United Way of Greater St. Louis Member Agency Priority (MAP) Application Guide This application for United Way of Greater St. Louis MAP funding has been developed to help member agencies present their funding request in a concise format for volunteer review. This information will be used to evaluate the merits of each request, including the clarity and effectiveness of design, success in implementation, and proven impact. Funding will be considered for programs that demonstrate these characteristics, but are also competitive, clearly identify a community need and address United Way of Greater St. Louis priority areas. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this competitive application process. The United Way of Greater St. Louis looks forward to working together to help people live their best possible lives. Important Dates Application Deadline 5:00pm August 19, 2016 Panel Review September and October 2016 MAP Committee Review November 2016 Final Award Approval December 13, 2016 Agency Notification Letters Mailed By December 30, 2016 Agencies interested in applying for funds must complete the following application and email one copy to reporting@stl.unitedway.org by 5:00pm on August 19, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. Agencies are limited to one application in the amount of $25,000 or $50,000. No other amounts will be considered. Eligible requests include programs or services within one of the four identified priority areas provided by United Way of Greater St. Louis member agencies that report to the Community Investment Division and serve individuals in Missouri counties including St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, Warren or Lincoln, or Illinois counties including Madison, Randolph, Clinton, St. Clair or Monroe. Capital requests will not be considered. Completed application should not exceed 6 pages, excluding attachments. Ensure all fields are complete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the volunteers. Contact your Funding Manager with questions. Some of the questions are similar to those used during the United Way of Greater St. Louis reporting process. Agencies may choose to use data or responses submitted during reporting, but it is strongly advised that responses be assessed and augmented as needed to provide the strongest application possible. It is not expected that MAP application responses match what was provided during the reporting process, including budget information, numbers served, etc. as circumstances may have changed since that time. This is a highly competitive application process and we want agencies to have the best opportunity possible to be selected. Responses should be clear to the average person who does not have in-depth knowledge regarding an agency s area of work.
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 2 Key Definitions New program Not in operation prior to July 2015 Enhanced program Evidence-based practice (EBP) Promising practice (PP) Practice-based (PB) Best practice (BP) Currently in operation but significant changes planned that will result in improved outcomes Program interventions that have been proven to be effective based on evidence generated from rigorous scientific research such as randomized controlled trials (RCT) Programs and strategies that have some quantitative data showing positive outcomes, but do not have enough research or replication to be categorized as an evidence-based practice Program practitioner s use of real-time feedback to develop, guide, and evaluate services; no formal recognition of model effectiveness by an outside source Method or technique that has been generally accepted as superior to any alternatives because it produces results that are superior to those achieved by other means. Primarily used when describing capacity building approaches that impact an organization s operations. 2016 Priority Areas select one of these four priority areas for MAP funding 1. New or Enhanced Program Agency can apply for funding for a new program or service that has been identified as a need, or enhance a current program or service with a goal of improved outcomes. New program was not in operation prior to July 2015 o Current data not required for new program but agency must demonstrate a history of providing successful, quality programs o Must align with agency s mission and core services Enhanced program may include expansion of a current program in operation prior to July 2015; the focus will be on improved outcomes for individuals. o Current outcome data that demonstrates success is required o Agency must specify how outcomes are anticipated to improve o Programs or services with no significant changes are not eligible Evidence-based practice (EBP), promising practice (PP) or practice-based (PB) approaches are preferred. See pages 10 and 11 for resources in this area. Best practice may be cited if other approaches are not available. Meets requirements above: o scholarship funds for expansion of early childcare services to include 3 year olds o add nutritionist in current program based on evidence-based practices Does not meet requirements above: o replace lost funding in counseling program (no significant changes are being made) o purchase a new van for childcare program (no capital requests)
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 3 2. Ready by 21 and East Side Aligned Goals and Strategies Agency can apply for funding for current programs or services that are in alignment with Ready by 21 and East Side Aligned goals that focus on children being: o Healthy and safe o Socially connected o Successful in school and work o Positively engaged o Independent and in possession of essential life skills Program was in operation prior to July of 2015 Agency must select outcome indicator or strategy that aligns with Ready by 21 or East Side Aligned, found in the appendix of this document Current outcome data is available that demonstrates success Programs are not restricted to the Ready by 21 or East Side Aligned geographic service areas Evidence-based practice (EBP), promising practice (PP) or practice-based (PB) approaches are preferred. See pages 10 and 11 for resources in this area. Best practice may be cited if other approaches are not available. Meets requirements above: o provide transportation vouchers to 100 students for employment