HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 15186: SECOND CHANCE ACT GRANT FUNDSinteroffice
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor, City Council, and City Manager
From: Mark T. Sokolow, City Attorney ~,.,~ ~~i"'u'"`
Date: March 31, 2009
Subject: P. R. No. 15186; Council Meeting April 7, 2009
Attached is P. R. No. 15186 authorizing the City Attorney to
apply for Second Chance Act Grant funds. I am still working on the
grant application, the proposed program, the proposed budget, and
can provide more details as to the application and the participants
prior to or at the Council Meeting.
MTS:gt
Attachment
cc: Director of Finance
z.pr15186_memo
P. R. No. 15186
03/31/09 is
RESOLIITION N0.
A RESOLIITION AIITHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
APPLY FOR SECOND CHANCE ACT GRANT FIINDS
WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interests of the citizens of
the City of Port Arthur to authorize the City Attorney to apply for
Second Chance Act Grant funds, as delineated in Exhibit "A",
attached hereto.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COIINCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHIIR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble
are true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Attorney is herein authorized to
apply for Second Chance Act Grant Funds, as delineated in Exhibit
"A", attached hereto, for $750.000 in grant funds, with a potential
25% in-kind match and a 25% cash match, if awarded, for a
$1,500,000 Re-Entry Program.
Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution
be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of
A.D., 2009, at a Meeting of the City Council of
the City of Port Arthur, by the following vote: AYES:
Mayor
Councilmembers
z.pr151B6
NOES:
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~^"' 1
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
CITY MANAGER
Z.pr15186
EXHIBIT "A"
U.S. Department of Justice ~~```
Office of Iustice Programs
Bureau ojJustice Assistance `~~
The U S Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Assistance is
pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding of demonstration projects under
the Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative. This program furthers the Department's
commitment to providing services and programs to facilitate inmates' successful reintegration
into society.
Second Chance Act
Prisoner Reentry Initiative
FY 2009 Competitive Grant Announcement
Eligibility
Applicants are limited to state and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian
tribes.
(See "Eligibility," page 2)
Deadline
Registration with Grants.gov is required prior to application submission.
All applications are due by 8:00 p.m. e.t. on April 20, 2009.
(See "Deadline: Applications," page 1)
Contact Information
For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact: Dr. Gary L. Dennis, Senior
Policy Advisor, at 202-305-9059 or ^~^~ dennisCo~usdoi.gov.
This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with submitting
the application, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 o r send an e-
mail to suooort(a~grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are Monday-
Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. e.t.
Grants.gov announcement number:.BJA-2009-2095
Release date: February 27, 2009
CONTENTS
Overview of the Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative 1
1
Deadline: Registration
1
Deadline: Applications
2
Eligibility
Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative-Specific Information
2
6
Match Requirement
6
Performance Measures
8
How to Apply
What an Application Must Include 9
Standard Form 424
Program Narrative
Budget and Budget Narrative
Other Attachments
10
Selection Criteria
11
Review Process
12
Additional Requirements
13
Appendix 1
Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative
CFDA #16.202
Overview of the Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative
The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the
increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to
communities. There are currently over 2.3 million individuals serving time in our federal and
state prisons, and m illions of people cycling through local jails every year. Ninety-five percent of
all prisoners incarcerated today will eventually be released and will return to communities. The
Second Chance Act will help ensure the transition individuals make from prison or jail to the
community is safe and successful. Section 101 of the Act authorizes grants to state and local
governments and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for demonstration projects
to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have
been incarcerated.
Deadline: Registration
Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, processing delays may occur and
it can take up to several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmationsluser
passwords. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) highly recommends that applicants start the
registration process as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting an application package
to our agency by the application deadline specified. The registration process for organizations
involves these steps: (1) obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; (2)
register your organization with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database; (3) register
with Grants.gov's Credential Provider and obtain a username and password; (4) register with
Grants.gov to establish yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (5)
the E-Business Point of Contact (POC) assigns the "Authorized Applicant Role" to you. For
more information about the registration process, go to www orants.gov. Note: Your CCR must
be renewed once a year. Failure to renew the CCR may prohibit submission of a grant
application through Grants.gov.
