Grant Opportunities

Relevant Near Future Grant Opportunities

Please Note: Most of the information presented here are anticipated opportunities and are subject to change or many not actually be released. The summaries provided in many anticipated cases are based {on the last open round for this competition. It is possible that some of the information below will change when the new RFP is released.

Opportunity: Fund synchronous real-time interactive distance learning to expand educational opportunities from colleges and other schools. Recommended for districts with a municipal population with less than 10,000 and where students are not able to take courses due to low enrollment.

USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

The grant to provide distance learning in rural communities. There are three categories of eligible purposes: 1) equipment; 2) acquiring instructional programming, (to include video conferencing licenses); and 3) technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment. The intent of the program is to benefit rural areas (20,000 or less). Typical end-users are rural facilities such as elementary, secondary, and other educational institutions, rural hospitals, primary care centers, or other community facilities. The program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and clinicians with students in a rural school or on their personal device with both educational and clinical services.

Eligibility: Non-profits, School Districts (in communities of less than 20,000 people), hospitals, municipalities, government agencies, tribal governments.

Awards: Approximately 80 to 90 up to $1,000,000, 3-Year program.

Match: A 15% match is required.

Expected Release Date: November – December 2022

Analysis: This is a very achievable grant. Districts may purchase the equipment after they submit an application but would need to wait for reimbursement until the application is approved for funding. It is highly recommended that at least six schools and a community college participate to generate a robust network.

For More Information: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications- programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants

Opportunity: Extended Learning and Mental Health Grants

NYSED RECOVS – Extended Day and Mental Health Grants

General: The NYS Executive Budget includes a total of $100 million of NYSED funds over two years for a new State matching fund, the Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS), for school districts with the highest needs to create or expand summer learning, after-school, or extended- day and extended-year programs to help students recover academically. It will also support the hiring of mental health professionals, the expansion of school-based mental health services, and other evidence-based mental health supports to help students and school staff recover socio-emotionally. School districts will be required to match this State grant funding with their federal pandemic relief funds. The funding will service districts and BOCES with the highest needs to address student wellbeing and learning loss in response to the trauma brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes support for extended school day or school year programs, afterschool programs, mental health professionals and other locally determined initiatives. 

Funding: The NYS budget includes $100 million in matching funds over a two-year period to be provided to school districts and BOCES.

Will provide more information as it becomes available

Opportunity: Mental Health Training

BJA Preventing {STOP} School Violence – Mental Health Training General: Funds:

  • Train school personnel and educate students on preventing student violence against others and themselves.
  • Develop and operate technology solutions, such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and internet websites.
  • Develop and operate:
    • School threat assessment and intervention teams that may include coordination with law enforcement agencies and school personnel
    • Specialized training for school officials in responding to mental health crises
  • Support any other measure that, in the determination of the BJA Director, may provide a significant improvement in training, threat assessments and reporting, and violence prevention.

Eligibility: The grant has four categories, Categories 1 and 2 are for states. School districts and units of local government are eligible for Category 3 and 4.

Funding: For schools and public agencies, approximately 80 awards up to $750,000. Priorities: High-poverty areas

Expected Release Date: February-March 2023

For More Information: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/stop-school-violence-program/overview

Opportunity: Funding for school safety improvement.

School Violence Prevention Program

General: SVPP is designed to provide funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the grantee’s jurisdiction through evidence-based school safety programs. FY 2020 funding may be used for coordination with local law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent school violence against others and self; placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and any other measure that, in the determination of the COPS Office Director, may provide a significant improvement in security.

Eligible Costs:

SVPP funding will provide up to 75% funding for the following school safety measures in and around K-12 schools and school grounds for the following activities:

  • Coordination with local law enforcement
  • Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self
  • Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures
  • Acquisition and installation of technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency
  • Any other measure that, in the determination of the COPS Office Director, may provide a significant improvement in security

The following are the eligible costs:

  • Coordination—Civilian/Nonsworn Personnel (Salaries and Benefits). Please note that personnel hired under SVPP must function in a role directly related to the SVPP project (examples of allowable personnel may include project coordinators, project managers, technology managers, emergency management coordinators, or trainers).
  • Equipment. Entry control equipment, school site alarm and protection systems.
  • Technology. Communication technology, emergency alerts, identification technology, laptops, maps of schools and bus routes, printers, social media monitoring, tracking systems, and video surveillance technology.
  • Supplies. Manuals, paper, pens, and postage.
  • Travel/Training for law enforcement officers to prevent school violence.

·        Contracts/Consultants.

  • Subawards.
  • Other costs. Allowable overtime, other office supplies not already listed, and shipping costs.

School Resource Officers is not an eligible cost.

Eligibility: The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) solicitation is open to all states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies.

Funding: Up to $500,000 over the 3-year period. Expected awards nation-wide 150. Up to $50 million is available through this year’s COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).

