Greater Illinois Reimagine Youth Intervention Services (23-444-80-3005)Notice of Funding Opportunity

Summary Information

1. Program Description
   1. Program Summary
      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, for Illinois municipalities with less than 1,000,000 residents, in December 2021 the OFVP's Firearm Violence Research Group identified 15 municipalities or continuous geographic areas with the greatest concentration of firearm violence victims. These locations were identified by the volume and per capita rate of fatal/non-fatal firearm-shot victims in each municipality, excluding self-inflicted incidents, from 2016 through 2020. An additional community was selected in March 2022 as the 16th in rank order of concentrated firearm violence.
      In accordance with the RPSA, the following municipalities with less than 1,000,000 residents are considered "eligible greater Illinois municipalities" and qualify for grants under the Act.
      

      1. Aurora	9. Kankakee
      2. Belleville Cluster (Includes Belleville, East St. Louis, and Cahokia Heights)	10. Maywood-Bellwood Cluster
      3. Berwyn-Cicero Cluster	11. Peoria
      4. Calumet City Cluster (includes Calumet City, Harvey, Dolton, Riverdale, South Holland, Markham, Lansing)	12. Rock Island
      5. Chicago Heights Cluster (includes Chicago Heights, Park Forests, and Sauk Village)	13. Rockford
      6. Danville	14. Springfield
      7. Decatur	15. Urbana-Champaign Cluster
      8. Joliet	16. Waukegan-North Chicago Cluster

      
      A full description of the process for identifying Illinois municipalities and Chicago community areas with the highest concentration of firearm violence is available here: IDHS: Report of the IDHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, June - December 2021 (state.il.us),
      Furthermore, the RPSA requires that the OFVP create "local advisory councils" (LACs) for each of these designated service areas for the purpose of obtaining recommendations on how to distribute funds to reduce firearm incidents in municipalities with less than 1,000,000 persons. Since March 2022, OFVP has convened LACs with the required member representation in each municipality or continuous geographic area. The OFVP provided each LAC with firearm related data and the best available evidence on how to address the social determinants of health to reduce firearm violence. In turn, in May 2022, the LACs provided recommendations to the OFVP on how to allocate violence prevention resources based on information provided by the OFVP, local law enforcement and other available data. For more information about the LACs please visit - our Office of Firearm Violence Prevention RPSA Local Advisory Council page.
      Immediately following receipt of these recommendations, OFVP reviewed and consolidated all feedback into a comprehensive report that summarizes recommendations across municipalities. Details of the report can be reviewed at: IDHS: RPSA Local Advisory Council Summer 2022 Recommendations (state.il.us). Based on these consolidated recommendations, the OFVP developed a Greater Illinois funding strategy that includes releasing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to provide Youth Intervention programming in the eligible Greater Illinois communities identified above. The RPSA also requires the OFVP to allocate funding to Greater Illinois communities utilizing a formula approach. This approach considers fatal/non-fatal firearm-shot victim data along with other identified factors. For an overview of OFVP funding strategy for Greater Illinois eligible communities, including additional planned funding notices, please visit: IDHS: Greater Illinois Funding Strategy (state.il.us)
      This NOFO will fund a variety of Youth Intervention Services that utilize evidence-informed programming and services which will improve youth outcomes and decrease risk factors associated with firearm violence. These services include mentoring, caregiver engagement; life skills development; employment readiness, skills development and support; as well as other activities that promote positive youth outcomes.
      In line with the White House's commitment to "advancing equity and opportunity for black people and communities across the country," IDHS and the OFVP share the goals of addressing systemic racism, which includes advancing equity and racial justice.
   2. Funding Priorities
      The Illinois Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (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 has or will have (within 60 days) a physical presence in the Greater Illinois eligible community area described in Section A1 above, for which they intend to provide youth intervention services described herein. In addition to the above non-profit community-based organizations, eligible applicants are inclusive of units of local government, public schools, districts, etc. that serve the eligible community area.
      The OFVP intends to fund one or more organizations to provide youth intervention services in each eligible Greater Illinois service area. Further, through a competitive merit-based review and selection process, the OFVP expects to fund applicants who demonstrate the following OFVP funding priorities:
      • Have a demonstrated history of providing proposed services in the area they are applying to serve
      • High levels of experience in youth intervention, community engagement, and outreach work
      • Genuine and trusted relationships with community residents, stakeholders, and law enforcement entities
      • Have a physical presence in the community area to which they are applying to serve.
      • Propose cost-effective and efficient programming
        Further, the OFVP will be informed by the IDHS: Greater Illinois Funding Strategy inclusive of the LACs programming recommendations, and recommended funding distribution, when making funding decisions within each separate eligible Greater Illinois service area.
   3. Required Services and Programming
      The DHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is investing in the highest-risk Greater Illinois communities to provide a wide variety of youth intervention programming intended to improve youth outcomes and reduce youth risk factors. The OFVP is seeking applications from organizations with the ability to engage youth and young adults ages 11-24 at highest risk of harming someone or being harmed by firearm violence. Services will be tailored based on community, individual, youth and family needs. 
      Services and programming will include but not be limited to:
      1. Engage youth and young adults ages 11-24 at the highest risk of harming someone or being harmed by firearm violence in programming. Organizations will promote their programming in the community, including but not limited to partnerships with schools, law enforcement and their municipality's Violence Prevention Coordinating Council (VPCC). Participants can also be connected to programming by community residents and community organizations. Providers will ensure youth intervention services participants meet at least one of the criteria below:
         1. Active street involvement
            An association with or a reputation or key role (influencer) in or a family history of activity or involvement in an historically marginalized group that is disconnected from mainstream economy and/or social services and is or has participated in illegal activity.
         2. Justice-system involvement
            1. Recently released from jail, prison, or/other detention facility (e.g., Cook County Jail, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) facilities, juvenile detention centers, or
            2. Prior arrest(s), charge(s), or conviction(s) for violent felonies (e.g., homicide, aggravated battery, armed robbery, weapons charges)
         3. Previous victimization and trauma associated with community violence
            1. Recent victim of violence, or
            2. Family/friend of recent victim of violence
         4. Exhibits violent behavior (includes online)
            Aggressive or violent behavior and/or threats of violence
         5. Resides in municipal blocks with high concentrations of firearm violence
         6. Other risk factors such as family challenges and school disengagement. Refer to Appendix 1: Individual and Family Risk Factors for complete list.
