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2007-2008 GRANT GUIDELINES

Project Overview
The California Family Child Care Association Development Project (FCCADP) is funded by the California State Department of Education, Child Development Division, with International Child Resource Institute serving as the lead agency.

Grant Program Goal
The goal of the FCCADP grants is: 1) to develop family child care associations where one does not exist; 2) to strengthen existing associations that are not fully meeting the needs of family child care providers; and 3) to strengthen or create special-focus associations where there is a demonstrated need.

Grants will be awarded to:

1. Family child care providers in Alpine, Del Norte, Mariposa, Mono, Sierra, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties
2. Family child care associations throughout the State of California, and
3. Family child care providers throughout the State of California who seek to strengthen existing associations or create special-focus associations based on demonstrated need

Amount of Awards
FCCADP is pleased to announce the availability of up to $120,000 in grants of $1,500 to $5,000 each for the creation of new family child care associations where none exist; strengthening of existing family child care associations; and efforts to strengthen or create special-focus associations where there is a demonstrated need. These grants will be awarded to eligible family child care providers or family child care associations.

NOTE: This is a competitive process open to eligible applicants (see "Am I Eligible" below). Not all applications will receive funding.

Use of Funds
Grant funds may be used for activities directly related to achieving the program goal. Activities may include: travel expenses to skills building trainings, registration fees, materials, and other items shown to be necessary to achieve the approved plan submitted by the applicant as determined in the proposal review and approved by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division. All travel expenses are subject to the limitations of the State of California Short-Term Travel Expense Reimbursement Program.

Technical Assistance
In addition to the award of grants, ongoing technical assistance will be provided to grantees through a free 800 number warm line, Northern California 1-800-808-0283 or Southern California 1-800-462-1315. This will assure that the applicants are able to submit effective grant applications and continue to receive training and access to local, regional, statewide and national resources.

Am I Eligible?
Eligible applicants include a) family child care providers and associations (in Alpine, Del Norte, Mariposa, Mono, Sierra, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties); b) existing family child care associations; and providers or associations c) strengthen or create special-focus associations where there is a demonstrated need in California. All applicants must:

1. be in operation for six months or more;
2. meet the 2007-2008 application guidelines; and
3. complete the grants application forms.

What Can Be Funded?
FCCADP will provide funding for projects that: 1) create family child care associations where none exist; 2) strengthen existing associations that are not fully meeting the needs of family child care providers; and 3) to strengthen or create special-focus associations where there is a demonstrated need.

The plan for improvement must be realistic and must be able to be carried out within 6 months of receipt of the grant funds.

What Activities Can Be Funded?
Funding may be provided for travel expenses, and other skills building and training activities related to developing and/or strengthening family child care associations.

Funding will not be provided for facilities improvements to family child care homes or other activities that are not directly related to developing and/or strengthening family child care associations. All travel expenses are subject to the limitations of the State of California Short-Term Travel Expense Reimbursement Program.

How can I apply for a Grant?
To apply for a grant, read and complete the entire grant application. This includes:

1. Cover Letter
2. Application Questions and Budget Form

When will grant applications be available?
Grant applications will be available on August 17, 2007.

How do I receive a grant application?
You can receive a grant application in Spanish and English online at www.icrichild.org/fccadp or by contacting:

• In Central or Northern California: Pam Pryfogle
  Email and Phone: pryfogles@aol.com, 1-800-808-0283
• In Southern California: Deborah Eaton
  Email and Phone: deboraheaton@sbcglobal.net, 1-800-462-1315
• Chou Nuon
  chou@icrichild.org, 1-510-644-1000

What if I need help or do not understand the grant application?
Review of the application process and application forms will be held on August 28, August 29, September 12 and September 13 from 7 - 8 pm by telephone conference call. Dial 1-866-215-5511, passcode 9769841#.

Do I have to use a computer or type my application?
The application may be typewritten or hand printed. Only complete and legible applications will be considered.

When is the grant application deadline?
Grant applications must be returned by mail or e-mail to International Child Resource Institute, 1581 LeRoy Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94708 or to chou@icrichild.org.

• Grant applications must be postmarked on or before September 21, 2007.
• Fax and walk-in applications will not be accepted.

When will the grant awards be announced?
Awards will be announced by Monday, October 22, 2007.

How will you decide what to fund?
The review categories used to determine grant awards are: 1) initial screening review; and 2) scoring criteria. Details of the criteria for each category are described in detail below.

1. Initial screening:
   1. Has the applicant completed the entire application including the budget information?
   2. Has the applicant signed the application?
   
   
2. Scoring Categories:
   1. Has the applicant clearly assessed the need for the creation of a new or strengthening of an existing family child care association? (Question 1 on the Application.) (Has the applicant clearly described the needs of family child care providers in their community?)
   2. Has the applicant made a clear plan for creating a new or strengthening an existing family child care association? (Question 2 on the Application) (Has the applicant taken each area of needed improvement and clearly stated what improvements would be made and in what manner they would be accomplished?)
   3. Is the plan proposed by the applicant to improve their program realistic? (Question 2 on the Application) (Has the applicant stated a clear case for the creation of a new or strengthening of an existing family child care association and are the steps to improvement capable of being performed by the applicant?)
   4. Can the improvement plan proposed by the applicant be carried out within a six month period? (Question 2 on the Application) (Do the facts in the application support accomplishment within a six month time period?)
   5. Will the improvement support the long term quality improvement of the program? (Question 3 on the Application) (Will the items chosen for improvement and enactment of the improvement plan lead to long-term quality gain?)
   6. Are the costs associated with the application supported by some documentation, catalog or other pricing information? (Questions 4 & 5 on the Application) (Do the costs and the budget relate directly to improvements in the area chosen by the applicant and are the budgetary expenditures realistic and appropriate?)