There is a 25% local match for this grant. Expected Release Date: March-May 2023 Project Duration: Three years

Recommendations: It is recommended school districts first consult with their local law enforcement agency and county mental health agency in regard to their interest. They will need to be either a partner or the lead agency. This is competitive but there is twice as much funding this year, so it is less competitive than last year.

For More Information: https://cops.usdoj.gov/svpp

Opportunity: Mental Health

Student Mental Health Support Grants to School Districts

General: The Office of Mental Health has stated it would provide another grant opportunity in FY 2023 similar to the previous grant which is described here. These grants are intended to improve student access to mental health resources and assist students who have experienced trauma that negatively affects their educational experience.

Objective 1: Enhance Access to Mental Health Services Applicants should choose one of the following options

  1. Utilize an existing or new partnership with an OMH licensed, designated, or authorized Community Based Organization (CBO) with experience serving children and families with mental health needs. This partnership must be utilized to establish, expand, or enhance school mental health services.
  2. Apply a standardized tool to identify children who may be at risk for a mental health concern. This can be accomplished with a systematic tool or process such as a standardized screening tool which may include student-report, parent-report, and/or teacher-report, and the examination of relevant data.
  3. Apply a standardized tool (e. g. the SHAPE System) to assist your district in identifying areas for improvement in your mental health system and prioritizing areas of mental health need to create and execute a plan to meet the identified needs
  4. Designate or employ a school staff person as liaison to the local mental health system and empower and equip that person to triage students and be the single point of referral for the school.

Objective 2: Implement integrated mental health supports Applicants should choose one of the following options:

  1. Implement a school-wide multi-tiered system of support
  2. Implement a comprehensive engagement approach for both students and families which provides opportunities for meaningful participation in mental health supports
  3. Have key staff trained as trainers in manualized mental health awareness models that addresses their own needs and helps them identify needs of others (e.g., Youth Mental Health First Aid), and make those trainers responsible to train students, school staff, and families and/or have key staff trained as trainers in trauma-responsive or trauma informed practices and make those trainers responsible for training school staff
  4. Provide school-wide programming which helps prepare students to effectively cope with stress, such as mindfulness practices and/or programming to reduce bullying and cyberbullying. Objective 3: Strengthen partnerships with existing supports within the mental health system as well as the larger child-serving system.

Applicants should choose one of the following options:

  1. Enhance coordination between school staff and community providers (System of Care) to increase access to services.
  2. Develop a new or update an existing community resource guide/directory

Awards: Up to $500,000 a year for 5 years

Priorities: Schools identified NYS with a high level of gun violence receive a 5pt advantage

Expected Release: FY 2023

For More Information: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2022/support-grants-schooldistrict/ student-mh-support-grants-school-districts-rfp.pdf

Opportunity: Purchase food service equipment.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs)

The School Food Service Equipment Grant is intended to provide schools the opportunity to purchase equipment that will allow the school to serve healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns, improve the overall quality of meals, improve efficiency of production and service, and expand participation.

Eligibility: All schools under a School Food Authority (SFA) in the NSLP are eligible. The SFA will apply on behalf of their eligible schools.

Requirements: The SFA will submit a separate application for each piece of requested equipment for an eligible school.

Priorities/Bonus points: The school mut not have received an award in the last 3 year. Some years NYSED provides bonuses for:

  • High Level of participation in the NLSP– 5 points
  • 40% FRL or above – 5 points
  • If the school has not had a previous award in 3 years – 10 points

Note: We (not NYSED) recommend you do not apply unless you have at least 10 bonus points Previous Food Service Equipment Grant Recipients

Funds Available: Only funds equipment – grant maximum is $20,000.

Expected Release Date: January – March 2023

Analysis: This is a simple application. If assistance is provided, it will still be up to the food service director to identify the equipment, get at least three (apples to apples) quotes, and provide the reason the equipment is needed.

For More Information: https://www.p12.nysed.gov/funding/currentapps.html#nslp2021


Opportunity: Improve the infrastructure of rural school cafeterias

Healthy Meals Incentives Grants for Small and/or Rural School Food Authorities

General: In spring/summer 2023, FNS will offer competitive grants (up to $150,000 per grant) for small and/or rural SFAs that are experiencing challenges improving the nutritional quality of their school meals. Barriers include, but are not limited to staffing shortages, difficulty accessing training, increased food costs, lack of physical space, and outdated kitchen equipment. These grants are intended to help small and/or rural SFAs overcome these challenges, improve the nutrition of school meals, and meet Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award criteria.

Allowable Costs: Funds may be used for SFA staffing, contractual services, training, school meal food samples and supplies for student taste-test events, school food service equipment, nutrient analysis software, travel, and other direct costs specifically to assist in the provision of healthier school meals as described under the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards criteria.

