Title IV, Part B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Program Information

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NEW! 2024-2027 NCDPI Cohort 17 21st CCLC Competitive Grant Program

On February 1, 2024, the NC State Board of Education approved the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to launch the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Cohort 17 Competition for the 2024-2027 school year for any Public School Unit (PSU) or Non-PSU organizations [NPO (Non-Profit Organization), CBO (Community Based Organization), FBO (Faith Based Organizations), For-Profit, IHE (Institutions of Higher Education), City/Local Gov].

Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, the purpose of Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Programs is to provide federal funds to establish or expand community learning centers that operate during out-of-school hours providing three specific services: intentional academic support, quality enrichment experiences, and family engagement opportunities.

The competitive grant opportunity will be processed through the CCIP system. Grant amounts will range from $50,000 to $500,000 depending on 1) needs identified in the community and schools; 2) scope of the program; 3) proposed number of students served; and 4) program design. Depending on funding availability, grant awards may continue for up to three years (through Summer 2027).

To determine the number of reviewers required to support the NCDPI Cohort 17 Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Competition, potential applicants are encouraged to submit an electronic Notice of Intent by March 1, 2024. Please note submission of a Notice of Intent is not a requirement to apply for the grant, nor does it oblige the organization to apply.

The Cohort 17 RFP (Request for Proposals) document is linked at the bottom of this announcement. If you meet the eligibility requirements to apply, we welcome you to do so.

 

Intent to Apply

FINAL Cohort 17 RFP 2.5.24

Final Cohort 17 FAQs

21st CCLC Cohort 17 Equitable Funding County List

 

Two technical assistance webinars were held to support potential grantees. To view the recordings and slides from those webinars click the links below:

Webinar 1: Overview of RFP and How to Apply: February 28, 2024, from 10 am-12 noon  

 

Recording link: Cohort 17 RFP Day 1

Password: hZtVmtD2

Cohort 17 RFP Day 1 PowerPoint

Webinar 2: Application Guidance and Rubric Overview: February 29, 2024, from 10 am-12 noon  

 

Recording Link: Cohort 17 RFP TA Day 2

Password: 2mYS3x7D

Cohort 17 RFP Day 2 PowerPoint

 

The 21 st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program is authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The purpose of the 21st CCLC program is to provide federal funds to establish or expand community learning centers that operate during out-of-school hours with three specific purposes:

  1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students (particularly students in high poverty areas and those who attend low-performing schools) meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and mathematics.
  2. Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as: youth development activities; service learning; nutrition and health education; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; arts, music, physical fitness and wellness programs; technology education programs; financial literacy programs; environmental literacy programs; mathematics, science, career and technical programs; internship or apprenticeship programs; and other ties to an in-demand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.
  3. Offer families of students served by 21 st CCLCs opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

Any public or private organization wanting to provide out-of-school programs for K-12 students in North Carolina is eligible to apply for a 21st CCLC grant. Agencies and organizations eligible under the 21st CCLC program include, but are not limited to, local education agencies (LEAs), non-profit agencies, city or county government agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and for-profit corporations. The 21 st CCLC grant funds are solely available on a reimbursement request basis for actual allowable expenditures. Organizations are eligible to receive reimbursement grants of not less than $50,000 and up to $400,000 a year, based on the number of students served, with an opportunity for a second and third year of funding.

Purpose of Program

The 21st CCLC program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The program provides before and after-school, weekend, and summer school academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low-performing schools to help them meet local and state academic standards in subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science. In addition, programs may provide activities for youth development, drug and violence prevention, art, music, technology, character education, counseling, and recreation to enhance the program's academic components. The program also supports a component for family literacy and community outreach.

 

21st CCLC under the ESSA

Section 4204(a) of the ESSA defines Expanded Learning Program (ELP) activities as enrichment and engaging academic activities that are included as part of a program that provides students at least 300 additional program hours before, during, or after the traditional school day and supplements, but does not supplant regular school day requirements. States receiving 21st CCLC funds may, but are not required, to support ELP activities. At this time, the North Carolina 21st CCLC program does not include ELP activities as defined under the ESSA in the competitive grant program.

Section 4204(j) of the ESSA notes that a state may, but is not required, to renew a subgrant provided under this part to an eligible entity, based on the eligible entity’s performance during the preceding subgrant period. While North Carolina does consider subgrant performance during the preceding year as a part of the Continuation award during the three-year award period, North Carolina does not currently offer renewability as allowed under the ESSA.