IDHS

The overall goal of the Afghan Legal Services is the provision of immigration-related legal assistance to eligible Afghan populations. Services are to be provided at no-cost or at a reduced cost – a nominal fee - to the client.

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To support immigrant serving non-profit organizations in providing affirmative assistance to Afghan Humanitarian Parolees.

Yes

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Nonprofit Organizations;

This competitive funding opportunity is limited to applicants that meet the following requirements: Is a nonprofit organization subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c) (3) in good standing with the State of Illinois. Has at minimum two (2) licensed attorneys on staff that are members in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state in the country or U.S. territory; and have at least two (2) years of experience handling immigration remedies cases OR has two (2) staff recognized and accredited by the OLAP under the U.S. Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review for at least two (2) years. c. Has experience and successful track record of providing immigrant and refugee services specifically to the Afghan Community. d. Has prior experience and knowledge of immigration legal services particularly serving the Afghan population. e. Has knowledge and expertise in working with federal and state policies regarding immigrant and refugee status. f. Demonstrates understanding in ethnic diversity of the immigrant and refugee populations and the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services unique to this program.

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Project Grants

Human Services

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The pre-award process includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) and a Programmatic Risk Assessment (PRA). The ICQ is completed for the organization, while the PRA must be completed for each separate grant for which an applicant intends to apply. The Department may NOT issue a Notice of Award or a Grant Agreement to any applicant that does not have a submitted and approved FY 23 ICQ and a submitted and complete FY 23 PRA(s). While these are NOT required prior to submitting the application, they are required prior to the Department issuing an award. Applicants that have not completed an ICQ and/or PRA for the grant award year at the time of application will be contacted by the Department to complete these pre-award requirements. These grantee pre-award requirements are mandated by Federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA). Grantees must complete these requirements prior to receiving a grant award from the State of Illinois.

Interested applicants must complete the following required documents: a. The Letter of Intent by 2:00 pm Monday, June 27, 2022. The purpose of the Letter of Intent is for IDHS to prepare for the applications review process by understanding the number of prospective applicants. b. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance by 2:00 pm CST, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application. c. Grant Application Narrative 2:00 pm CST, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. IMPORTANT: The grant application narrative makes up the bulk of your application. Please provide a complete response to each section. If the program plan/narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a score of zero points and your agency will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity. d. Uniform Grant Budget 2:00 pm CST, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Applications must include a budget submitted via the Uniform Grant Budget Template which is a form on the DHS website (https://www.dhs.state.il.us/onenetlibrary/12/documents/Forms/GOMBGATU-3002.pdf; https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=84585) .

Funding decisions will be based upon the quality of the applicant's program plan and budget/budget narrative based on the 100-point scale described above. However, the numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider other factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a state grantee, etc. While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information. In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one of the following options: Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or Partially fund each of the tied applications; or Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.

Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the above review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include: Grant award amount The terms and conditions of the award Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA) and merit-based review. Note: The Department cannot issue a NOSA until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into CSA. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. This signed NOSA is the document authorizing the Department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice

Application submission deadline is July13, 2022.

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Merit-Based Review Appeal Process Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO). Submission of Appeal Appeals submission IDHS contact information: Name of Agency contact for appeals: Agata Fieske-Nesheiwat Email of Agency contact for appeals: DHS.BRIS@illinois.gov Email Subject Line: Appeal (Immigrant Integration 444-80-2869) An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: Name and address of the appealing party; Identification of the grant; and Statement of reasons for the appeal. Supporting documentation, if applicable Response to Appeal IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received. IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request. Resolution The ARO shall make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination. The determination shall include, but not be limited to: Review of the appeal; Appeal determination; and Rationale for the determination.

Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on performance and sufficient appropriation.

Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

Community based program for legal assistance to Afghan immigrant population of Illinois.

Upon execution of the grant agreement, reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Uniform Grant Agreement and related Exhibits which includes, but is not limited to the following: Time Period for Required Periodic Financial Reports. Grantee shall submit financial reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 13.1 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and reports must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 13.2 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and no later than 15 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 14.1 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and such reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the quarter ends. Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 14.2 of the Uniform Grant Agreement and no later than 30 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: Additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in a format prescribed by the Department.

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Anticipated Number of Awards based on coverage of services needed statewide. Award range to be determined based on whether the application is for a single agency or a consortium of agencies.

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GATA and legal assistance program practices.

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TBS

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Immigrant Legal Aid and Immigration Pro Bono Network, Access to Justice

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