Community Youth Services (26-444-80-0846-01) Technical Assistance, Questions & Answers and Appendices

Technical Assistance Session:

This technical assistance session will provide participants with an overview of the 26-444-80-0846-01 Community Youth Services (CYS) Notice of Funding Opportunity and information on how providers can apply for FY26.

Date and Time: April 15, 2025 10:00am-12:00pm
Technical Assistance Session Registration

Community Youth Services (CYS) Appendices:

Community Youth Services (CYS) Questions and Answers:

April 21, 2025:

Question: If applying for a "single" project, is Appendix 13 still to be included in the application?
Answer: Yes, Appendix 13 lays out what the budget will look like for each Community Committee. If an applicant is applying for one Community Committee, they will submit one Appendix 13. Providers who are applying for more than one Community Committee, will submit an Appendix 13 for each community.
Question: If applying for multiple communities, are multiple applications required?
Answer: No, the expectation is one single application.
Question: Are providers able to serve ages 11 to 24 or do they select a specific age group as listed?
Answer: The Area Project Board, Community Committee, and Youth Committee must target at least one of the following age groups/grade levels: 11 to 13 years old (6th - 8th grade), 14 to 18 years old (9th - 12th grade), and/or 19 to 24 years old (young adults).
Of note: If one or more age groups are targeted to participate on the Youth Committee, the youth must be close in age (no more than four years difference). For example, a 13-year-old and a 24-year-old could not participate on the Committee; however, a 13-year-old and 17-year-old could serve on the same committee.
Question: Is the FY26 CYS grant a multi-year program that will continue into FY27 and FY28?
Answer: Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on performance and sufficient appropriation. The grant will be funded one fiscal year at a time.
Question: Is the FY26 ICQ a requirement?
Answer: Yes. Providers are required to complete an ICQ once every fiscal year.
Question: Because of the 20-page maximum for the program narrative, if a provider is applying for more than one community, is the NOFO to be submitted as one application or should each community have its own application?
Answer: An application that proposes to serve more than one community is considered a Combination application and should be submitted under one application. Multiple and Combination Projects do not have a maximum page limit for the program narrative as these projects will require additional pages. Please keep the narrative concise - longer is not better. Single projects should not exceed 20 pages.
Question: Which communities are currently covered by CYS? Our agency is considering adding an additional Community Committee for FY26 and we understand that one community cannot have two CYS providers.
Answer: Correct, no area will be served by more than one provider; however, the entire CYS program is being rebid for FY26, so we do not have a listing of providers and the communities that they will serve in FY26.
Question: Are local government entities eligible applicants for the CYS grant program?
Answer: Government entities are not eligible applicants. Eligible applicants are limited to public/private not-for-profit community-based organizations. See Section 2 (A) Eligibility: 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)).
Question: Are electronic signatures acceptable for MOU's or should they be handwritten?
Answer: MOUs may be electronically signed.
Question: Where can I complete the ICQ and PRA for the pre-award requirements?
Answer: Organizations can register and prequalify in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal at any point prior to applying for funding.
Question: Are new/additional MOU's required if a provider currently has an established Area Project Board and are awarded a new community?
Answer: The Notice of Funding does not establish a set number of required linkage agreements or MOU's. It is a generally accepted practice that if an MOU does not have a designated end date that signatures should be updated every 12 months to ensure validity.
Question: If a provider is applying for a new community, is an existing Area Project Board and Community Committee required, or are can an application be submitted without boards and once funding is received work on creating those boards?
Answer: The first year for "new" communities is considered a planning year. If it is a new community, indicate that the Area Project Board is new and the number of members and proposed sectors to be recruited. Include a timeline and activities associated with recruiting the members. Note: Applications that demonstrate that they have already recruited/secured members to participate will score higher than those that have not yet identified members.
Question: The two communities that my organization is applying for share a border. Is it a requirement that I have two Area Project Boards and two Community Committees or can both Community Committees be under one Area Project Board?
Answer: Please refer to Section IV - B6, Description of Need within the NOFO which describes the requirements for Multiple and Combination Projects.
Question: 14. Can a first-time not-for-profit agency apply for the Community Youth Services grant, or does the applying agency already need to have an existing CYS grant?
Answer: It is not necessary for an applicant to be a current or former provider for the CYS program to be eligible to apply.
Question: Are school systems able to apply for this grant?
Answer: 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)). (See Section 2 Eligibility)
Question: Will the Technical Assistance Session be recorded for later viewing?
Answer: No. If you are unable to attend the Technical Assistance Session (Bidder's Conference), all questions and answers will be available on the Q & A page: IDHS: Community Youth Services (26-444-80-0846-01) Technical Assistance, Questions & Answers and Appendices.
Question: Would the City of Kewanee, IL or the Kewanee Police Department would be eligible to apply to the Community Youth Services funding opportunity?
Answer: 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)). (See Section 2 Eligibility) See Section 2 (A) Eligibility in the NOFO.
Question: What is meant by radicalized factors?
Answer: The potential for being involved in any negative or harmful group activities.
Question: Would municipalities like counties or cities be eligible to apply for funding?
Answer: 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)). (See Section 2 Eligibility)
Question: Will this presentation be recorded and shared?
Answer: No, it will not. All Q&A can be found online.
Question: Will we be able to get a copy of this presentation?
Answer: No. All information in the presentation can be found in the NOFO.
Question: Is $50K the maximum amount awarded for new projects?
Answer: Yes. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $50,000 per new community and $100,000 per established community. [see F(3)(a)]
Question: Will we be able to ask questions?
Answer: Yes. A frequently asked question and answer page is posted on the DHS website. Beginning April 16, 2025, individuals may ask questions related to the NOFO. If you have questions relating to this NOFO, please send them via email to: DHS.PositiveYouthDevelopment@Illinois.gov with "CYS" in the subject line of the email. The opportunity to ask questions will close on May 1, 2025.
