The U.S. Department of Education has announced another round of  planning and implementation grants for the Promise Neighborhoods program, an opportunity for our communities to expand their efforts with federal dollars.

Promise Neighborhoods embrace children from birth through college to make sure they succeed. Beyond education, they provide health and social services for chldren and families. In 2010, 21 communities received planning grants, and five of them received implementation grants last year. Another 15 were awarded planning grants in 2011. About half of the Promise Neighborhood communities are also part of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading network.

The latest round of grants will provide 15 new planning grants of up to $500,000 each and 5-7 new implementation grants of up to $4-6 million each, as well as funding for the five implementation grantees selected last year.

The Education Department is planning webinars on May 7, in advance of the June 8 deadline for letters of intent. Another webinar is set for June 14.

Check the Promise Neighborhoods Institute website, which offers tools and resources, updated “How to Apply” guides, webinars, and regular updates.