CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES AT RISK SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Grant: Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects
Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Division: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Deadline: The deadline was February 20, 2013.

Description: The goal of the Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects (SCP) program is to marshal resources of the Land-Grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive and contributing lives. Only Cooperative Extension offices at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities and the University of the District of Columbia are eligible to apply. This program has two strategic objectives:

• Support community educational programs for at-risk children, youth and families which are based on locally identified needs, soundly grounded in research and which lead to the accomplishment of one of four CYFAR National Outcomes: Early Childhood, School Age (K-8), Teen and Parent/Family. NIFA provides Guiding Principles for programs that address each of the national outcomes.
• Integrate CYFAR programming into ongoing Extension programs for children, youth and families – insuring that at-risk, low-income children, youth and families continue to be part of Extension/4-H programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities. Integration of CYFAR youth participants into 4-H Youth Development programs is strongly encouraged.

The CYFAR sustainable community projects will be supported by university departments and faculty and integrated with the ongoing Cooperative Extension program. CYFAR SCP project directors are expected to build a team of university, county and community staff collaborators to provide assistance in planning, implementing and evaluating the programs.

All projects funded through this program must contain three components:

• The Community component requires projects to connect to existing networks and ensure that the family and community remain strong contexts for program participants.
• The Technology component requires projects to include an explicit technology plan that ensures that information and communication technology is appropriately integrated throughout the program design.
• The Sustainability component requires projects to continue to respond to the needs of at-risk families, regardless of the particular activities that are delivered.

CYFAR projects are strongly encouraged to partner with community sites, including public housing authorities, 1994 land-grant institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions and minority-serving institutions.

NIFA is seeking applications from institutions that can demonstrate their capacity to develop statewide capacity to develop and deliver programs for at-risk children, youth and families; have a proven track record of sustaining community programs; are integrating CYFAR into Extension programs; and are able to provide program, evaluation and technology support to Sustainable Community Projects.

Fit for public broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations are not eligible to be the lead applicant for this program, but may be able to partner with the institutions of higher education that are. The program encourages community engagement and collaboration, so public broadcasters are well situated to provide their expertise to land-grant institutions that are eligible. Because this program requires a technology component and focuses on education for children and youth, it may align well with public broadcasters’ strengths and interests.

Eligibility: Applications may be submitted by Cooperative Extension at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities and the University of the District of Columbia. Eligible land-grant institutions that do not have an active award will receive priority in funding if deemed meritorious. Current CYFAR SCP grantees may submit an application for an additional new project, but if the same community site is being used, a justification must be provided. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

Anticipated funding: NIFA anticipates that approximately $560,000 will be available to fund applications in FY 2013. Up to three awards will be offered for single university applicants and up to two awards for joint university applicants. Applications should be submitted for five-year project periods, but funding will be awarded one year at a time. New applicants may request up to $80,000 for their first year. The first year should be focused on planning and launching the program. In years two through five, NIFA will accept requests for up to $123,500.

How to apply: Applications must be submitted on Grants.gov. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the grant deadline.

Resources:
Program Notice
Program Website