Families First Community Grants Program in the US

Deadline: 4-Feb-22

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is inviting applications for the Families First Community Grants Program to engage eligible public and private organizations in Tennessee with evidence-based and evidence-informed program models who can administer community-based services to meet the needs of low-income families, placing the whole family on a path to permanent economic security.

Areas

• The Department requires these services to be delivered in a manner that improves economic security and well-being for low-income families and fosters a more strategic use of TANF funds, specifically in the areas of:
  • Providing assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; 
  • Reducing the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; 
  • Preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and 
  • Encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
• The Department is seeking to partner with eligible public and private organizations in Tennessee that demonstrate an understanding of the challenges low-income families experience in their community, including those related to:
  • Education; 
  • Health and well-being; 
  • Economic stability; and 
  • Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. 
• Implemented or developed community-based programs that have been proven to be effective even when subjected to third-party evaluation. 
• Demonstrated strong leadership and coordination of cross-sector partnerships. 
• Demonstrated a proven track record for providing services intended to help low-income families achieve economic mobility.
• Identified a diverse set of resources, secured cross-sector partnerships, and developed a plan to deliver services from a family-led approach that is aligned with one or more of the four purposes of TANF. 
• Articulated long-term impact of the community’s approach, including applicable return on investment and cost-benefit analysis, to support and sustain delivery of services. 
• Articulated a desire to work in partnership with the Department, community-based organizations, other stakeholders, and current and former customers to co-create solutions that address significant social problems. 
• Innovative initiatives leveraging other public resources to build the economic, social and developmental capital of those served to reduce dependency.

Eligibility Criteria

Families participating in the services funded by the Families First Community Grants must meet certain eligibility requirements established by federal law. Specifically, participating families (parent/legal guardian with child(ren) under the age of 18) must meet Tennessee’s low-income eligibility criteria. "LowIncome Families" is defined as families who are:

• Living at or below the Federal Poverty Level; 
• Eligible for Medicaid; 
• Recipients of, or eligible for, public benefits such as Families First (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); 
• Part of a coordinated entry system through Social Services agencies and meet the low-income criteria (unemployed or zero income verification); 
• Live in Section 8 housing or low rent public housing; or 
• Be eligible for National School Lunch Program (free or reduced lunch).

Criteria

• Eligible organizations and other qualified entities in Tennessee who can administer services that are consistent with the Department’s mission and meets one of the four purposes of TANF are encouraged to submit an application during this grant open enrollment cycle. The Department will not be available to assist with the actual writing of applications or critiques of drafts.
• The application must be 8 pages or less and outlined to address all the statements/requirements under each header in accordance with the application guidelines. The application pages must be numbered and submitted on 8 ½ X 11-inch paper, doubled spaced, 1” (2.54 cm) margins, all around, and at least 11pt. font size.
• Note: The size and/or style of graphics are not restricted, and their use and style are at the applicant’s discretion, but they will count towards the application page limit of 8 pages. Letters of support are optional and will count towards the application page limit of 8 pages.
• In addition to the 8-page application, the following supplemental documents are required (and do not count towards the application page limit of 8 pages): 
• Certificate of Acknowledgement (COA) – State form provided. 
• Conflict of Interest (COI) – Organization’s policy (if applicable) and a signed statement on official letterhead attesting that: based upon reasonable inquiry, neither the organization, its employees, affiliate entities/agencies, employees of any affiliate entity/agency, nor any affiliated individual who will perform services under this potential contract, as a result of this application, have a possible or perceived conflict of interest. 
• Organizational chart 
• Completed budget form – State form provided.

For more information, visit TDHS.

For more information, visit https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act/toa-grant-opportunities/families-first-community-grants.html