Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) is sponsored by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) - Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

IDHS: Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) (25-444-80-3416) Notice of Funding Opportunity --> 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 2025 Community and Positive Youth Development Grants Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) (25-444-80-3416) Notice of Funding Opportunity Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Community and Positive Youth Development; FCS Bureau of Violence Prevention Services DHS. Violencepreventionservices@illinois.

gov Funding Opportunity Title Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) Funding Opportunity Number August 7, 2024 by 12:00pm (Noon) CST Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name Reimagine Youth Development Services (RYDS) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) 21. 027 American Rescue Plan Act These awards will be funded with Federal Funds.

Estimated Total Program Funding Approximately $16.

5M will be made available to Chicago RPSA communities for a 12-month project period (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025) Approximately $7M will be made available to Greater Illinois RPSA areas for a 12-month project period (October 1, 2024-September 30, 2025) Anticipated Number of Awards Average award amount: $240,000 plus participant incentives (for the civics program) up to $900 per participant.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement Cost sharing or matching is allowed but is not required. Indirect Costs are allowed. Restrictions on Indirect Costs Indirect Cost Rate must be approved.

Technical Assistance Session Date/Time: Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 9:30am - 11:00am NOFO/Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Submit questions to: DHS. Violencepreventionservices@illinois.

gov Due date for submitting questions: 07/31/2024 FAQs will be updated frequently, and a final, complete list will be posted to the IDHS website on 08/02/2024 Firearm violence has deeply harmed neighborhoods, communities, and the entire State of Illinois, both through the immediate loss of life and the long-term, harmful effects of trauma experienced by victims, witnesses, and community members.

According to the 2024 U.S. Surgeon General's Report, Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America , these impacts are felt disproportionately by communities impacted by poverty and other factors.

As one of its multiple funding efforts to reduce firearm violence in the most heavily impacted communities across Illinois, the IDHS-Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is seeking to fund youth development organizations in specific community areas across Illinois that will provide structured and unstructured programming to community youth.

These programs are meant to serve youth who are the highest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of firearm violence and should utilize evidence-informed programming and services which will improve youth outcomes and decrease risk factors associated with firearm violence. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize equity and diversity throughout its service provision process.

This work involves correcting 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.

Organizations that provide services under this funding opportunity and all related RPSA programs must reflect IDHS' commitment to advance equity and racial justice by enabling all to thrive, regardless of race, zip code, and disability.

This NOFO will fund youth development programs to serve high-risk youth that intend to provide afterschool and summer programming utilizing evidence-based and/or evidence-informed programming to improve youth outcomes and decrease risk factors associated with firearm violence.

These services include civic engagement and leadership development, life skills development, activities that promote positive educational outcomes, build social emotional persistence and intelligence, develop non-academic interests, and reduce involvement in the justice system. In accordance with the RPSA, these community areas are considered "eligible service areas" and qualify for grants under the Act.

RPSA Identified Eligible Chicago Service Areas: 21. Southwest Side Cluster: (Lower West Side, Brighton Park, Gage Park, McKinley Park) 10. Greater Grand Crossing 14.

Northside Cluster: (Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, Irving Park, Albany Park) RPSA Identified Eligible Greater Illinois Service Areas: 2. Belleville Cluster (Includes Belleville, East St. Louis, and Cahokia Heights) 10.

Maywood-Bellwood Custer 4. Calumet City Cluster (includes Calumet City, Harvey, Dolton, Riverdale, South Holland, Markham, Lansing) 5. Chicago Heights Cluster (includes Chicago Heights, Park Forests, and Sauk Village) 15.

Urbana-Champaign Cluster 16. Waukegan-North Chicago Cluster A full description of the process for identifying Illinois municipalities and Chicago and Greater Illinois community areas with the highest concentration of firearm violence is available here: IDHS: Report of the IDHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, June - December 2021 (state. il.

us) The Illinois Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is seeking applications from those public and private nonprofit community-based organizations subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the tax code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 26 U.S.C.

