AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Education has received $150,000 from the state Legislature to expand the availability of before and after school programs.

Three $50,000 grants will be available to school districts and other not-for-profit public and private organizations for the 2006-2007 school year. The application deadline is July 31 at 4:30 p.m. A 20 percent cash match is required.

The types of activities to be supported by successful applicants will include, but are not limited to:

·        Tutoring and supplementing instruction in basic skills such as reading, math and science;

·        Drug and violence prevention curricula and counseling;

·        Youth leadership activities;

·        Volunteer and service learning activities;

·        Career and vocational awareness preparation, courses and enrichment in arts and culture;

·        Computer instruction;

·        Character development and civic participation;

·        Language instruction, including English as a Second Language;

·        Mentoring;

·        Positive interaction with law enforcement;

·        Supervised recreation programs; and

·        Health and nutrition programs.

Applications are available at http://www.state.ia.us/educate/grants/rfp_before_after_school.pdf. For more information, contact Keli Tallman, Iowa State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist, at ktallman@iastate.edu or (515) 294-0688.

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