Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

“Opportunity to Excel” Funds available

For fee-based academic activities that have an academic instructional value during Fayette County Public School year 2007-2008

Background

The Fayette County Public Schools Equity Council and Community Action Council have partnered to offer new funds for fee-based activities that have an academic instructional value to students of the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS).

The mission of the Equity Council is to monitor and advise the Fayette County Board of Education on issues related to equity and to provide strong advocacy for the achievement of all students, regardless of any cultural or ethnic factors or condition of disability or other identifiers that may exclude, diminish or marginalize students from receiving a superior education from FCPS.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), through Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, assists communities in the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient. Community Action Council is directed to include activities that help low-income individuals and families to attain an exemplary education.

Purpose

For low-income families with children in FCPS, this process provides access to funds for use in ensuring that low-income (those eligible for free lunch services) children can participate in fee-based activities that have an academic instructional value. Academic instructional value shall be defined as (1) there is a direct relationship to the Kentucky Program of Studies, AND (2) there is a direct relationship to a class that the students are taking.

Guidelines

Applications will be accepted requesting funds in the range between a minimum of $25 per child and a maximum of $300 per child. Approval process is estimated to take three weeks and up to an additional two weeks will be needed to process the check. Awards may be partially or fully granted on a competitive basis at the discretion of Community Action Council. Available funding is limited. Funds must be expended by June 30, 2008.

Process

• Schools who identify children without sufficient funds to access fee-based activities with an educational value should submit an application to Angelique Bell, Project Coordinator, Community Action Council) at least five weeks prior to the need for funds.
• Ms. Connor, Civil Rights Compliance Officer for Fayette County Public Schools and liaison to the Equity Council is responsible for advertising the program on the Fayette County Public School’s Web site and in Stu’s News.
• Ty Sturdivant, Manager, Neighborhood & Community Services, Community Action Council will compile all of the requests and determine if the application fits the mission, strategic goals and current educational advocacy goals of the Council. He will also determine if adequate funding is available, he will send a written response to Ms. Connor approving the application.
• If Community Action Council approves the application, Ms. Connor will be responsible for informing the school involved in the request that they will receive proposed funds.
• Fayette County Public Schools will ensure that all children are income eligible.
• A check for the approved amount will be sent to Fayette County Public Schools, “It’s About Kids Support services. Internal controls at Fayette County Public Schools will be used to automatically freeze an account if funds have not been spent the day following a scheduled activity.
• Ms. Connor will ensure expenditure of the allocated funds for the approved activities.

Last update: 11/27/2007 9:33:52 AM     Printer friendly view