Question: I noticed that no treatment services can be supported by the grant. Can you define what is meant by treatment services?
Answer: Examples would include in-patient and out-patient Substance Use or Mental Health Services
Question: Can you expound on Applications from existing projects/providers are eligible to complete with applications for New State awards by 6/30/2025.
Answer: Currently funded providers as well as providers that do not currently hold a CYS grant and providers who have never held a CYS grant are ALL eligible to compete for this grant, presuming all other eligibility requirements are met.
Question: If a new community is funded, and then is approved for subsequent year funding, will the funding level for year 2-3 increase?
Answer: At this time the funding level for year 2 and 3 is not known. It is however likely, barring an increase to the CYS general revenue appropriation for future years, that funding for established communities will decrease slightly as new communities move from new to established.
Question: 50,000 would be the first year on a new project and then it would go up to 100k for the 2nd and 3rd year if funding and program delivery is stable?
Answer: At this time the funding level for year 2 and 3 is not known. It is however likely, barring an increase to the CYS general revenue appropriation for future years, that funding for established communities will decrease slightly as new communities move from new to established.
Question: How exactly are they defining a "community"? Is the city considered a "community"? Or would a particular zip code, or zip codes, be considered a "community"?
Answer: Section 4 (A) (4)(d)(ii) provides some narrative about "designated serviced area" and how they may be comprised (page 32 of the NOFO).
Question: Will the possible increased funding for new communities in years 2-3 reduce the funding for established groups funded at the higher level in year 1?
Answer: At this time the funding level for year 2 and 3 is not known. It is however likely, barring an increase to the CYS general revenue appropriation for future years, that funding for established communities will decrease slightly as new communities move from new to established.
Question: My organization will have over 2,000 pages to submit for this grant because of the number of communities we serve. How should we submit that file. It typically won't let us do that. We need to break it up and that might disqualify us. Please advise.
Answer: If you need assistance submitting your application, please reach out to DHS.positiveyouthdevelopment@illinois.gov. We will work with you on this. However, it is important that if you anticipate this issue, please be prepared to submit your application at least a day or two prior to the due date to ensure we have time to assist prior to the deadline.
Question: Do the area project board, community committee, and youth committee have to be comprised of different members, or can individuals also a part of multiple committees?
Answer: Each should be an active group of diverse community stakeholders with representation from required sectors and should be reflective of the community being served. The majority of the Community Committee members are residents and/or parents from the designated service area. There can be some overlap between the APB and a single Community Committee.
Question: Can you explain the difference in the roles of the Area Project Board as compared to the Community Committee?
Answer: The Area Project Board is a diverse group of community stakeholders that is committed to developing, managing and supporting strategies and services identified by the Youth and Community Committee that address delinquency and violence in designated services areas. Community Committee members are mostly residents and/or parents from the designated service area.
Question: Can you please clarify on working with an existing committees? For example, if my area doesn't have an existing committee through CYS, so i would be creating a new one. Can i work with a committee outside my area?
Answer: If your agency does not have an existing committee, AND you are not taking over the management of an existing committee, then you would be considered a New Community and you would be developing a new committee.
Question: Is Case Management a treatment service?
Answer: No. However, if treatment is part of case management services, CYS funds cannot be used to pay for any kind of treatment service. Your Case management plan would then involve referrals to treatment providers to receive such services.
Question: Can you explain the relationship between the Area Project Board and the Community Committee - what role do each play?
Answer: The Area Project Board is a diverse group of community stakeholders that is committed to developing, managing and supporting strategies and services identified by the Youth and Community Committee that address delinquency and violence in designated services areas. Community Committee members are mostly residents and/or parents from the designated service area.
Question: Just to clarify only current grant recipients can ask for the $100,000.00
Answer: Correct, unless you are taking over the management of an established committee. That said, just because your agency may be currently funded does not mean that you qualify for the up to $100,000 - the requirement is that the APB and Community Committee be Established per the CYS NOFO guidance. Not all currently funded committees have achieved the "established" status.
Question: If we are not currently a grantee of these funds, can we still apply as an established committee based on our existing program work and its alignment with the NOFO?
Answer: No.
Question: Is a list of currently funded communities available?
Answer: CYS Map The CYS map provides information on past and current funded programs. Information can be accessed by hovering over a county or highlighted area, which will provide information on the provider. Or, in the top right corner there is a legend with each provider and their information.
Question: What are the incentives available for youth to be on the committee?
Answer: Incentives are determined by the applicant and can be approved if they are deemed reasonable and necessary to the program.
Question: Our application in the past has been too large for uploading via the Email system. How can we solve this issue?
Answer: If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, and you would like assistance from IDHS please contact: DHS.PositiveYouthDevelopment@Illinois.gov We will work with you on this. However, it is important that if you anticipate this issue, please be prepared to submit your application at least a day or two prior to the due date to ensure we have time to assist prior to the deadline.
Question: Do these boards need to be established prior to submitting the proposal
Answer: No.
Question: If we are looking to expand and add a community to our already established work we do, will that new community be established if we already have committees in place?
Answer: No.
Question: If you have more than one community funded, is it one EDF and one pot of money awarded? Or will there be separate reporting for each community?
Answer: Yes, it is one pot of money for multiple communities to be spent how you have detailed in your application. Expenses for multiple communities will be submitted on one report.
