Department of Grants and District Initiatives 1 San Antonio Independent School District Department of Grants and District Initiatives The purpose of the Department of Grants and District Initiatives is to provide support to SAISD staff and faculty seeking to secure external funding to improve student achievement and thereby reach the District’s goal of exemplary status.

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 2 Initiative: Secure external funding Rationale: In , SAISD submitted 65 proposals and as of July 20, 2004, 38 of those proposals were funded at an estimated $21 million dollars in grant awards. These resources provided the means to support the District’s mission, campus improvement plans, department initiatives, and build community partnerships. Strategy: Continue to prepare and submit proposals by researching funding opportunities to support Vision 2005 and Beyond.

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 3 Initiative: Secure external funding (cont.) Activities: Search and/or receive notification from Texas Education Agency website for Request for Application (RFA) opportunities Search and/or receive notification of current RFA opportunities from United States Department of Education via the USDOE Funding Forecast Purchase CD Publications for grants and other funding opportunities information Research “funding alerts” from various organizations, i.e., School Grants, Non-Profit Center Texas Foundations, Governor’s Office

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 4 Initiative: Community Partnerships Rationale:In , the Department of Grants and District Initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Governmental Relations and External Affairs enlisted over 50 different partners to support SAISD initiatives. These partnerships provided such activities as tutoring, mentoring, cultural arts, character development, parental involvement, college prep, career awareness, and professional development for teachers. Strategy:Continue to build a cadre of community partnerships by continuing the process of identification, communication, coordination and participation to support the goals of SAISD.

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 5 Initiative: Community Partnerships (cont.) Activities: Expand the current database of partnerships Coordinate service provider packets with Department of Governmental Relations and External Affairs Promote department staff to serve on community ad-hoc committees or advisory councils Provide support letters for outside agencies proposals

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 6 Initiative: Technical Assistance Rationale:An effective communication system builds a teamwork approach facilitating coordination and participation in the grant development process. In , the Department of Grants and District Initiatives developed a Concept Document, an effective tool to support and inform grant recipients, such as campuses and/or departments of project initiatives, resources, and financial support funded via the grant award. Strategy:Provide technical assistance to SAISD Departments and campuses in preparing proposals, budgets, amendments, evaluations and with program compliance.

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 7 Initiative: Technical Assistance (cont.) Strategy:Ensure the grant development process is in compliance with the Grants and District Initiatives department’s policies and procedures. Activities: Update Department of Grants and District Initiatives handbook Update Department of Grants and District Initiatives website Make presentations to principals, campus staff, and district personnel on grant development process and department services

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 8 Initiative: Technical Assistance (cont.) Activities: Disseminate Grant Contact Information Form to schools and District departments to build the Grant Contact Database Provide department and campus Grant Contacts funding/grant information Ensure Internal Grant Review Forms are completed and submitted by principal investigators Review Internal Grant Review Forms for approval Meet with department representatives and principal investigator to discuss application process and proposal contents Provide debriefing to principal investigator and stakeholders upon notice of grant award

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 9 Initiative: Internal Communication Rationale:It is essential the Department of Grants and District Initiatives is kept current on the needs and initiatives of District departments and campuses to ensure all proposals support Vision 2005 and Beyond. Strategy: Ensure an effective system of communication within SAISD Departments and schools. Activities: Director of Department of Grants and District Initiatives attends Cabinet Meetings Disseminate Grant Impact Analysis Routing Form to Superintendent’s Cabinet and Grant Principal Investigator

Department of Grants and District Initiatives 10 Initiative: Internal Communications (cont.) Activities: Director of Department of Grants and District Initiatives attends District Leadership Team meetings Distribute Department of Grants and District Initiatives handbook to all new principals Provide bi-annual Executive Summary to Superintendent’s Cabinet and SAISD Board of Trustees Provide grant award information to the SAISD Communications Department to disseminate to the public via District webpage or new releases.