Funding sources and resources for social-emotional Learning
Tips and places to get SEL funded in your school, district or classroom for the 2022–23 school year.
The political, technological and health contexts that have emerged over the last decade have highlighted and heightened the need for high-quality, engaging social-emotional learning opportunities for kids that help to foster strong relationships in schools. Classroom Champions offers year-long K-8 programming featuring currently competing Olympic, Paralympic, professional and NCAA athletes who serve as role models practicing and sharing stories about the social and emotional skills necessary to pursue their dreams.
Our current and potential partner schools and districts often ask about how they can get funding for Classroom Champions programs. Our programs (K-2, 3–5, 6–8 scope & sequence) meet federal funding eligibility standards and other state and local grant requirements. Districts, schools, and individual educators are encouraged to use the following resources to help secure funds to purchase and implement Classroom Champions programs. We’re happy to provide these tools to help you get what your students deserve- an opportunity to dream big and have a champion by their side.
Federal Funding
Classroom Champions curriculum aligns with several federal funding sources. Each school’s situation and state allocations will vary, so we’ve broken down federal funding allocations by state and detailed how each of them works for our programs.
Section 2001 (e) (1):
• Address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions…[to] respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus
Sections 2001 (A.1), (A.2.f), (A.2.l), (A.2.n):
• Expanded learning opportunities that integrate social, emotional, and academic learning across in-school and out-of-school time
• Evidence-based SEL programs that emphasize developmentally appropriate and culturally affirming SEL competencies
Section 18003(d)(10):
• Providing mental health services and supports.
Section 18002 :
• Activities approved for funding under Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) may also be approved under Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund (GEER)
Public Law 116–260:
• Activities authorized under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, or the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.
• Providing mental health services and supports.
Title Funds
Sec. 1114, Schoolwide Programs:
(A) counseling, school-based mental health programs, specialized instructional support services, mentoring services, and other strategies to improve students’ skills outside the academic subject areas;
(B) implementation of a school-wide tiered model to prevent and address problem behaviors and support early intervention services, coordinated with similar activities and services as carried out under IDEA.
Sec. 1115, Targeted Assistance Schools:
(A) a school-wide tiered model to prevent and address problem behaviors and support early intervention services, coordinated with similar activities and services as carried out under IDEA;
( C) integrated student supports
(D) professional development necessary to assist teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, other staff, and parents in identifying and meeting the comprehensive needs of eligible children.
Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
Sec. 1414, State Plan and State Agency Applications:
(A) Professional development for teachers and staff
Sec. 1423, Local Educational Agency Applications:
( C) Coordination of health and social services for such children, including day care, drug and alcohol counseling, and mental health services.
This Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) fund supports well-rounded education for all students.
Under SSAE, Section 4108 funds can be used for programs that support student health and wellness, and professional development training for teachers and staff. Safe and Healthy Students (ESEA Section 4108):
• Implementing programs that support a healthy, active lifestyle (nutritional and physical education)
• Developing relationship building skills to help improve safety through the recognition and prevention of coercion, violence, or abuse
This fund provides resources for 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Sec. 4201:
(2) Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.
The Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) helps rural districts use Federal resources to improve instruction and academic achievement. REAP includes two programs: Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) and Rural and Low-Income Schools (RLIS). Activities and programs authorized under Title I, Part A; Title II, Part A; Title III; and Title IV, Part A or B also qualify under Title VI Part B.
Community Funds
Community funding sources such as the following may also be good options:
- County government discretionary funds
- Governors’ special council funds for child abuse prevention
- Mental health funds
- School enhancement dollars
- Mayors’ offices — municipal government
- Banking institutions, including credit unions
- Police departments and other crime prevention associations/organizations
- Hospitals and medical clinics
- Libraries
- Community foundations
- Neighborhood Watch groups
- Parent-teacher organizations/associations
- Faith-based institutions
- Private foundations (particularly those with a geographic focus)
- Corporations or businesses at the local or corporate level
- Service organizations
Template & Resources to Fund your CC Program
Classroom Champions was founded in 2010 as a nonprofit organization to empower children to thrive, socially, emotionally and academically through the mentorship and mindsets of world-class athletes.
[Name of school/district/organization] plans to introduce Classroom Champions programs, which have been recognized with the Olympism in Action award for its support of the joy found in effort and its respect for the universal value of all people, and is a Mentor Certified Program through the National Quality Mentoring System. We have selected Classroom Champions programs because their lessons for grades K-8 align with our academic content standards, (or) character education principles. With its 8 monthly units and weekly lesson plans, videos and family resources, Classroom Champions programs teach students (Kindergarten through Grade 8):
- Centering emotions
- Goal setting
- Perseverance
- How to give and receive feedback
- Teamwork
- How to contribute to the community
- Healthy decision making
- Leadership
This is the K-2, 3–5, 6–8 scope & sequence. These lessons not only improve social skills in and out of the classroom, but they offer a mindset for an effective, responsible and hopeful approach throughout a lifetime.
Children at our school will be joining classrooms around the world in learning how to interact more effectively. Used by more than 200,000 children in over 9,000 classrooms in 7 countries, research-based Classroom Champions programs were created and researched by educators with significant classroom experience. Each year participating students and teachers complete a pre- and post-assessment created and analyzed by the University of Lethbridge to measure impact. We expect to see more intrinsic motivation and focused decision-making, improved interactions, increased growth mindset, and fewer discipline referrals — just as countless other schools have reported over the years.
These are additional resources that may be helpful when preparing your funding proposal:
