FY26 Renewal: Countdown to 21: D-CIPP

Countdown to 21 is a Department initiative aimed at improving outcomes for emancipating youth that embeds improved youth driven transition planning activities at age 19 and continuing until the youth’s 21st birthday. The model of practice for Countdown to 21 supports youth exiting from care through the following activities: Countdown to 21 Meetings (C21M) (formerly known as D-CIPP) at age 19 & 20.75, financial literacy for all youth exiting from care and the establishment of eligibility requirements for the availability of youth to receive one-time financial assistance as they exit care. Within 30-days of youth reaching their 19th birthday and 90-days prior their 21st birthday a Countdown to 21 staffing will be convened. The C21 Meeting relies on a facilitator-guided, youth-driven, team decision-making process with the youth, caseworker, casework supervisor caregiver, family, and other stakeholders to help determine the array and intensity of support and services and housing options needed to assist the youth in planning for a successful discharge from care. The primary objective of the C21 Meeting will include the development of the updated/revised CFS-2032-1, Youth Driven Transition Plan.

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.

Applicant Eligibility: Awardee 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 DUNS number 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. Beneficiary Eligibility: N/A Credentials Documentation: N/A

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