training o tutoring for 75 children for six months Does not meet requirements above: o new counseling program for teens (no new programs are eligible) o leadership training for middle-schoolers but no outcome data available (no outcome data available) 3. Employment Agency can apply for funding for current programs that support individuals in all areas related to obtaining or maintaining employment. Program was in operation prior to July of 2015 Current outcome data is available that demonstrates success Target population of the program is individuals over the age of 18 who do not fall within the Ready by 21 or East Side Aligned efforts Evidence-based practice (EBP), promising practice (PP) or practice-based (PB) approaches are preferred. See pages 10 and 11 for resources in this area. Best practice may be cited if other approaches are not available. Meets requirements above: o replace lost funding for Workforce Development Manager o provide transportation vouchers to 200 individuals for employment training Does not meet requirements above: o purchase van to provide transportation to classes (no capital requests) o summer work program for 24-18 year olds (must be 18 or older this request would potentially fit in the Ready by 21 priority area)
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 4 4. Capacity Building Agency can apply for funding that focuses on improving the organization s overall strength and ability to meet the needs of the community. Request was not in operation prior to July 2015 Request will increase administrative infrastructure that ensures quality operations Request builds organizational strength not tied to any specific program All agencies may apply, however preference will be given to agencies with budgets under $1.5 million Based on best practices when applicable Meets requirements above: o contracted grant writer o staff, such as data specialist, HR specialist, volunteer coordinator, etc. o contract for outsourcing finances o improved benefits package Does not meet requirements above: o human resources specialist who has been on staff for 5 years (cannot be in place earlier than July 2015) o bus driver for early childhood program (cannot be tied to any single program) Review of MAP application questions General Overview of Request: Agency Name Enter name as used during the United Way of Greater St. Louis reporting process. Example: Do Your Best Agency Budget Total budgeted expenses for the current fiscal year, using the agency s fiscal year. Example: $4,320,000 United Way Priority Area Select the priority area for which funds are being requested note that only one application may be submitted and one priority area selected. Dropdown options include: 1. New or Enhanced Program 2. Ready by 21 and East Side Aligned Goals 3. Employment 4. Capacity Building Brief summary of request Enter a one sentence overview of the request. Include dollar amount of $25k or $50k, position title if applicable and program name or service.
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 5 Meets requirements above: o Do Your Best seeks $25k for a new part-time Teacher in the Reading Great Program o Do Your Best seeks $25k for 200 scholarships for students in the Reading Great Program Does not meet requirements above: o Do Your Best seeks $32,500 for a new part-time Teacher in the Reading Great Program (must request $25k or $50k) Implementation Date Enter date that the above program or request was implemented or the anticipated timeframe for implementation. o o o The Reading Great Program was implemented in 2013 and the new Teacher is scheduled to begin in August 2016. The Reading Great Program was implemented in 2013 and the scholarships will be implemented upon notification of MAP funds being awarded. The Math Masters program was originally implemented in the late 1990 s. Questions that United Way volunteers will consider when reviewing the agency s application: 1. Describe the request and how it supports the organization s mission and strategic goals. Include mission and specific strategic goals this funding will help accomplish Include program activities, services, and interventions, including when the program operates and where the services will take place Describe the target population for this program, including demographics and how the agency will ensure it reaches the target population Specify how outcomes are anticipated to improve if this request is funded Enter the proposed additional number of clients to be served if funding is awarded, if applicable 2. Describe the community need that this request addresses. Provide data that supports the need Local data is strongly preferred If requesting Capacity Building funds, describe the agency need that these funds will impact and how this will improve the agency s ability to ensure quality programming and/or meet increased community need 3. Describe the agency s budget and specifically how the requested funds will be used. It should be clear exactly how the increase in UW funds will be used If funds are requested for a position, attach the position job description, not to exceed two pages Be clear whether staff or positions referenced are currently employed by the agency or will be hired Include all expenses related to the request, all sources of revenue, and the requested amount from United Way Include information regarding the current agency expense budget and program budget Summarize impact of the requested funds
