RPSA Youth Development Services (23-444-80-2775) Continuous Notice of Funding Opportunity

ATTENTION: This Notice of Funding Opportunity is now CLOSED.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This Reimagine Youth Development Funding Notice, 444-80-2775-02, will CLOSE on September 8th at 5:00.p.m.

This means that applications will NOT be accepted after 5:00pm on September 8th, 2022.

Letters of Intent are MANDATORY and will NOT be accepted for consideration after 12:00 p.m(noon). on Monday August 15th. Letters of Intent Determine eligibility. The remaining application materials are provided once the letter of intent has been accepted.

Applications will NOT be accepted if a Letter of Intent has not been received on or before Monday August 15th at 12:00p.m. (Noon)

You are STRONGLY encouraged to submit your application several days in advance of the Deadline. If your application is rejected for being incomplete, this may give you time to gather your missing items and resubmit a complete application prior to the deadline. As we anticipate an extremely high volume of applications being submitted over the next 4 weeks, applicants are strongly encouraged to get your application in as soon as possible. 

Summary Information

1. Program Description
   1. Program Summary
      1. Background
         Firearm violence has deeply harmed neighborhoods, communities, and the entire State of Illinois, both through the immediate loss of life and the long-term, harmful effects of trauma experienced by victims, witnesses, and others. To reduce firearm violence, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) (430 ILCS 69). The RPSA calls for a comprehensive approach to reducing firearm violence through targeted, integrated behavioral health services and economic opportunities. It also created the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS or the Department), which has authority over this effort. As per RPSA, the OFVP's Firearm Violence Research Group identified 22 Chicago community areas as locations and 15 Greater Illinois Municipal service areas with the most concentrated firearm violence, as defined by the number of and per capita of fatal/non-fatal firearm-shot victims, excluding self-inflicted incidents, from 2016 through 2020. Four (4) additional Chicago community areas and one additional Greater Illinois Municipal service areas were selected by the OFVP, using further data-driven analysis.
         In accordance with the RPSA, these community areas are considered "eligible service areas" and qualify for grants under the Act.
         RPSA Identified Eligible Chicago Service Areas:
         

         Ashburn

         Auburn Gresham

         Austin

         Burnside

         Chatham

         Chicago Lawn

         East Garfield Park

         Englewood

         Fuller Park

         Greater Grand Crossing

         Humboldt Park

         New City

         North Lawndale

         Northside Cluster: (Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, Irving Park, Albany Park)

         Riverdale

         Roseland

         South Chicago

         South Deering

         South Lawndale

         South Shore

         Southwest Side Cluster: (Lower West Side, Brighton Park, Gage Park, McKinley Park

         Washington Park

         West Englewood

         West Garfield Park

         West Pullman

         Woodlawn

         
         RPSA Identified Eligible Greater Illinois Municipal Service Areas:
         

         Aurora

         Belleville Cluster (Includes Belleville, East St. Louis, and Cahokia Heights)

         Berwyn-Cicero Cluster

         Danville

         Decatur

         Joliet

         Calumet City Cluster (Includes Calumet City, Harvey, Dolton, Riverdale, South Holland, Markham, Lansing)

         Chicago Heights Cluster (Includes Chicago Heights, Park Forest, and Sauk Village)

         Kankakee

         Maywood-Bellwood Cluster

         Peoria

         Rockford

         Rock Island

         Springfield

         Urbana-Champaign Cluster

         Waukegan-North Chicago Cluster

         
         Illinois' youth and families face a staggering array of economic demands and social challenges that have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic: devasting health concerns, lack of employment, education loss, mental health issues, social support disruption, and increased family and community violence. In Chicago, during the early months of COVID, firearm violence increased by over 50% from pre-pandemic levels. Since then, discrete neighborhoods in Chicago and Greater Illinois have been experiencing concentrated and perpetual firearm violence that contributes to the increasing firearm homicide rates. Within these neighborhoods, firearm violence is highly concentrated among teens and young adults who have chronic exposure to violence, criminal legal system involvement, and related trauma.
         As Illinois continues to both address and recover from the pandemic, there are increased pressures to address high rates of crime and violence in our communities. Out-of-school-time (after-school and summer) programming has been identified as a key strategy to make a difference in areas such as academic achievement, social-emotional development, and the avoidance of delinquent or high-risk behavior while helping young people to build upon their assets and become productive members of society. Parents and communities support out-of-school programs, in part, because the programs address the need for safe environments for their children and youth during after-school hours.
      2. Funding Notice Changes Since FY22 Release
         On February 16, 2022, the first NOFO for RPSA Youth Development Services (22-444-80-2775-01) was released with a closing date of March 21, 2022. Since the close of this first round NOFO, IDHS has identified several important changes that have been incorporated into the release of this second NOFO, those changes are itemized below. While the rest of the application remains substantially similar, please review the entire funding notice in detail, to ensure that your application meets all requirements.
         1. Continuous-Open NOFO Format: As outlined in Sections B and C below, this funding opportunity will be available on a continuous or open basis until further notice. Eligible applications will be considered in the order they are received based on the email time-stamp of their submission. Successful applications must meet the eligibility criteria and minimum requirements outlined in C1, C2 and C3 below to be funded. The number of funding opportunities available in each eligible community area will be updated at the following site: IDHS: Eligible Service Areas - Youth Development (state.il.us) Please check this site regularly before submitting your application for funding.
         2. New Communities: This funding opportunity has been opened to five new communities, not previously considered under 22-444-80-2775-01. Those communities are listed below. In keeping with the selection of the first 37 communities, these five new communities have been chosen using data-driven analysis identifying the most concentrated areas of firearm violence in the city. Entities in each of these new communities will now be eligible for certain RPSA funding opportunities including this one.
            1. Northside Cluster: (Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, Irving Park, Albany Park)
            2. Southwest Side Cluster: (Lower West Side, Brighton Park, Gage Park, McKinley Park)
            3. Ashburn
            4. South Deering
            5. Rock Island (Greater Illinois)
         3. LOI Submission: Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply to apply for this funding announcement. The Letter of Intent (LOI) must indicate the eligible service area for which the applicant is intending to apply. Upon successful review of the LOI submissions, applicants will be sent the complete application package, including this NOFO and all appendices.
   2. Intent of the Notice of Funding Opportunity
      The Illinois Department of Human Service's (IDHS/Department) Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is implementing the Reimagine Youth Development (RYD) program to provide after-school and summer programming services to at-risk youth in communities across the state with highly concentrated firearm violence. The OFVP is seeking applications from those public and private nonprofit community-based organizations subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the tax code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)) that are proposing to provide RYD services within an eligible service area. Eligible applicants are inclusive of units of local government, including public schools, districts, etc.
      The Department's OFVP anticipates funding up to 8 organizations in each eligible service area to provide RYD services as described within this NOFO. Applicant organizations should be able to demonstrate the following: high levels of experience in youth development, community engagement and outreach; genuine and trusted relationships with community residents, schools, and community stakeholders; and a presence in the community area/municipal area to which they are applying to serve.
      IDHS will regularly update the following website with the number of grant awards that remain available in each community area. Before preparing your Letter of Intent to apply, please refer to: IDHS: Eligible Service Areas - Youth Development (state.il.us) to ensure that openings remain for the community area/municipal area your organization is seeking to serve.
      Applicants proposing to serve Chicago eligible communities MUST prioritize services for youth residing in the municipal blocks where more than 35% of all fatal and nonfatal firearm-shot incidents in each community take place. To view eligible municipal blocks refer to: OFVP Community Area Maps of Blocks with 35% Shootings.
      Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov  The Letter of Intent (LOI) must indicate the eligible service area for which the applicant is intending to apply. Refer to Section D.1 below for more information and required content for the LOI.
   3. Eligible Youth Populations
      All youth served in the RYD program must be youth that reside within the eligible service area and meet one or more of the additional criteria below.
      1. Chicago Community Areas
         1. Priority Populations
            1. Youth residing in the 35% blocks as defined above
            2. Youth referred by RPSA Violence Prevention (VP) programs (family members of VP clients)
            3. Youth attending Alternative/Option schools
            4. Justice involved youth
         2. Other at-risk youth
            For all youth served in the program, individual and/or family risk factors will be captured. Refer to Appendix 2: Individual and Family Risk Factors for complete list.
      2. Greater Illinois Municipal Service Areas
         1. Priority Populations
            1. Youth residing in municipal blocks with high concentrations of firearm violence
            2. Youth attending Alternative/Option schools
            3. Justice involved youth
         2.  Other at-risk youth
            For all youth served in the program, individual and/or family risk factors will be captured. Refer to Appendix 2: Individual and Family Risk Factors for complete list.
      3. Chicago Community Areas and Greater Illinois Municipal Service Areas
         Older Youth - Current research indicates that older youth are more likely than younger ones to spend out-of-school time unsupervised and that there is a greater need for out-of-school time programming for older youth. To meet the needs of this group, the OFVP will ensure that all funded applicants have demonstrated the ability and intent to serve youth ages 11 to 17 years old. Agencies serving both younger and older age groups must provide no more than 30% of their services to children ages 6 to 10 years old and at least 70% of their services to youth ages 11 to 17 years old. For agencies operating the program at multiple sites, these percentages apply to the total population served by the agency, across all sites, not the number at any individual program site. This will be measured by considering the age of the youth at the time of enrollment into the program. Refer to Section A.8. Performance Measures for additional information.
   4. Goals to be Achieved
      The goal of the Reimagine Youth Development program (RYD) is to provide youth with safe environments and caring adults to guide them toward educational success, to empower them with the social and emotional skills necessary to forge paths toward healthy development and disengagement from high-risk behaviors.
      The RYD will provide engaging social, physical, and personal development activities intended to build resilience and the skills associated with healthy social, emotional, and identity development.
      The program provides the following menu of prevention-focused, youth development areas of service around which the RYD program will be designed:
      • Improving academic performance
      • Life skills education
      • Caregiver involvement
      • Recreation, sports, and cultural and artistic activities
      • Positive adult mentors
      • Service learning
      • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning
        Additional services appropriate to the youth and/or their community may also be provided.
   5. Services to be Performed
      Following is information about important aspects of the Reimagine Youth Development program, with which Applicants will be expected to comply:
      1. AREAS OF SERVICES - Reimagine Youth Development program sites must develop their programming and activities utilizing the menu below of identified areas of service. Programs are strongly encouraged to develop programming around all areas of service, however that is not a requirement. Each youth must be afforded the opportunity to participate in all activities provided. Any activity conducted under the area of service selected must be intended to address one or more of the identified outcomes and corresponding developmental assets. Refer to Section A.6.k Program Evaluation, for information regarding measurement of these activities.
         The identified areas of service, the outcomes they are designed to achieve, and the developmental assets that are associated with them are as follows:
         1. Improving Academic Performance -- This includes time to do homework, tutoring in basic skills, and enrichment programs that encourage creativity.
            1. Outcomes
               • Participant will maintain or improve school attendance.
               • Participant will maintain or improve grades or progress reporting in school.
               • Participants will develop or improve career aspirations and choices.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Participants are actively engaged in learning.
               • Participants are motivated and strive to do well in school
               • Participants are optimistic about a personal future and career
         2. Life Skills Education -- This encompasses training and education that promotes the development of healthy lifestyles and encourages avoiding risk-taking behaviors in the areas of alcohol and/or substance use, criminal activity, violence, and sexual activity.
            1. Outcomes
               • Participants will increase knowledge of harmful effects of substance use.
               • Participants will increase knowledge of harmful effects of unprotected and early sexual activity and pregnancy.
               • Participants will increase anger management and conflict resolution skills.
               • Participants will increase decision making and problem-solving skills.
               • Participants will increase healthy nutritional choices
            2. Developmental assets
               • Participants believe it is important not to use alcohol and other drugs.
               • Participants believe it is important not to be sexually active.
               • Participants seek to resolve conflict nonviolently.
               • Participants know how to plan ahead and make choices.
         3. Caregiver Involvement - Programs must provide opportunities for parents, guardians, and/or caregivers to meet with staff to discuss their children's activities and to participate in activities that strengthen their adult/child bonds and community involvement.
            1. Outcomes
               • Increase in caregiver/adult monitoring of academic performance.
               • Increase in understanding of child and adolescent developmental stages and appropriate expectations.
               • Increase in positive and effective communication with children and teens regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, sexual activity, abstinence, and other life skills.
               • Increase structured activities that promote positive family interaction.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Caregiver is actively involved in helping the child succeed in school.
               • Caregiver understands child and adolescent developmental stages and have appropriate expectations.
               • Families have clear and consistent rules and consequences.
               • Caregivers and children communicate positively regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, sexual activity, and other life skills.
               • Caregivers foster resilience.
               • Caregivers plan and spend time in structured activities that promote positive family interaction.
         4. Recreation, Sports, and Cultural/Artistic Activities - This includes providing activities and arranging safe outlets for youth to try new skills and develop new interests, to build friendships, find their place in a group, and gain developmentally relevant experiences.
            1. Outcomes
               • Provide opportunities for participants to engage in cultural enrichment and fine art activities.
               • Provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate sportsmanship and athletic skills.
               • Provide opportunities for participants to increase their level of activity.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Participants believe it is important to follow rules.
               • Participants demonstrate sportsmanship.
               • Participants respect the ability and contribution of others.
               • Participants engage in activities that foster creativity and spirituality.
               • Participants demonstrate positive relationships with peers.
         5. Positive Adult Mentors - Programs must allow opportunities for youth to develop and maintain positive, sustained relationships with caring adults through mentoring and other programs that emphasize one-on-one interactions.
            1. Outcomes
               • Increase support to youth during times of personal or social stress.
               • Increase support for decision making.
               • Increase access to support with academic tasks and/or homework.
               • Increase opportunities for career awareness and mentoring.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Participants have a connection with a caring adult.
               • Participants believe they can be successful.
               • Participants believe they can make good decisions.
               • Participants believe they have a positive future.
         6. Service-Learning Activities - Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that connects classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community. Students build academic skills while strengthening communities through service. Service learning combines service tasks with structured, youth-driven opportunities that link the task to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge content with service tasks.
            1. Outcomes
               • Youth determine and meet real, defined community needs.
               • Youth learn beyond the classroom through active participation in service experiences.
               • Youth develop and use skills and knowledge in real-life situations.
               • Youth increase the amount of time spent to reflect by thinking, discussing and/or writing about service experiences.
               • Youth experience a sense of belonging to a community and an awareness of their responsibility to that community.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Youth experience opportunities for experiential learning.
               • Youth are empowered to assume leadership roles.
               • Youth are involved in the decision-making process.
               • Youth place a high value in helping others.
               • Youth develop empathy for others.
               • Youth believes that his/her life has a purpose.
               • Youth engage in productive activities that build job and life skills and reinforce community-mindedness.
         7. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - Students must develop the skills to solve problems and make sense of complex information. The skills developed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are crucial because they impact almost every aspect of life. Afterschool Applicants cultivate STEM curiosity in young people. Learning STEM skills better prepare students for school and future careers. These skills are useful in all careers, not just STEM careers.
            1. Outcomes
               • Youth will demonstrate problem-solving skills within a scientific, mathematic, or technological context.
               • Youth will learn how to work in teams and help to build relationships.
               • Youth will develop the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
               • Youth will be better prepared to enter the workforce.
            2. Developmental assets
               • Improve attitudes toward learning.
               • Improve behavior, self-confidence and overall well-being.
               • Improve decision making skills.
               • Develop long-term academic improvement.
               • Develop time management and organization skills.
               • Develop career interests.
               • Improve math literacy and science knowledge.
                 Providers will evaluate these objectives and developmental assets through self-developed annual surveys administered to youth and their caregivers. The provider will report the results to the OFVP annually. (Please refer to Section A, 3K, "Program Evaluation, below.)
      2. DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION
         Program sites must be operational for 12 consecutive months for a minimum of 240 days and provide, on average, 3 hours of programming each day open, for a minimum of 720 hours. This will be demonstrated in the agency's Youth Attendance Plan submitted as Attachment C2. A day/hour open is determined by recording attendance in the e-Cornerstone system. Refer to Appendix 11 for the Youth Attendance Plan forms, examples, and instructions.
         Please note that agencies may use ten (10) of the 240 days of program operation for staff training, however, the minimum hours of programming may not be less than 720.
         Programs must operate during out-of-school hours, based on the needs of the community. Programs should operate programming during the critically important late afternoon/early evening hours, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Programs may operate later in the evening if a need is determined based on the community assessment. Agencies are encouraged to offer extended day programming during the summer months and to programming on Saturdays and Sundays, and during school breaks.
         Programs are required to maintain the level of service identified in their Youth Attendance Plan or risk non-compliance with the program grant agreement, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds. Level of service will be monitored by the OFVP utilizing the e-Cornerstone system.
         Please refer to Section A.6. "Performance Based Funding," for more information regarding Performance Based Funding.
      3. ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE
         Each Reimagine-Youth Development participant must be enrolled in the program via the eCornerstone system. Drop-in services will not be supported with Reimagine Youth Development grant funds. Required program data will be collected and maintained on all youth enrolled in the program in accordance with OFVP guidelines.
         Programs are required to maintain attendance at the level for which funding is requested, projected in the Youth Attendance Plan, or risk non-compliance with the program contract, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds. Attendance will be monitored by the OFVP utilizing the e-Cornerstone system.
         Please refer to Section A.6. "Performance Based Funding," for more information regarding Performance Based Funding.
      4. ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY NEED
         Reimagine Youth Development programming must be designed to meet the specific needs of the community in which it is located. Each Applicant must have a plan to conduct / update their community needs assessment or at a minimum, part of their community needs assessment, annually. This includes local youth, family, school and community surveys and focus groups in addition to reviewing all relevant available data and recently completed community assessments. These will be analyzed to determine the level of need in the community and to provide a foundation for developing carefully planned and thoughtful service provision. The results of the assessment/updates will be presented and supported in the application. A thorough description of youth, family, and community risk-factors that demonstrate that programming is intended to direct services to at-risk youth, as identified in Section A. 3. There should also be a direct correlation of needs with the activities planned and described in the program description section of the application and in the activities indicated in the completed Activity Calendar(s).
      5. COMMUNITY-CENTERED PROGRAMMING
         Programming should be comprehensive and holistic in its approach, offering a range of services designed to have a positive impact on youth participants' social, creative, physical, and cognitive development. Programs must be designed around the menu of identified areas of service described in Section A.5.a. "Areas of Service", above.
         Best practice or promising practice programming models are strongly encouraged, if these models meet community needs and can be implemented. Best practice models are those known to be research-based and proven to be effective at preventing and/or delaying risk-taking behaviors. Promising practices are those for which some data has shown positive effects on delaying risk-taking behaviors, but the data are insufficient to support generalized outcomes. (Please see Appendix 3 Out-of-School-Time Best and Promising Practices.) Applications that do not indicate the intention to implement best practice models will receive lower scores.
         