      2. Provide evidence-informed, age-appropriate youth intervention services . Organizations may provide services directly or through subgrants. Sub-recipients will be subject to the same GATA and grant requirements as the grantee. All selected applicants will receive training and assistance on specific programming such as mentoring models and required staff capacities such as assessment. All selected applicants will report on participant demographics, services and performance measures detailed in Section A4.
         1. Mentoring: relationship-based programming which promotes positive behaviors, attitudes and outcomes for youth while also reducing risk of harming or being harmed by violence. Services include staffing to support one to one, group, peer, or a combination of these types of mentoring services. Mentors are matched with participants through a thoughtful process and can be paid or volunteer. Applicants must include mentee training program, policies, and procedures in application. Programs must include staffing to complete intake, assessment, case plan and outcome activities. At minimum, assessment must measure anger management, conflict resolution skills and problem-solving skills.
         2. Caregiver involvement: programming for parents, guardians, and/or caregivers to participate in activities that strengthen their adult/child bonds and community involvement. Programs must identify and address caregiver needs and demonstrate improved caregiver engagement with child/youth.
         3. Safe Place Programming: includes accessible programming during late afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays where youth and young adults can engage in activities under the consistent supervision of caring adults. This programming has an ongoing and regular schedule of activities such as homework/tutoring assistance; recreational activities; arts; and cultural enrichment.
         4. Life Skills: programming that develops healthy and pro-social skills. expands child, youth, and young adult opportunities to try new skills and develop new interests, to build friendships, find their place in a group, and gain developmentally relevant experiences This is meant to include a wide variety of activities based on community needs and interests. Examples include home life skills such as food preparation and budgeting; restorative circles that build safety and conflict resolution skills; recreation, sports, cultural and artistic activities. Programs must utilize a validated assessment tool such as Casey Life Skills to assess, address needed life skills and demonstrate improvement. Programming and assessment must address anger management, conflict resolution and problem- solving skills. In addition to staffing to provide the life skill programming, programs must include staffing to complete intake, assessment, case plan and outcome activities.
         5. Employment Readiness and Skill Development: includes educating and preparing participants for employment, developing their "essential employability skills" (Appendix I), job placement assistance and supportive services.
            1. All youth will complete, through Illinois workNet, the Career Cluster Inventory; the Employment 101 pre-assessment, work readiness activities, and post-assessments as necessary to demonstrate work readiness skills improvement.
            2. Programs must develop a case plan with each participant.
            3. All career exploration and employment readiness activities must be aligned with the nationally recognized career clusters or groups of occupations and industries. Programs must educate and assist students with scholarship eligibility and application for college level admission (AA, BA or MA). The grant funds cannot pay for college tuition.
            4. Participants may receive incentives for training completion; to do so, applicants must include an incentive policy.
            5. When participants demonstrate employment readiness, programs will provide job placement assistance.
            6. Programs may provide supportive services such as access to transportation and childcare to achieve employment goals.
            7. This programming does not include subsidized employment
      3. Recruit, train, maintain, and develop staff
         1. Recruit staff who are intimately familiar with and reflective of the community in which they are providing services.
         2. Implement safety protocols to ensure staff safety, including developing staff safety and self-care plans.
         3. Provide staff with adequate training opportunities to prepare them to provide program elements effectively and safely. Training will include topics such as evidence informed models for each of the program types, motivational interviewing, conflict mediation and understanding/treating trauma. Training can be provided directly by the organization or through an RPSA Youth Intervention Training Technical Assistance and Support (TTAS) provider. An organization may choose to provide training utilizing a non-RPSA funded TTAS provider, however the organization may not use RPSA funds to pay for those trainings.
         4. Provide staff with adequate supervision to assess and improve job performance.
         5. Provide and encourage staff with additional staff development opportunities which will build staff's employment skills, allowing for career advancement.
      4. Participate in IDHS-approved training, technical assistance, and support (TTAS). At a minimum, funded providers will participate in an organizational scan conducted by an RPSA TTAS Provider, to determine programmatic, professional development, and capacity needs. Provider 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 subsequent years training calendar development that will benefit all RPSA funded organizations.
      5. Ensure that programming is infused with trauma-informed principles that:
         1. Recognize the high prevalence of traumatic experiences in persons residing and working in communities with a high concentration of firearm violence,
         2. Include an understanding of the impact of trauma on staff and personnel working with individuals residing in these communities.
         3. Include an understanding of the impact of trauma on brain development, physical and emotional health and the impact on the community and individuals living in the community.
         4. Creates a safe space, provides support, and builds resiliency in individuals impacted by trauma.
      6. Develop and implement or maintain a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (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.
      7. Additional Programmatic Requirements
         1. Program files
            Providers will maintain a confidential file on program participants which will include at a minimum:
            1. Demographic data
            2. Documentation of crisis intervention, if applicable
            3. Any required assessment results
            4. Individual's case plan, goals, services, outcomes, etc, if applicable.
            5. Record of services provided
            6. Record of referrals made for additional services and whether individual received services
         2. Violence Prevention Coordinating Council (VPCC)
            The OFVP will require Reimagine Youth Intervention Services (RYIS) providers to work with the service area's Violence Prevention Coordinating Council (VPCC), formerly known as Local Advisory Council, and other youth serving programs and violence prevention programs. At a minimum, RYIS providers will be required to:
            1. Coordinate services with other youth services organizations in the service area. This includes referral and linkage processes with other organizations providing services in their area to ensure participants are connected to needed services. Referral policies and practices may be developed during the first 3 months of programming.
            2. Participate in monthly meetings with other Reimagine Public Safety funded providers within their community convened by the VPCC to share knowledge and strategies of the neighborhood violence dynamic and complete community asset mapping.
            3. Collaborate in the development and implementation of coordinated community events which reclaim public space in communities impacted by gun violence.
            4. 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.
               A Reimagine VPCC is an experienced organization providing violence prevention services selected by the OFVP through a competitive process to help build capacity within the community area to reduce firearm violence. The VPCC will also continue and expand the work begun by Local Advisory Councils in each municipality. Reimagine VPCCs will encourage effective, collaborative working relationships across providers in such disciplines as violence prevention, mental health, and youth development.
         3. 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.
