CED Application Reviewer Training Module 1: Introduction to CED Program and Application Review June 2012

CED Application Reviewer Training Module Outline  Module 1 includes: – An introduction to the program – Guidelines for application reviews and scoring – An overview of the application process – Tips on writing comments – Info on the application review schedule – Quiz questions to gauge what you’ve learned

CED Application Reviewer Training The CED Program  Provides technical and financial assistance to activities that contribute to community economic development and revitalization  Support creation of jobs through start-up or expansion of businesses  For 2012, as part of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, special emphasis on efforts to address food deserts in low-income communities  Requirements specified in Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) published on April 6, 2012

CED Application Reviewer Training FY 2012 CED Awards  FY 2012 funds available for awards $27M  Maximum award level: $800,000  Length of Project or Project Period: – 36 months (3 years) for non-construction projects – 60 months (5 years) for construction jobs

CED Application Reviewer Training Application Review Guidelines  The FOA lists 6 criteria under which each application will be reviewed – Objectives and Need for Assistance – Business Plan – Organizational Capacity – Public Support – Budget and Budget Justification – Bonus Points

CED Application Reviewer Training Application Review Guidelines (cont.)  Review all information provided, regardless of where in the application it is presented  Applications that meet the requirements of the FOA and present the projects most likely to succeed should be score the highest  Assess whether the application proposes a “well- planned and viable” project and plans seem feasible and mutually reinforcing

CED Application Reviewer Training Scoring Applications  Scoring done on “extent to which” each criterion is addressed within the application – Use the full range of points as appropriate – Evaluation sub-criteria for a given criterion of the application are not designed to receive equal weight  Written descriptions of strengths and weaknesses, with application page numbers  Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written comments  Panel members must reach consensus  Score applications independently; don’t try to produce “winning” applications

CED Application Reviewer Training Scoring Applications (cont.)  When scoring applications, do not: – Award a perfect score to an application that has a stated weakness. – Award a zero score to an application that has a stated strength. – List weaknesses or strengths that are not part of the evaluation criteria. – Provide an applicant a score without sufficient evidence- based comments to justify it – Expect significant scoring differences to be approved.

CED Application Reviewer Training Application Review Process Reviewer Submitted to Chair Chair Submitted to PAM Priority Area Manager (PAM ) Approval Rejected by PAM Rejected by Chair

CED Application Reviewer Training The Panel Works as a Team  Panel members are expected to – Fully participate and contribute in order to work towards completing the review per the OCS schedule – Be prompt and fully prepared for all team scheduled conference calls – Be available to meet and respond to comments via as needed, including on weekends – Maintain objectivity and undertake a thorough, comprehensive analysis of applications – Fully consider and respect the opinions of others

CED Application Reviewer Training The Panel Works as a Team  Panel members must: – Develop panel summary reports by consensus – Not consider their work to be complete until the PAM approves all summaries – Solve problems through good communication – Maintain confidentiality – Ask for assistance from OCS, Team WilDon, and OGM when needed

CED Application Reviewer Training Reviewers’ Written Comments  When reviewing and scoring applications you must provide written comments in the ARM system  Comments justify the scores assigned to each application review criterion  Comments should: – Be detailed enough to summarize the main points of the application being reviewed – Note each application's strengths and weakness – Not include a mix of strengths and weaknesses

CED Application Reviewer Training Reviewers’ Written Comments  Comments must: – Be constructive, objective, and factual – Include application page numbers where you found the information referenced in your comments – Be complete sentences with proper grammar  PAMs may reject unacceptable comments

CED Application Reviewer Training Reviewers’ Written Comments  A comment is unacceptable if it: – Reflects generic, non-substantive opinions There is no way this organization can do this project. – Does not provide the basis for a conclusion The applicant identifies results and benefits. – Repeats the criteria without providing evidence The applicant’s service area has high unemployment.

CED Application Reviewer Training Reviewers’ Written Comments  A comment is acceptable if it: – Draws from the evaluation sub-criterion when articulating a basis for each conclusion; – Uses examples from the application to support each finding; AND – Provides the applicant with a sufficient rationale for the score Example: The applicant demonstrates the compelling need in the target area for the proposed community economic development project by explaining that the area’s unemployment rate is 43%, which is significantly higher than the state’s unemployment rate of 12% (p. 2).

CED Application Reviewer Training Application Review Schedule  Application reviews must be completed in accordance with the schedule established by OCS  Scores and summary comments must be submitted to the PAM via ARM by 9AM EDT by the established deadlines  Interim deadlines will be established through the application review process  More information about specific dates will be discussed on your first panel conference call

CED Application Reviewer Training Application Review Schedule (cont.)  Following the approval of all applications by the PAM, your panel will be contacted with instructions on how to return review materials to Team WilDon – Use the UPS box and return shipping label provided Signed Score Sheets Original, signed Conflict of Interest and Work Agreement forms Signed W9 and Honorarium Payment Voucher  Destroy any printed applications, notes from the application review and other confidential review materials at the conclusion of the review  Required forms are available from Team WilDon

CED Application Reviewer Training Module 1 Wrap-up  You have learned… – About the CED program – Our approach to reviewing applications – Basic guidelines for application reviews and scoring  What’s next? – Self-review quiz for Module 1 – Module 2: Objectives and Need for Assistance

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 1.What is the purpose of the CED program? a)Provide grants to nonprofits b)Provide assistance for creating employment and business opportunities c)Provide funding to eliminate food deserts d)Provide construction and non-construction funding

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 1.What is the purpose of the CED program? a)Provide grants to nonprofits b)Provide assistance for creating employment and business opportunities c)Provide funding to eliminate food deserts d)Provide construction and non-construction funding

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 2.Reviewers should focus on what when reviewing applications? a)Whether the application is put together in the order specified by the FOA b)Whether the application proposes a “well-planned and viable” project c)Whether the application includes plans that seem feasible and mutually reinforcing d)B and C e)All of the above

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 2.Reviewers should focus on what when reviewing applications? a)Whether the application is put together in the order specified by the FOA b)Whether the application proposes a “well-planned and viable” project c)Whether the application includes plans that seem feasible and mutually reinforcing d)B and C e)All of the above

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 3.When scoring CED applications, you cannot: a)Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written comments b)Use the full range of points as appropriate c)Score applications independently d)List weaknesses that are not part of the evaluation criteria

CED Application Reviewer Training Self-Review Quiz 3.When scoring CED applications, you cannot: a)Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written comments b)Use the full range of points as appropriate c)Score applications independently d)List weaknesses that are not part of the evaluation criteria