The U.S. Department of Education invites school districts to apply to the Full-Service Community Schools grant program, which provides academic support and strengthens connections among schools, parents and families, and their surrounding communities. This program aligns with the priorities and vision set forth by the U.S. Department of Education in support of high-quality educational opportunities for all students.
The USDOE released a notice of final priorities, definitions, and requirements for the FSCS competitive grant program as well as a notice inviting applications. The program will award $68 million to support community schools across the country, which will spur the planning and capacity-building, development, implementation, operation and coordination of effective services for children and families, particularly in areas with high rates of poverty. President Joe Biden asked Congress to increase funding for the FSCS program to $468 million in his fiscal year 2023 budget.
“When we invest in Full-Service Community Schools, we invest in the success of students, the well-being of families, and the strength of entire communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “These grants will help community schools provide quality wraparound services to students and their families, from access to health care and nutritional assistance, to tutoring and enrichment opportunities, to mental health supports and violence prevention programs. For low-income rural and urban communities hit hard by the pandemic, Full-Service Community Schools will help us meet the holistic needs of students, drive our recovery and pave the way to a more equitable future.”
The Full-Service Community Schools Program requires grantees to provide a continuum of coordinated supports to students that include social, health, nutrition, and mental health services and supports. The new program priorities emphasize quality implementation of the four pillars of community schools: integrated student supports that address out-of-school barriers to learning through partnerships with social and health service agencies and providers; expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities; active family and community engagement; and collaborative leadership and practices.
To learn more about the FSCS program, visit: Full-Service Community Schools Program – Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.