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ODE TANF-Funded Initiatives Page
(Note: Newest Q&As at top) [Posted 11-13-06]
[Posted 10-27-06] Question:
[The following answer was updated 10-27-06] Question:
[Posted 10-19-06]
Question:
[Posted 10-13-06]
Question:
[Posted 9-29-06] Question: What USAS fund code should we use? 599 or 462?
[Posted 9-27-06] Question: On a previously posted question, it was made clear that grant funds may be allocated for transportation (gas, etc). In our case, nearly all of our students will need transported each day. Can we consider this drive time (approximately two hours per week) as part of the grant required 12-15 hours per week for the program?
[Posted 7-21-06]
Question: In the After School program application, under
program requirements, #3 states "Additional support activities
included, but not limited to: youth development activities, drug and
violence prevention programs, counseling programs, health, art,
music, technology education programs and character education
programs." This sounds as if an after school program must provide
[Posted 7-20-06] Question: Please provide verification of the approved start date on which services may begin for both the School Readiness Enrichment Program and the K-12 After School Demonstration Program. Earlier guidance on this website indicated that school-year programs may begin as early as September 5, 2006, but that guidance has since been removed from the website. The only time frame that currently appears on the website references the "school year," which differs among school districts and is non-existent for year-round programs. Please provide an acceptable start date, both from the perspective of the commencement of after-school services and from the perspective of the effective date of the TANF allocation made to county DJFS's.
[Posted 7-10-06] (Note: This question was originally posted on 6/22 but the answer has been revised) Question: Program Requirements: We are interested in school readiness programming that could serve those at-risk children in the County transitioning from Help Me Grow and not able to be served in a formal preschool program. Can these funds be used to develop programming for this population? According to the interagency agreement, this initiative is for 4 and five year olds the summer prior to kindergarten and during the kindergarten year. Thus, 3 year olds would not be eligible. Initially it was our (Office of Early Learning and School Readiness) thinking that if children were TANF eligible then they could be served. This may be the case for "other" TANF dollars, but not for this initiative as defined by the interagency agreement. [Posted 6-29-06]
Question: Can school districts contract with a non-profit that provides after-school programs and tutoring to provide the program solely?
[Posted 6-29-06] Question: We are going to apply for a school readiness program on behalf of the schools we service. The afterschool program will be available at each school district and we will be using their facilities and their staff, but we would like to fiscal and administer the grant for them. Will the grant permit ESC's to manage and delivery these services to their member districts? Our districts depend on our ESC to provide many consolidated services of this nature. but they have to work through the county department of job and family services to prepare the application and the cost structure has to be acceptable to the Local school district and the CDJFS. Question: When will each county will receive the dollars granted to each of the proposals.
Question: Can the district invoice us for a program that began on the 10th of June?
Question: Finally, if these dollars are available through June 30th of 2007, does the district have to spend down their awards before the September program begins, or can the dollars roll into that time period?
[Posted 6-22-06] Question: We were just notified that we received only a portion of the money we requested for the afterschool and summer demonstration program. $31,751 of the $127,000 requested. In the email from our County Department of Job and Family Services, it was indicated that additional information and funding notices would become available for the fall allocations. Does this mean that we will receive additional monies or should I apply before the July 15 deadline for the additional monies?
Question: How do we determine eligibility for the summer readiness enrichment program for children entering kindergarten? Since our kindergarten program is a half day program, these children do not apply for free or reduced price lunches.
Question: Program Requirements: We are interested in school readiness programming that could serve those at-risk children in the County transitioning from Help Me Grow and not able to be served in a formal preschool program. Can these funds be used to develop programming for this population?
[Posted 6-16-06] Question: We have applied for both RFP's and have not heard if the grants have been funded as of today, June 12. Has the decision been made for funding? The process to determining funding will begin on Friday, June 16th. ODJFS will be determining specific amounts to be given to each county and then make the determination of whom and for how much each application will be funded. It is realized that this is late; but given the change in due date to receive the applications; this is where we are right now. It is hoped that ODJFS will have completed their work by the middle or end of the week of June 19th - June 23.
Question: Is Woodridge eligible to apply for the after school program funds.
[Posted 6-14-06] Question: Can these funds be used to transport youth to the facility?
Question: We are considering an application that would expand an existing program that uses subsidized child care as a major part of its funding. Under that program there is a requirement for a family co-pay. If we expand the program using these funds, can we also require a co-pay for participation by the new families whose children will be served in the expanded program?
Question: Is there a form that is to be used for submitting the budget? If not, should it be in a narrative or a data base format?
