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Last updated: 02/04/2016 Page 1 General information Organization VALLEYLIFE Contact First name Ann Contact Last name Polunsky Contact e-mail apolunsky@valleylifeaz.org Contact phone number 602-216-6385 Address Street 1142 W. Hatcher Rd. City Phoenix State AZ ZIP Code 85021 From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant? Gila River Indian Community Total grant amount request 20,000 The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this project or program from the Gila River Indian Community, enter the amount to be requested each year. Amount Year 1 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 2 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 3 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 4 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 5 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) 1 of 1 Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Cover Sheet Municipality Information 1. Date of Application: 2/25/2016 (NOTE: Click or use up/down arrow keys to move among fields) 2. Name of City, Town or County: Maricopa County 3. Mayor (City or Town) or Board of Supervisor’s Chairman (County): Clint Hickman 4. Mailing Address: 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor 5. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85003 6. Acknowledgement of Submission by Authorized Municipality Representative: Typed Name: Amanda Nash Signature: Applicant Information 7. Department/Organization Name: VALLEYLIFE 8. Is this a non-profit 501c(3) Organization? No Yes If yes, attach IRS Determination Letter 9. Application Contact Person: Ann Polunsky Title: Grant Writer 10. Phone Number: 602-216-6385 11. Mailing Address: 1142 W. Hatcher Rd. 12. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85021 13. Email Address: apolunsky@valleylifeaz.org Website Address: www.valleylifeaz.org Project Information 14. Project Name: Eat Well Feel Great Nutrition Program 15. Purpose of Grant: To decrease the number of digestive illnesses resulting from poor diets 16. Priority Funding Area Healthcare 17. Annual amount requested $20,000 18. Number of years that funding is requested One 19. Total amount requested (annual amount x # of $20,000 years) 20. Has your organization received past funding Yes. 2009 - $45,000 from GRIC? If yes, list each year and amount For Office Use Only: Data Entry Receipt Evaluation Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 21. Geographic area served Maricopa County Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Narrative Please structure your proposal to provide the following information in the order indicated. Provide the narrative in paragraph form in the text field provided. Please be thorough but strive for brevity. 1. Briefly describe the organization’s mission, history and goals. VALLEYLIFE’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities (called members). Agency goals are: • To provide safe, healthy and comfortable living accommodations for persons with disabilities • To improve members independent living, social and recreational skills • To train and assist members with securing employment. VALLEYLIFE was founded by Bernice Kussell in 1947 to serve children with developmental disabilities, whose parents, at the time, were advised not to raise their children with mental “afflictions”. Housed in her home, Mrs. Kussell’s project soon expanded and, in 1951, became Valley of the Sun School. It attained its 501C3 status in 1953. As her school grew and her young charges became adults, further programming was needed. In 1989, the school moved to a larger building at 1142 W. Hatcher Rd. where programs could be expanded and more individuals could be served. In 2009, the agency was rebranded as VALLEYLIFE. Currently, a staff of 425 employees delivers services to over 450 unduplicated individuals annually with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities. 2. If the organization is a non-profit 501c(3), please describe your relationship with the municipality including past and present support, whether it be through partnerships, collaborations, in-kind contributions, grants, tax-based funding or other. If the organization is a municipality governmental sub-division please enter the text “Not applicable.” VALLEYLIFE submits grants to Gila River Indian Community and Fort McDowell Indian Community through Maricopa County’s Fluid Review System. Mercy Maricopa Integrated Systems contracts with VALLEYLIFE to provide vocational services to persons with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness. 3. Describe the proposed project and planned goals and activities. The proposed project, Eat Well Feel Great, is a nutrition program designed to decrease the number of diet- related illnesses experience by our members. Activities include: 1) A weekly hands-on nutrition class for members and staff to introduce healthy foods to our staff and members. This includes the preparation of a healthy dish and factual information about its health benefits. 2) Regular visits to the group homes by our Nutrition Coach to: Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 1) Begin the process of eliminating processed foods from the home 2) Teach proper shopping, menu planning and cooking techniques to the staff and members that make meal preparation fun, tasty and healthful experiences. Medical issues, medications and allergies are reviewed in determining meal plans and menus. The goals of the Eat Well Feel Great Nutrition Program are: To introduce members to new and healthier food choices To offer healthier options for meals in the group homes To reduce the number of illnesses and hospital visits resulting from poor eating habits. 