Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

The purpose of this state-funded competitive grant program is to assist school districts with the development and establishment of:

1. comprehensive programs to promote school safety and help prevent violence in schools from whatever causes; and/or

2. in-school programs and services to address, within the general education school program, the educational and psycho-social needs of students whose behavior interferes with learning, particularly those who are suffering from the traumatic effects of exposure to violence. (Students suffering from the traumatic effects of exposure to violence shall include, but not be limited to, those exposed to maltreatment, family or community violence, war, homelessness, or any combination thereof.)

Priority will be given to programs that:

1. are based on empirically validated interventions (i.e., science/research-based with proven effectiveness);

2. educate students using the same academic standards and curriculum frameworks as are taught to all students; and

3. support the development of the following program components:

   1. creating a school environment where students can focus, behave appropriately, and feel safe, and where problems can be prevented through the comprehensive use of schoolwide, classroom-based, small group, and/or individual interventions in creating a safe and positive school climate;

   2. collaborating with broadly recognized experts in the fields of child trauma and family and community violence; community mental health centers and hospitals; battered women shelters; local district homeless liaisons; and others;

   3. providing ongoing information-sharing and professional development opportunities and support for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel so that they can: understand and identify the symptoms of trauma; be aware of effective techniques of managing behaviors and promoting learning in children displaying symptoms seen commonly in those who have been victims of or witnesses to violence; and develop the skills and resources to identify and intervene with at-risk students;

   4. evaluating school policies and existing school and community programs and services to determine whether and to what extent students suspected of and/or identified as suffering from trauma can receive effective supports and interventions that can help such students to succeed in their public school programs and, where necessary, be referred quickly and in confidence to appropriate services;

   5. reviewing of school policies that may inadvertently exacerbate school-related difficulties for traumatized children and/or further traumatize students who have been victimized by child maltreatment, or who have witnessed violence in the home or community;

   6. creating structures/protocols that support teachers, school staff, parents/guardians, and families as they address the needs of children and youth who have been victimized by violence or who have witnessed violence in the home and/or community;

   7. helping students play a key role in keeping the school safe;

   8. equipping students and teachers with the skills needed to avoid conflict and violence; and

   9. helping schools and individuals to further connect with the community and share resources.

Public school districts, including charter schools, that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. a significant number of students whose learning and/or classroom behavior is affected by the traumatic effects of exposure to violence; and/or

2. documented high levels of school-based violent incidents.

Subject to budget appropriation, meeting grant requirements, and submission of required documents, the Department will award Fund Code: 791 grants for up to three years. Continuation grant applicants will be eligible for up to 80 percent of the original grant award in year two and up to 60 percent of the original grant award in year three.

Subject to budget appropriation, meeting grant requirements, submission of required documents, and the applicant's demonstration of a significant commitment to the long-term sustainability of a successful project, the Department with award Fund Code: 791 grants for up to two additional years. Continuation grant applicants will be eligible for up to 40 percent of the original grant award in year four and up to 20 percent of the original grant award in year five.

• Year One (competitive RFP) single-district applicants may apply for a grant up to $25,000.

• Year One (competitive RFP) inter-district collaborative applications may apply for a maximum of $15,000 per district and must identify the lead district that will be administering the award.

The number of grants awarded for FY2009 programs will be subject to final state appropriation for this program activity. An estimated three to five competitive grants will be awarded for FY2009 programs. The Department reserves the right to alter the award to each funded school district.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Competitive proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due - no exceptions.

• Grant scoring rubrics are available by request. Contact Jenny Curtin at (781) 338-6839 or jcurtin@doe.mass.edu to request a copy.

• The grant evaluation tool, which is required to be completed by all grant recipients at the end of the grant period, is available upon request. Contact Jenny Curtin at jcurtin@doe.mass.edu to request a copy.

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

Jenny Caldwell Curtin
Student and Secondary Support
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148-5023