2024 GRANT APPLICATION
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Program – West Virginia 21st Century Community Learning Centers
The 2024 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Request for Proposals is now closed.
This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly those who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math. It also offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs. Additionally, the program supports participating students’ families and offers literacy and other educational services to families.
The West Virginia Department of Education makes competitive grants, based on available federal funding, to eligible organizations that implement community learning centers to assist student learning and development.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and Grant FAQS:
The West Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce its statewide competition for grants to establish and/or expand 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) that will assist learning and development for school-age children and their families during out-of-school time.
Public and private organizations may apply for funding. Examples of public and private organizations include but are not limited to the following: local education agencies, non-profit agencies, city and county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education and for-profit agencies.
Application information should be made available in February of each year on this website. Information will also be announced through WVDE social media and other communication channels.
Each local 21st CCLC grant application must describe information such as:
- an evaluation of the community and student needs for an afterschool program and available resources for the learning center,
- evidence-based activities and practices to be funded,
- how the activities will improve student achievement and family engagement,
- descriptions of quality staff, facilities, and transportation,
- collaborative partnerships and sustainability, and
- other provisions requested in the application package.
The 2024 21st CCLC grant competition is now closed.
Bidders’ Conference
The WVDE typically provides two in-person Bidders’ Conferences in different areas of the state. Additional virtual technical assistance calls are also provided.
The number of grants awarded is based on the amount of federal funds received annually by WVDE. By federal statute, a 21st CCLC grant may not be less than $50,000 and no matching funds are required. The maximum amount of funding is $250,000. The WVDE has the discretion to award grants for a period of 5 years. Funding is based on average daily attendance. Funding is reduced to 80% of original funding in year 4 and 70% in year 5.
The WVDE conducts a competitive peer review process in the spring of each year with funding expected to begin the following July contingent on the availability of funds from the US Department of Education. Applicants are notified when the process is complete, which is typically in July.
Students and families who live in high-poverty communities and attend low-performing schools.
Funds may be used for the following listed activities:
- Academic enrichment learning programs, mentoring programs, remedial education activities, and tutoring services that are aligned with the challenging State academic standards and any local academic standards,
- Evidence based curricula designed to improve student academic achievement,
- Well-rounded education activities, including such activities that enable students to be eligible for credit recovery or attainment,
- Literacy education programs, including financial literacy programs and environmental literacy programs,
- Programs that support a healthy and active lifestyle, including nutritional education and regular, structured physical activity programs,
- Services for individuals with disabilities,
- Programs that provide after-school activities for students who are English learners that emphasize language skills and academic achievement.
- Cultural programs,
- Telecommunications and technology education programs,
- Expanded library service hours,
- Parenting skills programs that promote parental engagement, family literacy, and adult skill development,
- Programs that provide assistance to students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled to allow the students to improve their academic achievement,
- Drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, and
- Programs that build skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including computer science, and that foster innovation in learning by supporting nontraditional STEM education teaching methods; and
Additionally, Programs may partner with in-demand fields of the local workforce or build career competencies and career readiness and ensure that local workforce and career readiness skills are aligned with the Carl D Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C 2301 et seq.) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
Applicants are reminded of their obligation under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to ensure that their proposed community learning centers programs are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The following are the priorities:
- Applications submitted jointly by school districts receiving Title I funds and community-based organizations or other public or private organizations will be awarded two priority points.
- Applicants that propose to serve only schools identified by WVDE as Comprehensive Support and Improvement or Targeted Support schools designated as needing improvement under section 1116 of ESEA will receive two priority points.
- Geographic Diversity: To expand the geographic distribution of programs, one priority point will be awarded to applications that propose to serve schools in the following counties: Braxton, Brooke, Doddridge, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Jefferson, Lewis, Marshall, Mercer, Mineral, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel, and Wyoming.
- STEM: Programs that propose to provide substantial opportunities for participants in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or for participants in science, technology, art, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) will be awarded one priority point. A separate objective focused on STEM/STEAM must be listed in the action plan and further described in the Quality Program and Implementation section to receive the point.
Applicants that propose to offer afterschool programs to only middle school and/or high school students will receive one priority point. These points are for applicants whose proposal only serves middle and/or high school students.