ARCHIVED INFORMATION Horizontal line

Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2018

Increased Access to Quality Summer Learning and Transition Programs
Fund Code: 528-323

Purpose:	The purpose of this new state and federally funded competitive grant is to increase access to quality summer learning programs and to assist students with the transition into elementary, middle, or high school.
Key Grant Requirements:	Supports the expansion of an existing summer program by adding more students and/or the creation of a new summer program; Offers engaging and innovative hands-on programming that builds core academic knowledge and skills, as well as social and emotional competencies, which will help prepare students to transition successfully into elementary, middle or high school; Offers enrichment activities that will help to close opportunity gaps; Connects to research-based turnaround practices; Creates a culturally responsive and welcoming environment; and Partners with other schools and community-based organizations. At a minimum, a partnership with at least one feeder school and at least one of the recipient schools is required.
Eligibility:	Massachusetts Level 5 districts (for any elementary, middle or high school) and other districts with a Level 4 or 5 elementary, middle or high school, based on 2017 accountability determinations: 2017 Lists of Massachusetts Schools and Districts by Accountability and Assistance Level . Please note: If the applicant also applies for the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Fund Code 644 Summer Enhancement grant funding opportunity, the intended goal for each source of funding should be different (e.g., grade levels targeted, adding hours to program versus adding students, etc.). The Department reserves the right to consider additional factors such as geographic distribution and diversity of school and program type in making final award decisions.
Funding Type:	Fund Code 528 State Fund Code 323 Federal CFDA 84.010
Funding:	Approximately $150,000 is available through the state After-School and Out-of-School Grants line item 7061-9611, and approximately $150,000 is available through federal Title I funding. Applicants may apply for up three schools for the following: up to $20,000 per school to add more students to an existing program and/or up to $50,000 per school to create a new summer program. Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding is to become available it will be distributed under the same guideline as listed in the initial RFP document.
Fund Use:	Applicants may apply for up to three sites to serve students entering into elementary, middle, or high schools. 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 Student and Family Support. Note: Funds cannot be used to pay students to participate in these programs.
Project Duration:	School Year: Upon Approval – 6/30/2018 (for planning and recruitment) Summer: 7/1/2018 – 8/31/2018 (for summer programming)
Program Unit:	Office of Student and Family Support
Contact:	Allison Smith 781-338-3232
Required Prior to Grant Submission:	Department Notification of Intent to Apply by Friday, March 2, 2018, via email noting the district and the number of schools to be included in application to asost@doe.mass.edu. Important Note: Submission of the Intent to apply does not obligate the applicant to submit a proposal nor is an Intent required, in order to apply.
Date Due:	Intent to Apply: Friday, March 2, 2018 Full Proposals: Friday, March 16, 2018
Required Forms:	Part I - General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants) Part I - School Year Part I - Summer Part II - Budget Workbook Part III - Required Program Information Note: Applicants must submit a separate signature page (Part I) and budget (Part II) for both school year (upon approval - 6/30/2018) and summer (7/1/2018 - 8/31/2018) activities/expenditures.
Additional Information:	Based on the criteria noted in the eligibility section, eligible applicant districts include Athol-Royalston, Boston, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, New Bedford, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester. Questions Webinars: Due to the competitive nature of this grant program, all questions about the Funding Opportunity documents and process will be addressed during Grant Question Webinars. Any questions must be emailed to asost@doe.mass.edu (with the subject: FC 528/323 Question) and then a date(s) and time(s) for webinar(s) will be confirmed after question(s) are received. If you would like to listen in on any webinars even if you did not submit a question, please also email asost@doe.mass.edu (with subject FC 528/323 Webinars). A narrative evaluation on the funded activities and outcomes of the program(s), including a section specifically on lessons learned that could be shared with others, is requested by the Department by September 30, 2018. For Grant Management processes, including the Request for Funds, information about requesting funds beyond the initial payment, and additional details on managing your grant, see this webpage: EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.
Submission Instructions:	Email one (1) complete set of all required documents, in their original Word or Excel formats (i.e., not converted to a PDF), and email one scanned version of both Part I documents (school year and summer), to asost@doe.mass.edu by the date noted above. Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and attach Part I and Part III in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.