REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

APPLICATION COVER SHEET

Applying Organization Information:

The applying organization must be a local unit of government or a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

NAME OF APPLYING ORGANIZATION:

FISCAL AGENT (IF DIFFERENT):

FEDERAL ID #:

ADDRESS:

CITY & ZIP CODE:

NAME OF PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON:

PHONE: FAX:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

Application checklist:
† Cover Sheet and signatures

† EMBRACE answers

† EMBRACE budget questions

† Letters of Support

† Fiscal agent information

Signatures:
By signing below, the applying organization agrees to begin implementation of the EMBRACE model within
one month from the date of receipt of funds.

Signature Date

PAGE 1
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

INTRODUCTION

EMBRACE is a public private partnership designed to support DFCS foster families in Georgia. EMBRACE is
based at the Fanning Institute which is a unit of Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia and
currently operates in 5 Georgia counties: Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett and Rockdale. The organizational
partners of EMBRACE are the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Family
and Children Services, and the Foster Family Foundation of Georgia. EMBRACE was organized in 2006 to increase
the number of foster families in Georgia who are prepared to address the specific needs of those foster children
who have been placed into state custody.

The initial focus of EMBRACE has been to delineate a core set of support services, along with standards of quality
for each service, that are needed by DFCS foster families in order to retain quality homes for foster children. In
addition to a focus on retaining foster families, there is an overarching intention to maximize the systematic
engagement of local communities in partnering with local DFCS to secure the safety and nurturing of Georgia’s
children. The extent to which Department of Human Resources (DHR) can fulfill its legal mandates to protect
children at risk of abuse is greatly linked to the extent which local communities actively partner with local DFCS to
provide the services and supports needed by the foster families and children living in their community.

Retention of foster families is critical to ensuring positive outcomes for children in foster care. Through the use of
the EMBRACE model, communities have seen consistent retention rates as high as 95-98% over periods of time.
Further development of the EMBRACE model in other locations of Georgia will support the retention of foster
parents and greater community engagement to support foster families as well as the children in their care.
EMBRACE can help your community rally support around foster families and develop a greater awareness of the
needs of the children in their care. By supporting foster parents and helping new foster families become veteran
foster families, children in care are better served and their futures are brighter.

Communities who utilize the EMBRACE model will join an ongoing partnership with UGA and DFCS to (1)
increase the retention of DFCS foster families and (2) engage local communities to partner with DFCS in support of
foster families through the use of the following core strategies:
• Foster Parent Liaison (FPL), a neutral broker who links foster families to each other, to DFCS and to
community resources. A critical component to the success of the EMBRACE model is that all FPL
positions must be filled by former or current foster parents.
• Mentoring and Peer to Peer Support
• Training - FPLs link families to training opportunities and EMBRACE produces a series of webinar training
available to participants
• Special Events and activities for foster families, DFCS staff and community members
• Communication

OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT

The Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) has recently made available funds for EMBRACE in the
form of matching grants for two communities in Georgia to enhance foster family support. The purpose of this
RFP is to invite competitive proposals from communities who are willing to support foster families through the use
of the EMBRACE model. These funds will be used to support program activities during calendar year 2011. It is
expected that the community and EMBRACE will work in partnership to identify resources to support operations
beyond that date.

The total value of each grant is $25,000, which includes $16,000 in cash value plus approximately $9,000 of in-kind
support including supervision, technical assistance and training for the local partner and hired foster parent liaisons

PAGE 2
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

(FPL). The local partner will be required to provide a cash match of $20,000 at the time the grant is received. The
grantee(s) will become a part of the EMBRACE network; as part of this network, the grantee will have access to
supervision, training and support for the Foster Parent Liaison in the form of resources including training for the
new Foster Parent Liaison, monthly EMBRACE meetings, access for foster parents to EMBRACE sponsored
trainings, programmatic supervision and support (including inclusion in state level sustainability strategies beyond
the first year), as provided by UGA’s Fanning Institute.

