Early Learning and School Readiness AmeriCorps Program (ELSRAP) RFA Workshop ELSRAP Purpose and Background ELSRAP RFA Specifications Program Requirements.

Early Learning and School Readiness AmeriCorps Program (ELSRAP)

RFA Workshop ELSRAP Purpose and Background ELSRAP RFA Specifications Program Requirements and Application

Guidance Application Instructions and Forms Key Dates Contact Information Questions and Answers

ELSRAP – Purpose and Background ELSRAP

Integrates the educational, student support, and workforce development vision and program resources of the TANF-CDC Program with the community service, civic education, and community strengthening strategies and resources of AmeriCorps

Prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond by providing early learning and school readiness services to low income children and their parents

Prepares community college students for a life-long career as an early childhood educator

Establishes, expands and improves school readiness services for children ages 0-5, their parents and families

Low income children and parents, and English Language Learners (ELL) who are not receiving school readiness services are targeted for participation.

ELSRAP - Need

School readiness includes: health and physical well-being, social and emotional development, approaches to learning (curiosity and persistence), language usage, and general knowledge about the world

2/3 of all California’s children enter kindergarten without school readiness skills, and less than 10% demonstrated basic school readiness competencies (First 5 Commission Report)

Children who are unprepared to transition into kindergarten continue to perform similarly in later years: California’s 4th grade student reading scores are lower than students from 47 other states

Limited access to preschool; lack of sound preschool placements Need for more and better qualified early care educators. Three of four publicly funded California preschool programs have waiting lists High costs of preschools Voucher programs only reach 43% of eligible 3-5 year olds Poverty, the mother’s level of education, inadequate health care or poor

health, and being raised by a teen parent tied to poor school success Engaging parents in their child’s early educational development is a key

strategy for academic achievement Research suggests the critical window for learning language sounds and

vocabulary is at ages 0-3, as a child’s brain completes 90% percent of its growth by age three

ELSRAP – Purpose and Background (2)

Joint venture between FCCC AmeriCorps and TANF-CDC Units

TANF-CDC Advisory Team approved moving ahead on the proposal (Sept., 2005)

Program Concept and Letter of Intent (10/31/2005)

Program Design Team ( 2 mtgs., October 2005) AmeriCorps Application (Nov. 2005) Interview Team (Jan. 2006) Proposal is high on the CSC priority list Early June – funding announcement

ELSRAP – Purpose and Background (3) Support from:

FCCC TANF-CDC and AmeriCorps Units State First 5 Commission (Workforce

Development) First 5 Association of California California Head Start Association Orange County First 5 Commission Child Development Training Consortium California Early Childhood Mentor Program COCCC – CalWorks and Child Development

ELSRAP - The Role of the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC)

Legal applicant, fiscal agent, state intermediary Private, nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c) (3)

status; public agency status FCCC supports and enhances the missions of the

Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC, and the colleges, districts, and foundations of the CCC system, and is the sole auxiliary to these organizations

Grants, donations, services, cooperative purchasing programs for colleges

ELSRAP – FCCC Role FCCC AmeriCorps Unit will administer the

program - will collaborate with FCCC TANF-CDC Unit

Develop funding for campuses Select campuses Program leadership and coordination Grant administration Training, technical assistance, support Program evaluation Program and fiscal reporting Partnership Development Resource Development (forms, funding, partnerships) Liaison with California Service Corps (CSC)

ELSRAP – AmeriCorps and Community Colleges

Chancellor’s Office Programs (1997-2003)

FCCC AmeriCorps Programs (1994-now) AmeriCorps Local Emergency Readiness

Teams Project (5 campuses, 184 members) Foster Youth Mentoring Project (11

campuses, 340 members) Teacher, Reading and Math Development

Partnerships Program (13 campuses, 490 members)

Background on AmeriCorps and National Service National and Community Service Act of 1990

(Bush) National Service Trust Act of 1993 (Clinton) Corporation for National Service (1993)

AmeriCorps (1994) Approximately 75,000 in 2004/2005

State Commissions (1993) California Service Corps (renamed in 2004) 6,100 Members in 2004/2005 Citizen Corps Service and Volunteerism Role

