Read only if you're interested in Grants/Websites - 5/06

Wed May 17 19:18:31 EDT 2006

- FEELING POUNDED  
- GRANT HELP/QUESTIONS
- THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: GETTING/BEING LISTED ON THE "OFFICIAL" WEBSITES?

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****First, do not bother reading this if you are not interested in applying
for grants or if you don't have a marriage education program.  Nothing 'fun'
in this email.  - diane

- FEELING POUNDED  

Several dozen of you have emailed sentiments like these:

> Diane 
> Why do we only get 45 days for one of the most important grant issues in the
> last 25 years?!  This is an outrage.

> Diane, 
> If you know the people who are in charge of the timing of grants, you may want
> to mention to them that the timing of this one could have been better.
> 
> I would venture that everyone who is seriously going to be applying for the
> grant will also be at the Smart Marriages Conference.  That means that in
> addition to preparing for the conference, we will have several grant prep
> days used up by being at the conference.
> 
> I hate to complain, but it is something like having a grant application
> due on December 26th.

> Dear Diane, 
> I thought you had influence with the ACF guys! I hope you don't take the
> timing of this personally.  But I don't see any other way you could take it.
> This is bound to put a dent in the conference.

I understand that, as one caller put it, you're "feeling pounded" by the 45
day turn around. So much so that I haven't received a single "tah dah"
flavored email.  I know you ARE excited about the money and just distracted
by the boulder rolling towards you.  But we should stop to CELEBRATE and we
should realize there was nothing malicious about the timing - ACF is not out
to dent the conference.  I'm assured the timing of the call for grants had
to do with being sure they had things right and getting legal department
sign-off, etc.  AND, that they need the grant applications in by June 30
because they have to get the money out there and put it to work.  Hope this
doesn't cause any premature deaths.  Only half joking after talking to some
of you today but I do think the conference - and the Marriage Education
momentum - and most of us, will be just fine.    - diane

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- GRANT HELP/QUESTIONS

Thanks to everyone that sent this correction:

> Dear Diane,
> 
> There is a typo in the ACF Website, an apostrophe (') where there should
> be a slash (/): 
> Wrong: <http://www.acf.hhs.gov'grants/index.html>
> Right: <http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html>
> 
> John Odhner
------------------------------
> Diane,
> Here is additional grant information you should share with the list:
> http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.GRANT_PROPOSAL_DYN.show

-----------------------------
> Diane
> Can you give us a brief overview of what this all boils down to?  Is this what
> you expected, the way you expected the money would be allocated? What about
> the Fatherhood money, I didn't see that mentioned.

>> Dear Diane,
>> Are there any mini grants in this round of funding? I was basing my
>> application on what Dennis and Bill taught me last June, and have
>> created a $50,000 program.

As I understand it the $50 million Fatherhood money is not yet announced.
That's a surprise.  I don't know why not or when it will be announced but
that will just be the more the marrier....

As I understand it, mostly from being informed by callers (by YOU) today,
there are several 'marriage money' categories: 15 grants for an average of
$1 million each (5 of which will focus on unmarried parents).  Another
section that will allot grants of 1.5 million to 5 million per year, but
there is only $7.5 million per year in that pot, so it's most likely going
to be several of the smaller $1.5 to $2 million a year awards.  Then there
will be a bunch of smaller grants - more than 100 - that are $250,000 to
$500,000 a year.  And, each of these would be for 5 years. And, each will
allow for 'subawards', so, yes, there should be a way to get 'mini' grants
for a $50,000 program.

But, again, I haven't even had time to read the call for grants. I'm
frantically assigning conference meeting rooms, ordering AV equipment,
trying to find still more hotel sleeping rooms, and getting the on-site
packet info to the printer. I know the conference is still a month away, but
lots of what I do is DUE this week.

#############################

- THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: GETTING/BEING LISTED ON THE "OFFICIAL" WEBSITES?

> Dianne, 
> Are we required to use the programs listed on the ACF Healthy Marriage
> Resource Center websites in our grant submissions?  Please reply today if
> possible.  We're meeting tonight and there is a lot of confusion about this
> one. Can we assume if a program has been presented at Smart Marriages that
> it's acceptable? 

I've been deluged with phone calls from folks concerned about this issue -
not just today but for the past month as the call for grants was anticipated
- either 1) HOW to get your program listed on various Government websites
or, 2) asking if you will be at a disadvantage if you submit a proposal that
uses a marriage education course that is NOT listed on the Govt sites.  Are
these the "approved" programs, you ask?

First, a big disclaimer, I really don't know.  I'm NOT the Govt, don't work
for the Govt, and I have not been informed by anyone inside the govt/ACF
about the grants or how the various websites operate (the criteria), so
please take all this with a big grain of salt.  I'm just going to share
info/cross pollinate - share the questions that have been raised by callers
and give contact info for people that CAN give you accurate information and
answers about "How to get my program listed?" or "Does it matter which
programs I include in my grant application?"

Most of your concerns revolve around several official "government websites"
that list marriage education programs. One concern is why some programs are
listed and others are not listed. Or, why some sites list some programs and
other sites list other programs.  Or, the most upset callers are those
asking why some programs can get listed and theirs can't. WHAT, you ask, are
the criteria and where is this information published?  Or, why the program
you plan to use in your grant proposal is taught at the Smart Marriages
conference, is successfully used in marriage initiatives you know about, is
listed on several Web-Based CHMI Resource Center sites, but isn't listed on
the official government sites. Some of you even call to ask me if I can help
you figure out IF your program is listed because you've heard about the
listings on various websites but can't figure out how to find these lists.
And, some of you complain because you missed the call to get on these lists
and you wonder if I've sent these notices and, if so, when?  I apologize,
but, I don't have the answers. I try hard to send all notices that I see.  I
also "believe" that people will be proposing to use all kinds of programs -
maybe even proposing to test out a program they've dreamed up that no one
has seen or listed anywhere.  BUT, have to admit I understand your concerns
and I just don't know and don't know how to advise you.

