FY2025: Recovery High School Program

Fund Code: 0791

Purpose:

The goal of this state-funded targeted 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, Recovery High School (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 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 competencies;
• implement strategies that support the Department's Educational Vision to develop systems to support the whole student and advance equitable learning opportunities and re-envision learning experiences for students across the Commonwealth;
• 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 diagnosed with substance use disorder and are in recovery as an active and ongoing engagement of change;
• drug test students at random intervals, and when there is suspicion of relapse, in order to inform individual recovery plans and goals; and
• provide clinical supervision to all staff on a regular basis and as needed.

Eligibility:

All entities that currently operate existing Recovery High Schools in Massachusetts and who have a strategic plan on file with the Department.

Funding Type:

State 7061-9607

Funding:

Approximately $2,700,000 is anticipated to be available. The maximum amount for which an applicant can apply is $540,000.

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:

Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined above and as described in the budget, budget narrative, and required program information that are submitted to the Department's Office of Student and Family Support.

Project Duration:

Pending budget appropriation:

Upon approval* (no earlier than 7/1/2024) – 6/30/2025

* 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.

Contingent on funding appropriation and implementing requirements each year, future funds may be available in FY26 for entities operating a RHS.

Program Unit:

Office of Student and Family Support

Contact:

Samantha Graham

Phone Number:

781-338-6305

Date Due:

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Additional Information and Requirements:

Each approved program is required to participate in the following:

• 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.

Submission Instructions:

The FY2025 Fund Code 0791 Recovery High Schools Grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will be taking the place of EdGrants. All information including any required forms will be available and collected in GEM$.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Each district eligible to receive a FC 0791 grant will be contacted and given specific instructions on how to access and navigate the application in GEM$.

Please Note: Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off. All these roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging into the system.

Last Updated: April 17, 2024