February 19, 2020

Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) announces the 2020-2021 Nita M. Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) request for proposals (RFP). Youth-serving organizations are invited to apply for the funds which are used to design and implement centers 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. Eligible applicants are local education agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, city or county government agencies, for-profit corporations and other public or private entities. The 21st CCLC funding is used to provide students with homework assistance, tutoring and a broad array of enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs during out-of-school times.

The following details offer important information and guidance for the application process.

The target date for release of the RFP is February 25, 2020, and additional details are available at https://wvde.us/federal-programs/21st-cclc/.

An Intent to Apply Form must be received by the WVDE 21st CCLC program by May 1, 2020. Failure to provide the form will prevent participation in the 2020 Grant Competition. The form is a part of the Request for Proposal Document.

Funding Allocations: WVDE anticipates that new grantee awards will range from $50,000 to $220,000 per year for five years. The number and size of awards will depend on the availability of federal funds and the successful implementation of the program.

Bidder’s Conferences will be held at three locations for the ease of attendance by interested participants. Applicants may register for a conference of their choosing at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNaouCq1_Sm99BgF5IVY8sYmFUMVY0RE0wQTFGNDhORVJDMUdaNkFBWlZZTC4u.

Attendance is not a requirement for proposal submission. The conference locations and dates include:

  • Southern West Virginia, February 25, 2020, 1:00 p.m., Beckley Raleigh County Civic Center, 200 Armory Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
  • Northern Panhandle, March 3, 2020, 1:30 p.m., Oglebay Resort Wheeling, WV 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003
  • Eastern Panhandle March 5, 2020, 10:00 a.m., South Branch Inn, Romney, WV 64 Heritage Circle, Romney, WV 26757

Technical Assistance conference calls will be held at two locations. These will provide information regarding the 21st CCLC program and offer an opportunity for applicants to ask questions regarding the program, process and or requirements. Participants may join these calls as needed and dates include:

  • April 24, 2020, 10:00 a.m., access the Microsoft Team meeting by calling 304-553-7794 and using conference ID: 861 919 118#
  • May 15, 2020, 10:00 a.m., access the Microsoft Team meeting by calling 304-553-7794 and using conference ID: 417 061 669#

Deadline for Intent to Apply Form is May 1, 2020. Failure to provide form by May 1, 2020, will prevent the applicant from participating in the 2020 Grant Competition.

For details about the RFP process or  information, 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 Special Assistant to the State Superintendent Dr. Carla Warren at Carla.Warren@k12.wv.us or 304-558-2699.