            Other data will be collected from programs including, at a minimum, the following data elements:
            1. Unduplicated number of program participants
            2. Intake and demographic information of program participants
            3. Participant status data (Education, Employment, Living Arrangement)
            4. Participant attendance data
            5. Program service activities, assessment, and outcome data
            6. Discharge Information, including status data
            7. Applicant agency administrative information; staff information; site information; subcontractor 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.
         4. Staffing
            At a minimum, one FTE (full-time equivalent) Reimagine Youth Intervention Services Program 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 Intervention Services program through education, experience and/or training. This experience includes but is not limited to, being familiar with and reflective of the community in which they are providing services. The organizational chart must be included as Attachment A1 of the application.
         5. Snacks and Meals
            Reimagine Youth Intervention Services 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.
         6. Transportation
            Program funds may be used to cover reasonable transportation costs for program participants, except for transportation across state lines. 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. Programs must have appropriate insurance and license for staff or volunteer to transport participants and kept in staff and volunteer files and built into transportation plan as appropriate.
         7. Collaboration
            The importance of community collaboration cannot be overemphasized. 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. The issues and concerns of the entire community can best be addressed by drawing upon diverse resources. The key to successful programming is collaborative planning and implementation.
         8. Program Participation Fees
            Programs may NOT charge any fees associated with program participation.
   4. Performance Measures
      At the end of each quarter, successful applicants will submit a periodic performance report (PPR). At the end of the year, successful applicants will submit a cumulative report. In addition to service data and activities, the PPRs will also include the following performance measures:
      1. Required performance measures
         1. Percent of youth that were safe from violence during program hours.
         2. Percent of RPSA Monthly meetings attended
         3. Number of policies, practices and procedures that have been implemented, revised, or repealed to reduce racial disparities and/or expanded access to supports and opportunities.
         4. Number of referral policies and practices between RPSA providers
         5. Number of coordinated community events
         6. Percentage of timely and accurate periodic and final Financial Reports submitted.
         7. Percentage of timely and accurate periodic and final performance reports submitted.
      2. Mentorship Services
         1. Projected vs actual number of individuals served through mentorship
         2. Percent of individuals who have a case plan developed.
         3. Percent of individuals with a case plan who complete 50% or more of case plan goals.
         4. Participants will increase anger management and conflict resolution skills as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants.
         5. Participants will increase decision making and problem-solving skills as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants.
      3. Caregiver Involvement Services.
         1. Projected vs actual number of individuals served through caregiver engagement
         2. Projected vs actual number of families served through caregiver engagement
         3. Projected vs actual number of families eligible and not registered for public benefit programs
         4. Percent of families that are registered for public benefits, based on the actual number of families eligible and not yet registered.
         5. Percent of individuals who attend 50% or more of activities
         6. Percent of families who attend 50% or more activities
         7. Percent of caregivers who report improved engagement with children/youth, as determined by pre/post surveys of participants.
         8. Percent of successful referrals for identified needs.
      4. Safe Place Programming
         1. Projected vs actual number of individuals served
         2. Projected vs actual number of structured program activities provided
         3. Projected vs actual number of program hours provided
      5. Life Skills Services
         1. Projected vs actual number of individuals served through life skills
         2. Number of validated life skills assessment tools implemented
         3. Percent of participants who complete an initial life skills assessment
         4. Percent of participants who complete a life skills re-assessment
         5. Percent of participants who demonstrate improvement in one or more life skills areas as determined by pre/post surveys/assessment of participants.
         6. Percent of participants who increase anger management and conflict resolution skills, as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants.
         7. Percent of participants who increase decision making and problem-solving skills, as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants.
      6. Employment Readiness and Skills
         1. Proposed vs. Actual youth served
         2. Percent of youth served that have a career/case plan developed.
         3. Percent of youth completing 50% or more career/case plan goals
         4. Percent of youth completing work readiness activities through Illinois workNet
         5. Percent of youth demonstrating increased or proficient Essential Employability Skills
         6. Percent of youth provided with Employment supportive services (e.g. Transportation, child care etc.)
         7. Percent of youth 18 and older placed in an unsubsidized Paid Work Experience
         8. Percent of youth completing 180 hours or more of unsubsidized Paid Work Experience.
   5. Performance Standards
      1. Required performance standards
         1. 100% of youth will be safe from violence during program hours. (Acceptable performance 100%) Total youth served compared to number of youth with an injury resulting from an act of violence during program hours.
            Programs will track the number of incidents which resulted in a physical injury to a participant or a program staff /volunteer during program hours. The number of participants with a resulting physical injury. The total number of youths served in the program.
         2. 100% of RPSA Monthly meetings will be attended by at least one agency staff (Acceptable performance: 80% of convened meetings) This will be measured by attendance records captured in RPSA monthly meeting minutes.
         3. Number of policies, practices and procedures that have been implemented, revised, or repealed to reduce racial disparities and/or expanded access to supports and opportunities. Reported in required performance reports. (Acceptable performance: One (1)
         4. Number of referral policies and practices between RPSA providers (Acceptable performance: One (1)
         5. Number of coordinated community events (Acceptable performance: One (1)
         6. 100% of periodic and final financial reports will be submitted timely and accurately. (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         7. 100% of periodic and final performance reports will be submitted timely and accurately. (Acceptable performance: 80%)
      2. Mentorship Services
         1. Actual number of individuals served through mentorship compared to projected (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         2. Percent of individuals who have a case plan developed (Acceptable Performance: 50%)
         3. Percent of individuals with a case plan who complete 50% or more of case plan goals. (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         4. Percent of participants with a case plan who demonstrate an increase anger management and conflict resolution skills (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         5. Percent of participants with a case plan who demonstrate an increase decision making and problem-solving skills (Acceptable performance: 75%)
      3. Caregiver Involvement Services.
         1. Actual number of individuals served through caregiver engagement compared to projected (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         2. Actual number of families served through caregiver engagement compared to projected (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         3. Actual number of families eligible and not registered for public benefit programs, compared to projected. (Acceptable performance: 50%)
         4. Percent of families that are registered for public benefits, based on the actual number of families eligible and not yet registered.(Acceptable performance: 80%)
         5. Percent of individuals who attend 50% or more of activities (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         6. Percent of families who attend 50% or more activities (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         7. Percent of caregivers who report improved engagement with children/youth, as determined by pre/post surveys of caregivers. (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         8. Percent of successful referrals for identified needs. (Acceptable performance: 50%)
      4. Safe Place Programming
         1. Projected vs actual number of individuals served (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         2. Projected vs actual number of structured program activities provided (Acceptable performance: 90%)
         3. Projected vs actual number of program hours provided (Acceptable performance: 90%)
      5. Life Skills Services
         1. Projected vs Actual number of individuals served through life skills (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         2. Number of validated life skills assessment tools implemented (Acceptable Performance 1 (one) validated instrument.)
