SF 1017

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/05/2015 09:01am

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing an after-school community learning grant
program; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin AFTER-SCHOOL COMMUNITY LEARNING GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin A competitive grant program is
established to support community-based organizations, schools, political subdivisions, or
child care centers that service young people in kindergarten through grade 12 after school
or during nonschool hours. Grants must be used to offer a broad array of enrichment
activities that promote positive youth development, including art, music, community
engagement, literacy, technology education, health, and recreation programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall develop the form
and method for applying for the grants. The application must include information on
the applicant's outreach to children and youth that qualify for free or reduced-price
lunch and two-year measurable goals and activities linked to research or best practices.
The commissioner shall develop criteria for determining the allocation of the grants and
appropriate goals for the use of the grants including:
new text end

new text begin (1) increasing access to protective factors that build young people's capacity to
become productive adults, such as connections to a caring adult;
new text end

new text begin (2) developing children's skills and behaviors necessary to succeed in postsecondary
education and career opportunities; and
new text end

new text begin (3) encouraging attendance and improving performance in school.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin To the extent practicable, the selection of applicants
shall result in an equitable distribution of grant awards among geographic areas within
Minnesota, including rural, suburban, and urban communities. The commissioner shall
also give priority to programs that collaborate with and leverage existing community
resources that have demonstrated effectiveness. Applicants selected as grantees are
eligible to receive a two-year renewable grant, contingent upon satisfactory progress
toward goals and objectives and the availability of funds.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin After-school community learning grants. new text end

new text begin For after-school community
learning grants under section 1:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2016 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end

new text begin Up to seven percent of the appropriation in each fiscal year may be used for
administration, evaluation, and technical assistance, including partnering with the
Minnesota Afterschool Network, Ignite Afterschool, and other appropriate entities to
ensure implementation of strategies statewide to ensure the provision of high quality,
research-driven learning opportunities.
new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel, but is available in the second year.
new text end