The purpose of 21st CCLC grants is to fund quality afterschool programs that provide opportunities for academic enrichment and tutorial services to help students meet state academic standards. Other programs, activities and services that can be offered include youth development activities, service learning, nutrition and health education, drug and violence prevention, counseling, arts, music, physical fitness and wellness, technology education, financial literacy, environmental literacy, mathematics, science, career and technical programs and internship or apprenticeship programs. All activities should reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students. Programs are also required to offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their child's education, including opportunities for literacy and related education development.
Performance goals for all 21st CCLC programs include:
- Improve academic outcomes in content areas for attending participants.
- Improve the personal competencies of students attending the program including social interaction and skills, emotional management and control, self-efficacy, empathy for others, work habits and reflection.
- Provide active and meaningful engagement for families to engage in their student's education.
Examples of allowable expenditures include, but are not limited to:
- Salaries and employer taxes (FICA and Medicare) for program staff.
- Professional development activities, including travel.
- Field Trips that are academically aligned to the program curriculum and the achievement of the grant awarded goals.
- Educational equipment required for implementing program activities
- Materials and supplies associated with program activities.
- Student transportation
- Indirect Costs
- Academic enrichment learning programs, mentoring programs, remedial education activities and tutoring services that are aligned with state and local standards
- Programs that build skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including computer science and programs that foster innovation in learning by supporting non-traditional STEM teaching method
- Participation in the arts, including visual art, music, dance and drama
- Literacy education programs, including financial and environmental literacy programs
- Programs that support a healthy lifestyle, including nutritional education and regular structured physical activity programs;
- Service for individuals with disabilities
- Programs that provide activities for students who are English learners that emphasize language skills and academic achievement
- Development of physical fitness and motor skills through physical activity
- Opportunities for problem-solving that strengthen decision-making and higher level thinking skills
- Cultural programs
- Technology programs
- Parenting skills programs that promote parental engagement and family literacy
- Background checks for program employees
2021-2022 awardees can be seen at https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2021-2022_List_of_Grantees_and_Grant_Cycle_9-9-21__(attach_2)_(002)_20210910100957.docx
21st CCLC programs may not charge participation fees during the grant period. Programs must be equally accessible to all students targeted for services.