TIMELINE FOR THE RFP AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

RFP Release Date: December 1, 2010

Deadline for Proposals: January 10, 2011 5 p.m. EDT
Proposal Review: January 10-14, 2011
Approval of Award(s): January 24, 2011
Award(s) Announcement: January 26, 2011
Performance Period: February 1, 2011– December 31, 2011

A Memorandum of Agreement between the successful applicant, local DFCS and the University of Georgia will be
developed and executed by February 1, 2011. Program activities, including the hiring of a Foster Parent Liaison will
begin immediately thereafter with the aid of the EMBRACE director and a current FPL. It is anticipated that the
FPL will be staff of the local agency with programmatic supervision occurring through the UGA Fanning Institute.

Successful proposals will focus on serving foster families in a community. However, creativity is encouraged and a
community may be defined in a variety of ways, including as more than one county. A group of counties are able to
apply for funding as long as only one county agent, non profit, collaborative etc. serves as the grantee holder.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants may be a nonprofit organization, faith community, community organization, or a local unit of
government. It is anticipated that substantial public/private cooperation will be necessary to ensure the success of
the implementation of the EMBRACE model. The applicant will be responsible for ensuring that all programmatic
and budget reports are made in compliance with grant requirements. All foster families served must be DFCS foster
families.

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS

Fanning Institute will provide supervision, training and support for the Foster Parent Liaison. Grantees can expect
to do the following over the term of the grant:

1. Hire an FPL (job description attached in Appendix A of this RFP) within the first 30 days upon receipt of
award.
2. Review and approve monthly data and activity tracking submissions.
3. Provide quarterly budget reports (dates and format to be determined).

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions regarding the process, funding or EMBRACE model please contact EMBRACE director,
David Meyers at 706-542-5062 or david.meyers@embracega.org. You can also visit the EMBRACE website at
www.embracega.org to find out more about EMBRACE and visit links to our current EMBRACE counties.

PAGE 3
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION

All applications should include the following:

1. Cover Sheet with Original Signatures

2. EMBRACE grantee commitments – Please respond to questions a-f in no more than 3 pages:
a. Please provide us with information related to the foster parents in your community (i.e. number of
foster families, how many families currently have placements, etc.).
b. Why is EMBRACE needed in your community?
c. What resources currently exist in your community for DFCS foster parents (i.e. community support
and activities, etc.)?
d. How will EMBRACE be incorporated into your community?
e. What outcomes do you expect from applying the EMBRACE model in your community?
f. What resources would you and your organization bring to EMBRACE?
3. EMBRACE budget commitment is the following:
The total budget is $45,000. This includes in-kind support of $9,000 linked to supervision, TA and
training and cash expenditures of $32,400 for the FPL salary, and the remaining $3,600 to overhead,
travel and administration.
Please respond to questions a-c in no more than 1 page.
a. What is the source of the local matching funds that will be used to implement the EMBRACE
model?
b. Who or what agency will be responsible for carrying out the proposed budget and reporting
required by the grant?
c. Who will be responsible for helping to hire the Foster Parent Liaison with the help of the current
EMBRACE staff and director?
4. Local DFCS letter of support and 2 additional letters of support from community members/organizations
(these organizations may or may not be your funding source).
5. Documentation of organizational fiscal credentials for the applying agency:

Local Unit of Government Applicant

Local Units of Government must attach to the application an audit from the most recently concluded fiscal
year in accordance with OMB Circular A-133.

Non-Profit Applicant
Non-profit applicants must attach to the grant application the following documentation:
• Financial statements from the most recently concluded fiscal year.
• Audit from the most recently concluded fiscal year in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 and
OCGA 36-81-7; or if the non-profit applicant is not required to have an audit, attach to the
application the following: 1) balance sheet from the most recently concluded fiscal year showing
assets and liabilities, and 2) statement of financial activity from the most recently concluded fiscal
year showing revenue and expenditures.
• Letter of 501(c) (3) Designation: Letter from Internal Revenue Service designating applicant as
501(c) (3) non-profit organization, collaborative etc., but it needs to be only one entity applying.

