Pre-Application Teleconference - Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) – 
Training and Technical Assistance Program: Organizational Standards Center of Excellence (COE)
HHS-2016-ACF-OCS-ET-1127


Wednesday, May 18, 2016 1:00pm – 2:00pm (EST) 



>> Operator: Welcome and thank you for standing by. We'd like to inform all participants today's conference is being recorded; if you have any objections you may disconnect and thank you, you may begin. 

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>> Josezetta Alexander: Good afternoon and welcome to the pre-application teleconference for the FY16 Organizational Statndards Center of Excellence funding opportunity announcement.

My name is Josezetta Alexander, I am a program specialist with OCS and I am joined today by my colleague Isaac Davis also a program specialist with OCS. We will walk you through the overview of this FOA. 

The goals of today's call are to provide background information on the Organizational Standards COE; and to provide potential applicants with an overview of CSBG

This presentation does not contain any information that is not presented within the FOA. In the event that there is any discrepancy between this presentation and the FOA, the FOA takes precedence;

Joining and participating in this teleconference is voluntary. Participants will remain anonymous on the teleconference. Opting not to participate in the teleconference will not affect the application scoring or selection process. Interested applicants unable to participate in the pre-application teleconference may access a recording of the teleconference and the PowerPoint presentation on the ACF website, following this teleconference;

This call will not be held in a webinar format, please print/follow along with the attached PowerPoint presentation that is provided on the ACF website;

Please note that there will not be a question/answer (Q &A) portion to this call. For questions and comments relating to this FOA, please contact the help dest at: OCSgrants@acf.hhs.gov or (855) 792-6551.


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>>Isaac Davis: The COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT(CSBG), we are going to begin with slide number 5 with the CSBG Overview. 

The role of the Office of Community Services (OCS), as it relates to the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG), is to provide assistance to states and local communities working through a network of CSBG-eligible entities for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become self-sufficient.  

CSBG provides states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S.Territories, and federal and state-recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, Community Action Agencies (CAAs), migrant and seasonal farm workers, or other organizations designated by the states, funds to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities.  

The funds provide a range of services and activities to assist the needs of low-income individuals including the homeless, migrants, and the elderly. Grantees receiving funds under the CSBG program are required to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and/or health.  
 
Slide 6, History and Structure of the CSBG Network: Information on the history and structure of the CSBG Network can be also found on the ACF website at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/csbg-brochure-the-history-and-structure-of-the-csbg-network. This link can also be found within the Executive Summary of the funding announcement opportunity.

Slide 7, Organizational Standards Center of Excellence (COE) Funding Announcement Overview.

Slide 8, Statutory Authority: This program is authorized by Sections 674(b)(2)(A) and 678A of the CSBG Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9903(b)(2)(A) and 9913).

Slide 9, Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are eligible entities as defined by Section 673A(c)(2) of the CSBG Act, 42 U.S.C. §9902(1), CSBG-eligible entities, or statewide or local organizations or associations, with demonstrated expertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and communities. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards under this announcement.

Slide 10, How Many Awards Will be Made? OCS expects to fund 1 cooperative agreement through this funding opportunity announcement.

Slide 11, Duration and Budget for Project: Duration - The anticipated start date for this project is September 30, 2016. Budget and Budget Justification - The budget shall reflect the 12-month budget period, not the 36-month project period.

Slide 12, Purpose of the Organizational Standards Center of Excellence (COE) - OCS will support a cooperative agreement for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Organizational Standards Center of Excellence (COE). Two prior cooperative agreements supported by OCS funded the development and initial implementation of organizational standards .Through this new cooperative agreement, OCS will implement the next phase of the Organizational Standards COE to ensure that all State CSBG Lead Agencies and local CSBG-eligible entities are able to meet high-quality organizational standards, State Accountability Measures, and other CSBG Performance Management Framework efforts and have the capacity to provide high-quality services to low-income individuals and communities.Please note that a definition for the CSBG Performance Management Framework can be found in Section 1 of the FOA.

Slide 13, Coordination with Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium (RPIC) Grantees - The COE will work in connection with the CSBG Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Program: Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium (RPIC), funding opportunity number HHS-2016-ACF-OCS-ET-1128, to help strengthen relationships and T/TA efforts among and between CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, CSBG-eligible entities, and national T/TA providers. We encourage you to review the RPIC FOA as you prepare your application for the COE.

