Funding for Second Step® Programs
We hear frequently from current and potential Second Step clients asking how they can get funding for our programs. Our Second Step family of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, along with the Second Step® Bullying Prevention Unit and the Second Step® Child Protection Unit, all meet federal funding eligibility standards and other state and local grant requirements. Districts, schools, and individual educators are encouraged to use the following resources to help secure funds to purchase and implement Second Step programs. We’re happy to provide these tools to help you get what your students deserve and are entitled to receive.
Federal Funding and Second Step® Programs
Second Step programs align with several federal funding sources. Each school’s situation and state allocations will vary, so we’ve broken down federal funding allocations by state and detailed how each of them works for Second Step programs.
- Watch Our Beyond ESSER: How to Sustain Student Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives Webinar
- Read Our ESSER Funding Guide
- Learn More About Federal Funding for SEL Programs
Funding Allocations and Program Descriptions
This online, printable document is packed with information about federal funding sources and state-by-state allocations of funds.
Federal Programs
The following federal funding sources can apply to our programs.
IDEA—Special Education Grants to States
Title I, Part A—Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Title I, Part C—Migrant Education
Title I, Part D—Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk
Title II, Part II—Supporting Effective Instruction (Teacher Training and Teacher Retention)
Title IV, Part A—Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grants
Title VI, Part B, Subpart 1—Small, Rural School Grant Program
Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2—Rural and Low-Income School Program
Title VIII—Impact Aid
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Project Aware
Promoting Student Resilience
State and Community Funding Resources
Federal funding is just one option for schools for SEL programs. State and community funds can often meet schools’ specific needs. For a list of state programs and their funding allocations, visit our state-by-state Federal Allocations and Program Descriptions. Learn More About Community Funds
Funding Opportunities: Spotlight on Georgia
Learn more about the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services grant to fund the Second Step® family of programs.
Learn More
Funding Application Resources
Education Funding for SEL: The Basics
Have you ever wondered how to conquer the often-complicated grant process to fund social-emotional learning, bullying prevention and child protection efforts? As a non-profit, Committee for Children has years of experience helping hundreds of district and community organizations identify grants and improve their application submissions. Watch this recorded webinar presented by Education Partnerships team members, Adam Campbell, MPA, Jackie Mahedy, and Joany Higgins, MPA, who will explain the step-by-step process for identifying, applying for and receiving grants and share best practices for funding success.
Unlocking the Door to Funding SEL: Where to Find Funding for Social-Emotional Learning Initiatives
In this webinar you’ll learn about federal, state, and private funding opportunities that are available for district social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. Committee for Children Policy and Advocacy Director Jordan Posamentier and Education Partnerships Senior Regional Manager Jennifer Sanderlin will discuss the education-funding landscape and key sources that districts are using to fund SEL priorities across the country.
Watch the Webinar Now
Grant-Writing Toolkit
Applying for SEL funding can be challenge, but we’re here to help. Our Grant-Writing Toolkit provides current and new Second Step clients with the resources to complete grants to fund the purchase of our programs, including:
- Program Scope and Sequence
- Program Review of Research
- Head Start Alignment Chart
- Program costs
Grant Proposal Talking Points and Resources
If you’re developing a grant proposal to fund the purchase of any part of our Second Step family of programs, use these talking points as a starting place! Here you’ll find details that’ll help you write your needs statement and useful copy to help you describe your goals and objectives, budget, and evaluation plan.
Get the Grant Proposal Talking Points
More Help for Grants
Please see the Grant Application Checklist for more tips on how to find and apply for a grant to fund Second Step programs.
Student Assessment Tools
Assessing students’ progress can play a significant role in providing evidence-based information in your grant application process. Second Step has partnerships with several reputable resources that enable teachers, administrators, and district-level stakeholders to administer and score assessments before and after Second Step implementation.
Learn More About Student Assessment Tools
FAQ
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked funding questions that contains information specific to Second Step programs, third-party links, and more details that will help you complete your funding application successfully.
Read the FAQ
Head Start
Evidence-based Second Step programs bring social-emotional learning (SEL) to your Head Start classroom. Our Head Start page details how our SEL curriculum supports Head Start and includes videos, an alignment chart, and success stories.
Learn About Head Start and Second Step SEL
Alignment Charts
Second Step alignment charts show how our program lines up with other programs and standards, including academic standards for early learning through grade 8, CASEL, Head Start, Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Practices, and more.
Get Second Step Alignment Charts
Making the Case for SEL
Studies show that teaching social-emotional learning skills to children has positive, long-term benefits they can use in and out of the classroom.
Learn More About SEL Research
Thank you for your interest in purchasing Second Step. Our team of experts is here to assist you during the purchasing process and support you during implementation and throughout the school year.
If you’ve got questions, be sure to check our FAQ page. If you can’t find your answer there, our client relations professionals are here to support your implementation planning efforts and staff who teach Second Step lessons. You can contact us anytime via email at support@secondstep.org or call us Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time at 800-634-4449, ext. 1.
District Consultation Request
Do you need guidance in your grant writing or funding process? Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you to set up a district consultation with our Education Partnerships Team.
“The Lists”
“The lists” include programs endorsed by government and nongovernment organizations. Some districts and funders will only fund programs on these lists. Read more.
Other Resources
The CASEL District Resource Center is a website created by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning consisting of guidance and practical tools to help districts and schools systemically implement practices that promote social-emotional learning (SEL). The site’s collection of resources may be helpful for educators, community leaders, or policymakers interested in implementing SEL systemically in their schools.
Grants.gov lists formula and discretionary grant opportunities from 26 federal agencies.
Forecast of Funding lists programs and competitions to which the Department of Education has invited or expects to invite applications.
Balance.com’s How to Write Grant Proposals has thorough guidelines for each section of a grant proposal.
Grantionary has a list of grant-related terms and their definitions.
Show Me the Money: Tips and Resources for Successful Grant Writing offers grant-writing tips from Education World.
Fundsnet Services is a database of private funding by state.