TLS

Note: DCFS has re-assigned multiple CSFA numbers, beginning in FY2026. Services provided under the DCFS contract are designed to improve and increase advocacy for abused and neglected children in the Juvenile Court System. Provider provides education, training, and support to Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers in the Cook County area to enable them to better understand and communicate the needs of minors who have been abused or neglected to the court that has appointed them. The CITY program will offer the following supports to eligible youth: • Provide 10-20 hours of case management monthly to support the following domains: education, employment, stable housing, life skills and financial literacy. • Accompany youth to court hearings and other legal meetings. • Facilitate activity modules on positive youth development, healthy relationships, life skills, education, workforce development, employment, pathways to success, higher education, housing, basic legal matters, financial literacy and much more. • Complete a needs assessment questionnaire to identify basic needs and other supports for a successful transition out of care. • Progress reporting to stakeholders (i.e., Public Guardians, parents/caregivers, attorneys and DCFS.

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The objective of the program is to diminish the challenges faced by children in foster care by recruiting, training, and supervising community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in court and who strive to ensure that children leave the system to live in safe, permanent homes.

Yes

Review Grant Agreement for Terms and Conditions.

Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Government Organizations;

All applicants that meet the eligibility requirements as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be considered.

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Project Grants

Human Services

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No prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or non-governmental units prior to the submission of a formal application to DCFS.

Refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for application instructions.

Proposals are selected based on the criteria listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. IDCFS staff conducts an initial review of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance. Reviewers may consist of DCFS GATA staff, division leadership, and other internal DCFS staff. Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers. Proposals will be approved based on funding available. While recommendations from the review team will be a key factor in funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the scores of the review team to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information. The Department reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of awards (e.g., ensuring coverage of certain counties or service areas), client needs, and overall programmatic/financial risk assessments in its pre-award decisions. Final award decisions will be made by the Director (or their designee). The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, locations, etc. Funds are disbursed based on the schedule agreed upon and included within the Uniform Grant Agreement.

Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

General expectation of the length of time between the application deadline and when an award is made is 30 calendar days.

Competitive grant (and in some cases non-competitive) appeals are limited to an appeal related to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Submission of Appeal An appeal must be submitted in writing in accordance with the grant application document. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days of Award denial. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: i. the name and address of the appealing party ii. identification of the grant for which you are appealing the evaluation/review process iii. a statement of reasons for the appeal Response to Appeal a. DCFS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received. b. DCFS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. c. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DCFS within the time period set in the request.

Two one-fiscal year renewals of initial grant award agreements are allowable (i.e., a grant award agreement length of three-fiscal years maximum). A new Uniform Grant Application (either through the initial NOFO application or multi-year renewal) is required each year.

Match: Matching funds are not required for this grant program. Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for further information.

Administrative Costs: Reimbursement of administrative costs may not exceed 20% of the costs of other services (20 ILCS 505/5a). Funding allocated under this grant is intended to provide direct services to clients. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget and should NOT exceed 20%. Administrative means those activities performed by staff and costs which are supportive of and required for project implementation for which there is no direct client contact such as fiscal staff; audit; clerical support; office rent, utilities, insurance; general office equipment etc. Program budgets and narratives will detail how all proposed expenditures are directly necessary for program implementation and will distinguish between Indirect/Direct Administrative and Direct Program expenses. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved.

Reports: The Provider will submit expenditure documentation forms in the format prescribed in the Program Plan. Performance Data: The Provider may be required to submit performance data as prescribed in the Program Plan or as directed by the Department. Audits: The Provider will be subjected to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 USC 7501-7507) and subject F of 2 CFR Part 200, and the audit rules set forth by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (30 ILCS 708/65).

All grantees must follow Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 (Auditing Standards).

The Provider must follow record retention requirements found in CFR 200.334 and record retention rules as prescribed by the Department.

TBD

PY - $7,721,778; CY - $703,104; BY - $703,104

In FY 2023, the range of grant award amounts was from $703,104 to $703,104 with an average of $703,104.

It is anticipated that 1 project grant will be awarded in FY 2026.

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406 East Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62701

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FY 2020 : $2,690,820
FY 2021 : $4,465,613
FY 2022 : $4,826,689
FY 2023 : $7,271,778
FY 2025 : $8,948,426
FY 2026 : $703,104