Request for Applications for Child Welfare Implementation Projects

Purpose Improve child welfare outcomes through changes in organizational culture, administration, policies and practices Mutually binding agreements between the MPCWIC and the state or tribal agency

24 months in length, with resources ranging from $100,000 to $700,000 per budget period Sixteen projects from Individualized, long term technical assistance and consultation for sustained organizational change

Participants Region 06 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Region 08 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming).

University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work, Center for Child Welfare Butler Institute for Families at University of Denver The Native American Training Institute, Bismarck, North Dakota

Systemic Organization Change MPCWIC a change agent to achieve systemic change in policies and practices. MPCWIC will use the systems of care framework in working with selected projects.

Implementation Projects Opportunity for state and tribal child welfare agencies to partner with MPCWIC to develop implementation projects with clear goals and objectives, identified action steps, and measureable outcomes that will contribute to successful systems and organizational change

Goals: (1) sustainable systems and organizational change, (2) improve the agency’s culture, policies, structure, and practices, and (3) enhance progress on safety, permanence, and well-being indicators for children and families

Consultation for developing applications will be available from MPCWIC team members during and following the Regional Forums.

Approach to Practice MPCWIC Philosophy An articulated approach to practice Integrated with mission, vision, values, practice principles, standards and methods

Eligible Applicants States, and the District of Columbia Territories Tribes, and Tribal consortia that are currently receiving formula grant funds administered by the Children’s Bureau

Application Process Attend the Regional Forum Submit an application for a project. Upon selection of the projects; coordinate with the MPCWIC for technical assistance, consultation, etc.

Application Contents Cover Sheet Project Summary: Provide a summary statement of the proposed project (one page)

Project Description (10-12 pages)  Problem Statement and Need for Assistance (20 pts.) Provide a description of the problem/issue you plan to address

State how this corresponds with your most recent CFSR and PIP, Strategic Plan, 5 year Child and Family Service Plan, Court Improvement Plan, and Needs or Organizational Assessment

Child welfare population that will benefit from the project. State your capacities and strengths Include data that will provide useful information for understanding the issue

 Approach (50 pts.) Describe your plan to address the problem/issue Include specific activities with timelines, including total length of project (2-3 years)

Clearly state the overall purpose and objectives of the project Identify key staff, stakeholders, and collaborators for the project activities

Integration with the agency’s CFSR and PIP, Strategic Plan, 5 year Child and Family Service Plan, Court Improvement Plan, and Needs or Organizational Assessment

Identify the potential challenges and barriers to successfully implementing the project and the strategies to be used to address them Address sustainability

 Evaluation and Monitoring (10 pts.) Project outcomes, data sources, benchmarks to measure success, a plan to monitor progress, and measurement tools/instruments.

Selected projects will work with the MPCWIC evaluation team to develop a full evaluation and monitoring plan that is responsive to the specific project objectives

THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE APPENDIX (these sections will not be counted in the pg. limit)

Logic Model (5 pts.) A logic model provides a visual presentation of the relationship among the resources available, planned activities, and changes or results you plan to achieve

Organizational Profile/Capacity (10 pts.) Identify key project staff, roles, qualifications, responsibilities; partnering organizations (include letters of support and commitment for involvement in the project)

Present the agency’s strengths and capacity to develop, implement, and sustain the project

 Assurances (5 pts). Mutually binding agreement Peer to peer networking activities Cross-site evaluation Share the project application and outcomes with other participants

Plan for the sustainability of the project Assure that the agency leadership is committed to the project Documentation and reports on the project

 Past/Current/Future Technical Assistance (information only 0 pts.) Identify technical assistance and for what issues received in the past 3-5 years/currently receiving and arranged for future from all sources (NRCs; private agency etc.)

Application Formatting and Submission The application must be typed, double spaced, printed on one side, with one inch margins, using standard 12-pt fonts (such as Times New Roman or Courier). All pages must be numbered.

Yr 1: MPCWIC will award 2 or more projects by July 1, 2009 Applications must be postmarked by May 26, 2009, 5:00 pm CST. Late applications will not be eligible for funding during the Yr. 1 cycle.

Page Limit: The application limit is 12 pages (sections a-c) not including the cover sheet, abstract/summary page, and appendices. Pages over the limit will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed.

MPCWIC is funded for five years; new projects will be funded during Yrs 1, 2, 3, 4.

Electronic Submission Send applications to both Susan Ferrari, Project Coordinator Joan Rycraft, Principal Investigator

Submission by Mail MPCWIC UT Arlington School of Social Work 211 S. Cooper, Box Arlington, TX Attention: Susan Ferrari