Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope) is sponsored by Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Family & Community Services. Provides funding for programs that offer after-school and summer activities for youth, including outdoor recreation and education.

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Quintero, Secretary IDHS Grants Administration Family & Community Services Grants - FY 2025 Community and Positive Youth Development Grants Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring, and Hope) (25-444-80-1411-01) Illinois Department of Human Services Department of Human Services; Office of Community and Positive Youth Development; FCS Bureau of Youth Intervention Services DHS. YouthServicesInfo@illinois.

gov Funding Opportunity Title Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope) Funding Opportunity Number Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Popular Name Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s) These awards will be funded with General Revenue Funds. Estimated Total Program Funding Approximately $13.

25 M will be made available for a 12-month project period (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) An additional $3. 5 M is available for one entity to implement a statewide network of Teen REACH programs. Anticipated Number of Awards Average award amount: $90,000-$360,000 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement Cost sharing or matching is allowed but is not required.

Indirect Costs are allowed. Indirect Cost Rate must be approved. Restrictions on Indirect Costs Technical Assistance Session Date/Time: April 3, 2024 at 1:00PM Teen REACH Technical Assistance Registration NOFO / Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) DHS.

YouthServicesInfo@illinois. gov Due date for submitting questions: Friday, April 26, 2024 FAQs will be updated frequently, and a final, complete list will be posted to the IDHS website on Monday, April 29, 2024. Illinois' youth and families face a staggering array of economic demands and social challenges that often make it difficult for young people to reach their full potential.

With so many parents working away from home, many young people lack adult supervision during the late afternoon and early evening hours on school days - hours during which, research has shown, most risk-taking behavior by youth takes place. There are increased pressures to address gaps in academic achievement and high rates of crime and violence in many of our communities.

Out-of-school-time programming has been identified as a key strategy for addressing these challenges and helping our young people to build upon their assets and become productive members of society. Many youths live in communities with high rates of crime and violence both in and outside of the home. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in 2019 there were 7,064 deaths by accidents and homicides.

The leading causes of death for youths ages 1-17 were, accidents, assault and intentional self-harm. COVID-19 continues to be an extremely disruptive force in education, with some schools opting for full remote learning while others are choosing some combination of in-person and remote learning.

This crisis will exacerbate persistent educational achievement disparities across income levels as lower-income students are less likely to have access to the resources necessary for effective remote learning such as high-speed internet access, tablets or computers and adequate academic supervision.

This is especially true for low-income students and students of black and Hispanic heritage, with one study estimating that low-income youth may lose over 12 months of learning and that the current, disparate achievement gap could increase by 15% to 20%. 2.

A growing body of literature suggests that out-of-school-time programs are effective in addressing many of these challenges and provide youth with enrichment opportunities to build positive life skills. Research has shown that out-of-school-time programs can make a difference in areas such as academic achievement, social-emotional development, and the avoidance of delinquent or high-risk behavior.

Parents support these programs in part because the programs are addressing their most basic need - that is, the need for safe environments for their children and youth during the otherwise unsupervised after-school hours.

Intent of the Notice of Funding Opportunity The Department is seeking applications from public or private not-for-profit organizations to provide community site Teen REACH services as described throughout the NOFO to at-risk youth. Community site Teen REACH service providers will be reimbursed at a rate not to exceed $5. 00 per Youth Attendance Hour (YAH).

In addition, the Department intends to fund one organization to provide a statewide network of Teen REACH Services. Organizations applying for funding as a statewide network: Must have an existing infrastructure/network of affiliates located throughout the state. Is expected to operate a minimum of 45 to 65 separate programming sites throughout the state.

Must provide programming as described throughout the NOFO at each affiliate site. Applicant and/or each affiliate site will be required to utilize the eCornerstone system for data collection and reporting. It is expected that the rate per Youth Attendance Hour (YAH) will not exceed $3.

34 for this provider due to implementing through an established network. All remaining performance measures/standards will be the same as the non-statewide provider sites.

