YouthBuild Application Essentials
Match
25% required, and must appear on SF 424a and narrative.
Commitment letters to confirm match sources (no support letters in application!)
No federal sources! (these can be cited as “leveraged funds” in budget narrative)
In-kind resources can only be within the “eligible” expenses. e.g., No land.
Possibilities:
Classroom space
Instructors, counselors, teachers, supervisors, tutors, mentors
Building materials used for onsite training
Donation of tools, equipment, transportation, training
Drug & Alcohol counseling
Home Depot training, donation of tools, materials, safety gear
Need about $200,000 over the first two years. Assuming grant of $800,000
So, $100,000 per year for first two years.
Submission
Due Jan 15, 2009 by 11:59:59am. Let’s aim for Jan 14.
Start early – download application package
Funding opportunity number: SGA/DFY PY 08-07
CFDA # 17.274
Grant Funds
Range is $700,000 to $1,100,000. But … cost per participant must lie within $15K - $18K.
Half is disbursed in first year
Half is disbursed in second year
A 5% reserve from second year is used for follow up during third year.
Suggest going for $800,000. 50 participants yields $16K per participant
Plan on 25 participants per year X 2yrs.
Obligates garnering $200,000 match at about $100K per yr.
A second round of funding will be announced in time to continue the program at full pace so that another cohort can begin in third year and fourth year, while follow up is occurring on year 1 and 2 cohorts.
Identified Sites
Must identify sites (construction) for occupational skill training for the first year.
Description of housing sites, and description of construction sites on form
ETA-9143 Attachments 1, 1a, and 1b. These are downloaded excel files.
These have some detail should be attended to early on. Detail pertains to cost and type of building activities, with signatures of owners or attached letters of commitment.
***This is a major area for demonstrating in-kind match resources.
I have not found a definition of “low income” housing, but it is required.
10% of construction activity can be public facilities construction or rehab.
Suggest linking with the Schuylkill Housing Authority in some way.
A rehab only effort will not be viewed very competitively. We would have to demonstrate how the activities cover a full range of housing construction.
Application
Has three parts:
(1) SF424 and budget narrative [I. Cost Proposal]
Administrative costs not to exceed 15%
(2) Narrative of project (narrative 20 pp.) [II. Technical Proposal]
Additional: Abstract 2 pp., Org Chart, letters of commitment (also 20 pp. limit for these)
(3) Site descriptions and commitments [III. Description of Work Site]
Form ETA-9143 & requested attachments
Parts 1 and 3 pretty much meet the compliance aspects of the proposal (musts)
Evaluation of proposals based on:
5 pointsStatement of Need
15 pointsProgram Management / Organizational Capacity
35 pointsProject Design, Service Strategy, Program Outcomes
25 pointsLinkages to key partners & leveraged resources
20 pointsEvidence of past & projected success in YouthBuild or relevant programs
Most of this seems to be reflected in the (2) Narrative.
Narrative (20 pp. limit)
Statement of Need (5 points total)
- Community and characteristics
- Demographics: poverty rate, homelessness, unemployment, graduation rate
Number of 12-24 year olds, juv/adult probation rates,
- Economic trends, employment trends
Program Management & Organizational Capacity (15 points total)
- Description of COGI, years of experience, qualifications, current budget, professional development opportunities to staff, leadership continuity
- Experience managing fed grants and other grants
- Auditing and accountability systems
- Proposed management and staffing of project – qualifications of key staff
Short job descriptions, time commitment, background of staff
- Ability to begin operations and enroll youth within 6 months
- Ability to collect and manage data to allow expedient, accurate, reporting
Project Design, Service Strategy, and Program Outcomes (35 points total)
- Recruitment (5 points)
Partnership with juvenile/adult probation – screening process etc.
***Selection of substance abusing, school drop out, candidates
Arrangements with local WIB, One-Stop Career Centers? Other agencies?
- Education and Occupational Skills Training Delivery (15 points)
(1) Education (50% of time)
Academic credential (GED)
Components of the academic program (if/how different from traditional)
How integrated with Occupational skills training (coordination b/t staff)
Links to local High Schools, VoTech, Trade, Community College
Assistance for follow up, post secondary, educational pursuit
Challenging curricula, project-based learning?
(2) Occupational Skills (40% of time)
Industry Recognized Credentials?
Where and how training conducted, ratio of instructors/youth
Qualifications of instructors
Payment structure for participants
Connections to business partners and apprenticeship programs
ICE Model (connect with recruitment section)
Safety plans, training of staff and participants in OSHA guidelines
Matching skills with high growth industries – local labor market
(Insert a typical weekly schedule showing all parts: Ed/Skills/Counseling)
- Community Services & Leadership Development (5 points)
Leadership curriculum, expected competencies
Community service learning opportunities/activities
Benefits to community
Group cohesion, peer support, opportunities after graduation
Qualifications of instructors (maybe the ICE counselors?)
- Post-Program Transition Services (10 points)
Services during enrollment that assist transition beyond
Follow up services upon exit from program
Job placement and retention strategies / working with employers
Post-secondary transition and degree attainment
Work readiness career exploration integrated into culture/mission
Linkages to Key Partners (25 points, total)
- Who are the Key Partners (15 points)
Activities to undertake with each, commitments (letters in separate sect)
Qualifications to assist the project
Inventory of available community resources
Relationship with building trade unions, employers, juv prob.,
Their roles in training and opportunities in program design
How the word is getting out, or others learning about YouthBuild
A plan for interaction, communication among partners
- What match or leveraged resources are being brought to project (10 points)
Which partners contribute, itemized descriptions
Quality of contributed resources to further the goals of project
Be clear and specific and give evidence
Must Reach 25%. Leveraged resources adds to score
Evidence of Past and Projected Success with YouthBuild/Relevant Programs (20 points)
Past
- COGI has no YouthBuild experience, so “relevant experience” needs strength
Experience with Youth
Experience with Education, Employment (feature ICE?)
- Ability to attract partners and resources for similar type of projects.
- Past foundation funding received
Projected
- Recruit new hires with the relevant construction experience so we have something
Could build on their resume experience for this section.
- Gonna need one or more strong partners to bring construction experience in
- Indicate projected enrollment per year and performance outcomes
Literacy & numeracy gains
GED attainment
Placement in employment, post-secondary ed., military
Retention rate
Recognized trade credentials
Part II, other sections (20 pp limit)
Abstract (2 pp.)
Organization Chart
YouthBuild nested within existing COGI structure
Implementation Timeline
(Network diagram would be good)
Letters of Commitment
Notes:
- Compensation for Youth is considered desirable/expected. A recommended way to do this is: wage payment for construction work (at or slightly above minimum wage)
Stipend for class time in education ($50-$75 per week)
- Worker’s Compensation coverage required.
- Need to check out insurance coverage for the YouthBuild operations
- Need discussion for developing staffing pattern (see YouthBuild Manual for ideas)
- Need discussion about where activities will occur and how youth get from classroom to construction site.
- Will need to develop MOAs for partnerships
- Partnering with an on-going construction operation is KEY! There’s nothing without it.