Children’s Mental Health 
Community Planning Grants

Request for Applications (RFA)

Due Date:  Monday, September 17, 2007

The Connecticut Health Foundation (CHF) is pleased to announce the availability of funds to support comprehensive community planning to reduce the number of children and youth ages 6-14 from entering either the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of mental health treatment, due to their mental health problems through a community-based system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions.   The Foundation anticipates making up to 10 awards ranging from $60,000 to $125,000 over a maximum of 18 months.  Additionally, communities may be invited to apply for a five year implementation phase of their plan based on the quality and feasibility of their plan.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, governmental or other public entities. Ideal applicants should have proven organizational capacity to successfully lead a planning process and convene stakeholders, including parental groups, schools and mental health systems.

For the purpose of this announcement, communities are defined by their geographical boundaries such as towns or cities.  The Foundation will only accept one application per community.  Communities considering multiple applications are highly recommended to collaborate whenever possible.  Larger urban cities or towns may consider selecting a smaller section of the location like a neighborhood or zip code to focus their planning efforts.  The selection of a smaller geographical area should be based on both “need,” “readiness” and representative of children and youth who are at risk of involvement with either the juvenile justice system and/or the most intensive levels of mental health treatment.  

Entities interested in applying for funding are required to complete a “Letter of Intent” in order to reduce multiple applications from a single community.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:

In Connecticut and across America, health and mental health screenings are a well-accepted process for detecting problems early and identifying individuals who may be at risk for everything from hypertension to depression, so that they can receive appropriate care.  Screening is an aspect of a public health approach to ensure the best health and mental health outcomes.

Research shows that early identification, assessment, and intervention for emotional and behavioral problems for young children through adolescence can help prevent more serious problems, such as educational failure, substance abuse, involvement in the criminal justice system, or suicide.  Data indicates that, in any given year, between 5 and 9 percent of children and youth experience serious emotional problems that can hinder a child’s or adolescent’s ability to live a full and productive life.

Early intervention can help reduce the significant impacts that children and adolescents with serious mental health problems may experience.  Early intervention can also benefit children and youth with less serious problems by providing appropriate supports and treatment before these conditions worsen.  Screening is the first step in early intervention, recognizing emotional and behavioral problems, and providing help at an early effective point.  If problems are detected, further assessment and evaluation can determine the appropriate care and services needed.

Although a national issue, communities may be best suited for developing responsive solutions that produce real change and lead to system-wide improvements for all children with various stages of mental health problems.  Community contextual knowledge is an invaluable resource to creating systems that are responsive to the cultural and linguistic mores, values and beliefs of the community.  The Foundation supports the inclusion of community members, especially those who are most vulnerable to becoming involved in either the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of children’s mental health treatment in community planning efforts. When facilitated appropriately, formal and informal community members can generate creative solutions for seemingly intractable problems.

IMPORTANT DATES:
DATE	ACTIVITY	
MONDAY,
AUGUST 6	An Applicant Information Workshop will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the New Britain YWCA, 22 Glen Street, New Britain, CT 06051.   Although not required, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend to ensure understanding of the nuances of this initiative.  Please email your registration to Madeline Pérez (madeline@cthealth.org) by August 6, 2007, providing your name, position and organization.	
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 9	A Letter of Intent is expected from interested organizations no later than August 9, 2007.  A copy of the Letter of Intent is included in this announcement and may also be found on the Foundation’s website (http://www.cthealth.org).   Simply fill out the required information, sign and return to the Foundation on or before the announced deadline.  	
MONDAY, 
SEPTEMBER 17	Applications are due at the Connecticut Health Foundation office no later than 
5:00 p.m. 	
THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 20	Applicants will be notified about their application status.
	
MID-MARCH, 2008	 Two-Day Grantee Technical Assistance Conference.  Dates and location to be announced.	

FOUNDATION EXPECTATION OF GRANTEES UNDER THIS REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS:  Grants made under this Request for Applications will be expected to:

1.	Convene a planning team with at least three systems (schools, children’s mental health service providers, prevention programs, families, etc.) participating.
2.	At the end of the grant period, grantees will be expected to produce a written “community plan” that includes the following:
a.	A well constructed analysis of the community’s need to address early assessment, identification, referral and brief intervention services for children and youth aged 6-14.
b.	A proposed strategy for developing a cultural and linguistically competent screening, identification and brief intervention system for the selected area.
c.	A proposed strategy for collecting and analyzing data to improve implementation of a screening, identification and brief intervention system and to assess outcomes. 
d.	An analysis of potential community and statewide policy issues that may impact the success of a proposed screening, identification and brief intervention system.
e.	A business plan for supporting and sustaining programs and services beyond the potential of a five-year Foundation-funded demonstration.
3.	Work in partnership with all Foundation contracted technical assistance providers and evaluators.