         The OFVP recognizes that communities have a unique perspective on what works and what is needed in their own community. Therefore, Applicants may adapt best or promising practice models as necessary to meet the unique needs of the community. However, it should be noted that any modifications to established program models might reduce the likelihood of achieving the predicted outcomes. Applicants may also propose programming not included in Appendix 3, if it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposed activities are consistent with commonly accepted guidelines for effectiveness and that those activities are aligned with the specific needs of the community.
         In addition to considering community need in the selection of program model, agencies must also demonstrate their experience in implementing the type of programming they have chosen and discuss their capacity to do so.
      6. ACTIVITY CALENDAR
         Reimagine-Youth Development activities must be age-appropriate, conducted in an organized manner, and carried out on a regular, periodic basis. A sample Activity Calendar is included as Appendix 4 Activity Calendar with Sample of this Funding Notice and must be completed for each site and submitted as Attachment C1 of your application. The completed Activity Calendar(s) will demonstrate that planned program activities will address all selected areas of service and will be carried out on a regular basis. Please note that if a site plans to have a varied schedule, please complete additional activity calendars to demonstrate that planned variance. Example: School-Year schedule vs. a Summer schedule.
      7. TIMELINE
         Applicants must include a proposed timeline for implementation of the Reimagine Youth Development program, including any time required for start-up activities, significant milestone activities, and events throughout the year. Applicants are required to begin serving youth within 4 weeks of award.
      8. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
         Programs must form and utilize a Community Advisory Council (CAC) or board in conducting Reimagine Youth Development activities to engage active partners who can devote time and resources to the program. Existing councils may be utilized if they properly represent the positive youth development concept of Reimagine Youth Development. The Community Advisory Council must include at least two youth who are current or former Reimagine Youth Development participants and at least two care givers. The CAC will ensure that the youth, care givers and community play an integral role in the development of RYD programming. The CAC must meet, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. Minutes, agendas, and attendance lists must be maintained on file to evidence this activity. At least one member of the CAC will represent the CAC at Reimagine community meetings called by or on behalf of the OFVP. The CAC membership list (including anticipated members as appropriate) must be included as Attachment A6 of your Application.
      9. TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
         Organizations must agree to receive consultation and technical assistance from authorized Training, Technical Assistance and Support (TTAS) representatives of the Department and OFVP. Organizations will be able to select TTAS from a list of approved providers. Training, technical assistance and support from these approved providers will be at no cost to the program. An organization may choose to provide additional training utilizing a non-RPSA funded TTAS provider, however the organization may not use RPSA grant funds to pay for those trainings.
         For new organizations and organizations with limited experience providing out-of-school programming, additional training and technical assistance may be required by the OFVP to assist with program development. Additional training requirements will be based in part on the applicant's response on the program-specific questions on the Programmatic Risk Assessment. (Refer to Section C.3. Pre-Award Requirements for more information.)
         Funded providers will participate in an organizational scan to determine programmatic and organizational capacity needs. Providers will have the option to request TTAS services to meet identified needs at no cost. Funded providers will be expected to report quarterly steps taken to address needs identified by the scan. Providers will be expected to repeat the scan at an interval to be determined by the OFVP to demonstrate progress toward meeting identified needs. The results of the organizations' scans will be used to inform training calendar development that will benefit all RPSA funded organizations.
         The organization and collaborating partners will be required to attend technical assistance and program compliance site visits conducted by staff of the Department including the OFVP, the Division of Family and Community Service (DFCS) and other authorized contracted representatives of the Department including TTAS providers. These visits will be designed to assess program compliance and to develop program improvement plans as necessary. TTAS will be offered to improve performance and program compliance.
         Organizations will be required to attend regular meetings and specific trainings as required by the Department and OFVP and should budget for staffing and travel expenses necessary to participate. It is anticipated that this will include three regional meetings and approximately two regional trainings.
      10. PROCESS PERFORMANCE MEASURES
          Each Reimagine Youth Development program's performance on the measures listed below will be assessed using data gathered from the e-Cornerstone system, the projected information provided by the agency in their Application, their Youth Attendance Plan, and the total Reimagine-Youth Development grant amount. These measures have been selected to reinforce the quality findings from various out-of-school time at-risk youth programming research and evaluations.
          1. Days Open - 240 days open per year. Acceptable performance is 90%.
          2. Youth Attendance Hours - 100% of Youth Attendance Hours as projected in the Youth Attendance Plan will be achieved. Acceptable performance is 80%.
          3. Actual Average Daily Attendance - 100% of projected Average Daily Attendance will be achieved. Acceptable performance is 80%.
          4. Actual Population Served - 70% or more youth receiving services will be 11-17 years old.
          5. Program Dosage (Days) - 100% of enrolled youth will attend on average 5 days per week. Acceptable performance is 50% enrolled youth will attend on average 3 days per week.
          6. Cost per Youth per Hour - $4.75 per youth attendance hour.
      11. PROGRAM EVALUATION
          Applicants may be required to participate in the formal evaluation of the program developed by the Department and OFVP and must cooperate in the collection of data for this purpose. Toward this end, programs will be required to administer caregiver and youth surveys in the spring of the year, in a format approved by the Department. These surveys are designed to measure progress toward the objectives and developmental assets detailed in Section A.5.a. "Areas of Service", above.
          Other data will be collected from programs via the eCornerstone system, including, at a minimum, the following data elements:
          • Unduplicated number of program participants
          • Intake and demographic information of program participants
          • Individual and family risk factor data
          • Participant status data (Education, Employment, Living Arrangement)
          • Annual enrollment data
          • Participant attendance data
          • Program service activities
          • Participant academic information
          • Discharge Information, including status data
          • Participant outcome information (promotion/graduation, school attendance, homework completion, improved grades etc.) as well as measured change in the other areas of service.
          • Applicant agency administrative information; staff information; site information; subrecipient information; and other program plan information as required.
            Please note that some records and other information obtained by programs concerning the individuals served under this agreement may be confidential pursuant to state and federal statutes and/or administrative rules and shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure.
      12. STAFFING
          At a minimum, one FTE (full-time equivalent) Reimagine Youth Development Coordinator must be committed to the program and identified in the organizational chart. Programs must recruit, hire, and take necessary steps to retain staff that are qualified for their positions with the Reimagine Youth Development program through education, experience and/or training. The organizational chart must be included as Attachment A1 of the application. If programs choose to offer STEM programming, programs must have a staff contact who is responsible for STEM programming, this may or may not be the same individual as the coordinator.
          Note: Additional funding (up to $50,000) will be made available to each applicant to offset the cost of required staffing and related expenses. Refer to Section B.13 below for additional information.
      13. SNACKS AND MEALS
          Reimagine Youth Development programs must offer nutritious snacks to the participants. All food must be served in accordance with relevant local and state health standards for food preparation and handling and meet the standards of the National Afterschool Association.
          While program funds may be used to purchase food, programs must demonstrate that they researched and applied for assistance through the food programs sponsored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), found at http://www.usda.gov; the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), found at http://www.isbe.net; or through Feeding America, found at http://www.feedingamerica.org.
      14. TRANSPORTATION
          Program funds may be used to cover reasonable transportation costs for program participants, with the exception of transportation across state lines. In addition, transportation across state lines will require prior approval from the Department. If a Reimagine Youth Development program coordinates an educational field trip or excursion for Reimagine Youth Development participants that is located 60 miles away or more from the Reimagine Youth Development site or out of state or exceeds a Spending Plan of $1,000, prior approval of IDHS is required. A Spending Plan justification must list the number of participants attending the field trip and the estimated expenses must be itemized. Field trip expenditures that meet these criteria but are NOT approved in advance will be disallowed.
          If transportation is provided, the agency will be required to develop a written transportation plan directly related to project activities and to maintain the plan on file at the agency. This plan should have the approval of the agency's governing body and be available for review by the Department and OFVP upon request.
      15. COLLABORATION
          The key to successful programming is collaborative planning and implementation. Working together, youth, families, and community entities can design programs that are best suited to meet the needs of local youth and to connect out-of-school time programs with community resources. Community-based agencies, government, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, businesses, foundations, youth and their families, working together, can provide a wide range of resources to support high-quality out-of-school time programs.
          Successful applicants will have developed community partnerships, which, at a minimum, must include strong collaboration with the schools whose students will be attending Reimagine-Youth Development program activities.
          Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with schools in planning program services, in an effort to address state standards for academic achievement. Programs will be required to submit information about students' progress, based on grade reports and attendance and suspension records, to the Department. Copies of signed linkage agreements with every school where participants are attending must be included with your Application as Attachment A7, indicating an acknowledgment of the schools' willingness to provide copies of information about students' progress, based on grade reports and attendance and suspension records. Please note that schools will need to obtain parental/guardian consent before school records can be submitted to the Reimagine-Youth Development program.
          Additionally, youth and families can play a key role in the development of out-of-school time programming. Programs that include families and youth in planning draw greater support and tend to be more culturally relevant. Therefore, caregivers should be involved in all phases of program development and decision-making.
          The OFVP will require Reimagine Youth Development providers to collaborate with other youth serving programs and violence prevention programs in the community. At a minimum, RYD providers will be required to:
          1. Coordinate services with other youth services organizations in the service area.
          2. Participate in meetings with other Reimagine Youth Development and Violence Prevention funded providers within their community to share knowledge and strategies of the neighborhood violence dynamic.
          3. Meet on an emergency basis with Reimagine funded Violence Prevention providers in the service area when conflicts related to program participants that need immediate attention and resolution arise.
             In Chicago service areas, regular, and emergency meetings as needed, will be convened by OFVP-selected Reimagine Conveners with the intent to facilitate meaningful collaborative action planning across providers.
             In the Greater Illinois Municipal service areas, organizations will work with the OFVP and their areas RPSA Local Advisory Council on collaborative community service planning for violence prevention and youth development.
      16. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION FEES
          Programs may NOT charge any fees associated with program participation.
      17. ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL
          When possible and appropriate, each program participant enrolled in RYD, shall receive an individualized assessment/screen to determine if the participant requires a referral for intensive individualized youth services. The assessment/screen that will be required for use will be determined/approved by the OFVP and will consider the physical and mental condition of each youth, financial resources, past substance use, justice involvement and trauma related to chronic exposure to firearm violence.
          RYD Providers in the Chicago area will be assigned a RSPA High-Risk Youth Intervention Services Provider to make these referrals. Non- Chicago providers will work with the OFVP to identify a pool of youth intervention services providers for referrals.
      18. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
          Providers will have/develop a DEI racial justice plan that:
          1. Reflects IDHS' commitment to advance equity and racial justice by enabling all to thrive, regardless of race, zip code, and disability.
          2. Outlines how the organization ensures equity in access to its supports/services as well as outcomes.
          3. Includes a plan to identify and address implicit bias in all areas of the organization, including programming.
          4. Includes an equity and racial justice training plan.
          5. Acknowledges the root causes of firearm violence, including historically racist systemic policies and practices where appropriate.
   6. Performance Based Funding
      To ensure accountability at all levels of service provision, the OFVP will implement performance-based funding with all of its Reimagine Youth Development grantee agencies. The six primary performance measures / standards will be tracked via the Department's eCornerstone data system.
      • Days Open
      • Average Cost per Youth Attendance Hour
      • Youth Attendance Hours
      • Population Served
      • Average Daily Attendance
      • Program Dosage
        Data will be analyzed quarterly. Applicants not meeting the minimum acceptable performance levels will receive a contact either by phone or in person to discuss performance. Technical assistance will be provided by staff and a three-month corrective action plan developed and implemented to increase performance.
        If the Applicant is unable to sufficiently increase performance in the subsequent three-month period, additional action will be taken including but not limited to additional technical assistance; decreased funding; termination of the agreement.
   7. Quality Improvement
      1. The Applicant Agency must, over the course of this grant, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality improvement thorough implementation and assessment of Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment (IL-QPSA)
      2. The Applicant Agency must, over the course of this grant, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to develop trauma informed capacity within the organization with a goal of achieving Trauma Informed Agency Status as recognized through a Department approved tool, such as the CBAT-O Assessment tool.
   8. Performance Measures
      1. Percent of seniors graduating
      2. Percent of youth promoted to the next grade level or graduating
      3. Percent of youth demonstrating improved anger management/conflict resolution skills
      4. Percent of youth with improved school attendance
      5. Percent of youth with improved grades
      6. Percent of youth with improved homework completion
      7. Percent of youth that were safe from violence during program hours
      8. Percent of youth served from the target population
      9. Days open
      10. Youth Attendance Hours
      11. Average Daily Attendance
      12. Population Served
      13. Program Dosage (Days)
      14. Average cost per Youth per hour
      15. STEM Programming
   9. Performance Standards
      1. Percent of Seniors Graduating - Considers all youth in the program 6 months or longer. 100% of youth will graduate, 90% acceptable.
      2. Percent of Youth Promoted - Considers all youth in the program 6 months or longer that were promoted to the next grade level or graduated. 100% of youth will be promoted to the next grade level, 90% acceptable.
      3. Improved Conflict Resolution Skills - Considers those youth who participated in anger management and/or conflict resolution, 80% of youth demonstrating improved skills. 100% of youth will demonstrate improved skills, 80% acceptable.
      4. Improved School Attendance - Considers percent of youth tracked with improved school attendance in one or more periods during the report year. 100% of youth will have improved attendance, 70% acceptable.
      5. Improved Grades - Considers percent of youth tracked with improved grades in one or more periods during the report year. 100% of youth will have improved grades, 60% acceptable.
      6. Improved Homework Completion - Considers percent of youth tracked with improved homework completion in one or more periods during the report year. 100% of youth will have improved homework completion, 75% acceptable.
      7. Safe from Violence - Considers the number of youths injured during program hours as a direct result of violence. Includes acts between youth and acts between youth and adults. 100% of youth will be safe from violence.
      8. Target population served - 100% of youth served will be from the target population. Acceptable performance is 85%. Considers all youth that meet one or more of the Youth and/or Family Risk Factors as identified in Section 3, B above.
      9. Days Open - RYD Program sites will be open 240 days per year. Acceptable performance is 90%.
