Safe From the Start (SFS) Planning Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO #2116-2612)

LINK TO NOFO Instructions: Safe From the Start Planning NOFO AmpliFund Link

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants Safe From the Start Planning. Grants will be made with SFY24 funds. Grant awards resulting from this opportunity will have a target period of performance of January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. The initial grant period (SFY24) will be from January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024.

Additional funding of up to 12 months may be awarded after the initial funding period, contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. If requirements are met and deliverables are submitted and approved, the applicant will be eligible for continued funding from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 (SFY25).

Total funding for the grant program will not exceed 18 months.

Application deadline: November 2, 2023.

Program Requirements

The Safe from the Start (SFS) Planning Program is designed to assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive and coordinated community-based models to identify, assess, and serve children, primarily ages 0 to 5, who have been exposed to violence in their home and/or community. The Safe From the Start (SFS) Program Model consists of three major components, Coalition and Collaboration building: Direct Services and Public Awareness. The applications funded through this renewal application must comply with the SFS Program Model.

Applicants are strongly urged to incorporate research-based best practices into their program design, when appropriate. Additionally, applicants are required to provide services that integrate trauma-informed practices, including strategies for mitigating vicarious trauma among staff.

Eligibility Information

Agencies must be registered through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, to become eligible to apply for an award.
Applicants must be in GOOD standing with all GATA pre-qualification requirements prior to application due date. Approval of the Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) SFY24 is required before the execution of the grant agreement. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations located within Illinois. Planning for Services and activity must be within Illinois.

Deadline

Completed application materials must be submitted via AmpliFund Safe From the Start Planning NOFO AmpliFund Link by 5:00 p.m., November 2, 2023, to be considered for funding. Proposals will not be accepted by email, mail, fax, or in-person. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Late submissions cannot be submitted and will not be reviewed.

Available Funds

Grants available through this funding opportunity are a portion of a SFY24. A minimum of $100,000 – $120,000 dollars will be made available through this funding opportunity.

Period of Performance

Funding is available for the period of January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.

Technical Assistance Session

A live, virtual, technical assistance session will be held on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. This session will be recorded and uploaded to the ICJIA YouTube page.

Link to access the live webinar: Safe From the Start Planning Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity Technical Assistance Session.

Information provided during this webinar recording will be unofficial and not binding on the state.

Timeline

Reporting

Recipients must submit periodic financial reports, periodic performance reports, final financial and performance reports, and a calendar year end financial report in accordance with the CFR Part 200 Uniform Requirements. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent.

Required Documents

The following documents must be completed in AmpliFund by the 5:00 p.m., November 2, 2023, deadline for application review.

• Uniform State Grant Application
• Program Narrative
• Performance Metrics
• (United States Internal Revenue Service 501©(3) determination letter - PDF (Non-Profit Agency Required)
• Letters of Support from community stakeholders – 1 single PDF (required for this application).
  • Documenting the support and cooperation of at least 2 of the suggested members listed on pages 9-10 of the NOFO Instructions.

Download the NOFO packet with instructions on how to apply here: NOFO Instructions Safe From the Start Planning Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Questions

Questions regarding this NOFO may be submitted to CJA.SFSPlaninng@illinois.gov until 5:00 p.m., October 26, 2023.

All substantive questions and responses will be posted. Updates to NOFO materials, and questions from applicants and their responses revised weekly. View them on our website and on AmpliFund here.

Contact Information

Mary Ratliff
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
CJA.SFSPlaninng@illinois.gov