BUT here are the sites plus what I hope is accurate contact info.

1) The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Healthy Marriage
Initiative's official website has several sub-directories that list marriage
education programs.  Start at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/index.html

You'll find all kinds of helpful info about why marriage matters, links to
grant announcements, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, a wonderful "marriage map" that
shows how much has already been done across the country even before this
money is unleashed, and, also, various sub-headings that LIST marriage
education programs, like:

"Programs For Couples that are Becoming Parents" lists several programs
(and, as you point out, not others that would seem to fit the category):
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/about/factsheets_couples_parents.html

"The Hispanic Healthy Marriage Initiative" lists several programs (and, not
others....)  
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/about/spanish_curriculum.htm

For information on getting listed on the official ACF site contact or on
recommendations for which programs to include, or not, in your grants,
contact Bill Coffin, ACF Marriage Specialist: <bcoffin at acf.hhs.gov>  -
202-260-1550    AND/OR, try your regional ACF Marriage Specialist.  For a
list of those see: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/about/regionalcontact.htm
-----------

2) The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (NHMRC) - is funded by and
linked from the main ACF site:  http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org  This is
the website that is being put up for rebidding - applications due June 30th.
It was initially won by NCFR and then NCFR withdrew and it's currently being
managed by an interim staff.  It is described as "the first
government-funded national marriage information clearinghouse".  I make this
distinction, because SmartMarriages.com was the first national marriage
education "clearinghouse" and we have our own Directory of Programs BUT,
understandably, your concerns are about having your program listed - or, not
- on this Government/ACF-funded, sponsored site.  I also point this out
because many of you are confused and think these clearinghouses (smart
marriages and NHMRC) are 'connected'.  They are NOT. NO connections of any
kind. Some of you were even under the strong impression that if you were
listed on the Smart Marriages Directory or if you presented a training
institute at the Smart Marriages Conference you would AUTOMATICALLY be
listed on the NHMRC directory. That is not the case.

For information on the NHMRC, contact the director, Linda Malone-Colon
lmalone-c at healthymarriageinfo.org> - 202-659-9399

3) Ohio has a Strengthening Families Initiative with $12 million to spend
this year on vulnerable youth, ex-offenders and their families, and HEALTHY
MARRIAGE. They have an offical website and they list "Marriage Strengthening
Vendors" (programs) at: www.ohiofamilies.org/vendor_list.asp
Contact: David Mills at We Care America
dmills at wecareamerica.org - 703-554-8620

################################
Please also realize that in addition to the non-governmental Directory of
Programs at Smart Marriages
http://www.smartmarriages.com/directory_browse.html
there are MANY other 'non-governmental" websites that also list Marriage
Education programs.  An example are sites operated by the Oklahoma Marriage
Initiative; Healthy Marriage Grand Rapids; First Things First of
Chattanooga; etc or regional web-based marriage resource centers that list
programs like these from the Smart Marriages Community Initiatives page -
for live links to each site to see their program listings, start at:
http://www.smartmarriages.com/grants.html

> NATIONAL REGISTRY of Regional Community Marriage Resource Center WEB-Sites A
> Marriage Resource Center website is the most effective and COST efficient way
> to organize and grow your CHMI. Join forces with an already existing coalition
> that is working on marriage in your area. If you are in the same region as
> those listed below, send them your classes to be listed. Listings are FREE!
> And, visit these websites to see how you can join their efforts. If you'd like
> to create a web-based community site, see instructions below.
> California
> California: Orange County
> California: Sacramento
> Georgia: Dalton (Whitfield/Murray Counties)
> Illinois: Chicago
> Michigan: Wayne County
> Missouri: Springfield
> Nebraska: Omaha
> North Carolina: Guilford County
> Ohio Marriage Resource Center
> Ohio Network for Healthy Marriages
> Pennsylvania: Philadelphia area
> Pennsylvania: Berks County
> Tennessee: Chattanooga
> Virginia: Central
> Virginia: Richmond
> 
> Sites under construction / coming soon:
> Send your classes to the email address to get your programs listed.  Listings
> are FREE.
> - Alaska/Kenai Peninsula, Chuck Thornton - cthornton at fgbc.org
> - Arizona/Phoenix, Paula Wright - pwright at azparenting.org
> - California, Stanislaus County - web.mac.com/jsteward2
> - Kansas, Michael Duxler - duxlerm at newmanu.edu
> - Kentuckiana, Penny Hudson - pdhud9 at aol.com
> - Maine, Steve Beirne -  sbeirne at maine.rr.com
> - Maryland/Harford County, Norma Tilton - servlead at comcast.net
> - Michigan/Western, Mark Eastburg - Sharon.Chapin at PineRest.org
> - New York/Central - mclark at syrhousing.org
> - Texas/ Dallas/Fort Worth, Kelly Simpson - kellysimpson at sbcglobal.net
> - Western Wisconsin, Judy Parejko - jparejko at juno.com
> - Wisconsin/Sheboygan County - director at yourmarriagematters.info

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If I could help further, I would, but this is best I can do.   I promise to
send any notices that I receive about any of the criteria for getting listed
on ACF websites, grant announcements, technical assistance notices,
clarifications about whether or not you need to use listed programs, etc as
soon as I receive them.

Good luck.

- diane 

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