2014 PEP Grant Awards Are Coming Soon!
Yesterday we started hearing about schools being notified by members of Congress that they had won 2014 Carol M. White PEP grants! If you applied for a PEP grant in 2013 and scored highly but did not win, it’s possible you may be selected for a 2014 award since the US Department of Education (ED/US ED) is funding down the slate this year rather than holding a new PEP grant competition. This means new applications are not being accepted in 2014, BUT new awards will still be made. The pool of eligible applicants in 2014 includes all 2013 PEP grant applicants who did not win an award in 2014. Applications are not re-scored, however, and awards are made based on reviewer scores, so those who scored well in 2013 will be in the best positions for 2014 awards.
If you have been selected for an award in 2014, you may or may not hear the news first from your House Rep and/or Senator. Not all members choose to contact their constituents. Either way, if you’ve won an award this year, ED will email and/or mail your organization an official Grant Award Notification (GAN) document in the near future.
The full list of 2014 PEP grant winners should be out very soon now that Congressional notifications have begun. We’ll post it here when it’s available. Good luck to all 2013 applicants in the running for 2014!
Featured Grant Opportunity: Shape the State Tennessee
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is awarding up to 20 grants valued at $10,000 each to Tennesee middle schools as part of its Shape the State program. The grant funding is awarded to schools to purchase SPARK physical education curriculum, training, and materials in an effort to promote better health for students.
We’re providing basic information about the grant program on this site. For complete details, visit shapethestate.com
Award: $10,000
Who Can Apply? Tennessee middle schools
When is the Deadline? Applications are being accepted through April 18th, 2014
Something Cool or Unique About This Opportunity: The program utilizes SPARK physical education curriculum, training and materials specifically for middle schools. Read more information on the SPARK Middle School PE Program here.
Where Can I Get More Information? Visit the official website at shapethestate.com where you can get the application, read more information about the program and SPARK, as well as see past grant recipients.
2014 Elementary and Secondary School Counseling grants: Open Now, Due April 28th!
The US Department of Education’s (ED) Elementary and Secondary School Counseling grants are now open! This program funds school counseling programs, just as the name indicates. Applicants may propose projects for new or expanded existing programs. The most competitive projects will be those: demonstrating the most significant need for counseling services, evidencing the most innovative and likely-to-be-successful approaches, and with significant potential for replication in other schools.
We’re providing basic information about the grant program on this site. For complete details, visit the official ED website for the program.
Program Overview: The ED program site states, “Projects should: (1) use a developmental, preventive approach, (2) expand the inventory of effective counseling programs, (3) include in-service training, and (4) involve parents and community groups.”
Additionally, the RFP states on pages 13 and 14 (underlining added): “Each program funded under this section shall–
(A) be comprehensive in addressing the counseling and educational needs of all students; (B) use a developmental, preventive approach to counseling; (C) increase the range, availability, quantity, and quality of counseling services in the elementary schools and secondary schools of the local educational agency; (D) expand counseling services through qualified school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, other qualified psychologists, or child and adolescent psychiatrists; (E) use innovative approaches to increase children’s understanding of peer and family relationships, work and self, decision making, or academic and career planning, or to improve peer interaction; (F) provide counseling services in settings that meet the range of student needs; (G) include in-service training appropriate to the activities funded under this Act for teachers, instructional staff, and appropriate school personnel, including in-service training in appropriate identification and early intervention techniques by school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, other qualified psychologists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists; (H) involve parents of participating students in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the counseling program; (I) involve community groups, social service agencies, or other public or private entities in collaborative efforts to enhance the program and promote school-linked integration of services; (J) evaluate annually the effectiveness and outcomes of the counseling services and activities assisted under this section; (K) ensure a team approach to school counseling in the schools served by the local educational agency by working toward ratios recommended by the American School Health Association of 1 school counselor to 250 students, 1 school social worker to 800 students, and 1 school psychologist to 1,000 students; and (L) ensure that school counselors, school psychologists, other qualified psychologists, school social workers, or child and adolescent psychiatrists paid from funds made available under this section spend a majority of their time counseling students or in other activities directly related to the counseling process.”
Award: Awards can be for up $400,000 per year for up to three years.
Who Can Apply? Local Educational Agencies (LEAs–school districts) and charter schools considered LEAs by their states are eligible to apply.
When is the Deadline? Applications are due by 4:30 Washington DC time on 4/28/2014 and must be submitted through grants.gov.
Something Cool or Unique About this Program: Five technical assistance calls will be offered by ED for potential applicants: 3/27/2014 3pm; 4/3/2014 10am; 4/3/2014 3pm; 4/10/2014 10am; and 4/10/2014 3pm. All times are Washington, DC time. Go to the program’s Applicant webpage and scroll down for login and dial-in information for each call.
Where Can I Get More Information? More information can be found at www2.ed.gov/programs/elseccounseling/applicant.html. Questions my be directed to Competition Managers:
-
Lisa Harrison at Lisa.Harrison@ed.gov or (202) 453-6730
- Loretta McDaniel at Loretta.McDaniel@ed.gov or (202) 453-6720
If you’d like to apply for this grant and you need assistance, please email us at info@insightgrants.com.
Good luck to all applicants!
No 2014 PEP Competition?! What Do We Do Now?
We know from many inquiries and conversations over the last six months that a lot of schools and community-based organizations out there were very eager and have already been preparing to apply for the Carol M. White PEP grant in 2014. No doubt many are disappointed to learn they’ll have to wait until at least next year before that can happen, now that we know PEP will fund down the slate rather than accepting new applications for 2014 awards.
If you are among those who had hoped to apply or re-apply in 2014, you’re probably wondering what you can possibly do to sustain the support and momentum you may have already built between now and next year. The good news is we have a few ideas for you!
1) If you applied for PEP in 2013 but were not selected for an award, dig out your 2013 PEP application and keep it handy. Then ensure you and anyone listed in the application forms as the grant program contact, project director, or Authorized Representative vigilantly watches email this spring and summer. You will not have to re-submit an application to be considered for an award in 2014 if you applied in 2013 but did not win, but the US Department of Education (ED) may contact you with questions about your budget or other application components during the selection process. Such communications are almost always conducted over email, and the time allotted for response is typically quite short. Keep in mind being contacted with questions does not guarantee an award, and not being contacted does not mean you won’t win. The most important thing is that you are accessible and quickly and thoroughly responsive if you are contacted.
2) Keep preparing to apply! It’s not too soon to prepare (or continue to prepare) for a 2015 application. PEP is extremely complex and competitive at this point in its history. Use the extra time to really solidify your case for need and your responding project design and plan for implementation. If you’re looking for assistance with the process, contact us.
3) Watch our blog and apply for other grants! Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature some great opportunities you can consider pursuing this year in lieu of PEP. Some of these will be grants that generally support physical activity and/or nutrition education projects, and others will be for specific types of physical activity projects like biking or running programs, for example. As always, the grants featured will NOT represent an all-inclusive list. There are more great grants out there, and we’d encourage you to watch for and apply for them or contact us to discuss assistance identifying others that may be fits for your organization.
As always, good luck!!
2014 PEP Will Fund Down The Slate
We received confirmation today from the US ED PEP Program Manager, Carlette KyserPegram, that the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) will fund down the slate in 2014, rather than holding a new competition. This means new PEP awardees will be selected in 2014 from 2013 applicants who scored highly but not quite highly enough to win an award in 2013.
Ms. KyserPegram also shared the following important information, “In terms of FY 2015, generally, we can’t be certain of the status of this program until we have a final, Federal budget in place as these grant funds are appropriated by Congress. ED does maintain a Grants Forecast page on our agency’s website (http://www.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html ) where anticipated grant opportunities are announced. As such, we recommend they check ED’s forecast page periodically for updates to this and other future grant program opportunities.
Additionally, if you would like weekly e-mail updates related to the work of OSHS, as well as other information related to school safety, substance abuse and violence prevention in education, and the promotion of student health and well-being, they may be interested in subscribing to the OSHS PREVENTION NEWS BULLETIN. We also highlight other federal funding opportunities related to these topics, including grant competitions, in our office and in other federal agencies. We will provide information on upcoming OSHS grant competitions in this news bulletin. Subscription information is available online at: www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/listserv/preventioned.html .”
Congratulations to Insight’s Winning Clients of 2013 PEP Grants
We’d like to congratulate the clients of Insight Grants who were awarded funding under the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP). A great amount of hard work went into each of the applications, and the following schools were rewarded with funding:
South Orange-Maplewood School District, NJ ($542,081)
Westport Public Schools, CT ($616,157)
Caledonia-Mumford Central School District, NY ($448,469)
Hononegah Community High School District 207 (Four-District Application), IL ($615,733)
Mexico Academy & Central School District, NY ($640,727)
New London Public Schools, CT ($687,138)
Holland Central School District, NY ($605,957)
Watertown Public Schools, MA ($391,269)
Perry Local Schools, OH ($762,811)
Marion Independent School District, IA ($354,001)
North Brookfield Public Schools, MA ($390,196) (Applicant written, edited by Insight)
Please Note – amounts listed are for first year funding. Many of the awardees will be undertaking 2 or 3 year projects.
For those that didn’t win this year, we’d advise to keep trying! Several winners had to persevere and submit multiple grant applications before they saw the win.
If you are interested in applying for a future PEP grant or would like information on Insight’s PEP Grant Evaluation services please contact us by phone at 716-474-0981 or email info@insightgrants.com
2013 PEP Grant Winners Announced by U.S. Department of Education
Today the U.S. Department of Education announced the award of 60 grants totaling nearly $32 million to Local Education Agencies and community-based organizations through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP). You can see the entire U.S. Department of Education 2013 PEP Press Release here. Congratulations to all those awarded, and great job to all who worked hard in putting together a proposal!
