FY2022: Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Quality Enhancements (ASOST-Q) — Continuation

Fund Code: 530

Purpose:

The goal of this state funded continuation grant program is to enhance afterschool and out-of-school time (ASOST*) programs and services to improve the academic, physical, social, and emotional wellness of public and non-public school-age youth during the school year and the summer months.

*ASOST is inclusive of before-school, after-school, vacation and summer programming hours beyond school time.

Priorities:

The main priorities for this grant are to improve the quality of ASOST programs and services by supporting:

• Activities that enhance one or more of the quality criteria areas outlined in the Guidelines for Quality Enhancements in After-School and Out-of-School Time Category A — Quality Enhancements); and

• Regional and statewide professional development (PD), which may include networking opportunities, for other ASOST providers (Category B — Regional or Statewide PD/Networking).

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants include all FY2021 Fund Code 530 recipients . This is the final year of a two-year grant award for FY2021 and FY2022*.

Funding Type:

State — Continuation

Funding:

Approximately $7,200,000 is projected to be available through state After-School and Out-of School Time Grants line item 7061-9611. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (FY2022) funding amounts are expected to be equal to the amounts awarded competitively in FY2021.

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 to support activities that enhance programs and services as outlined in this Funding Opportunity RFP.

Budget expenditures may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Staff and coordinator salaries related to the quality enhancements;
• COVID-19 costs;
• Professional development (PD) activities that meet Massachusetts Standards for PD;
• Stipends for staff involved in the delivery of services;
• Activities to promote family engagement;
• Additional costs associated with serving students with disabilities and/or students who are English learners;
• Activities to promote cultural responsiveness/anti-racism and equity;
• Activities to support program evaluation;
• Program materials and supplies related to quality enhancement; and
• Transportation. (Please note: vehicles may not be purchased with these funds.)

General notes on fund use (applicable to applicants in both categories):

• Funds from this grant may not be used to support tuition for individual participants; and
• Indirect and equipment costs are not allowable.

Project Duration:

School Year: Upon approval (no earlier than 09/01/2021) – 06/30/2022
Summer: 07/01/2022 – 08/31/2022

*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

Phone Number:

781-338-3232

Date Due:

Thursday, September 30th, 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)

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

• Part II — Budget

• Part III — Required Program Information

• Addendum — Grant Assurances

Additional Information:

The following, in addition to submitting a year-end grant/data report, are required of all recipients in each respective category:

Category A: Quality Enhancements

• Implement Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) required program evaluation observation tool to be used to support continuous program improvement.

Category B: Regional or Statewide PD/Networking

• Provide PD that may include networking opportunities to meet identified needs of the ASOST field, including but not limited to those receiving ASOST-Q Category A funding, and provide the Department with a schedule and registration information that the Department will distribute to ASOST-Q grantees and other ASOST providers (as appropriate).

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 and Information.

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

Last Updated: August 4, 2021