The goals of this state funded safe and supportive schools continuation grant program are to:
The main priorities for this grant program are to ensure that each school creates a safe, positive, healthy, culturally responsive, equitable, and inclusive whole-school learning environment, and makes effective use of a system for integrating services and aligning initiatives that promote students' behavioral health and wellness.
These efforts are supported through school-based implementation of action plans that were created after completing the Safe and Supportive Schools Self-Reflection Tool (Tool).
An additional priority for Option 2 — Implementation and Mentor/Support grantees is to provide mentoring and support in a variety of ways related to using the Tool, writing and implementing action plans, and other areas as appropriate.
Massachusetts school districts that received FY2023 Fund Code (FC) 335 Safe and Supportive Schools are eligible to apply for this continuation funding opportunity to support implementation of action plans created by school and school district teams, based on all six elements of the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework (Framework)/Tool (all grantees), and mentor/support activities (former Option 2 grantees only).
Applicants must propose to focus this work in one or more schools where the FY2023 FC335 grant supported a team of school and district stakeholders to create school and district action plans (FY2023 Option 1 grantees), or where the grant supported implementation activities and mentor/support activities (FY2023 Option 2 grantees).
Eligible Districts and Maximum Funding Amounts (Option 2 grantees are indicated with an asterisk):
State Line Item 7061-9612
Approximately $299,000 is available to support these grants.
Applicants are eligible for up to the amounts listed in the Eligibility section above.
Notes about funding:
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.
Grant funds may be used for school and district-based implementation coordinator(s), consultants, substitutes, evidence-based programs/initiatives, and materials to be used in the implementation of district action plans and school action plans for proposed schools. Funds cannot be used for electronics (such as iPads, computers, tablets, etc.) or construction.
These funds must be used to implement action plans that incorporate all six elements of the Framework, as submitted with the FY2024 application (or as part of the FY2023 FC 335 grant).
All applicants may consider partnering with Educational Collaboratives or other consultants to help facilitate the implementation process.
Option 2 grantees may also use funds for mentor/support activities.
Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2023)* – 6/30/2024
*Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.
Student and Family Support
Emily Taylorachievement@mass.gov
(781) 338-3010
Friday, September 1, 2023
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may be submitted prior to the due date. Extensions, if needed, may also be requested by the due date.
Note: The start date will be based on when an approvable grant is entered in EdGrants.
Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
Part II — Budget — submitted directly into EdGrants formlet and Budget Template
Part III — Required Program Information
Grant Assurances
School and District Action Plans. Please submit as one combined document.
School and District Action Plans Action plans must be received by the Department for all schools included for funding under FY2024 FC 337. Option 1 grantee action plans should have been submitted during the FY2023 FC335 grant cycle but should be resubmitted in the EdGrants application. Option 2 grantees are required to submit an action plan with this application with any changes or updates since the action plan was originally submitted. Missing action plans will result in a delay in the grant award and start date.
Program Evaluation and Professional Development Grantees shall participate in professional development (e.g., conferences, webinars, and/or regional events, etc.) to be held by the Department, as well as in an evaluation of this grant program. In addition, the Department and Safe and Supportive Schools Commission will use feedback from grantees to inform continuous updates and improvements to the Framework and Tool. Details will be provided to all grantees once information is confirmed.
Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants, using the following naming convention for your Safe and supportive Schools Continuation Grant:
FY24 FC337 Safe and Supportive [Applicant Name]
Grants submitted through email will not be reviewed until they are submitted in EdGrants. Emailing grant materials may delay grant start dates.
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 final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.
For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.
Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant applications as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls in order to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.
Last Updated: August 6, 2024
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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