FY27 TLS Fostering Learning Program (Extra On-line Program)

This grant award will have an initial period of performance starting in FY27 (07/01/2026 (or upon execution of the agreement) through 06/30/2029). A budget should be submitted for FY27 only. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Fostering Learning Program's (FLP) mission is to promote permanency by maintaining, strengthening and safeguarding the functioning of families, in effort to stabilize foster care placements and facilitate youth development through academic and social/emotional education. To achieve this mission, the Fostering Learning Program bridges the "digital divide" between the typical, advantaged high school student and youth-in-care of Illinois by providing fully-supported, structured access to cost effective, non-threatening virtual learning systems that empower at-risk students to achieve success (credit attainment/grade promotion/graduation) through self-paced learning tailored to the individual's need and skill level. The program implements two integral components of programming that have and will continue to drive participation. Those components are as follows: 1. Specialized Curriculum Odysseyware: The Provider will partner with Odysseyware, experts in online learning solutions for at-risk youth. With over a decade of experience Odysseyware is a leading provider of online curriculum and eLearning solutions for public, virtual, charter and alternative schools. Used nationwide by thousands of schools, Odysseyware's learning management system and research based and proven core curriculum, assessments, and robust and targeted learning tools, provide administrators, teachers and students with powerful learning solutions that can be utilized in a myriad of instructional settings. Administrators enjoy innovative, time-saving reporting and benchmarking tools, automatic grading functionality, search and filtering capabilities. Odysseyware is ideal as a complete, stand-alone curriculum, or can be used for blended and flipped classrooms, alternative and special education, credit recovery, RTI, 1:1 and much more. Core subjects include math, history and geography, science and language arts. Electives include Career Technical Education, business, fine arts, health and world languages. Odysseyware was intentionally designed to meet the needs of 21st Century Learners and address diverse learning styles, by incorporating embedded interactive, multimedia instructional videos, learning games, rich illustrations, and animations. A text-to-speech function is perfect for auditory learners and Odysseyware’s translate is a strong resource for ELL programs. Odysseyware is also fully customizable, allowing teachers to set and adjust unique learning paths tailored to individual student needs and to align with unique state standards and instructional scope and sequences. Additionally, Odysseyware’s exclusive Teacher Authoring Tool allows educators to easily create customized and differentiated lessons, projects and tests that integrate with assessment and remediation. Through the use of the Odysseyware online curriculum, youth will have the enhanced opportunity for credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gain. This educational incentive will serve to strengthen and increase interest and involvement in the program, and ultimately this credit-based incentive will aid in accelerated skill and credit acquisition for DCFS youth. Through the use of the FLP Program, youth will have the opportunity to achieve credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gain. This educational incentive will serve to strengthen and increase interest and involvement in the program, and ultimately this credit-based incentive will aid in accelerated skill and credit acquisition for DCFS youth. 2. Collaboration & Support The Fostering Learning Program works intimately with participating DCFS agencies servicing Illinois youth-in-care (typically disabilities: BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI - see Target Population) to develop or enhance the virtual learning environment utilizing a 21st century education model. This learning model reaches beyond the traditional classroom materials to leverage technology in effort to create relevant learning experiences that mirror students’ daily lives and the reality of their futures. A. Virtual Learning Subscription: Odysseyware’s comprehensive curriculum covers all major 3-12 academic subjects and includes a wide range career development topics. Each course and lesson includes everything needed for mastery: assessments, instructional content, quizzes and mastery tests, plus optional supplements. After DCFS participants are referred and accepted into the Fostering Learning Program, the participant and/or support staff will receive an electronic notification (email) of their subscription/account information. B. Technical Support: In addition to the FLP online curriculum, the Provider must have at least one full-time staff member and two part-time staff members to ensure that training and support is provided to participating DCFS agencies and to ensure that these agencies utilize and maximize the FLP services. C. Participant Capacity: The Fostering Learning program will provide support for and access to Odysseyware online curriculum to 333 DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care that are learning above, at or below grade level, including youth with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or youth who have been identified as BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI (see section Target Population), to empower participants to achieve success, namely credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gains, through a non-threatening, self-paced learning environment tailored to the individual's need and skill level. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SERVICE DELIVERY AND STAFFING EXPECTATIONS The direct service staff chosen by the participating agency to deliver FLP services receives initial and continual supplemental training from the FLP Program Director to ensure their ability to deliver services. In effort to maximize student outcomes during Odysseyware sessions it is recommended that the site staff to client ratio goal be 1 staff per 5 youth and the staff to client ratio should not to exceed 1 staff per 10 youth. The direct service staff is responsible for ensuring the program requirements are met and should have educational and experiential qualifications commensurate with the service delivery duties as they relate to the Fostering Learning Program. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TARGET POPULATION Client - Clients are defined as DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care for whom the Department is legally responsible and for whom the Department has determined, in consultation with the provider, the client’s needs for rehabilitative, social and other services may best be met by the program and services provided under this contract. BD – behavioral disorder; ED- emotional disorder; LD – learning disability; ASD – autism spectrum disorder; CD – cognitive disability or OHI – other health impairment. Inclusions: DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care that are learning above, at or below grade level, including youth with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or youth who have been identified as BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI. Exclusions: DCFS youth in subsidized care or youth outside of the inclusion criteria Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 333 Capacity at Any Given Time: 200 Client Capacity Under Program: 333 Capacity at Any Given Time: 200 Average Length of Services: 12 months The provider must obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND METRICS Program Level Outcomes: • 333 DCFS educationally challenged and complex youth will be provided access to the FLP services, and 200 or 60% of the participants will accrue usage time over the 12-month service period. • Increased technological access and educational equity for disabled DCFS youth, with or without disabilities, through virtual learning (online) education services. • Increased utilization of DCFS youth, with or without disabilities, of computers, computer technology, and educational technology. • Increased utilization of educational materials and instructional aides for teachers and curriculum planners at participating DCFS agency sites. • Increased anticipation in a 21st century school learning culture with technology as a core component of learning and educational delivery. • 100% of trained site supervisors and support staff at the participating DCFS agency sites will establish a lab/classroom schedule and develop a course of study that helps participants maintain the minimum usage requirements and that services agency and participant goals. • 100% of staff will receive technical assistance and training in FLP service offerings and increase their teaching skills through specialized professional development training customized to the site’s technological needs. A more skilled teaching staff will result from the introduction to varied curriculum materials and instruction and increased technological skills. Client Level Outcomes: • 60% of registered participants will achieve the minimum usage requirements of FLP (minimum 5 hour of online usage per youth per month). • Credit attainment - 70% of stable youth served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will earn course credit for semester promotion by demonstrating improved mastery of course-level academic concepts as a result of FLP participation. • Grade Promotion - 70% of stable youth served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will progress a grade level and demonstrate improved grade-level mastery of academic concepts as a result of FLP participation. • Graduation (8th) - 70% of 8th grade participants served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will graduate by demonstrating mastery of primary school (K-8th grade) academic concepts as a result of FLP participation, as measured by youth assessment and instructor assessment, as well as standardized assessments. • Graduation (12th) - 60% of 12th grade participants served who meet the FLP program minimums usage requirements of 90 days or more, will graduate by demonstrating mastery of high school (9-12 grade) academic concepts as a result of FLP program participation, as measured by youth assessment and instructor assessment, as well as standardized assessments. • 100% of registered participants who meet the FLP Program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will have the opportunity for increased engagement in education and the educational process through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program. • 60% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will show increased engagement in education and the educational process through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program. • 60% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will achieve overall improved school performance through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program • 100% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will have the opportunity for increased technological access and educational equity through online education services. Process Outcomes: • 100% of complete referrals will be processed and accepted within forty-eight (48) hours. • Approximately 150 teachers and support staff at the participating DCFS agencies will attend and complete FLP training and support services in accordance with the Fostering Learning Program requirements.