         3. Percent of participants who complete an initial life skills assessment. (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         4. Percent of participants who complete a life skills re-assessment (Acceptable performance: 75%)
         5. Percent of participants that demonstrate increased skills in one or more life skills areas (Acceptable performance: 80%)
         6. Percent of participants that demonstrate an increase in anger management and conflict resolution skills. (Acceptable performance: 75%), as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants.
         7. Percent of participants that demonstrate an increase in decision making and problem-solving skills. (Acceptable performance: 75%) as determined by pre/post surveys/assessments of participants
      6. Employment Readiness and Skills
         1. 100% of proposed youth will be served in the program. (Acceptable performance 90%)
         2. 100% of youth served will have a career/case plan developed. (Acceptable Performance 80%)
         3. 100% of youth with a career/case plan will complete 50% or more plan goals. (Acceptable performance 70%).
         4. 100 % of youth will complete work readiness activities through Illinois workNet. (Acceptable performance 80%).
         5. 100 % of youth receiving a pre- and post-assessment for the Illinois Essential Employability Skills, will demonstrate increased or proficient skills attainment. (Acceptable performance 70%).
         6. 100 % of youth will be provided Employment supportive services (e.g. transportation, child care etc.). (Acceptable Performance 90%).
         7. 100% of youth 18 and older will be placed in an unsubsidized Paid Work Experience. (Acceptable performance 65%).
         8. 100% of youth placed in an unsubsidized Paid Work Experience will complete 180 hours or more paid work experience. (Acceptable performance 50%).
   6. Authorizing Statutes
      Statutory Authority: These programs are authorized by the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) (430 ILCS 69/35) and implemented by Executive Order 2021-29.
2. Award and Funding Information
   1. This is a competitive funding opportunity.
   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. The Department anticipates funding one or more grant awards for each of the eligible Greater Illinois service areas as determined by the OFVP.
   4. As part of an overall $100M funding strategy for Greater Illinois eligible service areas, the Department anticipates making approximately $20M of these funds available to provide one or more grant awards in each of the eligible Greater Illinois service areas. Grant awards are projected to be for a 20-month project period, (November 1, 2022 to June 2024.) Individual total awards for the 20-month period are projected to average $300,000 which is equivalent to $180,000 per 12-month period. Award amounts will be based on approved budgets. 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 CSFRF 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.
   6. This grant does not require an in-kind or financial match requirement.
   7. Indirect costs are allowed. In order 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. The grant start date is estimated to be 11/1/2022.
   10. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive one subsequent one-year grant renewal for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and the OFVP and are based on performance and sufficient appropriation.
   11. 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 A: CSA Budget Information for additional instructions for registering and completing budgets in the CSA system.
   12. 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. The successful applicant organization shall retain sole responsibility for the performance of the sub-recipient.
   13. 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, anticipated to be November 1, 2022.
       5. Refer to 2 CFR 200.209 Pre-award Costs for more information.  
   14. All funding is subject to sufficient appropriations.
3. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirements
   1. Eligible Applicants
      This competitive 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)) that has or will have (within 60 days) a physical presence in the Greater Illinois eligible community area described in Section A1 above, for which they intend to apply.
         Organizations not physically located within the community at the time of application that propose to develop a service location, upon award, the organization must acquire a physical location within that community within 60 days of the contract start date (anticipated to be November 1, 2022.)
      2. In addition to the above non-profit community-based organizations, eligible applicants are inclusive of units of local government, public schools, districts, etc. that provide services within the eligible community area. The applicant has met the prequalification requirements and mandatory requirements listed in Item 2 and Item 6 below.
      3. If an applicant is proposing to provide services in more than one eligible Greater Illinois service area, the applicant must submit a separate application for each eligible service area.
   2. 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 C: 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.
   3. System for Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier
      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.
   4. Pre-Award Requirements
      1. The pre-award process includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ). The Department may NOT issue a Notice of Award or a Grant Agreement to any applicant that does not have a submitted and approved FY 23 ICQ. 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 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.
   5. 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 act 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, refer to 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 organization'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 budget 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 section. 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 the application due date to begin the process. For more information about registering and submitting a budget in the CSA system, refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information
   6. 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 responding?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.?
      • There are no additional mandatory requirements.
   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. 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 IDHS:
         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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2021/ES.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).
         Restrictions on use of these funds can be found at Federal Register CSLFRF 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 and Restrictions
         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: https://solutions.crowe.com/CARS/StateofIllinoisGOMB/Login.aspx
         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. (Refer to Section D. Application and Submission Information, 4. Other Submission Requirements for a list of required attachments)
            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 a 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 https://www.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Pages/default.aspx  
      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 2 CFR 200 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 subaward:
         1. That the grantee agency, prior to making a subaward 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
      Successful applicants agree to provide program services as described throughout this Funding Notice.
      1. Start Date: Applicants must be prepared to begin offering services within 60 days of the contract start date. (Contract start date is anticipated to be November 1, 2022.) Applicants will submit an implementation timeline as Attachment 4, which will include program milestones, hiring staff, training, start dates, etc.
      2. Technology: Organizations awarded funds through this funding notice must have a computer that meets the following minimum specifications for the purpose of utilizing any required IDHS 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
         IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize equity and diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves correcting existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability. 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 and/or its sub-recipient(s) and collect and report data accordingly. Data will be submitted in the format prescribed by the Department. 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.
      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 may 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 Centers 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.
          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.
4. Application and Submission Information
   1. Address to Request Application Package
      Application materials are provided throughout this announcement. Appendices will be made available in user/printer friendly format and may be found on the Illinois Department of Human Services web site GI-RYIS Appendices.  Additional copies may be obtained by contacting the Department at the email address below.
      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.
      Email Address: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov
      Subject Line:  23-444-80-3005 GI-RYIS Request
   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 B 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 receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.
      • Proposal Narrative Content
        Important: Applicants must submit a plan (proposal narrative) that covers a grant period from 11/1/22 to 6/30/24 (20 months). 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 - also, refer to Section D.4. Other Submission Requirements.
