FY27 TLS Cook County Life Skills and Financial Literacy

FY27 TLS Cook County Life Skills and Financial Literacy

This grant award will have an initial period of performance starting in FY27 (07/01/2026 (or upon execution of the agreement) through 06/30/2029). A budget should be submitted for FY27 only.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Services are to promote permanency by maintaining, strengthening and safeguarding the functioning of families to (1) prevent substitute care placement (2) promote family reunification, (3) stabilize foster care placements, (4) facilitate youth development, and (5) ensure the safety, permanency and wellbeing of children. All services will be available to all clients.

The selected provider will provide age-appropriate Life Skill services to youth in DCFS care based upon outcomes/results from both the Casey Life Skills assessment tool and an experiential assessment administered at the first session. The selected provider will address the eight life skills categories identified by the Department as key areas of need including daily living skills, selfcare, relationship and communication skills, housing and money management skills, work and study skills, career and education planning, looking forward and permanency. A “course” is defined
as a group of sessions designed specifically for a particular age group that addresses the eight life skill categories. A “session” is a specific block of time, within a course.

The selected provider may address additional topics as approved by the DCFS Transition Manager.

The selected provider will provide Financial Literacy training to eligible, referred youth using the Young Illinois Saves (YIS) program. This is the Department approved financial literacy course that focuses on basic financial education to promote the ability to understand financial choices, plan for the future, spend wisely, and manage the challenges associated with life events such as job loss, saving for retirement, or paying for a child’s education. YIS focuses on financial literacy through service learning.
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CLIENTS

DCFS Clients
Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 46
Capacity at Any Given Time: 20

Agency Clients
Client Capacity Under Program: 46
Capacity at Any Given Time: 20

Average Length of Services: Life Skills (12-14 hours), Financial Literacy (8-10 hours), for a total of 20-24 hours

Services beyond the program plan service parameters: The provider agrees to obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters.

Client: The Client is a youth for whom the Department of Children and Family Services (Department or DCFS) has legal responsibility, in paid placement, between 14 and up to 19 years of age, and whose Life Skills Assessment indicates that transition services are appropriate. The Client for Financial Literacy Education is a 19-20 year-old youth for whom the Department has legal
responsibility and in a paid/approved Department placement.

Unit of Service: A Unit of Service is one (1) sixty (60) minute hour of time providing reimbursable service, divided into quarters in order to reflect time of service activities accurately. Service units are as set forth in the contract: hours, sessions, days, etc.
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DEFINITIONS

Caregiver: For the purpose of the program plan, Caregiver is defined as the foster parent(s) whether relative or not who is providing day to day custodial care of the Client.

Financial Literacy Education: Department approved financial literacy course that focuses on basic financial education to promote the ability to understand financial choices, plan for the future, spend wisely, and manage the challenges associated with life events such as job loss, saving for retirement, or paying for a child’s education.

Life Skills Assessment Tool: The instrument as identified by the Department used in determining the life skills functioning capacity of the Client.

Life Skills Classes: Includes activities/instructions, whether in group setting or individual whereby an instructor directs the actions of a Client relative to the Client’s needs as determined by the scored Life Skills Assessment Tool.

Life Skills Training: The specific/detailed activities associated with Life Skills Classes (i.e. food preparation, housekeeping, personal hygiene, sexual development, laundry skills, leisure time activities, money management, transportation, health care, problem solving, decision making, parenting, housing, and social communication). Life Skills Training may consist of group or individual instruction and is designed to teach independent living skills through the use of a curriculum. The instruction should include hands-on training.

OETS: Office of Education and Transition Services

Successful Completion is defined and determined by the review and analysis of the class evaluation forms completed by the Client that validates the applicant knowledge attained through class
participation and the post-test results.
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TARGET POPULATION

Inclusions:
• This Program will accept referrals of Clients for whom the Department has legal responsibility, who reside in substitute care and whose placement includes the following: Foster Home Private (FHP), Home of Relative (HMR), Foster Home Specialized (FHS), and Youth in College/Vocational Training Program (YIC/VTP and Placement Alternative Contract (PAC) Clients must be between the ages of 14 and 20 years of age, and whose Life Skills Assessments indicate that transition services are appropriate. Clients are considered eligible up until they turn 21 years old or emancipate from DCFS.
• Referred DCFS clients who are under the age of 21 years, who are currently attending Life Skills Classes or Life Skills Training and are subsequently emancipated from DCFS may continue to receive Life Skills Classes or Life Skills Training until completion, with the written approval of the DCFS Transition Manager and attending documentation in the client file.
• This program will only accept referrals for Financial Literacy Education that are in a Department managed approved placement and are between the ages of 19 and 21. POS clients will be served by their respective agencies.
• This program is allowed to deliver the financial literacy training via the on-line curriculum for youth attending college, living out of state, and in limited circumstances approved by the contract monitor.

