FY2022: Increased Access to Quality Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs — Continuation

Fund Code: 528

Purpose:

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

Priorities:

Supports afterschool, OST and summer programs to serve more students who have previously been underserved (including but not limited to students designated as economically disadvantaged, BIPOC (black, indigenous and other people of color), English language learners, special education, experiencing homelessness, 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 FY2020 Fund Code 528 recipients . Note: This is the final year of a three-year grant award for FY2020, FY2021 and FY2022*.

Funding Type:

State — Continuation

Funding:

Approximately $3,398,000 is available through the state After-School and Out-of-School Grants line item 7061-9611. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (FY2022) funding amounts are expected to be equal to the amounts awarded competitively in FY2020.

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. Equipment costs are also not allowed.

Project Duration:

School Year: Upon Approval – 6/30/2022 (for school year programming)
Summer: 7/1/2022 – 8/31/2022 (for summer programming)

*Important Note: While school year and summer awards will be from FY2022 state budget and are programmatically under FY2022, the summer portion will be entered into EdGrants under FY2023. See Submission Instructions section for more details.

Program Unit:

Office of Student and Family Support

Contact:

Allison Smith

Date Due:

Thursday, September 30, 2021
The start date of the grant cannot be before the application is submitted in EdGrants. For a 09/01/2021 start date, you need to submit your grant prior to 09/01/2021. See the Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

Required Forms:

• FY22 School Year Part I — General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• FY23 Summer Part I — General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• 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 – 6/30/2022) and summer (7/1/2022 – 8/31/2022) activities/expenditures.

Additional Information:

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, 2022.

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, Information and Trainings.

Submission Instructions:

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

Important Note on School Year 2021-2022 and Summer 2022 funds:
Applicants must complete the Application Submission in EdGrants by entering the School Year (FY2022) 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 2022 (from FY2022 state funds but processed under FY2023 in EdGrants) proposed budget in the Attachments List. Applicants will be notified in Spring of 2022 when to enter in the Summer 2022 (FY2023) 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: FY2022 (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/Executive Director's signature. 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, Information and Trainings.

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

Last Updated: August 3, 2021