On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSAA) into law. This action gave the U.S. Department of Education additional COVID-19 relief funding for institutions of higher education. The CRRSAA includes the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) model as the CARES Act, with the new funding titled HEERF II funding. You can view the full reference page here.

Although the CRRSAA followed the higher education funding modeled in the CARES Act, there are a few key differences. You can read the full FAQ on the CRRSAA here.

Your institution may already qualify for funding through HEERF II; you can look for your institution in the HEERF II funding allocation list here. If your organization is not on this list, you can apply for grant funding by following these instructions. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2021.

How Can the Funds Be Used?

This funding is intended to keep institutions educating and students learning, despite distance constraints and infection control protocols. HEERF II can be spent on costs associated with:

• Technology costs associated with a transition to virtual learning and distance education.
• PPE to accommodate for safe, in-person learning.
• Student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related to coronavirus

Pocket Nurse Solutions

remote learning Solutions

SimVS Online: The SimVS Hospital Complete simulation system now provides a comprehensive online learning solution that allows instructors to deliver engaging cases and scenarios remotely with all the benefits of our robust and proven platform. The Online system allows faculty and students to easily connect over a secure cloud-based server with two-way interactive communication. Instructors send patient data to learners at a distance to create engaging interactions.

SimVS featured the world’s first mobile mechanical vent simulator – Ventisim. Ventisim 2.0 continues to innovate and now features a dynamic artificial lung model for extremely realistic function. Ventisim is ideal for teaching ventilation modes, alarm functions and oxygen delivery.

VRpatients™: With VRpatients, students can remotely interview, assess, diagnose and treat patients in real time. Educators can remotely assess students' critical thinking skills and competency. VRpatients is available to use online, featuring lifelike patient modeling, realistic moulage and animations presenting in living environments, an intuitive medical case authoring tool, a robust physiological engine with case logic, and more.

SimEMR® by KbPort: SimEMR® and its companion tool, Virtual MedsManager™, can enable institutions to continue to educate learners on patient charting, general clinical care and assessment, and medication administration without requiring physical presence in a lab setting or access to specialized hardware. Virtual MedsManager™ requires SimEMR® for simulated patient information to support student clinical practice of medication administration.

hands-on distance learning models

Laerdal Modular Skills Trainer: This portable and versatile skills trainer has been optimized for distance learning, allowing students and faculty to engage in skill assessments and practice, no matter where they are. The Modular Skills Trainer allows for clinical skills practice in a variety of different patient care scenarios, including nasogastric tube insertion, wound care, tracheostomy care, and more. Multiple different accessories and features allow learners to master multiple skills, while using the same portable and convenient skills trainer.

3B Smart Anatomy: 3B Smart Anatomy combines extensive virtual content with its original anatomical models. Registration for 3B Smart Anatomy is free, and customers gain immediate access to 3B Smart Anatomy courses in the Complete Anatomy app and receive a free warranty extension from 3 to 5 years with every anatomy model by 3B Scientific. The 3B Smart Anatomy courses include access to a growing library of anatomy lectures, interactive virtual models and quizzes.

solutions for in-person learning

Personal Protective Equipment: Shop PPE and Infection Control essentials, including masks, gloves, isolation gowns, disinfectants, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizers and more on our website to keep in-person learning clean and safe.

Barrier Screens: The CDC has recommended that all work settings, "install physical barriers, such as clear plastic sneeze guards, if feasible” to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Pocket Nurse carries barrier screens, room partitions, and sneeze guards in multiple sizes, in both portable and stationary options, and in a variety of styles and shapes to fit your workspaces.

We are here to help you find the tools to help your students keep learning in this time. If you don’t find what you need on our website, don’t hesitate to call and speak with our Customer Service Team. In addition, if you still have questions about funding, head here to learn more about what types of spending is authorized through the CRRSAA.