2015-16 TIMELINE FOR THE ELKHART COUNTY
DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY FUND PROPOSALS
Week ofPublication of RFP and RFP notification letters sent to
July 1st previous applicants. RFP is available for download at
July 6th Optional Pre-application Information Meeting 10a.m. at United Way Building. If you have any questions this is where you’ll get the answers!
August 3rd Proposals Due / Drop off at Coordinator’s office (either location). This is also a Lunch & Learn! Come have lunch and drop off your grant.
August 10th – 24th Review Committee and Independent Readers review applications
August 12th Notification Letters regarding Scheduled Interview or Declining consideration
September 9th-10th Interviews Conducted
September 10th Allocations Completed / Recommendation Prepared for Commissioners Approval
September 14th Notification Letters Sent
November 16th Presentation of Recommendations to County Commissioners
December 12th Presentation of Recommendations to County Council
January 18th Contracts Sent
February 1st Contracts Due to ELKHART COUNTY DRUG-FREE PARTNERSHIP (aka- LCC) President and County Commissioners
Application Process
The ELKHART COUNTY DRUG-FREE PARTNERSHIP of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana is a working board contracted with the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners to accomplish a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the problems of Alcohol, and Other Drug (AOD) use and abuse in Elkhart County. The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership comprises of community volunteers with the desire to ensure action within Elkhart County to counter AOD use. The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership is a County Commissioned Committee that facilitates programs that negate AOD use. The County has assigned the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership the responsibility of allocating county monies received from fees assessed from alcohol and drug related offenders.
Each year, the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership publishes a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the local newspapers, inviting related organizations to submit applications for funding of programs consistent to the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s mission. The state regulated deadline for proposals, is one month from the date of RFP publication. Application packets are available online at or by contacting Jess Koscher at .
The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership receives proposals and each applicant is reviewed not only by the evaluation committee but also by unbiased independent volunteer readers. At which time notification letters or telephone calls will be sent/made to all applicants. These letters/calls will detail the schedule of interviews or reasons (if applicable) for denial. Qualified applicants will then participate in interviews which will give the organization an opportunity to promote their program and will allow the committee to further evaluate and obtain any answers to questions that they may have. All applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the interview process. Failure to participate will hinder the evaluation. At the closure of interviews, the committee will come together and discuss the applications and evaluations. Each applicant is reviewed by the evaluation committee and by unbiased outside organization(s). Next, allocation amounts are determined. The grant award size will vary by: merits of the project, need, program model, number of applicants, past performance, clarity, how it compares to similar proposals and indications of self-reliance in maintaining the program. Funding is subject to amount available and state regulations. Submission of a grant application, even one that meets all grant requirements, does not guarantee receipt of award.
The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership is required to present allocation recommendations to the County Commissioners. The County Commissioners may approve, adjust, or dismiss any or all recommendations. At which time, the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership and the County Commissioners must come to an agreement. Once agreed upon by both parties, the recommendations then go to the County Council for approval. After approval and/or changes the County recommendations are forwarded to the State. Once the State determines all regulations have been completed and recommendations are appropriate, funds are released for award payment. Once the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership receives announcement of the release of monies, organizations will receive notification and contract letters.
During the time of presentation to the County Commissioners and Council, applicants will receive notification of either denial or approval. Denial letters will detail evaluation outcomes, means of improvement and the appeals process. Approval letters will detail the recommended amount and appeals process. Be sure to note: these letters are informative only – they only relay the recommended amount – these amounts may be subject to change by either the Commissioners, Council or the State.
The appeals timeline begins upon the receipt of announcement of recommended award. The applicant has 5 days from the postmark to inform the President of the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership board the desire to appeal. A time will be set for the organization to plead their case before the Elkhart County Drug-Free board. After expiration of the appeal process, the final decision of the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership board will be forwarded to the County Commissioners.