Eligibility: Rural School Food Authority:The majority of students within the School Food Authority are enrolled in a rural school as defined by a locality code of 41, 42, or 43 according to the National Center for Education Statistics online tool.

Small School Food Authority:SFA with an enrollment of less than or equal to 5,000 students.

Expected Awards: 200 Awards up to $150,000 each.

Expected Release Date: Spring 2023

For more information:

Opportunity: Provide wrap-around services at a high needs school.

Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS)

General: FSCS provide comprehensive academic, social, and health services for students, students’ family members, and community members that will result in improved educational outcomes for children. Awardees will: 1) Coordinate not less than three existing pipeline services, as of the date their grants are awarded, and provide not less than two additional pipeline services, at two or more public elementary schools or secondary schools; (2) to the extent practicable, integrate multiple pipeline services into a comprehensive and coordinated continuum

to meet the holistic needs of children and their families; and (3) if applicable, coordinate and integrate services provided by community-based organizations and government agencies

with services provided by specialized instructional support personnel. Pipeline Services include:

Eligibility: Local Education Agencies and a least one community partner (Community Based Organization or Non-Profit)

Awards: Funding has been proposed to increase from $68 million to $468 million with an expected 300 awards nation-wide at up to $500,000 for single LEAs and $3,000,000 for multiple LEAs each year for 5 Years.

Other Information: This is a heavy lift even with grant writer assistance. Applicants will need to provide comprehensive local data, participate in project design with partners and the community, and negotiate agreements with partners. District will have to establish a System of Award Management (SAM) account, and a Grants.gov account if they have not already done so. Anticipated Release Date: FY 2023

For More Information also see Program Office Information

Opportunity: Obtain equipment for CTE, P-TECH, and Adult Education Programs

NYS Empire State Development Fund

General: Provides equipment for BOCES programs to equip programs that provide a skilled workforce in high-demand industries.

Expected Release: Released with the NYS Consolidate Fiscal Application (CFA) in May each year.

Funding: Based on ability to provide and 80% match, range has typically been from $200K to

$1 million. Match can be any improvements made to the “whole” building or program such as capital improvements.

For More Information: https://esd.ny.gov/empire-state-economic-development-fund-program or contact Chris Semler at csemler@organizationalharmony.org

Opportunity: Provide tuition scholarships and stipends for Adult Education Programs

NYS Department of Labor Workforce Development Initiative

General: Can be used by BOCES to fund adult education related to high-demand occupations NYS considers a priority to include but not limited to health, advanced manufacturing, STEM, hospitality, and others.

Expected Release: Released with the NYS Consolidate Fiscal Application (CFA) in May each year.

Funding: Normally up to $100,000 or up to $200,000 per entity.

For More Information:

https://www.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/WorkforceDevelopmentInitiativeProgramGuid elines.pdf or contact Chris Semler at csemler@organizationalharmony.org

Opportunity: Mental Health Training

SAMSHA Mental Health Awareness Training Grant

Purpose: The purpose of this program is to: (1) train individuals (e.g., school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, veterans, armed services members and their families) to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness (SMI) and/or serious emotional disturbances (SED); (2) establish linkages with school- and/or community-based mental health agencies to refer individuals with the signs or symptoms of mental illness to appropriate services; (3) train emergency services personnel, law enforcement, fire department personnel, veterans, and others to identify persons with a mental disorder and employ crisis de-escalation techniques; and (4) educate individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental disorder. It is expected that this program will prepare and train others on how to appropriately and safely respond to individuals with mental disorders, particularly individuals with SMI and/or SED.

Funding: $125,000 per year, each year for five years.

Eligibility Includes: Governmental units within political subdivisions of a state, such as a county, city or town (e.g., local education agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire department, emergency medical units).

Expected Release: December 30, 2022

For More Information: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-and-training

Opportunity: Expanded UPK program.

UPK Expansion Grant for New Full-Day Placements for Four-Year-Old Students

Purpose: The purpose of the Universal Prekindergarten Expansion Grant for New Full-Day Placements for Four-Year-Old Students is for New York State school districts is to increase the availability of directly and collaboratively implemented prekindergarten programming aligned with applicable New York State Learning Standards. In addition to addressing student and community need, proposals must demonstrate innovation and high quality.

Eligibility: All public schools

Priority: No priority or bonus points. However, your program must serve high-need and low- income students.

Funding: The NYS 22-23 budget has funding for approximately 17,500 additional pre-kindergarten opportunities.

Expected Release: August 2023

Analysis: Interested districts should ensure they have a waiting list for services, and that current services are fully utilized.

For More Information: https://www.p12.nysed.gov/funding/2022-23-universal- prekindergarten-expansion-grant/home.html

For more information please contact Christopher Semler at 585-200-2568 or Csemler@OrganizationalHarmony.org or see www.OrganizationalHarmony.org