Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is accepting requests for proposals (RFPs) for the 2023 Nita M. Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) funding. Youth-serving organizations and local educational agencies are invited to apply for the funds to design and implement high-quality, academic-focused afterschool programs in the state.
The 21st CCLC program provides students access to high-quality and engaging afterschool activities that support their learning and development and assists them in obtaining state educational standards. Funding provides students with homework assistance, tutoring and a broad array of enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs during out-of-school times. Additionally, this grant requires grantees to engage parents and caregivers in their children’s learning.
The RFP will be available on the WVDE website on Feb. 15, 2023. The WVDE anticipates new grantee awards will range from $50,000 to $260,000 per year for five years, with funds adjusted annually based on performance and sustainability efforts. The number and size of awards will depend on the availability of federal funds, the average daily attendance of students being served and the successful application score process of this highly competitive program.
The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provided a small amount of funding to offer afterschool programming for middle and high school students. This funding is specifically for organizations that are not currently a 21st CCLC grantee. On Feb. 28, 2023 at 10 a.m., an online meeting will be held to discuss this opportunity. Interested groups must register here to receive the meeting information.
A Bidders’ Conference will be held in Charleston at the Equities Building located at 900 Virginia Street East, Room 226, beginning at 10 a.m. on Mar. 1, 2023. An additional meeting will be in Morgantown at the Monongalia County Board Office Annex located at 13 South High Street beginning at 10 a.m. on Mar. 2, 2023. Its purpose is to describe the 21st CCLC expectations and requirements. To attend the event, please register online. There is no cost to attend.
For details about the RFP process, contact Sherry Swint at sherry.swint@k12.wv.us or David Lee at david.lee@k12.wv.us or call 304-558-7805.
For media inquiries, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 833-627-2833 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.