      10. Youth Attendance Hours - Compares proposed vs. actual youth attendance hours. 100% of Youth Attendance Hours as projected in the Youth Attendance Plan will be achieved. Acceptable performance is 80%.
      11. Average Daily Attendance - Number of youths attending the program divided by the number of days the program is open. 100% of projected Average Daily Attendance will be achieved. Acceptable performance is 80%.
      12. Population Served - Considers age of youth at time of enrollment (youth are enrolled each year). 70% or more youth receiving services will be 11 to 17 years old.
      13. Program Dosage (Days) - 100% of enrolled youth will attend on average 5 days per week. Acceptable performance is 50% enrolled youth will attend on average 4 days per week.
      14. Average cost per Youth per Hour - Grant amount divided by total youth attendance hours. $4.75 per youth attendance hour. This calculation will exclude the up to $50,000 made available for required staffing and associated costs.
      15. STEM Programming - 100% of youth participating in STEM will complete a minimum of 2 hours of STEM programming a week for a minimum of 4 or more consecutive weeks. Acceptable performance is 85%.
          Most of the above measures are tracked in eCornerstone. Applicants are required to use the eCornerstone system to report data per the Uniform Grant Agreement on ALL youth served in the program. Grant expenditures for direct services to youth not supported by eCornerstone data will be disallowed expenditures.
   10. Authorizing Statutes
       Statutory Authority: These programs are authorized by the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA); Public Act 102-0679
2. Award and Funding Information
   1. This is a continuous open funding opportunity for those applicants that meet eligibility criteria and submit a responsive application as defined in Section C.1, C.2., and C.3. subject to available funding and a maximum limit of eight RPSA funded RYD grants per eligible service area.
   2. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) or the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) to make an award.
   3. IDHS anticipates funding up to eight grant awards for each of the eligible service area. IDHS will regularly update the following website with the number of grant awards that remain open in each eligible service area. Before preparing the Letter of Intent to apply, please refer to: IDHS: Eligible Service Areas - Youth Development (state.il.us) to ensure that openings remain for the service area your organization is seeking to serve.
   4. IDHS anticipates making $88M available to fund up to eight grant awards for each of the eligible service areas. Grant awards will be made for a project period that will commence upon execution of the award and continue through June 2024. Grant awards will be issued based on the State Fiscal Year and will be subject to performance, subject to 2 CFR 200 continuation application process, subject to GATA Compliance, and subject to sufficient State/Federal appropriation.
   5. These awards will be funded with American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF). These awards may also be partially funded with General Revenue Funds. Grantee is required to comply with, and is subject to, all requirements of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FAQs (treasury.gov).pdf and all related rules and guidance issued by Grantor and the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("Treasury"). Refer to: Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities | U.S. Department of the Treasury. Restrictions on use of these funds can be found at Federal Register CSLFRF pdf .
   6. This grant does not require an in-kind or financial match requirement.
   7. Indirect costs are allowed. To charge indirect costs to this grant, the applicant organization must have a Federal or State annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) or must elect to use the De Minimis Rate. Indirect costs charged to the grant may not exceed the approved rate. Refer to Section C. Eligibility and Grant Fund Use Requirements; 8e. Indirect Cost Requirements & Restrictions for more information.
   8. Subject to appropriation, the FY23 grant period will begin no sooner than the grant start date and will continue through 6/30/2023.
   9. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and the OFVP and are based on performance and sufficient appropriation. Funding will not be awarded in excess of the site funding formula below. While applications will not be disqualified for miscalculating the funding formula, applications will NOT be funded in excess of the funding formula.
   10. 10 Site Funding Formula - The Maximum Annual Grant Amount for each program site will be based on the projected Average Daily Attendance times the minimum required program hours (720) funded at a rate not to exceed $4.75.
       ADA x 720 = MYAH
       MYAH x $4.75 = $
       ADA = Projected Average Daily Attendance
       720 = Minimum hours of programming per site for 12-month period
       (240 days x 3 hours per day)
       MYAH = Minimum Required Youth Attendance Hours
       $4.75 = Maximum cost per required Youth Attendance Hour 
         $ = Maximum Grant Amount for Site
       Funds may be requested at an amount less than the maximum annual grant amount per site as defined in the funding formula.
       Pro-Rated Formula: If your initial grant is less than a full 12 months, you would need to pro-rate your award amount. To do this you would determine the number of months (M) and multiply by 20 days open, then multiply times 3 hours per day = minimum required hours of programming for # of months. This number would plug into the formula above by replacing the 720.
       Example: To calculate the maximum grant for all sites for a 10-month grant period, the minimum required hours of programming will be 600 hours. Ten (10) months of programming times 20 days times 3 hours per day = 600 minimum required programming hours for 10 months. The 600 would replace the 720 in the above calculation to determine the maximum available grant award. The ADA would be the total ANNUAL ADA for all sites combined.
       ADA x 600 = MYAH
       MYAH x $4.75 = $
   11. Award Expectations - The following award amounts are calculated based on a twelve-month period. Awards will be prorated to reflect the actual award period (See Section B.11 above).
       Applicants may propose a program that has a single program site or multiple program sites. To be considered a site, the minimum ADA must be at least 15. The maximum ADA for a single program site location is 100. The amount of funding an organization can apply for is based on the above site annual funding formula. Minimum annual program site award amount will be $51,300 (ADA=15). The maximum annual program site amount will be $342,000 (ADA-100). The Department expects that very few sites will be at these extremes. The average 12-month grant award amount per site will range from $85,500 (ADA-25) to $136,800 (ADA-40).
       Applicants proposing multiple program site locations in a single service area will submit one application inclusive of all program sites.
       Anticipated award periods:
       • FY 23: The FY23 grant period will begin no sooner than the grant start date and will continue through 6/30/2023.
       • FY 24: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024; full 12-month award amount based on 720 hours
   12. Up to an additional $50,000 per year will be made available to each applicant to offset the costs associated with direct service program staffing and associated costs. This is a per application amount and not a per site amount.
   13. NO applicant will receive more than one grant in the same eligible service area. Subsequent applications for a service area in which the applicant already has an RYD grant award will be disqualified.
   14. Funding allocated under this grant is intended to provide direct services to youth. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget.
   15. Program participation fees are NOT allowed.
   16. Proposed budgets must be sufficiently detailed and justified to be approved by IDHS. Successful applicants will NOT receive a grant agreement until after their budget has been approved through the Community Service Agreement Tracking System (CSA) system. Refer to Appendix 5: CSA Budget Information for additional instructions for registering and completing budgets in the CSA system.
   17. Sub-recipient Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Sub-recipients are subject to all provisions of this Agreement including eligibility as described below in Section C.1. and C.3. The successful applicant organization shall retain sole responsibility for the performance of the sub-recipients.
   18. Pre-award costs will be allowed under the following conditions:
       The applicant must:
       1. have received and accepted the Notice of State Award (NOSA)
       2. have a current, approved budget in the CSA system for this award
       3. have submitted any and all requested program plan and budget revisions per the NOSA
       4. NOT incur pre-award costs prior to the start date of the grant agreement.
       5. Refer to 2 CFR 200.209 Pre-award Costs for more information.  
   19. All funding is subject to sufficient appropriations.
3. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirements
   1. Eligible Applicants
      This open funding opportunity is limited to applicants that meet the following requirements and are subject to limitations described below:
      1. Eligible applicants are limited to those public and private nonprofit community-based organizations subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the tax code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)). Eligible applicants include units of local government inclusive of public schools, districts, etc.
      2. RYD-Training Technical Assistance and Support grantees are NOT eligible under this NOFO (23-444-80-2775).
      3. The applicant is proposing to provide RYD services within an eligible service area. A current listing of eligible service areas can be found here. IDHS: Eligible Service Areas - Youth Development (state.il.us)The applicant organization (and sub-recipients) has met the prequalification requirements and mandatory requirements listed in Section C.1, C.2. and C.3.
      4. Applicants eligible based on Section C.1, C.2. and C.3., may have limited eligibility under the RPSA based on the following:
         No applicant organization may receive RYD funding to provide services in more than three (3) eligible community areas.
      5. Applicants must submit a single application per eligible service area for which they intend to provide programming. The single application can propose multiple program sites within the same service area. NO applicant will receive more than one grant in the same eligible service area. Subsequent applications for a service area in which the applicant already has an RYD grant award will be disqualified.
      6. If an applicant is proposing to serve more than one community area or Greater Illinois Municipality, the applicant must submit a separate application for each eligible area.
      7. Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov  The Letter of Intent (LOI) must indicate the eligible service area for which the applicant is intending to apply. Once the Letter of Intent is received, IDHS will review applicant's GATA prequalification status; provide feedback to the applicant regarding eligibility; verify if applications are still being accepted for the proposed Chicago Community Area or Greater Illinois Municipality; and email the complete application package, including this NOFO and all appendices to the primary contact person listed in the Letter of Intent. Refer to Section D.1 below for more information and required contents for the LOI.
   2. Mandatory Requirements of Applicant/Application
      The Mandatory Requirements are essential items that must be met by the Applicant. If any Mandatory Requirement is not met, the applicant's entire proposal will not be considered. If all responding applicants fail to meet a particular mandatory requirement, that mandatory requirement may, at the sole discretion of the State, be removed from the Mandatory Requirements so the evaluation process may continue. However, this does not obligate IDHS to make an award to any applicant that fails to meet all mandatory requirements.
      1. The application must propose to provide services in an eligible service area.
      2. The application must propose a minimum of one program site with a minimum Average Daily Attendance of at least 15 youth.
      3. The Application must reflect that 70% or more of all youth served will be youth 11-17 years old.
      4. The Application and the Youth Attendance Plan must demonstrate a plan to provide Reimagine Youth Development services every month, a minimum 240 days and 720 hours per year at each program site. (This may be pro-rated for FY23 based on the grant start date.)
      5. The application submitted must receive a minimum average Merit-Based Review score of 75 out of 100 or higher to be considered for award.
      6. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application package.
      7. The Program Narrative must be completed and submitted, including all required attachments as described in Section D.5.B.
      8. An FY23 budget must be completed and submitted in the IDHS CSA System.
         Additional detail regarding these requirements will be found throughout this funding notice.
   3. GATA Registration and Prequalification
      Eligible applicant entities must be registered and prequalified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, available here: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal Registration and prequalification are required annually. Additionally, any sub-recipient must also be registered and prequalified through GATA upon application.
      1. Registration
         The following information is required to complete registration in the Grantee Portal:
         1. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by the federal System for Award Management (SAM). For additional information refer to Section System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier below.
         2. Entity's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
         3. Organization type
         4. Illinois Secretary of State File ID (required for non-profits, for-profits, and limited liability corporations.)
         5. Entity name
         6. Entity mailing address
         7. Entity primary email address
         8. Entity primary phone number
         9. Entity fiscal year-end date
      2. Prequalification
         1. Once an entity is registered in the Grantee Portal, the system will automatically determine (within 24 hours) if an entity is prequalified to apply for an award. During prequalification, verifications are performed, including a check of federal Debarred and Suspended status on the Illinois Stop Payment List and good standing with the Secretary of State. An automated email notification is sent to the entity alerting them of "qualified" status or providing information about how to remediate a negative verification (e.g., not in good standing with the Secretary of State). A federal Debarred and Suspended status cannot be remediated.
         2. For assistance navigating government application prequalification procedure, refer to Appendix 6: IDHS GATA Prequalification Assistance.
         3. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding.
   4. System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier
      Each applicant is required to:
      1. Each applicant organization must be registered in SAM before submitting an application.
      2. Upon registration, the entity will be assigned a unique entity identifier. The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an entity by the federal System for Award Management (SAM). The UEI is now the primary means of identifying entities registered for federal awards government-wide in SAM. The UEI replaces the DUNS number.
      3. To view your UEI, the Federal Service Desk has posted instructions for finding the UEI in SAM here: How can I view my Unique Entity ID?
      4. Each applicant must continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the Department.
         IDHS may not make an award to an applicant organization until the applicant has complied with all applicable SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time IDHS is ready to make an award, the Department may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. 
   5. Pre-Award Requirements
      1. The pre-award process includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) and a Programmatic Risk Assessment (PRA). The PRA must be completed for each separate grant for which an applicant intends to apply. The Department may NOT issue a Notice of Award or a Grant Agreement to any applicant that does not have a submitted and approved FY23 ICQ and a submitted and complete FY23 PRA for the Reimagine Youth Development program. While these are NOT required prior to submitting the application, they are required prior to the Department issuing an award.
      2. Applicants that have not completed an FY23 ICQ and/or an FY23 PRA at the time of application will be contacted by the Department to complete these Pre-Award requirements.
      3. These grantee pre-award requirements are mandated by Federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). Grantees must complete these requirements prior to receiving a grant award from the State of Illinois.
   6. Registration in CSA
      1. The CSA Tracking System is where the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) expects all applicant entities to enter their GATA Budget information. It is also where IDHS staff will review and take action on the proposed budget.
      2. Applicants must be registered in the CSA Tracking System to enable the applicant to submit a signed budget in CSA by the application due date. For instructions on registering in CSA, refer to How to Register in CSA
         For additional help and step by step instructions on registering in CSA.
      3. When submitting an application, the applicant entity's proposed budget must be entered into the CSA system. The completed budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system, and a printed copy of the signed and submitted budget must be included with the application. To do this, the following is required: at a minimum, the applicant agency's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or equivalent, or the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or equivalent must be registered in the CSA system to electronically sign the required budget documents prior to submission. Refer to Process for Adding GATA Budget Signoff Authority
      4. While registration in CSA is not part of the prequalification process, successful applicants will NOT be issued an award without a fully approved in the CSA System. Furthermore, if the Uniform Grant Budget is not entered, signed and submitted in the CSA system by the application due date and time, 5 points will be deducted from the Budget Narrative score. Refer to Section D: Application and Submission Information, Budget for more information.
      5. It may take several days to complete the registration process so do not wait until you plan to submit your application. For more information about registering and submitting a budget in the CSA system, refer to Appendix 5 CSA and Budget Information and also see: DHS Budget Manual Caution: Please indicate file type(illinois.gov) pdf
   7. Cost Sharing or Match Requirements
      Providers are not required to provide in-kind and/or financial match. However, if a successful applicant proposes a voluntary match amount and the budget is approved, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit.
   8. Grant Fund Use Requirements
      All applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards.
      Please refer to 2 CFR 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs.
      1. Allowable costs:
         Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activity(ies) contained in the Scope of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. Funding allocated under these grants is intended to provide direct services to youth. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation.
