Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2021: Increased Access to Afterschool, Out-of-School Time (ASOST) and Summer Learning Programs — Continuation

Fund Code: 528

Purpose:

The purpose of this state continuation grant is to increase access to high quality afterschool, out-of-school time (OST) and summer learning programs.

Priorities:

Supports afterschool, OST and summer programs to serve more students most underserved (including but not limited to students designated as economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education, in foster care and living in rural areas);
Offers engaging and innovative hands-on programming that builds core academic knowledge and skills, as well as social and emotional competencies;
Offers enrichment activities that will help to close opportunity gaps;
Creates a culturally responsive and welcoming environment; and
Partners with schools and/or community-based organizations.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants include all Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (FY2020) Fund Code 528 recipients .

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $2,628,500 is available through the state After-School and Out-of-School Grants.

See Additional Information section below for preliminary FY2021 amounts, which are approximately 22% lower than FY2020 amounts based on current amount available. Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined and as described in a budget, budget narrative, and required program information that is submitted to the Department's Office of Student and Family Support.

Important Note: Students being served by these funds cannot be charged to participate. Additionally, funds cannot be used to pay students to participate in these programs.

Project Duration:

School Year: Upon Approval – 6/30/2021 (for school year programming) Summer: 7/1/2021 – 8/31/2021 (for summer programming)

Funding may also continue in FY22 (9/1/2021–8/31/2022) under separate application process pending state budget appropriation, submitting of all required documents and successful utilization of prior funding, and awarding of funds after a continuation grant process.

Program Unit:

Office of Student and Family Support

Contact:

Allison Smith
781-338-3232

Date Due:

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The start date of the grant cannot be before a substantially approvable application is submitted in EdGrants.

Required Forms:

Part I — General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) for School Year

Part I — General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) Summer (FY2022)

Part II — Budget Workbook

Part III — Required Program Information

Grant Assurances

Note: Applicants must submit a separate signature page (Part I) and budget (Part II) for both school year (upon approval – 6/30/2021) and summer (7/1/2021 – 8/31/2021) activities/expenditures.

Additional Information:

Addendum — FY2021 Eligible Entities & Current Funding Amounts
A grant-end report on the funded activities and outcomes of the program(s), including a section specifically on lessons learned that could be shared with others, is requested by the Department by September 30, 2021.
The Assessment of Program Practices Observation Tool (APT-O) must be utilized during both the school year and summer programs to inform areas for improvement. A free online training on how to use the tool will be available to any recipients not yet trained.
For Grant Management processes, including the Request for Funds, information about requesting funds beyond the initial payment, and additional details on managing your grant, see this webpage: EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Submission Instructions:

See below based on timeframe (school year and/or summer) for funds requested.

Important Note on School Year (FY2021) and Summer (FY2022) funds:
Applicants must complete the Application Submission in EdGrants by entering the School Year (FY2021) budget and attach all other required forms listed in this RFP to the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission.

These applicants must also attach the Summer (FY2021) proposed budget in the Attachments List. Applicants will be notified in Spring of 2021 when to enter in the Summer (FY2022) portion of the budget.

Important Notes on EdGrants:
In EdGrants, applicants are required to create and name the grant project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants: FY21 (insert fund code number and program unit) Applicant Name

All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List formlet of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Schedule A form, if applicable to your district. The budget the applicant is requesting needs to be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

For information on EdGrants webinar trainings email EdGrants@mass.gov .

Last Updated: September 8, 2020