The FY 2025 Whole Child and Educator Wellness (WCEW) Grant, issued by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in DC, supports initiatives to integrate health and wellness in early childhood education (ECE) facilities and public/charter schools. With a total of $900,000 in funding, the grant aims to improve educational environments through three priority areas: health and physical education, environmental and garden-based education, and educator wellness. OSSE will distribute grants between $50,000 and $150,000 to eligible community-based organizations (CBOs) that have demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance (TA) in these areas.

Applicants must partner with at least five DC-based ECE facilities or schools and secure letters of commitment. CBOs applying under the educator wellness priority must specialize in programs that support educator well-being. Funding cannot extend beyond September 30, 2025, and all awarded funds must be used within the grant period.

Applications, due by December 18, 2024, at 3 p.m. via OSSE’s Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS), will be reviewed based on program design, inclusivity, sustainability, and budget, among other criteria. OSSE anticipates awarding between 6 and 9 grants in January 2025, with the funding period beginning January 27, 2025.

An informational session is scheduled for November 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and applicants may submit questions by November 20, 2024. For more information, interested applicants may contact OSSE’s Program Specialist, Kimberly Thompson.