Early Childhood Education
CSFA Number: 418-00-1341
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Children And Family Services (418)
Agency Identification
CDS; DRR
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
This program identifies through development assessments, resource development (referrals/ linkages), and consultation for case managers regarding education needs specifically for youth in care 0-5 years of age. The program also provides childcare resources including referrals, childcare assistance, mental health consultation, healthy food programs, provider training, and other services, with the assistance of daycare and community-based providers.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
N/A
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
Objectives:
1. Increase engagement of child welfare involved young children birth to three in early intervention; 2. Increase the number of intact families with children birth to two using home visiting services; 3. Increase the number of children in care birth to three who are engaged in enrichment services (enriched day care, EHS), offering quality touches to young children that enhance their development; 4. Increase the engagement of young children and their caregivers/parents to mental health services, increasing quality touches for young children showing concerns; 5. Increase parents/caregivers and case managers understanding of the needs of young children; 6. Increase the number of children enrolled in early learning programs;
7. Increase developmental guidance to families; and 8. Increase the number of referrals specific to the needs of individual families.
This program is associated with the federal Foster Care (Title IV-E) program (CFDA 93.658): The objective of the Foster Care program is to help agencies authorized to administer Title IV-E programs to provide safe, appropriate, 24-hour, substitute care for children who are under the jurisdiction of the administering Title IV-E agency and need temporary placement and care outside their homes.
UGA Program Terms
Review Grant Agreement for Terms and Conditions.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Government Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
All applicants that meet the eligibility requirements as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be considered.
Beneficiary Eligibility
N/A
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 made annually with a maximum of two one-year renewals. A new application (either an initial or renewal) is required each year.
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
PY - $3,673,242; CY - $3,889,510; BY - $3,889,510
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2023, the range of grant award amounts was from $340,234 to $3,549,276 with an average of $1,944,755.
Program Accomplishments
TBD
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
TBD
Regional or Local Assistance Location
TBD
Headquarters Office
406 East Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62701
Example Projects
Early Childhood Education Project; Enhanced Daycare Resource & Referral Program
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2021 : $3,923,142
FY 2022 : $3,673,242
FY 2023 : $3,889,510
FY 2025 : $4,611,935
Federal Funding
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS
Agency ID | Grantee Name | Start Date | End Date | Amount |
CDS-233287-2332879025 (YR2) | Erikson Institute | 07/01/2024 | 06/30/2025 | 4,222,471 |
DRR-077511-0775119015 (YR3) | Illinois Action for Children | 07/01/2024 | 06/30/2025 | 389,464 |