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Executive Summary: The Office of Community Services' (OCS) Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program helps low-income individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency. Grantees assist participants in overcoming the identified personal and systemic barriers to employment, job retention and self-sufficiency. Grantees may use their JOLI program funding to provide technical and financial assistance to private employers in the community to assist them in creating employment and business opportunities for low-income individuals. Grantees also create a revolving loan fund and make at or below market rate loans to eligible beneficiaries for business development activities. Grantees must allot a minimum of twenty percent of the JOLI funds received for the provision of financial assistance to program participants. Interest accrued on revolving loan funds must be used to continue or expand the activities of the approved project. Grantees establish and maintain a formal, cooperative relationship with the designated local agency responsible for administering the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in the area served by the project. Grantees also attempt to integrate their projects with the larger economic development strategy within the target communities. Grants are awarded through a competitive process to non-profit organizations having 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Institutions of higher education are excluded from the process. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply. Grantees may focus their projects on the following strategy areas: new business ventures, business expansion and self-employment/Micro-enterprise. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Legislative Authority The Office of Community Services' (OCS) Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program is authorized under Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988, Public Law (P.L.) 100-485, as amended by Section 112 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-193, as amended. The Family Support Act of 1988 authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations (including faith-based organizations and community development corporations) for the purpose of conducting projects designed to create employment opportunities for certain low-income individuals (42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 9926). Funding Opportunity Description A. Program Purpose, Scope, and Focus The purpose of the JOLI program is to create new jobs to be filled by low-income individuals. JOLI grantees create jobs through business plans and the provision of technical and/or financial assistance to private employers in the community. Accordingly, JOLI grantees assist in creating new employment and business opportunities for individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and for other low-income individuals. Funded projects focus on one of three program strategies to create new jobs and employment opportunities: (1) new business ventures, (2) business expansion, and (3) self-employment/micro-enterprise. Priority will be given to applicants proposing to serve those areas containing the highest percentage of individuals receiving TANF under a State program, funded under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act of the State in which the individual resides, and individuals whose income level does not exceed 100 percent of the official poverty line. Annual revisions of these poverty guidelines are normally published in the Federal Register in February or early March. Grantees will be required to apply the most recent guidelines throughout the project period. These revised guidelines also may be obtained at public libraries; Congressional offices; by writing the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; or by accessing the following website: http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/ . While projected employment in future years may be included in the application, it is essential that the focus of the project concentrate on the creation of new full-time, permanent jobs and/or new realized business development opportunities for TANF recipients and other low-income individuals during the grant project period. The Office of Community Services (OCS) is particularly interested in receiving innovative applications that grow out of the experience and creativity of applicants and the needs of their clientele and communities, and that seek to integrate projects into a larger effort of broad community revitalization. Special consideration will be given to projects located in areas characterized by conditions of extreme poverty (e.g., a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, an unemployment rate of at least 10 percent, or designation as an Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC)). Please see Section V.1, Evaluation Criteria, for the related criteria that will be used in the evaluation of applications. Due to the limited amount of funds available under this program, only a single application from any one eligible applicant will be funded by OCS from Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 JOLI funds pursuant to this announcement. Each application must consist of one project only. Please note however that this factor will not be used as a responsiveness criterion in the review of applications. OCS will not provide funding to a previously funded grantee to carry out the same project in the same geographic area. Previously funded grantees must apply for a different project and/or a different geographic area to be considered for funding under this announcement. B. Definitions The following definitions apply: BUDGET AND PROJECT PERIODS -- Applications for JOLI projects must have a 36-month project period with a 36-month budget period. BUSINESS PLAN -- A business plan is a document defining the purpose and structure of an organization or company and the information and strategies used to achieve the goals and objectives of specified business activity. All applications for JOLI projects must contain a business plan that clearly lays out the methodology and feasibility of the business(es) involved in the creation of the proposed new jobs. The business plan must provide sufficient financial information to show the viability of the project. COMMUNITY -- Any geographically defined area (with boundaries) being targeted by the JOLI project. COMMUNITY-LEVEL DATA -- Key information to be collected by each grantee that will allow for a national-level analysis of common features of JOLI projects. This consists of data on the population of the target area, including the percentage of TANF recipients and others on public assistance, and the percentage whose income falls below the poverty line; the unemployment rate; the number of new business starts and business closings; and a description of the major employers and average wage rates and employment opportunities with those employers. DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE -- The provision of cash assistance to eligible program participants to support business development and operation. Cash assistance may be used for a variety of purposes, such as marketing and other start-up expenses, including salaries for micro-enterprise owners during the first months of business operations. HYPOTHESIS -- An assumption made in order to test its validity. It should assert a cause-and-effect relationship between a program intervention and its expected result. Both the intervention and result must be measured in order to confirm the hypothesis. For example, the following is a hypothesis: "Eighty hours of classroom training in small business planning will be sufficient for participants to prepare a successful loan application." In this example, data would be obtained on the number of hours of training actually received by participants (the intervention), and the quality of loan applications (the result), to determine the validity of the hypothesis (that 80 hours of training is sufficient to produce the result). INTERVENTION -- Any planned human or economic capital development activity within a project that is intended to produce changes in the target population and/or the environment for the purpose of job creation and that can be formally evaluated. For example, assistance in the preparation of a business plan or the provision of specialized job training to increase a program participant's capacity to acquire and maintain employment is an intervention. JOB CREATION -- To bring about, by activities and services funded under this program, new jobs, that is, job positions that were not in existence before the start of the project and would not have existed but for some action or activity by the project. These activities can include the development of new business ventures, the expansion of existing businesses, or self-employment/micro-enterprise training and support. The training and placement of individuals in already existing jobs, including jobs guaranteed to low-income individuals through a formal agreement with an employer, is not considered job creation. Applicants must show that these newly created jobs will be sustainable for a minimum of 12 months. LETTER OF COMMITMENT -- A signed letter or binding agreement specifying terms and conditions and other terms of execution (e.g., the time of the loan closing) from a third party to the applicant that pledges financial or other support for the project. A letter of commitment may be contingent only on OCS approval of the project. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION -- Any organization (including a faith-based organization or a community development corporation) exempt from taxation by reason of paragraph (3) or (4) of Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. OUTCOME EVALUATION -- An assessment of project results as measured by collected data that define the net effects of the interventions applied in the project. An outcome evaluation will produce and interpret findings related to whether the interventions created the proposed jobs, or produced other desired changes. An outcome evaluation should address any unanticipated outcomes. It should answer the question: Did this project achieve its stated goals? PRIVATE EMPLOYERS -- Third-party non-profit organizations or third-party for-profit businesses operating or proposing to operate in the same community as the applicant and that are proposed or potential employers of project participants. PROCESS EVALUATION -- A review and assessment of the planned activities implemented to produce the proposed outcomes (i.e., the creation of new, sustainable jobs). It focuses on the effectiveness and efficiency of the program's activities and interventions (for example, methods of recruiting participants, quality of training activities, or usefulness of follow-up procedures). It should answer questions such as: "Were the project activities comprehensive and were they implemented to achieve the desired outcome(s)?" It is also known as formative evaluation because it gathers information that can be used as a management tool to improve the way a program operates while the program is in progress. It should also identify problems that occurred and how they were dealt with and recommend improved means of future implementation. In concert with the outcome evaluation, it should also help explain, "Why did this program work/not work?" and, "What worked and what did not?" PROGRAM PARTICIPANT/BENEFICIARY -- An individual eligible to receive TANF under Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act) and any other individual whose income level does not exceed 100 percent of the official poverty line as found in the most recent revision of the Poverty Income Guidelines published by HHS. These guidelines can be found at: http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/ . REVOLVING LOAN FUND -- A distinct loan fund established exclusively for JOLI program participants as a resource to pay for eligible business development and operational activities that, when repaid, generates additional program income to make new loans. SELF-SUFFICIENCY -- A state of being or status of an individual or family where, by reason of employment, eligibility for public assistance is replaced by the ability to meet all basic needs. THIRD PARTY -- Any individual, organization, or business entity that is neither OCS nor the direct recipient of JOLI grant funds. THIRDPARTY AGREEMENT -- A written agreement entered into by the grantee and an organization, individual or business entity (including a wholly-owned subsidiary), by which the grantee makes an equity investment of resources or capital, or a loan in support of grant purposes. A loan commitment from a financial institution or a memorandum of understanding from another community partner committing resource or capital is a typical third-party agreement. THIRD-PARTY IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS -- The value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties that may be in the form of real property, equipment, supplies and/or other expendable property, and the value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the project or program. C. Description of Three Program Strategies The purpose of the JOLI program is to create jobs to be filled by low-income individuals. JOLI grantees provide technical and/or financial assistance to private employers in the community to assist them in creating employment and business opportunities for individuals receiving TANF and other low-income individuals. In order to create these sustainable employment and other opportunities, funded projects focus on one of the following three program strategies: (1) new business ventures, (2) business expansion, and (3) self-employment/micro-enterprise projects. Applicants must state clearly both in the abstract and at the beginning of the project narrative which one of these three program strategies they will be using. While OCS will accept applications that propose projects containing more than one of these program strategies, OCS strongly encourages applicants to focus on only one. Note: All projects, regardless of the Program Strategy(s) used, are required to allot a minimum of twenty percent of the JOLI funds received for the provision of financial assistance to participants. Financial assistance may be provided through one of the following approaches:
PROGRAM STRATEGY 1: NEW BUSINESS VENTURES Applicants applying under Strategy 1 must show that the proposed project will develop a new business that will train and employ TANF and/or low-income persons to work within that business. PROGRAM STRATEGY 2: BUSINESS EXPANSION Applicants applying under Strategy 2 must show that the proposed project will provide technical and/or financial assistance to businesses already in existence to allow the businesses to expand by helping them to obtain better marketing services, contracts, access to additional money to help the business grow, etc., resulting in the creation of new, permanent, full-time jobs for low-income persons. PROGRAM STRATEGY 3: SELF-EMPLOYMENT / MICRO-ENTERPRISE PROJECTS Applicants applying under Strategy 3 must show that the proposed project will create self-employment/micro-enterprise opportunities for eligible participants. Self-employment is the creation of a sustainable business that is designed to employ a single individual (e.g., home-based day care, graphic design, medical billings, sewing and secretarial service). Micro-enterprise is the creation of a sustainable business that is designed to hire from one to four persons (e.g., a cleaning business that will create more than one job). For this strategy, OCS does not consider a job to have been created until contracts and/or subcontracts have been committed at the end of training for each of these self-employment/micro-enterprise businesses that provide sufficient cash flow to support one or more full-time jobs, including the self-employed person or the micro-enterprise owner, for a minimum of 12 months. All applications under this strategy must address the following items:
