TO: FROM: DATE: RE:

Domesticviolenceadvocates AnneMenard NationalResourceCenteronDomesticViolence (amenard@pcadv.orgor8005372238ext.121) 7/1/11REV. RespondingtothereleaseofHEALTHYMARRIAGEANDRELATIONSHIPgrant announcementsandResponsibleFatherhoodgrantannouncements

Asmanyofyouknow,HHSreleasedfourprogramannouncementsearlierthisweek,eachofwhich includesrequirementsthatapplicantsconsultwithdomesticviolenceexperts,althoughthespecific languagevariesfromtheonegrantprogramtoanother. CommunityCenteredHealthyMarriageandRelationshipgrants($57M)tosupportprograms thathavethecapacityandproventrackrecordofprovidingabroadrangeofhealthymarriage andrelationshipskillstraining. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS2011ACFOFAFM0193 PathwaystoResponsibleFatherhoodgrants($52.5)tosupportorganizationsthatdemonstrate theabilitytosuccessfullypromoteresponsiblefatherhood,includingeconomicstability, responsibleparenting,andhealthymarriageandrelationshipskills. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS2011ACFOFAFK0194 CommunityCenteredResponsibleFatherhoodExPrisonerReEntryPilotProjectgrants ($6M)tosupportreentryprogramsthatprovideResponsibleFatherhoodpreandpostrelease casemanagementservicestorecentlyreleasedorreenteringfathersandmothers. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS2011ACFOFAFO0196 NationalResourceCenterforStrategiestoPromoteHealthyMarriagegrants($1.5M)to supportthedevelopment,implementationandmanagementofaresourcecentertogather, develop,anddisseminateinformationandresearchrelatedtopromotinghealthymarriage. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS2011ACFOFAFH0207 Thismemoincludes: AbasicoverviewoftheCommunityCenteredHealthyMarriageandRelationshipgrant announcementlistedaboveSeeAttachment1.YOUMIGHTWANTTOLOOKATTHISFIRST.

Someintitialquestionsthatadvocatescanaskifapproachedtopartnerbyanorganization applyingforahealthymarriageandrelationshipgrant;and

Resourcesthatyoumightfindhelpful. Wellupdatethisaswelearnmoreandasyoucontinuetoaskquestions.Similarinformationrelated totheResponsibleFatherhoodgrantannouncementwasprovidedinamemodated7/5/11.

1.QUESTIONSADOMESTICVIOLENCEADVOCATEMIGHTWANTTOASKABOUTHEALTHY MARRIAGEANDRELATIONSHIPPROJECTS,WHETHERCURRENTLYFUNDEDORPROPOSED

