Sec. 99bb.
(1) From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $3,750,000.00 for 2021-2022 to the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs for competitive grants to eligible districts, intermediate districts, and nonpublic schools to provide students in grades 6 to 12 with hands-on civics and model-government programs that offer statewide engagement with peers across this state for the purpose of expanding those students' opportunities to improve their social studies knowledge, thinking skills, and intellectual processes and dispositions required for active engagement in fulfilling responsibilities of civic participation.
(2) In making grant payments to eligible districts, intermediate districts, and nonpublic schools under this section, the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs shall set a maximum grant award for each grant recipient in a manner that accomplishes both of the following:
(a) Maximizes the geographical distribution of grant recipients that will be able to participate in offering programs described in this section.
(b) Prioritizes funding levels for grant recipients based on geographic location, with consideration given to the travel that will be required of grant recipients for statewide events and conferences.
(3) Maximum grant award amounts under subsection (2) do not have to be the same for all grant recipients.
(4) To receive a grant award under this section, a district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school must submit an application for the grant award in a form and manner prescribed by the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs.
(5) A district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school to which all of the following apply is an eligible district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school under this section:
(a) Has established a relationship with at least 1 elected official who serves the community in which the district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school is located.
(b) Submits a spending plan with its application for a grant award under this section.
(c) Pledges to provide a local in-kind or cash match from other private or local funds of at least 10% of the grant award it receives under this section.
(d) For a nonpublic school, is registered as a nonpublic school with the department and must meet all applicable state reporting requirements for nonpublic schools.
(6) An eligible district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school that receives a grant award under this section shall only use the funding for the following purposes:
(a) To pay Civic Health Champion stipends for up to 1 teacher advisor per school operated by the district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school. Each stipend to a teacher advisor under this subdivision must not be in an amount exceeding $1,500.00.
(b) Event registrations, materials, travel costs, and other expenses associated with the preparation for and attendance to associated mock-government conferences and events.
(c) Awards to students who advance to national mock government events and competitions, as determined by the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs. For the purpose of determining the amount of an award under this subdivision to a student described in this subdivision, the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs shall determine an equal amount per student for each eligible district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school.
(7) The funds allocated under this section for 2021-2022 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2021-2022 are carried forward to 2022-2023. The purpose of the work project is to continue the support of civics-education experiences. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2023.
(8) It is the intent of the legislature that programs implemented from the funding allocated under this section increase the number of students who engage with the pillars of responsible citizenship and engage, beyond the classroom, in civic perspectives, inquiry, public discourse, and decision making.
History: Add. 2021, Act 48, Eff. Oct. 1, 2021