FY 2013 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant Recipients
| Grantee | State | Year 1 Award |
|---|---|---|
| Springdale Public School District | AR | $735,081 |
| Alameda County Office of Education | CA | $661,906 |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation | CA | $565,780 |
| Diego Hills Charter School | CA | $211,023 |
| Desert Sands Public Charter, Inc | CA | $422,942 |
| New London Public Schools | CT | $687,138 |
| Westport Public Schools | CT | $616,157 |
| District of Columbia Public Schools | DC | $570,942 |
| School Board of Pinellas County, FL | FL | $775,179 |
| School Board of Miami-Dade County, FL | FL | $763,761 |
| Brevard Public Schools | FL | $311,955 |
| Cedar Falls Community School District | IA | $605,083 |
| Marshalltown Community School District | IA | $494,201 |
| Iowa City Community School District | IA | $263,408 |
| Marion Independent School District | IA | $354,001 |
| Middleton School District | ID | $441,228 |
| Chicago Public Schools, District 299 | IL | $750,000 |
| Hononegah Community High School District 207 | IL | $615,733 |
| ASPIRA Inc. of Illinois | IL | $373,406 |
| ERLANGER-ELSMERE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | KY | $725,893 |
| Newport Independent Schools | KY | $478,403 |
| Berkshire Medical Center | MA | $745,513 |
| North Brookfield Public Schools | MA | $390,196 |
| Watertown Public Schools | MA | $391,269 |
| Maine School Administrative District 15 | ME | $465,133 |
| LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRCT | MI | $593,365 |
| Stillwater Area Public Schools ISD #834 | MN | $727,030 |
| Winona R-III School District | MO | $190,358 |
| HELP Committee and Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Line | MT | $145,037 |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | NC | $599,514 |
| Iredell-Statesville Schools | NC | $749,916 |
| Buncombe County Schools | NC | $752,093 |
| Public Schools of Robeson County | NC | $698,129 |
| South Orange-Maplewood School District | NJ | $542,081 |
| The Renaissance Charter School | NY | $471,986 |
| Queensbury Union Free School District | NY | $547,829 |
| City School District of New Rochelle | NY | $675,000 |
| Caledonia- Mumford Central School District | NY | $448,469 |
| South Colonie Central School District | NY | $714,708 |
| Mexico Academy & Central School District | NY | $640,727 |
| Holland Central School District | NY | $605,957 |
| Palmyra-Macedon Central School District | NY | $328,417 |
| Greater Amsterdam School District | NY | $633,071 |
| Watkins Glen Central School District | NY | $592,110 |
| Adelphi University | NY | $326,416 |
| Southern Local Schools | OH | $384,507 |
| Perry Local Schools | OH | $762,811 |
| Wickliffe City Schools | OH | $384,522 |
| Beggs Public School District | OK | $422,176 |
| PAWTUCKET SCHOOL DEPARTMENT | RI | $575,244 |
| Beresford School District 61-2 | SD | $398,590 |
| Crockett Independent School District | TX | $640,012 |
| IDEA Public Schools | TX | $747,092 |
| Ogden City School District | UT | $719,869 |
| Mead School District 354 | WA | $430,409 |
| NorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101 | WA | $369,783 |
| Newport Consolidated School District #56-415 | WA | $378,000 |
| Southern Door County School District | WI | $461,590 |
| School District of Monroe | WI | $423,080 |
| School District of Wild Rose | WI | $497,431 |
If you are interested in applying for a future PEP grant or would like information on Insight’s PEP Grant Evaluation services please contact us by phone at 716-474-0981 or email info@insightgrants.com
2013 PEP Winning Notifications Have Started – Applicants Should Check Their Emails
We’ve heard from a few of our clients today that were sent Grant Award Notifications via email through ED’s G5 system. It seems that schools with winning applications are finding out as an auto-award notification hits their email. Applicants should definitely be checking their emails. It is important to identify who your email contact was for the grant application. If it was a superintendent, business manager, and/or a grants consultant, those emails should be checked as well.
We haven’t seen a full list of awards announced, but as soon as it is we will be posting the winning list as well as a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s press release.
2013 PEP Opens Tomorrow
The 2013 Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant competition is officially opening tomorrow, Tuesday, 2/26/2013. Applications will be due on Friday, 4/12/2013. The announcement will be posted in tomorrow’s Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/02/26/2013-04414/carol-m-white-physical-education-program-applications-for-new-awards.
PEP 2013 Update
We learned this morning that the 2013 PEP grant competition will not open 2/7/2013 (tomorrow) as forecasted. The federal program contact indicates, however, an application is currently expected within the next 30-45 days. So, you now have a bit more time to prepare. Contact us with any questions.