A. Ifyouarenottheapplicant,whatroleareyoubeingaskedtoplayordoyouWANTto playinthedesign,developmentandimplementationoftheproject? Youmaybeaskedtoprovidetrainingondomesticviolenceforthehealthymarriageand relationshippartnersormarriage/relationshipeducationfacilitators,helpdesign screening/assessmenttools,assistintheadaptationofcurriculum,beareferralfor domesticviolencevictimsidentifiedundertheproject,participateasfacilitators,group leaders,oramemberoftheprojectteam,helpdevelopconfidentialitypolicies,and/orassist inthedevelopmentofadomesticviolenceprotocol. B. Doyouhavethestafftime,interestandexpertisetoplaytherolebeingaskedofyou? C. Willyoubecompensatedforthetimeandexpertiseyoulendtotheprogramandhow much?Asadvocatesandnonprofits,wesometimes(often!)undervaluebothourtimeand thetrainingresourcewearetothecommunity.Rememberthatsuccessfulapplicantswill bereceivingsubstantialfunds,andtheexpertisedomesticviolenceadvocatesbringtothese projectsissignificant.VALUEITFAIRLYANDASKFORWHATYOUREWORTH!!! NOTE:Itisneitherrequirednoradvisablethatyouproposespecificdomesticviolencepolicies, protocols,screeningtools,andtrainingintheproposal(unlesstheyalreadyexistandyoucan comfortablyendorsetheirusewithintheproposedproject).Rather,whattheprogram announcementrequiresisacollaborativeplantogetallthosepiecesinplacebeforeservicesare offeredtoindividuals,couplesandfamilies.Whilethereisaveryshortproposalwriting timeframehere,thereisalsoa120dayplanningperiodbuiltintothegrant.Thisallowstimefor youtoparticipateinameaningfulprocessofidentifyingsitespecificapproachestoaddress domesticviolenceissues,particularlyifyouarebeingapproachedbyanewHMRpartner. SOMEPROGRAMMATICQUESTIONS Whattypesofhealthymarriageandrelationship(HMR)activitiesarebeingofferedor proposed? NOTE:ThescopeoftheseprogramsnowincludehealthymarriageandRELATIONSHIPprograms, andemphasizescomprehensiveservicesinaddressingfamilyneeds,includingbothservices designedtoimprovedmarriageandrelationshipskillsaswellasjobandcareeradvancement activitiestopromoteeconomicstabilityandselfsufficiencyaspartofanoverallstrategyto promotehealthymarriage.Thisisanimportantexpansionoftheoverallprogramfocus. Thereisawiderangeofactivitiesthatarebeingofferedundercurrentlyfundedhealthy marriageprojectsandwecanexpectthattobethecaseforthesenewlyfundedHMRprojects. Activitieshaverangedfrombroadbasedpubliceducationcampaigns,torelationshipclassesin highschools,tospecificmarriageeducationworkshopsorclassesthatvarysignificantlyinterms ofcontentandduration.Theactivitiesbeingofferedmayormaynothavebeendesignedforuse withthepopulationbeingtargetedbytheproject.Someprojectsitesareofferingcouples
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sessionsaswellasseparatesessionsformothersandfathers,whichcreatesadifferentsetof optionsforavictimofdomesticviolencewhomightbeplacedatriskinacouplesgroup,but mightbeinterestedinparticipatinginarelationshipsskillsclasstohelpherinherrelationship withherchildren,inacoparentingrelationship,orwithfuturerelationships.Togetabetter senseoftheseprograms,youcanvisittheNationalHealthyMarriageResourceCenterat: http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org. Questionsyoucanaskinclude:HowdotheHMRcurriculaandotherprogrammaterialstobe usedintheproposedprojectaddressdomesticviolenceissues?Isdomesticviolenceaddressed directlyincoursematerial?Isthereanycontentthatmightitselfincreaserisksfacedbya domesticviolencevictim,particularlyonewhohasnotdiscloseddomesticviolencetothose runningtheprogram? WhatisthetargetpopulationfortheHMRactivities? Thetargetpopulationmightinclude,forexample:newlyengagedcouples,singlemothers receivingwelfarebenefits,familiesinvolvedinthechildwelfaresystem(eithervoluntarilyor involuntary),parentsofnewborns,includingcouplestargetedbyinhospitalpaternity establishmentprograms,refugeefamilies,distressedfamilies,adoptiveparents,abroad communitypopulation,lowincomecouples,mixedincomefamilies,aparticularracialorethnic group,separatedcouples,divorcingcouples,cohabitingcouples,stepfamilies,linguistically diversefamilies,geographicallyisolatedfamilies,etc.. Obviously,eachofthesegroupsraisesdifferentconcernsintermsofrisksfordomesticviolence andtheneedforparticulartypesofinterventionandsupport.Culturalcompetenceshouldbe assuredinallprogramsand,insomecases,culturallyspecificprogramsandservicesmightbe themostappropriate. Whoarethekeypartnersintheproject?Towhatextentaretheydomesticviolence competent? IftheHMRinitiativeisconnectedtoastateTANF,childsupport,orchildwelfareagency,howis domesticviolencecurrentlyidentifiedandaddressedwithintheagency?Specifically,howdo theycreateasafeenvironmentfordisclosureofpastorcurrentdomesticviolence?Whatisthe agencyscurrentresponsetodisclosuresofdomesticviolence?Whatspecificproceduresarein placetoaddresssafetyconcernsthatmayariseforadultvictimsofdomesticviolence?Ifintake intotheHMRprojectwillbeconductedbypartneragencies(includingchurches),whatistheir currentexperienceidentifyingandaddressingdomesticviolenceissuesamongclients,members oftheircongregation,orcommunity? Forcommunitybasedoragencybasedinitiatives,howwillpotentialparticipantsintheHMR activitiesbeidentified? Andthissetsupawholehostofrelatedquestions:Howandbywhomwillthehealthymarriage andrelationshipprojectbeintroducedtoindividualclients?Willanyintakeprocesspreceedor followcurrentscreening/assessmentofdomesticviolencethattheagencyalreadyimplements foragencyservicesorbenefitseligibilitypurposes?Whattypesofdomesticviolencetrainingwill staffneedtorespondtodisclosures,whenevertheyoccur?Howwilldomesticviolence
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disclosureinformationbesharedamongtheprojectpartners?Howwilltheconfidentialityand privacyofdomesticviolencevictimsbemaintained? Howissuccessbeingdefinedandmeasuredbytheproposedproject? Whatperformancemeasureswillbeused,andwhatwilltheyreallyshow?Onelongstanding concernofoursisthatcountinganincreaseinmarriageoradecreaseindivorceovertimetells youlittleaboutthequalityofrelationships.Similarly,ifsomeonedecidesNOTtomarrythe fatheroftheirchildbecausesherecognizestheabusivenatureoftheirrelationshipor fundamentalincompatibility,willthatbeseenasasuccess?Asdomesticviolenceadvocates,we workwithmanymotherswhoaresinglebecausetheychosenottomarrytheabusivefatherof theirchildrenorleftarelationshipduetoabuse.Advocatescanhelpensurethatprograms avoidstigmatizingorwithdrawingsocialsupportsfromsingleparentsortwoparent,unmarried families,includinggayandlesbianparents,andthechildrenlivinginthesefamilies.