501(c)(4)) that have an established physical presence in the eligible community area described in Section A1 Eligible Service Areas above, at the time of application, for which they intend to provide youth development services programming described herein.

In addition to the above non-profit community-based organizations, eligible applicants are inclusive of units of local government, public schools, districts, etc. that serve the eligible community area. Where possible, the OFVP intends to fund at least one eligible and responsive application to provide Youth Development Program Services in each eligible Chicago and Greater Illinois RPSA eligible community area.

Where possible, the OFVP will fund additional responsive applications in areas with higher concentration of firearm violence. Further, through a competitive merit-based review and selection process, the OFVP expects to fund applicants who demonstrate the following: High levels of experience in youth development programming.

Have a demonstrated history providing services to youth in the specific community area to which they are applying to serve. Propose a plan to provide programming and services throughout the entire 12-month project period. Have genuine and trusted relationships with community residents, stakeholders, and law enforcement entities.

Propose a clearly designed plan to reach and serve the highest risk youth in the identified community. Propose cost-effective and efficient programming.

Required Services and Programming The DHS Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is investing in the highest-risk Chicago and Greater Illinois communities to provide multi-faceted youth development programming outlined below intended to improve youth outcomes and reduce youth risk factors associated with violence.

The Reimagine Youth Development Services program services are provided for high-risk school-age youth ages 11 to 21, or any subset within that age range. Accepted age group subsets are, 11-13, 14-17, and 18-21.

Since the Department only intends to fund applications targeting services to high-risk youth, participating program youth must also meet at least one of the following risk factors to be considered eligible to participate in the program. ( Participant eligibility criteria must be documented in each participant's individual program file .)

Reside in an RPSA community and municipal block where more than 35% of all fatal and non-fatal firearm incidents in their community*. (This population MUST be prioritized for service provision.)

Students who are attending or have attended option schools; or are disengaged from school Teens with family members of individuals working with violence prevention organizations Criminal and juvenile justice involved youth Active in a violent street organization, clique, crew, mob, or group at time of enrollment Carrier of a firearm at time of enrollment Has a close family member or friend who was a recent victim of firearm violence Has been arrested, convicted, or has a family member who is/was incarcerated History of or exposure to substance abuse disorder Exhibiting symptoms/signs of trauma from exposure to violence The Reimagine Public Safety Act REQUIRES that youth meeting the first four eligibility criteria above are prioritized for Youth Development Program services.

This means that youth in these communities are not only eligible for services but that they take priority over the youth meeting the other risk factors. * Applicants proposing to serve Chicago eligible communities MUST prioritize services for youth residing in the municipal blocks where more than 35% of all fatal and nonfatal firearm-shot incidents in each community take place.

To view eligible municipal blocks refer to IDHS: Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) (state. il. us) .

Program Design - Applicants will be expected to design programming, services and activities intended to achieve the outcomes associated with the following mandatory and optional service areas: Civic Engagement and Leadership Development - - Mandatory Through this grant opportunity, IDHS-OFVP intends to implement a multi-week civics curriculum that will help to prevent neighborhood violence by equipping youth and young adults with the skills, knowledge, and resources to become effective leaders and agents of change within their communities.

It is anticipated that through the identified curriculum, youth and young adults will learn about conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving techniques that are essential to address underlying issues that contribute to violence in neighborhoods.

Youth and young adults will learn how to create a more just and equitable society as agents of change, and they will learn how to address and overcome the root causes of violence in their communities. It is anticipated that youth will participate in community forums, leadership councils, and grassroots initiatives.

Youth will be positioned to initiate and lead projects that promote safety, neighborhood peace, social cohesion, and interpersonal trust among neighbors. To this end, IDHS-OFVP will spend the remainder of calendar year 2024 researching and securing the rights to the civics curriculum that will be mandated for all successful grantees under this funding notice.

At that time, grantees will be notified, and training will begin for grantees so that they may successfully implement the identified curriculum. It is expected that the curriculum will be implemented in cohorts, will be offered multiple times per year, and will be required for all program participants. This program will include nominal financial incentives for program participants.

