FY2025: Massachusetts 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Program (21^st CCLC) Continuation Grants (Anticipated September Start Date)

Fund Code: 0645

Purpose:

The purpose of the federally-funded Fund Code (FC) 0645 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) continuation grant is to continue to support the implementation of academically enriching programming implemented during out-of-school time (OST) and/or through an extended school day (ELT).

Priorities:

Supporting students and families from all identities and cultures with a focus on those that have been historically marginalized — including, but not limited to students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), emerging multilingual students, students living in poverty, and students with disabilities — so all students can be empowered to make informed choices in life after high school and prepared for college and/or a career.

Strengthening student learning by combining content knowledge with a deeper approach to learning that emphasizes the skills necessary to apply that knowledge successfully.

Implementing high interest and high engagement interactive and relevant teaching and learning strategies during the school year and summer.

Leveraging assessment data to design programming that is tailored to the needs and interests of students and demonstrates continuous program improvement efforts.

Contributing to the development of skills and knowledge that support a career pathway for students.

Developing systems of support that engage students and families in ways that are culturally relevant, and leverage the knowledge, strengths, and assets of students, families, educators, and the community.

Developing sustainable models for supporting additional quality learning time.

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

Eligibility:

Eligible entities are grantees with sites originally awarded under FC 647 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and/or FC 646 in FY2022 and/or FY2023.

For a list of eligible entities, respective sites and funding amounts, see Addendum A — Eligible Entities & Continuation Funding Amounts (in the Additional Information section).

Funding Type:

Federal CFDA 84.287

Federal grant funds must adhere to:

• UGG (2 CFR 200)
• EDGAR As Applicable
• EDGAR General Fiscal Administration 34 CFR Part 76

Funding:

Approximately $6,200,000 is available.

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 solely to support, enhance, and/or provide related programming and activities that address the Purpose and Priorities detailed above, and may include salaries, stipends, contracts, instructional materials, and other expenses associated with implementing additional time.

These funds may not be used to supplant existing costs, which would otherwise be funded (in the absence of these grant funds) from other sources (e.g., current salary levels, current transportation costs, instructional materials already being used during the school day, etc.).

• No more than 10% may be used for program materials/applicant/site. Any single purchase over $500 must be pre-approved.
• Budgets for sites awarded an exemplary grant may not include any indirect costs.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval* (anticipated 9/1/2024) — 6/30/2025

Pending appropriation and the meeting of grant requirements, awarded grantees may be eligible for additional continuation grant(s) for the years outlined in the original competitive RFP through which the site(s) were funded.

* 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.

Program Unit:

Office of Student and Family Support

Contact:

Karyl Resnick

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3515

Date Due:

Monday, August 26, 2024

Budgets must be submitted in GEM$ (for a September 1 start)

End of year Evaluation and all other required information/forms as outlined in the application planning document available in GEM$.

Required Forms:

All required forms will be submitted through GEM$, see GEM$ Submission Instructions below for details.

Additional Information:

• Addendum A — Eligible Entities & Continuation Funding Amounts

Submission Instructions:

The FY25 FC 0645 Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Continuation — September Start Grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will eventually phase out the use of EdGrants.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Please Note: Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off. All these roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These form can be accessed without logging in to the system.

Last Updated: August 20, 2024