The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) extended the grant award notifications from a normal 12-month grant period to an 18-month grant period ending on December 31, 2022, for fiscal year (FY) 2021–22. 

The EXLD has added an additional item to the allowable use of funds for the grant extension period for FY 2021–22.

The After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), and After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Programs may extend FY 2021–22 funds for a period of six months, beginning July 1, 2021–December 31, 2022.

The purpose of the extension of grant funds for FY 2021–22 is to allow Expanded Learning Programs to increase their level of support to students in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Services may include:

• The EXLD will permit grantees to use Quarters 5 and 6 funding for salaries for Quarters 1 and 2 for FY 2022–23. There is nothing in the law that prohibits this practice. A policy of first funding in, first funding out is allowed. The EXLD recommends caution regarding the practice of using Quarters 5 and 6 funding, so there is no duplication of services or having an outstanding balance at the end of the FY. As always, good record-keeping is required in case of any audits or other reviews. Please also be sure your expenditures are consistent with your Budget, Program Plans, and Program Narratives.
• A provision to add additional services for students enrolled in the ASES, 21st CCLC, or ASSETS Programs; additional services should support—not supplant—activities or services typically provided through the FY 2022–23 grant funds.
• A provision to temporarily increase the number of students enrolled in the ASES, 21st  CCLC, or ASSETs funds for a period not to exceed the extension of the FY 2021–22 grant funds to support the transition of students back into the school environment after the disruption of educational services due toCOVID-19.
• Hiring temporary staff that meet the minimum qualifications for instructional aide for a period not to exceed the extension of FY 2021–22 grant funds; these staff may serve to lower the student-to-staff ratios as needed to provide for social distancing, hygiene, and other necessary physical restrictions in the school environment.

For this purpose:

• Related expenditures for the grant extension must be accounted for separately from the FY 2022–23 funds; any expenditures utilizing FY 2021–22 grant funds must be reported in Quarter 5 (July 1, 2022–September 30, 2022) and Quarter 6 (October 1, 2022–December 31, 2022).
• Attendance for the additional students served through the grant extension must be tracked separately from the attendance for funds received for FY 2022–23. Although they will be tracked separately for record keeping and separation of funds, when it comes time to report the first semiannual attendance for FY 2022–23, you will combine both totals together to report in the After School Support and Information System.

If you have any questions regarding this guidance, please reach out to your regional teams on the EXLD web page located at Contact the Expanded Learning Division – Expanded Learning (CA Dept of Education).  

Expanded Learning Division
California Department of Education