Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs)

Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs) Components of the Grant Application Laura Ellis Karen P. Munn Project Manager Project Consultant 615-253-6037 615-532-6243 Laura.Ellis@state.tn.usKaren.Munn@state.tn.us 710 James Robertson Parkway, Andrew Johnson Tower, 5th Flr. Nashville, TN 37243-0379

Components of a LEAPs Grant Application Needs Assessment Project Design Performance Measures Effective Partnerships Fiscal Responsibilities

Needs Assessment • Research programs currently offered • Administer surveys • Assemble a focus group • Review the information • Decide what needs you can address

Developing the Project Design Programming will be the most visible piece of the project. Activities should reflect the goal(s) of your program. People making programming decisions should take a close look at the needs of the participants to be served. If the activities are unappealing, kids won’t come. Remember that activities can/should change as needs change.

Performance Measures Minimum of one goal for each problem or need in the problem or statement. Description of the benefiting population. Performance - the action which occurs within a specific time frame at an expected proficiency. Process - the method by which the action will occur. Product - the tangible results from the action's performance and process.

Program Activities All activities must be educationally based. Services to students should average 15 hrs. per week. Required Academics • Reading development & enhancement • Math & Science activities • Computer literacy • Academic tutoring & mentoring programs • Sports/Recreational activities

Elementary Ages 5-10 What Types of Activities to Offer This Age-Group: Frequent individual interaction with adults Games with simple rules Outside experiences Imaginative play opportunities Some clear responsibilities like clean-up Projects that apply school day lessons to family and community Opportunities to read aloud, silently, and to talk about books and ideas Matching, ordering and sorting activities Opportunities to work with a variety of materials for projects Music, dance and drama opportunities Opportunities to try experiences from diverse cultures Characteristics of This Age-Group: High energy and need lots of activity Eager to learn Creative Eager to please Practicing large muscle and fine motor skills Beginning to reason Enjoy small groups Feel their ideas count Developing physical flexibility Easily hurt and insulted Growing attention span Identify with the family Respond to simple rules and limits Emphasize fairness

Preadolescents & Teens Ages 10-14 What Types of Activities to Offer This Age-Group: Wide variety of options Connections to real-world experiences Opportunities to interact in large and small groups as well as individual recognition Experiences that explore ethics and values with respected adults Opportunities for decision-making and leadership Projects that apply school day lessons to family, community and service to others Experiences emphasizing reasoning/problem-solving thru art, science and mathematics Games that provide opportunities to practice basic skills, i.e.,chess, checkers, puzzles Wide range of reading activities with book discussions Quiet times for homework with adult help and/or peer help when needed Experiences built on a diversity cultures Characteristics of This Age-Group: High energy and need lots of activity Can exchange ideas Like to achieve and be seen as competent Seek independence Use logic and reasoning Want a voice in decisions Think beyond the immediate experience Feel their ideas count Need praise and approval Identify strongly with peers Feel awkward and embarrassed in some situations Interested in experimentation

Teens Ages 14-18 What Types of Activities to Offer This Age-Group: Individual projects as well as teamwork in small and large groups One-on-one opportunities to talk with adults Opportunities to discuss physical risk (smoking, drugs, drinking, sexual activity) Opportunities to show competence in a public setting Opportunities to tutor younger children Substantial choice with clear limits Discussions of diverse ideas and opinions with adults and peers Opportunities to catch up or move ahead with academic interest Opportunities to work on school day projects and papers with library and internet support Problem-solving and reasoning skills practice Music, dance and drama opportunities Characteristics of This Age-Group: Concerned about body and appearance Think abstractly Highly developed motor skills Learn by doing Recognize diversity of ideas Mask their true feelings Need and demand more freedom and privacy Need praise and adult recognition Less influenced by parents, more influenced by peers Admire heroes that demonstrate characteristics of friendship and romance

Partnerships • Assess your own resources • Generate a core base of partners • Share accomplishments of success Possible Partner Organizations Senior Citizen Centers Local Businesses Museums, zoos, parks Recreation Centers Youth Organizations Law Enforcement Agencies Civic, professional, volunteer groups Colleges/Universities

Principles for Successful Partnerships Have clear goals Select indicators and performance measures to monitor efforts productivity Involve students and families in development of program and activities Include your key stakeholders from the beginning Define partners roles and responsibilities Communicate with partners Be flexible Draw on the strengths of partners Make the project visible to the public Maintain momentum and strive for sustainability

Budget Budgets are cost projections, a window into how projects will be implemented and managed. These factors help assess budgets: • Can the job be accomplished with this budget? • Are costs reasonable for the market – or too high or low? • Is the budget consistent with proposed activities? • Is there sufficient budget detail and explanation? Sometimes mandatory budget forms are provided that must be submitted with the proposal.

Websites Listed below are some websites that offer helpful hints on writing grants. • http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html • http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~epados/grants/src/msieopen.htm • http://712educators.about.com/cs/grantwriting/a/grantwriting.htm • http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html • http://www.npguides.org/guide/index.html

Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs)