This is the final of a three part series of blogs on funding for physical education. As noted prior, there is no doubt funding will be less visible without PEP. We know ESSA may bring some funding if prepared and diligent, though probably not enough to overhaul a program as PEP did. However, ESSA can help you sustain a great program that you built.

So my third tip for funding will center around "Be prepared not scared". It's no secret that writing grants can be scary and may not be a strength for some who need it. Being prepared for a grant opportunity when it comes along can be a high benefit! A little grant prep "homework" can go a long way.

Grantfinders on websites are a dime a dozen. Some even make you pay for the free information! Regardless of how it's presented, one big issue is the amount and process of how funding for PE will change. It's not as simple as simply looking up a grant on a web based grantfinder (although helpful). Many of you may know I have been a human grantfinder for many years and have helped hundreds of individuals and organizations (schools, out of school, local orgs, etc.) find funding. While I haven't been 100% successful, I would venture to humbly say I have been at least 80% successful in finding them funding. Sometimes the funding wasn't immediate nor the total amount, but in all but a few cases, I found a solution! Being prepared definitely helps.

Being prepared:
1. Do your SWOT or SHI every 3 years and have in file.
2. Check and know the procedures for writing and receiving grants in your district.
3. Know a general timeline (some take months if they need Board approval or signatures).
4. Know what you want vs need so that you can clearly make decisions and justify what you align to standards.
5. Think about how you would assess it, follow up, and sustain the opportunity. In other words, how will it make a difference.
6. Have support ahead of time. This could be from your principal, LEA, supervisor, partners, or anyone that you may need support.

I also have to prepare, do my homework. I research the funding trends, various types of grants, and what the actual opportunities may be, which takes hours of my time. I have created a unique system over the years and can often share at least 3 opportunities at any given time. It's my way to help my profession and people trust me because I am not a sales person. I am NOT saying there is anything wrong with sales people funding funding at all! I certainly assist sales persons to do this as they have to make a living also (it's a win win). But I believe it's my personal calling to be honest, up front, and look after your best interest, not the bottom dollar.

While funding will change for PE, it's not impossible. Don't give up! Great programs can happen without grants, for sure. But if you have some support, funding may be possible. I will leave you these final thoughts:
Make friends before you need 'em (pt 1 of 3)
Make 'em smart before you make 'em mad (pt 2 of 3)
Be prepared not scared (pt 3 of 3)

I look forward to working with you in the near future.

In my last blog, I wrote about ESSA and advised to "Make friends before you need 'em." Today, the message is to "Make 'em smart before you make 'em mad". Sharing information, your plans, and your needs assessments could help pave your way, especially if aligned to priorities, standards, and other subjects.

I would bet just by reading my last blog about HPE being part of ESSA, you know more than many Principals and Superintendents and most teachers. Sharing the news that Health and Physical Education are now part of the 50 year old federal education law is getting out slowly. And, many folks are only focused on Title IV. However, being listed as part of the "well rounded education" allows schools to spend any of the title money in HPE anywhere it lists "well rounded education" is appropriate. So Title I, typically used for accountability and core subjects, can now be expanded to include Health and PE. The focus of the Titles didn't change, only what subjects have access to it. I know of one district recently who just ordered equipment from that pot of funding. However, you have to pave the way with strong curriculum and with finance officers as they are not aware this is allowed either. (Make friends before you need 'em).
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Title II is for professional development and well rounded education is a focus there also. Here you really need to "Make 'em smart" so that Principals know and plan for your professional development.

Finally, where funds will go will also depend on school improvement plans which will be based on needs assessments, and the accountability programs. Luckily, this accountability system calls for one "non academic" item opens the door for many possibilities in HPE. You should check with your state department of education to see if this is a possibility. Many states have their drafts posted already. Advocacy is extremely important. You can also check with your American Heart Association or state AHPERD organizations as they are working on this in many states.

These sound bites may help; however, if I can help your district or state, feel free to contact me. Meanwhile, here are two other great resources:

Resources at the bottom of page at ASCD
http://www.ascd.org/public-policy/essa-updates.aspx

Help continue to advocate for funding and see your state toolkit here!
​http://www.shapeamerica.org/advocacy/

With PEP grants gone as we knew them, where will funding come from for Health and Physical Education? For years health and physical educators have fought to receive any little bit of funding for their programs. We put on events, fundraisers, write grants, even beg, at times we have even had to go against something we may believe in order to provide needs for programs (such as putting in a new Coke machine so that the revenue could go to our program). I will focus my next series of blogs to address this as I know it in order to help you. I will start with the obvious, ESSA.

While the landscape may be changing, we do have hope. PEP may be gone as we know it, but we need to still advocate for it as its part of Title IV ESSA. I am sure that SHAPE America is preparing another quality instructional day meeting on this during SPEAK Out Day (April 25-26 http://www.shapeamerica.org/events/speakoutday/).

Because ESSA includes Health and PE as part of the Well Rounded definition, this also allows us to use other monies within ESSA. I can share more if needed. I believe the key here is to tie into your school priorities. I often say in my Keynotes, we need to "make friends before we need 'em". I encourage people to go now and talk to your principal and coordinators and enlighten them that health and physical education are now included in the definition to use those funds. You will be surprised how much you can enlighten people with just a few bits of information. (Contact me for more if needed). Tell them about your program standards and outcomes and how you play a role in the school priorities. Don't underestimate how important this is. Share with them the links to evidence of activity and academic performance (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/) and include yourself as part of the team. Finally and most important, share yourself as a solution, not a problem. We are the only curricular area that teaches mental health, empathy, social skills, and stress management. Can't this relate to a healthy and safe school?

But we still have a lot of mountains to climb. In part 2, I will share more thoughts on other various funding. As always, my goal regardless where I work, live or play is to help make a difference in my loved profession. So if I can help you, let me know.