The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applications to increase rates of developmental screenings and referrals to, and participation in, needed early intervention and health services for Young Children of immigrant families.
Donor Name: Maine Department of Health and Human Services
State: Maine
County: York County (ME)
City/Town: Selected Cities and Towns
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/17/2024
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The goal of this funding opportunity is to ensure all Young Children in Maine have access to the services they need to grow, develop, and thrive. This funding opportunity will support CBOs that represent and work with immigrant families, in specific regions of the State, to develop and implement effective and robust plans for outreach, care coordination, and referrals to services in a manner that recognizes and respects the unique needs of immigrant parents and caregivers, with a focus on parents who speak English as a second or third language and who have recently moved to Maine. The awarded Applicants will partner with the HMG in the implementation of Improving Access to Early Intervention Services.
Funding Information
- The Department anticipates making multiple awards, with at least one (1) in the Greater Portland Region (including Brunswick), one (1) in the Lewiston/Auburn Region, and one (1) in York County with a presence in Biddeford/Saco and/or Sanford, as a result of this the RFA process.
- The total estimated funds available are $800,000, with individual awards not exceeding $200,000 over the twenty-four (24) month contract period.
Uses of Funds
Allowable use of funds may include, but is not limited to:
- Staffing costs (including benefits, supplies, and other related costs) associated with the proposed project, including, but is not limited to:
- Costs for outreach staff; and
- Translators or translation costs.
- Technology and/or data system-related costs (e.g., laptops, printers, software, databases).
- Professional development and/or trainings for staff, including staff supports to increase understanding of child development.
Eligible Activities
- Employ, at minimum, one (1) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), who is a member of the proposed community and who will serve as a cultural broker for immigrants, expecting parents, and parents with children up to age eight (8).
- The FTE may be one full-time position or shared across multiple positions, whichever best supports the engagement of families in the community.
- Ensure the FTE position(s):
- Conducts on-going outreach and education to immigrant families with Young Children to educate parents/caregivers and expectant parents, in their own cultural context, the importance of developmental screenings and developmental milestones with the goal of supporting the Young Child(ren)’s healthy development and ensuring they are prepared to succeed in kindergarten;
- Assists parents/caregivers in accessing and understanding what to expect during Well-child Visits and other medically necessary services with primary healthcare providers and when needed, Child Development Services; and
- Connects Young Children to preventative health and early intervention services.
- Participate in trainings regarding child-development, child-development screenings, developmental milestones, early intervention services, and making referrals to programs and services for Young Children.
- Participate in monthly meetings with the Department to provide feedback to OCFS regarding:
- Barriers to services;
- Service delivery challenges;
- Best-practices regarding referral processes; and
- Recommendations to improve communications with immigrant parents regarding child developmental milestones, screenings, early intervention services, and Well-child Visits.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be considered for funding under this application process, Applicants must:
- Be a Community-based Organization (CBO) with a minimum of three (3) months experience in the past three (3) years engaging and serving immigrant families with Young Children;
- Be able to provide language services other than English, not using contracted interpretation or translation services.
For more information, visit DHHS.
