MDE 31aa Grant Funding Resources
Secure Education Consultants is here to provide Michigan public schools, non-public schools, and public school academies with pertinent information about the new Grant Funding available for mental health resources and school safety resources. Below, you will find a recording of our informational webinar, budget worksheet and FAQ’s, as we receive answers from the State of Michigan.
When does the grant window open? When does it close?
- The grant opens on Monday, October 23rd.
- The grant closes at 11:59PM on Sunday, December 10th.
- Districts will find the grant in NexSys under “My Opportunities”.
When should districts expect information about the grant from MDE?
There will be a memo issued from MDE on Thursday, October 19th. You can find it here: MDE Memos
Is the spending flexible between mental health support and safety and security? Or must it be spent evenly?
Per MDE: When you submit your application for FY 24 31aa funds in NexSys, you can reflect in the budget that you intend to use more than 50% towards safety if that’s what your needs assessment and community input reflect is the greatest need.
If a district received the SRO grant for 50% of the costs, can they use 31aa for the remaining 50%?
Yes. A district can use the 31aa grant funding for the remaining 50%.
Are we able to use the 31aa funds to supplant current programs and personnel? Or must the funds be used for new programs and personnel positions?
Per MDE: Our general guidance has been and will remain that it’s always best practice to supplement and not supplant. We strongly suggest that you do not supplant as any slight mistake in how that is done can and will be found by auditors. If supplanting is discovered, grants could be suspended or terminated, and grantees could be barred from receiving current and future federal funding. In addition, grantees may also have to repay the misused funds.
With that said, MDE recently received the following specific question: “We currently have a behavior support specialist that is being funded with 31a At Risk funds, but are wondering if that position could be shifted to 31aa instead?”
In this particular instance, MDE was able to provide a more specific answer than the standard guidance because the district included details on the funding sources they intended to use. Since both funds in question are state funds, and there are no federal funds involved, this would not be an example of supplanting because federal regulations strictly prohibit supplanting as federal funds cannot replace state, local, or agency funds. Furthermore, this is allowable because they are shifting funding from 31a funds to 31aa funds, and the language in 31aa says funds can be used for, “hiring or contracting for support staff for student mental health needs, including, but not limited to, school psychologists, social workers, counselors, and school nurses;” unlike language in 31n that says funds can be used to, “add licensed behavioral health providers,” or 31o that says funds can be used, “for the purpose of increasing the number of school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, and school nurses serving students in this state.”
What count period should we use for our budget development?
Districts should use their 2022-2023 blended count for the budget. The amount per student is $220.
Should preschool students be included in the budget?
No. MDE 31aa has been designated as a K-12 grant only.
Once the application has been approved, will a district have to make an amendment in the application if they decide to spend their funds on something other than what was approved?
No, a district will not have to submit a budget amendment; however, a district must ensure the purchase is an allowable expense and must retain invoices/contracts for the auditors.
Are ISD's eligible for the 31aa funding?
Yes. ISD’s can apply for their own funding regardless of what their LEA’s decide to do and will receive their own per pupil allocation. The source we use to determine an ISD’s amount is MSDS Michigan Student Data System which uses full-time equivalency and not a head count.
Can a district make purchases and/or hire personnel now in anticipation of the grant fund?
Yes, as long as the expenditures meet the mental health and safety and security parameters outlined in the law. The grant funds can be used on expenses between October 1, 2023-September 30, 2025. They CANNOT be used for purchases made prior to October 1, 2023.
Scenario: a district signs a contract for a service that begins in Winter 2024 but will not conclude until November 2025–which is outside the funding window. Is this allowable?
Per MDE: The work has begun during the grant fiscal window; therefore, it is an appropriated expenditure which will be paid in full before the completion of the service. This is NOT true for a subscription.
When should a district or nonpublic school expect their 31aa grant application to be approved and funded?
MDE expects grant awards and funding to be completed by late winter 2024.
How much detail should be in the submitted budget?
- With the short window and just an estimated budget, MDE recognizes a district may not have identified a vendor and/or hired personnel and therefore will not have an exact dollar amount. This is understood.
- The 31aa application within NexSys is a series of checkboxes with mental health and safety and security expenditure categories and a budget sheet.
- Districts will identify the categories that align to their planned expenditures and submit the budget, by category.
- The submitted dollar amount can be a best estimate.
Should a district collect community feedback prior to submitting the application?
This is best practice. Many districts add an agenda item to a board meeting, either a regular meeting or a study session, and have a public comment period after presenting the draft budget. This meets the mandate in the law.
Can a district use this money for a site assessment if they did not have the district assessed last year?
It is likely the 97c site assessment grant will reopen in Winter 2024, but a district can use 31aa for a site assessment and amend the budget if they are awarded the 97c grant.
What if a district is unsure on what is allowable? Or how they should prioritize their expenditures?
Feel free to contact Dave Pass at [email protected] or Jason Russell at [email protected].
SEC is here to help you each step of the way.
Do nonpublic schools receive the same amount of funding per student as the public schools?
Nonpublic schools will also receive $220 per student. Like public schools, preschool students do not qualify.
Are nonpublic schools required to submit the same application in NexSys?
Yes. Nonpublic schools will also submit their application via NexSys. Questions regarding login should be submitted to MDE’s Office of Financial Management. A link to MDE’s presentation explaining the requirements for NexSys for nonpublic schools can be found here: MDE Nonpublic NexSys Presentation
What MUST nonpublic schools do to be eligible for the grant?
Nonpublic schools must submit the nonpublic school membership report. Additional information can be found here: Nonpublic School Membership Report
What if a nonpublic school needs help with prioritizing or completing the application?
Feel free to contact Kylee Haywood at [email protected] or Allison Moody at [email protected]. SEC is happy to help each step of the way.