What is a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant?

A 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Grant is a competitive federal grant administered by the Ohio Department of Education to provide before- and after-school programming.  These five-year grants award up to $850,000 per cycle for each grant.

The main goal of a 21st Century program is to serve students who attend high-poverty schools, their families and their communities.  These programs nurture student growth by providing a safe place before and after school where students may get academic assistance, build healthy relationships and obtain life skills. The program’s staff members serve as family partners by helping students complete homework, providing academic enrichment, working with school staff and offering programs and activities that build the family unit.  These programs help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, particularly reading and math.

MVESC has been involved in 21st Century programming since 2003 and currently serves programs in the Crooksville, Logan-Hocking, Morgan, Newcomerstown, New Lexington, Northern and Ridgewood school districts.

Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) provides the following quality services for schools:

Grant Writing Services

Muskingum Valley ESC has experienced grant writers who will work with your district to plan and submit a customized 21st CCLC grant application to fit the needs of your staff, students, families and community.

Staffing Services

Muskingum Valley ESC will hire 21st CCLC employees.  This may be more cost effective for districts and employees and is not part of the district’s local education authority’s negotiated agreement.  Contracts, timesheets, payments and staff paperwork will be handled through MVESC.  These employees could include full- or part-time site coordinators, licensed teachers and licensed paraprofessionals.  The district’s personnel can be involved in any or all of the hiring process, including interviews and selection of staff.

Supervision Services

MVESC’s 21st Century program supervisor will work directly with the site coordinator to ensure the 21st Century Community Learning Center is implemented according to the contents of the grant. An extensive list of the program supervisor’s duties is available upon request.

Professional Development Services

The program supervisor hosts a learning community of 21st CCLC site coordinators.  Coordinators in the area come together monthly to discuss afterschool best practices and challenges. This community develops a leadership capacity among all coordinators and assists in the continuous improvement process.

Other professional development opportunities, specific to 21st CCLC programming, are available throughout the year.

Data Services

MVESC has developed a data management system for 21st CCLC programs to track and manage required data, such as attendance, grades, communications, state testing, family event attendance and surveys.  It also provides real time reports.

For more information regarding 21st CCLC grants and services, please contact Bobbi Holcombe, 21st Century Program Director, at 740-342-3502.

Let’s work together to improve education.