Question: This question is from a community center that offers a homework help program during the school year. Currently, the program is run by adult volunteers who assist the children with homework after school. The program requirement section states all academic instructional aides must be certified. Would our volunteers need to become certified to continue to assist the children in the homework help program? Would programs like ours that are supplementing the school curriculum still qualify?
Question: May a school district apply for a student intervention project if the CDJFS has not submitted a letter of intent?
Question: I could not locate Columbiana County schools on the TANFLogWith-PIScore_Final 5-9-06.pdf
Question: How many weeks does the summer program have run? We offer a program for 3 weeks, 4 hours per day, 5 days per week.
Question: Also, does the after school program have to run all year? Is there a specific number of weeks for the regular school year only, or for the summer and the regular school year.
Question: If this program is to enhance an existing program but will require more staff for the at-risk youth who will participate is it permissible to charge those families a co-pay or a higher rate than the general public would pay for the program?
Question: The CDJFS will incur administrative costs for managing contracts,processing invoices, conducting eligibility checks, providing technical assistance regarding TANF eligibility, monitoring and web reporting responsibilities. Should the administrative costs be included in the budget submitted by the school application?
[Posted 6-6-06]
Question:
Can we
still apply?
The Letter of
intent states that we agree to amend the Wood County PRC plan.
The Wood County PRC policy states that the Wood County Planning
Committee reviews any proposed changes to the Wood County PRC
plan and makes a recommendation to the Wood County Commissioners
who then approve their recommendation or deny same. The Planning
Committee does not meet until July but we could call an
emergency meeting. If they recommend this then it goes to the
Board. We can call emergency meetings etc, but it cannot be done
by June 2, 2006.
Questions:
[Posted 5-29-06]
Question: The RFP say that "it is anticipated that the per student average cost for services will average approximately $5.00 per contact hour." Is it imperative that our budgets be based of $5.00 or is this a flexible number?
Answer: The $5 per contact hour is an expected statewide average cost for the types of programs we anticipate being approved. Some programs should cost less, some may cost somewhat more. The $5 per contact hour was based upon historical cost data from school-based afterschool programs, so it is expected that most budgets will fit closely to the $5 per contact hour estimate. All proposed costs must be allowable and reasonable under TANF guidelines, necessary to the successful operation of the proposed services, and approved by the CDJFS as appropriate to include in the Application and subsequent contract with the CDJFS.
Question: How do ESC’s get a PI.
Answer: In the case of ESC's one needs to average the PI's of the districts the ESC intends to serve with the funds to get the ESC's PI...same is true of JVSs'. We can't do that ahead of the application because ESC's don't always include all districts in their service area.
Question: If the Afterschool and Summer Demonstration project is intended to serve students, K-12, then why are elementary proposals not being given the same consideration as middle or high school projects? This was stated in the initial information released
Answer: We targeted these ages to address passage rates on the Ohio Graduation Test.
Question: As I complete the TANF application, I am not seeing specific county funding levels. Is there a county limit?
Answer: There were no county funding levels. The districts are creating there budgets based on their program needs.
Question: Children who receive free and reduced lunch are usually the ones already receiving vouchers to pay for afterschool and summer programs. How would these funds work with the county voucher program?
Answer: The meal determinations do not directly influence county vouchers. However, if a family receives food stamps or OWF they are automatically free on the food program. No agency can use food program eligibility as a direct determination of other program benefits
Question: What is the process once the application(s) are completed?
Answer: DJFS agencies explained that the school districts were to send the original application and a copy of the assurance page to the County Job and Family Services by June 2 (if it is a summer application) The jointly developed application needs to be submitted to the county Family and Children First Council Chair.
The local FCFC will to receive the application from the CDJFS and will review, approve, sign off and send in to ODE.
FCFC will inform ODE and ODJFS of the funding amounts via the submitted reviewed and locally approved applications and program assurances.
Question: Did Franklin County submit a letter of intent?
Answer: Yes, Franklin County did submit a letter of intent.
Question: Once the district and I have the proposal outline. Who at the CDJFS are we to collaborate with or speak to to fully develop the program?
Answer: Julie Buzard Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services 80 E Fulton Street Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 462-5592 (614) 462-6451 wjib25@fcdhs.co.franklin.oh.us
Question: Is the summer program specifically for middle school aged children? In my area, the recreation center is closed and their is a lack of any type of summer program for the students mostly grades 1-6.
Answer: The Afterschool and Summer Demonstration project is intended to serve students, K-12; however we target middle level and high school to address passage rates on the Ohio Graduation Test.