Declaration
The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s mission: The Elkhart County Local Coordinating Council of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana (the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership) brings community stakeholders together in a voluntary effort to reduce the prevalence of substance misuse and other unhealthy behaviors. The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership is a multidisciplinary effort that shares resources, knowledge and expertise to promote healthy behaviors among individuals and families leading to community well-being.
The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership strongly supports activities, programs, and agencies that relate to their mission through networking, coalition activities, and discretionary funding. Accomplishing the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s mission is dependent, to a large extent, on the success of the programs and projects of the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership funds. To foster this success, the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership makes careful and informed selections of projects for funding.
The grant award will vary by: merits of the project, need, program model, number of applicants, past performance, clarity, how it compares to similar proposals, and indications of self-reliance in maintaining the program. Funding availability is subject to state regulations. Submission of a grant application, even one that meets all grant requirements, does not guarantee receipt of award.
The Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership reserves the right to:
- Negotiate a modification of the plan and/or budget and will award funds after an agreement has been reached
- Examine physical location, books, documents, papers, accounting records and other relevant information pertaining to the administration of the program at no cost to the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership
- Deny funding to an applicant that does not facilitate the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s mission
- Deny future funding to an applicant that does not adhere to the award contract or where there is a misappropriation of funds
- Deny funding to any incomplete applications. An application may be deemed incomplete if it does not include a direct link to the recommended actions/objectives for the comprehensive plan and/or does not include all appendix items.
- Seek additional information from the applicant prior to or during the review process
It is the intent that funds allocated through this request for proposal will be used to only support program development, implementation, and coordination of the proposed project. Drug-Free Community Funds (DFCF) should not be the sole source of funding for the proposed project. DFCF funds must be considered as temporary. It is the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership policy that allocated DFCF funds be used to establish a program / project and encourages the agency to implement a retaining plan to ensure continuation after grant cessation. DFCF funds will not be used to cushion, replace, or supplement any other agency funds. It is the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s policy that if there is evidence of misappropriations, the agency will be required to return all award money and consideration of future awards will be hindered. All award amounts must be used in accordance to the signed the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership contract.
How To Apply
Applicants should submit their proposals (by email pdf or in paper form) to the Coordinators at either the Elkhart or Goshen locations no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2015.
Jessica KoscherJan Noble
United Way of Elkhart CountyAddictions Recovery Center
601 CR 17, Elkhart, IN 46516114 North Main Street, Goshen, IN 46526
(Located in the LaSalle Bristol Building)
The grant award size will vary by: merits of the project, need, program model, number of applicants, past performance, clarity, how it compares to similar proposals, and indications of self-reliance in maintaining the program. Funding is subject to amount available and state regulations. Submission of a grant application, even one that meets all grant requirements, does not guarantee receipt of award.
Proposals must be consist with the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership mission and promote improvement in areas where ATOD use and abuse is a concern. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: criminal justice, prevention or treatment. All proposals must relate to one of the Community Comprehensive Plan “Recommended Actions/ Objectives”
Applicant requirements:
All applicants must submit their proposal by an email .pdf (to ) or in paper form-- late applicants will not be considered.
All applicants must submit a complete proposal – incomplete proposals will not be considered. This includes all attachments including a financial balance sheet and signatures.
All applicants must participate in the interview process – declined participation will effect proposal evaluation.
All applicants must commit to actively participate in at least one of the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership’s committees (Prevention, Treatment, Criminal Justice), fill out a membership form and are encouraged to attend quarterly Lunch & Learns. Failure to participate will effect proposal evaluation.
Application Instructions:
Please be sure that all required information is provided, all line items and blanks are
completed, and all appropriate pages are signed and dated. Do not forget to include the
cover sheet and drop off form.
Either PRINT one copy of your complete application and drop it off at either location OR create a .pdf of your complete proposal and email as a PDF or Word Doc. to
Include the following appendix (failure to include these will result in your grant being discarded)
Signed and Dated Assurances Certification
History of Organization (one page or less)
Balance sheet for organization (for public entities, please state where budget can be accessed).
