CDBG Grant Proposal Sample

Family Service Association of Western Riverside County

Source: Carol Geisbauer
Reprinted with permission

2010-2011 Program Year

Submission Deadline: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:00 P.M.
S:\CDBG\09-14 Consolidated Plan\CDBG Application Form 2010.doc

COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
Community Development Block Grant Program 2010- 2011
Application Form

I.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Applying Entity or Agency: Family Service Association of Western Riverside County (FSA)
Location: Mead Valley Community Center
Mailing Address:

City: Perris

21091 Rider Street

Telephone Number: (951) 657-9208

Executive Director: Dom Betro

Zip Code: 92570

Zip Code: 92570

Fax Number: (951) 657-9208

Title: President/CEO

Telephone Number: (951) 686-1096

E-mail: (deleted)

Program Manager: Cesar Navarrete

Title: Center Manager

Telephone Number: (951) 657-9208

E-mail: (deleted)

Address (If different from above): Same as above

Grant Writer: Jill Kowalski
Telephone Number: (909) 273-1622

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Title: Grantwriting consultant

E-mail: jkowalski@familyservicerivca.org

OneOC
1901 E. 4th Street, Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92705
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II.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY: (This is applicable only if you are a non-profit organization).

Date Organization founded: 1953

Date Organization incorporated as a non-profit organization: 1953
Federal identification number: 95-1803694
State identification number: CT-02952
Number of paid staff: 424*

Number of volunteers: 686

DUNS Number: 791329071

*Includes all full-time, part-time and temporary staff agencywide

ATTACH: Current Board of Directors (Label as Attachment II.1)

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (Label as Attachment II.2)

III.

PROJECT ACTIVITY:

CDBG Funds Requested: $ 55,000 (total amount for the project only)
(details of location, region, etc. deleted from the proposal because it is not necessary to
understanding the proposal

IV.

PROJECT NARRATIVE:

A.

Name of Project: Mead Valley Complex Youth Programs

Street: 21091 Rider Street
City:

Perris Zip Code: 92570

A map of the location of the Mead Valley Community Center and the service area is included as
Attachment IV.A.

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B.

Provide a detailed Project Description. The description should only address or discuss the
specific activities, services, or project that is to be assisted with CDBG funds. If CDBG
funds will assist the entire program or activity, then provide a description of the entire
program or activity. (Attach additional sheets if necessary Attachment IV.B. Project
Description):

Family Service Association has operated the Mead Valley Community Complex (MVCC) for the County
of Riverside since 1996. The center is located in Mead Valley, an unincorporated community in the
heart of the Perris Valley. The Perris Valley Region consists of the City of Perris, and the
unincorporated areas of Mead Valley and Romoland. The Perris Valley Region is primarily rural and
geographically isolated from receiving services that residents need. The nearest services for youth and
families are more than seven miles away in the City of Perris or 15 miles away in Riverside. The center
is a vital one-stop-shop for community members to access health education, medical screenings, youth
and senior programs, utility assistance, commodities, pediatric medical services and have a safe place
to participate in recreational activities and special events. The Mead Valley Community Center is the
only local source of medical and social assistance for Mead Valley youth and families.
FSA provides the only programs for youth at the MVCC. The Youth Programs offered at the MVCC
include:
1. *Youth Leadership Program for high school youth to participate in volunteer activities in their
community as part of a Youth Advisory Council and prepare for college in the Road to College
program. The youth meet at least five hours each month. Some of the activities the Youth
Council has participated in include: developing and implementing a community needs
assessment among 600 youth in the community and creating a plan to respond to the identified
needs; participating in leadership skills development activities such as public speaking and
problem-solving; and receive on-going leadership training in areas such as effective
communication, public speaking, problem solving and time management. An additional10 new
youth will be recruited by FSA staff to participate in next year's program.
2. *AfterSchool Programs for children ages 5-14 to receive tutoring, participate in computer
classes, recreation and sports programs and volunteer activities. About 20 youth attend.
3. *Summer Youth Program, that provides children ages 5-14 a 6-hour-a-day program during the
summer with age-appropriate activities such as: sports and recreation, games, multi-cultural
games, arts and crafts and health education presentations. About 40 youth each summer
participate.
4. The Mead Valley Ballet Folklorico program teaches youth cultural dances and prepares them for
performances throughout the year at various community, city and county events/celebrations.
Youth are taught about Mexican culture and heritage by way of native dances. The Mead
Valley Ballet Folklorico also helps youth develop their interpersonal and communication skills
through art and expression. Classes are offered two days each week at the center. About 20

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children participate in this program.