4. Describe how the proposed project satisfies one or more of the priority funding areas identified by the Gila River Indian Community. This project fulfills Gila River’s funding priority of “Healthcare” for a very vulnerable population of persons with disabilities. Since many members are in wheelchairs and are sedentary, they are extremely susceptible to illness with little provocation. Fried or heavy food is enough to cause an emergency trip to the hospital. 5. Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of people to be served by the project. A preponderance of digestive-related illnesses and a disproportionate number of visits to the emergency room has prompted the implementation of a nutrition program, called Eat Well Feel Great, to educate both members and staff about the importance of healthy eating. The target population consists of 114 members residing in our group homes, who have a variety of health conditions in addition to their disabilities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, digestive issues and dental problems, all of which are diet-related. It is the responsibility of the staff in each group home to plan, shop and prepare meals for the members living in that home. These meals include breakfast, lunch (brown bag or sit down), dinner and snacks. In many cases these meals have become redundant, high in calories and low in nutritional value. While the care-takers who serve our members are well trained in providing treatment for their medical needs, they are not cooks or nutritionists. Meals served in a group home often reflect foods the members and staff have grown accustomed to preparing and eating over the years. Limited cooking skills, cultural differences and lack of nutritional awareness of staff also serve as barriers to healthy diets in our group homes. The use of packaged foods, while easier for staff to prepare, are not only unhealthy, but quite costly. In addition, the turnover rate among care-taking staff requires that they be integrated into the nutrition program as part of their training. As a result of these issues, VALLEYLIFE’s management team determined that many of these problems could be addressed by greater attention to proper nutrition. We have already seen some initial benefits from the program through increased acceptance by members, who will at least try eating healthy foods, and increased comfort among staff in preparing healthier meals and managing special diets. Most significant are the changes Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 for our diabetics who have been convinced to eat a healthier diet and are exhibiting fewer symptoms of the disease. 6. Define the project as a new or continuing program. This is a continuing project. It was implemented two years ago. Little by little, we have overcome the initial resistance to the changes suggested (i.e. eliminating fast foods, not purchasing pre-packaged foods with lots of chemical additives, using fresh or fresh frozen vegetables) and achieved buy-in from both staff and members. It’s crucial that the nutrition program continue to capitalize on the gains we have made. 7. Provide a brief timeline including start and finish dates. Indicate if the timeline is flexible. Every Thursday – Nutrition class for 20+ members and staff, reaching an unduplicated number of 58 members, who attend as often as possible. Each group home receives a 10-session intensive orientation to begin the process of eliminating processed foods and learning how to prepare healthy meals. These visits include shopping trips, reviewing the health manual developed by our dietician, menu planning and meal preparation. Since dietary habits are difficult to change, this is followed by continual phone and personal contact to assure that the home stays the course. Progress notes are maintained on each home. The class is regular with little deviation. Nutrition oach visits to the homes are flexible. 8. Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and their roles. Other funders for this project are: BHHS Legacy Foundation, Safeway Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Fry’s Foods, Wal-Mart. Aetna Foundation was a founding grantor and is again being solicited to continue support. Partners: Diabetic Counselors at doctors’ offices 9. Would you be able to implement the proposed plan if your organization received partial funding for this project? As a result of leveraging several grants, VALLEYLIFE is able to continue the program with partial funding. 10. Describe your plan for project sustainability beyond the grant period. If this is a program/project previously funded by the Gila River Indian Community describe efforts made towards the previously described sustainability plan. As more and more healthy habits are instituted in our group home programming, the intense need for nutritional oversight will decrease allowing us to sustain this program with less funding. In addition, the goal of the program is to ultimately incorporate this program into the regular budget of the agency, requiring little or no grant money to sustain it. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 11. Describe your plan to document progress and results. Progress notes and attendance are maintained for each nutrition class. Recipes are shared with the Nutrition Coach. Progress notes are maintained by the Nutrition Coach, noting changes in the use of fruits, vegetables and healthy grains. The number of emergency hospital visits for digestive issues is tracked Group home supervisors are surveyed semi-annually to attain feedback on their response to how the program is running in their homes. Adjustments are made as a result. 12. Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a tribe other than the Gila River Indian Community for state shared revenues for this and any other project. If this information is included in a separate attachment, please indicate that here. No other applications are outstanding or being submitted at this time. No other funding has been received from any other tribes Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Project Budget Budget Period: Click here to enter text. For each budget item listed here please provide a narrative description on the following Project Budget Detail page. Proposed Budget Expense Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget requested from requested or contributions (list each budget item) GRIC secured from other funders 1. Click here to enter text. $20,000 $30,000 $0 $50,000 2. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 3. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 4. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 5. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 6. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 7. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 8. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 9. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 10. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 11. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 12. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 13. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 14. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 15. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 16. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 17. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Budget $20,000 $30,000 $0 $50,000 Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Project Budget Detail Please provide a narrative description for each of the project budget items listed on the previous page. Include the dollar figure and how it was derived. 1. Nutrition Coach (15 hours a week x $35/hr x 50 weeks = $26.250 2. Food, Kitchen supplies - $7,750 3. Dietician (8 hrs/wk x $40/hr x 50 weeks = $16,000 4. Click here to enter text. 5. Click here to enter text. 6. Click here to enter text. 7. Click here to enter text. 8. Click here to enter text. 9. Click here to enter text. 10. Click here to enter text. 11. Click here to enter text. 12. Click here to enter text. 13. Click here to enter text. 14. Click here to enter text. 15. Click here to enter text. 16. Click here to enter text. 17. Click here to enter text. Other explanation: Click here to enter text. Eat Well Feel Great Nutrition Program Update Making Pizza and Broccoli Eating French Toast Everyone’s Helping Cook! Pancakes to Eat & Freeze Home-made Lasagna Program Highlights To date, the following homes have received nutrition coaching by Betsy Durkin: 16th Ave. ♦ 57th Ave. ♦ Hana Maui ♦ Hayward ♦ Kussell ♦ Larkspur ♦ Phelps ♦ Tonto ♦ 6th Place ♦ Frier The entire team is working towards healthier foods for themselves and the members. Homes are cutting back on pasta and eliminating hamburger helper, hot pockets and burritos. Vegetable purees are being used as a substitute for water to enhance some of their recipes. Staff was amazed to see that they could create several easy meals in a short amount of time. New items: homemade popcorn, purees, smoothies, homemade ice cream, homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade pancakes. Veggie purees hidden in everything possible!! Success Story: Quiche, Would you believe that Chicken Nuggets & Baked Fries this man couldn’t cook?! Spaghetti Squash Puree Chicken Cordon Bleu, Mustard Chicken Corn Tortilla Sauce, Rice, Sautéed Spinach with Beans & Fruit “Cooking With Love, Eating With Pleasure” Morgan with green bean- jicama salad Nutrition Class Taught by Dietician Barb Honiberg EAT WELL FEEL GREAT NUTRITION PROGRAM January 2015 VALLEYLIFE’s Nutrition Program, Eat Well Feel Great, was created to reduce the number of digestive illnesses suf- fered by our members. This grant-funded program has allowed VALLEYLIFE to make a significant difference in the health of our members with developmental and physical disabilities. The program consists of a weekly nutrition class and nutritional analysis, education, shopping and menu-planning for 18 of our 25 group homes. Outcomes noted to date are: 88% attendance rate at the weekly nutrition class 40% decrease in digestive problems 50% increase in use of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables and the preparation of healthy meals and snacks. Specific attention has been paid to our diabetic members, who have made significant strides toward better health as a re- sult of the dietary changes. Paul with Southwestern Kale Salad Serving a healthy dinner of