Question: Can a community organization apply for two or more grants (in separate communities)?
Answer: Yes. however it would be submitted as a single application. An applicant can submit an application for single or multiple projects.
Question: Would an organization who applies to serve a smaller cluster of Chicago community areas be competitive for this opportunity?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Can a new committee also be an established community based on the definition, if there is already an established community in the area? Apologies just needed some clarity on this.
Answer: If your agency does not have an existing committee, AND you are not taking over the management of an existing committee, then you would be considered a New Community and you would be developing a new committee.
Question: The instructions for the Community Committee Budget Summary attachment are unclear. Is this budget the same as the overall budget (that goes into CSA)? Or should it represent just the portion of the budget we're allocating to the Committee? The instructions also say this: Describe the methodology behind the allocation of funds between Area Project Boards and associated Community Committees. Understanding that the primary purpose of these funds is service provision and not administration. If we're creating a new committee, direct service provision doesn't really come into play and the majority of the activities will be administrative in nature. Do new projects even need to complete this form?
Answer: Yes. If you are applying for a single Area Project Board and Community Committee then yes it would be the same. You are also correct that if you are a new Community Committee that until such time as your committee becomes established, you will not have many resources allocated for direct services to youth/community. However, there may be some.
Question: Do new organizations and grass root programs really have a chance at these grants when you are asking for high quality candidates for 50K?? This is quite a huge feat.
Answer: Yes
Question: Is there information that describes what is allowed and what isn't allowed for the budget. For example, a dance instructor, or art instructor permitted.
Answer: Costs should be reasonable and necessary, with narrative that supports why the service/item/cost is needed IDHS Allowable Costs these should also be in line with your community plan
Question: What are some examples of allowable costs under this award?
Answer: 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.
Question: It was stated that members for the board, committee, and youth committee cannot be paid for their time. Additionally, we cannot expense direct services to the grant, we cannot buy food or entertainment for meetings, so my question is how are grant funds expected to be used?
Answer: No direct services are allowed to be expensed to the grant until the Community Action Plan has been approved. Following the approval of the Community Action Plan, direct services may commence. Healthy food/snacks may be an allowable purchase for program participants if the program plan supports it.
Question: How many people can sit on the Area Project Board, Community committee and Youth committee
Answer: There are no limits, but 10 sectors should be represented.
Question: Can the board be reimbursed for travel?
Answer: No
Question: In the NOFO for Proposal Narrative Section "Need", it says to provide the following information for age groups/grade levels: 11-13 years, 14-18 years, and 19-24 years within the proposed designated service area, but the NOFO does not say what is the information or indicator that we need to provide that this age breakdown is referring to. What are the indicators or information that this is referring to?
Answer: If you look directly below that, you will see "a" through "i" that outlines information to be included [4-Application Contents and Format (4)(d)(ii)
Question: the NOFO's required application order, does Appendix 2 go with the resumes as "Attachment 2", or should Appendix 2 go somewhere else in the application order, and if so, where?
Answer: The two can go together.
Question: Can we have the link to check on currently funded organizations?
Answer: CYS Map The CYS map provides information on past and current funded programs. Information can be accessed by hovering over a county or highlighted area, which will provide information on the provider. Or, in the top right corner there is a legend with each provider and their information.
Question: Does the youth council need to be represented by the proposed service age group? Or can a youth council be formed with youth from the program service age range in general?
Answer: If one or more age groups are targeted to participate on the committee, the youth must be close in age (no more than four years difference). For example, a 13-year-old and a 24-year-old could not participate on the Committee; however, a 13-year-old and 17-year-old could serve on the same committee.
Question: So, if I'm following correctly, there is to be a PAPER combined budget for multiple areas (printed from the CSA) as well as the CSA electronic, a then also Appendix 13 for each community showing the budget specifics for the individual communities?
Answer: Yes, however the PDF (paper) is simply a printout of the budget submitted in CSA that is to be included with the application. They are not 2 separate budgets.
Question: Being an awardee of grant such as Teen Reach and or IYIP would not disqualify us, correct?
Answer: Correct
Question: Appendix 2 is not listed on the checklist. Note that the information requested on Appendix 2 is in Appendix 13. Do we need to complete Appendix 2 and submit it? If so, should we add it to the checklist?
Answer: Yes, Appendix 2 will need to be completed, and included with Attachment 2. The requested information for CYS program staff on Appendix 13 should be entered as well.
Question: Are grant funds permitted to be used as incentives, stipends, or compensation for individuals serving on the Area Project Board or Community Committees?
Answer: No. For Youth Committee members, incentives are determined by the applicant and can be approved if they are deemed reasonable and necessary to the program.
Question: Some of the attachments appear to be a duplicate of the Appendices, written this way- Attachment 4 - program contact (Appendix 1). Attachment 14 - Youth Referral Guide (Appendix 6). Please clarify what this means by attachment.
Answer: Appendices are the documents that DHS has provided as part of the application package, some of these Appendices are forms. The Attachments are documents that you will include as part of your application. Some of your required attachments will be completed forms that can be found in the Appendices of the NOFO. The Checklist provides the order of the Attachments that you are required to provide as part of your application.
Question: Are the attachments additional to the appendices, and the ones that don't apply to us, leave them off or state NA?
Answer: The Attachments are additions to your Application Narrative. See the question above. If an Attachment does not apply to your application, it is best practice to include a page for those Attachments and indicate that they did not apply - this will let the reader know that they were intentionally not included for that reason and were not overlooked.

