Immigrant Integration Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Immigrant Integration Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is sponsored by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This initiative is designed to enhance the self-sufficiency and successful integration of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees across Illinois.

IDHS: Immigration Integration (26-444-80-1456-01) --> Anyone, 6 months or older, is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find your nearest vaccination location at vaccines. gov .

--> View up to date information on Illinois' (COVID-19) vaccine plan and vaccination eligibility from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site View up to date information on how Illinois is handling the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site View up-to-date information for IDHS staff and providers on the IDHS Coronavirus Page Illinois Department of Human Services JB Pritzker, Governor · Dulce M.

Quintero, Secretary IDHS Grants Administration Family & Community Services Grants - FY 2026 Office of Welcoming Centers & Refugee Services Opportunities Immigration Integration (26-444-80-1456-01) 1.

- Basic Information (CSFA Data Section) Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below: Awarding Agency Name (1-A) Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Family and Community Services (FCS), Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee and Immigrant Services Karina. Lopez@illinois.

gov Funding Opportunity Title (1-B) Funding Opportunity Number (1-D) Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E) Estimated Total Program Funding Amount Anticipated Number of Awards Anticipated Number of Awards based on coverage of services needed statewide To be determined based on whether the application is submitted by a single agency, or a consortium of agencies Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?

Restrictions on Indirect Costs? See GATA rules and regulations Technical Assistance Session Offered Date/Time: Friday, April 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST Meeting Link Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0002 US Toll Meeting number (access code): 2863 067 5569 RSVP to Delyris. Martinez@Illinois.

gov and DHS. BRIS@Illinois. gov by Tuesday, April 8, 2025, no later than 12:00 pm CST.

1.

- Basic Information Continued - Section F through I The Department expects to award approximately $ 38,000,000 The source of funding for this program is State funds To be determined based on whether the application is for a single agency, or a consortium of agencies Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be will be determined based on whether the application is for a single agency, or a consortium of agencies.

Average amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years. Average funding amount for this grant award program years were in the range of $100,000 up to $29,300,000. The amounts will be determined based on whether the application is submitted by a single agency, or a consortium of agencies.

Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new State awards Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program.

Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to: Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.) Sub-Recipient Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department.

Sub-recipients are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the sub-recipient. Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee.

Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative. Pre-Award costs are/are not allowable for this award IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records.

Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES). The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award Application Posting Date Monday, March 24, 2025.

The Department encourages all applicants to submit a Letter of Intent: Due on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST Anticipated Award Date July 1, 2025. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.

Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than July 1, 2025 and will continue through June 30, 2026.

Executive Summary: The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is pleased to announce the Immigrant Integration Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), an initiative designed to enhance the self-sufficiency and successful integration of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees across Illinois.

This funding opportunity aims to strengthen service delivery systems that support immigrant communities by addressing barriers to public benefits access and promoting pathways to citizenship.

This initiative is structured into two key components: Immigrant Integration Consortium Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) New Americans Initiative Program (NAI) Immigrant Family Assistance Hotline (IFAH/Hotline) Consortium Model Requirement for IFRP, NAI, and IFAH Funding - This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued to facilitate the provision of the Immigrant Integration Program to the community through an intermediary model with a prime grantee.

The prime grantee must demonstrate a commitment to expanding services and capacity by collaborating with multiple sub-recipients/partners to ensure broad and effective service delivery. Aligned with this approach, the IFRP, NAI, and IFAH operate under a consortium-based model designed to foster collaboration, efficiency, and enhanced service delivery.

Applicants seeking funding for any of these components are required to apply as part of a coordinated partnership, ensuring a strategic and integrated approach to service provision. The collaborative model is essential for: Comprehensive Service Delivery: Promoting seamless and holistic support for individuals and families by leveraging the strengths and expertise of multiple organizations.

Enhanced Program Impact: Strengthening outcomes by fostering innovation, shared best practices, and data-driven decision-making among consortium partners Applicants must demonstrate a clear governance structure, defined roles, and a unified strategy to ensure the success and sustainability of services under this model.

Priority consideration will be given to partnerships that illustrate strong coordination, capacity-building efforts, and a commitment to achieving measurable outcomes Immigrant Integration Capacity Building: Public Benefits & Language Access Technical Assistance Citizenship Education Training and Technical Assistance This component focuses on strengthening service provider capacity through training and technical assistance.

