Grants, Federal & State Funds
Mission Statement
The Office of Grants supports the District's mission by pursuing opportunities for external funding through submission of both federal and state-aid applications, as well as the identification of new and innovative grant opportunities. The goal of the Office is to seek funding to support intellectual stimulation and growth by empowering staff to develop effective instructional strategies and programs to achieve district goals.
The Office also analyzes and interprets Federal and State regulations governing the acquisition and use of grant funds. Staff research, develop and manage federal, state and private grant opportunities through collaborative efforts with schools throughout the district. In addition, the Office manages and assists other departments and schools to prepare grant applications and grant reports.
Camden City School District applies for both Entitlement and Discretionary grant opportunities to ensure the academic success of its students.
Office of Grants
Administration Building
1033 Cambridge Street
Camden, New Jersey 08105
Main Number: (856) 966-2405
Fax Number: (856) 966-2456
Staff
Jennifer Jimenez-Fischman
Senior Director, Grants
(856) 966-2000 Ext. 64333
Jocelyn Spiller
Specialist, Grants
(856) 966—2000 Ext. 65640
Entitlement Grants
These are funding opportunities awarded to the district based on a formula such as the percent of children eligible for free/reduced lunch or the number of children who are English learners. Entitlement Grants for which the district applies include:
- Application for State Aid (ASSA)
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- Preschool Funding
- IDEA-B Basic
- IDEA-B Preschool
- Impact Aid Section 7003
- Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Grant Program
Annually, Camden City School District submits the following applications for entitlement funds:
Application for State School Aid (ASSA)
The ASSA collects the data, such as the resident and nonresident pupil counts, to calculate school districts’ state aid entitlements based on the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. For a pupil to generate State Aid, the pupil must be enrolled in the district on October 15th in a program that will meet for at least 180 days during the school year. Districts are required to report the number of pupils enrolled full-time or shared-time in each school by grade or special education category. In addition, districts must also report the number of pupils that are sent and received. Pupil enrollment data collected are the number of students in the following categories:
- English Language Learners (ELLs)
- Low income pupils (pupils eligible for free meals/free milk or reduced meals)
- Shared-time county vocational school district pupils
- County special services school district pupils
- Regional day school pupils
- Pupils in certain State-operated programs
- Accredited adult high school pupils
- Pupils in approved private schools for the disabled
State aid may be based upon both resident and nonresident counts.
Impact Aid Application
The Impact Aid Application requires the submission of student eligibility information from the Camden Housing Authority for verification of residency.The Application is normally received and available for electronic access by the end of November or the Beginning of December.
The Application is due January 31st. Applications received within the 60-day window can be accepted, however, are reduced by 10%.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated Formula Subgrant Application:
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) was signed into law on December 10, 2015 by President Barack Obama. ESSA, which is the latest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, supports states and school districts in:
- Promoting equity for disadvantaged and high-need students;
- Teaching to high academic standards that will prepare students for postsecondary success;
- Ensuring educators, families, students, and communities receive access to data that measure students' progress toward high academic standards; and
- Using multiple accountability measures to facilitate change in the lowest-performing schools, where groups of students are not making progress, and where graduation rates are low over extended periods of time.
Camden City School District applies for the following ESSA funds:
- Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
- Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction
- Title III: Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students
- Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
Individuals with Disabilities Consolidated Application
Perkins Secondary Consolidated Application
Discretionary Grants: These are funded opportunities awarded to the district through a competitive process. The organization awarding the grant has a formal process to review applications to determine which applications should receive funding. Discretionary grants the district applies for include:
- School Based Youth Services Grants (High Schools and Middle Schools)
- School Based Parenting Program
- Adult Basic Education
Discretionary grants are awarded to selected agencies to address specific education initiatives. With the exception of grant programs that are designed to be implemented over a number of years, applicants usually compete for discretionary grant awards annually.
The New Jersey Department of Education publishes discretionary grant guidelines in the form of a Notice of Grant Opportunity (NGO). Discretionary grants are also available directly from the United States Department of Education.
Generic Discretionary Grant Application Planning Process
- When the Department identifies a grant for which the district intends to apply, the Office of Grants obtains a copy of the complete application and guidelines.
- The Office leads the Internal Review Process to ensure the grant proposal is consistent with legislative, regulatory and policy guidelines. General requirements for grant proposals include:
- Including a standard percentage of expenses to cover administrative and other costs;
- Using the district’s salary guide for salaries of grant funded personnel; and
- Identifying any in-kind contributions the district typically must make to support a grant-funded program.
The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents and Business Administrator determine if the Camden Board of Education applies for external funding. Board approval is done by resolution.