It is estimated that each youth will be eligible for $75 a week that is tied to a program achievement. Applicants should include these incentives in their budget under the "grant exclusive" line item. Refer to Section A.

4. S. v.

Incentives.

Life Skills Education - Optional Implementation of an evidence-based life-skills training and education program that promotes the development of healthy lifestyles and encourages abstinence from risk-taking behaviors in the areas of alcohol and/or substance use, criminal activity, violence of all kinds (sexual, physical, interpersonal, etc.), develops decision-making skills, conflict resolution and anger management skills, etc. and intends to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate various aspects of their lives successfully.

Participants will increase knowledge of harmful effects of substance use and abuse. Participants will understand how and where to access substance use treatment services. Participants will increase knowledge of harmful effects of early sexual activity and pregnancy.

Participants will increase anger management and conflict resolution skills. Participants will increase decision making and problem-solving skills. Participants will increase financial literacy.

Participants will learn how to access community resources. Participants will increase healthy nutritional choices. Improving Academic Performance - Optional This includes time to do homework, tutoring in basic skills, and enrichment programs that encourage creativity.

Disengaged school-age youth should be supported to re-engage in school or enroll in GED or similar. In-school participants will improve school attendance. In-school participants will improve grades or progress reporting in school.

In-school participants will promote to the next grade level or graduate. Disengaged participants will enroll/re-enroll into education (school or GED etc.) Participants will increase knowledge of and awareness of potential educational and career paths.

Recreation, Sports and Cultural/Artistic Activities - Optional This includes providing activities and arranging safe outlets for youth to try new skills and develop new interests, to build friendships, find their place in a group, and gain developmentally relevant experiences. Provide opportunities for participants to engage in cultural enrichment and fine art activities.

Provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate sportsmanship and athletic skills. Provide opportunities for participants to increase their level of activity. Service-Learning Activities - Optional Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that connects classroom lessons with meaningful service to the community.

Students build academic skills while strengthening communities through service. Service learning combines service tasks with structured, youth-driven opportunities that link the task to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge content with service tasks. Participants determine and meet real, defined community needs.

Participants learn beyond the classroom through active participation in service experiences. Participants develop and use skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Participants increase the amount of time spent to reflect by thinking, discussing and/or writing about service experiences.

Participants experience a sense of belonging to a community and an awareness of their responsibility to that community. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - Optional Students must develop the skills to solve problems and make sense of complex information. The skills developed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are crucial because they impact almost every aspect of life.

Providers will cultivate STEM curiosity in young people. Learning STEM skills better prepare students for school and future careers. These skills are useful in all careers, not just STEM careers.

Participants will demonstrate problem-solving skills within a scientific, mathematic, or technological context. Participants will learn how to work in teams and help to build relationships. Participants will develop the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Participants will be better prepared to enter the workforce. Program Models - Agencies are encouraged to utilize established, evidence-based programming models that have a high potential to be effective with high-risk youth in high-risk community settings. Best practice or promising practice programming models should be utilized, if these models meet community needs and can be implemented.

Best practice models are those known to be research-based and proven to be effective at preventing and/or delaying risk-taking behaviors. Promising practices are those for which some data has shown positive effects on delaying risk-taking behaviors, but the data are insufficient to support generalized outcomes. Please refer to https://www.

blueprintsprograms. org/program-search/ for a description of model programs that have proven to be effective. Applications that do not indicate the intention to implement best practice models will receive lower scores.

The Department recognizes that communities have a unique perspective on what works and what is needed in their own community. Therefore, Applicants may adapt best or promising practice models as necessary to meet the unique needs of the community. However, it should be noted that any modifications to established program models might reduce the likelihood of achieving the predicted outcomes.

Applicants may also propose programming that is consistent with commonly accepted guidelines for effectiveness and that those activities are aligned with the specific needs of the community. Programming should be comprehensive and holistic in its approach, offering a range of services designed to have a positive impact on youth participants' social, creative, physical, and cognitive development.