By equipping organizations with the tools to provide effective language access, public benefit training and citizenship education, IDHS ensures that immigrant-serving entities can deliver high-quality, culturally responsive programs.

Through this initiative, IDHS seeks to increase access to essential public benefits and services for low-income, Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals, ensuring equitable participation in programs that enhance economic stability and overall well-being.

Additionally, the program prioritizes expanding naturalization efforts by providing targeted outreach, education, and legal assistance to eligible legal permanent residents, fostering civic engagement and long-term integration The target audience for this funding includes community-based organizations, nonprofit entities, and service providers with demonstrated expertise in supporting immigrant and refugee populations.

Eligible recipients must have the capacity to deliver culturally and linguistically responsive services that address the diverse challenges faced by immigrant communities. Funded programs will provide comprehensive support, including benefits enrollment assistance, language access services, naturalization preparation, and community education.

By investing in organizations committed to immigrant integration, IDHS aims to build a more inclusive and supportive infrastructure that empowers individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, access critical resources, and fully participate in society. This NOFO underscores Illinois' dedication to welcoming and supporting immigrant communities through strategic partnerships and evidence-based service models. Agency Contact Information.

If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact Agata Fieske-Nesheiwat at agata. fieske-nesheiwat@illinois. gov and Adriana Cisneros at adriana.

cisneros@illinois. gov A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to 7 business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.

Indirect Costs (for more information refer to Indirect Costs ) The specific types of applicants that may apply for the grant award must meet the following requirements: Be a nonprofit organization subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c) (3) in good standing with the State of Illinois. Have experience and a successful track record in providing immigrant and refugee services.

Have prior experience or knowledge of the Immigrant Integration program model. Have knowledge and expertise in working with federal and state policies regarding immigrant and refugee status. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethnic diversity of the immigrant and refugee populations and the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services unique to this program.

Can meet the program goals described in this NOFO. Have at least five years of successful experience managing direct service sub-grants, including training, monitoring and service evaluation (this does not apply to the Immigrant Integration Capacity Building portion). The capacity to manage system planning and program operation.

The capacity to provide technical assistance, collect service data, and generate program reports using the data provided by the direct service providers (this does not apply to the Immigrant Integration Capacity Building portion). The capacity to provide program and fiscal monitoring (this does not apply to the Immigrant Integration Capacity Building portion).

Applicants interested in applying for the Immigrant Integration Capacity Building MUST meet the criteria outlined above in Section 2 (i) as well as the following additional requirement Community based organizations, or Public agency with relevant expertise Have experience in providing technical assistance and training to: organizations delivering citizenship instruction (a minimum of 1 year of experience with in the past 3 years required) or organizations delivering social services to immigrant and refugee population Have knowledge of USCIS naturalization policies and procedures, including recent testing and application requirements changes and/or, Have knowledge of Public Benefits policy and application process Can conduct outreach and maintain updated resource directories for citizenship education programs The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity.

Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee: Organization name and contact information Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) Unique Identity Number (UEI) Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and on the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding.

Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25. 110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.

110(d)) is required to: Be registered in SAM. gov before the application due date. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.

Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.

The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List Must not be on the Sam.

gov Exclusion List Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List Additional Mandatory Requirements Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any. Successful Applicants will not receive an award if Pre-Award Requirements are not met. Qualified status is re-verified nightly.

If the entity's status changes, an email notice is sent to the designated entity representative with a link to the Grantee Portal. See Section number 1(F) for funding restrictions, if applicable. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include: Limit on number of applications.

Applicants are limited to submitting 5 applications for this funding opportunity. Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match. The general purpose of the funding is an initiative designed to enhance the self-sufficiency and successful integration of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees across Illinois.

This initiative prioritizes access to public benefits for low-income, Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals to increase naturalization rates, and public awareness of social services offered by empowering individuals and families.

Consortium Model Requirement for IFRP, NAI, and IFAH Funding This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued to facilitate the provision of the Immigrant Integration Program to the community through an intermediary model with a prime grantee. The prime grantee must demonstrate a commitment to expanding services and capacity by collaborating with multiple sub-recipients/partners to ensure broad and effective service delivery.

Aligned with this approach, the IFRP, NAI, and IFAH operate under a consortium-based model designed to foster collaboration, efficiency, and enhanced service delivery. Applicants seeking funding for any of these components are required to apply as part of a coordinated partnership, ensuring a strategic and integrated approach to service provision.