Corporation for National and Community Service Programs

AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps State and National,

NCCC Learn and Serve America

K-12, Higher Education, Community-based National Senior Service Corps

RSVP, Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents

AmeriCorps National Service Priorities

Education Health and Other Human Needs Public Safety Environment

AmeriCorps National Service New Priorities

New - War on Terrorism/Homeland Security/Disaster Preparedness Public Safety Public Health Disaster Relief and Preparation

Volunteer Mobilization Community and faith-based

initiatives

Goals for AmeriCorps Programs

A strategy to address unmet local community needs, and that strives to: Get things done – mobilize for direct service Strengthen communities – unite individuals

and institutions to improve communities Encourage responsibility – become part of

the solution, civic responsibility, lifelong service ethic

Expand opportunity – professional skills, experience, education award

AmeriCorps Member Benefits Provides participants an education

award ($4,725, $2,363, $1,250) Education awards paid as vouchers ; 7

years to pay current education costs or pay back qualified student loans already incurred

Living allowance, health and child care benefits for full-time members

Worker’s compensation Other benefits

Common AmeriCorps Program Design Considerations

Direct benefit Added value Engage volunteers (non-AmeriCorps members) Citizenship, civic engagement, ethic of service Supervision, training, education Support services Community involvement and consultation Diversity and inclusiveness Linking with other service and volunteer

programs National days of service

ELSRAP – Campus Funding

$960,740 for campuses Proposal based on 480 members at 20

campuses Funding becomes available August/September

2005 Available Funding – campus grants are based

on a cost per member basis ELSRAP - $8,006/Member Service Year 4 quarter-time members (450 hours) = 1

MSY Match Requirement – 38% cash and/or in-kind

ELSRAP – Partnership Requirements

Signed letters of support from key partners and member placement sites

County First 5 Commission, School Readiness Coordinator

Campus ECE and CalWorks Head Start, State Preschool, Non-Profit

Childcare Centers, Campus Child Development Center, School Readiness Centers (First 5)

ELSRAP - Program Requirements and Guidance

Campus Participation 17 Month Grant Award/12 month Program Design Member Enrollment Expectations Campus-Community Partnerships Federal and CalWorks Work Study Service-Learning Common Performance Measures Program Management and Supervision Program Activities Program Evaluation

ELSRAP – Campus Participation

Must be an FCCC TANF-CDC program

Letter of Intent not required

ELSRAP – Term of Grant and Program

17 month grant award – 12 month program design

Grant Period – August 2006 – December 2007

12 month program for members – campuses would choose their start/end dates; start date of program = date of first member service or training hours

Encourage a September – August program

ELSRAP – Member Enrollment

10 member minimum TANF-CDC participants receive

priority Non TANF-CDC students may

participate All TANF-CDC participant programs

will receive extra points on the application

ELSRAP – Member Enrollment (2) Must be least 17 years old, US citizen or national, lawful permanent

resident alien of the US (documentation) Background Check (DOJ, FBI, Child Abuse

Index) Application, interview, member contract Campus can establish additional

enrollment requirements for members (e.g. GPA)

ELSRAP – Member Enrollment (3) Enroll members as a cohort Do not enroll members on an open

entry/open exit basis Fall and Spring enrollment okay (same

12 months for all members) Member Commitment - 450 hours of

service and training; term of program 80%/20% rule (360 hours/90 hours) No more than 10% of the 80% for

national days of service (36 hours)

ELSRAP – Campus- Community Partnerships California Local Area Service Partnership (CLASP) Advisory Board/Management Team comprised of

key program stakeholders Helps develop ELSRAP application Develops program policies and administrative

systems Assists in funding and resource development Program evaluation/continuous improvement Supports the overall functioning of the program

(kick-off, graduation ceremonies, member recruitment and enrollment)

Meets on a regular basis

ELSRAP – Service Learning Develop a service-learning design for ELSRAP member

education and training (integrate community service with academic instruction, vocational development critical thinking, service, and civic education)

Positively impact student’s academic understanding, sense of civic responsibility, personal or career growth, and/or understanding of larger social issues

Structured time for reflective/critical thinking to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility

Goal - For-credit course framework for all member education and training

Pre-Service Orientation and Training On-going Training ECE courses that are directly related to the service can

count toward member training

ELSRAP – Service-Learning (2) Pre-Service Orientation and Training

8-24 hours Provided prior to start of member service AmeriCorps/National Service background; integration

with TANF-CDC program Program policies, expectations, rules, rights,

responsibilities, member contract and handbook ELSRAP goals, performance measures Early learning and school readiness; ROR Service-specific training, service site expectations Competency checklist for program participation Civic education, conflict resolution, teambuilding

