FY2024: Afghan Refugee Support to Schools Grant

Fund Code: 652

Purpose:

The goal of this grant initiative is to enhance LEA capacity to promote the academic performance and successful integration of Afghan newcomer students. Grant activities will provide funding for services that lead to the effective integration and education of eligible Afghan children and youth.

Priorities:

Priority will be given to proposals that

• Use an equity lens when developing new programming or enhancing existing programming, to ensure that all eligible populations, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristic(s), receive fair treatment, access, and opportunity;
• Identify and eliminate barriers that may prevent the full participation of some groups.

Eligibility:

Massachusetts school districts serving six or more Afghan newcomer students as reported to DESE between October 2021 and November 2022. See list of eligible districts in Attachment A .

Funding Type:

Federal CFDA 93.566
Federal grant funds must adhere to:

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

Funding:

Approximately $1,403,753 is available.

District allocations were determined on a per pupil basis for districts that had a minimum of six Afghan newcomer students between October 2021 and November 2022.

Use of these funds is intended to supplement existing services to ensure the most efficient and effective use of funding. The Afghan Refugee School Support Grant should complement existing programming aimed at assisting eligible populations, as well as meet the immediate needs of schools.

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:

Allowable uses of Funding include:

• Funding teachers and school-based counselors, including English Language Learner supports
• Developing and implementing parent engagement and orientation activities, including English Language classes for parents
• Renting or enhancing temporary school facilities, including portable classrooms, and converting (but not constructing) space
• Producing and securing educational resources ensuring full accessibility, including classroom materials, parent engagement resources, computers, digital services, and internet connections
• Addressing transportation needs not met by other local, state, or federal resources
• Administering after-school and/or summer learning programs, including summer academic acceleration
• Developing and implementing data collection tools to track outputs and outcomes from this initiative

The above-mentioned examples are not exhaustive. Additional activities in support of the academic achievement and successful integration of eligible students will be considered.

To ensure the broadest access to eligible children and their parent(s), services should be offered at a variety of times including during school hours, after school, and during the weekend, or online.

Project Duration:

FY24: Upon Approval* – 6/30/2024
FY25 Summer: 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2024

* 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.

Program Unit:

The Office of Language Acquisition (OLA)

Contact:

David Parker

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3466

Date Due:

Monday February 26, 2024

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants for FY24, and FY25 if appropriate)
  • FY24 Part I
  • FY25 Part I
  
  
• Part III — Required Program Information — Grant Narrative Form, including
  • School Year: FY2024 Part II — Budget Details
  
  

• Summer: FY2025 Part II — Budget Details

Additional Information:

Districts are expected to provide a final report including:

• the total number of students and parents served through the Support to Schools Program
• A summary of grant successes and challenges

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.

In EdGrants, grantees are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

• FY24 652 District Name.

All required forms should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List of the Application Submission. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Executive Director's signature.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the grantee to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit the grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls document to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: January 30, 2024