Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

Program priorities include developing a statewide network of exemplary 21^st CCLC programs that will provide peer support, training, and technical assistance and that will serve as learning labs for new and existing 21^st CCLC programs across the Commonwealth.

Additional priorities include exemplary program elements outlined in Addendum A.

Only grantees that received Massachusetts 21^st CCLC funds in Fiscal Year 2003-2004 (FY2004), as well as the corresponding continuation grants in years two through five, and have met all grant and eligibility requirements (detailed below) are eligible to apply for these funds. Applicants can only propose to serve sites (or a subset of these) that were: a) funded through the FY2004 five-year grant award; and b) did not receive an FY2008 Fund Code: 647-B-2 Exemplary Programs Grant.

The program must have met the following four requirements during at least school years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. For any requirements not met, the program must be able to demonstrate clearly how the issues have been addressed successfully. These elements relate specifically and exclusively to the individual sites the applicant is proposing to support through this FY2009 Fund Code: 647-B-2 grant.

1. Met Survey of After-School Youth Outcomes (SAYO) and enrollment requirements by:

   1. implementing SAYO S and T (Staff and Teacher Versions);

   2. submitting data in a timely way; and

   3. meeting minimum SAYO sample size.

2. Served students during the school year with an attendance average of at least 70 hours per student.

3. Met previous program requirements, including the following:

   1. conducted APT observations;

   2. operated for a minimum of 12 hours/week for 32 weeks during the school year;

   3. attended Coordinator meetings and 21^st CCLC professional development opportunities consistently; and

   4. met other requirements outlined in the grant's original and continuation RFPs.

4. Have evidence that SAYO data were used to shape continuous program improvement at the site level.

A total of approximately $2,500,000 is available through this grant program.

Individual applicants may apply for an amount equal to up to 75% of their original FY2004 grant award (not including any amounts for pilot/enhancement projects). Applicants are required to submit a plan for sustaining and/or enhancing the amount and quality of services offered in the FY2004 grant's fifth and final year (FY2008), along with a plan for a partial match in funds requested. (*See the last paragraph of the Funding section.)

If applicants choose not to apply for all previously funded FY2004 sites and are able to provide justification, those funds may be redirected to the remaining sites in the proposal. However, the applicant must show that the funds will be used primarily to support direct programming.

Continued funding for this grant in years two (FY2010) and three (FY2011) will be based on: yearly progress updates; timely submission of required data that demonstrate the maintenance of attendance levels and program quality; evidence that the grantee is working towards sustaining the program beyond the grant period; and submission of a yearly reapplication.

Pending funding availability, in year two (FY2010) grantees may apply for an amount equal to up to 70% of their original FY2004 grant award and in year three (FY2011) for up to an amount equal to 65% of their original FY2004 grant award. Recipients are required to submit data to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education three times each year on students who are enrolled in programs and who are being provided services funded by this grant. Details regarding data submission will be provided to all grantees.

* Due to federal budget cuts, FY2004 grants in year five (FY2008) received only 85% of their original FY2004 award. Therefore, in order to provide a similar level and quality of services to those offered in FY2008, FY2009 grantees that are applying for 75% of their FY2004 funds should seek other sources of support that equal approximately 10% of their FY2004 amount. Please note that other federal and state funds can be coordinated with the program's efforts and can contribute to providing a similar level and quality of services, but technically they are not considered official matching funds, per NCLB Title IV B Section 4204 (d) requirements.

Funds must be used solely to continue to support 21^st CCLC programs funded from FY2004-2008 and must address the Purpose and Priorities detailed above.

Programs/services that may be funded under this grant are:

1. academic enrichment activities that support and contribute to academic achievement;

2. academic enrichment activities that assist in closing the achievement gaps where they exist currently;

3. mathematics and science education activities;

4. arts and music education activities;

5. entrepreneurial programs;

6. Community Service Learning;

7. tutoring services (including those provided by senior citizen volunteers) and mentoring programs;

8. activities for limited English proficient students that emphasize language skills and support academic achievement;

9. inclusive after-school activities for students who receive special education services that emphasize social skills and support academic achievement;

10. health education and physical activities;

11. telecommunications and technology education programs;

12. activities that promote parental involvement and family literacy;

13. assistance to students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled that emphasizes the student's adjustment and supports academic achievement; and

14. drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, and character education programs.

Funds may be used to pay for:

1. staff and Coordinator salaries;

2. contracts with provider agencies;

3. professional development activities;

4. stipends for professionals, students, or family members involved actively in the delivery of services;

5. transportation; and

6. program materials.

No more than 22.5% of the Fund Code: 647-B-2 funded budget (Part II in Required Forms) may be used for coordination and administration and no more than 10% may be used for program materials.

Districts or agencies including indirect costs in their budget proposals can use their most recently approved indirect cost rates. If the approved rate is higher than 5.0%, the agency can use only a maximum rate of 5.0% for this grant.

Upon Approval - 8/31/2009 (pending federal budget appropriation)

Pending budget appropriation, continuation of funding will be available for up to two additional years (ending 8/31/2011). See the Funding section for additional requirements regarding continued funding.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

1.     Addendum A - Elements of Exemplary Programs

2.     Required Forms Check Off List

3. Consultation with Public/Private Schools - Applicants are required to consult in a timely and meaningful way with local private school administrators about their students' needs and how those needs can be addressed via the 21^st CCLC program. Applicants must provide equitable services to public/private school students and their families if those students are part of the target population. Grantees are required to keep on file documentation regarding annual consultation with private schools.

4. The pages must be numbered, single-spaced, printed only on one side, with a one inch margin. The font should be Arial and the size should be no smaller than 10-point type. It is in the best interest of the applicants to ensure that the application is easy to read, developed logically in accordance with the selection criteria, and addresses each question fully.

5. If desired, additional support materials (beyond required forms) may be submitted with the application but must not exceed five (5) pages. Letters of support are not required but if submitted they are included in the five (5) page limit.

6. The scoring rubric is available upon request. NOTE: The proposal submitted by the applicant will be worth approximately 85% of the score considered by the grant review team. Information gathered by the Department through data collection (FY2004-2008) and fifth year site visits (during FY2008) will comprise approximately 15% of the score.

Submit four (4) sets, each with an original signature of the Superintendent/ Executive Director. Mail to:

Karyl Resnick
Student Support
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023