        1. Executive Summary: (Appendix D, 5 points)
           The Executive Summary (Appendix D) will serve multiple purposes. First, as a scored portion of this application and secondly, for successful applicants it will serve as a stand-alone document that may be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of each funded project. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description.
           Applicants must complete Appendix D: Reimagine Youth Intervention Services Executive Summary and include it at the beginning of your program narrative. Applicants do NOT have to complete a separate narrative besides Appendix D.
           Each of the following items is included on Appendix D and must be answered/responded to on the Appendix D Form:
           1. List the name, address, FEIN, county, and website (if any) of applicant entity
           2. List name, phone number, and email address for the organization's authorized representative and for the contact person for this application
           3. Indicate in which eligible service area the applicant is proposing to provide youth intervention services.
           4. Indicate the site location(s) of where youth intervention services will be performed in this community; Indicate if the location is a sub-recipient location.
           5. Indicate funding amount requested under this proposal for
              1. FY23 (11/1/22 to 6/30/23)
              2. FY 24 (7/1/23 to 6/30/24)
              3. Total request (Total request should equal total request on page 3 of the Executive Summary.)
           6. Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization has delivering youth intervention services consistent with the services described in this NOFO.
           7. Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization (and sub-grantees) have delivering youth intervention services to individuals living in high-risk communities within the service area for which the applicant is applying.
           8. Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization (and sub-grantees) have collaborating with other community agencies to achieve a common goal
           9. Indicate and briefly describe the type(s) of youth intervention services the applicant has provided or is currently providing (i.e., mentoring, caregiver engagement, life skills etc.) Include the location(s) for these services.
           10. Briefly describe applicant's accomplishments and outcomes as a result of delivered youth intervention services within the service area for which the applicant is applying.
           11. Briefly describe the root causes of firearm violence in high-risk communities, including any specific causes of violence in the eligible community the applicant is applying for.
           12. Indicate which Youth Intervention Service(s) the applicant is proposing. For each Proposed Service:
               • Enter projected # of youth to be served
               • Enter budget amount request for this service (The budget amounts for each proposed service will be added up to calculate the total budget request; be sure to include personnel, fringe, etc. The budget amounts should be for the entire 20 month project period.)
               • Provide a brief description (1-3 sentences.)
               • Describe how this service will impact and address firearm violence
        2. Capacity - Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity: (35 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 community youth intervention services to communities at risk and specifically the eligible community that the organization proposes to serve. List the number of years of providing services, types of activities undertaken, successes and challenges, etc. Indicate where these services were provided.
           3. Describe the applicant agency's experience engaging the community and developing partnerships/relationships with community leaders, schools, law enforcement, residents, and other stakeholders within the intended community area the agency is proposing to serve. In the description identify the stakeholder groups that the applicant agency has worked with and in what capacity. Indicate if these partnerships/relationships are current.
           4. Provide a description of the applicant agency's readiness for service provision commencing within 60 days of the contract start date, taking particular note of the following:
              1. Describe the applicant agency's plan for staffing to carry out and execute this program. Please include resumes and/or job descriptions of the staff responsible for implementing this program as Attachment 3: Job Description/Resume
              2. Discuss the applicant agency's readiness in terms of the physical space where program activities will be carried out. If applicable, describe whether this is space the applicant 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.
              3. Describe the applicant agency's readiness in terms of creating and implementing effective interventions based on the root causes of firearm violence in high-risk communities.
              4. Describe the training program staff have had and will receive to ensure their ongoing ability to successfully perform the duties of their position.
           5. Describe the applicant's experience managing state and/or federal grants.
           6. If the applicant plans to use a Sub-recipient to deliver services related to this program, describe how the applicant agency will monitor the Sub-recipient. Subcontract Attachments will be described under the Budget Narrative Section.
        3. Need - Description of Need: (10 points)
           The purpose of this section is to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for proposed services within the targeted community and how the applicant will address these needs. It is necessary for the applicant to demonstrate that it has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs of the individuals impacted by violence.
           1. Provide evidence that the applicant has thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs of youth and families impacted by firearm violence.
           2. Provide evidence that the applicant understands the needs of community as it relates to addressing and responding to high-risk youth needs within their communities.
           3. Describe how the provision of youth intervention services will help to mitigate the negative effects of COVID and firearm violence on the community. Describe how these services will assist populations and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID and firearm violence.
        4. 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 some of the potential root causes of firearm violence within the targeted communities; address and/or include how historical factors have contributed to the conditions of the communities as appropriate. Include 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. 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.
           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 applicant will provide youth intervention services to 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. Based on racial demographic data, provide the number of policies, practices and procedures that have been implemented, revised, or repealed to reduce racial disparities at your agency.
        5. Quality - Description of Program Design and Services: (30 points)
           The purpose of this section(s) 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 describe how the organization will provide the proposed services and activities consistent with Section A: Program Description; 3. Required Services and Programming.
           If multiple program areas are applied for as part of this application, please appropriately label and begin each separate program area on a new page.
           1. Target population: Describe the intended target population for the program model proposed. Provide a justification for the intended population to be served. If proposing to serve sub-populations of eligible youth 11-24, please describe the analysis that led to this decision. Describe the eligibility criteria to be imposed for service population planned, understanding that participants must meet at least one criterion listed in Section 3a. Describe how this population will be recruited to participate. Describe how you will ensure that youth are recruited from the municipal blocks with high concentrations of firearm violence in the eligible community area proposed, and that those youth receive priority access to the programming and services proposed. Describe how the program will reduce barriers to program participation.
           2. Identify and provide a detailed description of the evidence-informed program/practice to be provided. Identify the intended outcomes of the programming and services being proposed. Indicate the projected number of participants to be served. Indicate if this will be a new program/practice or if this will be an expanded program or service if the applicant is already providing it. Indicate if the applicant agency will provide all or a portion the services directly; sub-contract for all or a portion of services.
           3. Name and/or describe any proposed assessments to be utilized. Describe how and when this/these instruments will be implemented and with which populations of youth. How will the assessment results be tracked. Describe how the assessment(s) will be used to generate a case plan/care plan/career plan etc. Describe the staff that will be responsible for conducting these assessments. Describe how the program will use this information to track and measure individual youth progress and outcomes. Describe how the program staff will communicate regularly about participant progress and needs.
