CENTRAL ARIZONA SHELTER SERVICES, INC. - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/02/2017
General information
Organization Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
Contact First name David
Contact Last name Smith
Contact e-mail DSmith@cassaz.org
Contact phone number 602-256-6945
Address
Street 230 South 12th Avenue
City Phoenix
State Arizona
ZIP Code 85007
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 15,000
1 / 1


Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
2017 Proposal to Tohono O’odham Nation
a. Perceived Need and Program
Our mission: “To empower men, women, and children with diverse needs to end their
homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services.”
Organizational Overview
Since 1998, Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter (Vista Colina) has been Central
Arizona Shelter Services’ (CASS) emergency shelter program for families who are
experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. The shelter is a 30-unit apartment
complex that serves an average of 200 homeless families annually. Vista Colina
provides supportive services, such as case management, job readiness training, etc.
that promote self-sufficiency. Families have access to an on-site laundry, food pantry,
an early childhood development program, summer program for school-aged
children/youth, a playground, job resource area, and 24/7 staff supervisor and support.
In FY15/16, Vista Colina served 201 families comprised of 911 family members; 296
adults and 615 children.
Community Need
Homelessness has devastating consequences on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
The lack of the family’s stability prevents preschoolers from enrollment in early
childhood programs that prepare them for school. According to Child Trends: Early
Childhood Highlights 2012, 75% of homeless preschoolers have at least one
major developmental delay, such as delayed speech, and nearly half, 44%, suffer
from two or more delays. These children miss traditional childhood milestones that
have lifelong implications. Motor skills, such as hand/finger coordination are delayed as
are crawling, standing, walking, toilet training, sense of self, and ability to form
sentences. These delays have profound effects on children’s success into their teenage
and adult years. Children without stable homes are more than twice as likely as others
to repeat a school grade, be expelled or suspended, or drop out of high school.
Program Description
Early intervention can minimize the effect of homelessness on preschoolers.
Therefore, CASS implemented an Early Childhood Development Program over 15 years
ago to address the consequences of homelessness as early as possible in the children it
serves.
The Vista Colina Early Childhood Program identifies developmental delays in the
homeless children who participate in the program and develops plans to address
1 | Page

Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
2017 Proposal to Tohono O’odham Nation
developmental delays. Teachers conduct an initial evaluation within the first month of
enrollment. Subsequent evaluations are performed during the second and third months
of the child’s stay. Teachers develop a plan and notify parents about any developmental
delays that are identified during the assessment. The program uses The Creative
Curriculum, ® a research-based curriculum that provides comprehensive tools that
foster learning and growth through responsive caregiving for preschool children.
The Early Childhood Development Program is accredited by National Accreditation
Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. In addition, the program earned
the highest possible rating, 5-star, in early 2016 from First Things First’s Quality First
Program. Quality First established an Arizona standard of quality for early care and
education programs and funds quality improvements that research proves help children
thrive. By achieving a 5-star rating, the Vista Colina Early Childhood Development
Program has demonstrated that it provides all the elements that result in a program
that prepares children for kindergarten, including:
• Teachers and caregivers who know how to work with infants, toddlers and
preschoolers;
• Positive, nurturing relationships that give young children the individual attention they
need;
• Learning environments that encourage creativity and imaginative play;
• Hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage positive brain connections in
children; and,
• Caregivers who provide regular feedback to parents on the development of their child.
The program, located on-site at Vista Colina in its own building, operates Monday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Daily activities promote large and fine
motor skill development, art/music/creative play, outdoor play, reading/language
/listening, nature/science/math, and dramatic play. Children are assigned to one of four
classrooms according to age. The program also offers a licensed kitchen, a staff
lounge/library/computer room, administrative offices, and a multi-purpose
room. Children in the program receive nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.
Outcomes:
The goal is for each child to progress during their participation in the program. As
previously noted, interim evaluations are conducted to monitor their achievements. We
attempt to conduct exit assessments on all children who participate in the program.
Based on historical data, 200 children are anticipated in the program next fiscal year. Of
the 200, 70% of families will notify us of their departures so we can conduct a final
evaluation. Of the children who have exit evaluations, 64% will show positive
outcomes: of which 24% will meet all developmental standards, 40% will approach
standards.
2 | Page

Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
2017 Proposal to Tohono O’odham Nation
b. Describe the population who will benefit from the proposal if approved.
We project to serve 200 unduplicated children ages 0 – 5 years who are homeless; 100
from birth – 2 years old and 100 3 – 5 years old. Based on data from past years, we
project their demographic profile as follows:
• Black/African American: 50% • White/Caucasian: 30% • Asian: 5%
• Native Americans: 5% • Multiracial: 10%
As a regional emergency shelter, CASS serves homeless families from throughout
Maricopa County. Families experience homelessness for a variety of reasons. In FY
15/16, domestic violence (18%), job loss (26%), and economic (22%), were the most
frequent causes of our families’ homelessness.
c. Include a budget of the requested funds, with the total amount requested clearly
notated.
Vista Colina Early Childhood Development Program
Projected Budget FY 17/18
Revenue
Tohono O’odham Nation $15,000
Valley of the Sun United Way $67,000
State $149,000
Contributions/Donations/Grants $179,000
Total $410,000
Expenses
Salaries & ERE $303,000
Professional Fees & Contracts $12,000
Travel $6,000
Occupancy $14,000
Materials & Supplies $14,000
Tohono O’odham: Materials & Supplies $15,000
Operating $6,500
Equipment $4,000
Miscellaneous $500
Indirect $35,000
Total $410,000
3 | Page

Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
2017 Proposal to Tohono O’odham Nation
d. List any other funding requests that have been made for this or substantially related
proposals and provide the status of those requests.
CASS is currently developing a proposal to the Valley of the Sun United Way for
FY 17/18 funding of the Early Childhood Development Program. In addition,
applications for funding to the Diamondbacks Foundation, Cardinals Charities, and
Arizona Coyotes Foundation will be submitted during their respective cycles this
summer. CASS continues to identify funders whose missions align with the program’s
goals and activities.
e. Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono
O'odham Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
CASS received $25,000 from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on July 1,
2016 in support of its Regional Single Adult Shelter. CASS received $15,000 from
Tohono O'odham Nation in October 2016 in support of the Early Childhood
Development Program.
f. Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up,
including e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and fax number for these
persons.
Primary Contact: Alternate Contact:
Mark Holleran Billie Cawley
Chief Executive Officer Chief Program Officer
MHolleran@cassaz.org BCawley@cassaz.org
Telephone: 602-256-6963 Telephone: 602-256-6945
Fax: 602-256-6401 Fax: 602-256-6401
Mailing Address: Mailing Address
Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc. Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.
230 South 12th Avenue 230 South 12th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phoenix, AZ 85007
g. Indicate which priority area (from the above list) the proposal falls under.
Education
h. Maricopa County has agreed to work with CASS to secure this grant.
4 | Page

The photos below exemplify Vista Colina’s Early Childhood Development Program for children who are
homeless.
Clockwise from top left:
1. Children learn colors!
2. Children plant a garden. Although this may seem too advanced for pre-school children, the activity
gives children a sense of ownership and stability. Due to the expansive length of stay of many families,
children have the opportunity to plant their gardens and then watch them grow.
3. Bowling promotes hand/eye coordination as well as balance. For many children who are homeless
these are developmental stages that are delayed.
4. Arts and crafts is not only fun for the children but promotes large and small motor skills.

Mission
To empower men, women and children with diverse needs to end
their homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services.
Shelter Services Supportive Services
Single Adult Shelter Supportive services
Provides nightly emergency shelter are provided to help
to 470 men and women individuals and families
Vista Colina Family Shelter address barriers to ending
Provides nightly emergency shelter to up to their homelessness and to
120 men, women, and children maximize their ability to
(or 36 families) live independently.
Why Do People Experience Homelessness?
The most common factor amongst people who experience homelessness is a lack of a support
system. Without a safety net, life events can domino, leading an individual or family to homelessness.
Financial crises such as losing a job, high medical bills, and/or a lack of affordable housing can lead
to the loss of a home. Personal crises such as undiagnosed or untreated mental illness, substance
WHY abuse, or domestic violence can also be detrimental to maintaining consistent housing.
For over 30 years, CASS has welcomed those experiencing life’s challenges, creating a support
system for each individual as they help themselves get back into a place they can call home.
Central Arizona Shelter Services l 230 South 12th Avenue l Phoenix, AZ 85007 l cassaz.org
Your donation to CASS may qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $400 for
individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly. This credit is in addition to the public and private school tax credits.

Who We Serve
Total number served: 5,555
WHO 2016)
Individual shelter: 4,644
(FY
Family shelter: 911
Men: 3,456 Women: 1,484
12%
are
veterans
Children: 615
On average, CASS served
Client ages
577 individuals every
0 – 12 484 night last fiscal year.
13 – 17 131
18 – 24 453
25 – 44 2,139
45 – 61 1,959
62+ 389
of CASS clients stay
75% less than 6 weeks
Average stay at both
shelters combined
25%
stay beyond 6 weeks
Central Arizona Shelter Services l 230 South 12th Avenue l Phoenix, AZ 85007 l cassaz.org
Your donation to CASS may qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $400 for
individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly. This credit is in addition to the public and private school tax credits.