      2. Unallowable costs:
         Please refer to 2 CFR 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. In addition, and specific to this grant, the following costs will be unallowable without specific prior written approval from DHS:
         1. Entertainment costs, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized in the approved budget (2 CFR 200.438)
         2. Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439)
         3. Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439)
         4. Food, and other goods or services for personal use of the grantee's employees, contractors, or consultants of the grantee unless authorized as per diem under the State of Illinois Governor's Travel Control Board (2 CFR 200.445).
         5. Deposits for items, services, or space
      3. Limitation of Use
         Limitation of Use of Award funds for Employee Compensation: With respect to any award over $250,000, recipients may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation to any employee that exceeds 110% of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year. A salary table is available at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website: SALARY TABLE 2022-ES (opm.gov)pdf
      4. ARPA Funding Restrictions
         Grant awards under this NOFO are funded in whole or in part with fund American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF) funds. Grantee is required to comply with, and is subject to, all requirements of the CSFRF and all related rules and guidance issued by Grantor and the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("Treasury"). Refer to: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FAQs (treasury.gov).pdf Restrictions on use of these funds can be found at Federal Register CSLFRF pdf and include:
         1. Funds to directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue due to a change in law from March 3, 2021, through the last day of the fiscal year in which the funds provided have been spent
         2. Funds cannot be deposited into any pension fund
         3. Funding debt services, legal settlements or judgments, and deposits to rainy day funds or financial reserves.
         4. General infrastructure spending is not covered as an eligible use outside of waters, sewer, and broadband investments or above the amount allocated under the revenue loss provision.
            The successful applicant is responsible to ensure that all expenditures are eligible costs under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. (ARPA; P.L. 117-2)
      5. Indirect Cost Requirements
         To charge indirect costs to this grant, the applicant organization must have a Federal or State annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) or must elect to use the De Minimis Rate.
         Every organization that receives a state award must make an indirect cost rate proposal or election in the Crowe Activity Review System (CARS), including organizations that are choosing not to claim payment for indirect costs.
         CARS URL: Crowe Activity Review System (CARS)
         1. Indirect Cost Rate Election:
            1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA as Attachment D3.
            2. State Negotiated Rate. The organization must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois by completing an indirect cost rate proposal in the CARS system if they do not have Federally Negotiated Rate or elect to use the De Minimis Rate.
            3. De Minimis Rate. An organization that has never received a Federal or State Negotiated Rate may elect a de Minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct cost (MTDC). Once established, the de Minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de Minimis rate. If programs elect to use the De Minimis rate, it is critical that program budgets accurately calculate the MTDC base. Please see the regulation below and note the exclusions to MTDC.
               2 CFR § 200.68 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC).
               MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and subawards and subcontracts up to the first $25,000 of each subaward or subcontract (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards and subcontracts under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.
            4. "No Rate": Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs. The organization must record an election of "No Indirect Costs" into CARS.
         2. Crowe Activity Review System (CARS).
            CARS will allow your organization to document your already established federally approved indirect cost rate, complete an indirect cost rate proposal (see State Negotiated Rate above), elect to charge the De Minimis rate (10%) of modified total direct costs (MTDC), or select that no reimbursement of indirect costs will be requested. Submission requirements are located on page 2 of the Uniform Budget Template as well as 2 CFR 200 Appendices IV, V & VII.
            Organizations which have not previously made an indirect cost rate election must submit an election (and indirect cost rate proposal, if necessary) immediately and no later than 3 months after receiving an award notification or invitation to the CARS system.
            Organizations that have previously established an indirect cost rate election must submit a new indirect cost rate election immediately and no later than 6 months after the close of their organization's fiscal year.
            Every organization must make an indirect cost rate election in CARS even if the organization is choosing De Minimis Rate or "no rate". Organizations that do not make an election or submission inside the CARS system within the required timeframes will not be allowed to claim indirect cost reimbursement.
            For more information, see GATA Pages.
      6. Administrative Costs
         It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Program budgets and narratives will detail how all proposed expenditures are directly necessary for program implementation and will distinguish between Indirect/Direct Administrative and Direct Program expenses. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. At no time may the approved NICRA be exceeded under this agreement. Documentation will be required to verify the approved NICRA.
      7. Simplified Acquisition Threshold
         Potential grantees under this funding announcement may receive an award in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, currently $250,000 (Refer to 2CFR200 Section 200.88). Therefore, the grantee must be aware of the following regarding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold as it will be applicable to any qualifying sub award:
         1. That the grantee agency, prior to making a sub-award with a total amount of funds greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);
         2. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that the awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;
         3. That the awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.
   9. Post Award Requirements of Applicant
      Applicants agree to provide program services as described throughout this Funding Notice.
      1. Start Date: Applicants must be prepared to begin offering services within 4 weeks of receiving a grant award.
      2. Technology: Agencies awarded funds through this funding notice must have a computer that meets the following minimum specifications for the purpose of utilizing any required DHS web-based reporting system and the receipt/submission of electronic program and fiscal information:
         1. Internet access, preferably high-speed
         2. Email capability
         3. Microsoft Excel
         4. Microsoft Word
         5. Adobe Reader
            The purchase of this technology would be an allowable expenditure under the grant and may be budgeted for as part of this application.
      3. Equity and Racial Justice
         Organizations that provide services under this funding opportunity and all related RPSA programs must reflect IDHS' commitment to advance equity and racial justice by enabling all to thrive, regardless of race, zip code, and disability. This includes but is not limited to having leadership (board and/or executive staff) that is reflective of the community/population being served; having (or an intention to develop) a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)/racial justice plan that outlines how the organization ensures equity in access to its supports/services as well as equity in outcomes; having a plan to identify and address implicit bias in all areas of the organization, including programming; having (or an intention to develop) an equity and racial justice training plan for organization staff.
      4. Program Evaluation Reporting Requirements: Providers will be required to participate in evaluation efforts as directed by the Department, OFVP, and/or its subcontractor(s) and collect and report data accordingly. All Applicants are required to utilize the Department's eCornerstone web-based reporting system for all youth served. Providers will be required to report quarterly regarding program performance measures and outcomes. Providers will be required to participate in Department directed Performance and Standards Assessment reviews. A year-end program and performance measures and outcomes report will also be required. Additional data and information may be requested throughout the year as determined by the Department and OFVP.
      5. Site Visits: The applicant agrees to participate in site visits as requested by the Department or any designated individual/entity acting on behalf of the Department or the OFVP and agrees that program and collaborating partners will attend such site visits.
      6. Presentations: The applicant will be available as requested by the Department to present information regarding service deliverables, provide data updates, or to answer questions arising from the applicant's work.
      7. COVID Policies and Procedures: Provider organizations shall have written COVID policies and procedures that align with current guidelines put forth by the local Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health and/or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
      8. Sectarian Issue: Provider organizations may not expend federal or state funds for sectarian instruction, worship, prayer or to proselytize. If the Provider organization is a faith-based or a religious organization that offers such activities, these activities shall be voluntary for the individuals receiving services and offered separately from the program.
      9. Background Checks: Background checks are required for all program staff and volunteers who have the potential for contact with youth under 18. These background checks must be completed in advance of individuals working directly with youth. Such individuals will authorize such checks in writing and submit to fingerprinting when required. The agency shall retain the signed form authorizing the background check. All background check information, including the signed authorizing forms shall be maintained separately in a confidential file, apart from the employee's personnel records. Funded programs will be required to have a written protocol in place detailing the requirement for background checks; evidence of their completion; the protocol for reviewing and making determinations regarding results; etc. In no case shall a Person who has been indicated as the perpetrator of any of the child abuse/neglect allegations identified in 89 Ill. Adm. Code Section 385.50(a) be deemed fit for service that allows access to children.
      10. Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Mandate: Per the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA, 325 ILCS 5/4), mandated reporters are professionals who may work with children in the course of their professional duties. Mandated reporters are required to report suspected child maltreatment immediately when they have "reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity may be an abused or neglected child" (ANCRA Sec.4). This is done by calling the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Hotline at 1-800-252-2873 or 1-800-25ABUSE. Programs funded through this grant opportunity must review ANCRA and, where appropriate, have a written protocol for identifying and reporting suspected child maltreatment.
      11. Hiring and Employment Policy: It is the policy of the Department to encourage cultural diversity in the work environment and to promote employment opportunities through its programs. The Department philosophy is that the program workforce should appropriately reflect the populations to be served, with special attention given to hiring individuals indigenous to those communities. Consistent with Department policy, whenever a position becomes available, funded programs are encouraged to consider TANF clients for employment, contingent upon their qualifications in the areas of education and work experience.
      12. State and Federal Laws and Regulations: The agency awarded funds through this NOFO must agree to comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.), The United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a-and 2000H-6), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.).
      13. Publication of Studies, Reports or other Program Products: The applicant agrees that products produced for the Department under this award, including, but not limited to research reports, data, analyses, and policy recommendations are the property of the Department and will not be published or distributed except as prescribed by the Department.
          Unless otherwise provided in the approved Program Plan, the applicant agrees not to publish, release or otherwise disseminate data in any form without the prior written permission of the Department. If such permission is granted, the applicant agrees to submit to the Department six copies of all reports and proposed publications resulting from this Agreement a minimum of 30 calendar days prior to public release. Any publications (written, visual or sound), excluding press releases, newsletters and issue analyses, shall contain the following statement: "This project [is being] [was] supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLT-3381 awarded to the State of Illinois by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and under grant(s) from the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services. Points of view or opinions in the document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
      14. Trauma-Informed Training: The provider must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing/maintaining trauma informed capacity within the organization. The provider will demonstrate this commitment by providing upon request, a list of trauma trainings attended by staff, copies of trauma-informed policies, practices and procedures adopted by the organization, documentation of trauma-informed technical assistance received, etc.
          Training and technical assistance will be made available to successful applicants to achieve/maintain this status.
   10. Other Eligibility / Application Requirements:
       Provide a Reimagine Youth Development program in accordance with applicable Statutes, Rules.
4. Application and Submission Information
   1. Address to Request Application Package
      To request a complete application package, Applicant must submit a letter of intent to apply to:
      Email Address: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov
      Subject Line:  444-80-2775 RYD Letter of Intent
      1. The Letter of Intent (LOI) must include:
         1. Applicant organization name and address
         2. Name and email address of primary contact person
         3. The following funding opportunity number: 23-444-80-2775
         4. The eligible community area/municipality applicant is proposing to serve
         5. Number of years of experience applicant organization has providing youth development services
         6. Number years of experience providing an after-school program.
         7. If the applicant is planning to use subrecipients, include the name of subrecipient organization(s).
         8. Applicant must attach to the Letter of Intent evidence of entity's status as a public or private 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit community-based organization, unit of local government inclusive of public schools, districts, etc..
      2. Once the Letter of Intent is received,
         1. IDHS will review applicant's GATA prequalification status. If the applicant is not prequalified, IDHS will provide instructions on how to complete the prequalification process. Applications will not be accepted if the applicant is not GATA prequalified.
         2. Based on the information provided, IDHS will provide feedback to the applicant regarding eligibility under Section C.1. a. and C.1.b. (Note: these are not the only applicant eligibility criteria). If applicant does not provide sufficient evidence necessary to determine that applicant meets these eligibility requirements, applicant will be notified of such and reminded these are exclusionary requirements that will be verified at time of application.
         3. IDHS will verify if applications are still being accepted for the proposed Chicago Community Area or Greater Illinois Municipality and will notify applicant whether applications are being accepted.
         4. If applicant is applying for an eligible Chicago community area or Greater Illinois Municipality for which IDHS is still accepting applications, IDHS will email the complete application package, including this NOFO and all appendices to the primary contact person listed in the Letter of Intent. (The applicant may request to receive the application by mail if preferable.)
            Each applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's web site will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described later in this announcement. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor that web site and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO.
   2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
      The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is available as Appendix 7 and must be included at the beginning of this application. (Refer to 4. Other Submission Requirements in this section for a full order of application contents.
   3. Content and Form of Application Submission
      IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of your application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will not be considered.
      Proposal Narrative Content
      Important: Applicants must submit a plan (proposal narrative) that covers the full project period through 6/30/24. Grant awards will be issued based on the State Fiscal Year and will be subject to performance, subject to 2 CFR 200 continuation application process, subject to GATA Compliance, and subject to sufficient State/Federal appropriation. Successful applicants under this NOFO will receive an initial award for the remainder of FY23 and a renewal opportunity for FY24.
      Applicants must submit a plan that contains the information outlined below. Each section must begin on a new page and have a heading that corresponds to the headings listed below after each section number. The total application may not exceed 20 pages, single-spaced. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, checklist, attachments, letters of intent, and Uniform Budget are not included in the page limitation. If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will only consider content contained within that specific section. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined below.
      If an applicant receives an award through this NOFO, the proposal will become the local program plan and budget unless revisions are required. The application/plan will be the basis for monitoring compliance by IDHS.
      Failure to provide an application in the format detailed throughout this section will result in the loss of points and possible disqualification, also refer to Section D.4. Other Submission Requirements.
      