This collaborative model is essential for: Comprehensive Service Delivery: Promoting seamless and holistic support for individuals and families by leveraging the strengths and expertise of multiple organizations.

Enhanced Program Impact: Strengthening outcomes by fostering innovation, shared best practices, and data-driven decision-making among consortium partners Applicants must demonstrate a clear governance structure, defined roles, and a unified strategy to ensure the success and sustainability of services under this model.

Priority consideration will be given to partnerships that illustrate strong coordination, capacity-building efforts, and a commitment to achieving measurable outcomes. Program Components - This program includes two components: Immigrant Integration Consortium and Immigrant Integration Capacity Building. Eligible applicants may apply for funding under one or both components.

Immigrant Integration Consortium: Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) New Americans Initiative Program (NAI) Immigrant Family Assistance Hotline (IFAH/Hotline) Components I, II, and III (IFRP, NAI, and IFAH) are designed to be implemented as a consortium model.

Applicants seeking funding for these components must apply as part of a coordinated partnership Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) IFRP is designed to overcome language barriers and information gaps that prevent immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees from accessing public benefits and essential services.

IDHS aims to ensure that Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals are aware of available public benefits and receive the necessary assistance to apply for and maintain them. IDHS has implemented significant improvements to the benefits application process.

Eligible individuals and families can now apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid online or have an approved representative assist them.

The Integrated Eligibility System (IES) - Phase II has introduced additional online functionalities, allowing individuals to submit applications electronically and update personal information (such as income, address, household composition, and work status) efficiently.

These changes reduce paperwork and time spent at Family and Community Resource Centers (FCRCs), ensuring quicker access to essential services for low-income LEP immigrants and refugees. However, LEP individuals receiving TANF or SNAP risk losing benefits if they fail to meet work participation requirements. It is crucial that they fully understand these requirements and receive the necessary support to achieve self-sufficiency.

Services eligible for funding under this area include: Offer personalized case management to help individuals overcome barriers to accessing public benefits and other social services Interpretation and Translation Assistance Interpretation assistance for Family and Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) assists immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees with public benefits applications and other social service programs.

Translations of key IDHS documents into primary languages spoken by low-income, Limited English-proficient (LEP) populations, beyond Spanish, to ensure equitable access to information.

Assistance for individuals to navigate TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare benefits, and other social service programs as needed Ensure clients are informed about services available to them and facilitate connections with organizations that provide those services. If a specific program is not available within an organization, assist clients in identifying alternative resources to meet their needs.

Community Education and Public Awareness Conduct outreach and community education initiatives to: Inform LEP communities about available public benefits and self-sufficiency programs. Provide clarity on state and federal public benefits eligibility policies based on immigration status.

Ensure information is linguistically and culturally appropriate for specific immigrant groups Multimedia Outreach Campaign Develop linguistically and culturally tailored outreach campaigns in multiple languages to educate diverse immigrant communities on: IDHS programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and TANF, including work participation requirements. The IES online system for applying for public benefits and managing case information.

Federal policy updates that may impact eligibility for public benefits New Americans Initiative (NAI) For nearly two decades, IDHS has supported eligible legal permanent residents in navigating the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens. Additionally, assistance is available for individuals eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Services are prioritized for low-income, (LEP) immigrants, refugees, seniors, women, and youth with special needs.

The initiative provides targeted support to ensure eligible individuals receive comprehensive assistance throughout the citizenship process Services eligible for funding under this area include: Application Assistance and Legal Guidance Provide direct support preparing and submitting applications for: U.S. Citizenship (Naturalization process N-400) Application for Certificate of Citizenship (N-600) DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Citizenship and Civic Educations Offer short term citizenship training classes to prepare eligible immigrants for naturalization test, including: U.S. history and government (as required for the citizenship exam).

Civic responsibilities and constitutional rights. Basic English language instruction relevant to the naturalization process Community Education and Outreach Conduct linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach efforts to: Raise awareness about the benefits and requirements of naturalization and DACA. Inform immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees about available programs and services.

Encourage eligible individuals to initiate the citizenship process. Immigrant Family Assistance Hotline IDHS is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to operate statewide. This hotline will serve as a vital resource to help immigrants and refugees understand their rights, locate nearby human services organizations, and report urgent family reunification needs.

Provide confidential, multilingual support to immigrants across Illinois. Connect callers with trusted organizations offering services that may include but are not limited to housing, healthcare, education, and legal aid assistance. Offer Know Your Rights information and guidance on available services.