II. AWARD INFORMATION
Explanation of Other: One 36-month budget and project period.Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants:
Faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements are eligible to apply under this announcement. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement. Non-profits having 501(c)(4) status with the IRS are also eligible to apply for this program. Faith-based and Community Organization Equal Treatment Organizations and their faith-based and community partners shall not use direct Federal grants or contract under the JOLI program to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, an organization must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the JOLI- funded services. Some of the ways organizations may accomplish this include, but are not limited to, promoting only the Federally funded program in materials, websites, or commercials purchased with any portion of the Federal funds. Further participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be voluntary. A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular programs or services funded with Federal funds without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a faith-based organization that receives Federal funds retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's mission statement and other governing documents in accordance with JOLI program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS-funded activities. Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, can be found at either 45 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 87.1 or the HHS website at http://www.os.hhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None 3. Other: Disqualification Factors
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package: Administration for Children and FamiliesOCS Operations Center 1515 Wilson Blvd., Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22209 Phone: 1-800-281-9519 Email: ocsgrants@acf.hhs.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: A. APPLICATION CONTENT (1) Each application must include the following components and in the following order: (a) Table of Contents (b) Project Abstract --Very brief, not to exceed 250 words. The abstract should describe the community in which the project will be implemented, beneficiaries to be served, type(s) and number of jobs to be created, business partners to be expanded (if applicable), any resources leveraged, and the intended affect on the community. Please see Section V for additional information for preparing the project abstract. (c) Completed Standard Forms -- Standard Forms (SF) 424 and 424A must be completed and signed where appropriate by an official of the organization applying for the grant who has authority to obligate the organization legally. Information on other forms that must be submitted with the application is included below under the heading, "Forms and Certifications." (d) Budget Narrative/Justification -- Please see Section V for additional information for preparing the narrative budget justification. (e) Project Description-- Please see Section V for instructions for preparing the project description. (f) Documentation of 501(c)(3) or (4) status -- Please see Section III for what will be acceptable as proof of non-profit status. (g) Cooperative Partnership Agreement with the Designated Agency Responsible for the TANF program -- A formal, cooperative relationship between the applicant and the designated State or local agency responsible for administering the TANF program (as provided for under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act) in the area served by the project is a requirement for funding (see list of the State Human Services Administrators administering TANF at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/hs_dir2.htm). The application must include a signed, written agreement between the applicant and the designated State or local agency responsible for administering the TANF program. The agreement must describe the cooperative relationship, including specific activities and/or actions each of these entities propose to carry out over the course of the grant period in support of the project. The agreement, at a minimum, must cover the specific services and activities that will be provided to the target population. Applications submitted without an explicit agreement with the TANF agency in the area served by the project will receive fewer points. (h) Mobilization of Resources -- There is no match requirement for the JOLI program. If other, non-JOLI funding will be necessary for the successful completion of the project, however, documentation of the firm commitment for that funding must be included in the application. (i) Third-Party Agreements -- Any applicant submitting an application for funding who proposes to use some or all of the requested OCS funds to enter into a third-party agreement in order to make an equity investment (such as the purchase of stock) or a loan to an organization or business entity (including a wholly-owned subsidiary), must include in the application a copy of the signed third-party agreement for approval by OCS. Note that partners involved in the proposed project should be responsible for substantive project activities and services. Applicants should note that partnership relationships are not created via service delivery contracts. All third-party agreements must include written commitments as follows: From the third party (as appropriate):
In addition to the above, any third-party agreement covering an equity investment must also contain the following information:
In addition to the above, any third-party agreement covering a loan transaction must also contain the following information:
All third-party agreements must also include detailed information on how the grantee will provide support and technical assistance to the third party in areas of recruitment, support, and retention of low-income individuals. All third-party agreements should be accompanied by:
Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Applicants for JOLI grants are encouraged to partner and/or collaborate with organizations awarded grants by the DOL, Employment Training Administration (ETA). The "Grassroots" Grant program is one such program awarded in FY 2006 through the Workforce Investment Act. These grants were awarded to faith-based and community organizations to complement the efforts of local workforce investment systems. Grantees partner with local One-Stop Career Centers in serving high-need individuals and meeting their training, job and career-support needs. The 2006 "Grassroots" grantees are listed at http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/tlc/resources-grassroots.htm#peers. For information about other ETA grant projects that support workforce system-building, including Youthful Offender Initiatives, visit the DOL website at http://www.doleta.gov/sga/awards. (2) Property and National Historic Preservation Act If the applicant is proposing a project that will affect a property listed in, or which is eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places, it must identify this property in the narrative and explain how it has complied with the provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. If there is any question as to whether the property is listed in, or is eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places, the applicant should consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer. (See SF-424B) (3) Creation of Jobs and Employment Opportunities OCS is soliciting JOLI applications that propose the creation of new, permanent, full-time jobs through the development of new businesses, the expansion of existing businesses, or the creation of employment opportunities through self-employment/micro-enterprise development. Proposed projects must show that the jobs and/or business/self-employment opportunities to be created under this program are sustainable for a minimum of 12 months and would not have existed without some action or activity of the project. Applicants must also show that the newly created jobs will contribute to the achievement of self-sufficiency among the target population (e.g., the resulting employment provides a livable wage, career development opportunities, and benefits such as health insurance and childcare that make it possible for the individuals to meet all their basic needs without requiring public assistance). (4) Support for Non-Custodial Parents OCS and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) both located in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster and enhance partnerships between OCS grantees and local Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agencies. (See the list of CSE State Offices that can identify local CSE agencies at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.htm.) In the words of the MOU: "The purpose of these partnerships will be to develop and implement innovative Accordingly, a rating factor and a review criterion have been included in this program announcement that will award two points to applicants who have entered into partnership agreements with their local CSE agency to provide for referrals to their project in accordance with provisions of the OCS-OCSE MOU (see Element II, Sub-Element II(c)). Contact information for the local CSE agency in your State can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.htm#exta. Your State agency can identify local CSE agencies in your area. (5) Technical and Financial Assistance to Employers and Individuals Technical assistance should be designed to address the specific needs of the private employer in creating new, permanent, and sustainable full-time jobs to be filled by eligible individuals and/or to the individuals themselves in areas such as job-readiness, literacy, and other basic skills training, job preparation, self-esteem building, etc. Financial assistance must be provided to the private employer or to individual program participants. For example, financial assistance can be provided in the form of loans from a revolving loan fund and/or direct cash assistance to micro-enterprise/self-employed business owners. If the technical and/or financial assistance is to be provided to pre-identified businesses that will be expanded or franchised, written commitments -- preferably in the form of a Memoranda of Understanding -- from the businesses to create the planned jobs must be included with the application. (6) Applicant Experience In the review process, favorable consideration will be given to applicants with a demonstrated record of achievement in creating sustainable jobs and enterprise opportunities for low-income people. (7) Cost-Per-Job OCS will not fund projects where the cost-per-job in JOLI funds exceeds $10,000. (8) Loan Funds JOLI funds can be used to create revolving loan funds. As noted in Section I, applicants must allot a minimum of twenty percent of the JOLI funds received for the provision of financial assistance to program participants. Loans from the fund are to be made to eligible beneficiaries for business development activities and must be at or below the market rate. Any interest accrued on revolving loan funds must be used to continue or expand the activities of the approved project. D-U-N-S Requirement All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a D-U-N-S number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The D-U-N-S number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal, Grants.gov. A D-U-N-S number will be required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003. Please ensure that your organization has a D-U-N-S number. You may acquire a D-U-N-S number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com. Proof of Non-Profit Status Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of 501(c)(3) non-profit status is any one of the following:
When applying electronically, we strongly suggest that you attach your proof of non-profit status with your electronic application. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Forms, Assurances, and Certifications The project description should include all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program announcement under Section V. Application Review Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all of the Standard Forms required as part of the application process for awards under this announcement. Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must file the appropriate Standard Forms (SFs) as described in this section. All applicants must submit an SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. For non-construction programs, applicants must also submit an SF-424A, Budget Information and an SF-424B, Assurances. For construction programs, applicants must also submit SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D, Assurances. For research programs that involve human subjects, the Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption form must be submitted. All forms may be reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and return the standard forms with their application. Applicants must furnish, prior to award, an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application. The Certification Regarding Lobbying may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. (If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.) Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable for the smoking prohibition included within Public Law (P.L.) 103-227, Title XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the Pro Children Act of 1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice that implements the smoking prohibition is included with this form. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary certification and are not required to return it. Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary certification and are not required to return it. Complete the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Please see Section V.1 for instructions on preparing the full project description. Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of received applications. Electronic Submission Applicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or paper format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov site. When using www.Grants.gov, applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the www.Grants.gov site. ACF will not accept grant applications via facsimile or email. Acceptable electronic formats for the application attachments (narratives, charts, etc.) must use the following standard technologies, i.e., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, Jpeg, and Gif. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before submitting an electronic application, applicants must complete the organization registration process as well as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Since this process may take more than five business days, it is important to start this process early, well in advance of the application deadline. Be sure to complete all www.Grants.gov registration processes listed on the Organization Registration Checklist, which can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html. Please note the following if planning to submit an application electronically via www.Grants.gov:
