Truancy Reduction Service Grant

The Truancy Reduction Service Grant, offered by the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Services Administration (FSA), is a targeted initiative aimed at addressing the complex issue of student truancy within select public and charter schools across the District. Administered through the Youth Services Division of FSA, this grant seeks to support programming that contributes to reducing absenteeism among youth through a comprehensive suite of services. With a total funding pool of up to $250,000 available for this cycle, the program is structured to allow for multiple grant awards, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, dependent on the capacity of the applicant to deliver required services. This grant emphasizes inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of specific student populations, particularly Hispanic/Latinx students requiring bilingual support, LGBTQ youth, and students with special needs. Programs funded under this opportunity must be capable of delivering multilingual services and demonstrate cultural and linguistic competency. Services must be administered in one or more of the ten identified educational institutions: Anacostia High School, KIPP DC Legacy High School, Eastern Senior High School, HD Woodson Senior High School, Kramer Middle School, KIPP College Preparatory Academy, Cardozo Senior High School, Dunbar Senior High School, Friendship Technology Preparatory Academy, and Cesar Chavez Public Charter School. The scope of work includes the provision of mental health services, parent or guardian support groups, youth mentoring, enrichment activities focusing on health, wellness or entrepreneurship, and emergency assistance, all of which must be tailored toward truancy prevention and reduction. The grantee is expected to manage service referrals and may also collaborate with or subcontract other providers to deliver additional supportive services. This collaborative approach is encouraged to ensure comprehensive coverage of the required service areas and to maximize impact. Eligible applicants include non-profit community organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, faith-based organizations, and private enterprises operating in the District of Columbia. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience working with populations affected by homelessness. The DHS encourages partnerships between community-based and faith-based organizations to leverage local expertise and trust. The application period officially opens with the release of the Request for Applications (RFA) on December 8, 2025. A pre-application conference is scheduled for December 15, 2025, providing an opportunity for prospective applicants to gain clarity on the application process and requirements. Completed applications must be submitted electronically by January 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST to Kemmy Antoine at [email protected]. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Selected programs will be funded for an initial performance period from February 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. The grant may be renewed for up to four additional option years, contingent on continued funding availability and satisfactory program performance. Interested parties can access the RFA via the DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Services or the DC Department of Human Services website. All inquiries and formal application submissions must be directed to Kemmy Antoine via the provided email address.

Applicants must attend the pre-application conference, provide services in Spanish, and use Quickbase for reporting. Missed outreach or reporting deadlines may impact eligibility.