The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has released The Stronger Connections Grant competitive competitive grant application and public comment on the application and high needs LEA definition.
The Stronger Connections competitive grant aims to provide funding for LEAs to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive approach that prioritizes physical and emotional safety for their unique school community (SEC. 4108 [20 U.S.C. 7118]). Funded activities and practices should promote safe and supportive learning environments by prioritizing safety, creating a sense of belonging, and teaching positive behaviors in order to improve academic achievement and the well being of all students. All grant expenditures must supplement, not supplant.
APPLICATION
Please use The Stronger Connections Grant link to complete the application: The completed application should be emailed to SCG@ade.arkansas.gov.
A video explaining how to complete the application is available through this link: Stronger Connections Grant Video.
APPLICATION OVERVIEW
In order to complete the application, please make a copy of the application, fill it out and submit it to: SCG@ade.arkansas.gov
Getting Started
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify the school's needs surrounding a safer and healthier learning environment.
- The school team develops a plan for activities, practices and programs to include in the application.
Equitable Services
- The LEA must consult with any private schools in their district boundaries before filling out the application.
- The private schools' requests must fall within the scope of the LEA’s program. It does not have to be the same programs or purchases but it needs to be the same overall theme.
- The private school does not need to meet the high need category as long as the LEA does.
- If a private school chooses to participate in the BSCA grant program, the LEA will include the private schools’ enrollment as a part of the LEA’s total enrollment.
Grant Management
For support or additional information contact:
Application Timeline and Selection Process
- Grants applications will be accepted from May 1, 2023 through June 9, 2023.
- The competitive grant process will begin following the final date. Scoring will be based on the rubric below.
Grant Application Rubric
|
Application
|
Total Possible Points
|
|
Supporting Data/Description
|
25 points
|
|
Budget
|
25 points
|
|
Evaluation Plan and Sustainability
|
25 points
|
|
Total Application Points Available
|
75 points
|
|
Priority Points (will be added by ADE)
|
Total Possible Points
|
|
High rates of chronic absenteeism
|
5 points
|
|
High rates of poverty
|
5 points
|
|
Total Possible Priority Points Available
|
10 points
|
|
Total Overall Points Possible
|
85 points
|
Award Amounts
LEAs can receive a base amount based on the scale below + LEA student population x $25. Grant timeline is from 2023-2026. Funding must be obligated no later than September 30, 2026.
Grant Base Amount Scale
|
Enrollment*
|
Scale Multiplier
|
Base Funding
|
|
51-100
|
0.25
|
25,000
|
|
101-250
|
0.50
|
50,000
|
|
251-500
|
0.75
|
75,000
|
|
501-1,000
|
1.00
|
100,000
|
|
1,001-2,500
|
1.25
|
125,000
|
|
2,501-5,000
|
1.50
|
150,000
|
|
5,001-10,000
|
2.00
|
200,000
|
|
10,001-20,000
|
2.50
|
250,000
|
|
20,001-30,000
|
3.00
|
300,000
|
*Enrollment is calculated by adding the total number of students in the district (or consortium) + the total number of students in any participating private schools within the district.
Monitoring
The DESE will monitor all grantees to ensure funds are being expended as per guidelines. Grantees can mitigate risk by spending 33% or more of grant funds each year.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments may be submitted through THIS form. Public comments may also be submitted via regular U.S. mail to the following: Arkansas Department of Education, Federal Program Unit, Four Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, Box 26.
The DESE will accept Applications and Public Comment until 4:00 p.m. on June 9, 2023.
Attachments:
The Stronger Connections Grant Application
Stronger Connections Grant Video
Public Comment Form