Illinois Welcoming Center Direct Services Program Narrative (24-444-80-1493)

Item	Description
1. Grantee Name	Indicate the agency's name
2. Grantee Address	Indicate the address where the agency's administrative offices are located (include phone number and website)
3. Service Location(s)	If the program location is different from the administrative office address indicated in Number 2, indicate the address where program services are delivered, include phone number and website.
4. Grantee FEIN	Provide the agency's FEIN
5. Agency Head, Title, Telephone, Email Address	Provide information specific to the individual whom the agency designates as the Agency Head.
6. Program Contact Person, Title, Telephone, Email Address	Provide information specific to the individual whom the agency designates as the Program Contact. This person must be familiar with program services provided.
7. Fiscal Contact Person, Title, Telephone, Email Address	Provide information specific to the individual whom the agency designates as the Fiscal Contact. This person must be familiar with the agency's fiscal policies and expenditures allocated to the program.
8. Contract Contact Person, Title, Telephone, Email Address	Provide information specific to the individual whom the agency designates as the Contract Contact.
9. Funding request	Indicate the total dollar amount of funding being requested
10. Application type	Capacity Building, Training, and Technical Assistance

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (5 pts)

The Executive Summary 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.

Provide a one-page summary of the proposal, including the completion of the information below.

Geographic coverage of the entire application and description of the need for a Welcoming Center in this area (e.g. statewide, County, zip code, specific communities):

Target population served:

Language capacity in-house (languages covered at the agency, must identify bilingual staff and languages spoken):

Indicate the site location(s) of where IWC services will be performed in this community; Indicate if the location is a main office, administrative office, satellite office, or sub-recipient location.

Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization have delivering immigrant, refugee and LEP services to individuals living in communities within the service area for which the applicant is applying.

Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization has collaborating with other community agencies to achieve a common goal

Specific deliverables for the grant period:

1. Geographic coverage of the entire application and description of the need for a Welcoming Center in this area (e.g. statewide, County, zip code, specific communities):
2. Target population served:
3. Language capacity in-house (languages covered at the agency, must identify bilingual staff and languages spoken):
4. Indicate the site location(s) of where IWC services will be performed in this community; Indicate if the location is a main office, administrative office, satellite office, or sub-recipient location.
5. Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization have delivering immigrant, refugee and LEP services to individuals living in communities within the service area for which the applicant is applying.
6. Indicate number of years of experience the applicant organization has collaborating with other community agencies to achieve a common goal
7. Specific deliverables for the grant period:
   1. Projected number of unduplicated clients to be served annually
   2. Annual number of clients provided with in-depth case management services (comprehensive assessment, case management, linkages with in-house or external services)
   3. Annual number of clients under case management with successful case resolution
   4. Annual number of clients requiring crisis intervention
   5. Annual number of clients with crisis successfully resolved
   6. Annual Number of clients served (including walk-in and phone calls)
   7. Annual Number of referrals provided
   8. Number of workshops offered
   9. Topics of workshops x. Number of workshop participants projected for the year
   10. Number of outreach activities
   11. Type of outreach activities
   12. Number of individuals served via outreach
   13. Number of community navigators recruited
   14. Number of persons reached by the community navigators
   15. Community alliance:
       1. Number of meetings annually:
       2. Key service providers
       3. List of attendees
       4. Schedule
   16. List of trainings provided to Illinois Welcoming Center staff.
   17. Number of Welcoming Center Staff participating in training and professional development.

2. AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY (35 pts)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to present an accurate picture of their ability to implement Welcoming Center One-Stop 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. Provide a brief history of the organization and its accomplishments, outlining its primary programs and services offered to immigrants, refugees and/or LEP communities. Discuss why your agency is qualified to provide the proposed services specific to this program area and how those services fit within the overall agency mission. Discuss any appropriate certifications that apply. Describe how the applicant's mission statement and goals align with the purpose of this funding opportunity. Describe the organization's cultural and linguistic capacity.
2. Describe the applicant agency's established physical presence in the community for which they are proposing to provide services; include the address(es) of physical locations; indicate how long the applicant has been in each location; indicate if each location is for administration or direct services or both.
3. Describe the applicant agency's experience providing Illinois Welcoming Program services to immigrant, refugee, asylee and other LEP communities 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 are/were provided.
4. Describe the applicant agency's experience engaging the immigrant, refugee, asylee and other LEP community and developing partnerships/relationships with community leaders, schools, 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.
5. Describe how the agency collects and maintains data, measure activities versus outcomes, how data is used for program planning, evaluation, and improvement. f. Provide an implementation plan as Appendix 3 for service provision commencing on the contract start date September 1, 2023. The implementation plan must include the following:
   1. Describe the applicant agency's plan for staffing to carry out and execute this program. Provide a description of qualifications of key staff who will be responsible for the delivery of the services including their educational background, years of experience, language capacity and other relevant information. Include Applicant's Organizational Chart and Illinois Welcoming one-stop Office organization chart as Appendix 4. Include resumes and/or job descriptions of the staff responsible for implementing this program as Appendix 5.
   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 training program staff have had and will receive to ensure their ongoing ability to successfully perform the duties of their position.
   4. Describe the applicant's experience managing state and/or federal grants.
   5. Describe the applicant's fiscal capacity.

3.COMMUNITY IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF NEED (10 pts)

1. Describe the geographic coverage proposed in this application. Include information on the immigrant/refugee populations currently serves by the agency, such as country of origin, language(s), estimated size, age groups, general economic status of the community and the number/percentage of low-income households.
2. Describe the priority populations that are the most in need of services. What are their greatest service needs? What are the common barriers they face while trying to access human services? What are the unmet needs of the target population in the geographic service location?
3. Describe the services the agency anticipates will be in high demand, or require high-level of attention, in the community to be provided through this program.
4. Describe how you propose to recruit/identify customers? What agency or agencies are currently serving the populations for whom you are proposing service? If community linkages do not currently exist, describe how they will be established.

4. EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE COMITTMENT (10 pts)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to demonstrate understanding of the history and impact of racism and inequity on Immigrant, refugee, asylee and LEP communities 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.

5. PROGRAM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION (35 pts)

The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a comprehensive, clear, and accurate picture of its intended program design. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of linguistic and cultural competence throughout. At minimum, the proposal must describe how the organization will provide the proposed services and activities consistent with the Office of Welcoming On-Stop health and human service office.

Describe in detail program design and measurable outcomes for the services below:

1. Comprehensive case management services
   • Describe the agency's strategies and experience in delivering strength-based and family-centered including intake assessment that guides the service provision to include the following service components:
     1. Appropriate intervention that includes immediate counseling and supportive services to client facing an emergency; assisting client with multiple needs to navigate the social service system and providing additional case management as requested by the client to reach their goals.
     2. Prioritization of services to resolve and stabilize a customer in crisis. Examples of persons in crisis that require services include those: in need of detoxification, requiring immediate prescription medication or medical assistance, suffering from severe hunger and/or homelessness, domestic violence, or mental health crisis.
     3. Provision of referrals to the appropriate IDHS division, state or local agency, or community service provider to meet the customer's immediate needs and long-term goals. Describe which services are available in-house, and which are likely to be referred out.
     4. Identify and provide a detailed description of the evidence-informed programs/practices to be provided. Identify the intended outcomes of the programming and services being proposed. Indicate the projected number of participants to be served and cost per client (can be in a chart). 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 of the services directly; sub-contract for all or potion of services.
2. Community education workshops and outreach:
   1. Describe the agency's experience and past performance in delivering community education programs.
   2. List workshop topics and explain the rationale for why the agency considers those topics to be important for community workshops.
   3. Provide an outreach plan which consists of outreach strategies, creative outreach methods and potential community partners.
3. Linkages and development of community alliances:
   • Each agency is required to lead community alliance meetings
     1. Describe existing community alliances, partnerships and linkages with community providers for the provision of appropriate services, including but not limited to: health care, immigration legal services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and urgent care services.
     2. Describe applicant ability and experience in building and sustaining community alliances, and collaborative efforts with community providers and public agencies.
     3. Describe the plan, schedule and strategy for Community Alliance meetings and the agencies participating in the meeting.
     4. Indicate if the applicant 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 immigrants, refugees, asylees or LEP clients to other social service organizations for services as appropriate and the follow up to ensure clients receive services.
     5. Attach Letters of Support, MOU or Inter-agency agreements as Appendix 9.

6. BUDGET AND COST JUSTIFICATION (10 pts)

Applicant needs to submit a budget for the period for which the services are anticipated to be delivered, within the State Fiscal Year 2024.

Thorough and clear justification for all proposed line-item expenditures.

All expenditures and program costs are reasonable and allowable.

Proposed staffing is sufficient to address client projections and client language needs.

Where available, supplemental or companion funding is clearly identified.

Budget Narrative is clear and provides context. In this section provide a detailed Budget Narrative of the items allocated within your proposed budget. 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.

Emergency/crisis response- NOTE: These line items are for emergency situations only and should be awarded to clients experiencing a crisis. You may not request this funding for every household you are proposing to serve. Evidence of emergency and immediate need may be requested from you.

1. Thorough and clear justification for all proposed line-item expenditures.
2. All expenditures and program costs are reasonable and allowable.
3. Proposed staffing is sufficient to address client projections and client language needs.
4. Where available, supplemental or companion funding is clearly identified.
5. Budget Narrative is clear and provides context. In this section provide a detailed Budget Narrative of the items allocated within your proposed budget. 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.
6. Emergency/crisis response- NOTE: These line items are for emergency situations only and should be awarded to clients experiencing a crisis. You may not request this funding for every household you are proposing to serve. Evidence of emergency and immediate need may be requested from you.
   1. One time $300 gift card/per household. 
   2. One time emergency/Crisis intervention: ?
      1. 1 week in a hotel ?
      2. 1 month rent and the deposit. ?
   3. The maximum amount a household can receive is $800 - $900 for one month.
      1. If the household does not need assistance with the deposit, household can utilize the funds for 2 months' rent.
      2. While previous recipients of IDHS rental assistance program are not disqualified from this assistance, an explicit emergency/crisis must exist in order to be eligible. Proof of emergent need and crisis (lack of job, no income, at risk of homelessness) will be required. ?
      3. This funding is not limited to asylum seekers only, it is available to all LEP residents of Illinois in crisis. ?
      4. You may be asked to report separately on the above listed categories.

Note: Applicants must enter their budget into CSA and attach a PDF IDHS: Uniform Grant Budget Template (state.il.us) form to application.

7. PRIORITY CONSIDERATION (10 pts)

Applications from not-for-profit community-based organizations (501c 3) may submit, a "Statement of Priority", if they are led by immigrant, refugee and LEP individuals that share the same linguistic and cultural background of the community being served.

Include a "Statement of Priority" as Appendix 10 for review and consideration as part of the application process. If the applicant organization is an otherwise qualified applicant under this funding notice, and is able to demonstrate and attest to being led by immigrants, refugees or LEP individuals and/or individuals that share the cultural background of the community being served, as defined by the make-up of the Board of Directors and the Organizations' leadership and management being more than 50% led by immigrants, refugees or LEP individuals and/or individuals that share the cultural background of the community being served, the applicant will receive up to 10 priority points as part of the application review/scoring process.