Fostering a Healthier Community. Serving Our Neighbors. Investing in Meaningful Transformation. Services to Ex-offenders and Their Families Strategic Funding Plan 2014 2018
Agenda Brief Overview: Lutheran Foundation Funding Focus Area: Services to Ex-offenders & Their Families Logic Models Impact Areas Outcome Statements Evaluation Grant Application How to Apply Questions & Answers
Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis A Brief Overview
Our History Began with vision of Rev. Johann Buenger Formed Lutheran Hospital in 1858 Sold in 1984 Grantmaking ministry of 63 St. Louis area LCMS congregations Grown assets from $34M to $100M Granted $94M+ to 550+ congregations, schools, & nonprofit organizations
Brief Overview: Lutheran Foundation Vision Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis sees the Church brought into the lives of hurting people and people included in the healing life of the Church. Mission To the honor of Christ Jesus, we seek the improved care of people in the greater St. Louis metropolitan region.
Our Core Values Connection to Health & Wholeness Measurable Outcomes Connection to Faith Collaboration St. Louis-Based
Lutheran Foundation Funding Focus Areas Christian Volunteerism Congregation Social Service Outreach Ministry Lutheran Education Older Adults Maintaining Independence Services to Ex-offenders and Their Families Supporting Foreign-Born Populations
Changes Addition of Impact Areas Recommended Outcomes Rethinking tracking and evaluation Modifications to Grant Application
Services to Ex-offenders & Their Families A Brief Overview
Services to Ex-offenders & Their Families Goal To support the successful reintegration of ex-offenders by restoring their lives and family relationships, thereby enhancing community stability and public safety. Target Population Criminal justice involved adults who are either currently under community supervision, in a local jail, or were formerly incarcerated, and the families of offenders.
Funding Interests* Employment services Substance abuse treatment Mental health treatment Educational/vocational programs Affordable housing Transportation Life skills Maintaining and/or developing healthy family relationships or social supports Access to preventative care Diagnosis and management of chronic health conditions Transitional services for reentry into community Services for children of parent(s) with criminal justice history Services for spouses, partners or other significant family members of person(s) with criminal justice history *List not exhaustive
Logic Models A Brief Overview
Logic Models: Definition A systematic & visual way to present & share your understanding of the relationships among the resources you have to operate your program (inputs), the activities you plan to do (activities/services), and the changes or results you hope to achieve (outcomes/impact). W.K. Kellogg Foundation A simple, visual way to show your program from soup to nuts
Your road map!
Logic Models: Purpose Why Use One Serves as a: planning framework communication instrument evaluation tool Keeps you: on the same page on task on mission
Example Scenario Many former offenders reentering the community lack the skills necessary to obtain gainful employment. The inability to secure income upon release lessens the likelihood of successful reentry. Successful reentry back into the community is an issue of community stability and public safety. ABC Non-Profit, Inc. will offer soft skills and vocational training for former offenders released from jail and who are living in the City of St. Louis. The proposed project will target 75 former offenders within three months of their release from incarceration who have committed a misdemeanor offense.
Grant Application: Population Served & Goals Goals Give general direction and overall purpose of project Goal #1 Increase vocational skills of former offenders in order to secure gainful and sustainable employment. Goal #2 Reduce recidivism rates of former offenders reentering the St. Louis community. Population Served Describe target population and number to be served 75 male and female former inmates with misdemeanor offenses residing in the City of St. Louis
Impact Areas Clarify major changes sought Do not need to address all three Impact Areas
Impact Areas Impact Area #1: Ex-offenders will maintain or experience improved mental, physical, and/or spiritual health. Impact Area #2: Ex-offenders will experience increased prosocial community involvement and stability. Impact Area #3: Ex-offenders will experience increased positive relationships with a support person(s), family, and/or network.
Where Do We Begin?
Outcomes
Outputs vs. Outcomes Outputs Things you count what happens because of what you do Short-term measure of program activities Numbers served Number of services provided Outcomes Change you see why it matters what you do Effects of program activities on client: Behaviors Attitudes Knowledge Perceptions
Outputs vs. Outcomes Outputs Outcomes
Outputs vs. Outcomes Outputs Outcomes
Outputs vs. Outcomes Outputs Outcomes
Outcomes Short-term outcomes Measure knowledge, attitude, skills change Typically measure change at end of services or 1 st phase of services Intermediate outcomes Measure behavioral change Typically measure change within short time after services end or during/end of 2 nd phase of services Longer-term outcomes Measure behavioral, social, economic, &/or environmental change Measure change at longer point in time after services end
Tracking Outcomes First Year: 3-5 short-term outcomes for clients (current) Second Year: 3-5 intermediate outcomes for clients (completed) short-term outcomes for clients (current) Additional Years: 3-5 longer-term outcomes for clients (completed) intermediate outcomes for clients (completed) short-term outcomes for clients (current)
Recommended Outcomes - Example Impact Area #1: Ex-offenders will maintain or experience improved mental, physical, and/or spiritual health. Short-term Outcomes # and % of ex-offenders who demonstrate an increased knowledge and capacity to manage a physical and/or mental health condition. Intermediate Outcomes # and % of ex-offenders diagnosed with mental health conditions who remain free of psychiatric symptoms at X days post program completion. Longer-term Outcomes # and % of ex-offenders diagnosed with mental health conditions who remain free of psychiatric symptoms at X months post program completion.
