Harmony and Funding

Use Available ESSER Funds and Other Federal Title Programs to Support Harmony Academy Implementation

Typical Funding Flow

Harmony Evidence for ESSA

Harmony Academy provides evidence-based tools and resources that meet the evidence requirement for Tier 3 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Harmony staff—along with its partners at Arizona State University (ASU), John Hopkins University (JHU), and the American Institutes for Research (AIR), has conducted and continues to conduct randomized control trials, quasi-experimental designs, and mixed methods studies to test the implementation and impact of the program. See the following document —Harmony and ESSER tiers of evidence — that can be used within grant and Title applications.

Download

Why is Harmony Academy your Best Choice for Federal and State programs, including ESSER Funding?

Harmony Academy stands out as the best choice for federal funds because Harmony Academy is:

A Sustainable Program

With years of experience serving school districts and organizations as a trusted source, our program has demonstrated its reliability by continuously listening to our educators to refresh our content and update our offerings.

Scalable and Adaptable

Scalable and adaptable to various learning environments, including classrooms, out-of-school time (OST) settings, in the community, and home.

Complementary and Deeper Professional Learning

Make the most of ESSER funds through our complementary live professional learning.

Professional Support for Educators

There are 80 no cost, asynchronous modules that can be used 24/7 to support instructional practices and build educator confidence and competency with SEL.

Trusted and Evidence-Based

Harmony Academy’s effectiveness is backed by a history of successful implementations and positive outcomes.

A Federal Grant Recipient

Harmony Academy is proud to announce that in January 2023, the US Department of Education awarded Harmony Academy at National University a grant aimed to deepen how the Harmony Curriculum supports social, emotional, and academic learning.

A Pathway to Certifications and Advanced Learning Degrees

Harmony Academy offers additional pathways for those seeking more specialized or advanced training. While our free PD is available, we also provide fee-based options for SEL Certifications, as well as pathways to earn master and doctoral degrees through National University.

Identify how you can use federal funds, including ESSER and Title funds, to support your implementation of Harmony Academy resources across schools, out-of-school-time organizations, and at home.

What is ESSER?

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund allotted by Congress on March 27, 2020 and awarded by the U.S. Department of Education provides grants to state education agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local education agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. States receive ESSER fund awards in the same proportion as each State received funds under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in fiscal year 2019. (CFDA 84.425D)

Frequently Asked Questions, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Programs link:

Supporting student’s social, emotional, and academic needs. According to C-3. LEAs can use ESSER and GEER funds to support students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs. Specifically, “As noted in FAQs A-4 and A-9, in implementing evidence-based strategies to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the ARP ESSER required reservation of funds, SEAs and LEAs must respond to students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, migratory students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.”

Harmony Curriculum (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish).
Harmony Digital Storybooks (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish)
Harmony Classroom Kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). Classroom Kits include Harmony printed Storybooks, Literature Guides, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy)
Harmony at Home Digital Resources (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish)
Harmony at Home (HaH) Kits for families (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). HaH Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Out-of-School Time (OST) kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). OST Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Harmony Professional Learning (no-cost, asynchronous modules)
Level Up Professional Learning (subscription plan, forthcoming) (e.g., SEL-Academic Integration)
Online Communities (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Harmony Academy Certificates (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Pathways into Higher Education to National University (some credits available at no cost when used as part of degree programs)

Act now! ESSER III funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024, and liquidated within 120 days thereafter. Consult the U.S. Department of Education’s website for precise deadlines. It’s essential to note that specific uses of ESSER funds are subject to guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education and relevant state education agencies. These guidelines may evolve, and deadlines for spending are fast approaching, so it’s advisable to check the latest information and guidelines from official sources for the most up-to-date details on how ESSER funds can be utilized for school initiatives.

What is Title I?

Title I, Part A, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) offers funding to “provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.” This is a federal grant that flows through the state to individual districts. (CFDA 84.010)

Title I, Part A funds can be used to Improve the overall school climate and culture by creating a positive and inclusive environment that supports students’ social and emotional well-being. Schools with 40% of students who are from low-income families can use Title I funds for schoolwide programs. Specifically, the following activities are allowable under Title I, Part A:

Sec. 1114, Schoolwide Programs: Activities that may be supported include: (A) counseling, school-based mental health programs, specialized instructional support services, mentoring services, and other strategies to improve students’ skills outside the academic subject areas; and (B) implementation of a schoolwide tiered model to prevent and address problem behaviors and support early intervention services, coordinated with similar activities and services as carried out under IDEA.
Sec. 1115, Targeted Assistance Schools: Activities that may be supported include: (A) a schoolwide tiered model to prevent and address problem behaviors and support early intervention services, coordinated with similar activities and services as carried out under IDEA; (B) violence prevention programs; (C) integrated student supports; and (D) professional development necessary to assist teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, other staff, and parents in identifying and meeting the comprehensive needs of eligible children.
Parent Involvement: Title I, Part A Non-Regulatory Guidance Title I, Part A provides for substantive parental involvement at every level of the program. Section 1118 contains the primary Title I, Part A requirements for SEAs, LEAs, and schools related to involving parents in their children’s education. These provisions reflect good practice in engaging families in helping to educate their children, because students do better when parents are actively involved in the education process, both at home and at school.