      Executive Summary: (Appendix 8)
      The Executive Summary (Appendix 8) will serve to demonstrate organization's eligibility and compliance with mandatory requirements and to determine if the organization will meet the intent of this funding opportunity as described in Section A.2 Intent of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The Executive Summary will also serve as a stand-alone document that may be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of the funded project. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description.
      Applicants must complete Appendix 8: Reimagine Youth Development Services Executive Summary and include it at the beginning of the program narrative as Attachment 1. Applicants do NOT have to complete a separate narrative, only Appendix 8.
      Each of the following items is included on Appendix 8 and must be answered/responded to on the Appendix 8 Form:

      1. List the name, address, FEIN, county and website (if any) of applicant organization.
      2. List name, phone number, and email address for the organization's authorized representative and for the contact person for this application.
      3. Indicate the eligible service area this application is proposing to serve.
      4. Indicate if the applicant organization has agency locations within the proposed service area. Provide detail.
      5. Indicate the funding amount requested under this application to provide the RYD program for the full project period through June 2024 AND provide the amount of this that is being requested for the FY2023 portion through June 2023.
      6.  Briefly describe the organization's experience in community engagement and outreach.
      7. Briefly describe the organization's relationships with residents, schools and community stakeholders in the service area being applied to serve.
      8. Indicate the number of years the organization has been providing services within the service area for which the applicant is applying.
      9. Indicate number of years of experience delivering afterschool and summer youth development programming and services to at-risk youth.
      10. Indicate and briefly describe the afterschool and summer youth development programming the applicant is currently or has previously provided.
      11. Briefly identify the core service areas that will be addressed through this RYD grant and summarize the anticipated programming and outcomes.
          Provide the following regarding your proposed RYD program. Please note: If an applicant is proposing to serve more than one eligible RPSA service area, the applicant must submit a separate application for each area.
      12. Indicate number and location of service delivery sites within the planned service area.
      13. Indicate the following for EACH Service Delivery Site:
          1. The address/location of the service delivery site
          2. Anticipated days and hours of operation
          3. Projected # of days open
          4. Total # of hours open
          5. Total anticipated Youth Attendance Hours (YAH).
          6. Projected total enrollment
          7. Projected Average Daily Attendance (ADA)
          8. % of enrolled youth who are ages 11 to 17
          9. Target service area and schools
      14. Provide the following demographic date for program youth (all sites combined):
          1. The number and percentage of youths anticipated in each age category
          2. Race/ethnicity breakdown
          3. Projected total enrollment,
          4. Projected average daily attendance
             

