Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Technical Assistance Session/Q and A/Appendices

Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Technical Assistance Session:

This technical assistance session will provide participants with an overview of the 23-444-80-3080 Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Notice of Funding Opportunity and information on how providers can apply for FY23.

• Date:  Thursday, February 2, 2023
• Time 9:30am - 12:00pm (US and Canada)
• Bidders Conference Presentation Link: https://icoyouth-org.zoom.us/rec/share/CX9_s2HemmJdBCEmIbcsV2Iv5xNcfzWBmApWYAl9wrxx6K8ZOQSFNLwIT7g87jun.9ag-MlBF3jIcBbbe

Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Appendices

• Appendix A - CSA Budget Information
• Appendix B - Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf)
• Appendix C - IDHS GATA Prequalification Assistance
• Appendix D - IYIP-S Executive Summary (docx)
• Appendix E - Program Contact Information
• Appendix F - Program Contact Information - Subrecipient Form
• Appendix G - Additional Subrecipient Information
• Appendix H - Service Deliver Site
• Appendix I - Program Placement/Work Site Information Form
• Appendix J - Employment Termination Forms
• Appendix K - Program Category Placement Summary Form
• Appendix L - Program Data Collection and Reporting
• Appendix M - Illinois' Essential Employability Skills
• Appendix N - Casey Life Skills
• Appendix O - Wages and Incentives
• Appendix P - Employment Equity Plan
• Appendix Q - Definitions
• Appendix R - IYIP-S NOFO Checklist

Illinois Youth Investment Program - Summer Questions and Answers: 

1. Question: Is /there a minimum number of youth served per this grant request?
   Answer: No, there is no minimum number of youth who must be served.
2. Question: The age requirement is 16-24. Does the system kick them out on their 25th Birthday because some youth do not qualify if they are 24?
   Answer: No, the Illinois workNet system will not automatically disqualify a youth who turns 25. However, all youth must be at least 16 and not older than 24 years old at the time of enrollment. The system will not allow a youth who has not turned 16 yet or who has already turned 25 for example.
3. Question: Where can we find a copy of the presentation?
   Answer: The PowerPoint presentation along with a recording was emailed out to all those who attended the Bidders Conference on February 2. If you did not receive a copy, then please send an email request to DHS.YouthServicesInfo@illinois.gov
4. Question: Does the non-profit have to be the employer?
   Answer: No, the grantee/provider does not have to be an employer.
5. Question: Do we need the employer agreements in place and signed before we apply?
   Answer: This would be the best means of conveying through your grant application that you do in fact have employers lined up to begin this project. While we will still consider applications without signed agreements, it is strongly encouraged that some level of proof be included to indicate the employers you are proposing are in fact planning to participate.
6. Question: Is there a list of employment companies (potential partners) that have worked with or expressed interest in the IYIP program before?
   Answer: No, sorry there is not a list of potential employer partners. It is the responsibility of the applicant to find employer partners to provide jobs for enrolled youth.
7. Question: Could a line item for salaries be included in the budget?
   Answer: Yes, salaries are normally included in the Personnel line item of the budget.
8. Question: Would this program be considered reimbursable as invoices are submitted?
   Answer: There are 3 payment options. Monthly expenditure reports are due on the 15th of each month for the previous month. Then, the monthly expenditure report is processed for reimbursement made to the grant provider for allowable expenses. Please refer to the Payment Terms section towards the end of the NOFO for Advance Payment, Working Capital and Reimbursement options.
9. Question: If agency is providing career readiness training, can these hours be paid?
   Answer: No, not as subsidized wages paid to the youth. Wages should only be paid for actual working and/or job training for an employer. However, incentives can be effective tools to encourage participation in activities which lead to improved skills and to the achievement of specific program elements. An incentive can be in the form of payment, gift cards, or a material item, etc. issued to eligible program participants for the successful participation and achievement of expected outcomes as defined by the specific program and included the individual' s case plan. See Appendix O - Wages and Incentives for complete details. Be sure to include the required Incentive Policy.

February 23, 2023:

10. Question: Can there be an exception made to the number of youths that may be employed at the Grantee agency at any one time being no more than 10 youth? We are asking that the following scenario be considered for the exception: Our summer employment program is a 6 week training program on restorative practices, with the intention that youth ages 16 to 19 learn the required skills to become restorative justice practitioners in non-profits and in schools. Our agency has a career pipeline for youth who complete our summer employment program, including our paid apprenticeship program, 5 full-time restorative justice specialist positions, and 10 full time restorative justice coaches. Many of our coaches go on to work for the Chicago Public Schools and other non-profits supporting restorative practices. We would like to enroll 25 total youth this summer in our summer employment program, which would require an exception to the IYIP-S contract language in order to exceed 10 youth.
    Answer: Yes, this scenario described would be considered under the exception to the 10 youth maximum rule outlined in the NOFO. Please make this request as a part of your grant application in the beginning of the Executive Summary narrative section. Label this portion of the narrative, Exception to make it clear what you are requesting.