Deadline: Applications
The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is 8:00 p.m. e.t. on April 20,
2009.
Within 24-48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an a-mail
validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you if the application has
been received and validated or if it has been rejected, and why.
Imaortant: You are urged to submit your application at least 72 hours prior to the due date of
the application to allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any problems that
may have caused the rejection notification.
If you experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond your control, you must
contact OJP staff within 24 hours after the due date and request approval to submit your
application. At that time, OJP staff will require you to a-mail the complete grant application, y our
DUNS number, and provide a Grants.gov Hel p Desk tracking number(s). After OJP reviews all
of the information submitted as well as contacts Grants.gov to validate the technical issues
reported by the applicant, OJP will contact you to either approve or deny the request.
To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are not valid
reasons to permit late submissions: (1) failure to begin the registration process in sufficient time;
(2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its web
site; (3) failure to follow all of the instructions in the OJP s olicitation; and (4) technical issues
experienced with the applicant's computer or information technology (IT) environment.
Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov are posted on the OJP
funding web page: www oiA aovlfundina/solicitations htm.
Eligibility
State and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible to apply
under this program. Applicants must adhere to all of the eligibility and funding requirements of
the Second Chance Act. In order to be eligible to apply for funding, the jurisdiction preparing the
application must have developed a reentry strategic plan which includes a detailed
implementation schedule as well as extensive evidence of collaboration with key public and
private stakeholders. Applicants must also have established a Reentry Task Force comprised of
specific justice system and community representation.
American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Tribes andlor Tribal Organizations: All tribal
applications must be accompanied by a current authorizing resolution of the governing body of
the tribal entity or other enactment of the tribal council or comparable government body. If the
grant will benefit more than one tribal entity, a current authorizing resolution or other enactment
of the tribal council or comparable government body from each tribal entity must be included. If
the grant application is being submitted on behalf of a tribal entity, a letter or similar document
authorizing the inclusion of the tribal entity named in the application m ust be included.
The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative-Specific
Information
All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or
additional requirements that may be imposed bylaw.
The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative strengthens jurisdictions characterized by
large numbers of returning offenders. Within the context of this initiative, "reentry" is not
envisioned to be a specific program but rather an evidence-based proce ss that begins with
initial incarceration and ends with successful community reintegration, evidenced by lack of
recidivism. This process includes the delivery of a variety of evidenced-based program services
in both apre- and post-release setting designed to ensure th at the transition from prison or jail
to the community is safe and successful.
Per the Second Chance Act, funded demonstration projects should use validated and dynamic
assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders. Projects should also provide
offenders in prisons or jailsw,ith all necessary services, including: (1) educational, literacy,
vocational, and job placement services to facilitate reentry into the community; (2) substance
abuse treatment and services that represent a full continuum of treatment services during
incarceration and in a community-based setting upon release; and (3) coordinated supervision
and comprehensive services for offenders upon release from prison or jail, including housing
and mental and physical health care to facilitate reentry into the community, and which, to the
extent applicable, are provided by community-based entities to include faith-based community
organizations (including coordinated reentry veteran-specific services for eligible veterans).
Funded demonstration projects must also provide services that: (1) encourage offenders to
develop safe, healthy, and responsible family relationships and parent-child relationships, and
involve the entire family unit in a comprehensive reentry process; (2) encourage the involvement
of prison or jail mentors in the reentry process and enabling those m entors to remain in contact
with offenders while in custody and after reentry into the community; (3) provide victim-
appropriate services, encouraging the timely and complete payment of restitution and fines by
offenders to victims, and providing services such as security and counseling to victims upon
release of offenders; and (4) protect communities against dangerous offenders by using
validated assessment tools to assess the risk factors and treatment needs of returning inmates
and developing or adopting procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from
prison prematurely.
Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successf ul transition from incarceration to the community
may include pre-release assessment and case planning, mentorship, housing, education,
substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification,
job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision. As required by
the Second Chance Act, demonstration projects must have as a goal the reduction of recidivism
by 50 percent within afive-year period.
BJA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) are collaborating
closely on the Second Chance Act implementation. OJJDP hopes to issue a solicitation soon
for a Second Chance Act demonstration initiative focused on juvenile populations. BJA and
OJJDP will continue to collaborate to ensure that both juvenile and adult reentry efforts are
supported. Similarly, both BJA and OJJDP are working with the National Institute of Justice in
support of the research and evaluation activities called for in the Act.
For more information on BJA's implementation of the Second Chance Act initiatives and
Frequently Asked Questions, visit BJA's Second Chance Act web page at
www oio usdoi oov/BJAlorant/SecondC hance.html.
Logic Model
A Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative Logic Model illustrating the interrelationship of
national inputs, activities, outcomes, outcome measures, and expected long-term impacts is
included as Appendix 1.
Target Population
The target population for the initiative must be a specific subset of the population of individuals
aged 18 and older convicted as an adult and imprisoned in a state, local, or tribal prison or jail.
For federally recognized Indian tribes, the individuals may be housed in a tribal, regional,
county, or local jail pursuant to state or tribal law. Applicants must identify and define the
specific subset of offenders, or combination of subsets, that are proposed to be the to rget
population of their project. For example, jurisdictions may choose to specifically target offenders
who are:
A specific demographic or set of demographics (age, gender, etc.).
Returning to a specific community or neighborhood or zip code.
• Housed in the same facility.
• Assessed/classified as high risk.
• Determined to have the most likelihood of successful reentry.
Applicants must justify in the proposal the reason for selecting this target population and provide
data to support its decision.
In identifying a specific target population, applicants should keep in mind issues such as the
ability to adequately populate the project at a level necessary for cost-effectiveness and to
support future research and evaluation needs, and the ability to provide a consistent application
of needed resources, i. e., services like substance abuse or mental health treatment during the
reentry process. Once an offender has been selected to begin the reentry process defined by
the scope of a particular demonstration project, the ability to "track" the progress of the offender
for a period of up to three years must be reasonably anticipated and a plan described in the
application.
Definition of Recidivism
For purposes of the initiative, recidivism is defined as "a return to prison and/or jail with either a
new conviction or as the result of a violation of the terms of supervision within 12 months of
initial release." The Second Chance Act requires that recidivism be a measure of success in
funded programs.
Specific Requirements of the Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative
As required by the Second Chance Act, all applications must provide or address the following:
A reentry strategic plan that describes the long-ter m strategy, including measurable annual
and five-year performance outcomes, and incorporates a detailed reentry implementation
schedule and sustainability plan for the program.
• The role of local governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community
stakeholders that will be coordinated by, and that will collaborate on, the offender reentry
strategy of the applicant, and certification of the involvement of such agencies and
organizations. Participants in the creation of the reentry strategy should include
representatives from the fields of public safety, corrections, housing, health, educati on,
substance abuse, children and families, victims' services, employment, and business.
• A description of the evidence-based methodology and outcome measures that will be used
to evaluate the program and a discussion of how such measurements will provide valid
measures of the impact of the program.
• A description of how the project could be broadly replicated if demonstrated to be effective.
• Documentation that reflects explicit support of the chief executive officer of the applicant
agency(ies).
• An extensive discussion of the role of state corrections departments, community corrections
agencies, and/or local j ail systems in ensuring successful reentry of offenders into their
communities.
• Extensive evidence of collaboration with state and local government agencies overseeing
health, mental health, housing, child welfare, education, substance abuse, victims services,
and employment services, and with local law enforcement agencies.
• A plan for the analysis of the statutory, regulatory, rules-based, and practice-based hurdles
to reintegration of offenders into the community-
Documentation reflecting the establishment of a Reentry Task Force to examine ways to
pool resources and f unding streams to promote lower recidivism rates for returning
offenders and minimize the harmful effects of offenders' time in prison or jail on families and
communities of offenders by collecting data and best practices in offender reentry from
stakeholder agencies and organizations. The task force shall be comprised of relevant state,
tribal, territorial, or local leaders and representatives of relevant agencies, service providers,
nonprofit organizations, and other key stakeholders.
