The State Department of Education will award $1.5 million in grants for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year to fund afterschool programs across Idaho to boost academic support, cultural enrichment and community involvement.

The funding is available through Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as reauthorized by Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). The program is known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), which is designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities, art, music, nutrition and health, technology education, physical fitness, drug and violence prevention and youth development activities to students during non-school hours. Through the use of federal grant funds, the State Department of Education currently funds 94 afterschool centers throughout the state, which serve a total of 5,500 Idaho youth daily.

School districts, public charter schools, municipalities, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and private corporations are eligible for these grants. Successful applicants will receive funding for up to five years. Grant applications are due January 27, 2017.

Information: Jeff Church, 208-332-6934 or jchurch@sde.idaho.gov