Safe and Drug-Free Schools-Mentoring Programs grant

Posted by on June 4, 2004

[posted from CTCNet-Philadelphia listserv]

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools-Mentoring Programs grant provides assistance to promote mentoring programs for children with greatest need that: (1) assist these children in receiving support and guidance from a mentor; (2) improve the academic performance of the children; (3) improve interpersonal relationships between the children and their peers, teachers, other adults, and family members; (4) reduce the dropout rate of the children; and (5) reduce juvenile delinquency and involvement in gangs by the children.

To be eligible for funding, a project must address the academic and social needs of children with the greatest need through school-based mentoring programs and activities and provide these students with mentors. These programs and activities must serve children with the greatest need in one or more grades 4th through 8th living in rural areas, high-crime areas, or troubled home environments, or who attend schools with violence problems.

In response to public comments received, the application contains significant changes from the notice of proposed priorities. In particular, the Department has revised the definition of "school-based mentoring" to mean "mentoring activities that are closely coordinated with schools, including the involvement of teachers, counselors, and other school staff in the identification and referral of students, and that are focused on improved academic achievement, reduced student referrals for disciplinary reasons, increased bonding to school, and positive youth development."

Under a competitive preference priority, five additional points will be added to a consortium of eligible applicants that includes either: a) at least one local education agency (LEA) and at least one faith-based or community organization (FBCO) other than a school that provides services to youth and families in the
community; or b) at least one private school that qualifies as a nonprofit FBCO and at least one other FBCO other than a school, that provides services to youth and families in the community.

Application Deadline is July 7, 2004.

The 2004 application package is available at
<a href="http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2004-2/052804f.html">http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2004-2/052804f.html</a>

A technical assistance webcast is available at <a href="http://www.connectlive.com/events/mentoring/">http://www.connectlive.com/events/mentoring/</a>

A sample quality proposal from a previous competition is available at <a href="http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/grants2.html#safe">http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/grants2.html#safe</a>

For more information, please contact:

Bryan Williams
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 3E259
Washington, DC 20202-6123
Telephone: (202) 260-2391
Email: bryan.williams@ed.gov

Earl Myers
Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 3E254
Washington, DC 20202-6450
Telephone: (202) 708-8846
E-mail: earl.myers@ed.gov