In addition, applications must include letters of support from corrections officials responsible for
facilities or offenders to be served through this project (see page 9).
Priority consideration will be given to grant applications that:
Focus their program on geographic areas with a disproportionate population of offenders
released from prisons or jails.
Include input from nonprofit organizations, in any case where relevant input is available and
appropriate, consultation with crime victims and offenders who are released from prisons
and jails and coordination w ith families of offenders.
Use validated and dynamic assessment tools at intake to determine the risk and needs of
offenders, demonstrate effective case assessment and management abilities to provide a
comprehensive and continuous reentry process, including, but not limited to, planning while
offenders are incarcerated, pre-release transition housing, establishing pre-release planning
procedures to ensure eligibility of an offender for federal or state benefits upon release,
ensuring that offenders obtain all necessary referrals for reentry services, and delivery of
continuous and appropriate drug treatment, medical care, job training and placement,
educational services, or any other service or support needed f or successful reentry.
Provides for a review the process by which the applicant adjudicates violations of parole,
probation, or supervision following release from prison or jail, taking into account public
safety and the use of graduated, community-based sanctions for minor and technical
violations of parole, probation, or supervision (specifically those violations that are not
otherwise, and independently, a violation of law).
Provides for an independent evaluation of the reentry process that include, to the maximum
extent possible, random assignment and controlled studies to determine the effectiveness of
the process developed w ithin the scope of the project.
Target high-risk offenders for participation in the reentry process through validated
assessment tools.
Amount and Length of Awards
Awards under the initiative will be for a period of 12 months with the ability for no-cost
extensions. A grantee may be eligible for continued funding for an additional two years
contingent upon the availability of funds and demonstration of adequate progress toward
meeting established goals of the program. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the
number of offenders projected to be served, awards of up to $750,000 will be made.
Limitation on use of award funds for employee compensation; waiver: No portion of any
award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation may be used to pay any portion of the
total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) of any employee of the award recipient whose
total cash compensation exceeds 110 percent o f the maximum annual salary payable to a
member of the federal government's Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a
Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year. (The salary table for SES employees
is available at www.opm.oov.) This prohibition may be waived at the discretion of the Assistant
Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. An applicant that wishes to request a
waiver should include a detailed justification in the budget narrative of the application. The
justification should include: the particular qualif ication and expertise of the individual, the
uniqueness of the service being provided, the individual's specifc knowledge of the program or
project undertaken with the grant funds and a statement explaining that the individual's salary is
commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with her/his qualifications
and expertise, and f or the work that is to be done.
Match Requirement
As required by the Second Chance Act, a grant made under this program may not cover more
than 50 percent of the total costs of the project being funded. The applicant must identify the
source of the 50 percent non-federal portion of the budget and how match funds will be used.
The recipient of a grant must provide 25 percent of the total project cost in cash match, and 25
percent of the total project cost may be matched by making in-kind contributions of goods or
services that are directly related to the purpose for which the grant was awarded. Federal funds
received and cash match provided by the grantee shall be used to supplement, not supplant,
non-federal funds that would otherwise be available for the activities funded under this section.
The applicant must identify the source of the 25 percent non-federal cash portion of the
budget and how both cash and in-kind match funds will be used.
The formula for calculating match is:
Award amount =Adjusted Project Costs
Federal Share
Recipient's share x Adjusted Project Cost =required match
Example: For a federal award amount of $500,000, match would be calculated as follows
50$ 0.000 = $1,000,000 50% x $1,000,000 = 5500,000 match
50%
Performance Measures
To assist in fulfilling the Department's responsibilities under the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must
provide data that measure the results of their work. In addition, applicants m ust discuss their
data collection methods in the application. Performance measures for this solicitation are as
follows:
TP =Tar et Po ulation
Pro ram Goal Performance Measures Data Grantee Provides
Increase public safety and Percent decrease in recidivism rates Number of new offenders added to the TP
reduce recidivism. for the target population (TP) since this quarter.
the beginning of the initiative.