CONNECTICUT HEALTH FOUNDATION
INSTRUCTIONS:  Please type all applications using 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and single-spacing.  Write the application sections in the order listed, using the headings provided.  Mail or deliver 10 copies to: Connecticut Health Foundation (CMH-2007), Attn:  Nancy Nolan, Grants Manager, 74B Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052.  Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2007.  Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications will not be accepted.

:

Directions for Completing the Application

The purpose of this community planning grant is to reduce the number of children and youth (ages 6-14) who enter either the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of mental health treatment due to their mental health problems through a community-based system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions.   
	
Application Sections:

1)	Cover Sheet may be downloaded at www.cthealth.org.

2)	Proposal Summary (1 page maximum)

3)	Narrative (5 pages maximum) 
	Using the following headers on your narrative please address the following:
A.  Organizational Capacity to Successfully Lead a Community Planning Process

•	Please provide a brief introduction to the applicant organization, explain its mission and purpose.  
•	Discuss why the organization is uniquely positioned to lead a community planning process designed to develop and promote a community-based system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions that will target youth aged 6-14. 
•	Through the use of data and/or other relevant information, discuss the need for a system of early screening, identification and brief interventions for at risk youth in the selected area (e.g., town, city, or neighborhood within a large city or town).  For example, it may be helpful to describe the magnitude of children at risk for behavioral health problems by providing data on the number of children in intensive mental health treatment, or who enter the juvenile justice system or other indicators of the problem, such as school suspensions/expulsion rates, etc.
•	Please identify conditions in the community that might position it to be successful (e.g., strong community organization, a recipient of new funding, and a history of working effectively together).  In the organization’s view, what are the pertinent issues and some of the barriers and challenges to instituting a community-based assessment and intervention system in the selected community?
•	Finally, describe the organization’s commitment to cultural and linguistic competence and how it will ensure that the planning process will be inclusive of cultural and linguistic issues throughout the planning process.  Wherever possible, please use examples of the organization’s commitment through the use of policies, practices, and procedures.

B.  Planning Team: Composition, Structure and Approach

•	Identify a team that will work collaboratively over the grant period to develop the community plan.  The planning team must be comprised of at least three organizations/ agencies from different “community systems” essential to implementing a community-based screening, identification, and brief interventions systems for children at risk for behavioral health problems. Although relevant organizations may vary from community, examples may include schools, mental health service providers, town/city government agencies (e.g., mayor’s office, youth service bureau), juvenile review boards, family advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, and Children’s Mental Health System of Care Community Collaboratives. 
•	Explain why these organizations/agencies are essential for implementing such a system.  Help the Foundation understand what value each partner brings to the planning process and how the involvement of these systems will ultimately lead to a successful community plan.
•	Where appropriate, explain how the proposed planning team of organizations and systems has worked together in the past and what outcomes resulted from past collaborations. Please be specific when using examples.  If there are no prior collaborations among the proposed planning team members, please discuss why this planning team will be successful in developing and implementing a community plan that creates and promotes a community-based system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions for children at risk of mental health problems. 
•	Describe what structures and processes the team will use to develop the community plan over the grant period. Describe what types of technical assistance may be required for the proposed team in order to produce a written community plan. 

C.  Community Mobilization and Participation in Plan Development

•	Please describe a plan to mobilize access and retain broader community involvement in the planning effort, especially from those most vulnerable to becoming involved in either the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of children’s mental health treatment. To the Foundation this means parents and other family members, non-traditional community stakeholders, and where appropriate, youth themselves. 
•	Describe any efforts to continuously educate and inform the larger community of progress and challenges of the planning process throughout the planning phase and how the final product will receive broad community support and endorsement.