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 6 Example: Do Your Best has an annual budget of $2.8 million, primarily for staff expenses for the Math is Fun and Reading Great programs. Revenue consists of 80% government funding, 10% foundation grants, 5% United Way and 5% special events. Our Reading Great program budget is currently $850k, largely funding our team of 15 teachers and tutors as well as scholarships for 25 students on average per year. The additional $25k will be used toward a new part-time teacher s salary of $30,500. The teacher will be hired following approval of the MAP funds. This teacher will work with 40 students per week, approximately 60 new students per year, allowing us to remove children from our waiting list, which currently stands at 75. The teacher will have X qualifications, licensing, etc. 4. Identify the evidence-based, promising, practice-based or best practice that led to the selection of this request. Evidence-based practice (EBP), promising practice (PP) or practice-based (PB) approaches are preferred. See pages 10 and 11 for resources in this area. Best practice may be cited if other approaches are not available. Highlight what sets this approach apart from programs serving a similar population, if applicable. Example: Do Your Best is requesting $25,000 towards outsourcing our bookkeeping services. This is a best practice per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) which require oversight processes we cannot provide due to capacity constraints. The United Way Quality Standards state practices must be in place to safeguard assets and manage resources. This organization currently has one part-time bookkeeper on staff that will remain. The Board will continue to provide regular financial oversight and review monthly statements from the contracted bookkeeper as well as quarterly review of bank statements. This has been recommended by the auditing firm and United Way has made recommendations regarding poor financial oversight for three consecutive years. 5. Select and list up to 3 outcome indicator(s) or goals that best align with the request using the list provided on pages 8 and 9 in the MAP Guide Appendix. If New or Enhanced Program, Ready by 21 and East Side Aligned Goals and Strategies or Employment priority has been selected identify up to 3 outcomes from the list of 61 standardized outcomes on pages 8 and 9. Requests for Ready by 21 and East Side Aligned funding must select indicators with an x under Rb21 or ESA. Enter the numbers and text corresponding to the outcomes selected. Example: o Outcome 1 Clients achieve/maintain permanency o Outcome 28 Clients feel hopeful about the future o Outcome 53 Clients make changes based on knowledge gained If you are requesting Capacity Building funds enter up to 3 goals that the requested funds will accomplish. There is no list to select from for this category. : o Increased staff retention o Increased volunteer engagement o Increased grant funding
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 7 6. Describe why this agency is best positioned to meet this need. Describe specific agency competencies that indicate this agency is in a strong position to meet this need Provide a summary of agency capacity Identify accomplishments and specialized training Identify collaborations related to this request that are currently in place or planned upon implementation List relevant awards, recognitions, and accreditations If requesting Capacity Building, skip this question. 7. Describe how the agency currently measures or will measure progress towards the selected outcome indicators or goals. Include results for programs currently in operation. Specifically include the sources of data, frequency and method of collection, use of software/database, and use of industry tools Explain how benchmarks were selected Share outcome data or other results from the prior year that demonstrate success for all but new programs not currently implemented Describe plans or reports that will measure progress towards capacity building goals, such as resource development plans, recruitment strategies, or volunteer engagement tracking tools Include the protocol (who and how often) for agency evaluation of feedback data to enhance, change or improve this program Provide an example of how feedback from people the agency supports has been obtained and used for process improvement
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 8 Indicators UW indicators aligned with UWselected RB21 / ESA Goals UNITED WAY OUTCOME INDICATORS RB21 ESA 1.) Clients achieve/maintain permanency (reunification, guardianship, adoption). 2.) Clients are born of a healthy birth weight. X X 3.) Clients are free from law enforcement/juvenile justice involvement or reoffending. X X 4.) Clients are free from substantiated incidents of child abuse and/or neglect. 5.) Clients are proficient in reading/math. X X 6.) Clients are promoted to the next grade level. 7.) Clients are ready to enter kindergarten. X X 8.) Clients are satisfied with services. (administrative) 9.) Clients are successfully able to manage physical health conditions. 10.) Clients are successfully able to navigate the justice system. X 11.) Clients are successfully linked with community services. X 12.) Clients avoid bullying behaviors. X X 13.) Clients avoid illegal/addictive substances that negatively impact their lives. 14.) Clients develop coping, stress management skills. 15.) Clients develop healthy relationships with family members/caregivers. X X 16.) Clients develop positive friendships with peers. X X 17.) Clients develop positive self-concept/self-esteem/selfconfidence. X X 18.) Clients develop/maintain a physically active lifestyle. X 19.) Clients develop/maintain healthy eating habits. X X 20.) Clients develop skills to avoid engaging in risky behaviors. X 21.) Clients do not become pregnant or father a child during teen years. X X 22.) Clients enhance their capacity and performance. (administrative) 23.) Clients enroll in/complete job training, college, or vocational training. X X 24.) Clients experience a sense of belonging. X X 25.) Clients experience fewer mental, emotional, and/or behavioral symptoms. X X 26.) Clients experience no out-of-home placements. 27.) Clients feel less isolated. X 28.) Clients feel more hopeful about the future. X X 29.) Clients gain critical thinking and decision-making skills. X 30.) Clients gain knowledge/take action about advocacy/policy issues. 31.) Clients gain knowledge about available community resources. 32.) Clients gain knowledge about behavioral/mental health issues. 33.) Clients gain knowledge about healthy lifestyle habits. 34.) Clients gain knowledge about personal finance and money management. X 35.) Clients gain knowledge about pertinent legal rights and obligations. 36.) Clients gain knowledge about physical health conditions. 37.) Clients gain knowledge about safe and healthy relationships. 38.) Clients gain knowledge about service delivery topic. (administrative)