April 23, 2025:

Question: I have a question from the last grant. Is that ok? Or does it matter that we use the form or not?
Answer: Not sure what grant you are referring to. This NOFO is specific to the content and requirements of THIS NOFO. If you have questions on another NOFO, please direct those questions to the appropriate email per the appropriate NOFO guidance.
Question: There are 8 goals and objectives listed. Would it be okay if our organization committed to only 4 of them?
Answer: The goals and the objectives of the program are to reduce delinquency and violence among youth ages 11-24. Applicants are required to address all 8 objectives.
Question: The NOFO claims that Appendices 3, 5, and 6 must be filled out if the respective group/item (Area Board, Youth Committee, and Referral Guide) is already established. However, the Appendices themselves ask if the group/item is new or established, making it seem that the Appendix forms should be completed regardless of whether it's a new or established group/item. Which is true?
Answer: If the Area Project Board, Community Committee or Youth Committees are established, then these appendices need to be completed. If the applicant is applying for a new Community (where there is not an established Area Project Board, Community Committee or Youth Committee), section 4-Application Contents and Formats {(4)(d)(ii) a-i}, of the NOFO outlines information needed to support the need for proposed services.
Question: The NOFO states that Appendix 4 must only be completed if there are multiple Community Committees proposed in the application. So, this Appendix is not required if the application requests funding for only one new Community Committee?
Answer: Appendix 4 should be completed for each Community proposed.