Indirect Costs are allowed. To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant organization must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). There are three types of NICRAs: 1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding, may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA. 2. State Negotiated Rate. The organization may negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate. If an organization has not previously established an indirect cost rate, an indirect cost rate proposal may be submitted to the State of Illinois through the indirect cost rate system no later than three months after the effective date of the award. If an organization previously established an indirect cost rate, the organization must continue to use that rate until its expiration. Upon expiration, the organization may re-submit a new indirect cost proposal through the system annually, within six months after the close of the grantee’s fiscal year, OR an organization may elect to use the de minimis rate instead of their State Negotiated Rate. 3. De Minimis Rate. An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct cost (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTE • All grantees must complete an indirect cost rate negotiation or elect the De Minimis Rate in the indirect cost rate system to claim indirect costs. Indirect costs claimed without an established negotiated rate or a De Minimis Rate election in the system may be subject to disallowance. • Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services must receive a full application by the date and time listed. Applications received past the due date and time will not be reviewed or considered.

NOTE: This application is for Year 1 of a multi-year award. Successful applicants may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year renewals (i.e., a multi-year grant of up to three fiscal years total). Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on the meeting of performance expectations and compliance requirements. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1) UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE 2) PROGRAM NARRATIVE AND BUDGET • Please answer all narrative questions in full—being as descriptive and specific as possible. While there is not a set min/max number of characters/words, adequate responses are typically between 250 and 1,000 words (between 1/2 page and 2 pages single-spaced) depending on the question. Applications will be evaluated on answers to questions related to: 1. Organizational Capacity and Experience (15%) 2. Program Design and Implementation Plan (25%) 3. Alignment with Funding Priorities (20%) 4. Outcomes and Performance Measurement (20%) 5. Budget and Cost Effectiveness (10%) 6. Risk and Compliance (10%) For grant award incumbents, satisfactory performance in meeting program plan objectives and requirements will be considered during scoring. As part of the section of the application related to Budget and Cost Effectiveness, an uploaded budget on the provided GATA Budget Template is required in addition to the narrative responses. For the attachment: • The budget is REQUIRED to include clear narrative descriptions. The narrative should explain how costs were estimated AND justify the need for the cost. The budget should be as concrete and specific as possible in its estimates. Make every effort to be realistic and to estimate costs accurately. Each section of the budget should be in outline form, listing line items under major headings and subheadings. If needed, each of the major components should be subtotaled with a grand total at the end. A well-prepared budget should be reasonable and demonstrate that the funds being asked for will be used wisely. • The grant award will be subject to state statutory requirements that limit the direct administrative costs to 20%. Fringe Benefits cannot exceed 25% of total salaries. • If applying for a multi-year award, listed award amounts are for the single fiscal year. For application submission, only one budget is reviewed for expenses incurred for that single fiscal year (i.e. year 1 of the multi-year award). • Please be sure to fill out the FFATA Data Collection Form (page 5) of the Uniform Grant Budget template. If you answer “no” to Q1, you do not need to proceed to Q2 on the form. 3) SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS • If assistance is needed to complete the supplemental questions (i.e., to clarify or confirm applicability of a specific question), please direct those questions to DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov. 4) BOARD OF DIRECTORS LIST • Please either type the information requested for your Board of Directors or upload a file. Files should include contact information including address, email, and phone numbers (including fax). If not applicable, put N/A. Please note the address provided for each board member cannot be the same as the organization/applicant

Questions from applicants within the application date range can only be directed to and answered by DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov.

REQUIREMENTS Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to: • Be registered in SAM before submitting its application. To establish a SAM registration, go to www.SAM.gov and/or utilize the instructional link from the https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/Pages/default.aspx Resource Links tab; • Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application; and • Always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through or State award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency. The State awarding agency may not make a Federal pass through or State award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the State awarding agency is ready to make a Federal pass-through or State award, the State awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal pass-through or State award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal pass-through or State award to another applicant. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ GATA PRE-QUALIFICATION An entity may not apply for a grant until the entity has registered and pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. Registration and pre-qualification are required annually. During prequalification, verifications are performed including a check of Federal Debarred and Suspended and status on the Illinois Stop Payment List. An automated email notification to the entity alerts them of “qualified” status or informs how to remediate a negative verification (e.g., inactive UEI, not in good standing with the Secretary of State). A Federal Debarred and Suspended status cannot be remediated. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ELIGIBILITY All potential applicants are eligible that meet the qualifications above. The funding opportunity is not limited to nonprofit organizations subject to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) of the tax code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) but is preferred and will be first consideration of choice. You may be requested to submit proof of 501(c)(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The applicant must comply with all applicable provisions of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: • The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), • The Public Works Employment Discrimination Act (775 ILCS 10/1 et seq.), • The United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended) (42 USC 2000a and 2000H-6), • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), • The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.), and • The Age Discrimination Act (42 USC 6101 et seq.). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline will result in the Department of Children and Family Services returning the application without review or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude the Department of Children and Family Services from making a State award.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. IDCFS staff conducts an initial review of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance. Reviewers may consist of DCFS GATA staff, division leadership, and other internal DCFS staff. Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers. The review and selection of grant award recipients is conducted in a fair and equitable manner that evaluates and selects grantees most likely to be successful in delivering results based on program objectives, and with limited disruption to the continuity of services. Proposals will be approved based on funding available. While recommendations from the review team will be a key factor in funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the scores of the review team to be non-binding recommendations. The Department reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of awards (e.g., ensuring coverage of certain counties or service areas), client needs, and overall programmatic/ financial risk assessments in its pre-award decisions. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information. Final award decisions will be made by the Director (or their designee). The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, locations, etc. Funds are disbursed based on the schedule agreed upon and included within the Uniform Grant Agreement. The release of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not obligate the Department to make an award. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ AWARD NOTIFICATIONS An award status notification (approval or denial) will be delivered via an automated email from Euna Grants. This email will serve as notification that an award has been made. However, this email is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ APPEALS Competitive grant (and in some cases non-competitive) appeals are limited to an appeal related to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. An appeal must be submitted in writing in accordance with the grant application document. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days of Award denial. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: i. the name and address of the appealing party ii. identification of the grant for which you are appealing the evaluation/review process iii. a statement of reasons for the appeal Response to Appeal a. DCFS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received. b. DCFS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required. c. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DCFS within the time period set in the request.

Grantees will be expected to submit both (monthly or quarterly) periodic performance reports and monthly financial reports. The exact reporting requirements of this award will be defined in the program plan of the Uniform Grant Agreement.

Questions regarding this Notice of Funding Opportunity should be addressed to: ILDCFS Accountability Unit Email: DCFS.GATA@Illinois.gov