           4. Describe how program will develop, maintain, and leverage strong relationships with community residents, other RPSA providers and members of the VPCC, to support local violence reduction strategies. Describe how the organization will engage in coordinated community events.
           5. Indicate if the program will implement an existing referral and linkage processes with other organizations providing needed services in the area. Indicate an intention to develop and implement a plan to refer youth to other RPSA-funded organizations for services as appropriate within first three months of program.
           6. Describe how program will recruit, train, maintain, and develop staff as outlined in Section A3c.
           7. Indicate participation in IDHS-approved training, technical assistance, and support (TTAS)
           8. Describe how all programming is infused with trauma-informed principles as outlined in Section A3d.
           9. Describe how the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)/racial justice plan will be developed, implemented and maintained as outlined in Section A3e
           10. Additional Information
               1. Include an implementation timeline with milestones and deliverables as Attachment 4: Implementation Timeline. The timeline should cover the entire program period, beginning November 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024. (20 months)
               2. If applicant plans to use a Sub-recipient to deliver services related to this program, describe the role and responsibilities of the Sub-recipient. Describe how the applicant agency will evaluate the performance of the Sub-recipient. Sub-recipient Attachments will be described under the Budget Narrative Section.
        6. Budget Narrative: (10 points)
           1. Applicant Budgets:
              Important: Please read carefully. Applicants will be submitting a budget and budget narrative for the entire grant period (November 2022 to June 2024) as part of this section. However, applicants will be entering a budget into CSA for only the FY 23 grant period (November 2022 to June 2023).
              1. Applicants should provide a budget and a budget narrative for the entire grant period (November 2022 to June 2024). A Budget Template is available as Appendix E. A PDF copy of this 20-month budget should be included in the application as Attachment 5: Applicant Uniform Grant Budget (20-month budget).
                 The budget and budget narrative 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.
              2. In this section, provide a detailed Budget Narrative of the items allocated within your proposed budget. This will include all funds budgeted for the program over this 20-month period. 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. If you plan to use additional state or federal funds, or other funds to support the program, please also describe how these additional funds will be utilized to implement the program.
              3. Applicants must ALSO enter a budget into CSA for FY 23 portion of the grant - November 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. (Refer to (c) below if your organization is submitting applications for more than one service area.) Instructions for FY24 renewal budgets for successful applicants will be provided at a later date.
                 The FY23 budget for the FY23 grant period November 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 must be submitted electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information for more information and a link to budget forms). The Budget entered into the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification 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 FY23 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. Include a PDF copy of the budget submitted in CSA as Attachment 5a: Applicant Uniform Grant Budget.
                 The 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. (Refer to Section C. Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Requirement; 5. Registration in CSA.) If indirect costs are included in the budget, a copy of the approved NICRA must be included with the Application as Attachment 6: Applicant NICRA.
                 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 entered, signed, and submitted in the CSA system by the application due date and time, 5 points will be deducted from the Budget Narrative section of the application.
              4. For applicants submitting more than one application under this NOFO to serve separate eligible community areas, a separate CSA budget must be entered for each separate community area application. In the Narrative section on the summary page of the CSA budget please identify the Greater Illinois eligible service area for which the budget is intended.
              5. Successful applicants will NOT receive a grant agreement until after their budget has been submitted and approved through the CSA system.
              6. The applicant must submit Federal Form W9 as Attachment 7: Applicant Federal Form W9.
           2. Sub-recipients
              Sub-recipients must be registered in the GATA grantee portal and be pre-qualified. Refer to Section C.2. Prequalification above. If you plan to use sub-recipients, indicate amount of funds to be provided to the sub-recipients; include a budget narrative describing how sub-recipient will use funds. (See below for additional instructions regarding sub-recipient budgets.)
              Sub-recipient budgets must be pre-approved, and therefore must be submitted with this application. Sub-recipient budgets should NOT be submitted in the CSA system. Instead, Sub-recipient budgets should be completed using a PDF form of the Uniform Budget Template available in Appendix A: CSA Budget Information. This PDF template should only be used for Sub-recipient budgets. If Sub-recipients will be used, also include the following:
              • Attachment 8-Sub-recipient Agreement and Budget (The Sub-recipient Agreement is generated by the applicant agency and is not a Department form.)
              • Attachment 9-Sub-recipient Agency Federal Form W9
              • Attachment 10- Sub-recipient Agency approved NICRA if indirect costs are included and Sub-recipient Agency has a current approved Federal or State NICRA
              • Attachment 11- Additional Sub-Recipient Information (Appendix H)
        7. Attachments to Your Application Narrative (Not included in page Limits)
           Although this section is not scored individually, points will be deducted in the above sections if these items are not included as directed. 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.
           Order of Attachments:
           • Attachment 1 Application Checklist (Appendix F)
           • Attachment 2 Contact Information Forms (Appendix G; complete one for applicant organization and one for each subgrantee as appropriate.)
           • Attachment 3 Job Description/Resume
           • Attachment 4 Implementation Timeline
           • Attachment 5 Applicant Uniform Grant Budget (20-month budget)
           • Attachment 5a Applicant Uniform Grant Budget (8-month budget)
           • Attachment 6 Applicant NICRA
           • Attachment 7 Applicant Federal Form W9
           • Attachment 8 Sub-recipient Agreement and Budget
           • Attachment 9 Sub-recipient Agency Federal Form W9
           • Attachment 10 Sub-recipient Agency approved NICRA
           • Attachment 11 Additional Sub-Recipient Information (Appendix H)
   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 B.
      2. Applications must be sent electronically to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov and received no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, 9/19/2022
         
         The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: GI-RYIS 23-444-80-3005 your agency name
         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 must 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 in ADVANCE of the Due Date and Time.
      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.
         Applicants are required to notify the Department by 12:00 PM on Monday, 09/26/2022 if they did NOT receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and/or does not notify the Department by 09/26/2022 at 12:00 PM, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored.
         The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after Monday, 09/26/2022 at 12:00 PM. In the event of a dispute, the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above.
         Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. 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 email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
      4. 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. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
         IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application. PLEASE ensure that supporting documentation demonstrates these technical difficulties are the result of DHS/State systems and that they are documented prior to the application due date and time. This includes correspondence with DHS staff regarding same.
   5. 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, on one side of the page, 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 limitations.
         The entire application, including attachments, must be sequentially page numbered and compiled in the order specified below. The complete application must be compiled in a single PDF document and submitted as directed.
