Rhode Island’s 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Initiative (RI 21^st CCLC) is a federally funded program to develop and sustain high quality after school and summer programs that provide students with academic support and enrichment and school engagement opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program.

Overview
The Rhode Island Department of Education provides funds to support the development of high quality after school and summer programs through a competitive process, that prioritizes high poverty populations and under-performing schools. All 21^st CCLCs must demonstrate a partnership between the target school(s) and a community or faith based organization. RIDE currently supports after school and summer programs in 65 elementary, middle and high schools, serving almost 10,000 students each year. The funded programs operate before and after school programs, school vacation week programs, and summer programs.

2011-2012 RFP Now Closed
Click here to view for informational purposes

Program Information
21^st CCLC programs provide a broad array of opportunities for students and their families including such things as:

• Academic Supports: homework help, tutoring, hands-on science, math clubs, literacy activities, SAT preparation, and more;
• Arts: dance, theatre, music, visual arts, ceramics, etc.
• Physical Activity: martial arts, swimming, soccer, baseball, sailing, skating, yoga, basketball, personal training, etc.
• Youth Development: leadership development, social skills, violence prevention, mediation skills, community service, etc.
• Health Promotion: nutrition education, healthy cooking, substance abuse prevention, good decision-making, physical activity, etc.
• Family Engagement: family events, family field trips, adult education, etc.
• Career Exploration and College Access: community service, internships, job shadowing, college visits, college application support, etc.

System of Support, Accountability and Improvement

• All programs align their programs to meet the Rhode Island After School Quality Standards and Indicators
• All programs participate in the Rhode Island Program Quality Assessment (RIPQA) process, a continuous quality improvement process, including nationally validated assessment tools, observations, action planning, and technical assistance;
• All program directors and select staff participate in professional development and training opportunities;
• All grantees participate in a national data collection and analysis system to track such things as attendance, grades, homework completion, classroom behavior, state assessment scores, etc.
• All grantees are required to participate in a state-directed monitoring process that assesses grantee and program compliance with state performance expectations and federal requirements, using the Quality Assurance Evidence guidance and checklists

Current Grantees
For a current grantee list and contact information, click here.

Rhode Island Intermediary Organizations
RIDE’s 21^st CCLC Program collaborates and partners with our state’s two out-of-school-time intermediary organizations:

• Rhode Island After School Plus Alliance (RIASPA): advocacy, public engagement, professional development, research, resources.

• Providence After School Alliance (PASA): professional development, technical assistance, research, quality initiatives, advocacy, resources.

• US Department of Education

• Afterschool Alliance (national advocacy and information organization)
• Providence After School Alliance
• Rhode Island After School Plus Alliance
• Coalition for Community Schools (national full service schools organization)
• In July, 2009, Governor Carcieri signed the Rhode Island Afterschool and Summer Learning Program Act (H5802). This legislation directed the Rhode Island Department of Education to develop a report that would provide a framework for a state-funded after school and summer program, with particular emphasis on workforce development and assurances of high quality. The Draft Report is provided here for public comment. Please send any comments to: Jackie Ascrizzi, Program Manager, Rhode Island Department of Education, 255 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 or jackie.ascrizzi@ride.ri.gov.

Contact: Jackie Ascrizzi, RI 21^st CCLC Manager, 401-222-8953, Jackie.Ascrizzi@ride.ri.gov