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YouthBuild Grant ApplicationTHE CITY OF DUBUQUE Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All-American City 2007 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: YouthBuild Grant Application DATE: January 14, 2009 Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser is recommending submittal of a $986,000 grant application to the Department of Labor YouthBuild program. If awarded, these funds would be used to expand the Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) program partnership between Four Mounds Foundation, Dubuque Community Schools and the city of Dubuque. HEART is a broad-based community partnership providing at-risk high school students with opportunities to complete their high school diploma through anon-traditional classroom and service learning experience. Students participating in the HEART program provide a valuable community service in the restoration of single family homes acquired by the City of Dubuque, which are then sold to low-income families. Through the YouthBuild grant, the expansion would increase local partnerships, and create avenues for long-term sustainability of this program. The expansion would also increase outreach opportunities to young people, reward participants for their service time with stipends, provide new leadership opportunities, create pathways to post- secondary education and job placement, and reach out to new populations through the opportunities to work towards a GED. As part of the partnership, the City of Dubuque will serve as the fiscal agent for this grant which will be administered by the Four Mounds Foundation. In addition, the Housing Services Department will coordinate with the Four Mounds Foundation in identifying the homes that will receive the restoration as well as provide interim construction financing of $35,000 while the home is under renovation. The City is reimbursed for these funds once the home is sold. The total cost of the two year program is $1,599,153. A total of $986,000 is being requested from the YouthBuild program. This would be matched by $10,000 of in-kind services from the City of Dubuque who will operate as the fiscal agent and manage federal compliance. In addition, the YouthBuild grant would leverage $452,575 in funds which includes local cash and in-kind match from the other partners, program income and an Americorps grant application that the City is pursuing. The key partners involved with this application include: City of Dubuque Four Mounds Dubuque Community School District NICC Community Foundation of Greater of Dubuque DubuqueWorks HEART is the ultimate sustainability program providing youth with opportunities to restore themselves, the built environment and the economy. In addition to providing a "classroom" for disadvantaged youth, this program is creating green collar jobs for the future. Green collar jobs reduce environmental impacts, provide a livable wage, and future opportunities. Green collar jobs don't just restore or transform the built environment; they also transform the human environment. The HEART program is helping to restore people, restore families, restore neighborhoods, and restore communities. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. 2 f= Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/cs Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Chris Happ Olson, Four Mounds John Burgart, Dubuque Community Schools Wendy Wheelock, NICC Nancy Van Milligen, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Rick Dickinson, DubuqueWorks THE CITY OF DUBUQUE Masterpiece on the Mississippi Dubuque All-American City 2007 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: YouthBuild Grant Application DATE: January 15, 2009 Introduction The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information and request City Council approval of submission of a YouthBuild grant application to the Department of Labor. Background The city of Dubuque, in partnership with the Four Mounds Foundation (FMF), Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is submitting a grant application to the Department of Labor fora $986,000 YouthBuild grant. YouthBuild is a national program established to provide alternative curriculum and construction trade skills to special education entitled high school students, students at risk of dropping or students pursuing their GED or high-school equivalency degree. The purpose of the grant would be to expand the existing partnership between Four Mounds Foundation, Dubuque Community Schools and the city of Dubuque to include additional partners as well as the number of students eligible to participate in the HEART program. Discussion For the past six months, city staff from the City Manager's office and Housing Services department, along with representatives from Four Mounds, DCSD, NICC and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque have been meeting on a regular basis to discuss ways to improve high school graduation levels, expand opportunities for at-risk youth in the community and provide skills employment opportunities for these youth to succeed in life. As part of this effort, we have met with representatives from the national YouthBuild organization which provides funding to develop and implement curriculum for at-risk youth. YouthBuild is a nationally recognized program now run out of the Department of Labor. As part of this research, our committee has visited other successful YouthBuild organizations and met with YouthBuild representatives Dorothy Stoneman and Helen Witcher who encouraged us to pursue a 2009 YouthBuild grant application using the successful HEART model. The Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) program was established in 2003 and grew out of the successful Youth Empowerment Services (YES) program established by Four Mounds in 1995. HEART is a partnership between Four Mounds Foundation, Dubuque Community Schools and the city of Dubuque. HEART provides at-risk high school students with opportunities to complete their high school diploma through anon-traditional classroom and service learning experience. Currently the DCSD contracts with Four Oaks to provide alternative curriculum for "entitled" high school student. Four Oaks in turn contracts with Four Mounds to provide an alternative classroom setting where students learn practical construction trade skills. The city of Dubuque has been a partner in this program, providing the site, often a deteriorated home in an older neighborhood that in is need of renovation. The city acquires the homes; contracts with Four Mounds to have the HEART students restore the home; and provides interim construction financing while the home is under renovation. The city is reimbursed for these funds once the home is sold. Recently these homes have been located in the Washington neighborhood district and have been sold to low-income families who are typically first-time homeowners. These homes are a source of pride for the students, the new homeowners and the neighborhoods, which often experience additional investment from adjacent property owners. Attachment A is the DOL YouthBuild grant application that has been prepared by the city of Dubuque and Four Mounds. Through the YouthBuild grant, our proposed expansion would increase local partnerships, and create avenues for long-term sustainability of this program. The expansion would also increase outreach opportunities to young people, reward participants for their service time with stipends, provide new leadership opportunities, create pathways to post-secondary education and job placement, and reach out to new populations through the opportunities to work toward GEDs. Attachment B is the HEART YouthBuild technical proposal which outlines the expansion of the program. As part of the expanded HEART YouthBuild program, the city would acquire dilapidated homes in the downtown and Washington neighborhood and contract with HEART to provide the renovation. These homes would provide on the job training for youth learning construction trades and other skilled labor currently in shortage in Dubuque. The partnership would expand to include both the DCSD and NICC as the resource for academic curriculum for students at-risk of dropping out and students who have dropped out, are seek their GED or high-school equivalency. Potential students would be identified by DCSD, NICC, the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Juvenile Court Services (JCS). The proposed expansion is phased over two years. Year one would crest 20 positions for young adults seeking GEDs. These students would receive curriculum from NICC and HEART. Year 2, will expand to include students from the DCSD at-risk of dropping out and will also introduce PAVE curriculum to our HEART YouthBuild program. PAVE is a successful 20 year partnership between NICC and the DCSD that provides at-risk students opportunities to earn dual credit, opening the door to post-secondary education. As part of this expansion DCSD will provide a critical match component to our grant of approximately $185,000 in funding for staff and educational expenses. In addition, we are working with representatives from the DubuqueWorks jobs program to help identify and match employer needs with qualified employees. A recent survey by GDDC of 200 area CEOs indicated that the greatest deterrent to economic growth in the Dubuque area was the availability of skilled and unskilled labor. HEART YouthBuild graduates will help fill this need and DubuqueWorks is committed to partnering with HEART YouthBuild to place their graduates in livable wages jobs. Attachment C is a budget narrative which outlines revenue and expenses for the duration of the requested two year grant application. As indicated in the budget narrative, as well as in Attachment A, the total cost of the two year program is $1,599,153. A total of $986,000 is being requested from the YouthBuild program. This would be matched by $10,000 of in-kind services from the city of Dubuque who will operate as the fiscal agent and manage federal compliance. In addition, the YouthBuild grant would leverage $452,575 in local match from our partners and an Americorps grant application that we are pursuing. Lastly, $10,406 in program income is anticipated over the course of the two years. Attachment D provides a worksite description of the homes provided for renovation by the city of Dubuque as well as a breakdown of the construction costs for each site. Attachment E provides a comprehensive of the timeline for the grant which is anticipated to begin in April 2009 and run through September 2010. Attachment F provides an organizational chart that shows the relationship of the key partners involved with the management of the grant, academic curriculum and on- the job training. Attachment G is a copy of letters of support and commitment from our key partners for this project. Lastly, Attachment H is a copy of the contract for services for Helen Whitcher of YouthBuild USA, Inc. to provide grant consulting services for the city of Dubuque is our pursuance of a YouthBuild grant. HEART is the ultimate sustainability program providing youth with opportunities to restore themselves, the built environment and the economy. In addition to provide a "classroom" for disadvantaged youth, this program is creating green collar jobs for our future. Green collar jobs reduce environmental impacts, provide a livable wage, and future opportunities. Green collar jobs don't just restore or transform the built environment; they also transform the human environment. The HEART program is helping to restore people, restore families, restore neighborhoods, and restore communities. Request The request is for City Council to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract for consulting services from YouthBuild USA, Inc., and to approve the city of Dubuque's application for a YouthBuild grant application. Attachment A ~F '~ GRla.3VTS.GOV" Grant Application Package Opportunity Title: Offering Agency: CFDA Number: CFDA Description: Opportunity Number: Competition ID: Opportunity Open Date: Opportunity Close Date: Agency Contact: YouthBuild Grants Employment and Training Administration 17.279 YouthBUild SGA-DFA-PY-OB-07 10/06/2008 01/15/2009 Donna Kelly Grants Management Specialist E-mail: Ke11y.DOnna@dol.gov Phone: 2026933934 This opportunity is only open to organizations, applicants who are submitting grant applications on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. 