FY2023: 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

Funding:

Up to $1,520,000 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.

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:

FY23: Upon Approval* – 6/30/2023
FY24: 7/1/2023 – 8/31/2023 if applicable

** 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:

Friday January 27, 2023

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page(s) — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)
  • FY23 Part I
  • FY24 Part I (if applicable)
  
  
• FY24 Part II Budget — Attached as an excel document in EdGrants (if applicable)
  • Note: Enter FY23 Budget directly in EdGrants Budget Entry formlet
  
  

• Part III — Required Program Information — Grant Narrative Form

Additional Information:

Reporting requirements include:

• School districts can serve parents through the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) Support to Schools program, and need to include parents in their data if they provide a particular service (i.e. school orientation, parent liaison, special education access support, interpretation for school meetings, etc.). Required data includes First, Middle (if available), Last Name of Parent.
• The following data needs to be reported for students served through the ARSI Support to Schools program:

First, Middle (if available), Last Name

Gender

Date of Birth

MA Town/City of Residence

School District

Support to Schools Enrollment Date

Grade in School

Support to Schools Exit Date

• Enrollment Date and Exit Date refer to the dates of the program serving the students.
• The following data needs to be reported in the aggregate for students served through the ARSI Support to Schools Program:

Number held back at the end of school year

Number that made measurable academic progress

• School districts can serve parents through the ARSI/S2S program, and need to include parents in their data if they provide a particular service (i.e. school orientation, parent liaison, special education access support, interpretation for school meetings, etc.).
• Districts will submit the above data at the conclusion of the grant cycle. Data can be emailed to David Parker .

Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants

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

FY23 FC 652 Afghan Refugee Support (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 FY23 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 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 to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: December 21, 2022