Stronger Connections Subgrant Program

The Stronger Connections Subgrant Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) through its Office of Student Support and is funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The program is designed to allocate federal funding to high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) across South Carolina in order to strengthen school safety, improve student well-being, and foster healthier learning environments. The SCDE received over $15 million in federal funding under this initiative and is required to distribute the majority of these funds through competitive subgrants to eligible school districts. The primary purpose of this subgrant program is to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive, evidence-based programs that enhance student safety and mental health. Funded activities must align with Section 4108 of the ESEA and may include violence prevention programs, mental health services, anti-bullying initiatives, professional development for staff, and interventions that support student resilience, social-emotional learning, and behavioral health. The program emphasizes creating safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments that improve both academic outcomes and overall student well-being. Funding for this specific competition totals approximately $825,000, with an anticipated five awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. Final award amounts are contingent upon the quality of applications submitted and may be adjusted based on demonstrated need and budget justification. The funding period spans six months, from January 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring applicants to have sufficient upfront operational capacity to sustain program implementation prior to reimbursement. Eligibility is limited to South Carolina LEAs that demonstrate high need, defined as having at least 40 percent of students living in poverty and exhibiting elevated levels of bullying or harassment, chronic absenteeism, or exclusionary discipline. A predefined list of eligible districts is provided within the RFP. Applicants must also meet federal compliance requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and adhering to applicable federal regulations such as 2 CFR Part 200. Applications must include required documentation such as a needs assessment, project narrative, budget summary, budget narrative, GEPA statement, and various appendices including certifications and consultation forms. The application process requires submission through an online portal and includes multiple structured components. Applicants must provide a detailed proposal narrative addressing needs assessment, goals and objectives, strategies and activities, management and sustainability, and evaluation and dissemination. Additional required attachments include a project abstract, budget documentation, and appendices such as resumes, memorandums of agreement, and a timeline of activities. Applications must be complete and compliant with formatting and submission guidelines to be considered for review. Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process involving independent reviewers who score submissions based on predefined criteria, with a maximum possible score of 115 points including competitive priority points. Priority points may be awarded for proposals that include initiatives to reduce recreational screen time and improve student social engagement. Only applications scoring at least 80 points are eligible for funding consideration. Awards are expected to be announced in March 2026, and funded projects must adhere to strict reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements throughout the grant period. For assistance or additional information, applicants may contact Kimberly Smith at the SCDE Office of Student Support via email at strongerconnections@ed.sc.gov or by phone at 803-734-8113. A technical assistance webinar was held on January 13, 2026, and a recording is available upon request. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, and funding availability is subject to federal appropriations and future program cycles.

Ensure alignment between needs assessment goals and budget with clear evidence-based strategies and measurable outcomes; incomplete applications are not reviewed; scoring rubric heavily influences funding decisions