Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program

Announcement

The application window for the Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program Grant has closed.

Overview of Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program

Since March 2020, Colorado districts, BOCES, and other local education agencies (LEAs) have experienced an unprecedented influx of federal funding to support the work of LEAs in transitioning to remote and hybrid learning environments, safely reopening schools, and supporting students in completing the learning interrupted by the pandemic. These funds are a once in a generation opportunity for Colorado’s districts to not only recover from the problems caused and exacerbated by the pandemic but also, through the acceleration of learning, emerge from the global health crisis stronger than ever.

As part of these recovery efforts, it is critical for schools and districts to offer their families and communities transparency into the COVID relief funding made available to them, how the funds were used, the programs available for students and how to access them, and the impacts of those programs in achieving the goals in addressing learning loss, completing unfinished learning, and meeting the COVID-related needs of their students. For this reason, the Colorado Department of Education is creating a Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program to ensure the LEAs have the capacity to meet this need for transparency with their families and communities. This program will be funded through the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER III) funds.

Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program Grants

This program exists to provide funding to offer technical assistance to Colorado LEAs in carrying out the critical role of transparency and communication with families and communities about the needs of the community’s students and schools as caused or exacerbated by the pandemic, continued community engagement around developing needs, the use of COVID relief funds in addressing those needs, and the impact of those funds on addressing the COVID-related needs. Through the technical assistance funded under this program, LEAs will be able to ensure that the families and communities that they serve are informed about the programs being offered by the LEAs and how those programs are accelerating learning and recovery for their students.

Eligible Applicants:

Eligible entities may apply for grant. The term "eligible entity" means

A local educational agency (public school district),
A Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES),
The Charter School Institute,
Community-based organization,
Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (25 U.S.C. 450b),
Another public or private entity, or
A consortium of two or more such agencies, organizations, or entities.

An intermediary unit, such as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), may apply for and receive a grant. A consortium of eligible applicants may apply together such as a consortium of local education agencies of community-based organizations. However, one entity must be designated as the lead fiscal agent of the consortium.

Grant Application Resources:

Paper Application

Intent to Apply

Online Application

Budget Template

Assurances Form

Priority Considerations:

Available grant funding will be distributed to eligible programs based on the application rubric (described in "Application Scoring"). Priority will be given to applications meeting the following priority considerations:

Applicants with a strong track record of supporting Colorado districts in engaging with their students, families, and communities.
Applications with a clear and actionable plan for supporting small and/or rural districts in achieving the goals of this program.

Allowable Use of Funds:

The Colorado Department of Education will be making $400,000 of ARP ESSER III funding available for this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding or funding at the requested level. Funds must be expended in a way that aligns with the plans submitted through the application and align with the allowable uses as defined through ARP ESSER III and all expenditures must be allocable, allowable, and reasonable as defined by 2 CFR 200. These funds are specific to this program, the Learning and Transparency Technical Assistance Program, and uses of funds for any other purpose are not allowed.

Unallowable uses of funds include, but are not limited to:

Salary and benefits for executives; and
The purchase or rehabilitation of real property

If you have any questions regarding allowable expenses, please reach out to Steven Kaleda (Kaleda_S@cde.state.co.us) for confirmation.

Review Process and Timeline:

Applications will be reviewed by CDE staff to ensure they contain all required components. Applicants will be notified of final award status no later than March 1, 2022.

Note: This is a competitive process – applicants must score at least 80 points out of the 100 possible points to be approved for funding. Additional points are awarded for applications meeting the priority considerations as outlined above in "Priority Considerations". Applications that score below 80 points may be asked to submit revisions that would bring the application up to a fundable level. There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in funding or funding at the requested level. All award decisions are final. Applicants that do not meet the qualifications may reapply for future grant opportunities.

Submission Process and Deadline:

Applications must be completed and submitted through the online application by Friday, January 28, 2022, at 11:59 pm. The Excel Budget Workbook and Program Assurances Form must also be uploaded to the Smartsheet form at the time of submission.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applicants should receive an automated confirmation email from the online system upon submission. If you do not, please email CompetitiveGrants@cde.state.co.us.