The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has released its Out-of-School Time (OST) afterschool RFP for elementary and middle-school aged youth. Proposal deadline is December 16. This is a great opportunity for your agency to use its expertise and develop programs that meet the needs of the population you serve. DYCD is soliciting proposals from vendors and is offering a higher rate for services rendered by providers that serve populations that have special needs including mental health challenges in after-school programming. The youth and families served by your agency would greatly benefit from high quality and appropriate after-school programs. The total annual funding through this RFP is $75,859,700.   

DYCD encourages and will accept/answer any questions or concerns about the RFP or applying up to one week prior to proposal deadline.

Link to RFP 

Families Together in NYS has developed a process for Credentialing Family Peer Advocates. This represents an important step forward - and a recognition of the importance of peer family support.

What is a Family Peer Advocate?

Family Peer Advocates have 'lived-experience' as the parent (biological, foster, adoptive) or primary caregiver of a child/youth with a social, emotional, behavioral, mental health, or developmental disability). They receive training to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families. They foster effective parent professional partnership and promote the practice of family-driven and youth-guided approaches. 

The intent of this credentialing process is to formally recognize the expertise of Family Peer Advocates, to ensure all advocates demonstrate core competencies, to expand reimbursement possibilities, and to provide opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.

People First Waiver

Request for Information (RFI) 

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has published a notice (Nov. 15th) in the New York State Contract Reporter (NYSCR) announcing the availability of a Request for Information (RFI) that will gather public input regarding the developmental disability system reforms recommended by the People First Waiver design teams and summarized within OPWDD's 2011-2015 Statewide Comprehensive Plan.

Through this process, it is OPWDD's intent to allow for broader input into the planning for the People First Waiver to help shape the way that the project moves forward from the varied perspectives of people who are affected by the system of supports and services. The RFI is an opportunity for any stakeholders who want to provide input regarding the provision of supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in a comprehensive and practical way.  

As the complete RFI is lengthy and asks many complicated questions, stakeholders who find it difficult to complete the entire RFI may:

• Complete only some of the questions
• Call the OPWDD information line and ask for assistance at: 1-866-946-9733
• Use other opportunities for more general comments inclusive of the People First email at People.First@OPWDD.ny.gov 

Click here to comment and for more information. 

Helping People Beat Poverty...
Building Assets for Economic Independence and Tax Credit Outreach

Assets for Independence (AFI) Grant Program

Assets for Independence (AFI), which is administered through the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, enables community-based nonprofits and government agencies to implement and demonstrate an assets-based approach for giving low-income families a hand up out of poverty. AFI projects help participants save earned income in special-purpose, matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). An IDA is a bank account that allows individuals and families to save money and eventually acquire an economic asset to build long-term financial stability.

For an application to be included in the review process in the upcoming 2012 cycles, it must be received by OCS no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the receipt date as follows:

• Winter Cycle - January 25, 2012
• Spring Cycle - March 26, 2012
• Summer Cycle - May 25, 2012 

Webinar Series for Prospective Grantees

The AFI Resource Center is offering a webinar series for prospective grantees and project partners. Register online now to participate in these interactive calls to learn more about AFI application requirements and procedures.

AFI Program Overview and Grant Process Webinar  

• Thursday, December 1, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
• Thursday, December 15, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
• Tuesday, January 10, 2:00 p.m. Eastern 
• Tuesday, February 28, 2:00 p.m. Eastern  

AFI Questions and Answers Webinar

• Thursday, January 19, 2:00 p.m. Eastern 

Tips for Developing Resources and Partners for AFI Projects

• Tuesday, February 14, 2:00 p.m. Eastern  

Click here for additional information and to register.

Join the Administration for Children and Families, (ACF) grantees and partners for a Webinar on:

• Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. EST
  
  
  Click here to register and learn more about:  
• the Basics of tax credits;  
• Free Resources you can access to conduct Tax Credit Outreach;
• Information on Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites; and
• Special Tax Credit initiatives sponsored by the IRS.