The goals of this state funded safe and supportive schools continuation grant program are to:
Help support implementation of school-wide action plans created by Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (FY2020) Fund Code 335 (FC 335) Option 1 grantees in the prior year, and
Continue, expand, or extend the implementation and mentor/support efforts by FY2020 FC 335 Option 2 grantees.
These districts* (and their selected schools) have worked towards organizing, integrating, and sustaining school and district-wide efforts to create safe and supportive school environments. As part of this work, Option 1 grantees created action plans in FY2020 (2019-2020) based on their insights gained from completing the Safe and Supportive Schools (SaSS) Self-Reflection Tool (Tool). Schools supported through these continuation grants are also expected to incorporate these action plans into their school improvement plans developed under MGL, c. 69, s. 1I. Grantees are also strongly encouraged to consider how to align their SaSS action plans with their school reopening plans described in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (Department) Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance. Option 2 grantees created action plans in FY2019 or earlier and were awarded competitive funds in FY2020 to implement or extend these action plans. Option 2 grantees also served as mentors and/or provided support to other Tool users, the Department, the Safe and Supportive Schools Commission, or others during the 2019-2020 school year.
*Please note that in this grant program, "district" may refer to school district, regional school district, collaborative, charter school, or vocational school.
The 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 Tool. An additional priority for Option 2 grantees is to provide mentoring and support in a variety of ways related to using the Tool, developing and implementing action plans, and other areas as appropriate.
Massachusetts school districts that received FY2020 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 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 FY2020 FC 335 grant supported a team of school and district stakeholders to create school and district action plans (FY2020 Option 1 grantees), or where the grant supported implementation activities and mentor/support activities (FY2020 Option 2 grantees).
Eligible Districts and Maximum Funding Amounts (Option 2 grantees are indicated with an asterisk):
State
Approximately $126,000 is available to support these grants.
Applicants are eligible for up to the amounts listed in the Eligibility section above
Notes about funding:
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.
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 FY2021 application (or as part of the FY2020 FC 335 grant).
All applicants may consider partnering with Educational Collaboratives or other consultants to help facilitate the implementation process.
FY2020 Option 2 grantees may also use funds for mentor/support activities.
Upon Approval – 6/30/2021 andSummer FY22 — 7/1/2021 – 8/30/2021
The start date on each grant project is based on having a complete substantially approvable grant in EdGrants. No grants can have a start date prior EdGrants submission.
Student and Family Support
Emily Taylor
(781) 338-6313
Friday, August 21, 2020
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 it is entered in EdGrants.
School and District Action PlansAction plans must be received by the Department for all schools included for funding under FY2021 FC 337. Option 1 grantee action plans should have been submitted during the FY2020 FC335 grant cycle and do not need to be resubmitted. 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. If action plans have not been submitted, or you would like to submit updated versions, please submit along with this grant application in EdGrants.
Program Evaluation and Professional DevelopmentGrantees shall participate in professional development (e.g., conferences, webinars, and/or regional events, etc. likely all to be held virtually for the 2020-2021 school year) 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:
FY2021 FC337 Safe and Supportive [Applicant Name]
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 application 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: July 28, 2020
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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