2010 Family Strengthening Awards - Complete Application

2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for Their Work in Strengthening Latino Families OVERVIEW Please review all of the following information before completing the application.

It is the National Council of La Raza s (NCLR) belief that in order for children to have the opportunities necessary to achieve and grow up in a healthy environment, their families must have access to services and social networks that strengthen their ability to provide for and nurture their children. The factors necessary to strengthen families include opportunities to work, earn a decent living, and build assets; social networks that help isolated families link with friends and neighbors as well as social, civic, and religious institutions; and accessible and responsive public services, such as good health care, decent schools, and fair and effective law enforcement. NCLR s network of Affiliate organizations plays a key role in providing Latino families with the tools and resources they need to take advantage of the opportunities that this nation has to offer them. To recognize these efforts, NCLR rewards those community-based organizations that help improve outcomes for families by connecting them to the trustworthy and responsive resources they need to succeed.

The Family Strengthening Awards Program presents awards on an annual basis to NCLR Affiliate programs whose exemplary work in the Hispanic community has made a measurable impact in strengthening Latino families. The impact made by the Affiliate organization must demonstrate an approach that is comprehensive in addressing education, housing, employment, health, and advocacy issues, whether through direct efforts or through partnerships with other organizations. This award offers NCLR a forum in which to honor the work of outstanding Affiliate programs for strengthening the Hispanic family.

In 2010, NCLR will offer Family Strengthening Awards of $16,500 to each of three NCLR Affiliates who can demonstrate how their holistic programs have made an impact on Latino families in their communities. This one-time award gives financial recognition for existing programs, not funding for future programs. Award-winning Affiliates will then work with NCLR to document and disseminate their best practices to fellow NCLR Affiliates through workshops at NCLR s Annual Conference, on-site training sessions, and articles in various NCLR publications. NCLR will cover costs, as appropriate, to support training sessions for winners to share program strategies with other NCLR Affiliates.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Affiliate Status Eligible nominees must have been affiliated with NCLR for a minimum of two years and be current in their dues and partnership payments as well as their recertification documents (including the General Member Memorandum of Understanding, Board of Directors List, and 1

Financial Statements). Please contact Mauricio Hernandez (mhernandez@nclr.org) to ensure that the Affiliate organization is in good standing before submitting the application materials.

Nominated programs must have undergone at least two cycles of outcome measurement to be eligible. Programs that strengthen families need not be large in size to be competitive; quality of service, programmatic longevity and replicability, and outcomes are the important factors.

Informational Conference Call for Family Strengthening Award Applicants Affiliates intending to submit an application packet are encouraged to participate in this call to review the Family Strengthening Program application process.

Interested applicants may participate in one of two informational Conference calls set for: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST OR Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST Please RSVP to Mauricio Hernandez at mhernandez@nclr.org if you will participate in the Conference Call.

APPLICATION PROCESS Eligible Affiliates may apply for the grant by nominating at least one program per award cycle and may not nominate programs that were award winners in the previous year. Applicants are required to submit a formal application form and include detailed supporting information describing their impact in strengthening Latino families. In addition, applicants should submit a formal recommendation letter from at least one community-based organization with which they have worked closely during the past year and testimonies from at least three families they have served.

Application forms will be distributed to the Affiliate Network on January 15, 2010. In an effort to reduce environmental impact, all applications must be submitted via email only. Please email all your application materials to Mauricio Hernandez at mhernandez@nclr.org by Friday, March 12, 2010. Incomplete or late application packets will not be considered.

EVALUATION CRITERIA The following criteria will be considered by the Awards Selection Committee and should act as a guide in nominating NCLR Affiliate programs for the Family Strengthening Awards: The nominated program directly serves to strengthen Hispanic families by connecting parents to the resources, social networks, and support that provide a solid economic grounding for their families and help their children succeed.

The Affiliate demonstrates a holistic approach in providing services that address education, housing, employment, health, or advocacy issues, whether through direct efforts or through partnerships with other organizations.

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The Affiliate uses the NCLR Affiliate Network or its relationships with other community-based organizations to maximize the effectiveness of its services to the Hispanic community through cooperative efforts.

The Affiliate demonstrates sound financial judgment in the management of its program and makes effective use of its resources, as evidenced by the program budget.

The Affiliate designs its program according to the needs of the Hispanic community it serves.

The applicant s program has achieved its established goals and objectives, as evidenced by quantitative and qualitative outcomes reported from program activities.

The organization has maximized the opportunities available through its affiliation with NCLR, as shown by a strong relationship with NCLR staff and Affiliates and attendance at NCLR s Annual Conference, regional meetings, and other events.

The program has the potential for replication within the NCLR Affiliate Network.