5. *The Mead Valley Youth Clean Up Project began last year at the center for middle school-age
youth who participate in the Toms Rivera Leadership Program in partnership with Code
Enforcement and Graffiti Busters. The class has agreed that one Saturday a month they will go
out into the Mead Valley Community to beautify it by either cleaning up an area, removing
graffiti, helping clear brush and weeds, etc. The youth learn civic responsibility and gain pride in
their own work and community. Currently, there are about 15 youth in the program.
6. A Girl Scout Troop is based at the Mead Valley Community Center with about 15 girls currently
participating.
7. The youth programs and services offered at the center are the only local services available to
Mead Valley youth outside of the school system. This community is rural, isolated and greatly
underserved. Local residents face many challenges including lack of income and lack of
reliable transportation that prevent them from accessing services offered in neighboring
communities like Moreno Valley, Riverside and Southwest County. For most, traveling outside
of the community is impossible because many residents do not own their own vehicle and public
transportation in Mead Valley is limited at best. In addition, the high cost of private clubs, sports
teams and other youth activities is often not an option for local families struggling to meet basic
needs.
8. During the fiscal year 2007-2008, the number of unduplicated individuals who participated in
services at the center increased by 100%. This dramatic trend has continued, with another 78%
increase in the number of new clients to the center in FY 2008-2009 (from the previous year).
As many youth, individuals and families struggle with the severe economic conditions that are
impacting this region, FSA anticipates the number of people using the center will continue to
grow exponentially as it has continued to do. At a minimum, we are expecting another increase
of up to 40% in the number of new clients accessing the center in FY 2010-2011.
C.

Provide a detailed description of the proposed use of the CDBG funds only (e.g. client
scholarships, purchase a specific piece of equipment, rent, supplies, utilities, salaries,
etc.):

CDBG funds will be used to support the continuation and expansion of these child/ youth programs and
services offered at the center and specifically for a portion of the MVCC Managers salary, supplies,
travel and utilities, telephone costs. These costs are reflected in the budget.

D.

Outcomes and Performance Measures Number of clients or units of service to be provided

using CDBG funds during the term of the grant: 120 youth will receive 5,320 units of
service (33% increase from the previous year. NOTE: This is based on the expected

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number of clients to be served if the County funds your project for the requested amount.

1.

Length of CDBG-funded activities or service - 12 months (7-1-10 to 6-30-11)

2, Unduplicated number of clients/persons projected to serve - 1,500 clients (youth, adults and
senior citizens combined).
3. Units of service - 15,000 units of service will be provided

E.

What are the goals and objectives of the project, service, or activity? How will you measure
and evaluate the success of the project to meet these goals and objectives (measures
should be both qualitative and quantitative)?

The goal of the youth programs provided at the Mead Valley Community Complex is to provide low-tono-cost activities for children, teens and young adults that enhance social, emotional, physical and
recreational functioning of elementary, middle and high school aged children.
Overall, it is anticipated that up to 33% more youth will be served in the Youth Program during the FY
2009-2010. The center will increase the number of children/youth seen at the Center and meet the
following objectives:
1. *After School Program: Increase the number of youth who participate in the program to 20 kids.
2. *Youth Summer Program: Provide a six-week long summer youth program for at least 40
children ages 5-14 that includes age appropriate activities such as sports and recreation
activities, games, arts and crafts, and health education presentations. Children are at the center
for six hours per day.
3. *Youth Leadership Program: Provide a youth leadership program for about 10 youth ages 13 to
25 years old to participate in a program plan to meet identified needs in their community,
participate in a youth symposium (mini-conference) where they will interact with local
government representatives, youth leaders and other professionals from the Mead Valley/Perris
community; and complete a minimum of eight hours of community service each month.
4. *Provide a new Ballet Folklorico class for up to 20 children at the center to learn Hispanic
heritage dances to increase knowledge of their culture and promote diversity.
5. *Provide a Girl Scouts program at the center that will accommodate up to 15 girls.
6. *Expand services to include the Youth Clean-up Crew and Toms Rivera Youth Leadership
Project that will have about 15 active youth members.

