Colorado Family Literacy Education Fund (FLEF) Grant Program FY08
Q & A for Applicants
Q: Are universities allowed to apply for such a grant? We are researching our partnerships to ascertain if we meet the eligibility requirement; if so, would we meet the spirit of the Act?
A: Eligible entities are local education providers, which according to the statute can be any of the following:
- An educational entity recognized by the department as providing appropriate and effective family literacy education programs;
- A community college;
- A community-based organization of demonstrated effectiveness;
- A library;
- A literacy council or other literacy institute;
- A school district or local educational agency;
- A nonprofit agency;
- A nonprofit institution, other than one described in this paragraph, having the ability to provide literacy services to families and adults;
- A business or business association, other than one described in this paragraph, having the ability to provide literacy services to families and adults either on-site or off-site;
- A volunteer literacy organization of demonstrated effectiveness;
- A work force board, as defined in section 8-71-203, C.R.S., that oversees a work force investment program described in the "Colorado Work Force Investment Act", part 2 of article 71 of title 8, C.R.S.;
- A one-stop partner, as described in section 8-71-216, C.R.S., under the "Colorado Work Force Investment Act", part 2 of article 71 of title 8, C.R.S.;
- A consortia of entities described in this paragraph
If your institution is currently providing effective family literacy education, or can be described as any of the entities listed, or partners with any of the entities listed, it is eligible to apply. In the case of a partnership, the lead agency applying for the grant should be one that is on the eligible entities list. Further bear in mind that because this is a one year grant and funds are limited, we are looking for applicants that are seeking to expand upon existing family literacy services or that can develop or add one or more of the four components to improve their capacity to provide family literacy.
Q: Is the Family Literacy Education Fund grant only for programs serving elementary children or can those of us who provide early childhood education in the Colorado Preschool Program (CPC), Early Head Start and Head Start apply?
A: Eligible applicants are partnerships of local education providers, including Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) funded programs that partner with Even Start, Head Start, Title I NCLB schools, and/or Family Resource Centers; and existing AEFLA and Even Start programs with the demonstrated capacity to provide all four components of a family literacy program.
However, children's services provided through the Family Literacy Education Fund must benefit eligible children. The definition of eligible child based on the language of the statute is "enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school".
So, although you are an eligible applicant, you must also make sure that the services and activities that you propose to fund through the FLEF grant be directed at eligible entities described and defined in the statute:
Services:
- Family literacy education for eligible parents and their children
- Adult literacy education for eligible adults, including but not limited to intergenerational services
- English language literacy education for eligible adults, including but not limited to intergenerational services
Eligible parent:
An eligible adult who has one or more children in need of family literacy education, and who can certify to the Department of Education that each said child is enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the state. This definition includes a legal guardian, grandparent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or other person with whom the child lives on a full-time basis or who has been designated by a parent, legal guardian, or court appointed adult to act in place of the parent.
Eligible child:
A child of an eligible parent, who is enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the state and in need of family literacy education.
Be sure to review the all the definitions in the RFP, which you can download at http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeadult/download/pdf/FLEF08RFPPacket.pdf or go to http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeadult/FLEFRFP08.htm and click on "Download RFP".
Q: Is there a list of the Title I schools in Colorado?
A: Yes. Go to CDE's NCLB Federal Programs Web site at http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/nclb/index.asp. Click on "Title I School Lists" under "Title I A - Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged."
Q: Is your grant available for youth-serving after school programs?
A: Your agency is eligible to apply if it is applying as part of a partnership as described in the RFP under "Eligible Applicants", or the lead agency in your partnership is a local education provider as described in the statute (see the answer to the first question on the Q&A Web page above).
The youth that you propose to serve must be the children of "eligible parents" and the youth themselves must be eligible for services by the following definition: Eligible child: a child of an eligible parent, who is enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in the state and in need of family literacy education.
Be sure to consult the definitions of "eligible adult" and "eligible parent" as well. These can be found under "Definitions" in the RFP. Be sure to review the fundable services and activities listed in the RFP, and note that applicants may propose to (1) expand their capacity in the provision of the four components of a family literacy program, or (2) develop one or more of the four components in order to become, or increase the capacity of, a four component program.
Q: If adults meet all of the eligibility requirements for 'eligible adult' and 'eligible parent' under the FLEF guidelines, and the services requested in FLEF are provided to serve the children of these adults, AND the parents are not currently with documents to be in the country:
Are they still considered eligible adults and eligible parents?
If we are applying for funds for services that benefit both the adult and the child, must the adults be only those who have documentation to be in this country?
A: State law requires that direct services be provided only to those adults (age 18 and over) who have documentation of legal residence.
See the statement in the RFP under "Use of Funds": "Eligible applicants will have evidence of a process in place adhering to the restrictions and guidelines established by Colorado Revised Statute, Title 24, Article 76.5: Restrictions on Public Benefits (HB 06-1023) in providing services to persons 18 years of age and older. Individuals receiving direct services under these funds must provide documentation that they are legally residing in the state of Colorado."
Hence, to retain your eligibility as an applicant, you must have evidence of a process in place that ensures compliance with this State law.
Q: Our proposed FLEF-funded program addition will not be providing direct services to children or adults. The children and adults will, of course, benefit indirectly. Should we indicate on the cover sheet and in the table listing numbers to be served, those individuals (children and adults) receiving indirect services or should we just list the number of families who will be involved?
A: Indicate the numbers of children, adults, and families on the cover sheet and application; address any clarifications regarding the services you propose to provide and their direct/indirect benefits to individuals and/or families in the project description section of your application.
Q: Is it permissible to include a brief appendix that would serve to support the narrative?
A: Applicants should adhere to the length parameters given in the RFP and not supplement with additional materials. If the readers recommend funding your proposal contingent on additional information, you will be contacted; however, the clarity of your project description should not be dependent on information not included in the description.