Affiliate sites may not also apply for funding as an individual agency under this NOFO The intent of this funding for both community site applicants and for a single Statewide applicant is to serve: Older Youth - Current research indicates that older youth are more likely than younger ones to spend out-of-school time unsupervised, and that there is a greater need for out-of-school time programming for older youth.

In order to meet the needs of this group, the Department will ensure that all funded applicants have demonstrated the ability and intent to serve youth ages 11 to 17. Agencies serving both younger and older age groups must provide no more than 30% of their services to children ages 6 to 10 (i.e., at least 70% of their services to youth ages 11 to 17).

For agencies operating the program at multiple sites, these percentages apply to the total population served by the agency, across all sites, not the number at any individual program site. This will be measured by considering the age of the youth at the time of enrollment into the program. At-Risk Youth - Applicants must demonstrate the ability and intent to target and serve youth determined to be at risk.

This will include youth at risk for academic failure, at risk for involvement in the child welfare system, at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice systems and youth experiencing homelessness. Refer to Section A. 4.

b "Target Population" below for a listing of targeted individual and/or family risk factors. High-Need Communities - Applicants must demonstrate the ability and intent to target services to these at-risk youth residing in high-risk communities, as identified through a community needs assessment. Refer to Section A.

4. e "Assessment of Community Need." Resources will be allocated to applicants that have very clearly demonstrated that the funds will be most effectively and efficiently used and will have the greatest impact on at-risk youth living within the community.

The goal of the Teen REACH program is to expand the range of choices and opportunities that enable, empower and encourage youth to achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capacities for future success, and avoid and/or reduce risk-taking behavior.

Specifically, this means providing youth with safe environments and caring adults, and guiding them toward educational success, marketable skills and opportunities to serve their communities.

The program provides the following prevention-focused core services; additional services appropriate to the youth and/or his community may also be provided: Improving academic performance Recreation, sports, and cultural and artistic activities Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning For additional information regarding the Teen REACH program and expectations, please refer to T een REACH Program Standards Appendix and the Teen REACH Logic Model Appendix Required Services and Programming Following is information about important aspects of the Teen REACH program, with which Applicants will be expected to comply: CORE SERVICES - Teen REACH programs must include activities in each of seven core service areas.

Each youth must participate in activities in all seven core service areas. These core services, the outcomes they are designed to achieve, and the developmental assets that are associated with them are as follows: Improving Academic Performance -- This includes time to do homework, tutoring in basic skills, and enrichment programs that encourage creativity. Participant will maintain or improve school attendance.

Participant will maintain or improve grades or progress reporting in school. Participants will develop or improve career aspirations and choices. Participants are actively engaged in learning.

Participants are motivated and strive to do well in school. Participants are optimistic about a personal future and career. Life Skills Education -- This encompasses training and education 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 and sexual activity.

Participants will increase knowledge of harmful effects of substance use and abuse. 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 healthy nutritional choices. Participants believe it is important not to use alcohol and other drugs.

Participants believe it is important not to be sexually active. Participants seek to resolve conflict nonviolently. Participants know how to plan and make choices.

Parental Involvement - Programs must provide opportunities for parents and/or guardians to meet with staff to discuss their children's activities, and to participate in events that strengthen parent/child bonds and community involvement. Increase in parental monitoring of academic performance. Increase in understanding of child and adolescent developmental stages and appropriate expectations.

Increase in positive and effective communication with children and teens regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, sexual activity, abstinence and other life skills. Increase structured activities that promote positive family interaction. Parents are actively involved in helping the child succeed in school.

Parents understand child and adolescent developmental stages and have appropriate expectations. Families have clear and consistent rules and consequences. Parents and children communicate positively regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, sexual activity, abstinence and other life skills.

Parents foster resilience. Parents plan and spend time in structured activities that promote positive family interaction. Recreation, Sports, and Cultural/Artistic Activities - 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.

Participants demonstrate sportsmanship. Participants believe it is important to follow rules. Participants respect the ability and contribution of others.

