21st Century Community Learning Center grants

Posted by on March 12, 2004

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Community and Student Services, announces the availability of federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant funding to provide academic activities to students and their families when school is not in session (before school, after school, and/or during holidays or summer recess.) The primary goal of these Centers is to assist students to meet state and local standards for core subjects, such as reading and mathematics, by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities. Centers may also offer participants a broad array of other services and programs, including art, music, character education, service learning, recreation activities and technology education. Ancillary services for adult family members, such as literacy instruction, may also be given. Contracts with successful applicants will be issued for a three-year period beginning Fall 2004, with the possibility of continuation for an additional two-year period. The minimum grant award is $50,000 per year.

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include any public or private organization that proposes to serve: (1) students who primarily attend (a) schools eligible for school wide programs under Title I, Section 1114 of the No Child Left Behind Act, or (b) schools that serve a high percentage of students (at least 40 percent) from low-income families; and (2) the families of students described in item (1).

Application Information: Detailed information outlining grant terms and conditions, pertinent regulations and the application process is contained in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Request-for-Application (RFA) document, which may be secured by these methods:

* Online at PDE?s website: <a href="http://www.pde.state.pa.us/21stcclc">http://www.pde.state.pa.us/21stcclc</a>
* Email Request: ksinnig@state.pa.us
* Voice Telephone Request: (717) 772-2813
* Text Telephone TTY: (717) 783-8445

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on April 30, 2004, at the Bureau of Community and Student Services, 333 Market Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333. Applications submitted after that time will be ineligible for consideration, as will be faxed or emailed applications.

Preproposal Conferences: Preproposal conferences to address technical questions regarding the application process and related state and federal requirements will be held on Friday, March 19 and Friday, April 2, 2004, in Harrisburg from 10 am to 1:00 pm at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Because space is limited, persons planning to attend must pre-register no later than one week before the session of their choice by contacting Kathleen Sinnig at ksinnig@state.pa.us, or 717.772-2813. Responses to questions asked at the preproposal conferences will be posted on the PDE website listed above.