Question: I am concerned about the role FCFCs are being directed to take with these school district grant applications. In the grant it stipulates the FCFCs on behalf of ODE will approve all applications. I don't know about anyone else, but I do not want to be in a position of approving or disapproving grant applications, particularly when I have no idea what is the criteria for approval.
It makes far more sense for us to sign off on the grants signifying that we are aware of their submission than to put us in the position of approving their application, which I am very uncomfortable doing.
Further, the grant application stipulates that every application has to be signed by the Council Chair, rather than the Council director. This is pretty unusual for some thing like this and logistically may turn out to be a problem, particularly for districts that send it in at the last minute.
Answer: ******OFCF Clarification****** The guidance this was posted May 10th requires the county FCFC Chair and/or Administrative agent to review and "approve" the application. If the actual review is being conducted by the FCFC Coordinator and being approved by the chair or administrative agent, please be aware of any conflict of interest issues.
Conflict of issue may exist if the FCFC Coordinator does help write the application and then reviews the application on behalf of ODE. If you do assist in writing the application, it is best that the application is reviewed by the FCFC chair, administrative agent, another FCFC member, or your OFCF regional coordinator. One reason these key FCFC leaders were identified was to possibly prevent any conflict of interest issues. If the FCFC Coordinator/Director has the authority to sign on behalf of FCF and conflict of interest would not exist, then the FCFC Coordinator/Director signature for local review will be accepted.
Local approval indicates that the application meets the 6 items specified on the program assurance document located on the website, http://www.occrra.org/index_ode.html. Please note, this website page contains the most recent versions of the applications and assurances.
On the program assurance statement, the reviewer should note next to each of the six items whether those items were addressed strongly, somewhat, or weakly in the application and if any identified TA could assist the school/program. The identified or recommended TA should be stated on the assurance page. Once the application has been reviewed, the FCFC reviewer can sign on the assurance statement indicating that it has been reviewed (no signature line available on statement, sign anywhere on the assurance page).
The assurance statement along with a copy of the reviewed and signed application (signatures required by the school, CDJFS, and FCFC chair/administrative agent or coordinator) should be sent by FCFC to ODE (attention, Cheryl Kish, 25 S Front St, 3rd Fl, Columbus OH 43215) and to the local CDJFS. The assurance statement and application must be postmarked no later than June 2nd. The application will receive final approval from ODE.
Question: Throughout the information, reference is made to the local Job and Family Services being involved in the development of the proposal. While I understand the local JFS will handle the contracting specifics if funding is awarded, can you explain what else must be done? Specifically, are you simply looking for a letter of support from the JFS with a mention of an agreement
Answer: ODE is in the process of replacing the assurances that are now posted with those that have signature lines for the CDJFS. This should make it clearer that the application is being jointly submitted by the CDJFS and the school district. A separate letter of support will not be needed, since the form will indicate that the application is being jointly submitted. The revised form will also contain a signature line for the FCFC chair or administrative agent to approve the application on behalf of ODE.
Question: One additional question about the FCF role: it stipulates that you Want the Council Chair signature rather than the Council/Director. In most instances the director has the authority to sign on behalf of FCF. Obtaining the signature of the Chair can sometimes present logistical problems. Given the tight time frame, can the FCFC director sign on behalf of FCF?
Answer: The guidance states that the FCFC Chair or Administrative Agent should sign off on the review of the application. One reason these key FCFC leaders were identified was to possibly prevent any conflict of interest issues. If the FCFC Coordinator/Director has the authority to sign on behalf of FCF and conflict of interest would not exist, then the FCFC Coordinator/Director signature for local review will be accepted.
[Posted 5/22/06]
Question: The RFP says that summer programs must be 4 hours a day. How many days per week is expected? In the grant it states 12-15 hours per week, summer 4 hours per day. For the best results in goal achievement it should be 4 days a week, 4 hours a day.
Question: Are programs that are offered supplemental to the normal class day and school district curriculum as pull-outs with additional service learning projects outside of the normal school day eligible for funding under the after school and summer demonstration RFP?
Question: If my school is not listed in the Announcement as an eligible school district, may I still submit an Application? If you are an eligible school district and the county responded with a letter of intent, you should have been listed. If you were not, it could be because you are a nonpublic school, which includes parochial schools and other private schools that are not chartered as a community school. You are not eligible to apply for these programs if you are a nonpublic school.
Question: We have been verbally informed by ODJFS that an applicant (school)should specifically identify the subcontractors that will provide programming such as mental health services, youth development activities, domestic violence programs, etc. in the application. By doing do, this meets the procurement requirements as it is a part of this RFP. Is this correct?
