Liberty Partnerships Program

Introduction/Background

The New York State Education Department is pleased to announce competition for Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) grant contracts for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013, pending annual appropriations in the New York State Budget.

Legislative Authority

The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) was established in 1988 under Section 612, Subdivision 6 of the Education Law to address the significant school dropout rate among New York’s youth. The legislation stated, “The failure of many young New Yorkers to complete their secondary education limits their opportunity for a life of fulfillment, prevents them from advancing into postsecondary education and hinders the State’s efforts to provide a well-trained workforce for business and industry in New York.”

Purpose/Goal

To fund collaborative pre-collegiate/school dropout prevention programs that support at-risk youth in completing secondary school and prepare those students for successful transition into postsecondary education or onto a career path.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are New York State degree-granting institutions of higher education or a consortium of such institutions in cooperation with school districts, community-based organizations and other local stakeholders.  In addition, in areas of the State where no degree-granting institutions or a consortium of degree-granting institutions of higher education can provide appropriate services to students, the Commissioner of Education may also award contracts to not-for-profit community-based organizations in cooperation with school districts.  The lead institution must provide a significant amount of direct service.

Funding History and Projections for 2008-2009

Fifty-four projects were funded during the 2007-2008 funding cycle.  The allocation for 2007-08 was $12,556,000.
Projected distribution of funds in 2008-2009: Western New York: 10%; Finger Lakes: 8%, Central New York: 8%; Mohawk Valley: 4%; Southern Tier: 4%; North County: 4%; Capital District: 8%; Mid-Hudson Valley: 10%; New York City: 34%; Long Island: 10%
The actual number of contracts awarded in 2008-2009 will be determined by the appropriation in the State Budget.

Important Dates

Bidders Conference:                           
Thursday, December 13, 2007             

Applications Due:
Friday, February 1, 2008

Notification of Awards: Pending State Budget Process

SED Contact

Arlene C. Way – NYS Education Department
Office of K-16 Initiatives & Access Programs,
89 Washington Avenue, EBA 965
Albany, NY  12234    Email:  LPPRFP@mail.nysed.gov