The DPI Supports Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers During COVID-19

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) recognizes that out-of-school time (OST) programs play an essential role in addressing the myriad of challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Wisconsin’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) are no exception.

During the last several months, 21st CCLC staff have demonstrated creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance in responding to the needs of students, their families, and their communities. Such necessary and oftentimes radical revisions to OST programming have yielded new and increased program expenses when compared to those of previous years. In recognition of this changing OST landscape, DPI leveraged some of the unallocated 2018-19 21st CCLC federal award to create 21st CCLC COVID-19 Relief Supplementary Grant awards for grantee applicants with one or more currently-funded 21st CCLC sites.

The supplementary grant funds are intended to assist with expenses, which may exceed the base 21st CCLC award available, directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on program operations. Allowable expenses associated with this award range from increased personnel expenses, to increased transportation expenses, to expanded program services for students and families, to costs associated with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and more.

The DPI provided opportunities in August and October 2020 for grantees to apply. The fiscal agents of 29 21st CCLC sites requested over $980,000 in the first round of applications, and over $390,000 was awarded. In the second round of applications, fiscal agents of 48 sites requested over $540,000, and all requests were fully funded.

Wisconsin’s 21st CCLC programs have always been integral partners in academically preparing our students and developing their social and emotional competencies, as well as in engaging families and community members in this critical work. The 21st CCLC COVID-19 Relief Supplementary Grant awards have ensured that continued efforts to move such work forward are possible.

21st CCLC grantees receiving the COVID-19 Relief Supplementary Grant award include:

Subscriber Submission: DPI 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs Education Consultant, Teri LeSage