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>>Josezetta Alexander: The major goals of the Organizational Standards COE, slide 14, this cooperative agreement will support the implementation of T/TA strategies designed to assist State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, and local CSBG-eligible entities in five major goals:

1. Coordinating Regionally Focused Training and Technical Assistance Initiatives focused on excellence in organizational operations, partnerships, services, and strategies for low-income individuals, families, and communities, and full implementation of the CSBG Performance Management Framework efforts. The COE will consult with OCS to select 2-3 ACF regions per year for initiatives and in-person meetings or convening of key stakeholders within each region, this includes representatives from State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, and national CSBG T/TA partners as well as other influential stakeholders identified in consultation with OCS, such as Federal regional staff responsible for Head Start and Early Head Start. This also includes working in close collaboration with the RPIC grantees throughout this project to coordinate and develop agendas for the regionally-focused T/TA convenings and initiatives. 

Number 2. Facilitating the Development of State-Specific T/TA Plans to Assess Organizational Capacity and Performance by collaborating with the RPIC grantees and facilitating input from State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, local CSBG-eligible entities, and national CSBG T/TA partners through the regionally focused T/TA initiatives. This includes developing standardized templates and relevant other tools for developing, reviewing, and commenting on state-specific T/TA plans and annual reviews of the plans to assist State CSBG Lead Agencies, RPIC grantees, State CAA Associations, and local CSBG-eligible entities in regular assessment of technical assistance needs related to the CSBG Performance Management Framework.
 

Continued on slide number 15, number 3, updating Existing and Developing New Curricula and Training Materials that reflect the needs of State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, the RPICs, and local CSBG-eligible entities and support the full implementation of the CSBG Performance Management Framework, including the CSBG Organizational Standards, the State Accountability Measures, and ROMA Next Generation. This includes developing and utilizing communication and action plans, in partnership with OCS, to ensure clear and consistent messaging on CSBG Performance Management Framework efforts. The plans will ensure that implementation and information-sharing strategies are consistently performed across local CSBG-eligible entities, State CSBG Lead Agencies, RPICs, State CAA Associations, and national CSBG T/TA partners. This also includes developing and revising T/TA materials for State CSBG Lead Agencies and local CSBG-eligible entities with Head Start and Early Head Start programs.


Number 4. Collaborating with OCS, the Office of Head Start and other ACF offices, State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, and CSBG National T/TA Partners and Stakeholder Organizations to coordinate activities related to the implementation of CSBG Performance Management Framework efforts to ensure that the CSBG Network has the capacity to provide high-quality services to low-income individuals and communities.

Major goals continued on slide number 16, number 5, enhancing and Strengthening the Web-based CSBG T/TA Resource Center to ensure that State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, and local CSBG-eligible entities have access to T/TA tools and resources that meet their current and future needs. Please review the Program Description in Section I of the FOA for additional information on the COE Major Goals.

Slide 17, Templates and Assistance for State-Specific Training and Technical Assistance Plans. The COE will create templates for RPICs to develop state-specific T/TA plans and annual evaluations of plans. The templates for T/TA plans will allow RPICs, State CSBG Lead Agencies, and State CAA Associations to identify high priority technical assistance needs within each state’s network of CSBG-eligible entities. The COE will assist RPICs to identify resources and develop plans for coordinated T/TA efforts with State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, local CSBG-eligible entities, and national technical assistance grantees. The COE will assist RPICs with developing, reviewing, and providing comments on state-specific T/TA plans. The COE will also support the development of state-specific T/TA plans through the development of planning and input tools, assistance in analysis of needs, and direct consultation with RPICs, State CSBG Lead Agencies, and State CAA Associations leadership. The COE will also provide annual T/TA planning support and tools for all RPIC grantees, State CSBG Lead Agencies, and State CAA Associations. This will include tools for self-assessment and third-party assessment of whether agencies are currently meeting CSBG Performance Management Framework efforts. So as you can see, as mentioned, the COE will work closely with the RPIC grantees throughout the project. Please review the Program Description in Section I of the FOA for additional information on the templates and assistance for State-Specific T/TA plans.

