5 Strategies to Solve the Funding Puzzle for Human Skills Programs

Understanding how to fund human skills programs can be complex. Whether it’s a growing district seeking to implement Second Step® programs for the first time or a district adjusting their funding strategy amid budget cuts, funding your human skills programs can seem like solving a puzzle—especially during challenging financial times.  

That’s why we recently hosted the webinar Beyond Budget Uncertainty: Sustaining Human Skills Programs with Strategic, Flexible Funding, led by Jordan Posamentier, VP of Policy & Partnerships. With the guidance of this webinar and the Second Step team, district leaders can learn how to overcome funding challenges as well as how to take advantage of the various funding opportunities that others often miss. This expertise is yet another aspect of the Second Step team that sets us apart from the rest of the field.  

In addition to anytime-support from our expert team, these five strategies from the webinar can unlock the puzzle of funding for your Second Step programs—ensuring that students in your district have access to the best human skills curricula on the market.  

Before getting into the funding strategies, here’s a quick refresher on some of the core federal funding sources that are commonly used to fund Second Step programs.  

Core federal funding sources

Title I-A: Academic and whole-child programs

Title II-A: Teacher/leader professional learning

Title III-A: English learner supports and family engagement

Title IV-A: Well-rounded education and safe/healthy schools

Title V-A/B: Flexibility + Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP)

McKinney-Vento: Supporting students experiencing homelessness

IDEA: Supporting students with disabilities  

Strategy 1: Fund braiding  

Fund braiding is applying funds from multiple sources for different aspects of Second Step programs. With braiding, the dollars remain separate within your budget, but they all work toward shared goals.  

How districts use braiding

Districts can use funding from Title I, II, III, IV, IDEA, and McKinney-Vento to fund distinct aspects of their Second Step programs. For example, Title I-A and Title IV-A can be used for the program rollout and schoolwide supports in your Second Step programs. IDEA funds can be used for professional development and materials promoting accessibility, and Title III-A can be designated for ELD-focused engagement and professional development.  

Strategy 2: Blending, consolidating, and transferring

Blending is combining multiple funds for implementation while tracking back to the original grant. This is most common in Title I schoolwide programs.  

Consolidating is combining multiple federal funds into a single schoolwide pool without tracking each grant separately, as long as the spending still fulfills the original programs’ purposes and serves their intended students.

Transferring is moving funds from one title to another, such as moving II-A to I-A. Under Title V flexibility, districts can transfer up to 100% of funds.  

By applying these three methods, districts can maximize their available dollars to fund Second Step programs.  

Strategy 3: Sequence funding across years

Districts can strategically sequence how they designate funds for Second Step programs over multiple years. Here’s a sequencing model:  

• Year 1. Startup: Use Title IV-A for the initial Second Step program purchase and professional development.
• ‍Year 2. Sustain and expand: Move to Title I-A for ongoing schoolwide implementation. In addition, IDEA supports professional development and Tier II components, while REAP can fill gaps for rural sites on an ongoing basis.  

Strategy 4: Align funds to shared outcomes

To stretch funds, districts can keep budgets separate while aiming for shared goals, including improved attendance, reduced referrals, and enhanced school climate. This helps show how multiple programs contribute to a safer, calmer school environment.  

Strategy 5: Make your programs “sticky,” not slippery  

During stormy financial seasons, well-funded programs are the ones that stick. Slippery programs, on the other hand, are the ones that districts and granting bodies have trouble maintaining or investing in.  

Tips to make your Second Step programs stick:  

• Create a written commitment using the Leader Dashboard features  
• Designate and protect time for Second Step planning, development, and instruction
• Select dedicated leadership to oversee Second Step implementation and instruction across the district
• Build and integrate routines across initiatives  
• Prioritize, monitor, and celebrate outcomes, such as improvements in behavior, attendance, and academic performance

By making your Second Step programs sticky, you help ensure human skills instruction is prioritized, funded, and sustained.  

Making human skills instruction a priority—with the funding to back it up

Ultimately, districts will always fund something. The question is not only whether the funds for human skills programs are available but also how districts use them. If strengthening human skills, fostering student well-being, and improving school climate are priorities for your district, there are plenty of ways to solve the funding puzzle.  

The Second Step team is here to support you every step of the way. You can watch the full webinar, and you can also connect with us to learn more about funding Second Step programs in your district.  

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