'Application Filing Name: city of Dubuque O tionai Documents Faith Based EEO Survey Move Forrn to manaato Documents for Submission Complete Budget Information for Non-Construction Program; Budget Narrative Attachment Form Project Narrative Attachment Form Move Forrn to Delete Move Form to Optional Documents for Submission Sutxnission List Attachments Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) Move Form to Delete Enter a name for the application in the Application Filing Name field. '-~ -This application can be completed in Rs entirety offline; however, you will need to login to the Grants.gov websRe during the submission process. - You can save your application at any time by clicking the "Save" button at the top of your screen. -The "Save & Submit" button will not be functional until all required data fields in the application are completed and you clicked on the "Check Package for Errors" button and confirmed all data required data fields are completed. 'O Open and complete all of the documents listed in the "Mandatory Documents" box. Complete the SF-424 form first. ` ;*~ - It is recommended that the SF-424 form be the first form completed for the application package. Data entered on the SF-424 will populate data fields in other mandatory and optional forms and the user cannot enter data in these fields. -The forms listed in the "Mandatory Documents" box and "Optional Documents" may be predefined forms, such as SF-424, forms where a document needs to be attached, such as the Project Narrative or a combination of both. "Mandatory Documents" are required for this application. "Optional Documents" can be used to provide additional support for this application or may be required for specific types of grant activity. Reference the application package instructions for more information regarding "Optional Documents". - To open and complete a form, simply click on the form's name to select the item and then click on the => button. This will move the document to the appropriate "Documents for Submission" box and the form will be automatically added to your application package. To view the form, scroll down the screen or select the form name and click on the "Open Form" burion to begin completing the required data fields. To remove aform/document from the "Documents far Submission" box, click the document name to select k, and then click the <= button. This will return the form/document to the "Mandatory Documents" or "Optional Documents" box. -All documents listed in the "Mandatory Documents" box must be moved to the "Mandatory Documents for Submission" box. When you open a required form, the fields which must be completed are highlighted in yellow with a red border. Optional fields and completed fields are displayed in white. If you enter invalid or incomplete information in a field, you will receive an error message. $,`~ # Click the "Save & Submit" button to submit your application to Grants.gov. +~<~ - Once you have properly completed ail required documents and attached any required or optional documentation, save the completed application by clicking on the "Save" button. - Click on the "Check Package for Errors" button to ensure that you have completed all required data fields. Correct any errors or if none are found, save the application package. -The "Save & Submit" button will become active; click an the "Save 8 Submit" button to begin the application submission process. -You will be taken to the applicant login page to enter your Grants.gov usemame and password. Follow all onscreen instructions for submission. OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02 ' 1. Type of Submission: Preapplication ^X Application Changed/Corrected Application ' 2. Type of Application: ^X New ~ Continuation ~ Revision ' If Revision, select appropriate letter(s): 'other (Specify) ' 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant identifier: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. 5a. Federal Entity Identifier: ' 5b. Federal Award Identifier: n/a n/a State Use Only: 6. Date Received by State: ~ 7. State Application Identifier: 8. APPLICANT INFORMATION: 'a. Legal Name: City of Dubuque, Iowa ' b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EINffIN): * c. Organizational DUNS: - 426009596 093105302 ~ d. Address: ' Street1: 50 west 13th Street2: ' City: Dubuque County: ' State: Province: IA: Iowa 'COUntry: USA: UNITED STATES ' Zip /Postal Code: 52001 e. Organizational Unit: Department Name: Division Name: City Manager`s Office f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Prefix: Ms , 'First Name: Cindy Middle Name: ' Last Name: Steinhauser Suffix: Title: Assistant City Manager Organizational Affiliation: * Telephone Number. 563-589-4110 Fax Number: 563-589-4149 *Email: csteinha@cityofdubuque.org OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: C: City or Township Government Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type: Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type: "Other (specify): ' 10. Name of Federal Agency: Employment and Training Administration 11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 17.274 CFDA Title: YouthBuild ' 12. Funding Opportunity Number: SGA-DFA-PY-08-07 'Title: YouthBuild Grants 13. Competition Identification Number: Title: 14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.): * 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project: Dubuque, Iowa HEART YouthBUild expansion Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. Add Attachments Delete Attachments View Attachments OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02 16. Congressional Districts Of: "a. Applicant IA 1 ' b. Program/Project IA 1 Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed. Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 17. Proposed Project: "' a. Start Date: 05/01/2009 ' b. End Date: 06/31/2012 18. Estimated Funding ($): ' a. Federal 936, 000.00 * b. Applicant 10, 000.00 "c. State 190, 172.00 'd. Local 452,575.00 * e. Other 0.00 ' f. Program Income 10, 406.00 'g.TOTAL 1,599,153.00 * 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on ~-~ b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. ^X c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372. * 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes", provide explanation.) Yes ^X No Explanation 21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) ^X "IAGREE ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an Internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions. Authorized Representative: Prefix: Mr. "First Name: Michael Middle Name: C . 'Last Name: Van Milligen Suffix: *Title: City Manager * Telephone Number: 563-5 B 9-4110 Fax Number: 5 63-58 9-414 9 'Email: ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org 'Signature of Authorized Representative: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. * Date Signed: Completed by Grants.gov upon submission. Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424 (Revised 10/2005) Prescribed by OMB CircularA-102 OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02 * Applicant Federal Debt Delinquency Explanation The following field should contain an explanation if the Applicant organization is delinquent on any Federal Debt. Maximum number of characters that can be entered is 4,000. Try and avoid extra spaces and carriage returns to maximize the availability of space. Project Narrative File(s) * Mandatory Project Narrative Ffle Filename: Technical proposal.pdf Add Mandatory Project Narrative File Delete Mandatory Project Narrative File View Mandatory Project Narrative File To add more Project Narrative File attachments, please use the attachment buttons below. Add Optional Project Narrative File Delete Optional Project Narrative File View Optional Project Narrative File Budget Narrative File(s) Mandatory Budget Narrative Filename: udget Narrative 2 .pdf Add Mandatory Budget Narrative Delete Mandatory Budget Narrativ mew Mandatory Budget Narrative To add more Budget Narrative attachments, please use the attachment buttons below. Add Optional Budget Narrative Delete Optional Budget Narrative ' mew Optional Budget Narrative ATTACHMENTS FORM Instructions: On this form, you will attach the various files that make up your grant application. Please consult with the appropriate Agency Guidelines for more information about each needed file. Please remember that any files you attach must be in the document format and named as specified in the Guidelines. Important: Please attach your files in the proper sequence. See the appropriate Agency Guidelines for details. 