Total number of TP in the initiative.
Number of TP released this quarter.
T otal number of TP released since the
b eginning of the initiative.
Number of TP resentenced to prison with
a new conviction this quarter.
Total number of TP resentenced to prison
with a new conviction since the beginning
of the initiative.
Percent reduction in the crime rate. Total number of crimes reported during
this quarter.
Total population for the area that the TP is
returning to (.e., statewide, county, city,
neighborhood)-`
'Requested to produce a crime rate .
Percent increase in employment Number of TP who found employment this
among TP from the previous quarter.
reporting period.
Total Number of TP who are em to ed.
Percent increase in TP enrolled in Number of TP who have enrolled in an
educational programs, educational program this quarter.
Total Number of TP who are currently
enrolled in an educational program.
Reduction in the number of violations Number of TP who have violated the
of conditions of supervised release. conditions of their release this quarter.
Total number of TP who have violated the
conditions of their release since the
beginning of this initiative.
Percent increase in [he number of TP Total number of TP that are required to
who fulfilled their child support pay child suppori-
obligations.
Number of TP who paid their child support
this quarter.
Increased number of TP who have Number of target population who found
obtained housing. housing this quarter.
Total Number of TP who have housing
since the beginning of this initiative.
Increase in the number of TP who Number of TP who were assessed as
participate in substance abuse needing substance abuse services this
services. quarter.
Total number of TP who have been
assessed as needing substance abuse
services since the beginning of this
initiative.
Number of TP who enrolled in a
substance abuse program this quarter.
Total Number of TP enrolled in a
substance abuse program since the
beginning of this initiative.
Percent increase in TP who Number of TP who were assessed as
participate in mental health services. needing mental health services this
quarter.
Total number of TP who have been
assessed as needing mental health
services since the beginning of this
initiative.
Number of TP who enrolled in a mental
health program this quarter.
Total number of TP enrolled in a mental
health program since the beginning of this
initiative.
Percent reduction in drug usage Total number of TP re-assessed regarding
among TP during the reporting substance use during the reporting period.
period.
Total number of TP re-assessed as
having reduced their substance use
during this reporting period.
Percent reduction in alcohol abuse Total number of TP re-assessed regarding
and consumption among TP during alcohol use during the reporting period.
the reporting period.
Total number o(TP re-assessed as
having reduced their alcohol use during
this re oriin eriod.
How To Apply
DOJ participates in Grants.gov-a "one-stop storefront" that provides a unifed process for all
customers of federal grants to find funding opportunities and apply for funding.
Grants.gov Instructions: Complete instructions can be found at v~nwv.arants.oov.
If you experience difficulties at any point during this process, please call the Grants.gov
Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726, Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. e.t.
Note• OJP's Grants Management Svstem (GMS) does not support Microsoft Vista or
Microsoft 2007. Therefore, OJP will not review any application whose attachments are in
Microsoft Vista or Microsoft 2007 format. GMS downloads applications from Grants.gov and
is the system in which OJP reviews applications and manages awarded grants. Applications
submitted via GMS must be in the following formats: Microsoft Word ('.doc), WordPerfect
('.wpd), Microsoft Excel files ('.xlm), PDF files (*.pdf), or Text Documents ('.txt). GMS is not yet
compatible with Vista and cannot yet process Microsoft Word 2007 documents saved in the new
default format with the extensions of ".docx." Please ensure the documents you are submitting
in Grants.gov are saved using "Word 97-2003 Document ('.doc)" format. In addition, GM S does
not accept executable file types as application attachments. These disallowed file types
include, but are not limited to, the following extensions: ".com," ".bat," ".exe," ".vbs," ".cfg,"
".dat," ".db," ".dbf," ".dll;' ".ini," ".log," ".ora," ".sys," and ".zip."
CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this
solicitation is 16.202, titled "P risoner Reentry Initiative Demonstration Grant" and the funding
opportunity number is BJA-2009-2095.
A DUNS number is required: The Office of Management and Budget requires that all
businesses and nonprofit applicants for federal funds include a DU NS (Data Universal Numeric
System) number in their application for a new award or renewal of an award. Applications
without a DUNS number are incom plete. A DU NS number is a unique nine-digit sequence
recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities receiving
federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address and point of
contact information for federal assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS
number will be used throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DU NS number is a free, simple,
one-time activity. Obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by applying online at
www.dnb.com/us/. Individuals are exempt from this requirement.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is required: In addition to the DUN S number
requirement, OJP requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for federal financial
assistance maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database.
The CCR database is the repository for standard information about federal financial assistance
applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously submitted
applications via Grants.gov are alre ady registered with CCR, as it is a requirement for
Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must update or renew their CCR
at least once per year to maintain an active status. Information about registration procedures
can be accessed at www.ccr.oov.
What an Application Must Include
Standard Form 424
Program Narrative (Attachment 1)
The program narrative must respond to the solicitation and the Selection Criteria (1-3, 5) in the
order given. The program narrative must be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font
(Times New Roman is preferred) with 1-inch margins, and must not exceed 15 pages. Please
number pages "1 of 15," "2 of 15," etc. Submissions that do not adhere to the format will be
deemed ineligible.
Budget and Budget Narrative (Attachment 2)
Applicants must provide a budget that is complete and allowable. Applicants must submit a
budget worksheet and budget narrative in one f ile. A budget detail worksheet form is available
on OJP's web site at www oio usdoi qov/funding/forms/budget detail.odf.
Project Timeline, Position Descriptions, Strategic Plans, and Letters of Support
(Attachment 3)
Attach a Project Timeline with each project goal, related objective, activity, expected completion
date, responsible person, or organization; Position Descriptions for key positions; Reentry
Strategic Plan; and Letters of Support from all key partners, detailing the commitment to work
with Prisoner Reentry Initiative partners to promote the mission of the project.
The Letter of Support from the lead organization responsible for the operational aspects of the
project must include (1) certification that the lead agency has consulted with other local parties,
and (2) the following statement: "The agency agrees to provide individual criminal history
information for all participants to evaluators, unless prohibited by law. These data will be
provided in response to per iodic requests from the grantees and evaluator thr oughout the period
of performance of this project to capture both criminal history prior to the program enrollment
and subsequent recidivism."
Selection Criteria
Statement of the Problem (20 percent out of 100)
Describe the problems with returning adult (aged 18 or over) offenders to the community.
Indicate the jurisdiction or tribal community to be served, include details on the large t
population, the number of offenders returning to the community, and describe the number
and type of offenders in facilities. Summarize the basic components of the state or local
collaborative and the continuum of services corresponding to the individual's risk and need
assessment, including how offenders risk and need assessments are currently
implemented; transition plans; pre- and post-release programs and services such as job
development, cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills (including financial training), education,
mental health and substance abuse treatment, and family counseling; transitional an d
permanent housing links; ongoing offender behavior assessments; and data collection and
analysis for future efforts.
2. Program Design and Implementation (40 percent out of 100)
Describe in detail how the nine program-specific requirements specified on page 4 of this
solicitation have been met.
Describe the proposed plan to implement the critical elements of the reentry strategy,
including assessment and planning activities; pre-release services; transition planning; and
post-release supervision and services. Describe how the applicant will establish or empower
an existing Reentry Task Force to examine ways to pool resources and funding streams
(see page 4) and provide for an analysis of the data so that it can be utilized to further
inform the project. Provide a list of the government and community agencies that comprise
the Reentry Task Force.
Describe proposed ongoing activities of the Reentry Task Force to analyze current systems
to screen and assess the offender population. Demonstrate how the implementation plan
will be developed, executed, m onitored, and evaluated. Indicate how the plan will ensure
that a reasonable number of eligible offenders will be identified to populate the initiative
providing adequate numbers for both evaluation purposes as well as cost/benefit analysis.