Use of Positive Adult Role Models - Program models will be designed to create opportunities for youth to develop and maintain positive, sustained relationships with caring adults through programming that emphasizes one-on-one interactions that will increase support to youth during times of personal or social stress; increase support for decision making; increase access to support with academic tasks and/or homework; increase opportunities for career awareness and exploration, etc. Trauma-Informed Principles - Ensure that programming is infused with trauma-informed principles that: Recognize the high prevalence of traumatic experiences in persons residing in and working in communities with a high concentration of firearm violence, Address the impact of trauma on staff and personnel working with individuals residing in these communities.

Address the impact of trauma on brain development, physical and emotional health and the impact on the community and individuals living in the community. Creates a safe space, provides support, and builds resiliency in individuals impacted by trauma.

Equity and Racial Justice - The Provider must be culturally informed on equity and racial justice (ERJ) when serving youth with special needs, including those who are pregnant and parenting youth (including fathers); youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) and/or questioning their own sexual orientation; delinquent youth; and youth who are physically, emotionally or developmentally challenged.

The Provider must demonstrate their ability to provide service to persons who have Limited English Proficiency (LEP), persons who are hard of hearing or deaf, and persons with low literacy.

The State of Illinois Linguistic and Cultural Competency Guidelines (LCC Guidelines)pdf were developed as a mechanism for improving language and cultural accessibility and sensitivity in State-funded direct human services delivered by human service organizations that receive grants and contracts to serve the residents of the State of Illinois. The principles of racial equity must be present throughout service delivery.

The Provider will ensure current program policies, procedures and practices are evaluated and revised, or new policies, procedures and practices are adopted where necessary to ensure racial equity and fairness. The Provider will ensure equitable access to services. Program Operation - Programs are strongly encouraged to operate programming throughout the entire year.

Short-term and time-limited programming is discouraged unless these short-term/time-limited programs are provided throughout the year. Programs must operate at a minimum during out-of-school hours, based on the needs of the community.

Programs are encouraged to operate the program during the critically important late afternoon/early evening hours as these times have historically proven to be peak times for school-age youth to be victims or perpetrators of violence. Programs may operate later in the evening and may operate before school and/or after school if a need is determined based on community assessment.

Providers are strongly encouraged to offer programming on Saturdays and Sundays, and during school breaks. Programs are required to maintain the level of service identified in their application or risk non-compliance with the program contract, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds.

Participant Enrollment - Each Reimagine Youth Development participant must be enrolled in the program and an individual file must be maintained. Required program data will be collected and maintained on all youth enrolled in the program in accordance with Department guidelines.

Programs are required to maintain attendance at the level for which funding is requested in the approved application, or risk non-compliance with the program contract, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds. Assessment of Need - Programming must be designed to meet the specific needs of the community in which it is located.

Each Applicant must have a plan to conduct/update their community needs assessment or at a minimum, part of their community needs assessment, annually. This includes local youth, family, school and community surveys and focus groups, in addition to reviewing all relevant available data and recently completed community assessments and any available asset maps.

These will be analyzed to determine the level of need in the community and to provide a foundation for developing carefully planned and thoughtful service provision. The results of the assessment/updates will be presented and supported in the application. A thorough description of youth, family, and community risk-factors that demonstrate that programming is intended to target services to high-risk youth, as identified above.

There should also be a direct correlation of needs with the activities planned and described in the program description section of the application and in the activities proposed/planned.

Program Marketing - In an effort to raise awareness of available services, to seek referrals and to recruit eligible participants, organizations will promote their programming in the community, including but not limited to developing partnerships with schools and law enforcement in their service area.

Providers must also engage with the Reimagine Public Safety Act-funded Community Convening Body in their service area (additional information below). Referrals may also come directly from eligible youth, parents and caregivers, community residents and community organizations. Marketing efforts will follow the OFVP "Be the Light" public awareness campaign.

Participant Transportation - Program funds may be used to cover reasonable transportation costs for program participants. Out-of-state travel will not be allowed.

