256.26  Before and after school grant program.
  1.  There is established a before and after school grant program to provide competitive grants to school districts and other public and private organizations to expand the availability of before and after school programs, including but not limited to summer programs. The amount of a grant awarded in accordance with this section shall be not less than thirty thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars.
  2.  Grant applications shall be assessed by the department based on the targeted student population and whether the application meets all of the following conditions:
  a.  Demonstrates partnerships and collaboration with not-for-profit community organizations.
  b.  Indicates that the applicant has a plan for continually improving quality in the program.
  c.  Provides for a safe and engaging environment.
  d.  Combines academic, enrichment, cultural, and recreational activities.
  e.  Provides for not less than an equal match of any state funds received for purposes of the program. The local match shall be in cash or in-kind contributions.
  f.  Demonstrates that the applicant is able to sustain the program after the grant is exhausted.
  3.  Activities supported by an applicant may include but are not limited to tutoring and supplementing instruction in basic skills, such as reading, math, and science; drug and violence prevention curricula and counseling; youth leadership activities; volunteer and service learning opportunities; career and vocational awareness preparation; courses and enrichment in arts and culture; computer instruction; character development and civic participation; language instruction, including English as a second language; mentoring; positive interaction with law enforcement; supervised recreation programs; and health and nutrition programs.
  4.  The department shall make every effort to award grants to a balance of rural and urban programs.
  5.  The department shall make every effort to leverage additional funding from other public and private sources to support the grant program.
  6.  An applicant serving middle and high school-age youth is eligible for funding under this section if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is serving youth at least once a week or a minimum of two hours per week.
  7.  Grant funding may be used for programming for multiple fiscal years as proposed by the applicant and approved by the department.
2007 Acts, ch 214, §19
; 
2008 Acts, ch 1181, §19 – 22