      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 B)
         2. Proposal Narrative
            1. Executive Summary (Appendix D)
            2. Capacity - Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity
            3. Need - Description of Need
            4. Equity and Racial Justice
            5. Quality - Description of Program Design and Services
            6. Budget Narrative (Narrative should cover the entire 20-month grant award period, November 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024)
            7. Attachments to Your Application
               • Attachment 1 Application Checklist (Appendix F)
               • Attachment 2 Contact Information Forms (Appendix G; complete one for applicant organization and one for each subgrantee as appropriate.)
               • Attachment 3 Job Description/Resume
               • Attachment 4 Implementation Timeline
               • Attachment 5 Applicant Uniform Grant Budget (20-month budget)
               • Attachment 5a Applicant Uniform Grant Budget (8-month budget)
               • Attachment 6 Applicant NICRA
               • Attachment 7 Applicant Federal Form W9
               • Attachment 8 Sub-recipient Agreement and Budget
               • Attachment 9 Sub-recipient Agency Federal Form W9
               • Attachment 10 Sub-recipient Agency approved NICRA
               • Attachment 11 Additional Sub-Recipient Information (Appendix H)
         3. Uniform Grant Budget - The FY23 (eight-month, November through June 2023) proposed budget must be entered, signed, and submitted in CSA and is required for the application to be considered complete. A hard copy of this signed and submitted budget must be included with the application as Attachment 5a (see list of attachments above.)
      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 (SAM Registration)
      Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:
      1. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date. To establish a SAM.gov registration, go to SAM.gov | Home and/or utilize this instructional link: "How To Register in SAM" https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Documents/Resource%20Library/SAM-Registration.pdf
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application; and
      3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
      4. For more information, refer to Section C: Eligibility Information and Grant Funding Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in Section C: Eligibility Information and Grant Funding will not be scored and/or considered for funding.
   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 competitive 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" will not be scored and/or 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 eligible community area must submit a separate application for each eligible community area. Applications will be scored separately.
      The Department will review, score, and make funding decisions separately for each eligible service area. Applicants will only compete against other applicants applying to serve the same eligible service area. The Department anticipates awarding one or more 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.
      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 Bureau Chief and the Associate Director will present the compiled scores and recommendations to the Director of Family and Community Services.
      The Bureau Chief, The Associate Director and the Director will discuss and prepare funding recommendations for the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention that may include consideration of other factors such as geographical distribution, demonstrated need, demonstrated community presence, agency past performance as a state grantee etc., and other items identified under Section A: Program Description; 2. Funding Priorities and prepare a recommendation or set of recommendations to be presented to the Assistant Secretary for consideration and final award determination.
      In making a final funding determination, the Assistant Secretary may include consideration of other factors such as geographical distribution, demonstrated need, demonstrated community presence, agency past performance as a state grantee etc., and other items identified under Section A: Program Description; 2. Funding Priorities.
      Scoring will be on a 100-point scale.
      

      SECTION	POINTS
      Executive Summary	5 Points
      Capacity - Agency Qualifications/Organizational Capacity	35 Points
      Need - Description of Need	10 Points
      Equity and Racial Justice	10 Points
      Quality - Description of Program Design and Services	30 Points
      Budget Narrative*	10 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 by the application due date and time, 5 points will be deducted for the Budget Narrative section of the application.
      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
      As described in the Criteria section above, scoring will be done by committee on a 100-point scale. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department & the OFVP reserve the right to consider other factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, demonstrated community presence, and agency past performance as a state grantee, etc. and other factors identified under Section A: Program Description; 2. Funding Priorities.
      While the score/recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the OFVP 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.
      In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one of the following options:
      • Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or
      • Partially fund each of the tied applications
      • Not fund any of the tied applications or
      • Assign a new 3-person review team to review and score both applications to break the tie.
        Final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention after considering the recommendations presented by 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 Assistant Secretary may include consideration of other factors as described herein when making final award determinations.
        The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.
   3. Merit-Based Review Appeal Process
      1. Competitive 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: Reshma Desai
         Email of Agency contact for appeals: DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov 
         Email Subject Line: "agency name RYIS 444-80-3005 Appeal Reshma"
      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). The NOSA shall include:
      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 FY2020 IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement, please visit the IDHS Website at http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29741.
      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 15th of each month for the preceding month by email.
            3. The quarterly reports must be submitted no later than the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter; Quarter 1 (July 1 - September 30) is due October 15th; Quarter 2 (October 1-December 31st) is due - January 15th, Quarter 3 (January 1- March 31st) is due - April 15th, and Quarter 4 (April 1st -June 30th) is due - July 15th).
            4. The final (cumulative fiscal year) Periodic Financial report is due July 15th of the next fiscal year.
         2. Periodic Performance Report (PPR)
            1. The provider will provide monthly status reports to the OFVP 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 15th of the month following the end of the quarter; Quarter 1 (July 1 - September 30) is due October 15th; Quarter 2 (October 1-December 31st) is due - January 15th, Quarter 3 (January 1- March 31st) is due - April 15th, and Quarter 4 (April 1st -June 30th) is due - July 15th).
            4. The final (cumulative fiscal year) Periodic Financial report is due July 15th of the next fiscal year.
         3. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: Additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in a format prescribed by the Department.
      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
      The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) payment policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (procedures implementing Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury-State Agreement (TSA)), and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods).
      1. The three award payment methods are described below:
         1. Advance Payment (Advance and Reconcile)
            • An initial payment will be processed in an amount equal to the first two months' cash requirements as reflected in the Advance Payment Requirements Forecast (Cash Budget) Form submitted with the Grantee's application. The initial payment will be processed upon execution of the grantee's Uniform Grant Agreement. Cash Budgets must be signed by either the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the entity. The executive's signature certifies that their entity complies with the requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200.302 (Financial Management) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120(b)(i)(A) (Advance Payments).
            • Advance payments must be limited to the minimum amounts needed and be timed to be in accordance with the actual, immediate cash requirements of the grantee in carrying out the purpose of the program.
            • Grantees must submit monthly invoices in the format and method prescribed in the Grantee's executed Uniform Grant Agreement. The first invoice is due within 15 days after the first month of the Award's term. Invoices must be submitted on or before the 15th calendar day following the end of each monthly invoice period Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the Grantee. For programs that have Grantee matching requirements, allowable costs are only reimbursable when matching costs have also been incurred.