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 9 UNITED WAY OUTCOME INDICATORS RB21 ESA 39.) Clients gain knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies. 40.) Clients gain knowledge/take action to increase disaster preparedness. 41.) Clients gain positive parenting/co-parenting skills. X 42.) Clients gain strategies for enhancing safety. X X 43.) Clients gain/maintain independent living/essential life skills. X X 44.) Clients graduate from high school, earn a GED, other high school equivalent. X X 45.) Clients have immediate basic needs met (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). 46.) Clients identify, manage, and appropriately express emotions and behaviors. X 47.) Clients improve listening and spoken language abilities. 48.) Clients increase income, savings, assets. 49.) Clients maintain/improve course grades/academic performance. X X 50.) Clients maintain/improve school attendance/remain in school. X X 51.) Clients maintain/improve their level of functioning. 52.) Clients maintain/improve their quality of life. 53.) Clients make changes based on knowledge gained. (administrative) 54.) Clients meet or exceed age-appropriate developmental milestones. X X 55.) Clients obtain employment. X X 56.) Clients obtain job readiness skills. X X 57.) Clients pass their classes. X X 58.) Clients receive routine medical care and age-appropriate immunizations. X X 59.) Clients recover to their normal lifestyle after a disaster. 60.) Clients remain in/transition to an improved, stable living situation. X X 61.) Clients retain employment for at least three months. X X
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 10 Appendix Evidence-Based Practices and Promising Practices Resources Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) are interventions that have been proven to be effective based on evidence generated from rigorous scientific research such as randomized controlled trials (RCT). Promising Practices are programs and strategies that have some quantitative data showing positive outcomes, but do not have enough research or replication to be categorized as an evidence-based practice. Alliance for Effective Social Investing Resources to improve the performance of the nonprofit sector, including the Social Value Assessment: www.alleffective.org Alliance for Nonprofit Performance Current trends and research on nonprofit performance, get updates by Becoming a Fan: www.facebook.com/allperform Best Evidence Encyclopedia Evaluation reports on educational programs: http://www.bestevidence.org/ California Healthy Kids Surveys Various youth related measures: http://www.wested.org/pub/docs/chks_surveys_summary.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools; 200 free instruments, not just on violence: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/measure.htm and the Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance System (YRBS): http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/yrbs/questionnaire_rationale.htm Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado Information and blueprint for prevention of violence: http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/ and http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/ Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Measurement instruments sorted by topic area: http://www.activeguidellc.com/cmi/menu_frameset.htm Center for What Works Information about nonprofit benchmarking and outcomes portal with Urban Institute: http://www.whatworks.org/index.cfm Child Trends Research, effective practices, and measurements for working with children, youth, couples, families: http://www.childtrends.org/ Child Welfare Information Gateway Information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families: http://www.childwelfare.gov/index.cfm Communities that Care Survey Includes parent/family/community questions: http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/prevline/pdfs/ctc/ctc_survey_2006.pdf Equipped for the Future Adult education and employment readiness: http://eff.cls.utk.edu/ Evidence-Based Mental Health Quarterly digest of clinical research of relevance to clinicians in mental health: http://ebmh.bmj.com/ Evidence-Based Practice for the Helping Professions Definition and guidance on formulating the question and advice on searching databases: http://www.evidence.brookscole.com/ Fast Track Variety of measures with the instruments tested by universities: http://www.fasttrackproject.org/allmeasures.htm
M A P A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e P a g e 11 Guide to Evidence-Based Practice on the Web By SAMHSA, this portal leads to sites for mental health and drug abuse: http://www.samhsa.gov/ebpw ebguide/index.asp Harvard Family Research Project Youth development, out of school time, family involvement, workforce development: http://www.hfrp.org/complementarylearning Institute of Education Sciences Rigorous evaluation evidence on educational programs: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ies/index.html MDRC Effective ways to improve programs and policies that affect the poor: http://www.mdrc.org/ Missouri Therapy Network Collaboration of mental health providers in Missouri and researchers from Washington University and University of Missouri with links to evidence-based resources: http://motherapynetwork.wustl.edu/ebplinks/pages/default.aspx National Council on Aging Evidence-based models for aging, disabilities, health, disease management: www.healthyagingprograms.com Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide The guide to effective prevention, sanction, and reentry for youth: http://www.dsgonline.com/mpg2.5/mpg_index.htm Promising Practices Network Resources for children, families, and communities by outcome area: http://www.promisingpractices.net/programs.asp Public/Private Ventures Youth development, high risk youth, after school, mentoring, workforce, prisoner reentry: http://www.ppv.org/index.asp Social Programs that Work Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy Evidence-based interventions for a variety of program areas: http://www.evidencebasedprograms.org Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP): www.nrepp.samhsa.gov The Campbell Collaboration Reports on program effectiveness for crime, justice, welfare, and education: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/ What Works Clearing House A resource for scientific evidence for effective practices in education: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ Note: If your agency belongs to a national organization, models and measurements may be available through them.