Exclusions:
• Life Skills Training: This program will not accept referrals of Clients whose living arrangement includes Group Home; Adoption; Subsidized Guardianship; Independent Living Only (ILO); Transitional Living Placement (TLP); or Residential Treatment Center (RTC).
• Clients for whom the caseworker and clinical manager and/or child and family team agree that Life Skills Training is not needed.
• Clients for whom there is written documentation in the Client’s official DCFS case file that the Client refused to participate in the program.
• Clients for whom there is a current (authored in the last year) written clinical diagnosis that indicates that the Client is inappropriate for services (e.g. developmentally disabled, medically complex).
• Clients who are 21 years of age and older.
• Clients whose referrals have not been approved by the DCFS Transition Manager.
• Financial Literacy Training: This program will not accept referrals of Clients who living arrangement includes Detention; Institution; Self Selected Unapproved; Whereabouts Unknown; Unauthorized Placement; Home of Parent; or Unknown Continued Contact.
• Clients for who case management are not conducted by DCFS.
• Clients for whom there is written documentation in the Client’s official DCFS case file that the Client refused to participate in the program.
• Clients who have not completed the Youth Driven Transition Plan or Quarterly Transition Discharge Launch Plan.
• Clients who have not achieved the age of 19.
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REFERRAL AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES

1. The selected provider will review referral and other documentation received from the OETS Transition Manager for possible traveling stipulations and participant case status active or inactive (due to runaway).
2. The selected provider will confirm case status with the youth, caregiver and case manager, within five (5) business days of receipt of the written packet. Written confirmation will be sent by the selected provider to the caseworker, caregiver and OETS Transition Manager.
3. The selected provider will maintain referrals and client records in a secure file cabinet.
4. The selected provider will inform the OETS Transition Manager of the ongoing status of all Clients referred for services.
5. The selected provider will assure the completion of a client evaluation form to determine the Client’s progress in successfully completing the program. An evaluation form is to be completed for each class or session conducted.
6. The selected provider will complete written client progress reports that will be provided to the caseworker and OETS Transition Manager. These reports will include a summary of classes attended, topics covered, pre-test and post- test results, and recommendations for future programming.
7. Termination reports are due within thirty (30) calendar days of the date services were terminated and are given to both the caseworker and the OETS Transition Manager.
8. Maintain and forward to the OETS Transition Manager copies of the class attendance sheets, signed by each client that validates class attendance.
9. The selected provider will provide monthly submission of the Chafee Monthly Data Collection Report.
10. Monthly submission of the class evaluation forms, attendance sheets and Pre- and Post-Tests as appropriate.
11. The selected provider will be responsible for preparation and submission of the quarterly and year-end reports.
12. Submission of Certificate of Completion to OETS Contract Liaison/Transition Manager and the DCFS or POS case manager for youth who complete the program.
13. The selected provider must obtain written approval from the Department to decline a client. If a client is no longer residing in the service area, they are considered ineligible for the program. The DCFS Transition Manager will be notified of this in writing, by the provider, within five business days.
14. Financial Literacy will follow any additional the guidelines required as set forth by DCFS Training Division for the Get Real Program.
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ADMISSION NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

The selected provider will follow-up via email and telephone to confirm with the caregiver and case manager regarding the life skills referral to the Program. Caregiver and/or Client will provide initial confirmation to participate in program.

This contract expects the selected provider will accept all referrals forwarded to the Agency by the OETS Transition Manager. In a situation where the Agency feels that the referral is inappropriate, the Agency will submit written notification to the OETS Transition Manager, and caseworker, within five (5) business days of the Agency’s receipt of the referral packet. This notification must detail the rationale for this decline and may be submitted via e-mail.

Confidential information may be transmitted only as authorized under Rules and Procedures 431, Confidentiality of Personal Information of Persons Served by the Department of Children and Family Services
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OUTCOMES AND METRICS

Life Skills training may consist of group or individual instruction and is designed to teach independent living skills through use of an approved curriculum. The instruction includes hands-on training in a variety of community settings. The selected provider will provide or arrange for Life Skills Training for every referred Client who has these trainings as part of his/her Client Service Plan (CFS 497). The quantitative services provided each Client will correlate with the documented need as detailed in the Life Skills Assessment Tool.

Training may emphasize a variety of teaching modalities, including hands-on activities, field trips and group discussions.

Life skills instructors will evaluate the results of the Casey Life Skills Assessment in order to plan effective and appropriate Life Skill sessions.

Program level outcomes
• 95% of referred and engaged clients will complete a pre-test and a post-test that will be kept on file and results will be shared with DCFS in the closing progress report.
• 90% of referred and engaged clients will receive the appropriate number of sessions as evidenced by attendance records.

Client level outcomes
• Each client will demonstrate an increase in knowledge in the Casey life skills domains or financial literacy (as appropriate) as evidenced by comparing their individual pre- and post-test results.
• At least 90% of referred and engaged clients will report satisfaction with the program as evidenced by client satisfaction surveys.

