School Counselor Corps Grant Program funding now available

CEA helped secure funding in the 2008 legislative session for a new "counselor corps" grant program. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has announced that school districts may now apply for $4.8 million available to increase effective school-based counseling services in grades 7-12.

The P-20 Council, on which CEA has four members, also supported the Counselor Corps and state funding for more counselors.

During the 2008-09 school year, CDE will conduct two grant funding competitions for School Counselor Corps Grant funding. The first round of applications is due July 18 and will include about two-thirds of the total available funding. The second round applications are due October 1.

In addition to school districts, BOCES, charter schools, and the Charter School Institute may apply for the funding.

Applications must demonstrate how the district will increase the number of school counselors for secondary students (7-12) and the level of school counseling services provided, with an emphasis on increasing the graduation rate and preparing students for postsecondary success.

"School counselors play a critical role in preparing students for success in life, work or the next level of schooling," said Jeanette Cornier, assistant commissioner of standards and achievement support. "This new initiative will provide a way for school districts to strengthen counseling services so counselors can play an even more influential role in raising the awareness of students of their options beyond high school."

To access the CDE Request for Proposal (RFP): http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdecomp/SchoolCounselor.htm

For more information, contact Kim Burnham, CDE Competitive Grants & Awards, 303-866-6916 or burnham_k@cde.state.co.us.