      Program Narrative
      IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of your application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.

      1. Capacity -Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity (30 Points)
         The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present an accurate picture of their ability to implement this program as outlined in this NOFO. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of linguistic and cultural competence throughout. Information in this section should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
         1. Give a brief overview of the applicant agency, outlining its primary programs and services offered. Describe how the applicant's mission statement and goals align with the purpose of this funding opportunity.
         2. Describe the applicant agency's experience providing afterschool and summer youth development programming and services to communities at risk. List the number of years of providing services, types of activities undertaken, successes and challenges, etc. Indicate where these services were provided.
         3. Provide an organizational chart of the applicant organization, showing where the program and its staff will be placed. If subrecipients will be used, include the relationship with those organizations in the chart. Please include this as Attachment A1-Organizational Chart. Refer to F, Budget Narrative below for additional information regarding subrecipients.
         4. Provide a description of the applicant agency's readiness for service provision commencing within four weeks of the contract start date, taking particular note of the following:
            1. If training is needed, describe what those training needs are, as well as the agency's willingness to ensure that all staff in need of training receives it prior to commencement of service delivery. For purposes of the Application, assume that if your agency requires training on eCornerstone, the Department will provide that training to appropriate staff within your agency prior to commencement of services.
            2. Discuss your readiness in terms of the physical space(s) where Reimagine Youth Development program activities will be carried out. Describe whether this is space your agency currently occupies (and/or pays for), whether it is under construction, if arrangements to rent/lease/buy or build a physical facility are or are not yet final. Include in Attachment A5- Programming Space - Linkage Agreements/Documents of your application copies of any linkage agreements or other documents (lease, rental agreement, etc.) to illustrate your situation with regard to physical space.
            3. Include as Attachment A8 - Site Information Forms found in Appendix 9: Site Information Forms of this NOFO. If your agency has more than one program site, a separate Site Information Form must be completed for each site.
            4. Include as Attachment A9 Timeline a proposed timeline for implementation. The timeline should include items such as hiring staff, training staff, recruiting participants, first day of programming, etc.
            5. Describe the applicant agency's plan for staffing to carry out and execute this program. Identify key staff positions that will be responsible for the program. At a minimum, one (1) FTE Reimagine Youth Development coordinator must be committed to the program. Include evidence that this individual(s) is qualified based on education and experience to direct the program. Present his/her resume as Attachment A2 of your Application. If that individual has not yet been hired, present the Reimagine Youth Development Coordinator's job description as Attachment A2- Coordinator's Job Description/ Resume. Please also complete Appendix 10: Program Contact Information Form(s) and include it as Attachment A4.
            6. Provide job descriptions for all employee positions that will be funded with this grant, and an indication of the percent of time those employees will spend in this program. Programs must recruit and hire staff who are qualified for their positions through education, experience and/or training. If STEM services are planned, ensure that an individual has been identified as the STEM contact person. Job descriptions must also be included for volunteer staff. Include the job descriptions in Attachment A3- Job Descriptions (Grant Funded).
            7. Describe your policy & procedure for conducting background checks.
         5. Quality Afterschool programming. Describe the steps your organization has/will put in place generally to ensure quality staff are delivering quality, age-appropriate services to youth.
            Applicants must agree to, over the course of this grant, with support from IDHS, to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality improvement by participating in the Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment process. Refer to this link http://www.actnowillinois.org/il-qpsa/ for IL-QPSA information. If your organization has participated in this process, describe your current and planned quality improvement activities designed to implement and address identified areas of the Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment. If not, please provide an affirmative statement of your intentions to participate annually over the course of this grant.
         6. Describe the applicant organization's experience engaging the community and developing partnerships/relationships with community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders within the intended service area the agency is proposing to serve. Include your agency's history working with the local alternative, options, and other schools where program participants attend. Describe established relationships and collaborative efforts in the past.
         7. Include a description of existing linkages your agency has to other community resources and services essential to the positive development of youth, as detailed in Section A, 3P "Collaboration", of this NOFO. Include copies of existing linkage agreements in Attachment A7- Signed School Linkage Agreements of your application. At a minimum, your Attachment A7 of your Application must include linkage agreements with every school where Reimagine Youth Development participants attend, indicating their willingness to provide copies of student grade reports and attendance and suspension records. If significant linkages do not currently exist, explain why and include a plan to establish those linkages.
         8. Include a description of the Community Advisory Council (CAC) or board that will be involved in conducting Reimagine Youth Development activities. Include a description of how you have ensured a diversity of perspectives, including those of caregivers (minimum 2), youth (minimum 2), community members, business leaders and others. Please include as Attachment A6 - Community Advisory Council Members a list of CAC members and indicate which sector of the community they represent. The member list included in Attachment A6 must also indicate which of the current/projected members have participated in one or more meetings to provide input into this application.
         9. Describe current and planned capacity building activities designed to obtain or maintain Trauma Informed status.
            Applicants must agree to, over the course of this grant, to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to develop trauma informed capacity within the organization with a goal of achieving Trauma Informed Agency Status as recognized through the CBAT-O Assessment tool. Refer to this link https://www.icoyouth.org/capacity-building/trauma-informed-care/ for CBAT-O information. Please indicate if your organization has participated in the CBAT-O Trauma Assessment process. If yes, indicate if your organization is considered "Trauma-Informed" and indicate the agency score. If no, please provide an affirmative statement of your intentions to actively pursue Trauma-Informed status, with the assistance of DHS, over the course of this grant.
         10. Describe applicant's experience ensuring that its work is driven by an equity lens.
             1. Describe how the applicant intentionally and deliberately analyzes the delivery and/or impact of the program on underserved and marginalized groups (including communities of color, people with disabilities, gender nonconforming people, etc.)
             2. Describe applicant's experience in building organizational capacity in equity and racial justice. Include a list/description of trainings to be offered in this area.
             3. Include applicant organization's written commitment to advancing equity and racial justice. If one is not yet written, please detail when and how such a statement will be institutionalized.
         11. Describe the applicant's experience managing state and/or federal grants.
         12. If the applicant plans to use a subrecipient to deliver services related to this program, describe how the applicant agency will monitor the subrecipient. Subrecipient Attachments will be described under the Budget Narrative Section.
      2. Need-Description of Need (15 Points)
         The purpose of this section is to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for these services within the proposed service area and how the proposed project will address these needs. Given the limited resources of the State, the Department's OFVP intends to fund applications that present a thorough understanding of the need for services to at-risk youth residing in their proposed service area. Therefore, applications that make a compelling case that is evidenced by recent results of community needs assessments as described in Section A, 3E "Assessment of Community Need," will receive a higher score in this section of their application. The OFVP believes that relevant surveys and focus groups including the various sectors of the community, parents/caregivers, youth and schools, coupled with an analysis of the most current data and community assessments available describing the youth, families and community needs and risk factors will form the basis for determining a community's general need for youth-oriented social services and types of programming to be developed.
         Your Application should address each of the points below:
         1. Describe the plan, scope and strategy that has been/will be implemented to conduct / update relevant community needs assessments as described in Section A, 3E "Assessment of Community Need". Indicate the persons that were/will be involved in conducting/updating the assessments. Indicate the number of surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc. conducted/updated and how many individuals and/or community sectors will or have participated. Describe any other relevant, previously completed assessments that were reviewed and analyzed as part of the assessment. Include copies of sample survey tools utilized/planned, interview and focus group questions and copies of previously completed assessments analyzed as Attachment B1- Assessments/Survey Tools etc.
         2. Describe the proposed community's current resources, strengths and needs for serving the identified population.
         3. Provide a demographic overview of the area to be served, as well as the youth that will be identified for services. Indicate the number of youths by age group; include their gender, race/ethnicity.
         4. Describe in detail the results of the community needs assessments utilized to plan your project. Include as Attachment B2-Assessment Results/Analysis copies of assessment results and analysis. (This may be a recently conducted assessment you your organization or any other credible organization.)
         5. Include a statement of the need for these services in your community.
         6. Indicate the desired change or impact your program will have on the youth, families and community served. This change should be measurable.
         7. Identify existing community-based resources serving at-risk youth in your community and describe how the proposed program will enhance or complement these existing resources.
      3. Equity and Racial Justice: (10 points)
         The purpose of this section is for the applicant to demonstrate understanding of the history and impact of racism and inequity on communities most impacted by firearm violence and to describe the organization's response to address racial inequity. The applicant should provide a clear picture of its work to counteract systemic racism and inequity and to prioritize and maximize diversity and equity throughout its service provision process.
         1. Describe the applicant's commitment and actions to address equity and racial justice. Examples of commitment and activities may include but are not limited to, having leadership (board and/or executive staff) that is reflective of the community/population being served; having (or an intention to have) a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)/equity and racial justice plan that outlines how the organization ensures equity in access to its supports/services as well as equity in outcomes; having a plan to identify and address implicit bias in all areas of the organization, including programming; having (or an intention to have) an equity and racial justice training plan.
         2. If no equity and racial justice efforts are currently being practiced, describe the applicant's plan to implement those efforts, including a timeline of activities.
         3. Identify and describe one or more potential root causes of firearm violence within the service area; indicate if/how historical factors have contributed to the conditions of the community. Include one or more recommendations on how to address firearm violence and make the local community safer.
         4. Describe how the applicant will use an equity lens when creating and implementing programming. An equity lens is a process that analyzes the impact of policies and practices on marginalized communities to inform and ensure equitable outcomes.
         5. Describe how the applicant will intentionally and deliberately analyze the delivery and/or impact of the program on underserved and marginalized groups (including communities of color, people with disabilities, gender nonconforming people, etc.)
         6. Describe how the proposed program will address the disparate impact of firearm violence on communities of color.
         7. Include demographic information of program staff and agency leadership (board and/or executive staff) and discuss if these demographics match the designated community(ies).
         8. Indicate the number of policies, practices and procedures that have been implemented, revised, or repealed to reduce racial disparities at your agency.
      4. Quality-Description of Program Design and Services (35 Points)
         The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a comprehensive, clear, and accurate picture of its intended program design. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of linguistic and cultural competence throughout. At a minimum, the proposal must address each of the following components in the order below:
         1. Describe the age group(s) for whom services will be provided. The Department intends to fund applications that provide services to youth ages 11 to 17 years old. Therefore, applications must demonstrate the desire and ability to serve youth in this age range. Agencies serving both younger and older age groups must provide no more than 30% of their services to children ages 6 to 10 years old and at least 70% of their services to youth ages 11 to 17 years old. For agencies operating the program at multiple sites, these percentages apply to the total population served by the agency, across all sites, not the number at any individual program site. This information will also be captured on the Site Information Form(s) and included with your application as Attachment A8-Site Information Forms. This form is found as Appendix 9 of this NOFO.
         2. Describe how your program will ensure that prioritized youth populations will be served in your program before expanding to other community youth. (Refer to Section A Program Description; 4. Eligible Youth Populations for a list of priority populations.)
         3. Describe your program design for an integrated, comprehensive out-of-school-time program. Indicate whether you are adopting an established best or promising practice models (specifically name any such model), designing your own models or a combination thereof. Describe the basis/justification for your intended programming. If something other than a best or promising practice is proposed, provide the basis for the decision and programming.
         4. Include a description of the specific activities that will be carried out to meet each of the identified areas of service selected for implementation, as detailed in Section a, 3A "Services to be performed - Areas of Service". Discuss the ways in which those activities were selected and describe how they will address the outcomes and developmental assets for each selected area of service. Submit as Attachment C1- Site Activity Calendars of your Application a completed Activity Calendar to demonstrate that planned program activities will address the selected areas of service and will be carried out on a regular basis. An Activity Calendar must be completed for each program site. Please note that if a site is planned to have a varied scheduled, please complete additional activity calendars to demonstrate that planned variance. Example: School-Year schedule vs. a summer schedule.
         5. Describe how the program design and the activities selected to address each area of service selected are appropriate and have a direct correlation to the needs identified in the previous section.
         6. Demonstrate the agency's experience in implementing the type of programming proposed and discuss the capacity to provide the identified services.
         7. Describe the agency's plan for providing snacks and meals as described in Section A, 3M "Snacks and Meals".
         8. Provide a description of established or proposed linkages with other youth-serving resources within your community, and how your program will collaborate with those entities to provide services to youth.
         9. Identify other out-of-school time programs in the community and how your proposed program will provide services not otherwise met and reach youth not otherwise served.
         10. Discuss your plans for including volunteers in your program, and the role(s) they will play.
         11. Describe outreach strategies that will be used to recruit program participants. Include a discussion of how your agency will work with schools, faith-based and other programs to reach youth who are at risk, as indicated by the risk factors listed in Section A, 3B "Assessment of Community Need", above.
         12. Describe whether transportation will be provided to participating youth and families with program funds.
