Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant Application

Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant Application

Introduction

The Tribal Early Learning Fund is designed to support tribal children in early learning programs including. This non-competitive grant fund will provide resources to ensure programs can best serve tribal children in an inclusive and culturally appropriate manner.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible program applicants must currently serve pregnant individuals or children, birth to 5 years of age, who are either members of the 29 Tribes of Washington State or one of 574 Federally Recognized Tribes. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to:

Tribal Head Start
Tribal Early Head Start
Tribal Early Childhood Education and Assistance Programs (ECEAP), including Tribal Contractors and Subcontractors
Tribal Early ECEAP, including Tribal Contractors and Subcontractors
Tribal Child Care Centers
Tribally Licensed Child Care providers
Recognized American Indian Organizations (RAIOs) with an early learning program
Tribal/Native Serving organization with an early learning program
Certified/Certified for Payment only Tribal Child Care Providers
Tribal Home Visiting Programs
Tribal Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN) providers
Early Childhood and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Contractors serving Tribal children
Early ECEAP Contractors serving Tribal children
State Licensed Child Care providers serving Tribal children
Home Visiting Program serving Tribal children

Funding Priorities

Providers may apply for funds under the following priorities:

Prioritization:*

Select or enter value

12 priorities have been identified but funding is not limited to these priorities and will be assessed during the review process. Use the dropdown to select your funding priorities, you may select more than one.

Ineligible Cost and Activities

TELF grant funds cannot be used for capital expenses, materials, or activities that do not advance or inspire enhanced language access and practices that promote inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments.

Other ineligible costs and activities include:

Costs not related to the project outcome.
Religious activities or purposes, including worship or instruction.
Capital improvements/projects, such as major construction or renovation.
No Capital Purchases over $5,000 (No single item purchase).
General operational costs, including:

i. Regular payroll costs for existing staff.

ii. Costs of purchasing, owning, or maintaining a vehicle.

iii. Regular facility costs, such as rent or utilities.

iv. Insurance.

v. Other business operating costs.

vi. Federal taxes.

6. Raises or bonuses for existing staff.

7. Gifts for families.

What is a capital project?

A capital project is a project to construct either new facilities or make significant, long term renewal improvements to existing facilities. Grants made by or passed through the state to fund projects for other entities are also included in the capital budget, and these instructions apply to those projects. Capital projects appropriated in the capital budget are public works under Chapter 39.04 RCW and subject to prevailing wage requirements and other applicable laws.

When to capitalize assets 30.20.20

The state’s capitalization policy is a follows:

All other capital assets with a unit cost (including ancillary costs) of $10,000 or greater, or collections with a total cost of $10,000 or greater, unless otherwise noted.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation is made up of four criteria: Background Information; Proposed Project; Organizational Experience; Program Management and Experience.

Evaluation Criteria Rubric

_________________________________________________

Criterion: Background Information

Total questions: 8

Total points: 4

Description: 0.5. pt per question

__________________________________________________

Criterion: Organizational Experience

Total questions: 3

Total points: 6

Description: 2 pts per question

__________________________________________________

Criterion: Proposed Project

Total questions: 6

Total points: 30

Description: 5 pts per question

__________________________________________________

Criterion: Program Management & Outcomes

Total questions: 3

Total points: 15

Description: 5 pts per question

__________________________________________________

Evaluation Criteria- Questions

The evaluation is made up of 4 Criteria:

Background Information;
Proposed Project;
Organizational Experience;
Program Management & Experience.

Project Questions

1. Background Information

1.1. Program Name*

1.2 Mailing Address - state wide vendor number should match the mailing address.

1.3. Is your program operated by a Tribal Nation?*

Select

1.3.1 What type of early education provider is your organization?*

Select or enter value

1.3.2 Type of Provider

Select or enter value

1.4. Hours of Operation (Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm)*

What are your hours of operations serving Tribal children and families?

1.5 Where are you located? (what is the physical/site location of your program?)

1.5.1 What region are you in?*

Please see the DCYF Regional Map for more information

1.6. How many Tribal children will be served?*

1.7. Staff Members (per program)*

How many staff members does your organization employ, including bus drivers, cooks, security administrators, etc.?

