Stakeholder feedback opportunity for Stronger Connections Grant

12/5/2022

The Ohio Department of Education received a federal allocation of $35 million to provide students with safe and healthy learning environments that prepare them for success. The award is part of the Stronger Connections Grant program authorized under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments are associated with improved academic achievement and emotional well-being of students. These environments also are associated with reductions in disciplinary actions, as described in this letter from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Stronger Connections Grant is a supplement to the Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment program. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that meet specific criteria indicating they are “high need” for school health and safety will receive these funds through a competitive grant.

The Ohio Department of Education is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the proposed definition of High-Need LEA and the Stronger Connections Grant application process. Read Ohio’s proposed process on this webpage. The Department will hold a stakeholder meeting Thursday, Dec. 8, from 4-5 p.m. Interested attendees can join the meeting using this Microsoft Teams link.

The Ohio Department of Education also will have a comment period from Dec. 6-13. During this comment period, stakeholders may send comments to strongerconnections@education.ohio.gov.

The Ohio Department of Education is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Aleshia McNutt, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or (614) 387-2200 (voice) no later than Dec. 6.