Participants engage in activities that foster creativity and spirituality. Participants demonstrate positive relationships with peers. Positive Adult Mentors - Programs must allow opportunities for youth to develop and maintain positive, sustained relationships with caring adults through mentoring and other programs that emphasize one-on-one interactions.

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 mentoring. Participants have a connection with a caring adult. Participants believe they can be successful.

Participants believe they can make good decisions. Participants believe they have a future. Service-Learning Activities - 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. Youth determine and meet real, defined community needs.

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

Youth experience a sense of belonging to a community and an awareness of their responsibility to that community. Youth experience opportunities for experiential learning. Youth are empowered to assume leadership roles.

Youth are involved in the decision-making process. Youth place a high value in helping others. Youth develop empathy for others.

Youth believes that his/her life has a purpose. Youth engage in productive activities that build job and life skills and reinforce community-mindedness. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) - 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. Afterschool Applicants 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. Youth will demonstrate problem-solving skills within a scientific, mathematic or technological context. Youth will learn how to work in teams and help to build relationships.

Youth will develop the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. Youth will be better prepared to enter the workforce. Improve attitudes toward learning.

Improve behavior, self-confidence and overall well-being. Improve decision making skills. Develop long-term academic improvement.

Develop time management and organization skills. Develop career interests. Improve math literacy and science knowledge.

Providers will evaluate these objectives and developmental assets through self-developed annual surveys administered to youth and their parents. The provider will report the results to the Department annually. Refer to Section A.

4. l "Program Evaluation" . Teen REACH program services are provided for at-risk children and youth ages 6 to 17, or any subset within that age range.

Accepted age group subsets are 6-10, 11-13, and 14-17. Because the Department only intends to fund applications targeting services to youth ages 11-17, agencies serving both younger and older age groups must provide no more than 30% of their services to children ages 6 to 10 (i.e., at least 70% of their services to youth ages 11 to 17). This will be measured by considering the age of the youth at enrollment into the program.

For agencies operating the program at multiple sites, these percentages apply to the total population served by the agency, across all sites, not the number at any individual program site.

The individual and/or family risk factors of youth targeted by the Teen REACH program include but are not limited to the following: Youth living in a single-parent household Youth residing in a household receiving TANF funds Youth experiencing academic difficulties Youth is in danger of or has been previously held back to repeat one or more academic years Youth experiencing truancy concerns Youth is reported to have behavior issues Youth is reported to be a victim of bullying Youth is reported to be a perpetrator of bullying Youth is unsupervised after school Youth has witnessed or been a victim of family violence Youth identifies as LGBTQ Youth with siblings who dropped out of school Youth with siblings who are teen parents Youth with siblings who are involved in the juvenile justice system Youth with one or both parents who are incarcerated Youth with siblings who are gang involved Youth is reported to be gang - involved Programs must be operational for 12 consecutive months, minimum 240 days and provide, on average, 3 hours of programming each day open minimum 720 hours.

This will be demonstrated in the agency's Youth Attendance Plan (available as an Appendix) submitted as Attachment P2. A day/hour open is determined by recording attendance in the e-Cornerstone system. Please note that agencies may use ten (10) of the 240 days of program operation for staff training, however, the minimum hours of programming may not be less than 720.

Programs must operate 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, from 3:00 p. m.

to 6:00 p. m. Programs may operate later in the evening if a need is determined based on the community assessment.

Programs may operate before school and/or after school. Agencies are encouraged to offer programming on Saturdays and Sundays, and during school breaks. Programs are required to maintain the level of service identified in their Youth Attendance Plan or risk non-compliance with the program contract, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds.

Level of service will be monitored by the Department utilizing the e-Cornerstone system. Please refer to Section A. 6 "Performance Based Funding" for more information regarding Performance Based Funding.