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>>Isaac Davis: Slide 18, Regionally-Focused Training and Technical Assistance Initiatives State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations and the RPICs must play a key role as partners in these efforts. The COE will work with the State CSBG Lead Agencies, States Associations, and the RPIC grantees to coordinate regionally-focused targeted T/TA events. The COE will consult with OCS to select 2-3 ACF regions per year for state-specific T/TA in-person meetings or convenings of key stakeholders within each region, including representatives from State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, and RPICs as well as other influential stakeholders identified in consultation with OCS. These regional T/TA initiatives will emphasize and support the full implementation of the CSBG Performance Management Framework among all states and eligible entities within each region.

Slide 19, Regionally-Focused Training and Technical Assistance Initiatives continued. While the focused efforts of the COE regional events will focus on 2-3 regions per year, many of the tools and protocols developed are expected to have broad national applicability across the CSBG Network. It is expected that regional technical assistance activities will build upon and refine state-specific T/TA plans developed through RPICs and that the events will strengthen and expand the communications and coordination among states and eligible entities within each region. Please review the Program Description in Section I of the FOA for additional information on the regionally-focused T/TA initiatives. Please note, as indicated in the FOA, State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations and the RPICs must play a key role as partners in this effort. 

Slide 20, In order to ensure that OCS meets its compliance and T/TA responsibilities for CSBG and continues its partnership with the CSBG Network, grants awarded under this FOA will be funded in the form of Cooperative Agreements. Federal involvement may include the following. Federal Involvement Under Cooperative Agreement Mechanism. Participating in a kick-off meeting with Organizational Standards COE grantee. Convening in-person planning and coordination meetings involving national CSBG T/TA partners to share information about proposed T/TA projects, identify areas for potential coordination of efforts, and identify priority areas for T/TA projects. Convening routine (e.g., quarterly) conference calls, reviewing project timelines, and assessing progress and performance related to activities of the Organizational Standards COE. Participating in joint webinars with national CSBG T/TA partners and facilitating the exchange of information that helps to identify common quality improvement issues.

Federal Involvement Under Cooperative Agreement Mechanism continued, slide 21. Participating in joint meetings with the critical Federal partnership such as the Office of Head Start and the Organizational Standards COE grantee to discuss opportunities for shared T/TA efforts, analysis of needs, and improved communication and coordination. This includes consulting with the Organizational Standards COE to develop the agenda and list of presenters for the meetings. Consulting with the COE to identify an annual regional schedule for the regionally-focused training and technical assistance in-person meetings or convenings; including consulting on the meeting agendas. Please review Section III: Federal Award Information of the FOA for additional information on the federal involvement under this cooperative agreement. OCS will be available and participate in activities throughout the project.

Slide 22, Project Summary/Abstract. Provide a summary of the application’s project description. The summary must be clear, accurate, concise, and without reference to other parts of the application. The abstract must include a brief description of the proposed grant project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed services, and the population group(s) to be served. The project abstract must be single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, and limited to one page in length. Additional pages will be removed and will not be reviewed. The project summary/abstract is referenced in Section IV.2. The Project Description. 

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>>Josezetta Alexander: Slide 23, Expected Outcomes. The applicant must describe in detail the expected achievements and likely outcomes for the COE and the CSBG Network based on the five major focus goals stated in Section I. Program Description, Organizational Standards COE Purpose and Major Goals. As a reminder, those goals are goals are: 1) coordinating regionally-focused training and technical assistance initiatives; 2) facilitating the development state-specific T/TA plans to assess organizational capacity and performance; 3) updating existing and developing new curricula and training materials; 4) collaborating with OCS, the Office of Head Start and other ACF offices, State CSBG Lead Agencies, State CAA Associations, RPICs, and CSBG national T/TA partners and stakeholder organizations; and 5) enhancing and strengthening the web-based CSBG T/TA Resource Center. Please review Section IV.2: Project Description of the FOA for additional information on the expected outcomes under this cooperative agreement. 

Slide 24, Infrastructure and Procedures .The COE’s plan for infrastructure and procedures must include a clear and comprehensive vision of how the proposed Organizational Standards COE would operate. The plan for the Organizational Standards COE must present a well-conceived overall approach to the project, including details demonstrating that the project will be structured in an effective way and must achieve the purpose and goals as stated in Section I. Program Description, Organizational Standards COE Purpose and Major Goals and must clearly address the points outlined in the Approach section of the funding opportunity announcement.

