FY26 Renewal: Advocate Agency - Safe Families PLUS

Safe Families PLUS (Providing Lasting Unconditional Support) is a mentoring program for 14 to 21-year-old youth and young adults who are at risk of not achieving permanency and aging out of care. Youth aging out of foster care will be connected with a volunteer adult or couple age 23 years and older who will develop a relationship and support the youth as they navigate independence and the transition to adulthood. The adult(s) will connect with the youth at least three times per month, including at least two in-person meetings. The Safe Families PLUS Program will follow the six core standards of practice for successful mentoring. They are: 1) Recruitment: The program engages in recruitment strategies that realistically portray the benefits, practices, supports, and challenges of mentoring youth; utilizes recruitment strategies that build positive attitudes and emotions; recruits volunteer mentors whose skills, motivations, and background best match the goals and needs of youth; encourages mentors to assist with recruitment. 2) Screening: establishes criteria for accepting and disqualifying mentors; written application, face to face interview; references; background checks 3) Training: minimum 2 hours pre-match training; length, frequency and duration of contact; goals and expectations; obligations and roles; ethical and safety issues; relationship building tasks and strategies 4) Matching and Initiation: minimum contact of three times per month; strategies to develop relationships with mentees 5) Monitoring and Support: staff connect with mentee and mentor monthly to ensure meetings have occurred, evaluate progress made, and provide support and resources. 6) Closure

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.

NOTE: This application is for Year 2 or 3 of a multi-year award. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Complete the following: 1) UNIFORM APPLICATION FOR STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE

Renewal applications only.

Awarded applicants will receive two emails. One stating the status of the application has been updated to Approved. The second prompting to login to view the Award Details. Denied applicants will receive a letter of notice.

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