This plan must reflect reentry as an evidenced-based process and not a program; however,
proposed services to be delivered must be clearly tied to a comprehensive service delivery
approach.
3. CapabilitieslCompetencies (20 percent out of 100)
Describe the management structure and staffing of the project, identifying the agency
responsible for the project and the grant coordinator. Demonstrate the capability of the
Reentry Task Force and collaborative partners to implement the project, including gathering
and analyzing information, developing a plan, and evaluating the program. The
management and organizational structure described should m atch the staff needs
necessary to accomplish the tasks outlined in the implementation plan.
10
4. Budget (10 percent out of 100)
Provide a proposed budget a nd budget narrative that are cost-effective, complete and
allowable. The budget m ust indicate how the 50 percent federal funds, the 25 percent cash
match, and the 25 percent in-kind match will be allocated in the overall budget.
5. ImpacUOutcomes, Evaluation, Sustainment, and Description of the Applicant's Plan
for the Collection of the Data Required for Performance Measures (10 percent out of
100)
Describe the process for assessing the initiative's effectiveness (see Performance
Measures). Identify goals and objectives for program development, implementation, and
outcomes. Describe how performance will be documented, monitored, and evaluated, and
identify the impact of the strategy once implemented. Outline what data and information will
be collected and describe how evaluation and collaborative partnerships w ill be leveraged to
build long-term support and resources for the program. Discuss how this effort will be
integrated into the state and local justice system plans or commitments, how the program
will be financially sustained after federal funding ends, and the expected long-term results
for the program. Describe the strategy/methodology for tracking offenders assigned to the
reentry process for a period of up to three years after their release from prison or jail.
Review Process
OJP is committed to ensuring a standardiz ed process for awarding grants. The Bureau of
Justice Assistance (BJA) reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is
reasonable, understandable, measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with program or
legislative requirements as stated in the solicitation.
Peer reviewers will be reviewing the applications submitted under this solicitation as well. BJA
may use either internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a combination of both to
review the applications under this solicitation. An external peer reviewer is an expert in the field
of the subject matter of a given solicitation who is NOT a current U.S. Department of Justice
employee. An internal reviewer is an expert in the field of the subject matter of a given
solicitation who is a current U.S. Department of Justice employee. Applications will be screened
initially to determine whether the applicant m eets all eligibility requirements. Only applications
submitted by eligible applicants that meet all other requirements (such as timeliness, proper
format, and responsiveness to the scope of the solicitation) will be evaluated, scored, and r ated
by a peer review panel. Peer reviewers' ratings and any resulting recommendations are
advisory only. In addition to peer review ratings, considerations may include, but are not limited
to, underserved populations, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding.
After the peer review is fnalized, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), in
consultation with BJA, conducts a financial review of all potential discretionary awards and
cooperative agreements to evaluate the fiscal integrity and financial capability of applicants;
examines proposed costs to determine if the budget and budget narrative accurately explain
project costs; and determines whether costs are reasonable, necessary, and allowable under
applicable federal cost principles and agency regulations. OCFO also reviews the award
document and verifies the OJP Vendor Number.
Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, all final
grant award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, who may also give
11
consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, strategic
priorities, past performance, and available funding when making awards.
Additional Requirements
Successful applicants selected for award must agree to comply with additional applicable
requirements prior to receiving grant f unding. We strongly encourage you to review the list
below pertaining to these additional requirements prior to submitting your application. Additional
information for each can be found at www oia usdoi gov/funding/other reauirements.htm.
• Civil Rights Compliance
Funding to Faith-Based Organizations
Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protection
• Anti-Lobbying Act
Financial and Government Audit Requirements
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance
• DOJ Information Technology Standards
• Single Point of Contact Review
• Non-Supplanting of State and Local Funds
• Criminal Penalty for False Statements
• Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financia! Guide
• Suspension or Termination of Funding
• Non-Profit Organizations
• For-Profit Organizations
• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
• Rights in Intellectual Property
• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006
12
Appendix 1
Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative Logic Model
Goal(s): Increase Public Safety and Reduce Recidivism by SO percent over S years
ACTIVITIES:' OUTCOMES OUTCOME I:,ONC'1'ERM
INPUTS ~~MEASURE5 OU'rCOMES/IMPAGT"..'
g.