4)  Budget - A budget worksheet may be downloaded at www.cthealth.org.  In preparing your budget please consider the following:

Allowable Cost	Non-Allowable Cost	
•	Personnel – salaried personnel (part time, full time, per diem or consultant) necessary to accomplish the specific objectives in the application.   Funds needed to expand existing staff hours or to hire new staff is allowable.  
•	Consultants - resources to purchase selected expertise in the areas of policy development, data, and long-term financial sustainability.
•	Stipends - incentives for community participants or team members to cover for the cost of their participation (child-care, transportation, etc.). 
•	Supplies/Materials – items necessary to accomplish the specific objectives of the application that are expected to be “used up” in the course of the project.  
•	Printing – curricula, posters, fact sheets, wallet cards, etc. necessary to accomplish the specific objectives of the Proposal.
•	Facilities – rental costs associated with using a physical location for an activity necessary to accomplish the specific objectives of the application.
•	Travel – costs directly related to the specific objective of the application.  There must be a good faith attempt to keep these expenses low.
•	Indirect costs – costs that cannot be specifically identified with the project but are associated with it.  Also known as “overhead” or “administrative costs,” these are the costs of utilities, administrative staff, and the many others expenses necessary for the operation of the agency.  Indirect costs are allowable for solicited and/or unsolicited grants, and are not to exceed 15% of direct costs.
	•	Construction, alteration, maintenance of buildings or building space, unless specifically allowed in the instructions for applicants.
•	Tuition or awards to individuals.
•	Billable services provided by physicians or other providers.
•	Capital projects*, endowments, or chairs associated with universities and medical schools.
•	Projects that do not benefit Connecticut residents. 
•	Lobbying or influencing the outcome of an proposed piece of legislation or election. 

*Capital projects are projects that require a significant expenditure (generally $50,000 or more) that results in the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (10 years or more).  	

5)    Budget Justification (1 page maximum)

Provide a narrative, not to exceed one page, which clearly and simply explains each line item in the proposed budget.  In developing the budget narrative, help the Foundation understand how costs were estimated and determined.  Help the Foundation understand the link between the line item expenses proposed and the goals and objectives of the grant.  Remember that the purpose of this grant is to support a community planning process to reduce the number of youth ages 6-14 from entering either the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of mental health treatment due to their mental health problems through a comprehensive community-based system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions.  All cost associated with this grant should directly link to this goal.

6)     Attachments

A.	Operating Budget:  Provide a copy of the organization’s most recent operating budget. Include the most recent audited financial statement; an independent auditor’s opinion; any management letter, and the most recent copy of its 990.

B.	 Legal Requirements:  Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or public entities.  Unincorporated organizations submitting an application must identify a 501(c)(3) organization that has agreed to function as its fiscal agent.  Documentation of 501(c)(3) status must be included with the application.

C.	Letters of Participation from at least three systems willing to participate in the planning process:  Letters must include a statement of the system’s willingness to participate, what specific expertise it brings to the planning process and the name and contact information of the person representing the system or organization.  The letter must also include a statement that it promises to participate in all Foundation-sponsored technical assistance and evaluation activities.

7)    Application Check Sheet may be downloaded at www.cthealth.org.  

THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS:
	
The Connecticut Health Foundation has a multi-step application review process.  The review process begins with an internal technical review of the application to ensure that all required documentation is present and that each section of the application is complete.  The applications are then reviewed by a panel of Foundation staff and external experts to assess the applications responsiveness to the objectives of the initiative and the applicant’s capacity to successfully implement the project.  The Foundation carefully considers the comments and recommendations of internal and external reviewers and uses this information to make funding recommendations to the Program Committee of the CHF Board.  The Program Committee reviews applications and makes its recommendation to the full Board, which votes on applications on December 19, 2007.  

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:

Essentially, the Foundation seeks to award grants to communities who can tell a clear, crisp, concise and convincing story that illustrates both community “need” and “readiness.”  Grants will be awarded based on demonstrated indicators of community knowledge and the community’s readiness to engage in a planning process to develop a system of early assessment, identification and brief interventions for children and youth with early signs of mental health problems.  Indicators of readiness include the following:  

•	The applicant conveys a clear understanding of the need for a community-based system for early assessment, identification and brief interventions in order to reduce the potential for future involvement of “at risk” youth (ages 6-14) in the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive level of mental health treatment.  The applicant will do this through the use of data, case studies and other relevant community specific information.
•	The applicant can demonstrate organizational capacity to lead a community planning effort based on past successes or demonstrated leadership in the community.
•	The applicant can identify at least three systems that will be involved in the planning process and some indication that these systems have worked well in the past, or are committed to working well on this project.  Additionally, the applicant will demonstrate how these systems will add value to the planning process and to the final product.
•	The applicant can successfully describe a plan for mobilizing and incorporating broad community input, especially from those most vulnerable to becoming involved in the Juvenile Justice System and/or the most intensive levels of mental health treatment in the plan’s development, pending implementation and evaluation.

QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Questions regarding this Request for Applications should be addressed to William Crimi,           Vice President of Program and Evaluation, via email at will@cthealth.org or at 860.224.2200.

ATTACHMENT:

Letter of Intent