Applications open for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Competition
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen will host a grant template meeting for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Competition at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 via Zoom.
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) receives funding that is then funneled to local communities through a competitive process. These grants connect learning programs before school, after school, and during the summer months for families that meet economic thresholds.
These programs serve participating students while engaging families in the areas of:
- academic support in math and reading
- music and art
- health and wellness
- technology and career development
- drug and violence prevention
- social skill development
The grant template is set to be released during the informational meeting Dec. 1. The grant deadline is Feb. 9.
Qualifying public and nonpublic schools and community programs are eligible to receive federal grant awards between $70,000 and $250,000 a year for five years. During the last grant cycle, which was Fiscal Year 2020, there were 11 approved applications in Montana.
To join Thursday’s meeting or learn more about the grant competition, visit opi.mt.gov.