2.RESOURCESTHATMIGHTBEHELPFUL

WehavelotsofinformationattheNRCDVaboutrespondingtodomesticviolencewithinthe contextofhealthymarriageandrelationship(HMR)programs.Feelfreetocontactusifyouneed additionalinformationorassistance(amenard@pcadv.org).

A. SPECIALCOLLECTIONONDOMESTICVIOLENCEISSUESFORTHENATIONALHEALTHY MARRIAGERESOURCECENTER TheNRCDVhelpedcompileresourcesforHMReducationprogramadministratorsand practitionerswhohave,orneedto,implementadomesticviolencecomponenttotheir programs.Thereisalotofinfohere,butIwouldparticularlypointyoutotheRespondingto DomesticViolenceServiceDeliverysection: http://www.healthymarriageinfo.orgCollectionsbyTopicMarriageandDomesticViolence Asyoucansee,includedinthissectionisalinktoPromotingSafety:AResourcePacketfor MarriageandRelationshipEducatorsandProgramAdministratorsthatIwrotefortheAnnieE. CaseyFoundationandtheNationalHealthyMarriageResourceCenterbackin2008.The ResourceGuidewasdevelopedtohelptheseeducatorsandadministratorsunderstandand respondtodomesticviolenceissuesthatmayarisewithintheirprograms.(Ifyouwantahard copyorCDoftheResourcePacketsenttoyou,justletusknownrcdv@pcadv.org.)

B.DOMESTICVIOLENCEPROTOCOLDEVELOPMENT Theprocessofprotocoldevelopmentcanbeasimportantastheprotocolitself.Wehavealso learnedthatprotocolscanbeusefulasaneducationaltool,particularlywhenthereislikelyto beturnoverofkeypersonnel.Agoodprotocolcanhelpaffirmsharedvalues,underscorekey concerns,articulatecommitmentsthatpartnersaremakingtoeachother,andhelpbuildtrust. Ifyourpotentialpartnersareverydvcompetent(mostlikelyduetoyourpastworkwith them),thenitisnotnecessarytoincludesomeofthedetailyoullfindintheattachedBlueprint; ifthethesepartnershavenotdealtwithdomesticviolenceissuesbefore,anevenmoredetailed protocolmightneedtobedeveloped.

