August 16, 2023

Congress remains out on recess until early September. We encourage our members to use this time to strengthen their relationships with lawmakers. LAW alerts will be sent on a biweekly basis throughout August recess, unless there is breaking news on any of our top priorities.  

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education.

NEW Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant

The Department of Education (ED) recently issued a notice inviting applications for new fiscal year (FY) 2023 awards for the Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) grant program for Career-Connected High Schools. The purpose of the PIM grant program is to identify, support, and rigorously evaluate evidence-based and innovative strategies and activities to improve and modernize career and technical education (CTE) and ensure workforce skills taught in CTE programs. Through this competition, ED seeks to award $24 million in grant funds for projects that will build capacity among secondary education, postsecondary education, and workforce development systems to expand access to career-connected high school programs for more students.

The deadline to submit applications is October 13. For more information on this grant, click here. 

Latest Action in Washington LIVE 

When members of Congress return to Washington DC in early September, they will be faced with a long list of pending items that will need their attention before the fiscal year, and the calendar year end. Join ACCT's Government Relations Team for a recap of recent Congressional activity that took place before the August recess and what Congress left unfinished, where community college priorities stand, and what we can expect to see in the coming months.

The webinar will take place Tuesday, September 12 at 2:00 PM EST. To register, click here. 

ED Guidance Following SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling

SCOTUS drastically changed the higher Ed sector earlier this summer when it struck down the use of race in college admissions. As a result, colleges were left with questions on how this ruling may impact diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campuses across the nation. This week, ED released two resources to help colleges better understand how they may lawfully promote and support diversity efforts. 

To read ED's Dear Colleague Letter, click here.  For the Questions and Answers resource, click here. 

August Recess Outreach

August recess allows federal lawmakers to spend a substantial amount of time in their home states and districts connecting with their constitutes. This presents a window of opportunity for community college leaders to strengthen relationships with their lawmakers. Consider inviting members to speaking engagement, welcome back to school event, or to tour your campus. Alternatively, you could offer your campus to them as a location for an upcoming event they may be hosting. For more guidance on how to host your federal officials in your campus, click here. 

These touchpoints also sever as critical opportunities to advocate for your institution's federal priorities. It will also allow community college leaders to share the negative impacts the House LHHS bill could have on our institutions and urge them to take action. We urge our members to participate in our grassroots campaign advocating for modifications to the House FY2024 bill, to join the campaign, click here. For a more in-depth read on the cuts to higher education, read our newest blog post Higher Ed Programs in Peril: A Closer Look at FY 2024 Appropriations.

• July 3 - Prison Education Program (PEP) applications open on a rolling basis

• SCCTG 4 Funding Coming in August, learn more on how to best prepare here 
• September 12 - Latest Action in Washington LIVE Webinar
• September 25 - deadline to apply for Postsecondary Student Success Grant
• October 2023 - deadline to apply for Advanced Technological Education
• November 30 - deadline for letters of intent for Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative

Outreach Efforts

Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

We also put together an outreach toolkit and an advocacy guide to share best practices for meeting with elected officials and set your team up for success.

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

Have a Question?

Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges. If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) E-Alert network. To join, simply e-mail publicpolicy@acct.org with 'LAW Alert' in the subject of the e-mail.

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