Conversely, if an applicant (school) does not specifically name the exact organization that will provide the service in the application, the school will then have to competitively bid, obtain three quotes, or otherwise meet all procurement requirements. Is this correct? If not, please explain in specific terms.
Question:
[Posted 5/19/06]
Question: As a public housing agency, we house children in four school districts. We have been looking at a kindergarten readiness project that may qualify for this funding. Our plan is to have the schools develop DVDs which would be mailed to children monthly and would include activities that the children could do with their parents to promote kindergarten readiness. We have approximately 1200 children who will be entering kindergarten in 2007 and are also eligible for TANF funding, so the impact could be sigmificant. My questions are:
While I believe this could be a great activity to increase family involvement, this does not meet the TANF Kindergarten Readiness Program criteria. I would suggest they approach CDJFS to see if there are other funds that may support this.
Question: The RFP says that summer programs must be 4 hours a day. How many days per week is expected? In the grant it states 12-15 hours per week, summer 4 hours per day. It is my preference, at least 4 days a week, 4 hours per day, for the best results in goal achievement.
Question: Does a sliding fee scale need to be established for a program to serve both school lunch eligible students and non-eligible students? ...Or can supplemental funds from other sources be used to defray the costs of non-eligible students in order to participate in these summer and before/after school programs?
[Posted 5/18/06]
Question: If our county is not listed on the PI spreadsheet is our CDJFS not participating in this initiative? Can they still submit an intent to participate?
[Posted 5/15/06]
Question: Our school district is interested in both a Summer and School Year Program, may we submit a Summer application and a School Year application as separate applications or must it be a combined application? When will a combined application be due? You may submit separate applications. If you submit a combined application for both summer and school year, the due date (which has recently been extended) is June 2, 2006. If you prefer to submit two applications, summer deadline is June 2, 2006 and the school-year application is July 14, 2006.
[ Posted 5/12/06]
Question: The RFP states that all instructional aids must be certified. Can someone be going through the certification process and still be considered eligible to provide services under this RFP? And does this certification refer to being a certified teacher in the state of Ohio?
Question: Are activities strictly confined to being offered after the end of the traditional school day, before the beginning of the traditional school day, weekends or summer, or can some support activities be offered during the school day if offered apart from the traditional academic program?Schools may choose to operate a program for the summer only, for the regular school year only, or for the summer and the regular school year, before or after regular school hours.
Question: In reference to the program requirements for the After school Demonstration Program. If a school district applies for these funds, to run an after school program, are they required to run a summer program, as well? Does just an after school program, run during the academic year(12-15 hours per week) qualify for this? This is under requirements section #4 and it was unclear. Thank you. Schools may choose to operate a program for the summer only, for the regular school year only, or for the summer and the regular school year. Yes, after school programs qualify, if the after school programs population served is TANF eligible. Regarding number 4: Summer programs are to run 4 hours daily, after school programs are to run 12-15 hours per week.
Question: Eligibility - The announcement letter indicates that funding is available for eligible districts. How do we know whether or not our district is eligible? Each county job and family services (CDJFS) agency received an announcement of availability of state TANF funds to be administered through the CDJFS. The agencies were asked to submit a letter of intent to apply for funds by April 27. Schools within those counties that applied were notified of the funds available through the CDJFS. Therefore, eligible schools are considered those schools within the counties that self-selected to apply. It has been noted, however, that some CDJFS did not receive an announcement so if your county job and family services still wants to submit a letter of intent, they may. Question: Has the deadline for applying for a summer program been extended? If so, what is the new deadline? Yes, the deadline for applying for a summer program has been extended. Have your completed application and assurance page(s) to your local county department of Job and Family Services no later than Friday, June 2, 2006. A copy of the assurance page(s) should be sent to ODE.
Question: We are preparing the School Readiness application for summer 2006. Is the deadline extended for this also, or only the afterschool and summer demonstration program. The deadline extension is for the School Readiness summer program as well.
Question: I am sending a letter of intent for Jackson County. Please advise if it too late to send in a letter of intent? The last day we can accept a letter of intent from a county will be Friday, May 19, 2006.
Question: This question comes from a community school. Is it acceptable to serve students enrolled in the school program who have reached the age of majority, e.g. 19 or 20 years of age?Ohio Department of Education serves students K-12 until the age of 21
Question: C an districts that have gained Satisfactory status apply? For example, might a district with a building in Continuous Improvement or lower apply and focus programming on eligible students in that building?
Question: Must all students served with these funds be eligible for free or reduced price lunches? What documentation is needed for entering kindergarten students who do not normally apply for free lunches? Is there any way that a building could qualify and then serve any students in that building?
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