American Indian Education Center Request for Applications

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit applications from eligible Tribal Groups or Incorporated American Indian Associations for grants to operate American Indian Education Centers (AIEC) authorized by sections 33370 and 33380–33385 of the California Education Code (EC). It is anticipated that the Budget Act will allocate approximately $5.1 million for the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. The California Department of Education (CDE) anticipates that similar amounts will be allocated for each year during this five-year cycle. This award is made contingent upon the availability of funds. If the Legislature takes action to reduce or defer the funding upon which this award is based, then this award will be amended accordingly. The AIEC grant funds may be used for any of the purposes specified in the authorizing legislation and the program regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 5 [5 CCR], Section 11996) to promote the academic and cultural achievement of the students. The AIEC grant funds may be used, on the basis of established priority needs, to accomplish the following: • Improve the academic achievement of American Indian pupils in kindergarten and grades one to twelve, inclusive.• Improve the self-concept and sense of identity of American Indian pupils and adults.• Serve as a center for related community activities.• Provide individual and group counseling to pupils and adults related to personal adjustment, academic progress, and vocational planning.• Create and offer coordinated programs with the public schools.• Provide a focus for summer cultural, recreational, and academic experiences.• Create and offer adult classes and activities that benefit parents or guardians of pupils in its programs.• Provide training programs to develop pathways to college and the workplace for American Indian pupils.• Provide American Indian educational resource materials to pupils, their parents, and the schools they attend in order to ensure appropriate tribal histories and cultures is made available.