The Grants Office at Worcester County Public Schools is dedicated to securing grant funds to meet the identified needs of the school system and to ensuring effective management of grant funds. Specifically, the office researches and distributes relevant grant opportunities to applicable staff; assists in the grant proposal writing process in collaboration with staff and partners; reviews and edits grant proposals prior to submission; establishes relationships with federal, state and foundation grantors; coordinates with the Finance Office to ensure compliance with state and federal grant guidelines and requirements; and responds, as appropriate, to internal and external grant audits.
DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan
The Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan is an annual strategic planning document submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in accordance with Federal and State legislation. The plan identifies two to three main areas of focus for the year, based on a needs assessment of academic and non-academic data, and outlines plans to utilize Federal and State funding from MSDE to address each area.
View/Download: 2021-2022 Local ESSA Consolidated Strategic Plan
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER)
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law in March of 2021 and provides financial assistance to State education agencies and school districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund. Interim final regulations for ARP ESSER Funds require Worcester County Public Schools to make the planned use of ARP ESSER Funds publicly available on its website. The plan includes strategies to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and to respond to the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all students, particularly those disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
View/Download: ESSER III Application
COVID-19 Pandemic Funding
Federal legislation enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes significant allocations intended to address the impacts of the pandemic on students, educators and families. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act established the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. In December 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act was signed into law, providing additional funding for ESSER II and GEER II programs. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law and funded the ARP ESSER Fund, also referred to as ESSER III, among other programs. Each of these programs provides significant allocations to support local educational agencies as they prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. Grant applications funded under CARES, CRRSA and ARP legislation, including any post-award modifications, are posted below.