Preservation and Assessment
CSFA Number: 418-00-3596
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Children And Family Services (418)
Agency Identification
FPS
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, grantees will assist the evaluation of complex families whose children have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. There are certain children and families that present a multiplicity of factors that add to the complexity of determining permanency. For cases referred to this Permanency Planning program, grantee clinical staff will conduct a comprehensive study of the history and current circumstances of the children and families in question. Included in this evaluation will be an examination of the systemic, environmental, and familial/developmental barriers confounding past planning efforts. At the conclusion of the report, the grantee will provide the Department with a detailed report, including observations, conclusions, and recommendations for the children’s placement. Under the agreement, the grantee will provide testimony in Juvenile Court related to the matters covered in this evaluation.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
N/A
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
Related to the primary program goals, the services provided through this program are:
1) Conducting permanency planning evaluations;
2) Consultation on cases where DCFS is doing the evaluation, but outside assistance is desired;
3) Consultation to DCFS staff regarding policy and procedures that bears on permanency planning; and
4) Training for DCFS staff and other system participants on attachment and risk assessment as they bear on permanency planning.
The goals of the Permanency Planning program are:
1. To determine whether "Return Home" is a realistic goal for a child(ren) in State custody at the time of the referral. This entails a review of the parents' progress on their service plan and an assessment of current parenting capacities necessary to be a minimally safe and adequate caregiver to particular children.
2. To determine which placement option is in the best interest of the child(ren). This entails an in-depth assessment of the child's current developmental needs and an evaluation of the attachment of the child to all of his/her significant biological and foster caregivers.
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
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
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.
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 - $188,796, BY - $188,796
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
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2026 : $188,796
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS