BridgeUp at Menninger Magic Grants Request for Proposals April 20, 2018

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1 BridgeUp at Menninger Magic Grants Request for Proposals April 20, 2018 The Menninger Clinic is proud to announce Round III for the Magic Grants. BridgeUp at Menninger will award grants, totaling up to $1 million, to school-based Social and Emotional Learning partnerships in the Greater Houston Region. 1 About BridgeUp at Menninger BridgeUp at Menninger is an initiative of The Menninger Clinic with the mission to improve the mental health and well-being of communities, with a particular focus on vulnerable adolescents. Menninger is a leading mental health system dedicated to treating individuals, teaching mental health professionals and advancing mental healthcare through research. Dramatic physical, mental and social-emotional developmental changes occur in adolescence. When influenced by economic, health and family hardships, these changes can result in poorer school performance and impaired well-being. BridgeUp aims to create bold, sustainable systemic improvements that enhance health, well-being, academic achievement and social and emotional learning 2 (SEL) in vulnerable 3 adolescents 4 living in poverty in Greater Houston. Our approach includes the implementation of the BridgeUp at Menninger Model (described below), with specific questions outlined in the attached application form. Our ultimate goals are for vulnerable adolescents to graduate high school and to become healthy, productive adults. BridgeUp at Menninger is part of the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust of New York/Pussycat Foundation s BridgeUp: Wellness initiatives. The generous gifts given through the Brown Trust are called Magic Grants. 1 By Greater Houston Region, we refer to a continuous area that includes six major municipalities/communities (Houston, the Woodlands, Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe, and Pasadena) and nine counties (Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers, and Austin). 2 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. (See casel.org.) 3 We define the category of vulnerable adolescents to include the economically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT individuals, the uninsured, the homeless, victims of abuse, those with HIV and those with other chronic health conditions, including severe mental illness. 4 Following the World Health Organization, we define adolescents as young people between the ages of 10 and 19. BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 1

2 Throughout our grant making and ongoing program support, BridgeUp at Menninger operates in a mode of continuous improvement. With each funding cycle, we capture our previous lessons learned and refine the BridgeUp model accordingly. Thus, our Magic Grants in Round III reflect what we have learned since 2015, including a required evidenced-informed SEL initiative; a tiered mental health framework of supports and interventions; commitment to building SEL capacity within the school; and participation in shared learning and collaboration. These four, required components comprise the BridgeUp at Menninger Model. The BridgeUp at Menninger Model Applications for funding will be assessed according to the quality of responses regarding the Model Components. Model Components 1. Implementation and Evaluation of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) We aim to advance the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework for school and student success. School-based SEL programs: (1) enhance students social and emotional competencies and classroom behavior; (2) improve attachment and attitudes toward school; (3) decrease rates of violence and aggression, disciplinary referrals, and substance abuse; and (4) improve academic performance. 5 Using the CASEL framework, the following is required: Classroom-based programming using evidence-informed curriculum and instruction that is verified as CASEL-aligned Training and support for teachers, administrators, and other school-related personnel Educational initiatives that reinforce SEL instruction, supported by community partnerships. 2. Implementation and Evaluation of a Multi-Tiered System of Interventions and Supports BridgeUp funding supports a whole child approach that includes the physical, social and emotional aspects of health. The BridgeUp Model has an emphasis on prevention and early intervention of behavioral and mental health disorders for all BridgeUp students. Multi-tiered systems of support, such as Positive Based Interventions and Supports, are required to be aligned with school mental health programs. Additionally, behavioral and mental health needs must be addressed for students at risk or already experiencing social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. Secondary and tertiary supports are required and could include screening, in-school or afterschool interventions and/or external referrals to mental health providers. 5 See for example, Durlak et al., 2011; Sklad et al., 2012; Zins & Elias, BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 2

3 Magic Grant recipients are required to provide Tier 1 programs and activities for all students in a defined population (e.g., grade level, whole school). These supports, over time, should prove to be sufficient for 80% of the students in the defined population. Magic Grant recipients are required to provide Tier 2 programs and activities that respond to the needs of students whose behavior is problematic for success in school, even after Tier 1 interventions and supports are in place. On average, the number of students in Tier 2 will be approximately 15% of the students being served. Magic Grant recipients are required to arrange for behavioral and mental health services for students who do not respond to Tier 1 or Tier 2 interventions and supports. Typically, Tier 3 students will represent 5% of those served. Grantees may choose to refer these students to community mental health providers or to The Menninger Clinic. 3. Integrating BridgeUp Interventions and Supports with the School s Capacity to Build SEL The impact of BridgeUp at Menninger depends on sustainability, meaning that the social and emotional skills and knowledge gained is life-long for the students, teachers and school leaders trained. The programming funded through BridgeUp must produce consistent, measureable and positive results in order to be replicated and scaled. According to research, achieving sustainability and scalability, requires helping our school partners build their capacity in SEL. Magic Grant recipients are required to work closely with their school partners to secure the school s commitment to SEL. This will include, for example, formal or informal professional development for teachers, administrators, and other schoolrelated personnel. 4. Participation in and Commitment to Multi-level Collaboration Collaboration is an important aspect regarding the sustainability and scalability of social and emotional learning practices. A requirement of the Magic Grant proposal is to adopt a collaborative framework, such as a Collective Impact approach, that will include multiple partners from diverse sectors. At least one school or school district partner is required. Public/private partnerships are encouraged, including community nonprofits, mental health, healthcare institutions and public health organizations. We support an Impact Network, comprised of grantees and partner organizations, to align and amplify the work being done by individual partnerships. In partnership with the University of Houston s All Kids Alliance, the Impact Network will serve as a learning community, will guide continuous quality improvement and will address sustainability. We require grantees and partner organizations to participate in the Impact Network and contribute to the Network as thought partners. BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 3

4 What We Fund In Round III we will make a set of renewal Magic Grants, and possibly extend our reach with a few, select new Magic Grants. Consistent with the BridgeUp at Menninger Model, grant recipients are required to accelerate the implementation and integration of social and emotional learning in educational settings with improved access to behavioral health services for youth who need them. We support under-performing schools and school districts in the Greater Houston area. We seek proposals that include evidence-informed approaches that have promise for measurable improvement in students emotional and cognitive competence. Proposals with innovative programming are also encouraged as long as they provide evidence or rationale for improving SEL in schools. We will fund a set of Model Grants up to $200,000 each. Most of our Model Grant funding will be dedicated to past recipients whose results warrant sustained support. We will consider funding a few Innovation Grants up to $40,000 each. Innovation Grant proposals must explain how a small-scale SEL intervention can be field-tested and how it has the potential, if proven effective, to be scaled school-wide and sustained. Eligibility Requirements 1. A proposal must come from a partnership of organizations that includes a lead organization and collaborative partners representing multiple sectors. The lead organization must be a school, school district, or nonprofit organization. Partners may be education, mental health, public health, healthcare, faith-based or community based. A partnership may include a corporate partner if approved by the BridgeUp management team. 2. A proposed BridgeUp project must serve vulnerable populations in a school setting in the Greater Houston Region. 3. The project must have a scope that, in the long-term, is scalable. Initially, we will entertain projects that serve an entire school or grade level in a school projects that have a near-term potential to serve an entire school or grade level in a school. 4. School principals must show commitment to the partnership and its project by submitting a letter of support to be included with the application. School support letters must designate a school employee who will serve as the project liaison. Support letters must include an acknowledgment of the time that teachers, administrators, and other school-related personnel will contribute to the project. They must express the school s commitment to allow external partners to conduct program activities in the school and the school s commitment to assist in planning and monitoring the project s activities. 5. Lead and partnering organizations must have demonstrated successful efforts in improving outcomes for vulnerable adolescents, preferably in a school setting. BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 4