1) Please attach Attachment 1 org Chart-yr 1. pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 2) Please attach Attachment 2 org Chart-yr 2 . pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 3) Please attach Attachment 3 Timeline .pdf Add Attachment rDelete Attachment View Attachment 4) Please attach Attachment 4 2 pg abstract. pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 5) Please attach Attachment 5 commit ltr-cFG~.pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 6) Please attach Attachment 6 commit ltr-ncs .pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 7) Please attach Attachment 7 commit itr-FMF. pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 8) Please attach Attachment 8 Commit ltr-Gronen.pdf ~ Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 9) Please attach Attachment 9 Commit ltr -Dbgworxs.pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 10) Please attach Attachment 10 Attach 1-17 67 . pdf Add Attachment .Delete Attachment View Attachment 11) Please attach Attachment 11 Attach IA-1767 .pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 12) Please attach Attachment 12 Attach 1-1787 . pdf Add Attachment .Delete Attachment View Attachment 13) Please attach Attachment 13 Attach 1A-1787 .pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 14) Please attach Attachment 14 Exhibit 1F.pdf Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment 15) Please attach Attachment 15 Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES Approved by OMB Complete this form to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C.1352 0348-0046 1. * Type of Federal Action: 2. * Status of Federal Action: 3. * Report Type: a. contract ^X a. bidloffer/application O a. initial filing O b. grant ~ b. initial award ~ b. material change c. cooperative agreement ~ c. post-award d. loan e. loan guarantee f. loan insurance 4. Name and Address of Reporting Entity: ^X Prime ~SubAwardee `Name City of Dubuque 'Street 1 50 West 13th Street Street 2 'City State Zip ue IA: Iowa 52001 Dubu q Congressional District, if known: IA 1 5. If Reporting Entity in No.4 is Subawardee, Enter Name and Address of Prime: 6. * Federal Department/Agency: 7. * Federal Program Name/Description: DOL YouthBUild CFDA Number, if applicable: 17.274 8. Federal Action Number, if known: 9. Award Amount, if known: 10. a. Name and Address of Lobbying Registrant: Prefix Ms 'First Name Cindy Middte Name ~ ~1 'LasfName Suffix Steinhauser 'Street 1 Street 2 50 West 13th Street •Crry Dubuque State IA: Iowa Zrp 52001 b. IndIVldUal Performing Services (including address ifdifferentfromNo.lOa) Prefix ~ ~ First Name Middle Name 'Last Name Suffix r~ ~J 'Street 1 Street 2 'City State ZiP InfonnaGon requested through this form is authorized by title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. This disctosure oT lobbying activities is a material representation of fact upon which 11 . reliance was placed by the tier above when the transaction was made or entered into. This disclosure is required pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1352. This iMormation will be reported to the Congress semi-annually and will be available for public inspection. Any person who fails to file the required discosure shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure. ' SlgnatUre: Completed on submission to Grants.gov 'Name: Prefix Ms 'First Name Cindy MlddieName 'Last Name Suffix Steinhauser Title: Assistant City Manager Telephone NO.: 563-5139-4110 Date: Completed on submission to Grants. gov Authoraed for Lonl Reproduction Standard Form - LLL (Rav.7.97) Attachment B HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal 1: STATEMENT OF NEED Dubuque County, Iowa, is a unique combination of urban and rural lifestyles. Iowa's oldest city, Dubuque (pop 58,000), is nestled among the bluffs of the Mississippi River, and is surrounded by 20 small, rural communities and rich agriculture land. The County has recovered from a series of economic crises that began in the 1980s. In January 1982 Dubuque's unemployment was 23%. The city had lost 7.8% of its population between 1980 and 1990, had no four-lane connections, downtown vacancy rate was 50%, the city's property tax rate had reached $14.58 per thousand and the average value of a home fell 9%. Through strategic planning & partnerships, Dubuque has been able to pull itself of out of economic hard times and is currently experiencing prosperity and growth. However gaps remain, specifically gaps related to our community's youth. Given the size of our community, the number of our at-risk youth may seem small as compared to large cities. However, negative issues are perceived as an indicator of community disintegration, which can lead to disinvestment and intolerance. In true partnership, Dubuque County has established the Every Child, Every Promise initiative to provide hope for our youth. Modeled after the America's Promise, Every Child, Every Promise believes that all children deserve support, services, and opportunities to succeeding life. Every Child Every Promise and our HEART program are using the five promises of America's Promise to give youth the same opportunities. Many of the youth targeted for HEART YouthBuild come from Dubuque's oldest neighborhoods, including the Washington Neighborhood. It is one of the City's most diverse neighborhoods, challenging some of the norms of other Dubuque neighborhoods. The area is comprised of 30% homeownership and 70% rental property as compared to the 70% homeownership for the rest of the city. The minority rate for the public schools serving the Washington Neighborhood is over 10 times the city's minority rate of 3.8%. It is a walkable, historic neighborhood supported by public transportation, with a mix of small local businesses, neighborhood churches, and limited recreational areas. This neighborhood is home to a majority of 1 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal HEART participants and the condition of its housing makes it an ideal area to promote sustainabiliry and the restoration of people and community through the restoration of homes and building up young people. Tables 7 and 2 clearly d fine the County's, and specifically the Wlarhington Neighborhood'r, need for a YouthBuild program. Table 1. Community Indicators Dubuque County Washington Neighborhood Census Tract 1 & 5 Source Po ulation 89,143 6,925 2000 US Census Median Household Income $39,582 $24,401 2000 US Census Individuals below over rate 7.8% 19% 2000 US Census Homelessness incidence 683* 931 ** IA Economic Development Dept 1999*, Ci sun-e ~, 2004** Shortage of affordable housing poac-ssicome households paying over 30° o toward rent/mortgage) 1']% 28% Extrapolated from 2000 US Census Unem to ment rate 3.1% 4.9% 2000 US Census Graduation rate 86%*** 45.6%**** See bela~v 18-24 yr olds without diploma 1,398 (15.3%) 198 (22.1%) 2000 US Census 16-19 yr olds not enrolled in HS & not HS aduate 180 (3.4%) 72 (20.1%) 2000 US Census TTT average or Dubuque t-.ommuiuty zsc western Dubuque bchool liistncts forlUU4-U5, and not Including private schools. ****Central Alternative HS, the only downtown high school, with a majority of residents from downtown Table 2. Washington Neighborhood Schools Minority & Poverty Indicators Minority Rate Free/Reduced Lunch Qualified (as per DCS) Dubu ue Coun 2.7% 35% Washin ton Nei hborhood 9.8% Audubon Elem School students 27.0%* 82% Fulton Elem School students 32.9%* 74% Prescott Elem School students 56.0%* 82% 'Data supplied by Dubuque C:ommumty Jchools (DC;J). In 2005, the Iowa Finance Authority found 17% of Iowa homeowners to be cost-burdened, an increase of 5% points since 2000 and in the past year, Dubuque alone lost 900 jobs. Conversely, over one dozen new businesses are in the process of moving to Dubuque, bringing with them a need for specialized workers such as skilled carpenters. A recent survey of over 200 CEOs from Dubuque businesses report that the biggest barrier to growth is a lack of skilled and unskilled 2 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal workers. In response to this DsrbuqueWork.r was created, a new program to help match workers to companies. By creating a continuum of care thru education (HEART) and employment (DubuqueWorks), we are effectively saving at-risk youth from becoming victims of delinquenry and the effects when they are not engaged. Nowhere in Iowa is this of greater concern than Dubuque County which reports a 15% greater incidence of total juvenile arrests and juvenile violent crime than the state average (Vernon Research Group, 2006). 2: MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY Program Management: The City of Dubuque (City) is the lead applicant for this program, with Four Mounds Foundation (FMF) as the operating agent responsible for all program operations. The two have been lead partners in HEART since the beginning, with a close, working relationship that has allowed the program to succeed. The City has extensive experience managing large grants from a variety of sources, as well as partnering with non-profit organizations and agencies. FMF has been in operation since 1987 and has provided a variety of educational, vocational, and team-building training opportunities to at-risk youth and adults since 1995. The HEART Program evolved out of those programs in 2003. In addition, we have substantially restored or rehabilitated over 20 buildings, served as owners, developers, general contractors, lessors, lessees, consultants and subcontractors in a variety of building projects; and managed building and land trusts, and easements,. FMF has a core staff of 5 FT employees (averaging 9 years longevity), 3 PT permanent employees and about a dozen seasonal employees. Our current annual operating budget is $417,774. FMF is the lead partner in the HEART Program as part of our youth service mission (which also includes a camp, work with local non-profit social service agencies, partnering with local high schools and colleges and work with Juvenile Court Services). FMF has a similar operating agent function, as compared to the one proposed for HEART YouthBuild, with the City for our Summer Day Camp, where we partner using AmeriCorps to help us reach at-risk youth. We have access to 3 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal teambuilding opportunities through our staffed Challenge Ropes Course, and retreat, reflection and recreational options at our Inn & Conference Center. We have a strong board of directors that works closely with the organization's executive director (ED) to set policy and provide direction and oversight, while other staff works under the direction of the ED. The organization holds full general and professional liability insurance policies, along with property and other policies. Included in our proposed YouthBuild expansion is the creation of a dedicated HEART YouthBuild headquarters, including office, meeting rooms and workshop space, in which all staff will be based. See attached organisational chart for sta~ expansion and relationships to board, steering committee, partners and youth policy committee. Grant Experience: For over 2 decades, FMF has been a staffed organization that manages multiple funding sources, including private and foundation donations, grants and public funding sources, managing multiple contracts with local and state funding sources. For the purposes of YouthBuild, we are partnering with the City of Dubuque acting as the lead applicant for the program, managing revenue and expenses for this program, including payroll, AP/AR, and auditing functions. Dedicated to partnerships, the City of Dubuque works diligently to avoid service duplication and to combine resources for greater impact than could be produced independently. Dubuque's form of government is a City Council-City Manager form of government. Policy direction is provided by the Mayor and asix-member City Council and is administered by a full-time City Manager with staff support from over 25 department Managers and one full- and one part-time Assistant City Managers. The city's annual operating and capital budget is approximately $100 million and funds a full range of services. The city has over 500+ full-time employees who help implement the policy budget established by City Council. In addition, the City has partnered with public agencies and non-profit organizations for programs, projects, and services for economic development, recreation, riverfront development, downtown revitalization, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, education, housing, health, culture and entertainment. The city of 4 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal Dubuque is a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community and has a full-time CDBG compliance officer as well as a full-time grant monitor in our finance department to help manages the many grants we receive. Currently the city provides fiscal agent support activity for a highly successful AmeriCorps program as well as administers a variety of federal, state and foundation grants and other funding sources. City staff involved with the expansion of the HEART program includes representatives from the City Manager's Office, Housing, Planning, Engineering, Building and Leisure Services Departments. Organizational Capacity to Operate: Juan C. Moreno said "Change is inevitable, transformation is optional." Dubuque's Youthbuild partners are made up of professional staff committed to creating change in the lives of youth. Current lead staff on HEART include our ED, Christine Happ Olson, who plans programs, directs partnerships and outreach efforts, and fundraiser; and our Program Manager, Ron Fritz (12+ years), who serves as job coach, construction and budget manager, and estimator on projects. Ron acts as a mentor to youths who often lack a positive male role model in their lives. Currently, he works side by side with the school system employees and teacher for HEART. This allows him to focus on job training, learning opportunities, and project management while school staff ensures programming meets federal mandates and guidelines, and the participants receive the necessary social and educational services. City staff from our housing, planning, engineering and building departments has a proven track record of successful housing redevelopment projects coordinated by the FMF, while FMF brings a long term presence in the community they serve. Program plans: Following the award, management staff will be hired, programming will be developed and implemented for outcome tracking and operation (see attached timeline). July and August will be recruitment months and mental toughness training will commence in September, with job skills (PACT) and educational assessments (CASAS). Professional development prior to Sept. `09 will include training for staff, curriculum development working with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), and trainings 5 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal available through YouthBuild and AmeriCorps. For HEART YouthBuild, we will bring all staff under the HEART YouthBuild organization and umbrella, with our own Teacher, Training & Site Supervisor, Counselor, and Leadership Developer. Those staff will partner with the City, NICC, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) & DubuqueW/orka, and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) to draw on existing organizational capacity to shape curriculum and bring technical resources and best practices to the table to provide youth the greatest opportunity & experience. Management Structure:_FMF executive director will dedicate 35% time toward YouthBuild in year 1 to help the transition from HEART to HEART YouthBuild and 25% time in Year 2. A full- time Program Director will be hired with office support staff including an Office Manager and Development Officer. Fiscal support will be provided FMF and the City of Dubuque as the fiscal agent. The attached Organizational Charts for Years 1 & 2 outline the staffing dedicated to programming, including four program component managers: the Leadership Developer (directing leadership activities and training curriculum, and community service project opportunities), Counselor (to guide students with development, social services, problem solving and life choices), Training & Site Supervisor (in charge of service learning and skills development) and Teacher (developing and administrating the educational curriculum, with assistance from NICC in that area and in testing and assessment for GEDs). The Leadership Developer will be supported with existing, established services from NICC, IWD, Dubuque Works, and CFGD. All program staff will work with participants, especially in leadership training opportunities. 3: DESIGN, SERVICE STRATEGY, AND OUTCOMES Recruitment (3a~ July & August will serve as a recruitment months, where we work with partners to identify people in need of a GED, including NICC, IWD, the City's Housing Department, the CFGD and our local social service agencies to identify participants. CFGD will provide connections 6 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal through Elevate and Op~iortunity Parrport, a program for youth who have aged out foster care (Iowa I{idsNet) or no longer in foster care (Iowa Aftercare Network). CFGD will also help provide connections through Project HOPE (Dubuque's multi-organizational partnership Helpitzg Our Peo~ile Excel, to address un- and under-employment). HEART has existing relationships with Juvenile Court Services and expands their reach to the Department of Corrections to provide opportunities for youth. In September, aligned with NICC's school year, we will start the Mental Toughness period, in which up to 32 enrollees work approximately 3 weeks on team building, assessments, goal setting, while they become acquainted with worksites, program structure and staff. Participants will be narrowed down to 20, and by October 1, they will be working in regular program structure. Phased Expansion: HEART YouthBuild will have atwo-phase expansion program, enrolling 20 participants in Year 1 working with NICC to help participants achieve GEDs. By year 2, we'll expand to 32 participants, to also serve at-risk Dubuque Community School (DCS) students who will work toward high school diploma, using the NICC PAVE model. We determined a phased plan was the best way to expand the population in year 2, to provide the Dubuque Community Schools and the school board sufficient tithe to adopt the plan and include it in its budget for the `10-`11 schoolyear. Year 2's expansion will bring stability to the program through dedicated funding sources of program and staffing from Dubuque Community Schools, an estimated $184,375 in annual program revenue. DCS has been a partner of HEART since the beginning and sees the value in saving students from dropping out by utilizing the HEART approach. As a result, our program will have stronger outcomes, reaching youth at-risk of graduating in the school system as well as dropouts from the general public. Educarional Skills Delivery (3bLProgtam Structure: The program will operate from 8 am-4pm each weekday. Participants will convene each day at the dedicated HEART YB headquarters, meet with staff for 25 minutes, prior to being divided up into two groups, heading out to the worksite (3.5 hours) or classroom (3 hours), and switch activities '/~ 7 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal way through the day. The day is ended with a re-convene session in which participants focus on their service accomplishments. The headquarters will stay open fox an extra hour outside of program time each day, allowing participants to access program staff. Wednesdays are set aside for group meetings, trainings, leadership development, additional classroom time, Youth Policy Council meetings, individual goal work and staff meetings. During mental toughness, all participants, in partnership with the Leadership Developer, Teacher, and Counselor, will develop an Individualized Goal Plan, which gives them a clear road map for success at HEART YouthBuild, based on GED CASAS assessments and PACT SARs analysis. As participants move to different stages and accomplish set goals, they earn incentives as well as the respect of their peers and mentors. Morning and afternoon meetings, as well as Wednesday programming, allows staff working at different sites (worksite & classroom) to communicate daily, but atwo-hour staff meeting each Wednesdays allows adequate time for all staff to address issues, accomplishments and challenges facing the students and program. Upon completion of 11 months of participation, students may become AmeriCoxps members and earn education awards for service completion. Program Space: HEART YouthBuild's dedicated program space, which serves as headquarters, homebase, classroom and office for the program will be located in the historic Millworking District. This exciting restored and dedicated space affords open spaces, exposed brick walls, high ceilings, decorative terra cotta and spacious floorplans. It contributes to a feeling that the program is unique and that participants are important and valued, helping them take ownership of the space and allowing them to feel proud of HEART YouthBuild and themselves. The headquarters is located on the edge of the Washington Neighborhood and walking distance from the worksites, public transportation, CFGD, Ciry Hall, NICC's downtown campus, IWD, businesses and various cultural activities. By concentrating staff and students in one unique and revitalized historic space, we'll help create an energy and convenience fox the program that would be unattainable elsewhere. HEART will get in on the 8 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal "ground floor" of this sustainable redevelopment, supported the City Council's top priority to create a vibrant and viable mixed use neighborhood in the Millwork District. Educational Curriculum: Participants spend approximately 19.25 hours of the 35 hour educational week in direct educational opportunities, comprising a 55% time share. The HEART YouthBuild Teacher works with all participants to develop educational goals, incorporating federally and state established Adult Basic Education practices (CASAS assessments, or pre-GED curriculum material) into the academic portion of this program. The Teacher works closely with NICC to obtain technical assistance to guide assessments, develop curriculum, and provide testing. NICC (and other state community colleges) have been so successful in helping GED students excel that only 130 retests were taken in 2008 statewide. CASAS assessments identify the workbooks needed to support the participants with their individual needs. CASAS affords the ability to clearly track literacy and numeracy gains and NICC has the experience doing this. For qualifying participants, Promise Jobs can help us financially cover costs of the GED process, through IWD. In addition to pre-GED assessments, educational curriculum and testing, the Leadership Developer will work with NICC and IWD staff to administer curriculums to help educated participants to become more self-sufficient and better equipped job seekers and employees. All participants will take part in the Pre-Employment