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TheBlueprinttoGuideDevelopmentofDomesticViolenceProtocolsatthelinkbelowwasbuilt onthelessonswelearnedworkingwithhealthmarriageandrelationshipprograms.Oneofthe attachedtoolsprovidessomestartingpointsfortheprotocoldevelopmentprocess.(NOTE:You mayneedtocutandpastthelinkintoyourbrowser.) http://pubs.pcadv.net/nrcdv/DVprotocolBlueprintGeneralcopy.pdf

C.UPCOMINGWEBINARONDVANDHEALTHYMARRIAGEANDRELATIONSHIPPROGRAMS TheNRCDV,alongwiththeNationalHealthyMarriageResourceCenter,areorganizinga webinarfordvadvocatesinearlySeptember.Whiletoolateforproposalwriting,thewebinar willbehelpfultothoseofyouwhoarecollaborativepartnerstofundedHMRprogramsorwho areyourselvessuccessfulapplicants.Moreinformationtofollow.

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ATTACHMENT 1

COMMUNITYCENTEREDHEALTHYMARRIAGEANDRELATIONSHIPGRANTS

I. OVERVIEW

Tosupportprogramsthathavethecapacityandproventrackrecordofprovidingabroadrangeof healthymarriageandrelationshipskillstraining. ~SeeFundingOpportunityNo.HHS2011ACFOFAFM0193foundat: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS2011ACFOFAFM0193 Deadlineforapplicationsis7/28/2011

A. SUMMARY(p.1) GrantsawardedunderthisFundingOpportunityAnnouncement(FOA)willfunddemonstration grantstosupportprogramsthatofferabroadarrayservicesdesignedtopromotehealthy marriage.Applicantsarestronglyencouragedtoprovidecomprehensiveservicesinaddressing familyneeds,includingbothservicesdesignedtoimprovedmarriageandrelationshipskillsas wellasjobandcareeradvancementactivitiestopromoteeconomicstabilityandselfsufficiency aspartofanoverallstrategytopromotehealthymarriage. Whilegrantswillprovidefor1yearoffundingbasedoncurrentlyavailablefunds,ACFintendsto continuesuccessfulagreementsthroughnoncompetitivecontinuationapplicationsthatremain inthebestinterestoftheFederalGovernmentfora3yearperiodifsubsequentfundingis appropriated.p.1 B. FUNDINGRANGESTOTALESTIMATED:$57Million(p.3) RANGEA:$800,000to$2,500,000(approximately17grants) Thisrangeisforapplicationsproposingtoservealargenumberofparticipants,inasinglesiteor inmultiplesites,andtoprovideacomprehensivesetofservicestopromotehealthymarriage, withbonuspoints(4points)forentitiesthatwillintegraterelationshipandmarriageeducation serviceswithjobandcareeradvancementservices(underAllowableActivityIII).Giventhesize oftheseawards,theexpectationisthattheseprogramswillincludemultiplecomponents. RANGEB:$300,000to$799,999(approximately58grants) Thisrangewillfundprojectsthateitherservefewerindividuals,providealesscomprehensive approach,orbothascomparedtoRangeAprojects.AsinRangeA,therearebonuspoints(4 points)forprojectsthatintegratecareerandjobadvancement(underAllowableActivityIII)with otherallowableactivities. C. TARGETPOPULATION(p.3) Whileparticipanteligibilityisnotlimitedtothesepopulations,ACFhasaparticularinterestin servicestargetingthefollowing: FamiliesreceivingTANForfamiliesthatareeligibleforTANFassistance; FamiliesthatpreviouslyreceivedTANFassistance; Otherlowincomefamiliesandindividuals,includingrefugeesandotherimmigrants; Lowincomeatriskindividuals,includinghighschooldropouts;noncustodialandother singleparents;individualswithdisabilities;andveterans.(p.3)

