Early Learning and School Readiness AmeriCorps Program (ELSRAP) RFA Workshop

1. Early Learning and School Readiness AmeriCorps Program (ELSRAP) RFA Workshop • ELSRAP Purpose and Background • ELSRAP RFA Specifications • Program Requirements and Application Guidance • Application Instructions and Forms • Key Dates • Contact Information • Questions and Answers

2. ELSRAP – Purpose and Background • ELSRAP • Integrates the educational, student support, and workforce development vision and program resources of the TANF-CDC Program with the community service, civic education, and community strengthening strategies and resources of AmeriCorps • Prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond by providing early learning and school readiness services to low income children and their parents • Prepares community college students for a life-long career as an early childhood educator • Establishes, expands and improves school readiness services for children ages 0-5, their parents and families • Low income children and parents, and English Language Learners (ELL) who are not receiving school readiness services are targeted for participation.

3. ELSRAP - Need • School readiness includes: health and physical well-being, social and emotional development, approaches to learning (curiosity and persistence), language usage, and general knowledge about the world • 2/3 of all California’s children enter kindergarten without school readiness skills, and less than 10% demonstrated basic school readiness competencies (First 5 Commission Report) • Children who are unprepared to transition into kindergarten continue to perform similarly in later years: California’s 4th grade student reading scores are lower than students from 47 other states • Limited access to preschool; lack of sound preschool placements • Need for more and better qualified early care educators. • Three of four publicly funded California preschool programs have waiting lists • High costs of preschools • Voucher programs only reach 43% of eligible 3-5 year olds • Poverty, the mother’s level of education, inadequate health care or poor health, and being raised by a teen parent tied to poor school success • Engaging parents in their child’s early educational development is a key strategy for academic achievement • Research suggests the critical window for learning language sounds and vocabulary is at ages 0-3, as a child’s brain completes 90% percent of its growth by age three

4. ELSRAP – Purpose and Background (2) • Joint venture between FCCC AmeriCorps and TANF-CDC Units • TANF-CDC Advisory Team approved moving ahead on the proposal (Sept., 2005) • Program Concept and Letter of Intent (10/31/2005) • Program Design Team ( 2 mtgs., October 2005) • AmeriCorps Application (Nov. 2005) • Interview Team (Jan. 2006) • Proposal is high on the CSC priority list • Early June – funding announcement

5. ELSRAP – Purpose and Background (3) • Support from: • FCCC TANF-CDC and AmeriCorps Units • State First 5 Commission (Workforce Development) • First 5 Association of California • California Head Start Association • Orange County First 5 Commission • Child Development Training Consortium • California Early Childhood Mentor Program • COCCC – CalWorks and Child Development

6. ELSRAP - The Role of the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC) • Legal applicant, fiscal agent, state intermediary • Private, nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c) (3) status; public agency status • FCCC supports and enhances the missions of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, the Chancellor’s Office of the CCC, and the colleges, districts, and foundations of the CCC system, and is the sole auxiliary to these organizations • Grants, donations, services, cooperative purchasing programs for colleges

7. ELSRAP – FCCC Role • FCCC AmeriCorps Unit will administer the program - will collaborate with FCCC TANF-CDC Unit • Develop funding for campuses • Select campuses • Program leadership and coordination • Grant administration • Training, technical assistance, support • Program evaluation • Program and fiscal reporting • Partnership Development • Resource Development (forms, funding, partnerships) • Liaison with California Service Corps (CSC)

8. ELSRAP – AmeriCorps and Community Colleges • Chancellor’s Office Programs (1997-2003) • FCCC AmeriCorps Programs (1994-now) • AmeriCorps Local Emergency Readiness Teams Project (5 campuses, 184 members) • Foster Youth Mentoring Project (11 campuses, 340 members) • Teacher, Reading and Math Development Partnerships Program (13 campuses, 490 members)

9. Background on AmeriCorps and National Service • National and Community Service Act of 1990 (Bush) • National Service Trust Act of 1993 (Clinton) • Corporation for National Service (1993) • AmeriCorps (1994) • Approximately 75,000 in 2004/2005 • State Commissions (1993) • California Service Corps (renamed in 2004) • 6,100 Members in 2004/2005 • Citizen Corps • Service and Volunteerism Role

10. Corporation for National and Community Service Programs • AmeriCorps • VISTA, AmeriCorps State and National, NCCC • Learn and Serve America • K-12, Higher Education, Community-based • National Senior Service Corps • RSVP, Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents

11. AmeriCorps National Service Priorities • Education • Health and Other Human Needs • Public Safety • Environment

12. AmeriCorps National Service New Priorities • New - War on Terrorism/Homeland Security/Disaster Preparedness • Public Safety • Public Health • Disaster Relief and Preparation • Volunteer Mobilization • Community and faith-based initiatives

13. Goals for AmeriCorps Programs • A strategy to address unmet local community needs, and that strives to: • Get things done – mobilize for direct service • Strengthen communities – unite individuals and institutions to improve communities • Encourage responsibility – become part of the solution, civic responsibility, lifelong service ethic • Expand opportunity – professional skills, experience, education award

14. AmeriCorps Member Benefits • Provides participants an education award ($4,725, $2,363, $1,250) • Education awards paid as vouchers ; 7 years to pay current education costs or pay back qualified student loans already incurred • Living allowance, health and child care benefits for full-time members • Worker’s compensation • Other benefits

15. Common AmeriCorps Program Design Considerations • Direct benefit • Added value • Engage volunteers (non-AmeriCorps members) • Citizenship, civic engagement, ethic of service • Supervision, training, education • Support services • Community involvement and consultation • Diversity and inclusiveness • Linking with other service and volunteer programs • National days of service

16. ELSRAP – Campus Funding • $960,740 for campuses • Proposal based on 480 members at 20 campuses • Funding becomes available August/September 2005 • Available Funding – campus grants are based on a cost per member basis • ELSRAP - $8,006/Member Service Year • 4 quarter-time members (450 hours) = 1 MSY • Match Requirement – 38% cash and/or in-kind

17. ELSRAP – Partnership Requirements • Signed letters of support from key partners and member placement sites • County First 5 Commission, School Readiness Coordinator • Campus ECE and CalWorks • Head Start, State Preschool, Non-Profit Childcare Centers, Campus Child Development Center, School Readiness Centers (First 5)

18. ELSRAP - Program Requirements and Guidance • Campus Participation • 17 Month Grant Award/12 month Program Design • Member Enrollment Expectations • Campus-Community Partnerships • Federal and CalWorks Work Study • Service-Learning • Common Performance Measures • Program Management and Supervision • Program Activities • Program Evaluation

19. ELSRAP – Campus Participation • Must be an FCCC TANF-CDC program • Letter of Intent not required

20. ELSRAP – Term of Grant and Program • 17 month grant award – 12 month program design • Grant Period – August 2006 – December 2007 • 12 month program for members – campuses would choose their start/end dates; start date of program = date of first member service or training hours • Encourage a September – August program

21. ELSRAP – Member Enrollment • 10 member minimum • TANF-CDC participants receive priority • Non TANF-CDC students may participate • All TANF-CDC participant programs will receive extra points on the application

22. ELSRAP – Member Enrollment (2) • Must be least 17 years old, • US citizen or national, lawful permanent resident alien of the US (documentation) • Background Check (DOJ, FBI, Child Abuse Index) • Application, interview, member contract • Campus can establish additional enrollment requirements for members (e.g. GPA)

23. ELSRAP – Member Enrollment (3) • Enroll members as a cohort • Do not enroll members on an open entry/open exit basis • Fall and Spring enrollment okay (same 12 months for all members) • Member Commitment - 450 hours of service and training; term of program • 80%/20% rule (360 hours/90 hours) • No more than 10% of the 80% for national days of service (36 hours)

24. ELSRAP – Campus- Community Partnerships • California Local Area Service Partnership (CLASP) • Advisory Board/Management Team comprised of key program stakeholders • Helps develop ELSRAP application • Develops program policies and administrative systems • Assists in funding and resource development • Program evaluation/continuous improvement • Supports the overall functioning of the program (kick-off, graduation ceremonies, member recruitment and enrollment) • Meets on a regular basis

25. ELSRAP – Service Learning • Develop a service-learning design for ELSRAP member education and training (integrate community service with academic instruction, vocational development critical thinking, service, and civic education) • Positively impact student’s academic understanding, sense of civic responsibility, personal or career growth, and/or understanding of larger social issues • Structured time for reflective/critical thinking to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility • Goal - For-credit course framework for all member education and training • Pre-Service Orientation and Training • On-going Training • ECE courses that are directly related to the service can count toward member training