Each Teen REACH participant must be enrolled in the program via the eCornerstone system. Drop-in services will not be supported with Teen REACH grant funds . 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, projected in the Youth Attendance Plan, or risk non-compliance with the program contract, which may result in a reduction or loss of grant funds. Attendance will be monitored by the Department utilizing the e-Cornerstone system. Refer to Section A.

6 "Performance Based Funding" for more information regarding Performance Based Funding. Teen REACH 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. 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 at-risk youth, as identified in Sec A, 3B, residing in high-risk communities. 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 indicated in the completed Activity Calendar(s).

COMMUNITY-CENTERED PROGRAMMING 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. Programs must be designed around the seven core services described in Section A. 4.

a "Core Services," above. Agencies are encouraged to utilize established, evidence-based programming models that have a high potential to be effective with at-risk youth in at-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 the Best & Promising Practices Appendix for a list of relevant to out-of-school time programs.)

Applications that do not indicate the intention to implement best practice models will receive lower scores. In addition to considering community need in the selection of program model, agencies must also demonstrate their experience in implementing the type of programming they have chosen and discuss their capacity to do so.

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 not included in the Best & Promising Practices Appendix , if it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposed activities are consistent with commonly accepted guidelines for effectiveness and that those activities are aligned with the specific needs of the community. Teen REACH activities must be age-appropriate, conducted in an organized manner, and carried out on a regular, periodic basis.

Activities chosen should also be supported by youth, family and/or community needs. A Sample Activity Calendar (available as an Appendix) of this Funding Notice must be completed for each site and submitted as Attachment P1 of your application. The completed Activity Calendar(s) will demonstrate that planned program activities will address all six core services and will be carried out on a regular basis.

Please note that if a site is planned to have a varied scheduled, please complete additional activity calendars to demonstrate that planned variance. Example: School-Year schedule vs. a Summer schedule. Applicants must include a proposed timeline for implementation of the Teen REACH program, including any time required for start-up activities, and significant milestone activities and events throughout the year.

Applicants are required to begin serving youth within 8 weeks of award. Programs must form and utilize a Community Advisory Council or board in conducting Teen REACH activities in order to integrate active partners who can devote time and resources to the program. Existing councils may be utilized if they properly represent the positive youth development concept of Teen REACH.

The Community Advisory Council must include at least two youth who are current or former Teen REACH participants. The Advisory Council must meet, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. Minutes, agendas and attendance lists must be maintained on file to evidence this activity.

The Community Advisory Council Membership List (including anticipated members as appropriate) must be included as Attachment P3 of your Application. Programs must agree to receive consultation and technical assistance from authorized representatives of the Department. The program and collaborating partners will be required to attend site visits by Department staff.

Programs will be required to attend regular meetings and specific trainings as required by the Department and should budget accordingly. It is anticipated that this will include three regional meetings, approximately two regional trainings, and one (overnight) statewide conference.

Each Teen REACH program's performance on the measures listed below will be assessed using data gathered from the e-Cornerstone system, the projected information provided by the agency in their Application, their Youth Attendance Plan, and the total Teen REACH grant amount. These measures have been selected to reinforce the quality findings from various out-of-school time at-risk youth programming research and evaluations.

Days Open - 240 days open per year. Acceptable performance is 90%. Youth Attendance Hours - 100% of Youth Attendance Hours as projected in the Youth Attendance Plan will be achieved.

Acceptable performance is 80%. Actual Average Daily Attendance - 100% of projected Average Daily Attendance will be achieved. Acceptable performance is 80%.

Actual Population Served - 70% or more youth receiving services will be 11-17 years old. Program Dosage (Days) - 100% of enrolled youth will attend on average 5 days per week. Acceptable performance is 50% enrolled youth will attend on average 3 days per week.

Cost per Youth per Hour - $5. 00 per youth attendance hour. Statewide Program Cost per Youth per Hour - $3.

34 per youth attendance hour. Applicants may be required to participate in the formal evaluation of the program developed by the Department and must cooperate in the collection of data for this purpose. Toward this end, programs will be required to administer parent and youth surveys in the spring of the year, in a format provided by the Department.