fish, quinoa and watermelon salad to group home members Ashley tasting butternut squash soup Maggie mixing soup Created: 02/11/2016 Last updated: 03/09/2016 Page 1 General information Organization United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Contact First name Dora Contact Last name Vasquez Contact e-mail dvasquez@ucpofcentralaz.org Contact phone number 602-682-1839 Address Street 1802 West Parkside Lane City Phoenix State Arizona ZIP Code 85027 From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant? Gila River Indian Community Total grant amount request 150,000 The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this project or program from the Gila River Indian Community, enter the amount to be requested each year. Amount Year 1 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) 75,000 Year 2 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) 75,000 Year 3 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 4 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 5 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) 1 of 1 Last updated: 02/17/2016 Page 1 General information Organization Valley of the Sun United Way Contact First name Andrew Contact Last name Schwartzberg Contact e-mail aschwartzberg@vsuw.org Contact phone number 602-631-4844 Address Street 3200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 375 City Phoenix State AZ ZIP Code 85018 From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant? Gila River Indian Community Total grant amount request 100,000 The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is requesting a multi-year grant for this project or program from the Gila River Indian Community, enter the amount to be requested each year. Amount Year 1 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 2 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 3 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 4 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) Year 5 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only) 1 of 1 Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Cover Sheet Municipality Information 1. Date of Application: 2/29/2016 (NOTE: Click or use up/down arrow keys to move among fields) 2. Name of City, Town or County: Maricopa County 3. Mayor (City or Town) or Board of Supervisor’s Chairman (County): Clint Hickman 4. Mailing Address: 301 W Jefferson, 10th Floor 5. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85003 6. Acknowledgement of Submission by Authorized Municipality Representative: Typed Name: Amanda Nash Signature: Applicant Information 7. Department/Organization Name: Valley of the Sun United Way 8. Is this a non-profit 501c(3) Organization? No Yes If yes, attach IRS Determination Letter 9. Application Contact Person: Andrew Schwartzberg Title: Director of Grants 10. Phone Number: 602-631-4844 11. Mailing Address: 3200 E Camelback, Suite 375 12. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85018 13. Email Address: aschwartzberg@vsuw.org Website Address: www.vsuw.org Project Information 14. Project Name: Destination Graduation 15. Purpose of Grant: This grant will support Destination Graduation, which is an innovative strategy that helps struggling middle school students transition into and graduate from high school by matching the right students to the right supports at the right time. The goal is to improve students’ outcomes in the “ABCs”—attendance, behavior, and course competency. 16. Priority Funding Area Education 17. Annual amount requested $100,000 18. Number of years that funding is requested 1 For Office Use Only: Data Entry Receipt Evaluation Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 19. Total amount requested (annual amount x # of $100,000 years) 20. Has your organization received past funding 2012 - $75,000 from GRIC? If yes, list each year and amount 2013 - $75,000 21. Geographic area served Maricopa County Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Narrative Please structure your proposal to provide the following information in the order indicated. Provide the narrative in paragraph form in the text field provided. Please be thorough but strive for brevity. 1. Briefly describe the organization’s mission, history and goals. The mission of Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1925, VSUW has worked to advance the common good by joining with businesses, nonprofits, the faith-based community, and state and local governments to develop, provide and manage innovative programs. Many people are familiar with the traditional United Way model of raising funds in the community and distributing those funds to nonprofit partners. In the recent past, however, VSUW moved beyond the fundraiser/funder realm and has gathered a talented pool of experts in early childhood education, youth development, economic and workforce development, and hunger and homeless services to initiate and direct VSUW-driven programs in collaboration with partners. VSUW’s strength is in leveraging collaborations and partnerships to effectively address immediate and long-term challenges. Today, VSUW is the largest nonprofit funder of health and human services in Maricopa County, covering more than 25 cities and towns in the region and has served the needs of the community for 90 years. The organization brings the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done. VSUW focuses on three community