CDE releases five ESSER funding opportunities

The Colorado Department of Education this week released five funding opportunities for Colorado school districts from Colorado’s Elementary & Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund State Reserve. These state reserve funds allow states to identify and address statewide needs.

The funding opportunities currently open are:

• The Rural Coaction Program, which supports Colorado’s rural districts in building career-connected learning opportunities, such as student pathways, internship programs and CTE. Applications will be accepted in two cohorts:
  • Friday, April 1, for districts with established programs and/or partnerships interested in launching in fall 2022.
  • Monday, May 2, for districts wanting to create a new program and/or needing additional planning time. 

• The Rural Program Development Grants provide additional capacity to Colorado’s rural districts in identifying and developing programs to strengthen student engagement coming out of the pandemic. Rural districts will receive $3,000 in funding to support the development of programs to support re-engaging and strengthening student engagement, particularly for students most impacted by the pandemic. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis, and rural districts have until Sept. 30 to submit.

• The ESSER K-8 Mathematics Curricula & K-3 READ Act Instructional Program Grant Program supports districts in purchasing eligible high-quality, standards-aligned K-8 mathematics curricula and K-3 READ Act-approved instructional programs, with special emphasis on students most impacted by the pandemic. Applications are due by Friday, April 29.

• The Education Workforce Program provides support to Colorado LEAs seeking a strong, talented education workforce that can ensure safe in-person learning, address learning loss, complete unfinished learning and meet the COVID-related needs of Colorado students. Through the assistance funded under this program, LEAs will be able to ensure ongoing and high-quality learning continues for all students. Applications are due by Friday, March 25.

• The Mentor Grant Program provides opportunities for districts to build, enhance and strengthen mentoring programs to ensure beginning teachers have the necessary support to build instructional capacity and effectiveness in the classroom by deepening mentoring programs at the local level. Applications are due Monday, March 28. An informational webinar is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23.

For additional information on the ESSER State Reserve funds, contact Scott D. Jones at jones_s@cde.state.co.us, CDE’s chief strategic recovery officer.