Outcomes More outcomes are not necessarily better Must track all outcomes listed
Outcomes
Evaluation
Evaluation What It Does Answers the questions: Did I really do what I said I was going to do with the people that I said I was going to do it with? Did we help or harm folks? Why Do It Allows you to tell your story in multiple languages Answers: Are resources being used well? Ethical responsibility Celebrate success!
Evaluation Focuses on 3 key questions: Process How has my program made a difference? People How are the lives of program participants better as a result of my program? Results What outcomes were achieved by the participants in the program & how do I know this?
Evaluation: Model Outcomes Data Source Applied to Data Interval
Evaluation: Definitions Data Source Tools, documents, & locations for information that will show what happened Applied To Who the data source is applied to Data Interval Points in time when data is collected
Data Sources: Examples Documentation of attendance rosters Pre and Post tests of skill-development sessions content to measure knowledge change Interviews and/or focus groups Documentation (case notes) of case management meetings including follow-up meetings Follow-up with participants via phone, email and postal mail to track and gather data related to project Records from third party agencies (ex. Missouri Office of Probation and Parole records regarding re-arrests and re-incarceration rates of project participants)
Evaluation: Example (Short-term Outcomes) Outcome Data Source Applied To Data Interval 65% (50) of participants will graduate from the vocational training program 60% (45) of participants will complete their case plan goals 65% (50) of participants will demonstrate increased knowledge regarding soft skills, budgeting and time management
Evaluation: Example (Short-term Outcomes) Outcome Data Source Applied To Data Interval 65% (50) of participants will graduate from the vocational training program Documentation of attendance rosters from all vocational training sessions and number of students graduating from program All participants Graduation from program 60% (45) of participants will complete their case plan goals Documentation (case notes) of case management sessions All participants Graduation from program 65% (50) of participants will demonstrate increased knowledge regarding soft skills, budgeting and time management Pre and post tests for soft skills, budgeting and time management classes All participants Graduation from program
Modified Grant Application Section by Section
Grant Application: Key Components Narrative Faith Connection (added by Lutheran Foundation) Needs Statement Project Information Volunteer Involvement Budget
Grant Application: Narrative Organization Background Founding & development of organization Original issue & how it has changed Organization Overview Current services & expected results Population & numbers served *Note: Current services ONLY, not the PROPOSED project (Section D)
Grant Application: Faith Connection (added by Lutheran Foundation) Do not try to be something that you are not Include connections with Lutheran and other Christian congregations and/or organizations Identify faith incorporation in services
Grant Application: Needs Statement Provide LOCAL context Use data Describe a problem that is about same size as your solution Problem Solution
Grant Application: Project Information Population Served Goals Activities Foundation Impact Areas Outcomes Collaboration Differentiating Factors Key Players Long-term Goals & Funding Approach Timeline
Project Information: Timeline & Collaboration Timeline Explain key dates chronologically Collaboration Describe significant interactions with other organizations Do not just create a long list of agencies
Project Information: Differentiating Factors & Key Players Differentiating Factors What makes your project unique Key Players Describe roles of different people associated with project
Project Information: Long-term Goals, Funding & Approach Long-term Goals & Funding Address program sustainability Approach Describe evidence-based, best, or promising practices
Grant Application: Volunteer Involvement Number and role of volunteers Identify Christian volunteers
Grant Application: Budget Ok to add extra rows Not every line item will be applicable (leave blank) Complete narrative and budget template Identify existing vs. new vs. expanded expenses
Budget: Narrative Translates your program into dollars and cents Explains cost estimation Justifies need for each item Details Expenses and Revenues
Completed template
Attachments Double check Correct number of copies
How to Apply
Application Process Applications available on website www.lutheranfoundation.org Application deadlines*: Decisions Made: December 1 February 28 June 1 August 31 *No deadline for Congregation Mini Grants Meet with staff prior to application submission Refer to User s Guide Use resources available on website
Resources Best Practice Resources Resources Principles for Evidence-Based Practices Risk Factors and Needs of Justice Involved Adults (aka "Central Eight") Behavioral Adjustment Programs Case Management Educational Programs/Services Employment Programs/Services Family Programs/Services Housing Programs/Services Mental Health Programs/Services Mentoring Programs/Services Substance Abuse Programs/Services St. Louis Alliance for Reentry (STAR) Urban Institute National Reentry Resource Center Evidence Based Programming
Send Me St. Louis Vision: To see the Church engage its unique role in the community to transform the lives of hurting people. Focus: Christian volunteerism Congregation social service outreach Services: Training Coaching/mentoring Resourcing Serving opportunities www.sendmestlouis.org
Questions & Answers
Contact Us! Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis 314.231.2244 www.lutheranfoundation.org Ann Vazquez, President/CEO ann@lutheranfoundation.org Melinda McAliney, Program Director melinda@lutheranfoundation.org
Fostering a Healthier Community. Serving Our Neighbors. Investing in Meaningful Transformation.