Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2027: Recovery High School Program

Fund Code: 0791

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 . Operated in partnership with a public school or educational collaborative, RHS programs offer Massachusetts students with a substance use disorder an alternative educational option in which they engage students in a process of growth and development to support their recovery while still working towards their high school diploma. These programs work with students to co-design plans and pathways that are personalized to each student’s needs and goals.

This grant supports the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (Department's or DESE's) Educational Vision and priorities by supporting the whole student using culturally responsive practices to meet their academic needs and support their improved and continued attendance in school while preparing them to pursue their post-secondary goals.

Priorities:

The grant prioritizes funds to operate Recovery High School programs that:

  • address the expectations in the Massachusetts Recovery High School Framework ;
  • have a full-time leader to oversee the implementation of the grant to ensure the continued development and growth of Massachusetts RHS programs which includes, but is not limited to, outreach and communication to local schools and communities to continue to build awareness of these programs and establish partnerships;
  • have an intentional educational structure within the program that includes a rigorous academic course of study that demonstrates the use of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and provides authentic contextual learning experiences that assists in preparing students for their next steps such as college and career;
  • incorporate the use of equitable, culturally responsive and trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive strategies and practices; and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to strengthen social emotional competences;
  • offer detailed plans which describe ways to access community-based supports when students are not in school;
  • have students complete drug testing 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 currently operating Recovery High School programs.

Funding Type:

State Line Item 7061-9607

The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Funding:

Pending appropriation, approximately $2,500,000 is anticipated to be available. Currently operating RHS programs can apply for a base funding amount of $500,000. Based on enrollment and meeting grant priorities, including expectations in the Massachusetts RHS Framework, each currently operating RHS program can apply for additional funding ranging from $62,000–$85,000. Total maximum amounts that eligible entities can apply for are as follows:

  • Independence Academy Recovery High School (Brockton): $685,000
  • Northshore Recovery High School (Beverly): $685,000
  • Rockdale Recovery High School (Worcester): $562,000
  • William J. Ostiguy High School (Boston): $562,000

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.

Additional funding to support students attending RHS programs is provided by the student’s home district. Home districts of enrolled students at RHS programs are required, under M.G.L. c. 71, § 91 , to transfer the state average foundation per pupil budget to the RHS program.

Fund Use:

Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined and as described in an approved budget, budget narrative, and required program information that is submitted to the Department. Transportation is not an allowable cost.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (No earlier than 7/1/2026)* – 6/30/2027 (subject to appropriation)

Pending budget appropriation, per the FY26 competitive RFP, one additional year of continuation funding will be available, for a total grant period of three (3) years — fiscal year 2025-2026 (FY26), FY27 and FY28.

Continued funding in FY28 will be contingent upon implementing grant requirements in FY27.

* 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 DESE receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date. The Grant Award Notice (GAN) issued in GEM$ is the official award notice for grant funds.

Program Unit:

Office Student and Family Support

Contact:

Samantha Graham

Phone Number:

(781) 338-6305

Date Due:

Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

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.

Required Forms:

All required forms and information must be submitted directly into DESE's Grants for Education Management System (GEM$) system. See Submission Instructions below for details.

The following are required to be entered or uploaded directly into GEM$:

  • Admission protocols, policy and procedures used for student enrollment
  • Drug Testing protocols, policy and procedures
  • Community Based Organizations (CBO) are required to submit an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CBO and partnering District(s)
Additional Information:

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 Framework .

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 FY27 0791 Recovery High School program must be submitted in GEM$.

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 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 in to the system.

Last Updated: June 22, 2026

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