Hard Copy Submission Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format should submit one original and two copies of the complete application. The original and each of the two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized representative, and be unbound. The original copy of the application must have original signature(s). Non-Federal Reviewers Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review and selection process. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Due Date for Applications: 06/20/2007 Explanation of Due Dates The due date for receipt of applications is referenced above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date will be classified as late and will not be considered in the current competition. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed or hand-delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date and time. Applications that are submitted by mail must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above at the address listed in Section IV.6. Hand Delivery Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers must be received on or before the due date referenced above, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Electronic Submission Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above. ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile or email. Late Applications Applications that do not meet the requirements above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition. ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER 4:30 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DUE DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR COMPETITION. Extension of Deadlines ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; when there are widespread disruptions of mail service; or in other rare cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer. Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via http://www.Grants.gov. Checklist You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) This program is covered under Executive Order (Exec. Order) 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," and 45 CFR Part 100, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities." Under the Exec. Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. As of August 1, 2006, the following jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Exec. Order process: Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. As these jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations, which may trigger the "accommodate or explain" rule. Comments submitted directly to ACF should be addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447. Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate in this process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the Program Announcement are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, or Commonwealth, etc., does not have a SPOC. Therefore, applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to Exec. Order 12372. The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions that have elected to participate in Exec. Order 12372 can be found on the following URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. 5. Funding Restrictions: Fundraising is not an allowable cost under this program. Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs. Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable activities or expenditures under this grant award. OCS will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than the applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the implementation of the project for which funding is requested. This prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project. OCS will not provide funding to a previously funded grantee to carry out the same project in the same geographic area. Previously funded grantees must apply for a different project and/or a different geographic area to be considered for funding under this announcement. 6. Other Submission Requirements: Please see Sections IV.2 and IV.3 for deadline information and other application requirements. Submit applications to one of the following addresses: Submission by Mail Administration for Children and Families Hand Delivery Administration for Children and Families Electronic Submission Please see Section IV.2 for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov. V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13) Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection information.The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139, which expires 4/30/2007. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 1. Criteria: Part I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW PURPOSE The project description provides the majority of information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete. It should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing the project description, information that is responsive to each of the requested evaluation criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application in a manner that is clear and complete. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be placed in an appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included for easy reference. Part II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Applicants that are required to submit a full project description shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the measures that will be used to evaluate applications. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Provide a summary of the project description (one page or less) with reference to the funding request. OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement. RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED Identify the results and benefits to be derived. Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, describe the population to be served by the program and the number of new jobs that will be created for the target population. Explain how the project will reach the targeted population, how it will benefit participants, and how it will support individuals to become more economically self-sufficient.APPROACH Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the OMB. This clearance pertains to any "collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF." Provide a list of organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. EVALUATION Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities that address the project's effectiveness. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The following are requests for additional information that must be included in the application:
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION Provide a budget with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form (SF-424A or SF-424C). Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching is a requirement, include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs.
TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL INDIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL PROJECT COSTS EVALUATION CRITERIA: The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely according to the order presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (i.e., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about how it will be conducted). In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following criteria: APPROACH - 40 points ELEMENT I: PROJECT THEORY, DESIGN AND PLAN The extent to which the applicant can show why and how the project, as proposed, is expected to lead to the creation of new, permanent, full-time jobs or realized employment opportunities for low-income individuals, which can lead to significant improvements in individual and family self-sufficiency. The extent to which the applicant clearly demonstrates the cause-effect relationship between what the applicant plans to do and the results it expects to achieve. The extent to which applicants design and present their project in terms of a conceptual cause-effect framework (i.e., as illustrated in the following paragraphs, which suggest a way to present a project to show the logic of the cause-effect relations between project activities and project results). Note that applicants are not required to use the exact language described. Sub-Element (A): Description of Target Population, Analysis of Need, and Project Assumptions (8 points) The extent to which the applicant identifies the precise target population to be served, the geographic area to be affected, the percentage of low-income individuals and TANF recipients within the geographic area, and other data relevant to the project design. The extent to which the application includes a description of the needs and problems of the population to be served that are to be addressed by the project; the current services available to that population and where and how they fail to meet their needs; why the proposed services or interventions are appropriate and will meet those needs; and the affect the proposed interventions will have on the project participants. (2 points) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the project will be located in an area characterized by conditions of extreme poverty (i.e., a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, an unemployment rate of at least 10 percent, or designation as an EZ/EC). (2 points) The extent to which the application includes not only a listing of the identified personal barriers to employment, job retention, and greater self-sufficiency faced by the target population, but also an analysis of these barriers. (Barriers might include such problems as illiteracy, substance abuse, family violence, lack of skills training, health or medical problems, need for child care, lack of suitable clothing or equipment, or poor self-image.) (2 points) The extent to which the applicant includes an analysis of the identified community systemic barriers that the project will seek to overcome. These might include lack of jobs (e.g., high unemployment rate); lack of public transportation; lack of markets; unavailability of financing, insurance or bonding; inadequate social services (e.g., employment service, child care, job training); high incidence of crime; inadequate health care; or environmental hazards (such as toxic dumpsites or leaking underground tanks). The extent to which the applicant addresses the personal and family services and support that might be needed by project participants after they are on the job and that will enhance job retention and advancement. If the jobs to be created by the proposed project are designed to fill one or more of the needs, or remove one or more of the barriers so identified (e.g., jobs in child care, health care, or transportation), the extent to which the applicant highlights such issues in the discussion. (2 points) Sub-Element (B): Project Strategy and Design -- Interventions, Outcomes, and Goals (10 points) The extent to which the applicant describes the major project activities, or interventions, that are to be carried out in addressing the needs and problems identified in Sub-Element I (A), as well as the immediate changes or outcomes that are expected to result (e.g., technical and financial assistance offered to a manufacturing company should result in an expansion of the company - specifically in the number of jobs available; or a job training program might be expected to result in low-income individuals acquiring the skills necessary to fill newly created job openings). (4 points) The extent to which the applicant describes the intermediate outcomes that result from these immediate changes and expresses those outcomes in terms of measurable changes in knowledge, attitudes, behavior, or status/condition (e.g., the immediate changes achieved by a job skills training program, coupled with technical and financial assistance to an employer for the purpose of expanding a business, could be expected to lead to intermediate outcomes of the creation of new job openings and a certain number of participants being employed by the company; or the acquisition of business skills, coupled with the establishment of a loan fund, could be expected to result in the decision by a certain number of participants to go into a particular business venture). (3 points) The extent to which the applicant describes how the achievement of these intermediate outcomes will be expected to lead to the attainment of the project goals and result in outcomes that will meet the needs of the program participants and assist them in overcoming the identified personal and systemic barriers to employment, job retention, and self-sufficiency. (3 points) Sub-Element (C): Business Plan (22 points) The goals and objectives of the JOLI program can not be fulfilled if business ventures fail. Therefore, the application will be evaluated to the extent that the applicant submits a business plan demonstrating the viability, feasibility, and sustainability of the project. For self-employment, incubator, or micro-enterprise development projects, the business plan covers the project, not the individual business plans of the participants. However, the application should reflect the criteria used to select tenants of incubators and micro-enterprises for the purpose of creating jobs. For instance, sound underwriting criteria should be used in making loans to micro-enterprises. The application will be evaluated on the extent to which it includes a business plan containing the following elements: (1) An executive summary (limited to two pages) that is clear and descriptive; (2) A description of the industry proposed to create the new jobs, current status, and prospects; (3) A description of the products and services, including detailed descriptions of any products or services to be sold, the proprietary position of any of the products (e.g., patents, copyright, and trade secrets), and any features of the products or services that may give them an advantage over the competition (1 point); (4) Market research that assures that the business has a substantial market to develop and achieve sales in the face of competition and that also describes the customer base by market segment, the market size and trends, an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the competition in the current market, and the estimated market share and sales (1 point); (5) A marketing plan that details the products, pricing, distribution, and