Secure Environment Consultants is here to provide Michigan public schools, non-public schools, and public school academies with pertinent information about grant funding available for mental health resources and school safety resources. Below, you will find information regarding how to access and apply for this funding.
When does the grant window open to opt in? When does it close?
- The grant opens on Tuesday, September 3, 2024
- The grant will close November 1, 2024.
- Note this is a very small window of time to apply.
- You will opt in through GEMS/MARS.
Is the spending flexible between mental health support and safety and security? Or must it be spent evenly?
The grant funding has allowable expenses that you can determine what you need most for your school.
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.”
Should preschool students be included in the budget?
No. MDE 31aa has been designated as a K-12 grant only.
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, 2024-September 30, 2026. They CANNOT be used for purchases made prior to October 1, 2024.
Are event assessments an allowable expense?
Yes, event assessments is a new, allowable expense. Events that can be assessed include but are not limited to athletic events, graduation, prom, theater events or musical performances. To learn more about the importance of assessing after school events, please visit here.
When should a district or nonpublic school expect their grant to be funded?
MDE expects grants to be funded by December 2024.
Can a district use this money for a site assessment if they did not have the district assessed last year?
Yes, this is still an allowable expense that can be included.
What if a district is unsure on what is allowable? Or how they should prioritize their expenditures?
The allowable expenses are outlined in the memo. You can find a copy of the memo here.
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