Organizational chart or agency and project staff
Letters of agreements with other agencies or organizations (when applicable)
References or letters of support (if applicable should not exceed three)
Copies of assessments, surveys and forms used for the implementation of program (when applicable)
Copies of certification, licenses, accreditation, etc. (when applicable).
Drug Free Community Funds
2015-16 Grant Proposal Drop Off Sheet
In order to expedite your request please make sure all information and forms are included.
**NEW** Submit your application electronically to through one .pdf of your complete proposal (including appendix) OR ONE printed completed application must be delivered to either Addictions Recovery Center (Goshen) or United Way (Elkhart) no later than 3:00 p.m., August 3rd , 2015.
Goshen Location:Elkhart Location:
Addictions Recovery CenterUnited Way Of Elkhart County
114 N. Main Street601 CR 17 (LaSalle Bristol)
533-6154295-1650
9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. (Office Hours) 8:00a.m.- 4:30p.m (Office Hours)
Applications that merit further consideration will be asked to participate in an oral presentation/interview. Interviews will be conducted September 9-10th and will be scheduled in 20 minute increments. Please assist us by providing the following information.
Contact Person:
Phone: Email:
Address:
Time Preference: (Check One) A.M. P.M. No Preferences
Application for Drug-Free Community Fund
COVER SHEET
Name of Project:
Applicant: (Name, Address, Telephone, Fax and Email)
Agency or Corporate Chief Executive Officer (Name, Title, Address, Telephone)
Project Coordinator: (Name, Address, Telephone and Email)
Fiscal Officer: (Name, Title, Address, Telephone, Email)
Federal ID#
I agree that if funded to any extent, a representative of this program will participate in the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership during 2015.
Signature of Authorized AgentTitleDate
Name of Project:
Project Category (Check One) Criminal Justice Prevention Treatment
Amount Requested: $
Agency Mission Statement
Recommended Action
Below is a list of problem statements and objectives. Each application MUST address an objective in order to be funded with DFCF monies per state statute which mandates funding only be allocated to these objectives from the Comprehensive Plan. Please check the appropriate boxes. Please note that proposals that skip this step will be discarded and not considered for funding.
Problem Statement:
There is a gap between the “perception” and the “reality” of both use and the harmful nature of substances (including alcohol, marijuana, synthetic marijuana and prescription drugs).
Objectives:
Survey students, parents and community groups to measure the difference between perception and reality of use, risky behaviors and harm.
Create public awareness materials to educate the community on the reality of use/risky behaviors and harm.
Continue hosting take back days and supporting local drug return boxes.
GOAL: Reduce the gap between perception and reality in prevention programs by 5%.
Problem Statement:
Local treatment agencies report the continual needs to subsidize treatment for clients 20-50% due to financial barriers is putting a strain on their organizations and clients. This includes a need for childcare and scholarships.
Objectives:
Provide scholarships and financial assistance for treatment.
Provide financial assistance for childcare during treatment programs.
GOAL: Increase the amount of financial assistance for treatment (including childcare) by
5% annually for clients who are deemed unable to afford treatment on their own.
Problem Statement:
People in Elkhart County in need of detox, residential and psychiatric support are unable to seek these supports in Elkhart County.
Objectives:
Provide financial support for psychiatric consultations for those addicted to substance that also require medications.
Increase the potential for people to be detoxed in Elkhart County through a feasibility study for a detox facility and a plan to include community partners for funding.
Increase the potential for residential programming in Elkhart County for those in recovery through a feasibility study for a residential facility and a plan to include community partners for funding.
GOAL: Determine the feasibility of establishing detox and residential treatment services in
Elkhart County. Establish a structure to assist those in treatment who are in need of a psychiatric consult the ability to do so.
Problem Statement:
Law Enforcement requires additional resources for AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) related crimes.
Objectives:
Provide mobile video cameras for both officers and vehicles in the current Law Enforcement Agency fleet for the purpose of OWI and other AOD roadside stops.
Provide financial support to purchase equipment needed for interdiction and investigation for AOD enforcement.
