BEST and Act 230 Funding
Forecasted
BEST and Act 230 Funding supports Vermont local education agencies in strengthening school climate, social-emotional learning, and behavioral supports to reduce initial special education referrals and exclusionary discipline.
Funder: Vermont Agency of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Grant application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $10,000 annual LEA allocation; 50% local contribution ($5,000 for a full award), with waivers available
Summary: Supports Vermont local education agencies in strengthening school climate, social-emotional learning, and behavioral supports.
Key Information: Applicants must submit through the Grants Management System (GMS).
Description
The Vermont Agency of Education’s BEST and Act 230 funding helps local education agencies (LEAs) strengthen universal Tier 1 social-emotional learning, school climate, and behavioral support systems. The goals are to reduce initial special education referrals and exclusionary discipline. The individual LEA grant is an annual opportunity for work aligned with local needs.
Funding can support multidisciplinary teams and family and student co-designers; professional learning; evidence-based screening and data tools; and curriculum or instructional materials for universal prevention, mental health literacy, harassment, hazing and bullying prevention, and positive behavioral supports. The agency encourages LEAs to connect climate and SEL goals to district and school improvement plans and use data on belonging and behavior to guide their work.