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7. FSA staff is required to collect data about the program that includes: demographic data about
each client served, the number and types of services received and the frequency of the
services. This information is reported to the County of Riverside as required to determine
whether the annual goals and objectives for the program are met.
F.

Discuss how this project directly benefits low- and moderate- income residents.

The Mead Valley community has long been identified as an underserved area that is geographically
isolated from many services and amenities that many citizens take for granted, such as quality youth
programs, grocery stores, dentists and other social programs. Almost 60% of Mead Valleys small
population (just over 7,000 people) belongs to an ethnic minority group where Hispanics make up more
than 50% of that. About 50% of the community is under the age of 29, including 19% of those ages 1019. The area has the second highest unemployment rate in the County and one of the highest poverty
rates. More than 25% of Mead Valley citizens live below the level of poverty. The Mead Valley
Community Complex serves as a one stop shop of affordable, accessible, vital health and human
service programs conveniently located in the community where they live.
The youth programs will be provided at little or no cost to children and youth from very low-income
families living around the community center. The only other youth programs available in this
unincorporated community are offered at the local schools or at least 10 miles away in nearby
Southwest County, Moreno Valley and the City of Riverside. Reliable transportation is a major issue for
local residents, so offering these services at the community center gives them a safe, affordable, local
alternative to seeking services outside of the Perris/Mead Valley area.

G.

Respond to A & B only if this application is for a public service project.

(a) Is this a NEW service provided by your agency?

No

(b) If service is not new, will the existing public service activity level be substantially increased or
improved?
CDBG funds will allow Family Service to expand the youth programs at the Mead Valley Community
Complex significantly. The following shows the increase in current programs:
An additional 20 children will be allowed to participate in the after school and summer programs
Additional training opportunities will be offered to the youth participating in the youth leadership
program including guest speakers, and health education workshops. Ten new youth will be recruited to
participate this year.
The programs and services offered by the Mead Valley Community Complex are designed to empower,
strengthen and promote self-sufficiency among the local residents. The ultimate benefit of these
services is improved outcomes related to social, family and community functioning, as well as

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increased mental and physical wellness.

We anticipate that the youth programs will serve approximately 120 children and youth (an increase of
33% over the previous year) while providing a total of approximately 5,320 units of service in all of the
programs combined.
H.

What methods will be used for community involvement to assure that all who might benefit
from the project are provided an opportunity to participate?

FSA publishes a monthly newsletter for the Mead Valley Community Complex that highlights upcoming
events, a calendar and past activities. This newsletter is mailed to local residents, local businesses and
local schools. In addition, flyers and posters advertising specific activities are prominently displayed at
the center. For the youth leadership program, the centers Youth Planner (Center Manager) does
outreach to local schools, school district offices, and local churches in an attempt to recruit youth to
participate in the program. Similar outreach is also done for the AfterSchool and Summer programs.

FSA also receives input from local Advisory Councils for all programs and service provided throughout
the county. These Advisory Councils consist of members of the community, and FSA staff. They meet
on a regular basis to discuss programs and services, make recommendations for change and provide
input to FSA staff. The Advisory Councils give concerned citizens the opportunity to be involved in the
programs and services offered within the community where they live. At the Mead Valley Community
Complex, there are two Advisory Councils one for adults and one for youth.
FSA staff also participate in community forums and public meetings that promote citizen participation.
FSA staff will also conduct regular community needs assessments in order to get feedback from local
residents regarding priority community needs.
I.
What evidence is there of a long-term commitment to the proposal? Describe how you
plan to continue the work (project) after the CDBG funds are expended?
Family Service Association has operated the Mead Valley Community Complex since 1996. Since
then, the agency has worked hard to bring high quality, affordable health and human service programs
to the community. The MVCC has become a one stop shop for local residents to access a variety of
services. FSA has helped the community to identify existing strengths and assets in the community
and its residents. Together, the community and FSA have helped to strengthen this isolated, rural
community.
FSA is committed to identify on-going funding for the Youth Programs at the MVCC. During the past
five years, FSA has had noteworthy success in securing funding from three large private foundations to
support the implementation of health/wellness programs and youth programs designed to teach and
empower children and adults. FSA continues to solicit funding for this program through regular grant
proposal submissions.

