Continuing the Work. 

Deepening the Impact. 

Ensuring Student Readiness.

The Texas Center for Student Supports at Region 16 Service Center invites Texas Education Service Centers to apply for the Stronger Connections Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Initiative (SCTAC). The SCTAC Pilot is designed to support the implementation of the Student Support Framework and its related elements in campuses that were not participants of the original Stronger Connections Grant program.

Through this pilot, TCSS aims to provide sustainable access to the content, resources, and supports developed during the Stronger Connections Grant project. The pilot will build regional capacity to support campuses in creating safe, supportive, and healthy learning environments.

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SCTAC Program Guidelines

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Benefits

Gain increased regional capacity and opportunities to network with other regions and school systems engaged in the SSF.

Build internal capacity through the SSF Certification Pathway

Contribute to the long-term vision of statewide implementation of the Student Support Framework.

Gain access to tools, training, coaching, and technical assistance from TCSS.

Integrate SSF practices into existing structures, ensuring the work continues beyond the pilot period and benefits more campuses over time.

  • Design and implement a scalable, accessible support system that enables school systems to meet the nonacademic needs of students and educators through early identification, timely intervention, and sustainable practices that improve student readiness and educator retention.

    • Contract with TCSS 2½ years (February 2026 - July 2028)

    • 2 ESCs awarded

    • Each ESC recruits and serves 12–15 campuses across at least 4–5 school systems within the region (must be non-SCG campuses)

    • Application opens December 15, 2025

    • Application closes January 30, 2026

Scope of Work

ESC Leads will complete certification in the Student Support Framework (SSF) and will deliver comprehensive training, coaching, and technical assistance to participating campuses. This support will focus on the effective implementation of the SSF and its core components, including:

  • SSF levers

  • Student support teams

  • Advisory groups

  • SSF climate survey

  • SSF diagnostic

  • Data literacy practices

ESC Leads will provide ongoing guidance to ensure fidelity of implementation, build campus capacity, and support data-informed decision-making aligned with SSF goals.

ESC Leads will engage in ongoing professional learning through targeted training, coaching, and participation in professional learning communities (PLCs) to enhance their capacity to effectively support participating campuses in implementing the Student Support Framework.

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Student Support Framework

TCSS will partner with ESCs and school systems to build a comprehensive, sustainable support system that prioritizes student readiness through the implementation of the Student Support Framework (SSF). The SSF provides a targeted approach to addressing non-academic needs that ensures every student has the support necessary for academic success.

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Interested in SCTAC?

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