Reimagine Youth Development & Intervention Services Technical Assistance Session/Questions & Answers/Appendices

Reimagine Youth Development & Intervention Services

Technical Assistance Session:

This technical assistance session will provide participants with an overview of the 23-444-80-3007-01 Reimagine Youth Development & Intervention Services Notice of Funding Opportunity and information on how providers can apply for FY23.

  • Register in advance for this meeting: Registration Link
  • Thursday, September 22, 2022  10:00AM
  • Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 20, 2022
  • After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting

Reimagine Youth Development & Intervention Services Appendices: 

Reimagine Youth Development & Intervention Services Questions and Answers: 

September 12, 2022: 

  1. Question: Is a Notice of Intent required for this NOFO? 
    Answer:     No, a Notice of Intent is not needed for this NOFO. 
  2. Question: Is this a different opportunity from what are already funded for 444-80-2775? 
    Answer:     Yes, it is. Please note the different NOFO ID# and different program requirements. 

September 28, 2022:

  1. Question: We provide services to Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, and Steger, IL.; they are Suburbs of Chicago. Would these communities qualify if proven the need? 
    Answer:     This NOFO is only for communities within the City of Chicago. Refer to the NOFO for eligible service areas.
    DHS previously released NOFO # 23-444-80-3005-01 for communities outside of Chicago. Unfortunately, this NOFO has recently ended. We can add you to our email list so you receive future notices for all RPSA Violence Prevention related NOFOs. Please email DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov.
  2. Question: We received APRA funding for Gun Violence Prevention programming through Cook County. Are we eligible to apply for additional APRA funding for similar programming? 
    Answer:     YES, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria.
  3. Question: Is there a minimum number of participants to serve? 
    Answer:     The NOFO did not include a requirement. Applicants should propose and justify based on community need and agency capacity.
  4. Question: Can funds be used to assist participants with attaining a GED or HS diploma and the associated costs for tutors, online classes, books, etc? 
    Answer:     Yes, applicants can propose educational classes, teachers and required supplies.
  5. Question: Can funds be used for participant stipends while attending training and classes? 
    Answer:     No. Stipends are considered wages. HOWEVER, participants may receive incentives for training completion; to do so, applicants must include an incentive policy per the guidance in the NOFO.
  6. Question: Can we apply for more than one service area for this NOFO request? If we apply for more than one service area, do we have to submit two separate applications? 
    Answer:     Applicants may apply for more than one RPSA eligible service area and MUST submit separate applications specific to each area.

September 30, 2022:

  1. If we have family engagement as part of our mentoring program, do we include both on one application or write separate applications?
    Answer:     Based on how you have worded your question, it sounds like you want to propose a mentoring program - so this would be what you propose. If you are proposing 2 separate programs - then you would NOT combine.
  2. Question:  If we are a Reimagine Youth Development grantee already, are we eligible for this grant opportunity as well?
    Answer:      Yes, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria.
  3. Question:  To clarify, do we have to offer all of the services outlined in the NOFO? Or do we pick and choose?
    Answer:     You may choose one or more but you must choose at least one. You do not need to do all.
  4. Question:  If we have received the convener grant, are we eligible for this opportunity as well?
    Answer:      Yes, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria
  5. Do we need to have an organizational site in the target community or would a partnership for where services would be provided (e.g. church or school) be sufficient?
    Answer:     We're looking to ensure that services are being provided within the community in as close proximity as possible to where the youth are being served in your program. You will need to demonstrate how you will ensure that your organization will have a physical presence in this community to provide services.
  6. Question:  Do organizations need to serve the entire age range listed in the NOFO (11-24) or if we currently work with youth 16-24 would we be able to target our work to that age range only?
    Answer:     Yes, you can serve sub-populations of the eligible age range. However in choosing to do so, it should be supported by the need within the community.
  7. Question:  Can organizations apply for multiple program categories within the same application (if they are serving the same community?)
    Answer:     Yes. This can be done in a single application. If applying for different eligible service areas, multiple applications will be required.
  8. Question:  Will there be a link to review this recording?
    Answer:     Yes.
  9. Question:  For the budget that gets entered into CSA, just to confirm: ONLY the FY23 budget gets entered?
    Answer:     Yes.
  10. Question:  The average 12-month grant is anticipated to be about $180,000?
    Answer:     Yes.
  11. Question:  If you're a new organization and haven't received non profit status, gata, duns etc. Can you use an organization with non profit status and other required qualifications as a fiscal agent to apply?
    Answer:     Both the grantee and the subrecipient must meet eligibility and be pre-qualification requirements which in fact does require you to be a non-profit community based organization among other requirements.
  12. Question:  How many youth are expected to be served?
    Answer:     There is not a minimum number to be served.
  13. Question: Is there a cost per participant?
    Answer:     No, there is not a prescribed cost per participant - however, costs mut be reasonable and necessary for the implementation of your proposed program. This is not a formula based grant, but it is expected that projects will be cost effective.
  14. Question: If you apply for two service areas, with two applications, and were awarded both, will those be considered separate grants?
    Answer:     Yes, those would be separate grants.
  15. Question: Can a CDC (community development corp) apply?
    Answer:     Yes, if the Community Development Corporation is organized as a nonprofit entity, it is eligible to apply.
  16. Question: We have mentoring where adults mentor youth in the community and not at a site. Since you said you expect services to be provided within the community we select (and where we are located), are these mentor/mentee pairs allowed to go out anywhere in any community for their outings? Or should the youth simply reside in the community we choose?
    Answer:     We expect that the youth being mentored are FROM the community. Ideally the Mentors also come from the same community. We require that you have a physical space within the community where the youth are from. The pairs may engage in activities both inside and outside of the community - you can describe this in your application.
  17. Question: Will grantees be expected to document eligibility (justice involvement, victims of trauma, etc.)?
    Answer:     Yes.
  18. Question: Is that self-reported, part of a client intake, or some other method?
    Answer:     We see screening as needing to be as low a barrier as possible. You need to track some way that you're documenting this or identifying this. All methods mentioned would be acceptable.
  19. Question: If you plan to offer the same programming in two service areas, and submit two applications for each service area, will those be treated as separate grants if awarded?
    Answer:     Yes, those would be separate grants.
  20. Question: Do all participants have to live on the blocks listed?
    Answer:     The grant requires that our youth development programs prioritize youth that live in those 35% blocks. It doesn't mean you can't serve other parts of the community, you just need to be able to ensure that you are identifying and recruiting etc youth from those areas and that they are prioritized over other youth.
  21. Question: The risk factor with Covid still being a factor and any other thing. Are there any contingencies in place?
    Answer:     Your organizations will need to consider how they will continue to deliver these services should this flair up again. However, please know that DHS will work with all providers to consider necessary accommodations etc. if and when the situation would arise.