Support rapid response efforts to address family separation and other emergencies affecting immigrant families Services eligible for funding under this area include: Family Support Services -the funded agency will operate a hotline to assist immigrant families and individuals in accessing critical resources.

The hotline should be widely publicized and accessible through various outreach methods, including informational flyers, ethnic media, and partnerships with community-based organizations. The hotline must be: Available in multiple languages, allowing organizations, individuals, and families to access services easily. Linguistically inclusive in order to foster a more supportive environment.

Staffed by trained full-time personnel who can provide referrals that may include but are not limited to healthcare access, education, public benefits, immigration legal aid, workplace rights, and mental health support. Integrated with an advanced hotline platform to produce real- time reports and track call trends. Equipped to handle a high volume of calls with the ability to scale services based on demand.

Able to provide live operator support for urgent deportation defense and support rapid response efforts to address family separation or emergencies affecting immigrant families Know Your Rights (KYR) Presentations -will conduct Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations to educate immigrant and refugee communities about their constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status Presentations MUST be accessible in multiple languages and include interpretation services as needed to ensure effective communication and inclusivity for all participants.

KYR materials must reflect new immigration policies and executive orders. Must provide train-the-trainer programs for community leaders Rapid Response Teams - the funded agency will establish and coordinate Rapid Response Teams to assist communities facing heightened risks of family separation due to immigration-related enforcement activities Teams must operate in strategic locations across Illinois based on community needs.

Volunteers must be trained to observe, document, and verify activities that may lead to family separation while coordinating legal and community support. Teams must work to combat misinformation and reduce panic in impacted communities.

Agency must provide ongoing training, technical assistance, and support to Rapid Response Team members Immigrant Integration Capacity Building Components: Aim to strengthen the capacity of public and community agencies through specialized training, technical assistance, and language access services Public Benefits & Language Access Technical Assistance II.

Citizenship Education Training and Technical Assistance Capacity building stands alone and can be applied independently of the consortium.

Public Benefits & Language Access Technical Assistance: IDHS is seeking proposals from qualified applicants to play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to public benefits and services by equipping frontline organizations with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively serve diverse immigrant and refugee communities, including migrants, asylum-seekers, parolees, and other new arrivals.

Services eligible for funding under this area include: Public Benefits Training & Technical Assistance.

Providing education and capacity-building for community-based organizations, public agencies, and other service providers to ensure effective navigation of public benefits and resources available Develop and deliver training sessions for community-based organizations and public agencies on public benefits and services available to immigrants and refugees.

Provide ongoing technical assistance to service providers to improve their capacity to support immigrants and refugees effectively. Capacity Building & Language Access Services. Expanding interpretation and translation services, including in-person, virtual, and telephonic interpretation, to remove linguistic barriers for individuals with LEP.

Offering interpreter training, proficiency assessments, and professional development opportunities for language access practitioners to improve the quality of interpretation and translation services in community settings Conduct language proficiency assessments for interpreters and bilingual staff to ensure quality of interpretation services.

Deliver interpreter training to enhance service quality, including introductory interpretation courses and professional development workshops. Provide interpretation services (in-person, virtual, and telephonic) to support community agencies in serving LEP individuals Annual Cross-Sector Forum.

Convening an annual forum that brings together stakeholders from across the region to foster partnerships, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to increasing access and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities Organize and facilitate an annual convening of community-based organizations, public sector representatives, and other stakeholders to share best practices and strengthen coordination in serving immigrant and refugee populations Citizenship Education Training and Technical Assistance This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training and technical assistance (TA) to community-based organizations that deliver citizenship education programs.

These programs emphasize civics education and English language instruction, thoughtfully designed to assist eligible immigrants in successfully navigating the naturalization process. It will enhance the quality and accessibility of citizenship education at community-based organizations throughout the state.

Additionally, it will promote the availability of citizenship education programs for eligible immigrants through outreach and referral services. Services eligible for funding under this area include: Strengthening Citizenship Education Programs Provide high-quality technical assistance and professional development activities to increase the capacity of New Americans Initiative (NAI) citizenship education programs.

Ensure training aligns with best practices and current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) testing protocols. Offer guidance on effective instructional strategies tailored for diverse learning formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid instruction Program Quality and Learner Outcomes Conduct a comprehensive review of NAI citizenship education programs to assess program quality and improve learner success rates.