promotion strategies (e.g., what is to be done, how it will be done, and who will do it) that will be used to achieve the estimated market share and sales projections (1 point); (6) Design and development plans for new products or services, if applicable, including items such as development status and tasks, difficulties and risks, product improvement, and new products and costs; (7) An operations plan that describes the kind of facilities, site location, space, capital equipment, and labor force (part- and/or full-time and wage structure) that are required to provide the company's product or service (2 points); (8) A description of the technical, managerial, and business skills and experience to be brought to the project by the management team, including a description of key management personnel and their primary duties, compensation and/or ownership, the organizational structure and placement of this proposed project within the organization, the board of directors, management assistance and training needs, and supporting professional services; (2 points) (9) An implementation plan that shows the timing and interrelationships of the major events or benchmarks necessary to launch the venture and realize its objectives, including a month-by-month schedule of activities such as product development, market planning, sales programs, production and operations (2 points); (10) A description of the job creation activities and projections expected as a result of this project, including a description of the strategy that will be used to identify and hire individuals who are low-income (including those on TANF), an estimated number and description of the new, full-time, permanent jobs that will be created during the project period with particular emphasis on jobs for low-income individuals, the number of these jobs that have career development opportunities, the number of jobs that will be filled by individuals receiving TANF or other individuals whose income is less than 100 percent of the official poverty guidelines, their projected annual salary, the number of self-employed and other ownership opportunities created, the specific steps to be taken by the grantee or a third party to develop and sustain self-employment after the businesses are in place, and the expected net profit of these businesses after deductions of business expenses (2 points); (11) A financial plan demonstrating and providing documentation for the economic supports underpinning the project and showing the project's potential for creating the proposed jobs and the timetable for financial self-sufficiency, including for both the applicant and the third party, if appropriate, profit and loss forecasts for the first three years, cash flow projections for the first three years, a Sources and Use of Funds Statement for all funds available to the project, and a brief summary discussing any further capital requirements and methods or projected methods for obtaining needed resources (8 points); (12) An assessment of critical risks and assumptions relating to the industry, the venture, its personnel, the product or service market appeal, and the timing and financing of the venture (2 points); and (13) A description of other economic and non-economic benefits to the community such as development of a community's physical assets, provision of needed but currently unsupplied services or products to the community, or improvement in the living environment (1 point). RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED - 25 points ELEMENT II: SIGNIFICANT AND BENEFICIAL IMPACT Sub-Element (A): Quality of Jobs/Business Opportunities (10 points) The extent to which the application describes quantifiable results in terms of the creation of new, permanent, full-time jobs; the development of realized business opportunities; or the expansion of existing businesses. The extent to which the project demonstrates an ability to produce permanent and measurable results that will reduce the incidence of poverty in the community and lead welfare recipients from welfare dependency toward economic self-sufficiency. In developing realized business opportunities and successful self-employment for TANF recipients and other low-income individuals, the extent to which the applicant proposes, at a minimum, to provide training and support services to potential entrepreneurs including, but not limited to, technical assistance in basic business planning and management concepts, assistance in preparing a business plan, assistance in accessing business loans, and assistance in securing commitments of contracts/subcontracts at the end of training. (5 points) Reminder: For Program Strategy #3, Self-Employment/Micro-Enterprise Projects, OCS does not consider a job to have been created until contracts and/or subcontracts have been committed at the end of training for each of the self-employment/micro-enterprise businesses that ultimately may be construed as jobs. The extent to which the application documents that the new, permanent, full-time jobs and realized business opportunities to be developed for eligible participants will contribute significantly to their progress toward self-sufficiency (e.g., the resulting employment provides a livable wage, career development opportunities, and benefits such as health insurance and child care that make it possible for the individuals to meet all their basic needs without requiring public assistance). (5 points) Sub-Element (B): Community Empowerment Consideration (2 points) The extent to which the application contains documentation that in response to the conditions of extreme poverty (i.e., a poverty rate of at least 20 percent, an unemployment rate of at least 10 percent, or designation as an EZ/EC) in the project area, the applicant has been involved in the preparation and planned implementation of a comprehensive community-based strategic plan to achieve both economic and human development in an integrated manner, and they should identify how the proposed project will support the goals of that plan. Sub-Element (C): Support for Non-custodial Parents (2 points) The extent to which the application includes a signed MOU or letter of agreement with the local CSE agency for referral of eligible non-custodial parents to the proposed project. The extent to which applicants demonstrate that they have entered into partnership agreements with local CSE agencies and that they have developed and implemented innovative strategies to increase the capability of low-income parents and families, which assists them to fulfill their parental responsibilities. In addition, the extent to which such partnership agreements include commitments to refer identified income-eligible families and non-custodial parents economically unable to provide child support to the applicant's project. Sub-Element (D): Cooperative Partnership Agreement with the Designated Agency Responsible for the TANF Program (4 points) The extent to which the application includes a signed MOU or other written agreement describing a formal, cooperative relationship between the applicant and the designated State or local agency responsible for administering the TANF program. The extent to which the agreement, at a minimum, covers the specific services, activities, and/or actions each of these entities propose to carry out over the course of the grant period in support of the project. Note that applications that contain such an agreement may receive the maximum four points