Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
On June 25, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), legislation that expands vital mental health services and provides additional support for States and districts to design and enhance initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments for all students, educators, and school staff.
The BSCA includes $1 billion through Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for SEAs to competitively award subgrants to high-need LEAs to establish safer and healthier learning environments, and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate that impact our school communities at individual and systemic levels, among other programs and activities. The Department has designated this component of the BSCA the Stronger Connections Grant Program.
The Department will continue to provide support and resources to schools and communities on how to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students and educators. To that end, the Department held a webinar series to accompany the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections FAQ.
The first webinar was entitled “Building Stronger Connections: Engaging Families and Communities” and was held on November 30, 2022 at 2 pm. To view the webinar go here: https://ed-gov.zoomgov.com/rec/share/-_5y-9WJA7u0PEnxi0v_IOvDdRbOZlDYJ1RCO6nfreofuyuhCM2EJkbnPFwYy_8Y.WOA3nnAoHBxMN_km
The second webinar was entitled “Building Stronger Connections: Selecting High-Quality Evidence-based Strategies for Safe, Supportive and Healthy Schools Part I” and was held on December 14, 2022 at 4:00 pm. To view the webinar go here: Selecting High-Quality Evidence-based Strategies for Safe, Supportive and Healthy Schools Part I – Zoom (zoomgov.com)
The third webinar was entitled “Building Stronger Connections: Selecting High-Quality Evidenced-based Strategies for Safe, Healthy, and Supportive Schools Part II” and was held on January 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm. To view the webinar go here: https://ed-gov.zoomgov.com/rec/share/uneTJ7PSPL5PVOKtPtlvkPlMKm5dr2VCiGFFr8DSJhFjDbX1-Ql_jN2ZFOSYFfmL.Wbc0GFii5qnhqP7M?startTime=1674064865000
The fourth webinar was entitled “Building Stronger Connections: Professional Development and Training for All School Staff on Strategies for Safe, Healthy, and Supportive Schools” and was held January 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm. To view the webinar go here: https://ed-gov.zoomgov.com/rec/share/aNjfzYCpIX9oZD-vmtJvTW9nvnLa8_a8uMJyWlIAf-FBEdpt6-F00m91k0CbMvNn.eGzI267H_SWJYzMY
The fifth webinar was entitled, “Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Selecting Evidence-based Strategies to Support Adolescents in Middle and High School” and was held on April 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm. To view the webinar go here: https://ed-gov.zoomgov.com/rec/share/UkeGEMIgN0vwppv-vhcgmU2_vGkX0IgnxPMeN42afLp1XumL3lTfWOjgi0J7-fvh.SwvmOrvDrnCsygs_
The sixth webinar was entitled, “School Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH) and Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP)” and was held on May 15th, 2023 at 12:00 pm. To view the webinar go here: School Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH) and Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) – Zoom (zoomgov.com)
More specific information regarding each of these programs is available at the links below.
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – Stronger Connections Grant Program:
Stronger Connections Grant Program Dear Colleague Letter
Stronger Connections Grant Program Allocations
Stronger Connections Grant Program GAN Assurances
Stronger Connections Grant Program GAN Assurances (Outlying Areas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico)
Stronger Connections Grant Program Requested Information Template
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – School-Based Mental Health Services Grant:
School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Notice Inviting Applications
School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Notice of Final Priorities
School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Brochure
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant
Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Notice Inviting Applications
Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Notice of Final Priorities
Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Brochure
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Supplemental Grants:
21st Century Community Learning Center BSCA Memo to States
21st Century Community Learning Center BSCA State Allocations
