1. Q: Does the partnership have to include a financial commitment and/or services or can they act as an advisor?A partnership may or may not include a financial commitment. ODE defines partnership as a group of organizations, Tribes, districts or individuals who agree to work together with a common interest and shared vision. In a partnership, there is a high level of trust and two-way communication, and differences in power and privilege are addressed. Roles and responsibilities on all sides are well-defined and developed with shared authority in decision making. There might be shared space and staff, with expectations and agreements in writing.
2. Q: What if the main partner (CBO) has among other responsibilities, the responsibility of organizing and aligning multiple partners in support of a school or school district?
The partnership should have clearly defined responsibilities and have a significant and meaningful role in meeting the purpose and goals of the 21st CCLC program. The specific responsibilities are determined at the local level.
3. Q: Does ODE encourage partnerships with agencies, foundations, and private sector sponsors who are in a position to add resources for additional program features, expanded programming and reach to more students and families?
If we reach out for support from these organizations, are they predisposed to read and support worthy proposals?
While ODE continues to encourage partnerships between local education agencies and community partners to support expanded learning (before school, afterschool and summer) programs, partnerships should be developed at the local level to best capture the strengths and needs of the community the program serves. ODE has released guidance that highlights partnerships as a key element to quality programming. Please see the
Summer Learning Best Practice and
Companion Toolkit for more information.
4. Q: How do I know if the school prioritizes focal students in their school plan?
Applicants must prioritize focal student groups in the 21st CCLC program. It is not necessary for the school/district to prioritize focal students in the school day program; however, you can find this information in districts Aligning for Student Success Plans that are required to be posted on district websites.
5. Q: Does the 21st CCLC program have to provide all the accommodations (e.g. 1:1 support) outlined in the IEP including special transportation if needed?
It depends on what is written in the student's IEP. Applicants should consider an intentional and explicit focus on identifying and addressing the needs of students experiencing disabilities, removing barriers to access to afterschool and summer programs, improving collaboration, and providing targeted resources and support in 21st CCLC programs.
6. Q: Is there flexibility with the hours of the Program Director and Center Coordinator roles?
Projects must employ a 21st CCLC Program Director for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Salary and benefits must be adequate to employ a highly skilled individual in this role. Full-time Program Directors should be considered for all grants. Additionally, center-based coordination (Center Coordinator) within multi-site proposals is required. A minimum of 20 hours weekly is generally needed for this role for one site or center. Single site grants may merge Program Director and Center Coordinator duties.
7. Q: Are we limited to a part time program director, or could we make this a full time position where this is the person's only job. The importance of this seems to warrant the highest level of care and oversight.
Yes. Full-time Program Directors should be considered for all grants. Applicants should have enough leadership capacity to fully implement the program.
8. Q: If the application is based on a partnership, (district and a CBO) is the CBO considered a contractor?
A partnership may or may not include a financial commitment. ODE defines partnership as a group of organizations, Tribes, districts or individuals who agree to work together with a common interest and shared vision. In a partnership, there is a high level of trust and two-way communication, and differences in power and privilege are addressed. Roles and responsibilities on all sides are well-defined and developed with shared authority in decision making. There might be shared space and staff, with expectations and agreements in writing.
9. Q: Does the grant require letters of support?
No. However, applicants must complete and submit Attachment #3 the Lead Applicant and Partner Commitment form which serves as a formal commitment to the partnership for the life of the grant.
10. Q: Are there some model programs we can take a look at?
21st CCLC programs are built upon the specific context, strengths, assets and needs of the community it serves. It's difficult to point out a model program because 21st CCLC programs vary across the state and nation. The U.S. Department of Education contracts with an organization called
You for Youth (Y4Y) which provides professional development related to high quality 21st CCLC programs. Another source for questions about quality programming is through
OregonAsk as they have many resources for expanded learning programs.
11. Q: If we previously received a grant and we have sustained a program that meets the school year service requirements. Can we apply to expand to provide a summer program?
All programs are expected to operate from September through June and up to the last week of the regular school year for a minimum of 300 program hours per school year and provide programming aligned to grant goals and objectives. The afterschool component of the program should be expanded or enhanced with 21st CCLC funds to create a comprehensive community learning center first. Funds may be braided with other local, state or federal sources. Applicants may then choose to expand to include a summer program.
12. Q: One partner cannot receive a significant portion of the funds - how much is significant?
The official lead applicant/fiscal agent is not permitted to act as a “flow through" to another recipient. The lead applicant/fiscal agent must be a partner in realizing the goals, objectives and outcomes of the 21st CCLC grant. Contracted services cannot make up more than 90 percent of the total annual budget.
13. Q: I have a question about the 90 hours attendance policy. Would a child have to attend every day that we are open? or could he have scheduled attendance like Tommy attends Monday, Wednesday, Friday and he attends every week those days? That way we could reach more children in our district.
All programs are expected to operate from September through June and up to the last week of the regular school year for a minimum of 300 program hours per school year
Page 9 of the RFA states “21st CCLC programs are not drop-in programs and should prioritize regular attendance for the duration of the program. To be considered a regular attendee a student must attend a minimum of 90 program hours. It is expected that 80 percent of participants in elementary and 60 percent of middle and high school participants will be regular attendees." The more a student attends, the more likely they are to realize all the benefits of these programs.