Request for Application (RFA) Release Date: Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at 12 p.m.
As authorized by the Community Schools Incentive Act of 2012, as amended, (DC Official Code § 38-754.01 et seq), the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) – Division of Systems and Supports, K-12 is soliciting grant applications for the FY21 District of Columbia Community Schools Incentive Initiative Grant. The overall goal of the grant is to provide resources that will enable eligible consortia to create and enhance community-based partnerships and develop a framework for continued funding as well as ongoing evaluation of program success. A “community school” is a public and private partnership to coordinate educational, developmental, family, health, and after-school-care programs during school and non-school hours for students, families, and local communities at a public school or public charter school with the objectives of improving academic achievement, reducing absenteeism, building stronger relationships between students, parents, and communities, and improving the skills, capacity, and well-being of the surrounding community residents. The grant is supported through local funds to increase student achievement and address many of the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged communities.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria: OSSE will make these grants available through a competitive process to eligible consortia. An “eligible consortium” is a partnership established between a local education agency (LEA) in DC and one or more community partners for the purposes of establishing, operating, and sustaining a community school. OSSE will give priority to eligible consortiums that include:
- A focus on mental health and associated treatment services;
- A student population where more than 60 percent of the students are at-risk as defined in DC Official Code § 38-2901(2A); and
- A focus on improving academic outcomes for students.
Applications will be scored on the following selection criteria: grant requirements/features, program implementation and monitoring, financial management and sustainability and service of priority areas.
Length of Award: The FY21 grant award period ends on Sept. 30, 2021. Subject to funding availability and continued compliance with grant terms and conditions, successful applicants shall be eligible for three years of grant funding.
Available Funding for Awards: The total funding available for the FY21 award period is $1,221,823.44. An eligible consortium may apply for an award amount up to $152,727.93 and, subject to funding availability and compliance with grant terms and conditions, shall be eligible for continued funding for two additional years, for a total of three years. Subject to funding availability, OSSE may award up to eight grant awards. Grant funds shall only be used to support activities authorized by the relevant statutes and included in the applicant’s submission.
Application Process: OSSE will be holding a pre-application webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 at 1 p.m. to answer questions about the RFA and grant competition. [Register] Please see the full RFA for a detailed timeline of events.
An external review panel will be convened to review, score, and rank each application. The review panel will be composed of neutral, qualified, professional individuals selected for their expertise, knowledge or related experiences. The application will be scored against a rubric and application will have multiple reviewers to ensure accurate scoring. Upon completion of its review, the panel shall make recommendations for awards based on the scoring rubric. The State Superintendent or her designee will make all final award decisions. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 9, 2020. OSSE estimates that it will award grants by Nov. 30, 2020; however, this date may change.
For additional information regarding this competition:
Melissa Harper-Butler
Program Analyst
Special Programs Unit Division of Systems and Supports, K-12
1050 First Street NE, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 478-2409
Email: [email protected]
The RFA will be available on the DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Services website and OSSE’s website. Applications will be submitted through the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