ELSRAP-Service Learning (3)

On-going Training and Support Meet weekly or bi-weekly 1-2 hours per meeting Build upon PSO topics Improve member knowledge, skills, and

performance; remove barriers to service; increase commitment to program

ECE and School Readiness topics; ROR; volunteer management; civic education; CPR/First Aid

Other Related ECE courses, TANF-CDC activities

ELSRAP – Work Study

Support member service with Federal Work-Study CalWorks Work Study

ELSRAP – Common Performance Measures

Standard performance measures for all campuses

Must include all performance measures in application

Scale pms to size of campus program Performance measures can change from

year to year based on lessons learned and what works

Campuses can include additional measures but must address standard measures

ELSRAP – Performance Measures (2) Needs and Services

Early Care and Education Neighborhood School Readiness Centers Parent Training Member Training

Community Strengthening Volunteer Recruitment and Management

Member Development ELSR General Training Civic Education Volunteer Management

ELSRAP – Early Care and Education Performance Measure

Early Care and Education Measure Outcome measure that focuses on providing 1-1 and

small group school readiness services to preschool children (see performance measure specifics)

Majority of members (60%) would perform this service activity

Each member works with at least 4 children and measures their school readiness progress

Pre-post Behavior Assessment Guide (behavior focus) Pre-post Child School Readiness Index (skill focus) FCCC will help develop the pre-post observational

instruments

ELSRAP – Neighborhood School Readiness Center Performance

Measure Outcome measure that focuses on building the

capacity of current and/or new Neighborhood School Readiness Centers

NSRCs - designed to provide essential services to meet the developmental needs of children and their parents, including parent and family early care and education/school readiness services and resources, educational services for parents, and an information and referral system that links residents to health and human services and support.

Child care, in some cases In place in varying degrees in many California counties Many counties have plans for expanding services or

developing new centers.

ELSRAP – Neighborhood School Readiness Center Performance Measure (2)

10% of the members would perform this activity

Activities include: Develop new early learning and school readiness

program and educational materials for the NSRC Help develop and provide new services for parent

and children Recruit parents and their children to participate Promote the program in the community Assist volunteers in providing service at the NSRC

Outcomes include Increase the resource base of the NSRC Expand services to parents and families

ELSRAP – Parent Training Performance Measure

Outcome measure that focuses on providing early learning and school readiness information and education to parent and families

Help develop new parent training programs where they do not currently exist; enhance existing programs

10%-20% of members will provide this activity Activities and outcomes include:

Identify, develop, and educate parents about early learning and school readiness materials, teaching strategies, health and social services

Reach Out and Read Services Helping parents develop and implement an early

learning and school readiness plan

ELSRAP – Volunteer Recruitment and Management Performance Measure

Output measure that focuses on recruiting and engaging volunteers in providing early care and school readiness services to the community

2 members maximum per campus Engage 16 volunteers who provide 40 or more

hours of service Placed at NSRCs with NSRC members Develop recruitment flyers, brochures,

presentations Enroll, train, and support volunteers in providing

various early learning and school readiness services

ELSRAP – Member Training and Education Performance Measures

Early Learning and School Readiness

Civic Education Volunteer Management

Included as part of PSO and On-going training

Build upon TANF-CDC resources For-credit course design

ELSRAP – Program Management and Supervision Complex program requires strong and consistent program

management and supervision – Strong community interface – Service impact

Full-time, dedicated campus coordinator is encouraged for larger programs

Support staff for WBRS data entry and other support activities Leadership Program Management and Coordination Integration of ELSRAP with other Campus Administrative,

Academic, and Student Services Partnership development and convening Service site selection and support Member enrollment management, supervision, training,

support (WBRS data entry) Program reporting, budget monitoring and monthly billing Member recognition, swearing-in and graduation ceremonies Public relations

ELSRAP – Program Elements and Activities

Applications need to address the “what, when, where, and how” of the following: Member Recruitment and Selection Member Site Selection and Responsibilities Member Service Activities Program Partnerships Member Education, Training and Support Data Collection and Program Evaluation Program Funding and Resources

