Request for Applications
Request for Application 2.0
Background
All Children Thrive–California (ACT) is a statewide, community-driven initiative fostering holistic solutions to longstanding problems facing California families. ACT unites community members and their city officials to co-design policy solutions that improve child well-being. The collaborative design model ensures that those most harmed by inequities receive the greatest support.
ACT is committed to supporting local policy projects designed to allocate resources in a way that assures that all children thrive. ACT prioritizes cities that are seeking to establish policies benefiting historically marginalized communities—the same ones that have been underserved and over surveilled – and names equity as central to the distribution of resources.
ACT accelerates change by building networks of California communities that transform the ecosystem shaping child well-being. ACT will bring together city officials and community leaders who understand their cities to co-design solutions through one of six focus areas:
- Strengthening economic supports for children and families
- Creating protective environments
- Promoting healthy child development
- Youth development and civic engagement
- Access to safe and stable housing
- Mental health and wellness
Purpose of RFA
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to support ACT Design Teams in the ACT Transformation Process.
Augmentation Funding Availability
Current ACT funded projects will be eligible to receive up to $60,000 each to support eligible activities and allowable expenditures during their 3 year participation as an ACT-funded project. (See Activities, Budget, and Use of Funds sections below.) These funds are a one-time allocation to support ACT activities. Applicants are to remain cognizant that the use of ACT appropriations from the California State General Fund -and the activities proposed in response to this RFA must be consistent with the authority provided under SB 115 -Funding is contingent upon available revenues and appropriation by the Legislature and the California Department of Public Health.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be currently an ACT-funded project with a 501(c)3 status, other non-governmental entity, or tribal sovereignty. Before applying, an applicant must work with their ACT Coach and the ACT Core Team to develop a scope of work. – The table below provides full eligibility requirements to receive funding and means of meeting them.
Funded Activities
Coalition Building
- Learning Community
Policy
- Policy Advocacy Trainings (e.g., Civics 101, Public Speaking, Policy Campaign Plan, Policy Development)
- General Plan Review/Local Ordinance and Policy Review
- Policy Development
- 1:1 Policy Maker Education Meetings
- City Council Education Presentations
- Identifying City Council Champions for Communities
Data Collection and Analysis
- Data Visualizations such as dashboard(s)
- Asset Mapping
Youth
- Youth Policy Advocacy Training (Civics 101, Public Speaking, Policy Campaign Plan, Policy Development)
- Youth Racial Equity Training
Communications/Community Education
- Communications Plan
- Educational Materials
- Leave Behind Packets for Policymakers
- Social Media Campaign
- Website
Sustainability
- Sustainability Plan
- Grant Writing Training
Incentives/Stipends
- Non-consumable Incentives
- Consumable Incentives
- Stipends
Purpose of RFA
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to support ACT Design Teams in the ACT Transformation Process.
Key Dates
Application deadlines updated on a regular basis but are currently to be determined.
Application Submission
All applications will have to be submitted electronically on ACT-CA.org
Application begins at bottom of page.
Funding Availability
Thirty cities will receive up to $200,000 each to support eligible activities and allowable expenditures during their 3 year participation as an ACT city. (See Activities, Budget, and Use of Funds below.) These funds are a one-time allocation to support ACT activities in 2021 through 2026. Applicants are to remain cognizant that the use of ACT appropriations from the California General Fund (previously Mental Health Services Act) and the activities proposed in response to this RFA must be consistent with the authority provided under SB 115 (previously SB 840). Funding is contingent upon available revenues and appropriation by the Legislature and the California Department of Public Health.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be a 501(c)3, other non-governmental entity, or tribal sovereignties that is a current member of their city’s existing ACT Team. Before applying, an applicant must work with an ACT Coach and the ACT Core Team to develop a scope of work and learn about activity options. The table below provides full eligibility requirements to receive funding and means of meeting them.
Glossary of Terms
Additional Criteria
If at any time the number of interested and eligible cities exceeds the initiative’s capacity to support them, the following additional funding criteria will be applied.
Geographic Diversity
ACT is funded by the California Mental Health Services Act. To ensure that funds are equitably distributed to support the state’s geographic diversity, cities will be prioritized for funding in the following order:
- Cities within the Superior Counties Mental Health Region
- Cities that increase the geographic diversity of counties represented from their Mental Health Region
- Cities collaborating within a country of Mental Health Region
Neighborhood Risk
The Neighborhood Risk Index will be used to identify the proportion of neighbors residing in census tracts classified as at high risk using social determinants associated with health and development among 482 California cities. Priority will be given to cities with higher risk rankings. Applicants may submit for consideration other data collected within the last three years relevant to their selected priority area(s).
Funded Activities
Budget
Provide budget as an Excel document including the following:
- Funding activities (from among above)
- Personnel (up to 1.0 FTE)
- Supplies/Personal
- Travel (Note: Safety considerations for COVID-19 required)
- Meeting Costs (e.g. Zoom, Venue)
- Incentives (e.g. food, gift cards – commensurate to the activity)
- Stipends
- Trainings
- Occupancy
Ineligible Use of Funds
Funds may not be used for the following:
- Supplanting or duplicating existing programs
- Fundraising activities
- Lobbying or electioneering
- Reimbursements for costs currently covered by another contract
- Maintaining professional licensure or malpractice insurance
- Religious activities
- Delivery of healthcare services
Evaluation and Reporting
During the grant period, the ACT staff and evaluator will help awardees to complete surveys, participate in interviews, and complete program monitoring documentation. A reporting template will be provided to awardees. At the close of the funding period, awardees must submit a two-page summary report detailing:
- Activities and work completed
- Successes
- Challenges
- Key Findings
Appeals Process
If your application is denied you may file an appeal by sending an email within 30 calendar days of the date of the denial notice to info@act-ca.org.
Point of Contact
All questions regarding this RFA may be submitted via e-mail to info@act-ca.org.