These surveys are designed to measure progress toward the objectives and developmental assets detailed in Section A. 4. a "Core Services," above.

Other data will be collected from programs via the eCornerstone system, including, at a minimum, the following data elements: unduplicated number of program participants Intake and demographic information of program participants individual and family risk factor data Participant status data (Education, Employment, Living Arrangement) participant attendance data program service activities participant academic information Discharge Information, including status data Participant outcome information (promotion/graduation, school attendance, homework completion, improved grades etc. as well as measured change in the other core service areas.

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.

At a minimum, a . 5 FTE (full-time equivalent) Teen REACH Coordinator must be committed to the program and identified in the organizational chart. Program must have a staff contact who is responsible for STEM programming.

Programs must recruit, hire, and take necessary steps to retain staff that are qualified for their positions with the Teen REACH program through education, experience and/or training. The Agency's Organizational Cha rt must be included as Attachment A3 of the application. Teen REACH programs must 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 ), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), or through Feeding America . Program funds may be used to cover reasonable transportation costs for program participants, with the exception of transportation across state lines.

In addition, transportation across state lines will require prior approval from the Department. Field Trips and Educational Excursions If a Teen REACH program coordinates an educational field trip or excursion for Teen REACH participants that is located 60 miles away or more from the Teen REACH site or out of state or exceeds a Spending Plan of $1,000, prior approval of IDHS is required.

A Spending Plan justification must list the number of participants attending the field trip and the estimated expenses must be itemized. Field trip expenditures that meet these criteria but are NOT approved in advance will be disallowed. If transportation is provided, the agency 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. The importance of community collaboration cannot be overemphasized. Working together, youth, families, and community entities can design programs that are best suited to meet the needs of local youth and to connect out-of-school time programs with community resources.

Community-based agencies, government, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, businesses, foundations, youth and their families, working together, can provide a wide range of resources to support high-quality out-of-school time 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.

Successful applicants will have developed community partnerships, which, at a minimum, must include strong collaboration with the schools whose students will be attending Teen REACH program activities. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with schools in planning program services, in an effort to address state standards for academic achievement.

Programs will be required to submit information about students' progress, based on grade reports and attendance and suspension records, to the Department.

Copies of Signed School Linkage Agreements with every school where participants are attending must be included with your Application as Attachment P4 , indicating an acknowledgment of the schools' willingness to provide copies of information about students' progress, based on grade reports and attendance and suspension records.

Please note that schools will need to obtain parental/guardian consent before school records can be submitted to the Teen REACH program. Additionally, youth and families can play a key role in the development of out-of-school time programming. Programs that include families and youth in the planning draw greater support in the long run and tend to be more culturally relevant.

Parents should be involved in all phases of program development and implementation. Teen REACH also encourages collaboration with other youth serving programs in the community. Programs may develop a sliding scale for payment of program registration fees.

If this is done, programs must develop written policies that ensure that inability to pay a fee will not preclude participation by any eligible youth. In addition, any fees secured must be put back into the Teen REACH program and utilized for direct services activities to youth. This must be demonstrated in the proposed Spending Plan.

Fees collected should be captured as "Non-State Funds". The Illinois Department of Human Services is interested in gathering information about the service delivery area for each Teen REACH agency (or each site, if an agency has multiple program sites). This geographic analysis helps us to assure that services are being delivered in the areas of greatest need, in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Because of the importance of this information, your proposed service delivery area will be reviewed in the context of your application and the State's need for services in that area. The Site Information Form (available as an Appendix) provides space for you to enter your proposed service area by site. If your agency will have more than one program site, the Site Information Form must be completed for each site .

Submit the Site Information Form(s) as Attachment P5 of your Application. Performance Based Funding To assure accountability at all levels of service provision, the Illinois Department of Human Services will implement performance-based funding with all of its Teen REACH grantee agencies. The six primary performance measures / standards will be tracked via the Department's eCornerstone data system.

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