ELSRAP – Program Evaluation and Reporting Quarterly Progress Reports Monthly billings to the FCCC Third Party Evaluator provided by FCCC Program Coordinator/Monitor WBRS – all profile member data, member

enrollment/exit dates, hours (time logs), education award

Campus performance is assessed on progress made toward stated performance measures

Seek high enrollment and retention of members

ELSRAP – Application Forms, Narrative and Instructions

Face Sheet Contact Page Form Executive Summary Program Narrative Program Performance Measures CLASP Certification Form 2005-06 CLASP Form Budget Summary Form Budget Narrative Form Certifications and Assurances Partnership Support Letters

ELSRAP– Program Narrative No more than 10 single spaced pages,

or 20 double spaced pages Executive Summary Program Narrative

Introduction Needs and Service Activities Member Development Strengthening Communities Organizational Capacity Budget/Cost Effectiveness

ELSRAP – Program Narrative Introduction – brief introductory

paragraph Needs and Service Activities

Needs Description of Activities Accomplishments in Proposed Activity

Area Involvement of Community Prohibited Service Activities

ELSRAP – Program Narrative (2)

Member Development Recruitment Member Support Civic Education

Strengthening Communities Developing Community Resources Community Partnerships Capacity Building Sustainability Federal Work Study

ELSRAP – Program Narrative (3)

Organizational Capacity Budget/Cost Effectiveness

ELSRAP- Budget Corporation Share – cannot exceed $8,006 per MSY Grantee Share – must have a minimum 38% cash or in-

kind match Two budget worksheets – the Budget Summary Form

and the Budget Narrative Form - enter data onto the Budget Narrative Form first – data will automatically populate the Budget Summary Form

To calculate the total CNCS grant amount, multiply the number of MSYs requested x the cost per MSY; Example – 32 members requested = 8 MSYs

8 MSYs x $8,006 = $64,048 – This is the campus budget total.

Spread the total budget through Sections I, II, and III on the Budget Narrative Form

ELSRAP – Budget (2) CNCS share - member uniforms, background checks, project

staff, supplies, computer, staff and member training costs, staff and member travel and transportation, worker’s compensation, supplies, materials, space rental, telephone, web site, other direct costs for operating the program

No CNCS funding for living allowances (TANF cash assistance disincentive)

Grantee share (38% match)- consider BOG waivers, FTES generation, staff and management salaries and benefits, facility and supply costs, equipment costs, other operating costs, administrative costs (up to 10%) or Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate, partner contributions (resources, space, supervision, materials, staff-time, etc.)

Keep the match simple (easy documentation/access) for audit purposes!

No reason to provide an excessive match

ELSRAP – Partnership Support Letters

Should be submitted on the letter head of the partner

Should include specifics of the partnership commitment, e.g. cash, resources, placement site, supervision, specific activities that will be provided

Should be signed and dated by the organization Director or designee

ELSRAP–Application Submittal

5 copies of the application, 2 with original signatures

Mail applications to: Foundation for California Community Colleges

c/o AmeriCorps Unit, Attn: AmeriCorps RFA Enclosed, 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-6511

Applications must be received at the FCCC by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006

ELSRAP – Key Dates

Application Submission May 11, 2006 Application Review Period May 12- 19, 2006 Campus Application Rankings Late May, 2006 CSC Funding Announcement Early June 2006 Campus Funding Announcements Early June 2006 ELSRAP Training July 2006 AC Fall Institute August 2006 Projects Become Operational August 2006

ELSRAP – RFA Contacts and Web Sites RFA Contacts

Brad Duncan – [email protected] – 916-325-8561

Hillery Gladden – [email protected] – 916-325-8563

Colleen Ganley – [email protected] – 916-325-8572

RFA Web Sites http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/new/whatsnew.h

tml http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/Americorps/amer

icorps_WhatsNew.html http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/TANF/tanf_downl

oads.html

ELSRAP – Additional Web Sites

Foundation for California Community Colleges http://www.foundationccc.org/

California Service Corps - http://www.csc.ca.gov/index.asp

Corporation for National and Community Service http://www.nationalservice.org/

California First 5 Commission - http://www.ccfc.ca.gov/

Reach Out and Read - http://www.reachoutandread.org/

California Head Start Association http://www.caheadstart.org/index.html

Early Learning and School Readiness AmeriCorps Program

Questions and Answers