What is the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant?

Purpose

The 21st CCLC programs must provide safe environments for students during non-school hours. Each grant program must serve students from one school site, where at least 40% of the students attending that school are economically disadvantaged; however, services may be offered at the school and at other locations. All centers must provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development.

Authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV, Part B administered by the Arizona Department of Education; the specific purposes of the law are to:

1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet the challenging State academic standards;
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, art, 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; and
3. Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related education development.
4. Grants funded by the 21st CCLC program may supplement, NOT supplant, existing out-of-school funding or programs.

Focus

21st CCLC subgrantees have academic, youth development, and family engagement goals that annually drive program implementation.  All offered out-of-school time activities are aligned to these goals and designed to improve academic outcomes in areas of literacy and math, to gain experiences and skills through youth development opportunities, and to deepend the connection between student learning and their family members.

21st CCLC subgrantees must provide ongoing family engagement opportunities.  Strong personal outreach with families at the program level builds a foundation for student success.  Outreach is inclusive of consistent positive communication between 21st CCLC programs and families, gathers valuable input from families and responds to that input, and provides flexible opportunities to meet with program teams that words for different families.  21st CCLC programs offer families access to community resources, provides training on home-based strategies, and encourages collaboration in identifying supportive approaches.

Learning Environment

All of the State’s awarded programs must provide for a safe and healthy learning environment by ensuring that the following components are incorporated into program implementation:

• Healthy food is provided for each participating student every day of program. 
• Safe transportation is established from school or an alternative program location, if that is part of the program.
• Student services are easily accessible.  

What are the general 21st CCLC program requirements?

• 21st CCLC programs must complement and supports the regular academic school day.
• 21st CCLC programs are implemented according to the original awarded grant proposal.
• 21st CCCLC program staff work in collaboration with regular school day staff to meet the needs of the students in the program.
• Community partners are involved in providing additional resources to support program goals & build sustainability.
• Program activities are based on ESSA Tiers of Evidence to be intentional and targeted to meet the needs of the community being served.  
• Services for family members of participating students are to support of students’ academic success.

Who is served by the 21^st CCLC Grant?

• Students who attend schools where at least 40% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
• Family members of participating students are offered educational opportunities.

Which Arizona schools are currently participating in the 21st CCLC program?

21st CCLC Grant Program Awards in Arizona.pdf

Map of 21st CCLC Sites Per County

Competitive Grant Application

 Please visit the 21st CCLC Competitive Grant Application Information page for details of the 21st CCLC grant submission process.