Field Trips and Educational Excursions - If a program coordinates an educational field trip or excursion for participants that is located 60 miles away or more from the program site, includes an overnight stay or exceeds a combined spending plan of $1,000, prior approval from IDHS is required. A form will be required for prior approval for each trip.

Expenditures that meet these criteria but are NOT approved in advance will be disallowed, even if funding is included in the approved budget and the trip is identified in the approved plan. If transportation is provided, the agency must have or will be required to develop a written transportation plan directly related to project activities and to maintain the plan on file at the agency.

This plan should have the approval of the agency's governing body and be available for review by the Department upon request. Collaboration - The importance of community collaboration cannot be overemphasized. By working together, youth, families, and community entities can design programs that are best suited to meet the needs of local youth and to connect programs with community resources.

Community-based agencies, government, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, businesses, foundations, youth, and their families can together provide a wide range of resources to support high-quality programs. The issues and concerns of the entire community can best be addressed by drawing upon diverse resources. The key to successful programming is collaborative planning and implementation.

Program Participation Fees - Programs may NOT charge any fees associated with program participation. Sub-recipients - Organizations may provide services directly or through subgrants. Sub-recipients will be subject to the same GATA and grant implementation and reporting requirements as the grantee.

Sub-recipients and their performance are the responsibility of the provider. The provider is required to conduct programmatic and fiscal monitoring of sub-recipients. The provider will report all services implementation, data, outcomes and performance of sub-recipients.

Program Staff and Volunteers At a minimum, one part-time staff person must be identified to coordinate program activities, serve as the main DHS contact, and must be identified in the organizational chart. Programs must recruit, hire, and take necessary steps to retain staff that are qualified for their positions with the Reimagine Youth Development Services program through education, experience and/or training.

Recruit staff who are intimately familiar with and reflective of the community in which they are providing services. Implement safety protocols to ensure staff safety, including developing staff safety and self-care plans. Provide staff with adequate training opportunities to prepare them to provide program elements effectively and safely.

Provide staff with adequate supervision to assess and improve job performance. Provide and encourage staff with additional staff development opportunities which will build staff's employment skills, allowing for career advancement. Background Checks : Background checks are required for all program staff and volunteers who have the potential for contact with youth under 18.

These background checks must be completed in advance of individuals working directly with youth. Such individuals will authorize such checks in writing and submit to fingerprinting. The agency shall retain the signed form authorizing the background check.

All background check information, including the signed authorizing forms shall be maintained separately in a confidential file, apart from the employee's personnel records.

Funded programs will be required to have a written protocol in place detailing the requirement for background checks; evidence of their completion; the protocol for reviewing and making determinations regarding results; etc. In no case shall a Person who has been indicated as the perpetrator of any of the child abuse/neglect allegations identified in 89 Ill. Adm. Code Section 385.

50(a) be deemed fit for service that allows access to children. The Applicant Agency must, over the course of this grant, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality improvement thorough implementation of an organizational/program improvement plan that is the direct result of a self-assessment conducted utilizing an approved tool. Refer to Training and Technical Assistance below for more details.

The Applicant Agency must, over the course of this grant, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to develop trauma informed capacity within the organization. Training and Technical Assistance - Programs will receive training, consultation, and technical assistance, as identified below, from authorized representatives of the Bureau/OFVP.

At a minimum, funded providers will: Conduct, utilizing a Bureau/OFVP approved tool, an organizational self-assessment to determine administrative, programmatic, and capacity needs. Work with an approved TTA provider to develop a plan to address identified potential issue areas. Implement plan and report progress in quarterly Programmatic Performance Reports Participate in any training mandated by the Bureau/OFVP.

It is anticipated that this will include training on a to-be-determined civics curriculum. Participate in any regional or statewide meeting/training mandated by the Bureau/OFVP. It is anticipated that this will include a minimum of three (3) regional provider meetings.

