Grants to Massachusetts public schools, private schools, and community organizations for extracurricular initiatives that provide youth with academic, social, emotional, and physical programming throughout the year. Funding is also intended for the professional development of educators. The after-school and out-of-school time (ASOST) programs and services are inclusive of before-school, after-school, vacation, and summer programming as well as extensions to remote learning enrichment center/program hours beyond school time

Priorities:

The main priorities for this grant are to improve the quality of ASOST programs and services by supporting:

• Activities that enhance one or more of the quality criteria areas outlined in the Guidelines for Quality Enhancements in After-School and Out-of-School Time (see Additional Information) (Category A — Quality Enhancements);
  
• Regional and statewide professional development (PD), which may include networking opportunities, for other ASOST providers (Category B — Regional or Statewide PD/Networking);
  

Competitive Priority (for Category A) will be given to:

• Proposals developed collaboratively by public and non-public schools and private community-based programs. In order to receive this competitive priority, a letter of support from the partnership entities not serving as the lead applicant must be included. The letter should provide specific details on the collaboration.
  
• Proposals that include in-person programming. Note: While virtual/remote programming is allowed with these grant funds, proposals that include in-person programming that meets Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE, or Department) or Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) COVID-19 guidance will be awarded competitive priority.
  
• Proposals that add enhancements specifically to support the recovery of academic, social-emotional, and health/wellness skills and enrichment opportunities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include but is not limited to acceleration academiesi, drop out reengagement efforts, and elementary/middle/high school transition support.
  
• Proposals from programs that are actively working on program quality enhancements as part of the EEC mixed-delivery system. The mixed-delivery system includes licensed, license-exempt, and public school-based ASOST programs. To receive this competitive priority, selected grantees must agree to complete and submit a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) to their EEC Program Quality Specialist during the grant period.

Budget expenditures may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Staff and coordinator salaries related to the quality enhancement;
  
• COVID-19 costs needed to comply with DESE or EEC guidance;
• Professional development (PD) activities that meet Massachusetts Standards for PD;
• Stipends for staff involved in the delivery of services;
• Activities to promote family engagement;
• Additional costs associated with serving students with disabilities and/or students who are English learners;
• Activities to promote cultural responsiveness and equity;
• Activities to support program evaluation;
• Program materials and supplies related to quality enhancement; and
• Transportation. (Please note: vehicles may not be purchased with these funds.)