The Affiliate is committed to sharing program specifications with other NCLR Affiliates.

BEST PRACTICES DISSEMINATION NCLR recognizes the importance of sharing the best practices of the Family Strengthening Award winners with the rest of its Affiliate Network. This will be done through workshops at the NCLR Annual Conference, peer-to-peer training sessions, submissions to NCLR s Strengthening Hispanic Families annual publication, and other NCLR publication venues.

NCLR will also implement a formal documentation process of these efforts to measure the impact that the sharing of best practices has on its Affiliate Network. The process will include formal evaluation of Affiliates that receive peer-to-peer training sessions, a six-month follow-up, and written guidelines for best practice replication to be shared with other Affiliates.

AWARDEE RESPONSIBILITIES Document and disseminate best practices in collaboration with NCLR, which includes drafting and reviewing materials and being responsive to NCLR deadlines.

Supply technical assistance to at least five other NCLR Affiliates upon receipt of the award through peer-to-peer training sessions or on-site consulting and visits from other Affiliates to the award-winning organization s site.

Submit at least one article for placement in NCLR publications and the Strengthening Hispanic Families best practices guide.

Present at the Family Strengthening panel session at the NCLR Annual Conference. (The 2010 NCLR Annual Conference will take place in San Antonio, Texas on July 10 13).

Submit a six-month and one-year report tracking the use and impact resulting from the Family Strengthening Awards Program, which should include up-to-date financial reports of how the award money has been used.

NCLR RESPONSIBILITIES A written agreement that outlines the responsibilities of the winner and the responsibilities of NCLR to support these activities 3

A cash award of $16,500 (in three disbursements, which will be specified in the award MOU) Assistance and guidance in documenting best practices and lessons learned for the NCLR Annual Conference and peer-to-peer training sessions Editorial assistance in preparing best practices for publication in the Strengthening Hispanic Families Best Practices Guide Guidance and financial assistance for the training sessions Compensation for airfare and hotel accommodations for one organization representative to attend the NCLR Annual Conference to receive the award APPLICATIONS The 2010 Family Strengthening Award applications will be available January 15, 2010 via email and on NCLR s website, www.nclr.org.

Complete applications will be due no later than Friday, March 12, 2010, 5:00 p.m. EST. The complete application packet contains six parts: 1. A signed Basic Information cover sheet 2. Answers to questions in the Application Narrative Sheet 3. A completed Program Expense Report Form for 2009 activities 4. A completed Annual Program Budget Form for 2010 activities 5. A signed recommendation letter from a community-based organization with which the NCLR Affiliate has worked closely during the past year through its nominated program 6. At least three signed testimonies from families whom the nominated program has served within the last year (the testimonies may be written in Spanish or English) Please email application packets to mhernandez@nclr.org by March 12, 2010, 5:00 p.m.

EST. The narrative must be received by the deadline.

Contact Mauricio Hernandez at mhernandez@nclr.org or (202) 776-1716 with any questions or concerns.

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2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for Their Work in Strengthening Latino Families APPLICATION MATERIALS

Basic Information Affiliate Name: _____________________________________________________ Contact Person: _____________________________________________________ Email Address: _____________________________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Executive Director: __________________________________________________ Affiliate Annual Budget: ______________________________________________ Number of Individuals Served: _________________________________________ (Yearly totals. If actual number is not available, please provide an estimate.)

Number of Families Served: ___________________________________________ (Yearly totals. If actual number is not available, please provide an estimate.)

Name of Organization(s) Providing Recommendation Letter (at least one letter): __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY (Please do not fill out.)

Number of years affiliated with NCLR: _____________________________________________ Are the nominee s dues current?

Y

N

Are the nominee s recertification documents current?

Y

N

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Names of Individuals Providing Signed Testimonies (at least three testimonies): __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Please provide the name of the nominated program and the category under which the program is administered and contributes to family strengthening: Name of Nominated Program: _________________________________________________________________ Category: (Please select all that apply)

Education

Housing

Employment

Health

Advocacy

Other ______________________

I affirm that the information contained here is true, that the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Affiliate organization is currently operational, and that the organization is in good standing as an Affiliate of NCLR. The applicant organization is willing to share its program specifications with other NCLR Affiliates should it become an Annie E. Casey Family Strengthening Award winner. It agrees to share the nominated program s best practices with other NCLR Affiliates through workshops held at the NCLR Annual Conference and peer-to-peer training sessions and to provide technical assistance to other NCLR Affiliates upon request. _____________________________________________________________ President/CEO Signature Date _____________________________________________________________ President/CEO Printed Name 6

2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for Their Work in Strengthening Latino Families APPLICATION NARRATIVE Each organization can nominate at least one program that is exemplary in strengthening Hispanic families.

