Arkansas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

Funding and Statistics

The Arkansas 21ST CCLC grants provided approximately $2.8 million in federal fiscal year 2002 funds. Twenty proposals received funding in January 2003. The 2003-2004 funds were released in August 2003 following another Request For Proposal (RFP). Twenty-three programs received funds. A total of forty-three sites have been granted 21ST CCLC funds.

The average grant award ranges $100,000 to $150,000 per grant site.
Funds may be used for staff salaries, professional development activities, transportation, educational equipment and program materials. Funds must be used only to supplement, not supplant, any Federal, State or local dollars available to support activities allowable under the 21ST CCLC program, NCLB 4204 (G).

Continuation of funding will be awarded for a grant period of five (5) years, based on the USDOE budget appropriations. Yearly continuation funding will be based on pending continuing federal allocations, yearly progress toward meeting the objectives set forth in the approved application, and phasing in of local efforts.

Section 4204(b)(2)(H) requires districts applying for local grants to provide a description of the partnership between a local educational agency, a community-based organization, and other public, private or faith based organizations, if appropriate. If the local applicant is another public or private organization, it must provide an assurance that its program was developed and will be carried out in active collaboration with the schools and students attend.

Section 4204(i)(1)(B) requires that priority be given to applicants submitted jointly by an LEA receiving Title I funds and a CBO or other agency proposing to serve students in schools in need of improvement under Section 1116.