Additional Programmatic Requirements Providers will maintain an individual confidential file on each program participant. These files must be stored in a locked file/location. Files will include: Documentation of eligibility Record of services provided Documentation of crisis intervention, if applicable Any required assessment results Individual's case plan, goals, services, notes, outcomes, etc., if applicable.

Record of referrals made for additional services and whether individual received services Reimagine Public Safety Act Convening Body A Reimagine Public Safety Act Convening Body (Convener or Violence Prevention Coordinating Council) is an experienced organization selected by the OFVP to coordinate RPSA-funded services in the community and help build capacity within the community area to reduce firearm violence.

The Reimagine Convening Body will encourage effective, collaborative working relationships across providers in such disciplines as violence prevention, mental health, and youth development. At a minimum, youth development providers will be required to: Coordinate services with other organizations in the service area.

This includes referral and linkage processes with other organizations providing services in their area to ensure participants are connected to needed services. Referral policies and practices will be developed for programming.

Participate in monthly meetings with other Reimagine Public Safety-funded providers within their community convened by the Reimagine Convening Body to share knowledge and strategies of the neighborhood violence dynamic and complete community asset mapping. Collaborate in the development and implementation of coordinated community events which reclaim public space in communities impacted by gun violence.

Meet on an emergency basis with Reimagine-funded Violence Prevention providers in the service area when conflicts related to program participants that need immediate attention and resolution arise. Providers will be required to participate in evaluation efforts as directed by the Department and/or its subrecipient(s) and collect and report data accordingly. Data will be submitted in the format prescribed by the Department.

Providers will be required to document program services to each client. Providers will be required to report quarterly regarding program performance measures and outcomes. Providers will be required to participate in Department-directed Performance and Standards Assessment reviews.

A year-end program and performance measures and outcomes report will also be required. Additional data and information may be requested throughout the year as determined by the Department.

Other data will be collected from programs including, at a minimum, the following data elements: Unduplicated number of program participants Intake and demographic information of program participants Participant status data (Education, Employment, Living Arrangement) Participant attendance data Program service activities, assessment, and outcome data Discharge information, including status data Data specific to mandatory program models Applicant agency administrative information; staff information; site information; subcontractor information; and other program plan information as required.

Please note that some records and other information obtained by programs concerning the individuals served under this agreement may be confidential pursuant to state and federal statutes and/or administrative rules and shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Reimagine Youth Development Services programs may offer nutritious snacks to the participants.

All food must be served in accordance with relevant local and state health standards for food preparation and handling and meet the standards of the National Afterschool Association. While program funds may be used to purchase food, programs must demonstrate that they researched and applied for assistance through the food programs sponsored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), found at http://www. usda.

gov ; the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), found at http://www. isbe. net ; or through Feeding America, found at http://www.

feedingamerica. org . Incentives can be effective tools to encourage participation in activities which lead to improved skills and to the achievement of specific program elements.

An incentive can be in the form of payment, gift cards, or a material item, etc. issued to eligible program participants for the successful achievement of expected outcomes as defined by the specific program and included the individual' s case plan and/or career plan. For the purposes of this grant, incentives may only be used for the Civic Engagement and Leadership Development service.

The cost of incentives should be included in the applicant budget on the grant exclusive line item. Applicant should calculate the amount of incentives by multiplying the projected number of youths who will participate in Civic Engagement and Leadership by the projected cost of incentives not to exceed a total cost of $900 per youth.

While incentive payments are allowable, the incentives must be in compliance with the Cost Principles in 2 CFR part 200. For example, funds must not be spent on entertainment costs. Therefore, incentives must not include entertainment, such as movie or sporting event tickets or gift cards to movie theaters or other venues whose sole purpose is entertainment.

Additionally, there are requirements related to internal controls to safeguard cash, which also apply to safeguarding of gift cards, which are essentially cash. The US Department of Labor (USDOL) has also clarified that incentives are not allowed for activities such as recruitment, submitting eligibility documentation, or just simply showing up for the program.

At the end of each quarter, successful applicants will submit a periodic performance report (PPR). At the end of the year, successful applicants will