         13. Provide the projected total number of youths that will be enrolled in the program as well as the projected Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Include a discussion of how you intend to maintain attendance at the level for which you are requesting funding, and the activities planned to enhance enrollment retention. Additionally, the total enrollment and ADA projections by site will be included on the Site Information Form and included as Attachment A8- Site Information Form of your application. This form is found as Appendix 9 of this NOFO.
         14. Complete the Youth Attendance Plan (YAP) found as Appendix 11 Youth Attendance Plan in this NOFO. A YAP must be completed for each site. Complete a YAP Cover Page found as Appendix 11 in this NOFO. These items will be included as Attachment C2-Youth Attendance Plan of your Application. Instruction is provided in Appendix 11 regarding how to complete the YAP, Days Open etc. for the award period.
         15. If proposing to provide STEM, provide a description of the STEM curriculum your program will be running. Include the STEM staff position, number of days per week, hours per week and number of youths to be in the program. The provider should describe the proposed STEM Program and should be included in Attachment A10, STEM Curriculum. See Appendix 12: Choosing Stem Activities.
      5. Evaluation (5 pts)
         1. Applicants must make a clear statement of their intention to participate in any formal evaluation of the program that may be conducted by the Department, OFVP, or any of its contractors as described in Section A, 3K "Program Evaluation".
         2. Applicants must include a clear statement indicating that the agency has sufficient number of computers with internet service to access the eCornerstone web-based data reporting system.
         3. Applicants must include a clear statement indicating their ability to collect participant data and report it via the eCornerstone system as described in Section A, 3K "Program Evaluation".
         4. Applicants must include a clear statement indicating their intention and ability to collect and report outcomes data and developmental assets data to support achievement in each of the seven identified areas of service that are planned for programming. Outcomes and assets are described in Section A, 3A "Areas of Services".
         5. Applicants must include a clear statement indicating their intention and ability to collect survey data from caregivers, teachers and youth as directed by the Department's OFVP.
         6. Describe in detail the capacity and the plan to track, evaluate and report performance measures, outcomes and developmental assets.
      6. Budget Narrative (5 Points)
         Applicants will provide a PDF copy of the proposed full project period budget through June 2024. This will be included in the application as Attachment D1: Full Project Budget
         The budget narrative of the application must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrates that all proposed costs are:
         • Reasonable and necessary
         • Allocable, and
         • Allowable as defined by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), as applicable.
           In this section, provide a detailed Budget Narrative of the items allocated within your proposed project budget. This will include all funds budgeted for the full project budget through June 2024. Identify the source of those funds and detail how the specified resources and personnel are being allocated to ensure the tasks, activities, goals, and objectives described in your proposal will be implemented. Illustrate the use of state or federal funds, other than grant funds, that will be used to support the program. If subrecipients are planned, please also describe how these funds will be utilized to implement the program.
           Uniform Grant Budget In addition to the above narrative associated with the full project period, a budget must also be submitted electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix 5 for more information). The Budget entered into the CSA system will ONLY reflect the FY23 portion of the project period (Grant start through June 2021). This budget will also include a detailed description/justification (narrative) for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan. This FY23 Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer. If indirect costs are included in the budget, a copy of the approved NICRA must be included with the Application as Attachment D3. Instructions for FY24 renewal budget for successful applicants will be provided at a later date.
           IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to DHS.
           If the Uniform Grant Budget is not entered, signed, and submitted in the CSA system at the time of application submission, the application will be rejected.
           Successful applicants will NOT receive a grant agreement until after their budget has been submitted and approved through the CSA system, therefore, it is critical that the budget submitted with the application is as detailed as possible.
           If Subrecipients are used, subawards and budgets must be pre-approved, and therefore must be submitted with this application. Subrecipient budgets should NOT be submitted in the CSA system. Instead, Subrecipient budgets should be completed using the PDF form of the Uniform Budget Template which can be found in Appendix 5. Subrecipient Agreements and budgets must be included as Attachment E3. This PDF template should only be used for Subrecipient budgets.
           If Subrecipients will be used, for each subrecipient the following will be required as Attachments to the Application:
           • Attachment E1 - Program Contact Information-Subrecipient Form, (Appendix 13)
           • Attachment E2 - Additional Subrecipient Information (Appendix 14)
           • Attachment E3 - Subrecipient Agreement; PDF Budget; Copy of Federal Form W9; and a copy of the approved NICRA if indirect costs are included in the subrecipient budget.
      7. Attachments to Your Application Narrative (Not included in page Limits)
         Although this section is not scored individually, content will be considered when scoring the above sections. If any of these Attachments are missing from the application package, the entire application will be disqualified from consideration. The Attachments should be labeled accordingly and placed in the order below. If any attachments are not applicable, a page labeled with the attachment number should be submitted and should include a statement explaining why the attachment was not applicable.
         • Attachment A1 - Organizational Chart
         • Attachment A2 - Coordinator's Job Description/Resume
         • Attachment A3 - Job Descriptions (Grant Funded)
         • Attachment A4 - Provider Contact Information
         • Attachment A5 - Programming Space - Linkage Agreements/Documents
         • Attachment A6 - Community Advisory Council Members
         • Attachment A7 - Signed School Linkage Agreements
         • Attachment A8 - Site Information Form(s)
         • Attachment A9 - Timeline
         • Attachment A10 - STEM
         • Attachment B1 - Assessments/Survey Tools etc.
         • Attachment B2 - Assessment Results/Analysis
         • Attachment C1 - Site Activity Calendars
         • Attachment C2 - Youth Attendance Plan (Cover, Forms & Narrative)
         • Attachment D1 - PDF Uniform Grant Budget (Full project budget)
         • Attachment D2 - Copy of Federal Form W9 for the Applicant Agency
         • Attachment D3 - Copy of currently approved NICRA if indirect costs are included
         • Attachment E1 - Program Contact Information-Subrecipient Form
         • Attachment E2 - Additional Subrecipient Information
         • Attachment E3 - Subrecipient Agreement; PDF Budget; Copy of Federal Form W9; and a copy of the approved NICRA if indirect costs are included in the Subrecipient budget
   4. Application Submission Dates and Times
      1. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order, with the signed Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (Uniform Application) on top. The Uniform Application is available as Appendix 7.
      2. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov
         The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov . Include the following in the subject line: RYD 444-80-2775 your agency name.
         Applications will be considered in the order they are received based on the submission time-stamp.
         Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will NOT be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive. The electronic copy should be a complete single PDF file. If the applicant needs assistance creating a single PDF file, please reach out to contact person listed in this NOFO.
      3. Applicants will receive a receipt confirmation email within 48 hours of receipt notifying them that their application was received and the date and time it was received. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application. This receipt confirmation email is solely confirmation that the application has been received by the Department; it is not a confirmation of the applicant's eligibility; prequalification, etc. Refer to Section C. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirements, for more information on the applicant's eligibility.
         If the applicant organization does not receive an email confirmation of receipt within 48 hours of their submission, the applicant organization will bear the full responsibility to follow-up with the IDHS NOFO contact as the application was NOT received. The applicant organization will be allowed to resubmit their application per the submission instructions in this NOFO. IDHS will record the date and time of receipt and send an email confirmation to the applicant organization as described above. Because the application submission date and time determines the order in which applications are considered for funding, the applicant organization will be afforded an opportunity to provide definitive proof of the original submission including date and time. If the provided documentation is accepted by IDHS, this will serve as the official date and time of receipt. If not accepted as definitive proof, the applicant organization will be directed to resubmit their application per the submission instructions above.
         All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This notification will provide details regarding the reasons for non-acceptance. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason(s) for disqualification. Eligible applicants will be encouraged to remedy the identified issues and resubmit their application per this NOFO guidance provided that this NOFO and the service area targeted by the application has not closed.
      4. All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the completed grant application to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov utilizing the CMS File Transfer Utility located at https://filet.illinois.gov/filet/PIMupload.asp. This will ensure large documents are able to cross firewalls and will provide you with a transmission receipt. Please follow the instructions to attach your application. Don't forget the subject line above.
      5. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent.
   5. Content and Other Submission Requirements
      1. Proposal Container and Format Requirements
         All applications must be typed on 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper using 12-point type and at 100% magnification. With the exception of letterhead and stationery for letter(s) of support (not required), the entire proposal should be typed in black ink on white paper. The program narrative must be typed single-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. The program narrative must not exceed the page totals specified in the "Content and Form of Application Submission" section including the Executive Summary. Items included as attachments are NOT included in the page limits.
         The entire application, including attachments, must be sequentially page numbered and compiled in the order specified below. The complete application should be compiled in a single PDF document and submitted as directed.
         Failure to adhere to proposal container and format requirements may impact application scoring but will NOT disqualify an application from consideration.
      2. ALL Applications MUST include the following mandatory forms/attachments in the order identified below.
         1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (Refer to Appendix 7)
         2. Executive Summary (Refer to Appendix 8)
         3. Program Narrative
            1. Capacity - Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity
            2. Need - Description of Need
            3. Equity and Racial Justice
            4. Quality - Description of Program Design and Services
            5. Evaluation
            6. Budget Narrative (Narrative should cover the entire full project period (Grant start through June 30, 2024)
            7. Attachments to Your Application
               • Attachment A1 - Organizational Chart
               • Attachment A2 - Coordinator's Job Description/Resume
               • Attachment A3 - Job Descriptions (Grant Funded)
               • Attachment A4 - Provider Contact Information
               • Attachment A5 - Programming Space - Linkage Agreements/Documents
               • Attachment A6 - Community Advisory Council Members
               • Attachment A7 - Signed School Linkage Agreements
               • Attachment A8 - Site Information Form(s)
               • Attachment A9 - Timeline
               • Attachment A10 - STEM
               • Attachment B1 - Assessments/Survey Tools etc.
               • Attachment B2 - Assessment Results/Analysis
               • Attachment C1 - Site Activity Calendars
               • Attachment C2 - Youth Attendance Plan (Cover, Forms & Narrative)
               • Attachment D1 - PDF Uniform Grant Budget (Full project budget)
               • Attachment D2 - Copy of Federal Form W9 for the Applicant Agency
               • Attachment D3 - Copy of currently approved NICRA if indirect costs are included
               • Attachment E1 - Program Contact Information-Subrecipient Form
               • Attachment E2 - Additional Subrecipient Information
               • Attachment E3 - Subrecipient Agreement; PDF Budget; Copy of Federal Form W9; and a copy of the approved NICRA if indirect costs are included in the Subrecipient budget
         4. Uniform Grant Budget - The FY23 (Grant start through June 2023) proposed budget must be entered, signed and submitted in CSA and is required for the application to be considered complete.
         5. RYD NOFO Checklist (Refer to Appendix 15)
      3. Applications will be accepted as described herein. Faxed copies, hard copies, etc. will not be accepted. Applications that are inconsistent with the instructions herein will be subject to loss of points. The Department is under no obligation to review applications that do not comply with the above requirements.
   6. Unique Entity Identifiers (DUNS Number and SAM Registration)
      Refer to C.4 for information on SAM Registration and Unique Entity
   7. Intergovernmental Review
      This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."
   8. Funding Restrictions
      The applicant must develop a budget consistent with program requirements as described in Section A. Program Description and in accordance with Section C. 6 Grant Funds Use Requirements.
5. Application Review Information
   All eligible grant applications are subject to merit-based review.
   1. Criteria and Weighting of Each Criteria
      Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in Section C "Eligibility Information" 1. Eligible Applicants, 2. Mandatory Requirements, and 3. GATA Registration and Prequalification will not be considered for funding.
      All applicants / applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
      Applicants proposing to serve more than one community area must submit a separate application for each community area. Applications will be scored separately.
      The Department will review, score, and make funding decisions separately for each eligible service area. Applications will be considered in the order in which they were received. The Department anticipates awarding up to eight grants per eligible service area.
      Review teams comprised of three or more internal and/or external reviewers will be assigned to review applications. Internal reviewers are individuals employed by IDHS, contractual staff or individuals working as Government Public Service Interns under contract from the University of Illinois at Springfield. External reviewers are those individuals not employed by IDHS who have volunteered to review applications, have subject matter expertise and/or grant reviewing experience and have been screened for any potential conflict of interest.
      Eligible applications will first be reviewed and scored individually. Then, review team members will collectively review the application and team members' scores and discuss comments to ensure team members have not missed items within the application that other team members may have identified. Application highlights and concerns will be discussed. Once this process has been completed, the individual review team members will separately finalize their individual scores, comments, and recommendations.
      The Review Team scores will be compiled and averaged by the application Review Coordinator who then will present the scores, summary comments and reviewer recommendations to the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Violence Prevention Services and the Associate Director for the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development.
      The Bureau Chief and the Associate Director will ensure accuracy/completeness of all materials. Reviewer score sheets may be returned to the reviewer to improve legibility and completeness of comments. If this step reveals that there was the possibility of impropriety on the part of any reviewer, the Department reserves the right to remove from consideration the reviewer scores and comments from consideration. If this action results in fewer than 3 reviewers scoring the application, the Department will assign an alternate reviewer to the application. This reviewer will be afforded all the same guidance, instruction, and time to complete the review task. A second review team meeting will then take place as described above and the process will resume as required.
      The Associate Director will present the compiled scores and recommendation to the Director of Family and Community Services. The Associate Director and the Director will discuss any concerns or identified issues and prepare funding recommendations for the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention that will include a summary review of verification of eligibility and mandatory requirements to be presented to the Assistant Secretary for consideration and final award determination.
      Scoring will be on a 100-point scale.
      Application Narratives will be evaluated on the following criteria:
      