PAGE 4
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

APPENDIX A

Job Description: Foster Parent Liaison Date: July 19, 2010

Position Overview: The Foster Parent Liaison provides supportive services for foster families; this may involve
helping foster families access available resources; working within the local community to develop and/or coordinate
available services. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:
ƒ Establish and maintain relationships and open communication with foster (foster, relative foster and foster-
to-adopt) families and serving as a liaison between families and DFCS.
ƒ Facilitate enhanced communication between foster families and DFCS staff.
ƒ Respond to foster family complaints, working closely with DFCS to handle complaints at the lowest level
possible ensuring that foster families are heard and responded to in a timely manner.
ƒ Manage and ensure the provision of foster family services via the EMBRACE strategies; i.e., foster parent
mentors, natural helpers, training, etc., in collaboration with DFCS.
ƒ Coordinate existing community resources and networks within the community to develop new resources
and services for foster families and children.
ƒ Collaborate with the local Foster Parent Association, the Family Connection Partnership and other
community groups to engage them appropriately in supporting foster families.
ƒ Provide outreach services for foster families using various means to disseminate information such as a
newsletter, web sites, email, CallingPost®, etc.
ƒ Maintain data, complete reports (written and online) and identify policy areas related to foster parent
retention that may need attention.
ƒ Assist the partners (FFFGA, UGA/Fanning Institute, DHS/DFCS) with the development of EMBRACE
as a statewide resource to support and retain foster parents.
ƒ Attend monthly internal meetings with all EMBRACE FPL counties, in addition to monthly county work
group meetings.

Qualifications:
ƒ Ability to work independently, self-directed, focused
ƒ Ability to facilitate work groups
ƒ Ability to network within the community
ƒ Ability to use and have access to e-mail and a personal computer
ƒ Knowledgeable about foster care and DFCS

Requirements:
ƒ Education – undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science OR other related field
ƒ Experience – minimum of three years foster care experience (paid or volunteer)
ƒ Citizenship or documentation of legal status
ƒ Successfully pass a background check

Other Skills/Abilities:
ƒ Provides extraordinary customer services
ƒ Strong interpersonal skills
ƒ Ability to mediate and/or counsel appropriately
ƒ Excellent oral and written communication skills
ƒ Knowledge of and ability to use computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related
duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

PAGE 5
 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - EMBRACE CHALLENGE GRANTS

APPENDIX B

Qualifications, Conditions and Reservations

1. All costs of preparing a response to this RFP shall be borne by the applicant. The Fanning Institute,
University of Georgia, shall not, in any event, be liable for any pre-contractual expenses incurred by the
applicant in the preparation and/or submission of the proposal.
2. The proposal must set forth full, accurate, and complete information as required by this RFP.
3. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to retain all submitted proposals and the
proposals shall become the property of Fanning Institute, University of Georgia. Proposals may be
required to be disclosed under the Georgia Open Records Act at a later date. Any department or agency of
the Fanning Institute, University of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Human Resources shall have
the right to use any or all ideas presented in proposals submitted in response to this RFP without any
change or limitation. Selection or rejection of an applicant does not affect these rights.
4. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to extend the RFP submission deadline should
such action be in the best interest of Fanning Institute, University of Georgia. The applicant may revise its
bid in the event the deadline is extended.
5. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received in answer
to this RFP if it is deemed inappropriate or incomplete or is not in the best interest of Fanning Institute,
University of Georgia and its partners.
6. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to withdraw this RFP at any time without prior
notice. Further, Fanning Institute, University of Georgia, Board of Regents makes no representation that
any contract will be awarded to any applicant responding to this RFP.
7. An applicant may not be recommended for funding, regardless of the merits of the proposal submitted, if it
has a history of past or current contract non-performance, non-compliance, suspension or termination with
Fanning Institute, University of Georgia or any other public funding entity for a period of not less than
three years prior to the submission of this RFP. In addition, the applicant must not have any other adverse
audit finding on any contract within the last three years, which has not been satisfactorily resolved.
8. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to verify information submitted in the proposals.
9. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to reject any proposal that fails to comply with
any instruction contained in this RFP.
10. Fanning Institute, University of Georgia reserves the right to negotiate services and costs and to revise
proposals submitted as it sees fit.
11. If an insufficient number of qualified proposals are received, Fanning Institute, University of Georgia
reserves the right to independently seek other qualified applicants.
12. The applicant shall be ineligible to be selected under this RFP if any officer or employee of the applicant
who would be involved in the administration of grant funds has been convicted of a criminal offense related
to the administration of grant funds.

PAGE 6