depending upon the strength of the agreement. Sub-Element (E): Public/Private Partnerships and Resources (6 points) The extent to which the applicant describes any public/private partnerships that will contribute to the implementation of the project. Where partners' contributions to the project are a vital part of the project design and work program, the extent to which the description explains the undertakings of the partners. The extent to which a partnership agreement specifying the roles of the partners and making a clear commitment to the fulfillment of the partnership role is included in an appendix to the application. The extent to which the applicant documents the partners' firm commitments of financial and other resources (if applicable) necessary for the successful completion of the project. (5 points) The extent to which the applicant describes the collaboration with a local One-Stop Career Center funded thorough the ETA, Workforce Investment Act programs. (1 point) Sub-Element (F): Cost-Per-Job (1 point) The extent to which the applicant documents that during the project period the proposed project will create new, permanent, sustainable, full-time jobs through business opportunities for eligible, low-income residents (i.e., individuals eligible to receive TANF under Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act) and any other individual whose income level does not exceed 100 percent of the official poverty line) and that the cost-per-job will not exceed $10,000. The cost-per-job is calculated by dividing the total amount of grant funds requested by the number of jobs to be created. For example, if the amount of grant funds requested is $500,000 and the number of jobs to be created is 100, the cost-per-job would be $5,000. In making calculations of cost-per-job, only new, permanent, full-time jobs filled by low-income project participants may be counted. Note: The point will be given only to those applicants proposing cost-per-job created estimates of $10,000 or less of JOLI requested funds. OCS will not recognize job equivalents (e.g., full-time equivalents) nor job counts based on economic multiplier functions; jobs must be specifically identified ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 10 points ELEMENT III: AGENCY'S EXPERIENCE AND COMMITMENT IN PROGRAM AREA The extent to which the applicant cites its organization's capability and relevant experience in developing and operating programs that deal with poverty problems similar to those to be addressed by the proposed project; demonstrates its organization's experience in collaborative programming and operations that involve evaluations and data collection; and identifies the organization's executive and volunteer leadership, briefly describes its involvement in the proposed project, and provides assurance of the organization's commitment to its successful implementation. (0-5 points) The extent to which the applicant includes documentation that briefly summarizes two similar projects undertaken by the applicant agency and the extent to which the stated and achieved performance targets, including permanent benefits to low-income populations, have been achieved. The applicant should note and justify the priority this project will have within the agency, including the facilities and resources that it has available to carry it out. (0-5 points) Note: The maximum number of five points will be given only to those organizations with a demonstrated record of achievement in creating jobs and/or self-employment/micro-enterprise opportunities for low-income people. STAFF AND POSITION DATA - 10 points ELEMENT IV: STAFF SKILLS, RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The extent to which the applicant identifies the individuals who will have the key responsibilities for managing the project, coordinating services and activities for participants and partners, and achieving performance targets. The focus should be on the qualifications, experience, capacity, and commitment to the program of the executive officials and volunteer leaders of the organization and the key staff persons who will administer and implement the project. The person identified as project director should have supervisory experience, experience in finance and business, and experience with the target population. Because this is a new project within an already-established agency, OCS expects that the key staff person(s) will be identified, if not hired, or that an estimated hiring timeline for each individual will be provided. (6 points) The extent to which the applicant includes a resume of the third-party evaluator, if identified or hired, or the minimum qualifications and position description for the third-party evaluator, who must be a person with recognized evaluation skills who is organizationally distinct from and not under the control of the applicant. (See Element V: Project Evaluation, below, for a fuller discussion of evaluator qualifications.) (2 points) The extent to which the applicant includes the resumes or position descriptions of key staff in an appendix to the application. (2 points) EVALUATION - 10 points ELEMENT V: PROJECT EVALUATION The extent to which the application includes a well thought through outline of an evaluation plan for the project over the full three-year project period that explains how the applicant proposes to answer the key questions about the efficacy of the project such as: (1) whether the project activities or interventions achieved the expected immediate outcomes; why or why not (the process evaluation); (2) whether and to what extent the project achieved its stated goals; and (3) why or why not (the outcome evaluation). Together the process and outcome evaluations should answer the question: "What did this program accomplish and why did it work/not work?" (3 points) The extent to which the outline of the evaluation plan is consistent with the proposed project's design including: clearly identifying the key project assumptions about the target population and their needs; describing the proposed project activities, or interventions, that will address those needs in ways that will lead to the achievement of the project goals of self-sufficiency; and identifying in advance the most important process and outcome measures that will be used to identify performance success and expected changes in individual participants, the grantee organization and the community. (4 points) The extent to which the outline of the evaluation plan identifies the principal cause-and-effect relationships to be tested, demonstrates the applicant's understanding of the role and purpose of both process and outcome evaluations, and provides for prompt reporting, concurrently with the semi-annual program progress reports, of lessons learned during the course of the project. (2 points) The extent to which the outline of the evaluation plan cites the identity and qualifications of the proposed independent third-party evaluator, if identified or hired, or the minimum qualifications and position description for the third-party evaluator (i.e., a person with recognized evaluation skills who is organizationally distinct from and not under the control of the applicant, and whose qualifications include successful experience in evaluating social service delivery programs and the planning and/or evaluation of programs designed to foster self-sufficiency in low-income populations). (1 point)
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