objectives: ensure children and youth succeed; increase financial stability for individuals and families; and end hunger and homelessness. VSUW takes a lead role in a variety of programs intended to ensure children and youth succeed throughout their journey across the education pipeline. The long-term community objective related to VSUW’s youth work is that the percentage of youth who graduate from high school will increase by 5% by 2020. Within this work, Destination Graduation is an innovative strategy that is improving high school graduation rates and is helping VSUW reach its 2020 goal. VSUW’s 2020 goals for its other community objectives include: Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Children – The percentage of children entering school ready to succeed will increase by 20 percentage points. Financial Stability – Of individuals and families living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, 8% will increase their financial stability. Hunger – The number of individuals and families experiencing chronic hunger will be reduced by 66%. Homelessness – The number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness will be reduced by 75%. 2. If the organization is a non-profit 501c(3), please describe your relationship with the municipality including past and present support, whether it be through partnerships, collaborations, in-kind contributions, grants, tax-based funding or other. If the organization is a municipality governmental sub-division please enter the text “Not applicable.” VSUW has deep, strategic relationships with Maricopa County and shares common goals on improving the community condition. Several high-level County staff members serve on VSUW committees including: Bruce Liggett, County Human Services Department Director, serves on VSUW’s Ending Homelessness Advisory Council; Sandra Mendez, County Community Services Division Assistant Director, serves on VSUW’s Ending Hunger Leadership Council; Patricia Wallace, County Workforce Development Division Director, serves on VSUW’s Financial Stability Advisory Council. In addition, Amy Schwabenlender, VSUW’s VP of Human Services, serves on the Housing Authority of Maricopa County Advisory Committee, and is the Chair of the Maricopa County Community Services Commission. VSUW and Maricopa County work closely together on the issue of homelessness. In 2015, VSUW received a significant contribution from the Maricopa County IDA to help support the Rapid Rehousing of 250 homeless individuals who would have been adversely affected by the closing of the Men’s Overflow Shelter, southwest of downtown Phoenix. This initiative is effectively ending these individuals’ homelessness by ensuring there is adequate funding to successfully transition them to a stable housing situation. VSUW staff and Maricopa County staff work closely together on the design and measurement of the Rapid Rehousing program, as well as on the continuing alignment of emergency shelter grants. VSUW also received Workforce Investment Act (WIA) grants from Maricopa County from 2008 to 2013. Funds from this grant helped hundreds of at-risk youth receive job skills training. 3. Describe the proposed project and planned goals and activities. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Graduating from high school is one of the landmark achievements in a young person’s life. If a young person does not graduate high school, it puts them at a tremendous disadvantage as an adult. VSUW’s Destination Graduation (DG) program is designed to help struggling middle school students make a successful transition to high school, so they can graduate and move on to college or career. The path to graduation starts before students even step foot on their high school campus. In order to help students succeed, DG follows them on their journey from 6th grade to middle school and on to high school and provides the right support to the right students at the right time. The goal is to improve students’ outcomes in the “ABCs”—attendance, behavior, and course competency. To do this, VSUW works to establish a pipeline of support by partnering with targeted high schools and with the elementary and middle schools that feed into those high schools. Specifically, DG serves all 6th to 9th graders in seven schools within Phoenix’s urban core that have high rates of students eligible for free and reduced lunch and low scores on standardized tests. The schools currently participating in the program are Dunbar Elementary, Kenilworth Elementary, Balsz Elementary, Griffith Elementary, Osborn Middle School, Central High School, and Camelback High School. This year, the program is serving approximately 2,900 students. The structure of DG is referred to as an early warning and response system (EWRS). A fully functioning EWRS consists of five essential elements: 1) use of data to identify students who are at risk of dropping out based on attendance, behavior, and course competency metrics; 2) regular and timely review of data among teachers, educational support staff, administrators, and community partners; 3) use of data to match students to appropriate and effective school and community-based supports and interventions; 4) a tiered system of supports that address needs at the individual student level, the classroom level, and the school-wide level; and 5) school and community performance-based partnerships to carry out