26. ELSRAP – Service-Learning (2) • Pre-Service Orientation and Training • 8-24 hours • Provided prior to start of member service • AmeriCorps/National Service background; integration with TANF-CDC program • Program policies, expectations, rules, rights, responsibilities, member contract and handbook • ELSRAP goals, performance measures • Early learning and school readiness; ROR • Service-specific training, service site expectations • Competency checklist for program participation • Civic education, conflict resolution, teambuilding

27. ELSRAP-Service Learning (3) • On-going Training and Support • Meet weekly or bi-weekly 1-2 hours per meeting • Build upon PSO topics • Improve member knowledge, skills, and performance; remove barriers to service; increase commitment to program • ECE and School Readiness topics; ROR; volunteer management; civic education; CPR/First Aid • Other • Related ECE courses, TANF-CDC activities

28. ELSRAP – Work Study • Support member service with • Federal Work-Study • CalWorks Work Study

29. ELSRAP – Common Performance Measures • Standard performance measures for all campuses • Must include all performance measures in application • Scale pms to size of campus program • Performance measures can change from year to year based on lessons learned and what works • Campuses can include additional measures but must address standard measures

30. ELSRAP – Performance Measures (2) • Needs and Services • Early Care and Education • Neighborhood School Readiness Centers • Parent Training • Member Training • Community Strengthening • Volunteer Recruitment and Management • Member Development • ELSR General Training • Civic Education • Volunteer Management

31. ELSRAP – Early Care and Education Performance Measure • Early Care and Education Measure • Outcome measure that focuses on providing 1-1 and small group school readiness services to preschool children (see performance measure specifics) • Majority of members (60%) would perform this service activity • Each member works with at least 4 children and measures their school readiness progress • Pre-post Behavior Assessment Guide (behavior focus) • Pre-post Child School Readiness Index (skill focus) • FCCC will help develop the pre-post observational instruments

32. ELSRAP – Neighborhood School Readiness Center Performance Measure • Outcome measure that focuses on building the capacity of current and/or new Neighborhood School Readiness Centers • NSRCs - designed to provide essential services to meet the developmental needs of children and their parents, including parent and family early care and education/school readiness services and resources, educational services for parents, and an information and referral system that links residents to health and human services and support. • Child care, in some cases • In place in varying degrees in many California counties • Many counties have plans for expanding services or developing new centers.

33. ELSRAP – Neighborhood School Readiness Center Performance Measure (2) • 10% of the members would perform this activity • Activities include: • Develop new early learning and school readiness program and educational materials for the NSRC • Help develop and provide new services for parent and children • Recruit parents and their children to participate • Promote the program in the community • Assist volunteers in providing service at the NSRC • Outcomes include • Increase the resource base of the NSRC • Expand services to parents and families

34. ELSRAP – Parent Training Performance Measure • Outcome measure that focuses on providing early learning and school readiness information and education to parent and families • Help develop new parent training programs where they do not currently exist; enhance existing programs • 10%-20% of members will provide this activity • Activities and outcomes include: • Identify, develop, and educate parents about early learning and school readiness materials, teaching strategies, health and social services • Reach Out and Read Services • Helping parents develop and implement an early learning and school readiness plan

35. ELSRAP – Volunteer Recruitment and Management Performance Measure • Output measure that focuses on recruiting and engaging volunteers in providing early care and school readiness services to the community • 2 members maximum per campus • Engage 16 volunteers who provide 40 or more hours of service • Placed at NSRCs with NSRC members • Develop recruitment flyers, brochures, presentations • Enroll, train, and support volunteers in providing various early learning and school readiness services

36. ELSRAP – Member Training and Education Performance Measures • Early Learning and School Readiness • Civic Education • Volunteer Management • Included as part of PSO and On-going training • Build upon TANF-CDC resources • For-credit course design

37. ELSRAP – Program Management and Supervision • Complex program requires strong and consistent program management and supervision – Strong community interface – Service impact • Full-time, dedicated campus coordinator is encouraged for larger programs • Support staff for WBRS data entry and other support activities • Leadership • Program Management and Coordination • Integration of ELSRAP with other Campus Administrative, Academic, and Student Services • Partnership development and convening • Service site selection and support • Member enrollment management, supervision, training, support (WBRS data entry) • Program reporting, budget monitoring and monthly billing • Member recognition, swearing-in and graduation ceremonies • Public relations

