The California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) extended the grant award notifications from a normal 12-month grant period to a 15-month grant period ending on September 30, 2024, for fiscal year (FY) 2023–24. 

The After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21stCCLC), and After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) programs may extend FY 2023–24 funds for three months, beginning July 1, 2023, and ending September 30, 2024.

The purpose of extending grant funds for FY 2023–24 is to allow expanded learning programs to increase their support of students. 

Services may include:

• The EXLD will permit grantees to use Quarter 5 funding for salaries for Quarter 1 for FY 2024–25. 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 Quarter 5 funding so there is no duplication of services or 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 2024–25 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 2023–24 grant funds to help support learning loss.
• Hiring temporary staff that meets the minimum qualifications for instructional aide for a period not to exceed the extension of FY 2023–24 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 FY2024–25 funds; any expenditures utilizing FY 2023–24 grant funds must be reported in Quarter 5 (July 1, 2024–September 30, 2024).
• Attendance for the additional students served through the grant extension must be tracked separately from the attendance for funds received for FY 2024–25. 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 2024–25, you will combine both totals together to report in ASSIST.

Please note: If you did not run a program for Quarters 1-4 in FY 2023–24, you are not allowed to use those funds in Quarter 5 for FY 2024–25. 

For questions regarding this guidance, please contact your regional teams on the EXLD web page at EXLD Contacts.