D. COLLABORATIONSENCOURAGED(p.4) Someexamplesofpotentialpartneringagencies/systemsinclude,butarenotlimitedto:State, tribal,orlocalTANFagencies;localChambersofCommerceandtheiraffiliatedChambers;the childsupportagency;thepublicworkforceinvestmentsystem,includinglocalWorkforce InvestmentBoardsandtheirOneStopCareerCenters;childwelfareagenciesandorganizations; domesticviolenceorganizations;andnonprofitorganizationsincludingfaithbasedand communityorganizations,whichhavedirectaccesstothetargetedpopulations(e.g.,refugee resettlementprograms).(p.4) E.ALLOWABLEACTIVITIES(pp.1617) ApplicantsmustchooseamongtheeightAllowableActivities(AA)inprovidinghealthymarriage andrelationshipservicesintheirdesignatedcommunities... I)Publicadvertisingcampaignsonthevalueofmarriageandtheskillsneededtoincrease maritalstabilityandhealth II)Educationinhighschoolsonthevalueofmarriage,relationshipskills,andbudgeting III)Marriageeducation,marriageskills,andrelationshipskillsprogramsthatmayinclude parentingskills,financialmanagement,conflictresolution,andjobandcareeradvancementfor nonmarriedpregnantwomenandnonmarriedexpectantfathers IV)Premaritaleducationandmarriageskillstrainingforengagedcouplesandforcouplesor personsinterestedinmarriage V)Marriageenhancementandmarriageskillstrainingprogramsformarriedcouples VI)Divorcereductionprogramsthatteachrelationshipskills VII)Marriagementoringprograms,whichusemarriedcouplesasrolemodelsandmentorsinat riskcommunities VIII)Programstoreducethedisincentivestomarriageinmeanstestedaidprogramsifofferedin conjunctionwithanyactivitydescribedinthissubparagraph. F. PLANNINGPERIODALLOWED(p.2):Successfulapplicantswillbegivenupto120daysfor intensiveandcomprehensiveplanning.