Slide 25, Implementation Plan. The plan for the Organizational Standards COE must present a well-conceived overall approach to the project, including details demonstrating that the project will be implemented in an effective way and will achieve the purpose and goals stated in Section I. Program Description address the points outlined in the Approach section of the funding opportunity announcement. The implementation plan must include a clear and comprehensive vision of how the proposed COE would operate. An approach must focus on assessment, planning, the development and implementation of T/TA strategies, and follow-up. 

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>>Isaac Davis: Slide 26, Program Performance Evaluation Plan. The applicant must provide a narrative addressing how the project and its results will be evaluated. The application describes 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. The application describes how the proposed plan for performance evaluation will help ensure that immediate T/TA needs are addressed, and the ways in which the proposed plan will help OCS address long-term T/TA needs related to quality improvement support in the CSBG Network. The applicant must describe how the proposed plan will evaluate and measure program effectiveness, including specific outcomes and milestones. The application describes plans for evaluating outcomes from regionally focused T/TA efforts. The application describes plans for evaluating the impact of T/TA activities on the organizational capacity and performance of organizations that receive T/TA. Please review Section IV.2: Project Description of the FOA for additional information on the program performance evaluation plan under this cooperative agreement.

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>>Josezetta Alexander: Slide 27, Section V: Application Review Information. This section includes the criteria objective reviewers will use to evaluate and score applications, information on the application review and award selection process, as well as anticipated announcement and award dates. This FOA inlcudes 6 criteria section worth up to a total of 100 points. Those sections are objectives and need for assistance, worth up to 10 points. Infrastructures and Procedures worth up to 20 points. Implementation Plan worth up to 20 points. Expected Outcomes worth up to 15 points. Organizational Capacity worth up to 20 points, and finally Budget and Budget Justification worth up to 15 points. 

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>>Isaac Davis: Slide 28, Two-File Requirement. Each applicant is required to upload ONLY two electronic files, excluding SFs and OMB-approved forms. File One: Must contain the entire Project Description, and the Budget and Budget Justification (including a line-item budget and a budget narrative). File Two: Must contain all documents required in the Appendices. Adherence to the Two-File Requirement: No more than two files will be accepted for the review. Applications with additional files will be amended and files will be removed from the review. SFs and OMB-approved forms will not be considered additional files.

Project Description – Page Limitations and Content, slide 29. The combined page number limitation for the Project Description and the Appendices must not exceed 150 pages. The Project Description has a suggested limitation of 75 pages and all items must be labeled, numbered, and organized clearly in the Table of Contents: Table of Contents, Project Summary/Abstract, Objectives and Need for Assistance, Outcomes Expected. Approach, Project Timeline and Milestones, Program Performance Evaluation Plan, Organizational Capacity, Dissemination Plan, Plan for Oversight of Federal Award Funds and Project Budget and Budget Justification.

Project Description – Page Limitations and Content continued on slide 30. The Appendices also has a suggested limitation of 75 pages and all items must be labeled, numbered, and organized clearly in the Table of Contents: Table of Contents, Proof of Legal Status of Entity/Proof of Non-Profit Status, Logic Model, Protection of Sensitive and/or Confidential Information, Third-party Agreements, Letters of Support, Resumes, and Other Supporting Documentation.

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>>Josezetta Alexander: Slide 31, Review Process. Late applications or those exceeding the funding limit will be returned to the applicants with a notation that application was unacceptable and will not be reviewed. Non-Federal reviewers will conduct objective review based on criteria identified in the program announcement. OCS staff will not be reviewing the applications. 

Submission, on slide 32. Applications are due on June 21, 2016. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit in advance of the deadline. Electronic submission required through http://www.Grants.gov. Electronic applications received after 11:59 p.m. Eastern time will be disqualified. Applicants that do not have internet connection or sufficient computing may contact ACF for an exemption to submit in paper format. Please refer to the FOA for that contact information. 

Final slide number 33. This concludes our Pre-Application Technical Assistance Teleconference for the FY16 Organizational Standards COE Center of Excellence Funding Opportunity Announcement. As a reminder, please refer questions or comments to the helpdesk at (855) 792-6551 or email at OCSgrants@acf.hhs.gov. Thank you and have a fantastic afternoon.



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