The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will host an informational webinar at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, about the Stronger Connections Grant (SCG).

President Joe Biden on June 25, 2022, signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which provides $1 billion in funding to State educational agencies (SEAs) to be distributed under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).

The BSCA specifies that SEAs must make competitive subgrants to high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), as determined by the SEA, for activities to support safe and healthy students under section 4108 of the ESEA. The Department has designated BSCA section 4108 funds as the Stronger Connections Grant program to distinguish it from the regular Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program, which funds a broader range of activities, including activities to support well-rounded educational opportunities and the effective use of educational technology.

The purpose of the Stronger Connections Grant (SCG) is to:

• Implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that meet each student’s social, emotional, physical and mental well-being needs; create positive, inclusive and supportive school environments; and increase access to place-based interventions and services.
• Engage students, families, educators, staff members and community organizations in the selection and implementation of strategies and interventions to create safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.
• Design and implement policies and practices that advance equity and are responsive to underserved students, protect student rights, and demonstrate respect for student dignity and potential.
   

The completed application is due at 5 p.m. Aug. 31. Instructions and required forms are located in the Request for Application at the following link: https://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=792.

Register for KSDE’s informational webinar at 10 a.m. on Aug. 2 at https://ksde.zoom.us/j/85071853373.

For grant-specific questions, email strongerconnections@ksde.org.