^ A reduction In recidivism rates Number of new offenders added to the TP ^ Increase public Safety
^ Support of the Chief Executive
unit oC local
officer of the stale ^ Develop and coordinate a
Reentry Task Porce for the target population this quarter
i
i
i
^ Reduce Recidivism by 50
,
government, tem[ory, or Indian at
ve
t
Total nwnber of TP in the in percent over 5 years
Tribe ^ Administer validated assessment
ols to assess the risk factors and
t
Number of TP released this quarter
^ Extensive description of the role
o
oFstate corrections depurtments, needs oC rehlming inmates Total number of TP released Since the
cnnmmnity corrections agencies,
juvenile justice systems, and/or
^ Establish pre-release planning beginning of the initiative
heal jail sys[ents -that will procedures Number of TP resentenced [o Anson with a
en5nre S[ICLeSSfnl rCCnlry new LnnvlCllnn This quarter
^ Extensive evidence of
ation with state and local
ll
b ^ Provide offenders with
educational, literacy, and
Total Number of TP resentenced to prison
innin
th
b
i
or
a
co
govemmen[ agencies, as well as vocational services g
e
eg
on since
with a new convict
oCthe initiative
stakeholder groups.
^ Analysis plan for: statutory,
^ Provide substance abuse, mental
regulatory, rules-based, and health, and health treatment and Reduction in crime 'Coral number of crimes ceported during
practice-based hurdles to services ^ this quarter
reintegration of offenders
' . .
^ Provide coordinated supervlslon
Total population for the area that the TP is
^ Target Population (CY): High-Risk
and comprehensive services for returning to (i.e., statewide, county, city,
neighborhood)
Offenders offenders upon release from
prison orjail
^ Rlsk and Needs Assessments Number nf'fI' who founA employment this
^ Connect inmates with their ^ Increased employment quarter
^ Reentry Task Force membership children and families opportunities
Total Number of'CY who are employed
^ 5-year Reentry Strategic Plan ^ Provide victim appropriate Number of TP wlm have enrolled in an
services
cducaunnal rogram this quarter
0 Plan to follow and trackTP
13
0 Sustainabilily Plan
0 Plan to collect and provide
data for performance
measures
^ Yre. and post-release
programming
^ Mentors
^ Yrovide a 50 percent match [only
25 percent can be in-kind]
^ Deliver continuous and
appropriate drug treatment,
medical care,job training and
placement, educational services,
and housing opporNnities
^ Examine ways to pool resources
and (Ending streams to promote
lower recidivism Cates
^ Collect and provide data to meet
performance measurement
requircmen(s
^ Lrnrcased education opportunities
^ Reduction in violations of
conditions of supervised release
^ increased payment of child
support
^ Increased housing opportunities
• Increased participation in
substance abuse services
^ Increased participation in mental
healtL services
'Corot number of 1'1' who are cw rently
enrolled in an educational program
Number o(TP who have violated the
conditions of their release this yuartcr
Total number of TP who have violated the
conditions oC their release
Total number of TP that are required to pay
child support
Number of TP who paid [heir child support
this quarter
Number of target population who found
housing this quarter
Total number of TP who have housing
Number of TP who were assessed as
needing substance abuse services this
quartet
'Coral number of TP who have been
assessed as needing substance abuse
services
Number ofTP who enrolled in a substance
abuse program this quarter
Total number of TP enrol led in a substance
abuse prog[am
Number of TP who were assessed as
needing mensal health services this quarter
Total mm+bcr of TP wlm have been
assessed as needing mental health services
Number of TP who enrolled in a mental
hcallh program this quarter
Total number of TP enrolled in a mensal
hcallh orov--ram
14
15