II.WHATDOMESTICVIOLENCEISSUESAPPLICANTSNEEDTOADDRESSINTHEIR PROPOSALS
NOTE:Granteesareexpectedtoconsultwithexpertsindomesticviolenceorrelevant communitydomesticviolkencecoalitionsindevelopingtheprogramsandactivities(p.5) Thedomesticviolencerequirementsforapplicantsaresignificantlymorespelledoutandclearas comparedtothoseincludedinthe2006programannouncements.Thekeyrequirementsare:
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 A. DOMESTICVIOLENCEREQUIREMENTUnderGeneralRequirements(p.1920) Thesafetyandwellbeingofallparticipantsenrolledinhealthymarriageandresponsible fatherhoodactivities,andtheirpartners,spouses,children,andotherfamilymembers,isa highpriorityforACF.Applicantsmustidentifyintheirapplicationsthedomesticviolence expertswithwhomtheyhaveinitiallyconsultedregardingprogramdesign,content,outreach, outcomes,andtargetpopulation,amongotherissues.Inaddition,applicantsmustinclude evidenceofconsultationwithoneormoreexpertsondomesticviolenceprevention,orwith domesticviolencecoalitionsinthecommunity,toassistindevelopinganappropriate domesticviolenceprotocoltailoredtotheprogrampriortoprogramimplementation. Inordertohaveacomprehensiveresponsetothesafetyandneedsofdomesticviolence victimsandtheirchildren,applicantsareencouragedtobuildandprovideevidenceof collaborativepartnershipswithdomesticviolenceserviceproviders.Applicantsare encouragedtodescribewhereappropriatehowproposedprogramactivitieswillensurea comprehensiveresponsetodisclosuresofdomesticviolence,safetyplanning,andreferralsto appropriateassistancebothbeforeandafterthescreeningprocess,andbuildthecapacityof programstaffandpartnerstoaddressdomesticviolence,includingatrainingplanfocusedon: Approachestodomesticviolencescreeningandassessmenttakingintoconsiderationthat programs,particularlythosethatthatlacktheorganizationalexpertise,arenotintended asinterventionstoaddressdomesticviolence; Howdomesticviolenceimpactstheirprogramandprogramparticipants(suchasvictims ofdomesticviolencewhoareseekingtoleaveabusiverelationships; Impactofdomesticviolenceonchildrenandyouth); Safetyplanningandreferralsforcrisisinterventionandothercommunitybaseddomestic violenceservices; Safelyengagingpersonswithahistoryofviolentbehavior; Ensuringthattheprogramwillrespectthewishesofpartnerswhodonotwishtoengage inrelationshipswithindividualsseekingprogramparticipationorwhohaveconcerns abouttheriskofchildmaltreatmentifengagementisencouragedbetweenaprogram participantandachild;and Strategiesforeffectiveandconsistentimplementationofdomesticviolenceprotocolsand collaborationwithserviceproviders. Promisingmodelsforapplicantstoconsiderincludecrossagencyreferrals,ascreeningtool duringintakeprocessthatfocusesonthesafetyandsupportofdomesticviolencevictims, incorporatingcurriculummodulesthatfocusonhealthyrelationshipsandrecognizing domesticviolence,regularstafftrainingondomesticviolence,trainingonreportingofchild abuse,andintegratingadomesticviolencestaffprovideronsite. ACFisalsodeeplycommittedtothepreventionofchildmaltreatment.Applicantsarestrongly encouragedtodescribe: Stepstheywilltaketopreventchildmaltreatmentamongprogramparticipants; Howstaffwillbetrainedonpreventinganddetectingpotentialchildmaltreatmentand howcasesofsuspectedmaltreatmentwillbehandled,includingadescriptionofnowthe applicantwilladdressthecooccurrenceofchildmaltreatmentanddomesticviolence;and
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 Theexpertisetheyhaveintheorganizationorthepartnershipstheywillformtomeetthe goalofpreventinganddetectingchildmaltreatmentamongprogramparticipants. B. SCORINGOFPROJECTAPPROACHANDWORKPLANUnderCriteria(p.31) 7pointsfortheextenttowhich: Theapplicanthasawellthoughtout,feasiblestrategyforpreventingandaddressing domesticviolenceandchildmaltreatment. Theapplicantprovidesevidenceofinitialconsultationwithdomesticviolenceand childmaltreatmentexpertstoassistinthedevelopmentofappropriateprotocols tailoredtotheprogram. Theapplicantdemonstratesthattheyhaveorwillhavecollaborativepartnerships withprovidersofdomesticviolenceandchildmaltreatmentservices,including evidenceofacollaborativepartnershipwithdomesticviolenceexpertsforsafety planning,makingservicereferrals,connectionstoappropriateassistanceand increasingprotectionsforindividuals/familiesimpactedbydomesticviolencethatare relatedtooutcomesandperformancemeasures. Theapplicanthasaplantoensureacomprehensiveresponsetodisclosuresof domesticviolenceandchildmaltreatment. C. SCORINGOFORGANIZATIONALCAPACITYANDEXPERIENCEUnderCriteria(p.34) 20pointsfortheextenttowhichtheapplicant'splanaddressesthebulletpointsastheyrelate toHealthyMarriagepromotionandrelationshipskills[seebullets5and7below]... DemonstratestheorganizationalcapacitynecessarytooverseeFederalgrants throughadescriptionoftheorganization'sfiscalcontrols,anexplanationofthe organization'sgovernancestructure. Includesacleardescriptionofitsfinancialmanagementexperienceandprovides evidenceofanadequaterecordssystemthatwillallowforeffectivecontroloverand accountabilityforfunds. Demonstratesitscurrentcapabilitytoorganizeandoperatetheproposedproject effectivelyandefficiently. Includesanorganizationalchartthatdemonstratestherelationshipbetweenall positions(includingconsultantsand/orsubcontracts)tobefundedthroughthis grant. Clearlydescribestheorganization'srelevantexperienceandprevious accomplishmentsinrelevantareasincludingimprovingrelationshipsand/or promotinghealthymarriagesthroughspecificservicesandactivities,addressing domesticviolenceandchildmaltreatment,andimplementinghighqualityand effectivejobandcareeradvancementprograms(forthoseapplicantsseekingto includetheseservicesintheirprograms). Describestheexperienceandpreviousaccomplishmentsofprogrampartnersin relevantareas. Demonstratesaclearplanforhowtheywillinstructandtrainprogramstaffand partnerstoaddressdomesticviolenceandchildmaltreatment.

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