October 13, 2022:

  1. Question: Can we apply for more than one service area for this NOFO request? If we apply for more than one service area, do we have to submit two separate applications?
    Answer:     Yes, applicants may apply for more than one service area and must submit a separate application for each RPSA area proposed.
  2. Question: In the NOFO announcement it says that Attachment 6: NICRA, must be attached if we are charging indirect costs. If we have elected the de minimis rate in GATA, do we need to submit this attachment, as we do not have a NICRA because we have elected the de minimis rate.
    Answer:     no - however, you need to still include an attachment 6 and simply indicate that it does not apply as you are selecting the De minimis
  3. Question: Can current RPSA Youth Development grantees provide services under this grant, in the same neighborhood?
    Answer:     A current RPSA grantee can provide YDIS services in the same neighborhood for different services.
  4. Question: We transport youth to our program. They come from many of the RPSA communities. Are we eligible to apply for this grant?
    Answer:     Services are to be provided within identified eligible service area and must focus on the eligible youth in those communities. If you wish to apply to provide services in multiple eligible service areas that would be acceptable - however a separate application would be required for each service area.
  5. Question: Does the Executive Summary (Appendix D) count in the 20-page narrative limit?
    Answer:     YES. From Section D.5.A: 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.
  6. Question: Where can I access the the recorded Techincal Assistance Trainings?
    Answer:     IDHS: Open Grant Opportunities (state.il.us)
  7. Question: If we do not have a sub-recipient, attachments 8-11 are not mandatory, correct?
    Answer:     Sub-recipients are not mandatory. A page for each attachment, even if it is NA is recommended.
  8. Question: The community area is based on where programming takes place and not where participants are from, is that correct? We have programming in East Garfield Park, but serve populations from the entire south and west sides of Chicago.
    Answer:     See question 33 above.
  9. Question: if we are applying for three of the services in one area, do we need to repeat our answers for each service. For example, if I include a description of our target population under "safe spaces" programming, do I need to include this description again under "life skills" programming if the target population is the same? Or can I just ask the reader to reference the earlier explanation?
    Answer:     From Section 9.D.3 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.
  10. Question: For proposed programs that focus on life skills services, the NOFO states that programs must use a validated assessment tool such as Casey Life Skills. Since the Casey Life Skills assessment is recommended for youth ages 14 and older, are any recommendations for life skills assessment tools for youth between the ages of 11 and 13?
    Answer:     We did not provide other examples.
  11. Question: I realize that we "MUST prioritize services within the identified eligible Chicago service area to youth residing in the municipal blocks where more than 35% of all fatal and nonfatal firearm-shot incidents in each community take place." However, I am wondering if we have to stick to the blocks within our identified community area, or if we can do so from blocks in any community areas listed?
    Answer:     Each applicant is selected to serve the community they proposed to serve. Applicants must submit a separate application for each RPSA area they are proposing to serve. Further, services are to be prioritized to youth from those blocks, however you may serve other eligible at-risk youth from the community
  12. Question: Is it referring to racial disparities within our agency or within the larger community?
    Answer:     The statement refers to agencies. "Based on racial demographic data...reduce racial disparities at your agency."
  13. Question: Do you have any information about the types of responsibilities this 1 FTE Coordinator will have? We are wondering if this team member will have programmatic, or more administrative duties i.e. reporting, evaluation, etc. (or both!) This will also help us build out the Job Description.
    Answer:     The intent of this position is to ensure program activities are coordinated within and outside the agency as well as ensure there is staffing to address the administrative aspects of the grant, such as reporting.

October 14, 2022:

  1. Question: Does the Executive Summary count towards the page limit? 
    Answer:     Yes, it does. See Section D.5. "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."
  2. Question: When filling out the executive summary, on page 3 it asks us to indicate the youth intervention service(s) that we are proposing. Then it says that for each proposed service: (1) enter projected # of youth to be served (2) enter budget amount request and (3) describe how this service will impact and address firearm violence. According to the NOFO, we only need to submit multiple applications if we are proposing multiple service areas, not multiple programs. Therefore - we assumed that we did not need three separate budgets. We have one 19-month budget and one 7-month budget for the entirety of the project. Do we need to submit separate budgets for safe spaces, life skills, and employment - if they are all on the same, single, application? 
    Answer    : On the Exec Summary page, applicants should estimate the budget amount requested for each program area. Applicants were not directed to submit separate budgets for  each program area.