            • Subsequent monthly payments will be based on each monthly invoice submitted by Grantee to Grantor, and will be adjusted up or down, based on a comparison of actual cumulative expenditures to cumulative advance payments, to date.
            • Grantees that do not expend all advance payment amounts by the end of the Award term or that are unable to demonstrate that all incurred costs were necessary, reasonable, allowable, or allocable as approved in their respective budget, must return the funds within 45 days.
            • Grantees may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the Grantor.
            • Failure to abide by advance payment governance requirements may result in grantee losing their right to advance payments.
         2. Reimbursement
            • IDHS will disburse payments to Grantee based on actual allowable costs incurred as reported in the monthly financial invoice submitted for the respective month, as described below.
            • Grantees must submit monthly invoices in a format prescribed by Grantor. Invoices must include all allowable incurred costs for the first and each subsequent month of operations until the end of the Award term. Invoices must be submitted on or before the 15th calendar day following the end of each monthly invoice period. As practicable, Grantor shall process payment within 15 calendar days after receipt of the invoice, unless the State awarding agency reasonably believes the request to be improper.
            • Grantees may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the Grantor.
         3. Working Capital Advance
            • Grantees may request separate working capital advance payments. Requests must be submitted on the IDHS Advance Payment Request Cash Budget Template (Cash Budget) to the respective grant Program Manager. The Cash Budget must include monthly cash requirements for every month of the grant term. Requests must be signed by either the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) or the Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent) for the entity. The executive's signature certifies the cash requirements are actual expected costs.
            • IDHS Grant Program Managers will advance working capital payments to the grantee to cover their estimated disbursement needs for an initial period not to exceed two months of grant expenses. Startup costs may be approved if determined by IDHS Grant Program Managers to be allowable.
            • Grantees must submit monthly invoices for each of the one or two months covered by the Working Capital Advance in the format and method prescribed by the Grantor. The first invoice is due 15 calendar days after the first month of the Award term. Invoices must include only allowable incurred costs that have been paid by the grantee. For grant programs that have grantee matching requirements, allowable costs are only reimbursable when matching costs have also been incurred.
            • Grantees may be required to submit supporting documentation for their requests at the request of and in a manner prescribed by the Grantor.
            • Working Capital Advance Payments are limited to a single occurrence per grant term.
            • Following the initial working capital advance payment, grantees will be paid via advance or reimbursement method as appropriate.
         4. Additional Advance Payments
            Additional advance payments may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such requests must be made in writing, may require supporting documentation and must be approved by IDHS Executive Staff.
         5. Final Payment
            The final payment from the Department under this Agreement shall be made upon the Department's determination that all requirements under this Agreement have been completed, which determination shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such final payment will be subject to adjustment after the completion of a review of the Applicant's records as provided in the Agreement.
         6. Stop Payment
            The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) protects the quality of grant programs by limiting fraud, waste and abuse. GATA specifically requires the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) to maintain a "list of individuals and entities that are ineligible, either temporarily or permanently, to receive an award of grant funds from the State." 30 ILCS 708/60(a)(8). In response to this requirement, the State of Illinois has set policy known as the Grantee Compliance Enforcement System (GCES) based on established federal law and supporting guidance. The system, Stop Pay List Tracking System (SPLTS), will only be used to track non-compliance of grantees.
            Non-compliance issues are classified as follows:
            1. Temporary Stop Payment Status:
               1. Late performance or expense reporting;
               2. Failure to clear fiscal/administrative monitoring issue(s);
               3. Failure to submit a timely audit report;
               4. Failure to respond to audit report or monitoring review corrective action for deficiencies and material weaknesses;
               5. Failure to submit a required refund payment or a payment missing from the payment plan; or
               6. Factually based discretionary issue documented by the leadership within the awarding agency.
            2. Permanent Stop Payment Status
               1. Facts documented by the applicable state agency including but not limited to:
                  1. Conviction of or civil judgment for commission of fraud or a criminal offense, violation of federal or state antitrust statutes, commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, tax evasion, or commission of any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects present responsibility.
                  2. Violation of grant terms or a transaction so serious as to affect the integrity of the program such as a willful failure to perform in accordance with grant terms, a history of failure to perform or of unsatisfactory performance, or a willful violation of statutory or regulatory provisions or requirements application to a grant.
                  3. Any other cause so serious or compelling in nature that it affects present responsibilities.
               2. Fraud documented by the Office of the Executive Inspector General and/or other Governmental entity's investigation.
         7. Repayment
            In the event payments made by the Department to the Applicant exceed the total amount of Applicant reported and Department authorized expenditures, the Applicant will be required to issue a repayment to the Department in an amount equal to the overpayment.
         8. Pre-Award Costs
            Pre-Award costs prior to the execution of the agreement will be allowed under the following conditions: 1.) the Provider must have received and accepted the Notice of State Award (NOSA) AND, 2.) Submitted any and all requested program plan and budget revisions per the NOSA; AND 3.) May NOT incur pre-award costs prior to the contract start date.
         9. Payment Forms
            • Expenditure Documentation & Certification Form
            • Advance Payment Request Cash Budget Form (IL444-4985)
              Form located at: https://intranet.dhs.illinois.gov/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/IL444-4985.pdf
7. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)
   1. Point of Contact
      Name:  Reshma Desai
      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 "GI-RVPS" in the subject line of the email. Beginning 8/22/2022 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.
      The final deadline to submit any written questions regarding this Funding Notice will be Monday; 9/12/2022. The Final listing of Q&A will be posted by End of Day on Thursday, 9/15/2022
8. Other Information, if applicable
   To apply for state funding, organizations must be prequalified in accordance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). Organizations can register and prequalify in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal at any point prior to applying for funding. If an organization is in the process of applying for a specific funding opportunity, prequalification must be completed prior to the application due date listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
   IDHS is offering several options for assistance to ensure that your organization is prequalified and therefore, eligible to apply for this opportunity. These assistance options are NOT MANDATORY and will not affect your application score. If your organization has not successfully applied for state funding previously, IDHS encourages organizations to take advantage of these options; there is no cost to participate.
   Please refer to Appendix C for detailed information regarding available technical assistance options.
9. Mandatory Forms - Required for grant program
   • Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (Appendix B)
   • Project Narrative and Attachments (Refer to Section D. Application and Submission Information, 4. Other Submission Requirements for a list of required attachments)
   • Uniform Grant Budget