FY2024: Hate Crime Prevention

Fund Code: 0794

Purpose:

The purpose of the competitive state-funded grant is to support the implementation of programs designed to prevent hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools as defined under M.G.L. Chapter 22C, Section 32.

Priorities:

Competitive priority will be given to:

• Schools that have experienced and clearly articulate in the proposal hate crimes or incidences of bias within the last 2 school years (since the start of school year 2021-2022) or are in chronically underperforming status.

• Applicants who currently have existing and ongoing collaboration with local human rights organizations that have expertise in promoting equity, building positive school climate, preventing hate crimes, and addressing bias-motivated incidents. This collaboration includes, but is not limited to: activities and opportunities for guardians and families to discuss the importance of recognizing, reporting and addressing hate crimes and bias incidents.

  The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) reserves the right to consider additional factors that include recency, egregiousness and/or frequency of hate crimes or incidents of bias, and geographic distribution in making final award decisions.

Eligibility:

All Massachusetts public school districts, including charter schools, are eligible to apply. Applicants must include a letter of support from the head of their local law enforcement agency, which should also document whether there is a School Resource Officer(s) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding that role and procedures for reporting and tracking hate crimes.

Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.

Funding Type:

State 7061-9815

Funding:

There is $400,000 available for this grant.

The maximum amount for which a district can apply for is $50,000

This grant will prioritize at least 25% of available funds available for schools and districts in chronically underperforming status. If applications are not received from schools in status, funds will be distributed to other applicants

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

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 College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE).

Indirect costs and costs for equipment are not allowed.

Applicants' proposals should outline the applicants' need and how the applicants will utilize grant funds to address the need and implement strategies and programs based on recommendations from the Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes and the Hate Crimes Prevention Resource Guide that include:

• Supporting the implementation of evidence-based curriculum and programs for students that promote awareness and understanding, while helping to prevent hate crimes and incidents of bias-motivated conduct, including professional development for educators and school staff;

• Establishing and sustaining collaboration with local organizations that have expertise in preventing hate crimes and addressing incidents of bias, including partnering to offer family events to discuss the importance of recognizing, reporting and addressing hate crimes and bias;

• Improving policies, procedures and protocols for reporting and responding to incidents of hate crime and bias, in a timely, consistent, and effective manner, including disciplinary policies and programs that not only protect victims, but also seek to educate offending students and reintegrate them into the school community; proposals should identify potential partnerships with local law enforcement and other community-based organizations to provide training and support for school educators and staff.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval through 6/30/2024

Program Unit:

Office of College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Carrie Harrington

Phone Number:

781-338-3906

Date Due:

Friday, August 18^th, 2023 5pm Eastern

All responses must be received by the due date and time listed in this RFP.
All responses must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions section of this RFP. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Responses not submitted on time will not be reviewed. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed in this RFP.

Submission Instructions:

The 0794 Hate Crime Prevention grant will be submitted in the new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will be taking the place of EdGrants.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Last Updated: April 24, 2024