38. ELSRAP – Program Elements and Activities • Applications need to address the “what, when, where, and how” of the following: • Member Recruitment and Selection • Member Site Selection and Responsibilities • Member Service Activities • Program Partnerships • Member Education, Training and Support • Data Collection and Program Evaluation • Program Funding and Resources

39. ELSRAP – Program Evaluation and Reporting • Quarterly Progress Reports • Monthly billings to the FCCC • Third Party Evaluator provided by FCCC • Program Coordinator/Monitor • WBRS – all profile member data, member enrollment/exit dates, hours (time logs), education award • Campus performance is assessed on progress made toward stated performance measures • Seek high enrollment and retention of members

40. ELSRAP – Application Forms, Narrative and Instructions • Face Sheet • Contact Page Form • Executive Summary • Program Narrative • Program Performance Measures • CLASP Certification Form • 2005-06 CLASP Form • Budget Summary Form • Budget Narrative Form • Certifications and Assurances • Partnership Support Letters

41. ELSRAP– Program Narrative • No more than 10 single spaced pages, or 20 double spaced pages • Executive Summary • Program Narrative • Introduction • Needs and Service Activities • Member Development • Strengthening Communities • Organizational Capacity • Budget/Cost Effectiveness

42. ELSRAP – Program Narrative • Introduction – brief introductory paragraph • Needs and Service Activities • Needs • Description of Activities • Accomplishments in Proposed Activity Area • Involvement of Community • Prohibited Service Activities

43. ELSRAP – Program Narrative (2) • Member Development • Recruitment • Member Support • Civic Education • Strengthening Communities • Developing Community Resources • Community Partnerships • Capacity Building • Sustainability • Federal Work Study

44. ELSRAP – Program Narrative (3) • Organizational Capacity • Budget/Cost Effectiveness

45. ELSRAP- Budget • Corporation Share – cannot exceed $8,006 per MSY • Grantee Share – must have a minimum 38% cash or in-kind match • Two budget worksheets – the Budget Summary Form and the Budget Narrative Form - enter data onto the Budget Narrative Form first – data will automatically populate the Budget Summary Form • To calculate the total CNCS grant amount, multiply the number of MSYs requested x the cost per MSY; Example – 32 members requested = 8 MSYs • 8 MSYs x $8,006 = $64,048 – This is the campus budget total. • Spread the total budget through Sections I, II, and III on the Budget Narrative Form

46. ELSRAP – Budget (2) • CNCS share - member uniforms, background checks, project staff, supplies, computer, staff and member training costs, staff and member travel and transportation, worker’s compensation, supplies, materials, space rental, telephone, web site, other direct costs for operating the program • No CNCS funding for living allowances (TANF cash assistance disincentive) • Grantee share (38% match)- consider BOG waivers, FTES generation, staff and management salaries and benefits, facility and supply costs, equipment costs, other operating costs, administrative costs (up to 10%) or Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate, partner contributions (resources, space, supervision, materials, staff-time, etc.) • Keep the match simple (easy documentation/access) for audit purposes! • No reason to provide an excessive match

47. ELSRAP – Partnership Support Letters • Should be submitted on the letter head of the partner • Should include specifics of the partnership commitment, e.g. cash, resources, placement site, supervision, specific activities that will be provided • Should be signed and dated by the organization Director or designee

48. ELSRAP–Application Submittal • 5 copies of the application, 2 with original signatures • Mail applications to: • Foundation for California Community Colleges c/o AmeriCorps Unit, Attn: AmeriCorps RFA Enclosed, 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-6511 • Applications must be received at the FCCC by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006

49. ELSRAP – Key Dates • Application Submission May 11, 2006 • Application Review Period May 12- 19, 2006 • Campus Application Rankings Late May, 2006 • CSC Funding Announcement Early June 2006 • Campus Funding Announcements Early June 2006 • ELSRAP Training July 2006 • AC Fall Institute August 2006 • Projects Become Operational August 2006

50. ELSRAP – RFA Contacts and Web Sites • RFA Contacts • Brad Duncan – bduncan@foundationccc.org – 916-325-8561 • Hillery Gladden – hgladden@foundationccc.org – 916-325-8563 • Colleen Ganley – cganley@foundationccc.org – 916-325-8572 • RFA Web Sites • http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/new/whatsnew.html • http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/Americorps/americorps_WhatsNew.html • http://www.foundationccc.org/FCCC/TANF/tanf_downloads.html