Court Appointed Special Advocates - Local
CSFA Number: 418-00-2687
Agency Name
Department Of Children And Family Services (418)
Agency Identification
AVA
Agency Contact
Office of Grant Management & Accountability
(312) 328-2953
DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov
Short Description
Provider recruits, screens, trains and manages volunteers whose primary role is to advocate for the best interests of children who are involved in the Juvenile Court System due to abuse and neglect. 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 volunteers 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. Services include: • Recruitment and training of volunteers • Matching CASA volunteers to assigned children • Case management • Court advocacy • Education advocacy • Immediate Needs Assistance
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
P. A. 101-0007, eff. 6-5-2019
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
To enhance volunteer-based services for best-interest advocacy for abused and neglected children. Highly qualified and trained volunteers work with legal professionals, child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure that judges have the critical information needed to make well-informed decisions.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
Review Grant Agreement for Terms and Conditions.
Eligible Applicants
Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Awardee is required to: • Be registered in SAM before submitting its application. To establish a SAM registration, go to www.SAM.gov and/or utilize the instructional link from the https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Pages/default.aspx Resource Links tab; • Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and • Always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
Beneficiary Eligibility
N/A
Types of Assistance
Non-competitive
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
Submissions via the State of Illinois Grant Management System / AmpliFund. FY24 Application Link: TBD.
Criteria Selecting Proposals
N/A
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. Proposals will be approved based on funding available. 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
N/A
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
N/A
Appeals
N/A
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.
Formula Matching Requirements
N/A
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 - $1,000,000; CY - $2,000,000; BY - $2,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2023, the range of grant award amounts was from $2,000,000 to $2,000,000 with an average of $2,000,000.
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
7/1/2023
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2022 : $1,000,000
FY 2023 : $2,054,476
FY 2024 : $1,400,000
FY 2025 : $1,602,572
Federal Funding
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
Agency IDGrantee NameStart DateEnd DateAmount
AVA-603105-6031059015 (YR1)Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County07/01/202406/30/20251,602,572