Strategies class, a 2 credit hour course taught jointly by NICC and IWD, focusing on a broad range of skills with special emphasis in the construction industry, connecting to the participants' service learning curriculum. The class is taught over 32 hours classroom time, focusing on workplace skills, networking, career opportunities, industry-specific concepts and requirements, applying concepts to real-work situations, understanding job search process and completing assignments. As part of the class, participants are certified in the National Career Readiness CertifcateTn'1 and obtain a WorkKeys performance assessment rating. Occupational Skills Training. Participants train 16 hours of a 35 hour educational week in service learning and occupational skills training opportunities, comprising 9 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal a 46% timeshare. ('I1iis time does not include Pre-Employment Strategies Class.) Participants will completely rehabilitate two historic, brick row houses in the Washington Neighborhood with green, energy efficient standards, as set forth by the City. In addition to worksite time, a short meeting at the end of each workday (excluding Wednesdays) with staff & participants is dedicated to focusing on service learning accomplishments and goals. Participants will learn basic carpentry and construction through the complete rehabilitation these properties, working under the Training & Site Supervisor (T&SS) and Training Coaches. The T&SS will utilize the Home Builders Institute nationally recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum to evaluate, train and test participants in order to prepare them for the workforce. The T&SS will work closely with the Leadership Coordinator, Counselor, and Teacher to help participants develop their individualized goal plans, catering goals to participants' areas of need, as identified with the Skill Achievement Record (SARs). Students will become certified as Lead Paint Abatement Workers through a City training that is recognized through the state and is a 16 hr classroom/8 hr hands-on training, a $350/participant in-kind contribution by the City. Program Expansion: In Year 2, with the introduction of DCS students earning high school diplomas, we will employ the PAVE program, an existing dual-credit model with DCS and NICC to provide students with an established construction curriculum opportunity to earn high school and college credit. Students in this pathway will also earn a high school diploma and credit at NICC. Payment structure: Participants earn living stipends for community service, translating to minimum wage for the time spent working on- site in addition to a $10 per diem for travel and food costs for each day they participate. An equivalent of $500 per participant is budgeted to provide incentives for accomplishments and assistance as needed for emergencies. For instance, students may earn $50 at the passing of their GED tests or a $10 monthly perfect attendance incentive. If housing or family emergencies arise with a participant, the staffing team can draw from the pool of funds to make decisions based on 10 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal need. Participant training/policies & procedures: Year 1 site supervision includes one Training & Site Supervisor and one Training Coach per 10 youth, with '/2 participants in the morning and '/z in the afternoon (1:5 ratio). They are working on adjacent units of housing in a historic row house complex. Year2 includes 6 participants at a time at each worksites A & B, which are each managed by one Training Coach, sharing a Training & Site Supervisor between the two sites which axe adjacent in proximiry(1:4 ratio). Site C, for Dubuque Community School students, will host 8 participants along with one Teacher/Site Supervisor and one Training Assistant (1:4 ratio). A 10 Hour OSHA construction training will be held in conjunction with Iowa Workforce Development. All participants will be trained as Lead Paint Abatement contractors to safely remove and work on properties containing lead paint. Community Service Learning and Leadership Development Otibortunities (3c1 : Service Learning The HEART/Youthbuild program will expand our ability to change lives and create meaning for students who felt the community gave up on them so they gave up on themselves. Restoring these youths' connection to community thru service learning is a high priority for the FMF. These Youth will make significant contributions to the Sustainable Dubugue initiative by helping to restore a sense of place in physically broken, disconnected neighborhoods. Youth will completely restore and rehabilitate 2 National Register of Historic Places eligible row houses in the heart of the Washington Neighborhood, as part of the City-wide lY/ashington Bevita!i~e! initiative. Participants will adhere to the Ciry's standard for rehabilitation by ensuring these projects implement new energy efficient features, including extensive insulation and high efficiency furnace, hot water heater, window and door systems. Youth Leadership The Youth Policy Committee (YPC) will be youth-led and staff-assisted, based on the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's (CFGD) Youth Area Philanthropists (Yappers) model. YPC voting representation on the Steering Committee will bring a youth voice and YPC consensus to the table, providing involvement in decision making and program governance. The program director 11 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal shall attend a majority of YPC meetings. All levels of staff will include youth in operational and management aspects of the organization, including program planning, fundraising, facility and site tours, and event planning. Wednesday mornings are set aside for educational, growth & leadership training as well as reflection on service each week, while in the afternoons participants work toward identified Individual Goal Plans. Partnering with the CFGD, participants will complete a financial literacy program (10 hour Building Assets for your Future, The Finance Project & Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative), as it was an area identified as lacking by the recent Dubuque Youth Needs Assessment. As part of that, we'll use the capacity of CFGD to provide IDA accounts to youth and their assistance to help fundraise to match those accounts. The Leadership Developer (LD) will work closely with YPC to plan agendas and coordinate each morning meeting, group activities on Wednesday mornings, leadership field trips and individual leadership opportunities. The LD will bring YouthBuild and other training opportunities to participants. Included is the 32 hour, 2 credit Pre-employment Strategies Class including the national Career Readiness Certificate in partnership with NICC & IWD. Lastly, when a person is able to give back to their community, they are restored. Within the Washington Neighborhood is the Tool Library. A volunteer organization run by a dwindling number of senior citizens which lends home repair tools to low-income homeowners and tenants to help bring down the cost of repairs. The HEART program has identified a unique opportunity to create inter-generation collaboration with our participants and the Washington Tool Library. Participants will assist in managing the assets of the tool library by teaching the senior citizens basic computer skills to manage the inventory. The senior citizens will help mentor these students on the various tools. It is hoped that this mentoring relationship will extend beyond tools and provide another caring adult in the young person's life. Post-Program Transition and Follow- UP Services (3d) HEART YouthBuild staff (Counselor, Program Director, Leadership Developer >n particular) will work to provide post-program transition services and followup to graduates. 12 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal Participants will have completed the Financial Literacy training and the Pre-Employment Strategies class to prepare them for the workplace and managing personal finances. Participants completing their AmeriCorps Service Learning will have earned education awards to assist with post-secondary education costs and NICC will provide the first three credit class free to GED graduates. Students will emerge from HEART YouthBuild armed with GED completion (estimated 2/3 to complete), CRC and PACT assessments, PACT credentials, OSHA training, Financial Literacy training, IDAs, and Lead Paint Abatement certification. DubugueI~ork.r (the broad-based, community funded, public/private partnership charged with connecting workers to employers) will assist students and Leadership Development staff with job placement services and opportunities through NICC and IWD and introductions to the trades and apprenticeships through visits, job fairs, and training opportunities from Dubuque Area Labor Management Council (DALMC). The Development & Grant Officer will work with the Leadership Developer to track progress of the participants during and after program completion (for minimum of 1 year) following requirements set forth by DOL & YouthBuild. Project HOPE staff (based at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque) will assist the Leadership Developer to bring employment related opportunities to participants and graduates, through the HEART YouthBuild Alumni opportunities and newsletter. 4: LINKAGES TO PARTNERS. MATCH AND LEVERAGED RESOURCES Glossary/Key of HEART YouthBuild Partners: FMF Four Mounds Foundation HEART Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training Program City City of Dubuque NICC Northeast Iowa Community College IWD Iowa Workforce Development CFGD Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque DCS Dubuque Community Schools DALMC Dubuque Area Labor Management Council DBR Dubuque Board of Realtors DOC Department of Corrections PAVE NICC & DCS's vocational track for dual-enrollment students receiving special ed. services JCS Juvenile Court Services of Dubuque & Delaware Counties 13 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal "When you build a thing, you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but must prepare the world around it. " Christopher Alexander Collaboration and cooperation among businesses and community-based organizations is something that Dubuque does well! Dubuque is fortunate to have strong, non-profit agencies that influence community decision making. Over 571 non-profit organizations from the Dubuque area represent the following areas: Education; Arts, Culture and Kecreation; Civil and Community Development; Emergency Services; ~ Animal Welfare. Together these non-profits help address the social. physical. spiritual and educational well-being of our citizens. So strong is the impact that these non-profits have had in our city that the leadership of these non-profits is sought after to serve on the boards of for-profit entities. Examples of collaboration include: • Development of Crescent Community Health Center; • Childcare programs and initiatives through Dubuque County Empowerment; • Youth