FY2022: Recovery High School Program

Fund Code: 791

Purpose:

The goal of this state-funded continuation grant is to support the implementation of Recovery High School (RHS) Programs, as set forth in M.G.L. c. 71, § 91.

In partnership with a public school or educational collaborative, RHS programs provide a structured plan of recovery for Massachusetts students, ages 14–21, who have been diagnosed with substance use disorder. Additionally, RHS programs offer students a comprehensive four-year high school education, while supporting the individual needs of youth in recovery. These programs work with students on developing and following an individualized recovery plan and an educational plan that meets their academic requirements.

Priorities:

This grant program prioritizes funds to support the operation of Recovery High Schools that:

• address the expectations in the Massachusetts Recovery High School Program Guidelines ;
• incorporate trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive strategies and practices;
• use a culturally responsive approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and articulate strategies to strengthen social emotional competences;
• provide individual and group counseling;
• have developed policies procedures, protocols and best practices regarding the interactions between staff and students;
• offer detailed plans which describe ways to access community-based supports when students are not in school;
• admit and retain students who are in recovery from a substance use disorder and are substance-free;
• drug test students at random intervals, and when there is suspicion of relapse, in order to inform individual recovery plans and goals;
• provide clinical supervision to all staff on a regular basis and as needed.

Eligibility:

All entities awarded a competitive Recovery High Schools grant in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY2021) are eligible to apply for FY2022 continuation funding.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

Approximately $2,500,000 is available. The maximum amount for which an applicant can apply is $500,000.

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 guidelines set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department).

Fund Use:

Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined above 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.

Project Duration:

Upon approval – 6/30/2022

Program Unit:

Office of Student and Family Support

Contact:

Samantha Graham

Phone Number:

781-338-6305

Date Due:

Friday, June 18, 2021

Required Forms:

• Part I — General Program Unit Signature Page (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• Part II — Budget (submitted in EdGrants)

• Part III — Required Program Information

Additional Information and Requirements:

Each approved program is required to participate in the following:

• a series of Instructional Rounds as determined by the Department,
• scheduled leadership meetings with the Department, and
• site visits conducted by the Department requiring, in part, RHS programs to self-asses their programs based on expectations found in the Massachusetts Recovery High School Program Guidelines .

To support students with disabilities who are attending RHS programs, there is an administrative advisory entitled: Recovery High Schools and Students Eligible for Special Education.

The Need for Recovery High Schools:

Students with substance use disorders are at risk for a variety of adverse outcomes. Many of these youth have experienced a gap in their academic career because of time spent in treatment or chronic absence related to drug/alcohol use/misuse. These students are at risk of dropping out of high school or falling severely behind in their academics, in addition to other long-term risks.

According to 2019 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

• 15.0% of high school students reported binge drinking in the last 30 days
• 26.0% of high school students used marijuana in the past 30 days
• 3.7% of high school students report ever using cocaine

The RHS programs are specialized settings in which students who are committed to recovery can pursue their academic and personal goals in a supportive, sober, safe, structured school environment where recovery efforts are understood, valued and fostered.

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

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

FY22 FC791 - Recovery High School Grant [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 organization. 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, Information and Trainings.

Please note: It is up to the applicant 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 to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: June 4, 2021