Limit your total response to six pages, single spaced, with 12-point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins on all sides. Applications not following guidelines will not be considered.

Recommendation letters and testimonies should be attached to this narrative, not to exceed six pages, and follow the same formatting guidelines. Please note that judges will use a scoring rubric and programmatic indicators to assign points to the family strengthening programs that are submitted for review. Please submit to NCLR by Friday, March 12, 2010.

Nominated Program: ______________________________________________ Date Program/Service Began: _______________________________________ 1. How has the organization used a holistic approach to strengthen Hispanic families? What other programs does the organization run which support the work of the nominated program? (10 points) 2. Briefly summarize the nominated program. How long has the program been in existence? How does this program directly strengthen Hispanic families and improve their well-being? Please cite specific evidence supporting your statements. (15 points) 3. What are the characteristics of the Hispanic community that the program serves (e.g., single mothers, preschool-aged children, out-of-school youth, etc.)?

What are the needs/challenges of the Hispanic families served? Why is the program necessary? Give two examples of how the organization has created or modified the nominated program to respond better to the Hispanic community s needs. (10 points) 4. What are the goals and objectives of the family strengthening program and how is the program designed to achieve the set goals and objectives (e.g., activities, methods used)? Complete the attached Goals, Objectives, and Measurable

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Outcomes Timeline (Attachment 1). Please note that goals are broad, general intentions, while objectives are measurable. (10 points) 5. What is the evidence that the program is successful in strengthening Hispanic families? How does the program demonstrate measurable impact? Please include (a) the number of individuals and the number of families served, and (b) the type of data collected and how frequently it is collected. (15 points) 6. Please describe the program s funding resources and allocation of funds (10 points): a) How is this program funded? Are the funding sources ongoing or timelimited? Describe your sustainability strategy. b) What are the annual costs of delivering the program/service? What is the cost per client per year? Please include last fiscal year s program expenses as well as the 2010 projected program budget using the attached forms (Attachments 2 and 3). c) If selected, how does the applicant propose to allocate and use the Family Strengthening Award?

7. What were the challenges encountered in implementing the program? What best practices has the program developed to meet these challenges?

(10 points) 8. How feasible would it be for other NCLR Affiliates to replicate these family strengthening best practices in their own programs? What are the major components that lead the nominated program to success? Please provide a distinction between best practices for implementing the program from ground zero (process, infrastructure, funding) and best practices for improving or expanding the program (outcomes, impact, sustainability). (10 points) 9. How has the nominated program used the NCLR Affiliate Network and its relationship with NCLR to maximize its effectiveness to strengthen families?

(5 points) 10. How often have employees of the organization attended NCLR-sponsored events, such as the NCLR Annual Conference, Advocacy Day, and regional meetings in the past two years? Please be specific and provide examples of demonstrated engagement with NCLR. (5 points)

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2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for their work in Strengthening Latino Families ATTACHMENT 1 Goals/Objectives

GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Measurable Outcomes achieved /Activities / Challenges

General Goal:

Specific outcome 1: Activities: 1.1 Measure: 2.2 Measure:

Specific Outcome 2: Activities: 2.1 Measure: 2.2 Measure:

Specific outcome 3: Activities: 3.1 Measure:

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Title of Point of Contact

Start date

Completion date

2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for Their Work in Strengthening Latino Families ATTACHMENT 2 Annual Program Projected Budget Reporting Period: FY 2009 Name of Organization City, State EXPENSES Personnel Costs Staff Salaries Other Salaries Total Personnel Costs Consultants

EXPENSE DESCRIPTION

Fringe Benefits and Taxes Travel Supplies and Materials Professional Development/Training Travel and Accommodations Other Total Professional Development Costs Equipment Purchase Maintenance Total Equipment Costs Operating Expenses Rent Utilities Postage and Shipping Total Operating Expenses Other Expenses Total Direct Costs Total Indirect Costs TOTAL COSTS Cost per client

10

TOTAL

2010 Family Strengthening Awards Program Rewarding NCLR Affiliate Partners for Their Work in Strengthening Latino Families ATTACHMENT 3 Annual Program Expense Report Reporting Period: FY 2009 Name of Organization City, State EXPENSES Personnel Costs Staff Salaries Other Salaries Total Personnel Costs Consultants

EXPENSE DESCRIPTION

Fringe Benefits and Taxes Travel Supplies and Materials Professional Development/Training Travel and Accommodations Other Total Professional Development Costs Equipment Purchase Maintenance Total Equipment Costs Operating Expenses Rent Utilities Postage and Shipping Total Operating Expenses Other Expenses Total Direct Costs Total Indirect Costs TOTAL COSTS Cost per client

11

TOTAL