Frequently Asked Questions

Once an online application has been submitted and approved it then becomes a project. Once it is an approved project, you can submit an amendment* online to make fiscal or programmatic changes.  Click on “Amendment” from the ADE Grants Management Home page at  http://www.ade.az.gov/GME/default.asp

*Amendments must be submitted no later than 90 calendar days prior to the project end date.  For the 21^st CCLC programs, that would be April 2.

**There is not an Amendment limitation.

 For more information go to: http://www.ade.az.gov/GME/Additional_Information/FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAmendments.asp

We welcome all 21st CCLC program staff to attend the annual Fall Conference; however, it is mandatory for the Site Principal and Site Coordinator to attend the conference.

No.  However, programs must be equally accessible to all students targeted for services, regardless of their ability to pay.  Programs that charge fees may not prohibit any family from participating due to its financial situation.  The priority of the program to serve poor students and families could be compromised through high program fees.  Programs that opt to charge fees must offer a sliding scale of fees and scholarships for those who cannot afford the program.  Income collected from fees must be used to fund program activities specified in the grant application.

Yes.  The Department strongly encourages local programs to identify other sources of related funding and to describe, in their applications, how all of these resources will be combined or coordinated to offer a high-quality, sustainable program.  Each local application must identify Federal, State, and local programs that also offer after-school services and that will be combined or coordinated with the proposed program to make the most effective use of public resources. 

However, 21^st CCLC funds awarded to local grantees must be used only to supplement the level of Federal, State, local, and other non-Federal funds and not to replace funds that would have been available to conduct activities if 21^st CCLC funds had not been available.

Yes.  Although “students” are designated in statute as the intended beneficiaries of the program, the Department believes that younger children who will become students in the schools being served can also participate in program activities designed to get them ready to succeed in school. 

However, activities targeting pre-kindergarten children and adult family members may take place during regular school hours, as these times may be the most suitable for serving these populations.

No.  The statute specifically indicates services are to be provided outside the regular school day or during periods when school is not in session, e.g., before school, after school, evenings, weekends, holidays, or summer.  The program may offer services to students during normal school hours on days when school is not in session, e.g., school holidays or teacher professional development days.

Each eligible organization that receives an award may use the funds to carry out a broad array of before- and after-school activities (or activities during other times when school is not in session) that advance student achievement.  In the Department’s view, local grantees are limited to providing activities within the following list:

• Remedial education activities and academic enrichment learning programs, including providing additional assistance to students to allow the students to improve their academic achievement;
• Mathematics and science education activities;
• Arts and music education activities;
• Entrepreneurial education programs;
• Tutoring services (including those provided by senior citizen volunteers) and mentoring programs;
• Programs that provide after-school activities for limited English proficient students that emphasize language skills and academic achievement;
• Recreational activities;
• Telecommunications and technology education programs;
• Expanded library service hours;
• Programs that promote parental involvement and family literacy;
• Programs that provide assistance to students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled, to allow the students to improve their academic achievement; and
• Drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, and character education programs.

The maximum amount for any grant is $120,000.  The minimum is $50,000.  The amount is based on the number of days that 21^st CCLC services are available x the number of students served x $8.00.  The grants are awarded for five years.  Years 1, 2 1nd 3 are for the full award amount.  The Year 4 amount is a reduction of 75% of the original grant.  The Year 5 amount is 50% of the original grant.  However, in no case are the funds reduced below $50,000.

Yes.  Adult family members of students participating in a community learning center may participate in educational services or activities appropriate for adults.  In particular, local programs may offer services to support parental involvement and family literacy.  Services may be provided to families of students to advance the students’ academic achievement.  However, programs are open only to adults who are family members of participating children.

No. The federal guidelines for 21^st CCLC grants are high poverty and low performing school sites.  The mandated federal qualification for poverty is that 40% or more of the school site’s students must have qualified for the federal Free or Reduced Cost Meals program.  Low performance may be determined by state or federal designation which are:  a) Federal:  Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or 2) State:  AZ Learns Label of Under-performing or Failing. Due to the new Arizona Department of Education school site ratings, as of October, 14, 2011, there may be a revision with the State’s AZ Learns Label designation in the application process.  If there are changes in future year’s 21^st CCLC applications, they will be specified.

However, school sites may also qualify by providing a convincing description of students at risk of academic failure, regardless of label.  

Entities eligible to apply for funding include: local education agencies (LEAs), cities, counties, community-based organizations (CBOs), non-profit organizations (NPOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), other public or private entities.

 Entities must partner with a school that serves students where at least 40% of the students qualify for free and/or reduced meals.