April 24, 2025:

Question: What is the difference between established and new community committee? Is it that the new committee has not been formed yet and would be formed during the cycle of the grant?
Answer: An established community is one in which there is an identified Area Project Board {see 3 - Program Description (i)(A)(2) in the NOFO} and an identified Community Committee, both of which have all required sectors represented. The Community Committee, in conjunction with the Youth Committee, has completed a community assessment and developed an Action Plan to address and meet the grant objectives. Both the community assessment and the Action Plan must be approved by IDHS. For information on requirements for establishing a new Community, please see section 3 - Program Description (4)(d).

April 28, 2025:

Question: Item xiv: Description of strategies and activities.
1. For existing CYS plans. Ours does not appear to be changing in the immediate future. What and how would you like us to describe?
  Answer: Section 4 - Application Contents and Format outlines the required content . 4(i)(4)(b) outlines how the applicant needs to demonstrate the ability to implement the CYS program as outlined in the NOFO, including current programming and activities.
2. Question: For existing CYS plan would you like us to describe the delivery of previous years strategies and activities? What should we include in the description.
  Answer: Please see the response above.
Question: I am unclear which forms need to be submitted with an application for a new Community Committee. The instructions say Community Assessment Appendix 9 is only for established committees, but what about the following:
- Grant Objectives/Community Action Plan (Appendix 9);
- Youth Committee Information Forms (Appendix 5);
- Youth Referral Guide (Appendix 6);
- Youth Employment Resources (Appendix 7).
  Do these need to be completed for a new committee?
  Answer: For information on requirements for establishing a new Community, please see Section 3 - Program Description (4)(d). For the forms referenced in the question, you can include them with the application and indicate where appropriate that item is not applicable at this time.
Question: Do we need to submit an Appendix 6, Appendix 7, and Appendix 8 for all 6 of our communities or can we combine all 6 communities into one appendix for each required appendix?
Answer: Yes, you need to submit appendix 6, 7 & 8 for each Community.

April 30, 2025:

Question: Would I put a Teacher's Assistant under "consultant" or under "employee" or another place? The TA will be serving throughout the first 2 quarters of the program.
Answer: This will need to be determined by the applicant, based on the scope of the work. For additional guidance: IRS Independent Contractor or Employee.

May 2, 2025:

Question: We have three existing CYS Community Committees but are interested in establishing new Area Project Board in FY26. Based on the guideline below, would our communities be considered "established" or "new"? Specifically, what funding level would we be eligible to receive if we have established Community Committees but a new Area Project Board? "An established community is one in which there is an identified Area Project Board {see 3 - Program Description (i)(A)(2) in the NOFO} and an identified Community Committee, both of which have all required sectors represented."
Answer: If your existing Community Committees are from the previous fiscal year and will retain the same members that were under a previous Area Project Board, then they would be considered an established Community Committee if the community assessment (appendix 8) and Action Plan (appendix 9) were approved by DHS.
Question: My organization is a 501c3 registered entity, but we are part of a community safety group that could benefit from this funding. Can we apply, or would the application have to come from the group initiative we are part of?
Answer: Eligible applicants are limited to public/private not-for-profit community-based organizations. See Section 2 (A) Eligibility: 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)).

The Q/A for this NOFO is closed.