Provide recommendations and targeted support to strengthen curriculum, instructional methodologies, and student engagement strategies Outreach, Referral, and Resource Enhancement Update the Illinois Adult Education hotline directory to include all IDHS-funded NAI citizenship education agencies. Facilitate outreach efforts to connect potential citizenship students with appropriate educational programs.

Develop and expand referral services for individuals seeking citizenship education opportunities, including recruiting volunteers to support instructional programs The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process.

This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability. Goals and objectives of the Program.

To raise awareness and improve access for LEPs to public benefit programs; increase rates of naturalization for Illinois legal permanent residents; and provide access to a resource hotline.

Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) Deliverables Interpretation and Translation Services Community Education and Public Awareness Multi-media awareness campaign in multiple languages Document Translation Services New Americans Initiative (NAI) Deliverables Application Assistance and Legal guidance Citizenship and Civic Education Immigrant Family Assistance Hotline (IFAH) Deliverables Multicultural Media Campaign b Persons reached via multi-media campaign Information and referrals projected Know your Rights (KYR presentations) KYR train-the-trainer presentations Call volume and response times Capacity Building Technical Assistance (CBTA) Deliverables Organizations and staff impacted and/or served by initiative Group trainings conducted Individual consultations completed Materials created and distributed Technical Assistance sessions Performance Measures and Standards The expected performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes the agency expects recipients to achieve are the following: at least 80% of performance measure For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are (or are located) N/A.

Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following: N/A. Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements: N/A. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following: N/A.

4. - Application Contents and Format. This subsection MUST specifically address content and form or format requirements for: Content and Form of Application Submission Letters of intent are encouraged.

Required Content of Application Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding.

Refer to Section 5 (iii)B for details. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections.

If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a significantly reduced score the applicant organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity. Proposal Narrative Sections: Please provide a complete response to the following sections.

If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will only consider content contained within that specific section Immigrant Integration Consortium Rubric The maximum possible score is 100 points.

All applications will be reviewed, evaluated, and rated based on the following criteria: Executive Summary - 5 points The Executive Summary will serve as a stand-alone document that may be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of each funded project. It will also be scored for completion. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description.

Community Identification and Description of Need - 15 points Applicants must clearly define and justify the need for services within the communities they propose to serve. Evaluation will be based on how well the applicant: Identifies the geographic area and target population to be served.

Demonstrate a strong connection to the community, illustrating how the organization is embedded within and trusted by the population it seeks support.

Effectively describes existing service needs and barriers faced by the community, using data or qualitative insights to support the identified needs Agency Qualifications and Organizational Capacity- 25 points Applicants must demonstrate their organizational strength and ability to implement and manage the proposed program effectively.

Evaluation will be based on the extent to which the applicant: Demonstrates strong management, supervision, and well-organized internal organizational structure to ensure effective program/service delivery and sound fiscal management.

Demonstrates successful history of working with immigrants, refugees and other LEP communities, including having the expertise and capacity to deliver the services procured in the NOFO, such as: language and cultural competency, track record of providing effective services for low-income LEP immigrants/refugees, delivering successful and measurable program outcomes.

Has a proven ability to provide timely submission of fiscal reports and required data to evaluate the program performance. Presents a comprehensive implementation plan, including staffing structure, physical space, and training strategies Program Quality, Design, and Implementation- 30 points The overall program design should effectively address the specific needs of the proposed client population.

Applications will be evaluated on: Strong management, strong program oversight, and a well-organized internal organizational structure to ensure effective program/service delivery.

The ability to submit fiscal reports and program specific data in a timely manner for program evaluation and compliance Successful history of working with immigrant, refugee and other LEP communities including having the expertise and capacity to provide subgrantee overside and services procured in the NOFO, such as: language and cultural competency, track record of strong program overside, specific measurable outcomes and delivering successful program outcomes.

Methods and strategies to provide technical assistance, education/skill-building, program evaluation.

A well-established plan for program monitoring, reporting and evaluating to ensure continuous service improvement Equity and Racial Justice Commitment- 10 points The extent to which the applicant demonstrates understanding of the history and impact of racism and inequity on immigrant, refugee and other LEP communities and describes the organization's response to address racial inequity.

The applicant should provide a clear picture of its work to counteract systemic racism and inequity and to prioritize and maximize diversity and equity throughout its service provision process Budget & Costs Justification- 15 points The proposed budget should be reasonable, well-justified,