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V.

PROJECT BENEFIT: All CDBG-funded activities must meet at least one of three National
Objectives of the CDBG program. Indicate the category of National Objective to be met by your
activity:
CATEGORY 1: Benefit to low-moderate income persons (must be documented).
Please choose either subcategory A, B, or C.
A. Area Benefit:
The project or facility serves, or is available to, all persons located within an area where at
least 51% of the residents are low/moderate-income. This determination is based upon 2000
Census data.
B. Limited Clientele: The project serves clientele that will provide documentation of their family
size, income, and ethnicity. The Mead Valley Community Complex serves low-income
residents, children and elderly citizens presumed to be low and moderate income persons by
HUD criterion. The area has become home to a large population of immigrant families in the
past five-to-ten years.

C. Clientele presumed to be principally low- and moderate-income persons: The following

groups are presumed by HUD to meet this criterion. The youth programs will serve children
ages 5-25 most of which (more than 51%) come from migrant farm worker households that
are considered extremely low income. The center also serves as a key gathering place for
elderly persons and other individuals in the community who are in need of services.
VI.

MANAGEMENT CAPACITY:
A. Describe your organizations experience in managing and operating project or
activities funded with CDBG or other Federal funds. Include within the description a
resource list (partnerships) in addition to the source and commitment of funds for the
operation and maintenance of the program.

FSA has received CDBG funds from the County of Riverside to support programs and
services at the Mead Valley Community Complex since 1996, the James A Venable Community
Center since 2004 and the Kay Ceniceros Community Center since 1995.
The agency has a long history of grants and contract management with other local, state and federal
government agencies that include (but are not limited to): Riverside County Department of Public Social
Services, Riverside County Department of Mental Health, The Governors Office of Emergency
Services, the Riverside County Office on Aging, the California Department of Education and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
B. Management Systems - Does your organization have written and adopted
management systems (i.e., policies and procedures) including personnel,

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procurement, property management, record keeping, financial management, etc.?

Family Service is a multi-faceted human service agency that has operated in Riverside County since
1953. The agency has a strong internal infrastructure with policies and procedures that are written
and carried-out by FSAs Board of Directors and staff. Policies and procedures for the agencys
personnel, property management, procurement and financial management are reviewed and updated
regularly by FSA staff and Board. In August of 2002, Family Service became one of more than 1,000
private and public organizations to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) given to
organizations that meet the highest national standards in delivering the best quality services to local
communities. COA accredited agencies are visited and evaluated every four years to ensure that
they maintain excellence in service delivery. The accreditation process involved an in-depth
examination of Family Services compliance with best practice standards. Organizational standards
(policies and procedures) were reviewed in human resources, financial/risk management, continuous
quality improvement and had to meet 39 service standards. In March 2006, Family Service
successfully completed the extensive re-accreditation process. The agency will remain accredited
until July 31, 2010.
C. Capacity - Please provide the names and qualifications of the person(s) that will be
primarily responsible for the implementation and completion of the proposed project.
Provide a detailed organizational chart (Attachment VII-C, Exhibits 1, 2, etc.)
Shannon Gonzalez, Quality Services/Staff Development Director, manages and supervises the
Program Directors of each of the community centers FSA is responsible for operating, including the
Mead Valley Community Complex. This includes oversight of all activities at the center and providing
leadership and supervision for the centers director and other FSA staff. Ms. Gonzalez has more than
14 years of management experience in the non-profit sector working as a Program Director and in
various staff development capacities. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from California
State University, San Bernardino.
Cesar Navarette is the Mead Valley Community Complex Director and is responsible for oversight of
the center programs and staff. He was hired in 2006 as the Youth Planner to oversee the Youth
Leadership Program at the center. He quickly took over the daily operation of all youth programs at the
center. In fall 2007, he was promoted to Center Director. Mr. Navarrete will continue to oversee the
youth programs and program staff. He has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from California
State University, San Bernardino.
An organizational chart of the entire agency is included as Attachment VII-C, Exhibit 1.
D.