Needs Assessment and community engagement process facilitated CFGD • "Community Days of Caring," a grassroots project born out of a Leadership Dubuque class where participants raise money and volunteers to do community projects. Our community partnerships are done with a shared vision, strong leadership, understanding of each partner's role and accountability to each other. No where is this more evident than in the commitment from the partners identified in the Glossary/Key index. Our commitment letters demonstrate strong support to reach out and expand the highly successful HEART program. Partner Roles: Four Mounds and HEART: FMF is the operating agent responsible for all aspects of the program. By partnering with the City and other organizations from our community that provide support services and funding, we make up the HEART Partnership. Four Mounds employs the program staff (director, office support, and all program support) and work directly with partners to ensure all aspects of the program are carried out. Four Mounds will manage data collection fox all reporting needs. City of Dubuque: As previously mentioned Dubuque is a fiscally sound, well-run 14 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal municipality with a long history of partnership. Polity direction is provided by the Mayor and asix- member City Council and is administered by a full-time City Manager with staff support from over 25 department Managers and afull- and part-time Assistant City Managers. The city's annual operating and capital budget is approximately $100 million and funds a full range of services. The city has over 500+ full-time employees who help implement the policy budget established by City Council. The city has committed key city staff to the expansion of the HEART program. City staff involved with the expansion of this program includes both Assistant City Managers who have a combined experience of over 40 years in public sector partnerships. Their role will continue to be advisory in the development of programming, establishing goals and performance measures for the Youthbuild program and managing city staff who will have specific roles in our capacity as fiscal agent. The Housing Services Director and Rehabilitation staff who combined have nearly 50 years of experience in grassroots housing rehab projects, Planning Services and Building Services Managers, the city's Civil Engineer for stormwater management, the city's Budget Director, Finance Director and grant manager all of whom will provide program and grant management support services. NICC (& PAVE): NICC has long been a stable institution in the Dubuque Community. In 1974, NICC expanded their mission and created the Downtown Campus to serve the older downtown neighborhoods, including the Washington Neighborhood, to bring their curriculum to the community it served the most. More recently, the Business Resource Centex was created and eventually established our community's first Business Accelerator as well as provided office space for the Small Business Development Corporation and Iowa Workforce Development Center. Thru this expansion, NICC has created aone-stop shop to meet the needs of traditional and non- traditional students as well as those of the local business community and now IWD has located an office at this downtown location. NICC has also been a partner for nearly 20 years with the DCS on the extraordinarily successful PAVE program. This program provides adual-enrollment 15 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal education track for students receiving special education services through the DCS and provides an ideal formula in which to partner with the HEART program to create the expanded Youthbuild vision. As part of their commitment to this expanded vision NICC will provide the following: technical assistance to the Leadership Developer and Teacher developing educational curriculums around obtaining GEDs, Leadership Development, and Career Readiness (in-kind value of $8000). All HEART YouthBuild GED graduates will be provided with their first 3 credit hour course at NICC for free (a current value of $405). In Year 2, when DCS students are integrated into the program, NICC will bring the proven PAVE curriculum and partnership to provide HEART YouthBuild with an opportunity to serve DCS special education students who would otherwise be at-risk of dropping out. PAVE allows students to continue with a high school diploma and earn college credit, opening the door to post-secondary education. Dubuque Works - IWD/DALMC/GDDC/NICC/Chamber: Local economic development organizations such as GDDC, Chamber, NICC's Business Accelerator and many others have cross- representation from each other's organizations on their boards. These partnerships encourage strong communication and create opportunities to further the vision of the community through action. Other examples of business contributions to the community include: • The Tri-State Human Resource Association addressing workforce development issues; • Economic development meetings with City, Chamber, GDDC, East Central Intergovernmental Assoc., NICC, Dubuque Main Street; and • River Valley Initiative Partnership of GDDC collaborated to create 5,300 jobs in 5 years. This successful program has expanded and is now called Destination for Opportunity. DubuqueWork.r is comprised of five core employment and economic development organizations that have been in existence in the Dubuque community for over 16 years. These partner organizations work with companies throughout Dubuque County to help identify and match employer needs with qualified employees. Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in demand coupled with an increase shortage for labor trades and skill sets such as those taught through the Youthbuild 16 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal program. As part of their commitment to the Youthbuild application, DubuqueWlorks is committed to working with the Youthbuild program to place these students in livable wage positions. Over the next three years, these organizations will provide approximately $200,000 a year in resources into DubuqueWork.r. This commitment will help students find meaningful employment upon graduation from the Youthbuild program. In addition, IWD and the DALMC are committed to working with the Youthbuild program to develop curriculum targeted toward the needs of local labor trade as well as provide curriculum to promote other employment alternatives. DCS -Dubuque Community Schools is engaged in redefining the relationship with HEART to include post-secondary education opportunities through PAVE to its special education students at-risk of dropping out. The HEART Partnership is negotiating with DCS on how to transition students and the PAVE curriculum into HEART YouthBuild by September 2010. The school system has indicated a program funding contribution of staffing and dollars of approximately $184,375 upon this merger. Their commitment includes:l) Financial support for special ed. students identified as per their Individual Education Plan; 2) Collaboration on the building and trades curriculum aligned with NICC & PAVE; and 3) Ongoing collaboration of current partnerships including the Dubuque Board of Realtors (BDR), including tools & equipment use (value at $45,000) and potential funding for projects. DBR -Since 1993 the Dubuque Board of Realtors has partnered with the DCS to create an off-site classroom in the form of an undeveloped lot in which to construct a new home. This highly successful program has allowed them to assemble an inventory of assets including construction tools and portable trailer that can be relocated from job site to job site, depending on need. Recently the DBR has recognized the value of turning their efforts toward sustainable revitalization of existing neighborhoods and in particular at-risk neighborhoods that would benefit from stabilized housing. The HEART program rose to the top as a natural partnership to join with the DCS. The DBR will provide the construction tools and jobsite trailer for use in Youthbuild projects. JCS: Juvenile Court 17 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal Services has partnered with Four Mounds for over a dozen years, providing sustained opportunities for community service to young people who are in need of mentoring and job skills. For the past 5 years, they have also provided approximately $6,000 annual funding to help sustain programming during summer months to meet the needs of their youth. By opening HEART up to dropouts, the program will now serve a new, higher risk population, enhancing both JCS' and the DOC's ability to help young people get back on the feet and reintegrated into the community. They stand ready to help us with recruitment and support to those young people enrolled. 5: PAST & PROJECTED SUCCESS Past Accomplishments Operating a Youth Development Program HEART emerged as a partnership from Four Mounds' youth program, which has been providing vocational training opportunities to at-risk youth since 1995. In 2003 HEART started on small residential projects and by January of 2004, we purchased 3 blighted buildings in the historic Washington Neighborhood with financial assistance from the State and City. Participants transformed the homes into affordable housing for 4 very low income, but working families who became first time homeowners. The success of those program beginnings and development is documented in the following awards for the HEART Program: 2008.• Best Development Rivard, 9000 Friends of Iowa; 2007.• Program of the Year, Iowa City/County Management Association; 2007 & 2006.• Small Residential Awards, Preservation at its Best, Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance; 2007 cS~ 2006, Small residential awards, Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Awards, Dztbugafe Historic Preservation Commission; 2006 The Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for the exemplary use of CDBG Funds, National Community Development Association; [2006 HEART also was a national finalist for the Awards for Municipal Excellence, from the National League of CitiesJ. The goal for the participants in the early days of HEART was simple-to keep students in school as long as possible and provide these participants (with significant behavioral and developmental challenges) opportunities to learn work skills in preparation for when they left school. 