Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Education Program
CSFA Number: 418-00-3676
Agency Name
Department Of Children And Family Services (418)
Agency Identification
CON
Agency Contact
Office of Grant Management & Accountability
(312) 328-2953
DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov
Short Description
The primary objective of the ABLE Education program is to support youth in care with ABLE accounts across Illinois in developing an increased understanding of their accounts as well as an improved ability to manage their accounts. Because each youth’s engagement with their ABLE account, in terms of both their access to the account and their responsibilities to manage their account, will be unique to their own abilities, the ABLE education instructor will also customize their education. ABLE accounts are a type of financial product that make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest their money for expenses related to living with a disability without impacting their benefits. Learn more at https://illinoisable.com/
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
(20 ILCS 505/5.46)
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
The Provider will provide the following educational resources: Youth In Care • Age 14: Video resource with instructor guide and print materials. • Age 16: Guided online simulation with instructor guide and print materials. • Age 18 (for youth who will remain in care): Video resource with instructor guide, referral to the Countdown to 21 financial education program at age 19 and print materials. • Age 18-21 at 1 year prior to anticipated transition (for youth who will have a payee): Video resource with instructor guide and print materials. • Age 18-21 at 1 year prior to anticipated transition (for youth who will manage their ABLE account independently): Guided, online simulation with instructor guide and print materials as well as referral to a Certified Financial Planner for a one-hour consultation. The exact format of this education may be changed as needed in consultation with our educators and consultants. The Provider will provide completion/assessment forms for each of these stages/resources.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
Review Grant Agreement for Terms and Conditions.
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations; Education Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; Small Businesses;
Applicant Eligibility
All applicants that meet the eligibility requirements as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be considered.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Youth in DCFS' care that qualify for an ABLE account.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Human Services
Credentials / Documentation
N/A
Preapplication Coordination
No prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or non-governmental units prior to the submission of a formal application to DCFS.
Application Procedures
Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Proposals are selected based on the criteria listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Award Procedures
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.
Deadlines
Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
General expectation of the length of time between the application deadline and when an award is made is 30 calendar days.
Appeals
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.
Renewals
Grant awards are subject to a maximum of two one-year renewals (i.e., 3-fiscal year length maximum). A new Uniform Grant Application (either through the initial NOFO application or multi-year renewal) is required each year.
Formula Matching Requirements
Match: Matching funds are not required for this grant program. Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for further information.
Uses and Restrictions
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
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).
Audits
All grantees must follow Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 (Auditing Standards).
Records
The Provider must follow record retention requirements found in CFR 200.333 and record retention rules as prescribed by the Department.
Account Identification
TBD
Obligations
CY - $TBD; BY - $TBD
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
TBD
Program Accomplishments
N/A
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
406 East Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62701
Program Website
N/A
Example Projects
N/A
Published Date
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
None