal funding allocated from Gov. Laura Kelly's SPARK Taskforce to launch a fund to assist university employees who have faced increased child care costs due to the pandemic. These costs can be either from actual child care needs due to a child's school being moved to online or hybrid learning, or from any costs associated with remote learning — such as supplies, technology, internet connection, etc. From now until Oct. 4, [any eligible employee can apply here]( to receive a grant under the new program, called the Pandemic Child Assistance Fund. KU said Thursday it estimated the funds would be distributed during the third week in October. It wasn't exactly clear Thursday how much money KU has at its disposal for this fund, but a university spokesperson told me they were looking into the specific numbers and would have an answer soon. (I'll be sure and write a follow up story once the deadline closes and it's clearer how many KU employees applied for grants.) Here's who is eligible and how the program works: Any current staff or faculty member at KU — including graduate research assistants, graduate assistants or residential graduate assistants — at the Lawrence or Edwards campus is eligible to apply if they meet the following standards: - Have documented increased expenses due to providing remote education — which includes child care expenses - Have proven guardianship of a child or multiple children between kindergarten and 8th grade - Eligibility also applies to those who are the guardian of a child in high school with a disability that requires supervision and care Student hourly workers, as well as those holding affiliate and volunteer positions, are not eligible to receive funding from the program. Applications are reviewed by KU's Human Resource Management team and then by a separate review committee if needed. Also of note: Every applicant who applies for funding will receive the same amount if their application is approved, and an individual's financial need will not be considered. This, KU said, was to be able to help as many employees as possible. Mike Rounds, KU's vice provost of operations, told employees when announcing the program that the university expected awards to range from between $100 to $500. Rounds: “Financial assistance provided through the fund is to help defray some of the additional expenses families may have incurred during the fall 2020 semester. The funding will likely only cover a portion of those expenses.” One more thing: A quick reminder that Friday means KU will release its latest round of COVID-19 testing data and a new short-term forecast model. [Here's where to view that information once it's posted.]( That's all for this week — see you on Monday! [Strong Hall]( [KU launches child care assistance fund for employees, graduate student workers to assist with extra pandemic costs]( The university will use federal funds from the March CARES Act stimulus package to establish an assistance fund for employees facing unexpected costs due to their children’s school being moved again to online or hybrid learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants are expected to range from $100 to $500. [Read the full story here]( EVENTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON - Friday, September 25: KU volleyball takes on Baylor in its first match of the season. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. - Saturday, September 26: KU volleyball again faces Baylor, this time at 4 p.m. from Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. To limit travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Big 12 conference, which plays a double round robin format for conference play, will play both home and away matches consecutively this season at the same location. - Saturday, September 26: KU football travels to Waco, Texas to face Baylor. KU lost its first game of the season 38-23 to Coastal Carolina on September 9, while Baylor's first game had to be postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests on the Bears' roster. The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. IN OTHER KU NEWS [The misery and camaraderie of Kansas college students in quarantine]( From the Kansas News Service: In the month since Kansas colleges reopened, quarantined students reported frustration with online classes, getting tested, loneliness and discomfort from getting sick. But there's also a camaraderie that comes from shared misery. [Testing sign]( [KU football doing its best to prepare for unknowns Bears bring into opener]( As mentioned above, KU football has played a game already this season while Baylor has not. The Bears are also starting the season with a new coach in Dave Aranda, which means the team will likely play with a style KU isn't entirely expecting. But KU coach Les Miles didn't seem worried this week. [KU vs. Baylor]( If you enjoy the Mount Oread Messenger, you can [subscribe to receive it here.]( To reach Mount Oread Messenger author Conner Mitchell, please email cmitchell@ljworld.com or call 785-832-6388. Tips can also be submitted at [Conner's tip form]( or at his secure email address,[connermitchell@protonmail.com](mailto:connermitchell@protonmail.som). [subscribe to the lawrence journal-world here]( This message was sent by the Lawrence Journal-World. 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