100% of seniors graduated in that first graduating year, some 18 a HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal choosing to continue their education at a community college, a path few expected from these youth prior to joining HEART. The program continues to engage participants in challenging opportunities while providing them with meaningful service learning opportunities to connect them to community. Students that were not coming to school and not succeeding in traditional classrooms are engaged in their work, excited about school, earning credits to graduation and learning valuable work skills. By partnering with Dubuque Community Schools, we used our trained staff to work side-by-side with certified teacher to develop curriculums that related educational studies to the jobsites. Curriculums meet the needs of students to reach goals on their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and meet national and state standards for graduation. Funding: Funding for the program has come from a variety of local and state sources, including private, corporate, and public. The program has been supported with school system funding at approximately $150,000/year and through funding from Juvenile Court Services at approximately $6,000/year, leaving a gap of about $75,000 in program costs. The City of Dubuque was a partner securing a $125,000 forgivable loan from the Iowa Finance Authority for projects and the City has provided financing and other project funding, as well as staff time. Local significant funding has come from banks & credit unions, private local and regional foundations, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, construction and material supply companies, contractors, and children's charities. Other supporting organizations include service clubs, Area Mortgage Lenders, the Homebuilders Association, architects, national material and product companies and local nurseries. Four Mounds has been responsible for securing program funding, with assistance from the City of Dubuque. Table 3. Past and Projected Data and Outcomes Year 1 Year 2 Past- DCS Past- ICS vroiection vtoiection Pro am o eration len 5+ ears 5 summers # outh recruited 10-12 / 20-23/ summez 32 45 # outh enrolled 10-12 / r 20-23/ summer 20 32 # of outh com letin GED not a Gcable not a licable 14 16 19 HEART Youthbuild Technical Proposal # of youth completing High School di Loma not all are seniors 5-G/ yr (seniors onl not a licable 0 5 Rate of literac and numerac ains not available not a licable # & % outh enterin construction field not available not a licable #&% outh enterin Other em 10 ent not acadable not a licable Em to ent & retention rates not available not a licable # & % of youth who have entered post- second tratnm /education not available not a licable Post-secondary training/education retention rates not available not a licable # Post-secondary training/education retention credentials earned not available ^ot a licable # & % youth entered registered a renticeshi r0 amS not available not a licable Annnal cost/participant $20,293 $600 $21,240 $26,977 includes in-kind includes in-kind Projected Success: Expansion of the HEART program to YouthBuild will providing: new opportunities to post-secondary education, enhanced services toward job placement and readiness, leadership development opportunities, and growth by reaching out to new populations and more participants. Because funding has come from local sources, there have not been recognized standards for data collection and we simply have not had funding for staff to follows students in the post-program world. This is also due to the fact that our partner in the school system has not requested or required the information. However, we are excited about the post-program follow-up, connections to post-secondary education, and leadership development systems and opportunities that we can achieve by using the YouthBuild model. By partnering with NICC and housing all program staff under one umbrella, we're confident that we can help participants achieve their goals and show the outcomes that come as a result. 20 Attachment C HEART YouthBuild -Budget Narrative The following budget narrative describes the 2 SF 424A forms submitted. Because of our two year phased expansion, we believed it would be easiest to see the budget year by year, because it changes significantly in Year 2. These two forms (SF 424A yr 1 and SF 424A yr 2) are attached to the Budget Narrative Section of the grant upload instructions as was advised by other YouthBuild organizations. ALL STAFFING PAYROLL AND STIPENDS PAYMENT: All employees are paid bi- weekly (26 times a year) on Fridays with this week being a pay day. We work with participants to set up checking accounts and strongly encourage direct deposit be used. PERSONNEL: Staffing: The attached organizational charts outline staffing and time allocation for each member. Salaries (see Table 1) and wage budgets are supplemented by a 25% benefit budget to cover related charges, including FICA, medical, workman's comp, SUTA. We offer a 403b savings program to staff members who choose to participate. Staffing compensation is based on comparable salaries in the non-profit and educational fields in the region. Year 2 includes a 3% COLI estimate increase for staff. Table 1: Full Time Equivalent Salary Compensation for staff Program Director $ 54,000 Office Support $ 30,000 Leadership Developer $ 30,000 Counselor $ 32,000 Training 8~ Site Supervisor $ 43,000 Training Coaches $ 30,000 Teacher $ 35,000 Development: The budget includes line items for teambuilding for staff ($400), organization and staff membership dues ($1200), and staff development ($4000 training, $4000 travel) per year. YOUTH PARTICIPANTS: For all student payments, FICA will be taken out, matched, and workman's comp will be provided. Service Learning Stipend: Participants are providing a living stipend in order to participate. The stipend is relative to their participation, with pro-rated reductions for non-attendance. The amount paid is based on their time spent in Service Learning, at our state minimum wage rate of $7.25/hr. Participants who work for a full workweek of 15 hours in service learning would therefore receive a living wage stipend of $108.75. Travel & Meals Stipend: Participants are allotted a $10 per diem for attendance for travel and meals costs per day, paid out with their service learning stipend. Because our focus area for HEART YouthBuild -Budget Narrative recruitment and the downtown is relatively small compared to larger cities, many of the students will be able to walk to the headquarters and public transportation is available during operational hours. We will provide travel to the worksites, which are also in fairly close proximity. Various restaurants and sources for lunch/food are nearby and we' 11 encourage participants to bring lunches by making a kitchen and lunch break area accessible. Healthy drinks (sugar-free and juices) and healthy foods (fruit, crackers) will be available for purchase at near-cost price at our headquarters, to reduce tendancy to purchase unhealthy, overpriced convenience foods. Non- attendance results in a pro-rated reduction in the stipend. Transportation to and from headquarters to worksites will be contracted through our city regional transit authority. Incentives: A $500/participant pool of funding is allotted each year in order to provide incentives to participants. Incentives include: $40 at GED attainment, $10 at each Individualized Goal Plan level passing, and $10/mo for perfect attendance. Incentives will be used consistently and expectations will be made clear to students in a written handbook. The pool is also used to be able to help students in an emergency situation or where an unusual obstacle arises that prohibits their being able to reach their goals. Emergency allotments will be made as a group decision of program staff, with consensus from the Program Director, Teacher, Training & Site Supervisor, Counselor, and Leadership Developer. Youth Development: The budget includes line items for team building ($2000 contracted services), and Leadership Development ($1500 training, $1000 consumables, $2000 retreat services, $3500 conference & travel). Educational & Service Learning Needs: Budgeted is safety gear & uniforms ($55/youth), Educational Materials ($356/youth), and Commencement robes ($35/youth). Class fees include Lead Training ($350/youth in-kind from City), Pre-employment Strategies & CRC Certificate ($305/youth), and GED registration and fees ($165/youth). OPERATIONAL COSTS: Budgeted for the educational and service learning portions of the program are vehicle maintenance/insurance and staff mileage ($5000), computers maintenance and educational software ($2000), and rent & utilities ($14520). Construction support ($2200). ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: Office rent ($1000), Legal fees ($500), Audit- year 2 ($4000), utilities ($5460), promotional/fundraising material/website ($5000), insurance ($8279), postage/shipping/copying/printing ($3400), Office supplies ($1920). NON ELIGIBLE COSTS: In year 1, we have budgeted $6050 for healthy drinks and snacks to be supplied at our site and plan to charge enough to students (on a voluntary purchase sales basis) to cover the cost of the service, in order to encourage healthier eating habits. Attachment G i GreaterDubuque January 8, 2009 It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support and commitment from the DubuqueWorks partnership for the city of Dubuque and HEART program Youthbuild grant application. Together the city of Dubuque and the Four Mounds HEART program have developed a program targeted for high school students who were headed down an unsuccessful path. This program has helped to restore people, ready students with employable and create quality, affordable housing in our community. Now, with an expanded vision and even more partners in place, the city of Dubuque and HEART program are seeking a Youthbuild grant to expand this program and DubuqueWorks is proud to be one such partner. The DubugeWorks partnership consists of key economic development and employment organizations including: GDDC, NICC, Chamber, IWD, DALMC, and CFGD. Together, these organizations work with companies throughout Dubuque County to help identify and match employer needs with qualified employees. Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in demand coupled with an increase shortage for labor trades and skill sets such as those taught through the HEART/Youthbuild program. To help fill this employment the Dubuque Works a job placement program was created to help fill labor shortages. DubuqueWorks is committed to working with the HEART program to place these students in livable wage positions. Over the next three years, these organizations and our partners will provide approximately $200,000 a year in resources into the Dubuque Works program. This financial commitment will help students find meaningful employment upon graduation from the HEART/Youthbuild program. DubuqueWorks is proud to partner with the city of Dubuque on the HEART/Youthbuild and encourage you to approve our application for funding. In doing so you will help us continue on our successful path of restoring people, homes, communities and commerce through the building trades. Sincerely, ~~ Wendy Mihm-Herold Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Wendy Wheelock Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce ~~~~ Tara Nelson Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque ~ ~ ~~ Tiffany Willard Telegraph Herald ~~ Sarah Harris Iowa Workforce Development ~~ Zoe Pole Northeast Iowa Community College ~~rX~ Kelly Co per ~r ~ Dubuque Area Labor management Council f/~ i001ACLSt Screec Suite 195 Phone: 543584.2;00 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION a°. ~a 902 far: 543.583.4619 Dubuque.fA 52DOa-0902 cw,~edbyfoundation.org of Greater Aubuque January 9, 2009 With great pleasure, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, submits this letter of support and commitment for the city of Dubuque and HEART program's Youthbuild grant application. Together the city of Dubuque and the Four Mounds HEART program are changing the lives of our community's youth by providing vocational construction training and education through the rehabilitation of blighted properties in Dubuque. The program is inspiring a lifelong love of learning in students, while teaching self-reliance and instilling a strong sense of accomplishment. This program has helped to restore people, ready students for employment and create quality, affordable .housing in our community. The Community Foundation administers Project Hope (Helping Our People Excel) which is focused on helping the underemployed and the underemployed achieve sustainable, living-wage employment. The HEART/Youthbuild program fills a gap in our community by providing alternative education and life skills to students who are not succeeding in a traditional school setting. By providing at-risk youth with valuable job skills and opportunities to make a large impact on our environment by re-vitalizing existing housing in Dubuque`s downtown, students are Leading a regenerative movement in our neighborhoods. The Community Foundation is proud to be a partner and supports expanding the program through a Youthbuild grant. The Community Foundation is committed to working with the HEART program to provide educational opportunities, life skill training and to place these students in livable wage positions. Over the next three years, our partners will provide approximately $200,000 a year in resources into Project Hope and the Dubuque Works program. This financial commitment will help students find meaningful employment upon graduation from the HEARTlYouthbuild program. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is proud to partner with the city of Dubuque on the HEART/Youthbui[d and encourage you to approve our application for funding. In doing so, you will help us continue on our successful path of strengthening our youth and our community. Sincerely, I 0' ~~ For good. For ever.' Dubu e ~d ~~ry ~„r,~.r~r~.~~,r~ January 8, 2009 It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support and commitment from the Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) for the city of Dubuque and HEART Youthbuild application. DCSD has a long and successful history of partnering with other organizations to change people's lives and our partnership with the HEART program is no exception. For over 5 years, DCSD has partnered with Four Mounds Foundation and the HEART program to provide alternative education and curriculum for students who are unsuccessful in a traditional classroom setting. This has been a critical partnership and has helped to keep troubled teens out of the court system. In addition, the Four Mounds Foundation has been a partner with the DCSD providing other curriculum for our alternative high school for over 10 years. DCSD is proud to expand that partnership to include the Four Mounds HEART program, a home carpentry and construction program for entitled and qualifying high school students. With an expanded vision and even more partners in place, the city of Dubuque and HEART program are seeking a Youthbuild grant to expand this program. As part of our commitment to the HEART/Youthbuild program, DCSD is prepared to commit the following resources: Financial support for special education students identified for the HEART program as per their Individual Education Plan Collaboration on the building and trades curriculum aligned with the area community college (NICC) Ongoing collaboration of current partnerships including the Dubuque Realtors Association DCSD is proud to partner with the city of Dubuque on the HEART/Youthbuild and encourage you to approve our application for funding. In doing so you will help us continue on our mission to create education opportunities for all students. Sincerely, ~~~- John L. 13urgart Superintendent of Schools Dubuque Community School District l~. FO U R M O U N D.~ ~ 4906 Peru Road. Dubuque, L152t101 563/i57-739?. wtete fuurmounds.ore January 9, 2008 Four Mounds Foundation, as lead partner in the Housing Education and Rehabilitation Training [HEART] Partnership, enthusiastically submits this commitment letter for the expansion of our program into HEART YouthBuild, through an application to DOL by the City of Dubuque. The City of Dubuque has been our partner in HEART since the beginning of the program and as we expand the partnership to outreach and enhance the opportunities given to our community's young people, our roles further evolve and grow. Four Mounds is excited to bring all program activities of HEART under one umbrella, increasing the opportunities provided, especially in service learning, leadership development and educational services (including post-secondary educational opportunities). Four Mounds will continue to lead as the operating agent for the program, responsible for all program functions, but partnering with the City to achieve service learning project and fiscal goals. Four Mounds commits to expanding staff and continuing to make HEART a top priority as together with the City and our partners, we forward worthwhile, common, community goals. Sincerely, Chris .' a Happ Olson Executive Director PRP~FRVf: •EDI~('AIC: •SERVF. January 8, 2009 It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of support and commitment from Gronen Properties/Gronen Restoration (GP/GR) for the city of Dubuque and HEART program Youthbuild application. GP1GR was a founding supporter of the vocational youth programming thru Four Mounds nearly 14 years ago and has benefitted from the skilled youth that have graduated from that program. These youth have provided Important carpentry skills on restoration projects managed by GR/GP. GP/GR is proud to renew our commitment to the Four Mounds HEART program, by providing a signification discount on the 3,000 square feet of the needed classroom and workshop space for the duration of the Youthbuild grant funding. GP/GR is a property owner in downtown and the warehouse district and understands the value of providing students in the HEART program with a classroom and construction space they can call their own. Downtown has been identified as an Ideal location, appealing to the students, minimizing transpot#ation costs to the worksite, school and the student's homes. Downtown rental rates average $8-$10 a square foot bringing the estimate annual rental rate expense far the HEART program to $24,000 - $30,000 a year. GP/GR (s committed to providing this space for an annual rental rate of $5,500. We have seen first hand the restoration of these teen's lives and the new experience they have of self-worth and helping to make a difference in their community. ~r-~-~rHS-proao-~o-pa~ner~vitt~-the-e~t~r-e€-Bubugae-en-th;. HEART/Youthbuild and encourage you to approve our application for funding. Sincerely, ~,~/Y Jo onen Pr i nt, Gronen Properties /Gronen Restoration DO 6oA 1864 • ~ue9QU[ • iow~ • 54004-1864 • aNO~F 565.557.7010 • fix 363.690.1610 ~ _. ~ u~~.l~. 56 ~ Stmt, P. O Bax 4is7322 ~ 5oimerwEle,19A Q214~4 ~3 (61 Tj 623=99G0 - Fac (6175 b23-4331 yr (fi17} 5t3~359 www.ycu-hbul~loryl Mr. Teri Goodmann City of Dubuque 50 W. 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Dear Ms Goodmann: Attachment H October 17, 2008 This letter will serve as an agreement between the City of Dubuque, Iowa and YouthBuilld USA Inc. for technical assistance services related to the planning and design of a new YouthBuild program for the City of Dubuque. Scope of services: Included in the scope of services that YouthBuild USA will provide are the following: • Preparation of a presentation and agenda that meets your request for both a community presentation about the YouthBuild model and planning and design technical assistance with a core planning committee, • One and a half days of on-site presentation and technical assistance from a YouthBuild consultant, • Materials and worksheets that will be used throughout the course of the training to facilitate the development of a solid YouthBuild program structure and potential partnerships, • Follow-up from the YouthBuild USA and the YouthBuild USA Director for New Site Development by telephone and by a-mail, to include continued assistance in planning and technical assistance for the on-going period of planning time. This will be done as a part of our'New Site Planning Technical Assistance. Delivery of Services The services described herein shall be delivered by YouthBuild USA's Director for New Site Development, Helen Whitcher. Contract Period: This contract shall be in effect for the preparation, presentation and training dates of October 19, 2008 through October 21, 2008. Follow-up shall be provided through our New Site Planning Technical Assistance. YouthBuild USA Contract Staff: Helen Whitcher (1-800-504-4507 or hwhitcher(a~comcast.net or hwhitcherCc)youthbuild.org will serve as the overall contract officer for YouthBuild USA in connection with this agreement. You should consult heron questions regarding the scope of work or terms of this agreement. Compensation: Your organization will compensate YouthBuild USA for the work included in the scope of work at the rate of $800 per day for a maximum of 2.5 days, for a total contract limit of $2000. In addition you will reimburse YouthBuild USA for travel (transportation, lodging, any ground transport and per diem) expenses related to delivering the scope of work. You will be provided with an estimate of these costs and we will look to you for suggestion around a hotel. The per diem rate for YouthBuild is $30.00. (Per is waived in light of the agenda presented. The cost for H. Whitcher airline ticket is $764.00 and D. Stoneman is $782.94) Terms for Payment: Payment is due within 30 days after services are delivered and an invoice has been submitted to you. The invoice will include a description of the services provided consistent with the specific items in the scope of services and an itemization of the amounts due including reimbursement for travel. Termination for Convenience: You or your authorized representative may terminate this agreement with written notice of 14 business days to the authorized YouthBuild USA representative signing this agreement. YouthBuild can terminate this contract at any time. If the contract is terminated by you, YouthBuild USA shall be paid for services actually performed prior to the termination notice and any non-recoupable expenses that have been incurred. Agreement• The signatures below represent the acceptance by the parties of the terms described above and the commitment to actin accordance with them. YOUTHBUILD USA,, INC. Helen Whitcher Mike Van ill' en v Dated / U1 Date B.J. Rudman Date Vice President for Finance and Administration