Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

Adult and Community Learning Services

April 3, 2008

Dear Grant Applicant:

Enclosed for your review and response is the FY2009 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Adult Basic Education (ABE) Continuation Grants. This RFP is intended for applicants that are funded currently by Adult and Community Learning Services (ACLS) of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This continuation application package is for use by the following grant programs.

1. Community Adult Learning Centers Basic Proposal and Program Service Options - Fund Codes: 340 (Federal) and 345 (State)

   • Program Service Option 1 - ABE for the Homeless

   • Program Service Option 2 - Participatory Health Education

   • Program Service Option 3 - Family Literacy

   • Program Service Option 4 - Volunteer Tutoring Component

2. English Literacy and Civics Education - Fund Code: 359 (Federal)

3. ABE Instructional Program for Incarcerated Adults - Fund Codes: 285 (Federal) and 563 (State)

4. Primary Instruction by Volunteers - Fund Code: 287 (State)

5. Workplace Education - Fund Code: 538 (State)

6. Career Centers - Fund Code: 342 (Federal)

7. Distance Learning - Fund Code: 669 (Federal)

To be considered for refunding, programs must meet the requirements and intent of the authorizing state and federal legislation and regulations governing the program and must have conducted a successful program in FY2008. Applications for state-funded projects are due by Thursday, May 1, 2008. Applications for federally-funded projects are due by Friday, August 1, 2008.

Applicants should refer to Table 1 for funding amounts. It is important to note that funding levels are subject to the approval of state and federal appropriations and programs will be notified of any changes in funding levels. Please note that no expense may be charged to the grant before Adult and Community Learning Services submits an approved budget to Grants Management. State and federal regulations require that separate and auditable records be maintained for each project that you conduct.

Community Adult Learning Centers, English Literacy/Civics, Primary Instruction by Volunteers, and ABE for Incarcerated Adults Programs will be required to submit a Continuous Program Improvement Plan by October 15, 2008.

We look forward to reviewing your grant application and continuing our work together in providing highly effective Adult Basic Education services to the undereducated and limited English proficient adults in the Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Anne Serino, Administrator
Adult and Community Learning Services