News and Updates
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) School-Age Afterschool Grant
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) School-Age Afterschool Grant competition is now open for the 2024-25 school year (five-year funding cycle). Be sure the check back regularly to the Frequently Asked Questions page as any updates, changes, etc. will be noted there. The application is due to later than 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024. Please visit the Grants Page for the application, guidelines, submission instructions, etc.
Afterschool Grant Writing Workshop – March 29, 2024
Are you looking to start an afterschool program that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development; reduces risky behaviors, promotes physical health, and provides a safe and supportive environment for children and youth? Are you needing more information on funding resources to start an afterschool program in your community? Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), receives the following funding source for Afterschool programs, which are made available through a competitive grant process: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). A grant-writing workshop will be held on March 29, 2024 providing information about applying for the grant. For more workshop information and to register for the event, please go to: Workshop and Registration. For more information about Afterschool programs please visit: Afterschool Programs or contact afterschool@dese.mo.gov.
Afterschool Enrichment Grant – Awards Made
The Office of Childhood’s Afterschool program has issued awards for the Afterschool Enrichment Grant. For a complete list of recipients, please go to ‘approved programs’ on the right side of this page.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requesting an extension for the FY 2021 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. Please read the extension request and submit any questions or comments to afterschool@dese.mo.gov.
See below for latest information on COVID-19 and your afterschool program.
Missouri's Afterschool Programs Guidance Related to COVID-19 (per email 3/19/20)
Missouri's Afterschool Programs Updates Related to COVID-19 (per email 4/9/2020)
School Age Community Guidance for COVID-19 (per email 4/28/2020)
Missouri's 21st CCLC Guidance Related to COVID-19 and School Reopening (per email 7/28/2020)
Serving Children in Afterschool during COVID-19
The following entities have provided many resources (i.e. professional development, activity ideas, guidance, etc.) that may be of assistance to afterschool programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note these are just resources, not grant requirements, if you have any questions about a resource listed please contact our office. This is not all inclusive list, we will add any others that come to our attention.
Missouri AfterSchool Network Home Page
National Afterschool Association Home Page
Afterschool Alliance Home Page
External Organization Profile
The Afterschool Programs of the Department accepted self-nominations for eligible organizations to be included as part of a published list of organizations that 21st Century Community Learning Center grantees may reference for potential partnerships or professional development support. As required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended on December 10, 2015) for this purpose, external organization is defined as:
(A) a nonprofit organization with a record of success in running or working with before and afterschool (or summer recess) programs and activities; or
(B) in the case of a community where there is no such organization, a nonprofit organization in the community that enters into a written agreement or partnership with an organization described in (A) to receive mentoring, and guidance in running or working with before and afterschool (or summer recess) programs and activities.
To be considered, nonprofit entities completed and submitted an application to the Afterschool Programs for review and approval of required documentation and eligibility. This list of organizations is intended to serve as a resource for 21st CCLC programs. Please note: the list is not an exhaustive list nor does it serve as an endorsement or certification of quality from the Afterschool Programs. Programs are not required to select from this list.
Current List of Approved Self-Nominated External Organizations
Please note: School districts should not apply; however, they may share this information with their partners and other external organizations who work with youth during afterschool hours.
21st Century Community Learning Center Evaluations
As required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) the state agency education must conduct a comprehensive evaluation process of the Title IV, Part B Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. The evaluation results must be disseminated to the public. The state evaluations are available on the DESE Portal for Afterschool Programs.