Process outcomes
• 70% of those youth that are referred and engaged in the program will complete 18 hours of life skills training thereby successfully completing the applicable program.
• 100% of Clients who complete the Life Skills Training will show satisfaction with their training experience as evidenced by the completed evaluation forms.

Financial Literacy training may consist of group or individual instruction and is designed to teach Financial Education through use of an approved curriculum.

Program level outcomes
• 95% of referred and engaged clients will complete the Financial Literacy Training with attendance, session evaluations and completion of services certificates kept on file and will be shared with DCFS in the closing progress report.
• 90% of referred and engaged clients will receive the appropriate number of sessions as evidenced by attendance records.

Client level outcomes
• Each referred and engaged client will demonstrate an increase in knowledge in the Financial Literacy Domains as evidenced by comparing their individual pre- and post-Financial Literacy

Assessment Results.
• At least 90% of referred and engaged clients will report satisfaction with the program as evidenced by client satisfaction surveys.

Process outcomes
• 70% of those youth that are referred and engaged in the program will complete 18 hours of training thereby successfully completing the program.
• 70% of referred and engaged clients who complete the Financial Literacy training will show satisfaction with their Financial Literacy training experience as evidenced by the completed evaluation forms.
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GEOGRAPHIC/SERVICE PROVISION AREA(S)

Cook County, IL

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3607
• CSFA Popular Name: Cook County Life Skills
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Cook County Life Skills and Financial Literacy
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $172,260.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-27
• Award Period: 2026-07-01 – 2027-06-30

Funding Restrictions

Grant awards will be subject to state statutory requirements that limit the administrative costs to 20%. Fringe benefits cannot exceed 25% of total salaries.

Indirect Cost Description

Indirect Costs are allowed. To charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant organization must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).

There are three types of NICRAs:

1. Federally Negotiated Rate. Organizations that receive direct federal funding, may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the federal NICRA.

2. State Negotiated Rate. The organization may negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have a Federally Negotiated Rate. If an organization has not previously established an indirect cost rate, an indirect cost rate proposal may be submitted to the State of Illinois through the indirect cost rate system no later than three months after the effective date of the award. If an organization previously established an indirect cost rate, the organization must continue to use that rate until its expiration. Upon expiration, the organization may re-submit a new indirect cost proposal through the system annually, within six months after the close of the grantee’s fiscal year, OR an organization may elect to use the de minimis rate instead of their State Negotiated Rate.

3. De Minimis Rate. An organization may elect a de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct cost (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate.
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NOTE
• All grantees must complete an indirect cost rate negotiation or elect the De Minimis Rate in the indirect cost rate system to claim indirect costs. Indirect costs claimed without an established negotiated rate or a De Minimis Rate election in the system may be subject to disallowance.
• Grantees have discretion not to claim payment for indirect costs. Grantees that elect not to claim indirect costs cannot be reimbursed for indirect costs.
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Restrictions on Indirect Costs

Yes

Citation Governing Indirect Cost Restriction

2 CFR 200.414(c)

State Award Notices

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. IDCFS staff conducts an initial review of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance. Reviewers may consist of DCFS GATA staff, division leadership, and other internal DCFS staff. Each proposal will be reviewed by a minimum of three reviewers. The review and selection of grant award recipients is conducted in a fair and equitable manner that evaluates and selects grantees most likely to be successful in delivering results based on program objectives, and with limited disruption to the continuity of services. Proposals will be approved based on funding available.

While recommendations from the review team will be a key factor in funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the scores of the review team to be non-binding recommendations. The Department reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of awards (e.g., ensuring coverage of certain counties or service areas), client needs, and overall programmatic/ financial risk assessments in its pre-award decisions. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

Final award decisions will be made by the Director (or their designee). The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, locations, etc. Funds are disbursed based on the schedule agreed upon and included within the Uniform Grant Agreement. The release of this Notice of Funding Opportunity does not obligate the Department to make an award.
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AWARD NOTIFICATIONS
An award status notification (approval or denial) will be delivered via an automated email from Euna Grants. This email will serve as notification that an award has been made. However, this email is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs.
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APPEALS
Competitive grant (and in some cases non-competitive) appeals are limited to an appeal related to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested.

An appeal must be submitted in writing in accordance with the grant application document. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days of Award denial.
The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
i. the name and address of the appealing party
ii. identification of the grant for which you are appealing the evaluation/review process
iii. a statement of reasons for the appeal

Response to Appeal
a. DCFS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
b. DCFS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
c. The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by DCFS within the time period set in the request.

Reporting

Grantees will be expected to submit both (monthly or quarterly) periodic performance reports and monthly financial reports. The exact reporting requirements of this award will be defined in the program plan of the Uniform Grant Agreement.