Should the applying entity be awarded CDBG funds, please identify the primary project
objectives and goals using an Estimated Timeline for Project Implementation:

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OBJECTIVE START DATE COMPLETION DATE

Objective
Youth programs and
services

Start Date
7/1/10

Completion Date
6/30/11

VII. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

A. Proposed Project Budget Complete the following annual program budget to begin July
1, 2010. If your proposed CDBG-funded activity will start on a date other than July 1, 2010,
please indicate starting date. If these budget line items are not applicable to your activity,
please attach an appropriate budget. Provide total Budget information and distribution of
CDBG funds in the proposed budget.

TOTAL ACTIVITY/
BUDGET

PROJECT/ CDBG FUNDS

REQUESTED

I. Personnel
$ 90,245
Salaries and Wages

$ 37,000
$ 25,123
$ 7,000

Fringe Benefits
Consultants and Contract
Services
Sub-Total

500

$ 115,368

$ 44,000

82,000

11,000

II. Non-Personnel
Space Costs
Rental, Lease, or Purchase
of Equipment
Consumable Supplies
Travel
Telephone
Other Costs
Sub-Total

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$ 22,870

$ 3,000

3,000

$ 1,200

$ 17,000

$ 1,400

$ 46,736

$ 5,400

$ 182,606

$ 11,000

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III.Architectural/
Design

Engineering

IV.Acquisition of Real Property

V.Construction/ Rehabilitation

VI. Indirect Costs

$ 297,974

$ 55,000

Total

B. Leveraging - Identify other funding sources (commitments or applications) from other

sources to assist in the implementation this activity. Attach current evidence of commitment
(Attachment VI-B, Exhibits 1, 2, etc.). If commitments are pending, indicate amount
requested and attach documentation regarding previous years funding.
Funding Source

Requested

Available

Commitment

Rental income

$25,000

7-1-10

Projected

United Way of Inland Valleys

15,700

7-1-10

Fundraising

20,000

on-going

Committed*
Projected

* A letter of commitment from United Way is included as ATTACHMENT V1-B, EXHIBIT 1

C.

Provide a summary by line item of your organizations previous years income and
expense statement. (Attachment VI-C, Exhibits 1, 2, etc.)

Please see Income and Expense statement from the most recent agency audit included as
ATTACHMENT VI-C, EXHIBIT 1.
D.

If this project benefits residents of more than one community or jurisdiction, have requests
been submitted to those other jurisdictions? Not applicable.

The Mead Valley Community Complex benefits District 1 only.

E.

Was this project previously funded with CDBG funds? Yes

No

If yes, when? This project has been consistently funded through the Riverside County CDBG
program beginning in FY 1996/1997 through FY 2008-09.
F.

Is this activity a continuation of a previously funded (CDBG) project? Yes

If yes, explain: CDBG funds support the center staff, and expansion of activities and programs and
community outreach.

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VIII. APPLICATION CERTIFICATION

Undersigned hereby certifies that (initial after reading each statement and sign the document):
1. The information contained in the project application is complete and accurate.
2. The applicant agrees to comply with all Federal and County policies and requirements
imposed on the project funded in full or part by the CDBG program.
3. The applicant acknowledges that the Federal assistance made available through the CDBG
program funding will not be used to substantially reduce prior levels of local, (NON-CDBG)
financial support for community development activities.
4. The applicant fully understands that any facility built or equipment purchased with CDBG
funds shall be maintained and/or operated for the approved use throughout its economic life.
5. If CDBG funds are approved, the applicant acknowledges that sufficient funds are available or
will be available to complete the project as described within a reasonable time frame.

6. On behalf of the applying organization, I have obtained authorization to submit this application
for CDBG funding. (DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED Minute Action and/or written Board
Approval signed by the Board President).
DATE: November 10, 2009
Signature:
Authorized Representative: Dom Betro, President/CEO

IX.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST - The following required documents listed below have been
attached. Any missing documentation to the application will be cause for the application to
be reviewed as INELIGIBLE.

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ATTACHMENTS
1. Board of Directors
2. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
3. Project Activity Map
4. Project Description
5. Project Benefit, Category 2. Slum Blight Documentation (NOT APPLICABLE)
6. Project Benefit, Category 3, Urgency (NOT APPLICABLE)
7. Leveraging
8. Income and Expense Statement
9. Management Capacity
10. Board Written Authorization approving submission of application

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