Provide additional resources for OT hours for special AOD investigative units (i.e. FACT Team, STAR, other tactical AOD teams).
Provide local law enforcement the opportunity to be trained in interdiction by Desert Snow.
GOAL: Increase the number of AOD arrests by 10% annually in local LEA.
A. GOAL- Above (in red) are the goals that the Partnership has set for each Problem Statement. Please outline how your proposed program will specifically address and measure these goals. Only proposals who adequately outline how they will achieve and measure these goals will be considered. Approved grantees will be required to report on their progress on these goals for their grant reports.
B. INTRODUCTION- This space is for an introduction to your organization. Include who is applying for funds, organizational purpose, goals, programs, and clients/constituents. Communicate evidence of accomplishment and credibility with statistics. Please limit your answer to only what fits on this page. Additional pages will not be read. 12pt type only.
C. Program Proposal/ Assessment of Existing Problem- Specifically indicate what your program intends to accomplish. This should relate directly to the “objective” you plan to impact. This section should be used to summarize your idea and provide support to the program. Proposals which have research based support linking their program to the Partnership’s AOD work are preferred. Limit only to what fits on this page (additional pages will not be read).
D. Methods- Clearly describe you program activities, state the reasons for these activities and define the target population. This section should describe the program in specific detail including sequence of activities, staffing, client selection, etc. After reading this section, the reader should be able to duplicate the program with success from this description. Limit only to what fits on this page (additional pages will not be read).
E. OUTCOMES (What would your Organization like to see accomplished?)
Activities
/ Key Outputs /Outcome Statement
/ Indicators, Target-Levels & ToolsInitial
/ Long-TermSample: Your Outcomes should have this format.
Activities
/ Key Outputs(Dashboard Gauges) /
Outcome Statement
/ Indicators, Target-Levels & Tools(SMART Criteria)Initial
(Only 1 – “How I Think”) / Long-Term(Vision, No Numbers)This section should contain a “bulleted-type” list of 2-3 of the important day-to-day happenings within this program.
(Don’t overthink this area. Just list the main things your program does every day.)
- Track in house the number of DUI/OWI related accidents. (CJ)
- Create monthly public service announcements focused on alcohol and marijuana (prevention)
- 20 hour a week supplemental marijuana program for jail inmates (Treatment)
This section should include 2-3 numerical goals that you use to gauge if your program is working. Some examples
- The number of new clients a quarter needs to be . . .
- The average number of service hours per client should be . . .
- To make this program cost effective, our fees for service need to be (X) per quarter . . .
What is the benefit you are trying to pass on to the community?
Decrease in the number of repeat offenders (TX)
Increase the number of drunk driving convictions (CJ)
Increase awareness with the elderly population of prescription drug abuse risks. (Prev) / This is a Vision statement for the program. This statement needs to be in narrative form, no numbers. It should be 1-2 sentences long.
Don’t get grandiose or try to save souls. Just take an optimistic view about the possibilities of your program.
If everything fell into place, what would your clients look like in the long run?
For example:
Youth in the program were able to express an increase in belonging.
Cases where video equipment was used resulted in an increase in prosecution. / This section needs two (2) Indicator Statements that measure the benefit in the Initial Outcome Statement.
An Indicator Statement contains
- The % and/or # of participants who will attain the benefit
- An articulation of the level of benefit they will achieve.
- A statement of the tool being used to measure the benefit.
Examples
40% of the kids who complete the tutoring program will experience at least a 15% increase in their reading level as measured by the Heart-Quinn reading assessment.26% or 175 work release participants will have a re-arrest rate of at least 28% or below as tracked by Elkhart County Prosecutors Office.
75% or 200 of road side stops will experience an increase of convictions when using a camera as recorded by the department.
F. EVALUATION- This section is used to outline how your organization will determine if the outcomes were met. Be descriptive including the following: who will be performing the evaluation and how will they be selected, define the evaluation criteria, describe data gathering methods, indicate what tools will be used and how evaluation results will be shared.