A long-range plan for the arts in South Carolina, 2011-2020

This new 10-year plan includes outcomes identified by the public and objectives that will mark progress toward these priorities. The outcomes and objectives in this new plan are deliberately broad-outlining general areas where the arts have real opportunities to make progress and generate value in the next decade. This long-range plan was created based on input from the public and the arts community as a guide for the arts community as it serves the public. With collaboration, partnerships and shared purpose, much in this plan can be accomplished to ensure that the arts flourish and benefit all South Carolinians.

Creating Partnerships: Computer Training with Assistive Technology for Senior Adults

Currently, at the SC Commission for the Blind, there is no opportunity for computer training for adults in the Older Blind Program. The Older Blind Program has to look for outside partners to make this service viable again. This project proposes that the OB Program partner with regional senior and recreation centers to establish a community-based training program that is both effective and is of minimal cost to the agency and to the partnering centers.

SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANTS FOR EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAMS

The South Carolina General Assembly created the South Carolina Community Block Grant for Education Pilot Program by Proviso 1.94 in the 2014-15 General Appropriation Act. The intent of the proviso is to encourage public school districts and district entrepreneurial public educators to undertake state-of-the-art initiatives to improve student learning and to share the results with the state’s public education community. Although community partnerships were the focus of the grant, school districts were the lead agencies on the grant were directed by proviso to provide reports, summaries and items for the evaluation component of the grant. Through this proviso, one million dollars was allocated for the block grants with direct allocations to school districts. One hundred percent of the funds were allocated to school districts. No grant award was to exceed $250,000 annually unless the grants committee found that exceptional circumstances warranted exceeding this amount.

South Carolina Community Block Grants for Education Pilot Programs: Year 1 Report

The South Carolina General Assembly created the South Carolina Community Block Grant for Education Pilot Program by Proviso 1.94 in the 2014-15 General Appropriation Act. The purpose of the proviso was to encourage and sustain partnerships between a community and its public school district for the implementation of innovative, state-of-the-art education initiatives and models to improve learning. Any public school, including a charter school, was eligible to submit a grant application. The proviso asserts that the success of the grant program is best served when there is vigorous community support, which is integral to the development and implementation on innovative initiatives for young people. Through this proviso, one million dollars was allocated for the block grants with direct allocations to school districts. Grants awarded were to be implemented for a period of one year beginning July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2016.