      SECTION	POINTS
      Capacity - Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity	30 Points
      Need - Description of Need	15 Points
      Equity and Racial Justice	10 Points
      Quality - Description of Program Design and Services	35 Points
      Evaluation	5 Points
      Budget Narrative*	5 Points
      TOTAL	100 Points

      
      * IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. If the Uniform Grant Budget is not in this status at the time of application, the application will be rejected.
      
      The application criteria to be reviewed and scored are found under each category in this announcement in Section D. Application and Submission Information, 2. Content and Form of Application Submission; Proposal Narrative Content.
      This award is not subject to Cost Sharing/Matching.
   2. Review and Selection Process
      All applications will be reviewed upon receipt by IDHS staff to determine if eligibility and mandatory requirements are met as outlined in this NOFO. Those meeting these requirements will be reviewed as described in the Criteria section above. Scoring will be done by committee on a 100-point scale. If compiled average reviewer scores meets or exceeds a score of 75, the application will be put forward for funding consideration by service area. Applications will be considered in the order they were received until such time as the maximum number of funded RYD grants in the identified service area is met (eight) or available funding has been exhausted.
      If there is sufficient funding and the service area maximum number of awards has not yet been achieved, the Department will then review other RPSA awards made to the applicant organization to determine if the applicant organization continues to be eligible or if they have since exceeded the limitations outlined in Section C.1.d. and would then be subject to disqualification.
      While the score/recommendation of the review panel will be the primary factor in the funding determination, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the review panel to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.
      Final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Secretary of Firearm Violence Prevention after considering the recommendations of the Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Violence Prevention Services, the Associate Director of the Office of Community & Positive Youth Development, and the Director of Family and Community Services.
      The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.
   3. Merit-Based Review Appeal Process
      1. Grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO).
      2. Appeals submission IDHS contact information:
         Name of Agency contact for appeals: Kari Branham
         Email of Agency contact for appeals: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov
         Email Subject Line: "agency name RYD 444-80-2775 Appeal Kari"
      3. Submission of Appeal.
         1. An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration.
         2. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
         3. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
            1. Name and address of the appealing party;
            2. Identification of the grant; and
            3. Statement of reasons for the appeal.
            4. Supporting documentation, if applicable
      4. Response to Appeal.
         1. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
         2. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
         3. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request.
      5. Resolution
         1. The ARO shall make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
         2. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency.
         3. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
         4. The determination shall include, but not be limited to:
            1. Review of the appeal;
            2. Appeal determination; and
            3. Rationale for the determination.
   4. Simplified Acquisition Threshold
      Potential grantees under this funding announcement may receive an award in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, currently $250,000 (Refer to 2 CFR 200 Section 200.88). Therefore, the grantee is subject to Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Refer to Section C. 8. Grant Funds Use Requirements for more information.
6. Award Administration Information
   1. State Award Notices
      Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the above review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into CSA. Refer to Section C. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirements, 6. Registration in CSA. 
      1. Grant award amount
      2. The terms and conditions of the award.
      3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA) and merit-based review.
         Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into CSA. Refer to Section C. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirements, 6. Registration in CSA.
         
         The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOSA is the document authorizing the Department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice.
         Upon acceptance of the grant award, announcement of the grant award shall be published by the awarding agency to Grants.Illinois.gov
         A written Notice of Denial shall be sent to the applicants not receiving the award.
   2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
      The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
      To review a sample of the IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement, please visit this IDHS Website. 
      The agency awarded funds through this Funding Notice must further agree to comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.), The United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a-and 2000H-6), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.). Additional terms and conditions may apply.
   3. Reporting
      Upon execution of the grant agreement, reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Grant Agreement and related Exhibits which includes, but is not limited to the following:
      1. Forms
         1. Periodic Financial Report (PFR)
            1. The Provider will submit monthly expenditure documentation and certification forms (EDCFs), quarterly and final Periodic Financial Reports (PFRs) in the format prescribed by the Department.
            2. These monthly reports must be submitted no later than the 30th of each month for the preceding month by email.
            3. The quarterly reports must be submitted no later than the 30th of the month following the end of the quarter; Quarter 1 (July 1 - September 30) is due October30th; Quarter 2 (October 1-December 31st) is due - January 30th, Quarter 3 (January 1- March 31st) is due - April 30th, and Quarter 4 (April 1st -June 30th) is due - July 30th).
            4. The final (cumulative fiscal year) Periodic Financial report is due July 30th of the next fiscal year.
         2. Periodic Performance Report (PPR)
            1. The provider will provide monthly status reports in the format prescribed by the Department.
            2. The Provider will submit quarterly and final Periodic Performance Reports (PPRs) in the format prescribed by the Department.
            3. The quarterly reports must be submitted no later than the 30th of the month following the end of the quarter; Quarter 1 (July 1 - September 30) is due October30th; Quarter 2 (October 1-December 31st) is due - January 30th, Quarter 3 (January 1- March 31st) is due - April 30th, and Quarter 4 (April 1st -June 30th) is due - July 30th).
            4. The final (cumulative fiscal year) Periodic Financial report is due July 30th of the next fiscal year.
         3. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements:
            1. All Applicants are required to utilize the Department's eCornerstone web-based reporting system for all youth served.
            2. Programs will be required to administer parent/caregiver and youth surveys in the spring of the year, in a format provided by the Department. These surveys are designed to measure progress toward the objectives and developmental assets detailed in Section A, 5A, "Areas of Services".
      2. Annual Audit in conformance with Audit Requirements set forth in the grant agreement.
      3. Recordkeeping Requirements.
         The Provider is required to maintain until December 31, 2031 adequate books, all financial records and supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award. If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken. The Provider agrees to provide or make available all records related to this grant upon request.
      4. ARPA Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF) Compliance and Reporting
         See Treasury's CSFRF Reporting Requirements, available at: Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities | U.S. Department of the Treasury
         Non-compliance with any of the above reporting requirements, including timeliness of reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop Payment List.
   4. Payment Terms
      It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that the Grant Payment Policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (procedures implementing Cash Management Improvement Act and the Treasury-State Agreement (TSA)), and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.
      Grantees that desire advance payment will submit the required advance payment request form and supporting documentation. Grantees will be required to certify that they meet Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.302 Financial Management, and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods. Certification language will be located on the advance payment request form. Grantees who cannot or do not provide such certification will either (i) need to retain a Fiscal Agent who has provided such certifications to receive advance payments or (ii) will be paid through reimbursement. NOTE: Grantees paid through reimbursement may receive up to two months of working capital advance, at IDHS's discretion, pursuant to 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(3), and described above, at the beginning of the grant prior to being paid by reimbursement for the balance of the grant.
      Additional information regarding grant payments and the form to request same will be provided to successful applicants.
7. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)
   1. Point of Contact
      Name:  Kari Branham
      Email Address: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov
   2. Questions and Answers
      If you have questions relating to this NOFO, please send them via email to: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov with "RYD" in the subject line of the email. Questions with their respective answers will be posted on the IDHS website at this link. Questions and answers will be updated frequently as new questions are received. Applicants are responsible for checking frequently as the responses provided may have an impact on their ability to submit a responsive application. Only written answers posted on the website will be considered valid and official.
8. Other Information, if applicable
   IDHS will email the complete application package, including this NOFO and the following appendices following the applicant organizations submission of the Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply. Please refer to Section D.1. for detailed information on the LOI process.
   • Appendix 1 RPSA Eligible Community Areas and Municipalities
   • Appendix 2 Individual and Family Risk Factors
   • Appendix 3 Out of School Time Best and Promising Practices
   • Appendix 4 Activity Calendar with Sample
   • Appendix 5 CSA and Budget Information
   • Appendix 6 IDHS GATA Prequalification Assistance
   • Appendix 7 Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
   • Appendix 8 RYD Executive Summary
   • Appendix 9 Site Information Form
   • Appendix 10 Program Contact Information Form
   • Appendix 11 Youth Attendance Plan
   • Appendix 12 Choosing Stem Activities
   • Appendix 13 Program Contact Information-Subrecipient Form
   • Appendix 14 Additional Subrecipient Information
   • Appendix 15 RYD NOFO Checklist
   • Appendix 16 RYD Logic Model
   • Appendix 17 RYD Program Standards
9. Mandatory Forms - Required for grant program
   Any application submitted in response to this NOFO will be disqualified from consideration if any of the following is not included as part of the application package.
   • Letter of Intent to apply (LOI). (Refer to Section D. Application and Submission Information, 1. Address to Request Application Package.)
   • Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (Appendix 7)
   • Project Narrative and all required Attachments (Refer to Section D. Application and Submission Information, 4. Other Submission Requirements)
   • Uniform Grant Budget entered into CSA system. (Refer to Appendix 5: CSA Budget Information for more information on entering budgets in CSA).

• Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
• Uniform Grant Budget Template | Instructions
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure