The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administers the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Maryland Out-of-School Time Programs for the Future (MD OST PFTF) grant program to assist local education agencies (LEAs), non-profit agencies, city or county government agencies, community and faith based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations in the State to provide activities outside of school hours that provide opportunities for academic enrichment which include providing instructional services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet State and local student academic achievement standards in core academic subjects, such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
The MD OST PFTF program offers students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development and engagement activities, substance use and alcohol prevention, service-learning, violence prevention, counseling, art, music, recreation, and technology education that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students. The program offers families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for literacy instruction and related educational development.
OST programs are defined in the State of Maryland as programs that occur before school, after school, during the summer, and on Saturdays. OST programs keep students safe, assist working families, and improve academic achievement.
The renewal application was released on Friday, June 14, 2024. The deadlines for application submission are outlined below:
School Year only Programs: Friday, July 12, 2024, no later than 5:00 pm EST; and
Summer only or School Year and Summer Programs: Friday, August 30, 2024, no later than 5:00 pm EST.
$10.3 million (FY 25)
Grant amounts each year will be funded at 100% of the original award contingent on the availability of funding and satisfactory performance. Programs selected for funding will be level-funded the same amount for all four years of programming unless a lesser amount is specified for subsequent years. In those cases, the lesser amount will be awarded. In addition, awards may be reduced based on the grantee’s inability to meet the goals and performance measures set forth in this grant. This includes participation numbers consistently lower than projected in the bidder’s application. Awards may also be reduced based on fiscal or programmatic concerns or findings during the grant period. Any award reductions will be discussed with the subgrantee in advance of the reduction.
MSDE will hold two customer service support sessions for interested applicants. During this session, MSDE personnel will provide an overview of the application process. These sessions will be on:
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Video Call Link
Or dial: (US) +1 469-213-3760, PIN: 125 464 681#
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Video Call Link
Or dial: (US) +1 469-213-3760, PIN: 872 375 150#
If you have questions about the application or the process, please contact the Program Manager:
Reginald Burke
Director, Youth Development Branch
Maryland State Department of Education
Office: (410) 767-0313
reginald.burke@maryland.gov
21st CCLC Grant Renewal Application