ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant Program

Overview of the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery (CPR) Grant

ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery (CPR) Grant

This program exists to provide funding to provide technical assistance to Colorado LEAs by convening leaders around pandemic-related challenges faced by their districts and schools. The goal of these convenings is to provide a venue for identifying shared challenges, sharing strategies and solutions for addressing such challenges, identifying potential collaborations that could allow districts to jointly address shared challenges, and documenting lessons learned on impactful strategies so that those across the state can benefit from these efforts. Through the technical assistance funded under this program, the stakeholders across the Colorado education community will have the opportunity to learn from each other and work to ensure that all districts across the state are able to emerge from the pandemic stronger than before.

Eligible entities (as defined below in “Eligible Applicants and Priority Criteria”) may apply for a grant under this program. Grantees must (1) convene leaders from multiple local education agencies (LEAs) around pandemic-related challenges and solutions; and (2) create a final report summarizing the lessons learned by districts in shared challenges. 

Examples of eligible work include but are not limited to:

• Identifying the highest-leverage pandemic-related topics/challenges 
• faced by Colorado districts and schools;
• Convening district leaders either in-person or virtually, to discuss shared challenges and identified solutions;
• Communicating to potential district participants about upcoming convenings and next steps/summaries of previous convenings;
• Supporting cross-district collaborations to address joint pandemic-related challenges; and
• Creating a report that summarizes the key challenges on which leaders have focused during funded convenings, solutions and strategies shared or identified, and other pertinent findings.

Eligible Applicants and Priority Criteria:

Eligible entities may apply for this funding opportunity. 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.

Note: A group of two or more such agencies, organizations, or entities (listed above) is eligible to apply as a consortium.

Charter schools may submit a stand-alone application but must receive sign-off from their authorizer. The authorizing district, BOCES, or CSI will be the fiscal agent, if funded. 

Priority Considerations

Available grant funding will be distributed to Education Providers with school(s) demonstrating high need based on Priority Criteria. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate:

• Applicants with a clear and actionable plan for convening small and/or rural districts;
• Applicants prepared to lead convenings around educator workforce challenges; and
• Applicants demonstrating a strong track record in facilitating conversations and/or collaborations between districts.

Allowable Use of Funds:

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 2 CFR 200. These funds are specific to this program, the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant, and uses of funds for any other purpose are not allowed.

Examples of unallowable activities/costs include, but are not limited to:

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

Indirect funds are allowable under this grant and should be included in the submitted budget. Applicants without an approved indirect rate may use the de minimis rate of 10%. If you have any questions regarding allowable expenses or indirect rates, please reach out to Tricia Miller at Miller_T@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 Friday, March 24, 2023, by 11:59 pm MDT.

Note: This is a competitive process – applicants must score at least 56 points out of the 70 possible points to be approved for funding. Applications that score below 56 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:

Completed applications (including all required elements stated in the Paper Application) must be submitted through the online application form by Wednesday, March 8, 2023, by 11:59 pm.

Within the online application, applicants will complete Part I with their applicant information and upload attachments. The Excel Budget Workbook must 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.

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