Harmony Curriculum (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish).
Harmony Digital Storybooks (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish)
Harmony Classroom Kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). Classroom Kits include Harmony printed Storybooks, Literature Guides, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy)
Harmony at Home (HaH) Kits for families (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). HaH Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Out-of-School Time (OST) kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). OST Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Harmony Professional Learning (no-cost, asynchronous modules)
Level Up Professional Learning (subscription plan, forthcoming) (e.g., SEL-Academic Integration)
Online Communities (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Harmony Academy Certificates (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Pathways into Higher Education to National University (some credits available at no cost when used as part of degree programs)

The allocation and use of Title I funds are subject to federal and state regulations. Please contact your State’s Title I administrator and visit the US DOE website for more information.

What is Title II?

Title II, Part A, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is intended to “improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders” among other purposes. This is a federal grant that flows through the State to individual districts. (CFDA 84.367)

Sect. 2001 The purpose of this title is to provide grants to State educational agencies and subgrants to local educational agencies to—
- 1. increase student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards;
- 2. improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders;
- 3. increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and
- 4. provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders.
Sect. 2101, Formula Grants to States: State activities include a. Professional development activities such as recruiting and retaining teachers and school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement. b. Training for all school personnel in preventing and recognizing child sexual abuse. c. Preparing educators to help students transition to elementary school, including issues related to school readiness.
Sec. 2103, Local Uses of Funds: LEA activities include a. Recruitment, hiring, and retention activities for educators including paraprofessionals. b. Professional development that helps all students develop the skills essential for learning readiness and academic success. c. Developing programs and activities that increase the ability of teachers to effectively teach children with disabilities, including children with significant cognitive disabilities and English learners, which may include the use of multitier systems of support and positive behavioral intervention and supports. d. In-service training for school personnel. i. The techniques and supports needed to help educators understand when and how to refer students affected by trauma or students with or at risk of mental illness. ii. Forming partnerships between school-based mental health programs and public or private mental health organizations. iii. Addressing issues related to school conditions for student learning, such as safety, peer interaction, drug and alcohol abuse, and chronic absenteeism.

Harmony Professional Learning (no-cost, asynchronous modules)
Level Up Professional Learning (subscription plan, forthcoming) (e.g., SEL-Academic Integration)
Online Communities (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Harmony Academy Certificates (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Pathways into Higher Education to National University (some credits available at no cost when used as part of degree programs)

What Is the 21st Century Community Learning Center? (21st CCLC)

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

Sect. 4205, Local Activities: Local activities include a. Academic enrichment learning programs, mentoring programs, remedial education activities, and tutoring services. b. Well-rounded education activities. c. Services for students with disabilities. d. Programs that provide assistance to students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled to allow the students to improve their academic achievement. e. Drug and violence prevention programs and counseling programs.

Harmony Curriculum (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish).
Harmony Digital Storybooks (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish)
Harmony Classroom Kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). Classroom Kits include Harmony printed Storybooks, Literature Guides, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy)
Harmony at Home (HaH) Kits for families (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). HaH Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Out-of-School Time (OST) kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). OST Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Harmony Professional Learning (no-cost, asynchronous modules)
Level Up Professional Learning (subscription plan, forthcoming) (e.g., SEL-Academic Integration)

What Is the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act-Stronger Connections Grant Program through Title IV? (BSCA-SCG)

The BSCA includes $1 billion through Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) for SEAs to competitively award subgrants to high-need LEAs to establish safer and healthier learning environments, and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate that impact our school communities at individual and systemic levels, among other programs and activities. The Department has designated this component of the BSCA the Stronger Connections Grant Program.

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act-Stronger Connections Grant Program

Frequently Asked Questions link.

C-7 How may Stronger Connections funds be used to meet the social and emotional needs of students? “Stronger Connections funds may be used to support a schoolwide implementation of strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, and academic needs. This includes evidence-based strategies that focus on building trusting relationships, and strategies that improve academic outcomes through teaching strategies that provide relevant and engaging learning opportunities, consistent classroom and other routines and practices to provide stability, and culturally and linguistically responsive practices that create personalized and inclusive learning environments. School leaders should consider professional development for all school staff that emphasizes a whole-child approach; this requires understanding students’ cultural, linguistic, and family backgrounds as well as any potential adverse childhood experiences that create unique barriers to access and participate in their learning. Research shows that the right supports integrated consistently into classroom and school-wide activities, including asset-oriented approaches and developing strong and trusting relationships, can mitigate the impact of adverse experiences.

Harmony Curriculum (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish).
Harmony Digital Storybooks (no-cost, digital, available in English and Spanish)
Harmony Classroom Kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). Classroom Kits include Harmony printed Storybooks, Literature Guides, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy)
Harmony at Home (HaH) Kits for families (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). HaH Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Out-of-School Time (OST) kits (fee-based, available in English and Spanish). OST Kits include printed Activity Guide, storybooks, Quick Connection Cards, and Z plushy.
Harmony Professional Learning (no-cost, asynchronous modules)
Level Up Professional Learning (subscription plan, forthcoming) (e.g., SEL-Academic Integration)
Online Communities (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Harmony Academy Certificates (subscription plan, forthcoming)
Pathways into Higher Education to National University (some credits available at no cost when used as part of degree programs)

Please consult your grant administrator for more information.

Ready to place your order? Contact us today!