5 6. Lead and partnering organizations must be available to participate in the BridgeUp Impact Network and other formal grantee convenings. 7. Lead and partner organizations must commit to collecting mid-year, annual and short-cycle evaluation data. Key Dates April 20, 2018 April 26, 2018 May 10, 2018 May 17, 2018 May 24, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 27, 2018 June 29, 2018 September 13, 2018 July 1, 2018 June 30, 2019 BridgeUp RFP Round III disseminated Grant orientation teleconference, 10 am CT Dial-In: Access Code: Letters of Intent are required and due via GIFTS Online Notification of invitation to schedule school interview Notification of invitation to submit full proposal Invited proposals due via GIFTS Online Grant Review Team meeting Award notification Public grant announcement/advisory Committee Grant period Grant Review Applications will be reviewed and scored by an anonymous Grant Review Team comprised of Menninger Clinic leadership and BridgeUp advisory committee members. Successful proposals will address all of the components in the BridgeUp Model and will meet all of the Eligibility Requirements detailed in this Request for Proposals. Contacts We strongly encourage you to contact us prior to submitting a Letter of Intent. We can guide your proposal preparation and connect you with others engaged in similar work. Please contact us at BridgeUp@menninger.edu. Apply Now BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 5

6 BridgeUp at Menninger Magic Grants LOI and Application Questions Apply via GIFTS Online Letters of Intent are due by 5:00PM May 10, You will upload your Letter of Intent as an attachment. Letters must be no longer than two pages. Letters must include a brief proposal outline with project aims, approaches and proposed outcomes. Letters must also describe how the proposal will address the BridgeUp at Menninger Model (see pages 2-4 in the RFP). The online Letters of Intent form will include name and contact information of partner organizations and a budget request. On May 17, applicants will be notified of advancement to a school interview. On May 24, organizations that meet the funding priorities and eligibility criteria will be invited to submit full proposals. Grant Proposals Those invited to submit full grant proposals must submit proposals by 5:00PM June 15, Applications should address the grant specifications in the RFP in providing the following on-line responses: 1. Project title 2. Funding categories Renewal Grant or New Grant; Model or Innovation 3. Funding request Funding amount requested 4. Contact information for lead and partner organizations 5. Lead organization summary Briefly describe organization mission, history, programs and budget. (max. 100 words) 6. Project abstract Include target community, need or asset to be addressed, project activities, number of individuals to be served and expected outcomes. The abstract will be used in public communications about the project. (max. 100 words) 7. Needs and assets Describe the community characteristics and needs and assets that will be the focus of this project. (max. 250 words) BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 6

7 8. Project description List project goals and objectives and how they align with the community needs and assets. Describe your proposed framework and activities and how they will improve outcomes in SEL for students and school/program personnel. Discuss the rationale and evidence supporting your proposed project. (max. 500 words) 9. Alignment with BridgeUp Model -- Based on the BridgeUp Model described in the RFP: CASEL: Describe your program s/curriculum s alignment with the CASEL Core Competencies. Is it endorsed by CASEL or compared to CASEL in the research literature? (max. 250 words) PBIS Tiers: Describe how you plan to address the three PBIS Tiers, as described in the Round III RFP (max. 250 words) Sustainability through school integration: Describe your partner school s commitment to developing SEL as part of its culture. Describe the ways school personnel will be engaged with your SEL programming. (max. 250 words) Collaboration: Describe the ways your partners will engage with each other and use short-cycle feedback to adjust their activities for maximum effectiveness. (max. 250 words) 10. Organizational experience Describe experience with SEL and success integrating SEL into school multi-tiered systems of support, discipline, mental and behavioral health, social and emotional learning, specifically for vulnerable adolescents. (max. 250 words) 11. Evaluation Describe your plans for measuring progress related to SEL and mental health, especially for short-cycle monitoring. (max. 500 words) Additional Documents (attachments) 1. Letters of support from lead and partner organizations, including the school(s). Letters of support from partner organizations must describe the role of the partners. Letters of support from school partners must come from principals. They must provide the commitments and acknowledgements described in the BridgeUp Model, section 3 on page 3 of the RFP and Eligibility Requirements on page 4 of the RFP. 2. Resumes or CVs of leads from partner organizations. 3. Budget and justification for 12 month project. Overhead/indirect costs will not be funded. 4. Timeline for 12 month project period. BridgeUp at Menninger is generously funded by the David and Helen Gurley Brown Trust Page 7