the first four elements, foster continuous quality improvement, and create shared accountability. DG coordinators work with teachers and counselors to provide general interventions to support all 6th to 9th grade students on campus, as well as higher levels of intervention for those students identified as being most in need based on the key indicators of attendance, behavior and grades. Coordinators then assist school teams by matching the right students with the right supports at the right time to ensure they will stay on track to finish high school. This includes academic and non-academic interventions such as tutoring and character building, mentoring, parent engagement, and professional development for teachers, activities and workshops designed to improve students’ college and career readiness and offering fun and engaging “transitional” events for DG students and their parents. Part of the success for DG is due to the above-mentioned schools’ outreach and community engagement efforts. Examples include unique transitional events and activities that connect middle school students to the high schools they will be attending, embedding resources for students and families into traditional parent-teacher conferences and facilitating data team meetings to include community based organizations with school teams. One example is the Summer School Bridge program, which provides academic and social enrichment that keeps students engaged with school and learning throughout the summer. Another example is the Camelback Pride Night, where a bus takes Balsz and Griffith 8th grade students and their parents to Camelback to introduce them to the high school and help familiarize them with the terms, expectations and opportunities that come with being a high school freshman. The short-term goal of DG’s EWRS implementation includes: 1) By the end of the 2015-16 school year, 100% of students at current DG schools with adverse ABCs are identified through real-time date and Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 counseling; 2) By the end of the 2016-17 school year, at least 85% of students identified are matched to appropriate, effective and integrated school and community supports; and 3) By the end of the 2017-18 school year, DG will have the capacity to identify 100% of all 6th grade students in the Balsz School District (capturing those who are not currently attending one of the two DG schools). Generous funding from Gila River Indian Community, in the amount of $100,000, will help sustain the overall DG program and expand outreach to students not traditionally reached by program services. Funding will cover a portion of EWRS and supports, DG campus staffing and integrated student supports. 4. Describe how the proposed project satisfies one or more of the priority funding areas identified by the Gila River Indian Community. VSUW’s DG program aligns well with Gila River Indian Community’s Education priority funding area, that supports programs and projects that assist students and/or educators in achieving success in the classroom from preschool through post-secondary education and programs and projects that provide tutoring and hands on learning. DG is in alignment with this funding area, as the program leverages early warning data at the first signs students are falling behind and combines it with early intervention and mentoring to ensure students in grades 6-9 are on the path to high school graduation, college and career. 5. Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of people to be served by the project. The DG program is based on research, conducted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Social Organization of Schools and the Philadelphia Education Fund, showing that up to 75% of America’s high school dropouts can be identified between 6th and 9th grades by one or more indicators including poor attendance, poor behavior and course failure in English and Math, the ABC’s, that are at the core of the EWRS essential components. These Early Warning Indicators provide the opportunity to identify and respond appropriately, and timely, to students signaling they need extra the support. Most high school dropout prevention efforts start in high school which, unfortunately, can be too late. Students' performance in 6th to 8th grade has been shown to be predictive of their ability to graduate high school and academic achievement by 8th grade can have a greater impact on college and career readiness rather than high school academic work. Research also shows student readiness for college and career can be boosted with focus on middle school activity. DG’s focus is on the critical middle school to high school transition. Students in high-poverty schools who successfully navigate grades 6th through 10th on time and on track are, by and large, more likely to graduate high school than those who struggle or become disengaged during these years (75% or higher graduation rates). As mentioned, DG serves schools within Phoenix’s urban core that have high rates of students eligible for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of students from low-income families. During the 2016-17 school year, approximately 3,000 students will be served by the DG program. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 6. Define the project as a new or continuing program. As mentioned, DG is part of VSUW’s larger ensuring children and youth succeed community objective and is a continuing and important element of this work. 7. Provide a brief timeline including start and finish dates. Indicate if the timeline is flexible. Funding from GRIC will be used from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Destination Graduation takes place on seven different campuses and, as such, the timeline of activities may vary slightly from school to school based on their own calendars. Therefore, this timeline is flexible. The timeline below gives a general overview of the sequence of events the program will follow in the 2016 – 2017 Fiscal Year: July: DG Coordinators hired and trained; program development and outreach to teachers, school staff review of year-end data, preparation for school year; DG volunteer kickoff event August: Recruitment and training for new and returning DG volunteers September: DG students participate in Installment and Initiation ceremonies September – May: Ongoing interventions, such as tutoring, workshops, and classes geared toward DG students September – May: EWRS data reviewed by DG staff and school staff, twice per month September – May: Report card conferences as report cards come out (different schools have different timing) October: DG Character Development conference April: DG career panel breakfast May: End-of-year volunteer recognition event June: Freshman Academy to transition students from middle school to high school 8. Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and their roles. The DG program is collaborative by design and by working in tandem with school districts, individual schools, nonprofit partners, and local businesses the program takes on a holistic approach and is more Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 effective in creating systemic change. For this specific program, DG works in partnership with: Phoenix Elementary School District; Phoenix Union High School District; Balsz District; Osborn District; Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG), providing DG coordinators who oversee student supports and interventions; Johns Hopkins University and volunteers from local corporations and the community. 9. Would you be able to implement the proposed plan if your organization received partial funding for this project? Yes, the program would still be able to be implemented with partial funding, however, it may inhibit the ability to reach a greater number of students. A grant of $75,000 would still allow for a significant impact on this program. 10. Describe your plan for project sustainability beyond the grant period. If this is a program/project previously funded by the Gila River Indian Community describe efforts made towards the previously described sustainability plan. VSUW has had some success in the past receiving support for the DG program from corporate grantors and individual donors. VSUW will continue to develop its relationships with former donors to the program and is fostering relationships with new program donors, as well. In addition to its efforts to secure local support for the DG program, VSUW is also part of a cohort of United Ways that are doing similar work in the middle school to high school transition arena. One of the goals of this cohort is to identify funders who would be willing to support this work on a regional or even national scale. These efforts are in its early stages, but the hope is that it will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the program. 11. Describe your plan to document progress and results. Over the course of the past school year, the DG program has proved successful in utilizing EWRS by identifying and supporting struggling students. For example, there has been a definite increase in the percentage of freshmen students who have earned a minimum of 6 course credits over the past two years, at the two DG high schools, including Camelback High School (59.9% in 2013-14 school year up to 66.8% in 2014-15 school year) and Central High School (65.2% in 2013-14 school year up to 69.7% in 2014-15 school year). For the 2016-17 school year, VSUW will know the DG program is successful by tracking the attendance, behavior, and course competency for DG students at the seven targeted schools mentioned above. In addition, students will be matched with appropriate integrative support services in order to improve individual student academic and non-academic outcomes. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Additionally, VSUW is currently partnering with Johns Hopkins University to implement the data system that produces reporting across the DG network. Continued partnership will include longitudinal programmatic evaluation utilizing the expertise of VSUW staff and DG partners. By ensuring students graduate from high school, more young adults can start on a solid path toward financial stability and better careers – making our community stronger, which will help lead to prosperity of individuals, the Valley and our state. As an investor in DG, the GRIC will help to ensure students continue to have access to and get the support they need to be successful in life. It is truly a transformational investment for our students and the whole community. 12. Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a tribe other than the Gila River Indian Community for state shared revenues for this and any other project. If this information is included in a separate attachment, please indicate that here. In 2010 VSUW received a $50,000 grant from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which helped launch the DG program. We have received no additional grants from other tribes. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Project Budget Budget Period: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 For each budget item listed here please provide a narrative description on the following Project Budget Detail page. Proposed Budget Expense Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget requested from requested or contributions (list each budget item) GRIC secured from other funders 1. Early Warning and Response $25,000 $0 $0 $107, 143 System and Supports 2. DG Campus Staffing $25,000 50,000 $0 $252, 221 3. Integrated Student Supports $50,000 $0 $0 $160,000 4. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 5. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 6. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 7. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 8. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 9. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 10. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 11. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 12. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 13. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 14. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 15. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 16. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 17. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Budget $100,000 $50,000 $0 $519,364 Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 Project Budget Detail Please provide a narrative description for each of the project budget items listed on the previous page. Include the dollar figure and how it was derived. 1. Early Warning and Response System and Supports ($107,143): This is based on the cost of maintaining a procured data system on three campuses (Balsz, Griffith and Camelback) that uses district attendance, behavior and grades data to highlight students that are on- and off-track. The majority of this budget goes to campus-level training and facilitation of effectice protocols for student data conversation and the tracking of applied interventions. 2. DG Campus Staffing ($252,221): This is based on five full-time staff positions (at approximately $50,000/FTE). The DG model calls for one DG Coordinator to serve up to 500 6th to 9th grade students. More than 500 students constitutes an additional staff person. To fully support 6th to 9th grades at Balsz, Griffith and Camelback, five staff members are needed. 3. Integrated Student Supports ($160,000): This is based on Balsz, Griffith and Camelback at $40,000 and each 6th grade class at $20,000. The support budget goes towards interventions identified by the school as necessary to address trends in school level data. Supports include tutoring, character development, attendance incentives, social-emotional barrier removal, teacher professional development, parent outreach and transition activities. 4. Click here to enter text. 5. Click here to enter text. 6. Click here to enter text. 7. Click here to enter text. 8. Click here to enter text. 9. Click here to enter text. 10. Click here to enter text. 11. Click here to enter text. 12. Click here to enter text. 13. Click here to enter text. Gila River Indian Community Grant Application Grant Cycle 2016 14. Click here to enter text. 15. Click here to enter text. 16. Click here to enter text. 17. Click here to enter text. Other explanation: Click here to enter text. Destination Graduation Student Success Stories: 1) Bree, an 8th grade student, expressed how “Destination Graduation provided her clarity and guidance in her future aspirations.” She wants to be the first girl in her family to graduate from college and get a Master’s degree. 2) Generose shared how the “Osborn Destination Graduation Coach made a big impact on her life.” She attributes her new found confidence and friends to Destination Graduation and has seen her grade point average rise from a 2.5 after the first term to a 3.0 currently. 3) Ivanna stated, “Before I had very bad grades and got in trouble, but now since I’m in Destination Graduation I have A’s, got Student of the Month, and have not been in trouble in 9 months…Destination Graduation is an amazing program. Thank you!” ~ Teacher and Administration Success Stories: Teachers and Administrators from Balsz and Griffith Elementary schools comment on the Early Warning and Response System… 1) A teacher stated, “Using the EW (Early Warning) meeting protocol to discuss students has improved student’s A,B,Cs and resulted in multiple success stories based on interventions assigned during the EWI meetings.” 2) A school Administrator shared, “The (EWRS) keeps the Principal and Administrators informed of teacher/student relationships, which aides in discussion of students during conferences.” 3) A teacher shared, “It (EWRS) allowed relationships to be built in many ways: teacher-student; staff–staff; and staff–family.” Learn more about Destination Graduation at the below links: http://www.vsuw.org/community-objectives/ensure-kids-succeed/high-school-graduation http://www.vsuw.org/community-objectives/life-changing-stories/the-difference-is-u-luis-alexis-story