1.8. How many years has your program been in operations?*

2. Organizational Experience

2.1. Who will manage this project? Please provide their contact information; phone number and email.*

2.2. Does your staff, or personnel managing this project, have experience working with DCYF?*

2.3. What types of projects or experience does this person have to meet your project’s priorities and outcomes of those priorities?*

3. Proposed Project

3.1. Have you worked with Tribal populations before? If so, how and when?*

3.2. How will your project address the purpose and priorities of the grant?*

3.3. How will your priorities address the needs of Tribal children and families?*

3.4. What priority/priorities will your program deliver and how will the priority/priorities impact Tribal children and families?*

3.5 Budget Justification*

What is the total budget justification for your projects? (please itemize cost by priorities and expenses)

3.5.1 Budget - Excel Spreadsheet/File Upload*

Please include all expenses such as personnel, supplies, professional development, travel, contracts, fringe, and administrative cost, Indirect Cost Rate – Tribes, please work with your finance office for your Indirect Cost Rate

Drag and drop files here or

3.6. How will your leadership team support the person in charge of TELF delivery?*

4. Project Management & Outcomes

4.1. How will you ensure your project is managed with fidelity?*

4.2. How will you explain and share back the results of your project’s outcomes from the identified priorities to the children and families you are proposing to engage?*

4.3. What types of systems, processes, and/or policies do you have in place that will allow you to collect and share, back to DCYF, and how does it speak to your project's performance?*

NOTE:

In addition to the application, each applicant must apply for Statewide Vendor Number (Provider Registration Form (W-9): https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/licensed-provider/vendor-number

Outcomes and Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements on management and outcomes is required by the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) and Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). We want to hear your voices. We have provided examples, in the RFA, listed under ‘Share your story!’. These are examples of what a story might look like.

As you write your story, please consider how your project outcomes align with TELF Grant Purpose and Priorities; consider how many children and families it served, the types of activities you provided, and the overall outcome from the activity.

Our intent is that the outcomes, shared in a story, will help us make a case for continued funding. If you have questions or concerns, the OTR TELF Specialist is available to answer any questions and support you might need.

Terms and Conditions

The Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant must be spent within the fiscal year which it was awarded and within the project scope described above.

I certify that the information I have provided on this application is true and correct.

Agree.*

I will spend the Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant funds, if awarded, on the purchase outlined in this grant application.

Agree*

I will spend the Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant within the appropriate fiscal year of the date that the funds were received.

Agree*

I will report to the Office of Tribal Relations on how I spend the Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant. This will include keeping receipts and documentation (i.e. invoices) from all purchases made with this grant money, and also submitting an end of fiscal year report to OTR, at the end of the grant fiscal cycle (starts July 1st, and ends June 30th).

Agree*

I understand that OTR may ask me to provide these receipts for purchases made with money from this grant, and if I cannot provide these receipts and documentation when asked, I will be required to repay part or all of the grant money to the State of Washington.

Agree*

If I close my child care license or my license is suspended before the grant cycle ends, I will return any unspent grant funds to OTR-DCYF. I will still be responsible to provide reporting and receipts to OTR detailing funds I did spend, regardless of open or closed status.

Agree*

If I do not comply with OTR-DCYF reporting requirements or cannot show that the funds were spent in accordance with my application, I am in violation of the terms of the Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant and will return the grant funds to OTR-DCYF.

Agree*

I understand that my application will be denied if I request funding for any disallowed costs.

Agree*

I have reviewed my application and am ready to submit. I understand once my application is submitted I cannot make any changes to my answers.

Agree*

Publicity, Publication and Acknowledgements*

DCYF may include information on this Grant in their periodic public reports and may make information about this Grant public at any time in their web pages and as part of press releases, public reports, speeches, newsletters, and other public documents related to Contract or the HVSA. DCYF must comply with Washington State public disclosure law (Chapter 42.56 RCW) and with regulations set forth in HIPAA and FERPA.”

Grant permission

Deny permission

I certify that I have the authority to submit this proposal, and that the information in this proposal is true and accurate. If my organization is faith-based, I understand that federal and state law prohibits the use of public funds for religious worship, exercise, instruction or support of any religious establishment: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/resource/equal-treatment-regulations-for-faith-based-organizations

I understand that my organization will not receive reimbursement for any costs incurred in preparing this proposal.

Name*

Title*

Contact Email Address*

Signature*

By typing my full name I agree to the terms and conditions of the Tribal Early Learning Fund Grant Application as described above:

Date*

Send me a copy of my responses

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