FY27 TLS Fostering Learning Program (Extra On-line Program)

FY27 TLS Fostering Learning Program (Extra On-line Program)

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

The Fostering Learning Program's (FLP) mission is to promote permanency by maintaining, strengthening and safeguarding the functioning of families, in effort to stabilize foster care placements and facilitate youth development through academic and social/emotional education. To achieve this mission, the Fostering Learning Program bridges the "digital divide" between the typical, advantaged high school student and youth-in-care of Illinois by providing fully-supported, structured access to cost effective, non-threatening virtual learning systems that empower at-risk students to achieve success (credit attainment/grade promotion/graduation) through self-paced learning tailored to the individual's need and skill level.

The program implements two integral components of programming that have and will continue to drive participation. Those components are as follows:

1. Specialized Curriculum
Odysseyware: The Provider will partner with Odysseyware, experts in online learning solutions for at-risk youth. With over a decade of experience Odysseyware is a leading provider of online curriculum and eLearning solutions for public, virtual, charter and alternative schools. Used nationwide by thousands of schools, Odysseyware's learning management system and research based and proven core curriculum, assessments, and robust and targeted learning tools, provide administrators, teachers and students with powerful learning solutions that can be utilized in a myriad of instructional settings. Administrators enjoy innovative, time-saving reporting and benchmarking tools, automatic grading functionality, search and filtering capabilities.

Odysseyware is ideal as a complete, stand-alone curriculum, or can be used for blended and flipped classrooms, alternative and special education, credit recovery, RTI, 1:1 and much more. Core subjects include math, history and geography, science and language arts. Electives include Career Technical Education, business, fine arts, health and world languages.

Odysseyware was intentionally designed to meet the needs of 21st Century Learners and address diverse learning styles, by incorporating embedded interactive, multimedia instructional videos, learning games, rich illustrations, and animations. A text-to-speech function is perfect for auditory learners and Odysseyware’s translate is a strong resource for ELL programs. Odysseyware is also fully customizable, allowing teachers to set and adjust unique learning paths tailored to individual student needs and to align with unique state standards and instructional scope and sequences. Additionally, Odysseyware’s exclusive Teacher Authoring Tool allows educators to easily create customized and differentiated lessons, projects and tests that integrate with assessment and remediation.

Through the use of the Odysseyware online curriculum, youth will have the enhanced opportunity for credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gain. This educational incentive will serve to strengthen and increase interest and involvement in the program, and ultimately this credit-based incentive will aid in accelerated skill and credit acquisition for DCFS youth.

Through the use of the FLP Program, youth will have the opportunity to achieve credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gain. This educational incentive will serve to strengthen and increase interest and involvement in the program, and ultimately this credit-based incentive will aid in accelerated skill and credit acquisition for DCFS youth.

2. Collaboration & Support
The Fostering Learning Program works intimately with participating DCFS agencies servicing Illinois youth-in-care (typically disabilities: BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI - see Target Population) to develop or enhance the virtual learning environment utilizing a 21st century education model. This learning model reaches beyond the traditional classroom materials to leverage technology in effort to create relevant learning experiences that mirror students’ daily lives and the reality of their futures.

A. Virtual Learning Subscription: Odysseyware’s comprehensive curriculum covers all major 3-12 academic subjects and includes a wide range career development topics. Each course and lesson includes everything needed for mastery: assessments, instructional content, quizzes and mastery tests, plus optional supplements.

After DCFS participants are referred and accepted into the Fostering Learning Program, the participant and/or support staff will receive an electronic notification (email) of their subscription/account information.

B. Technical Support: In addition to the FLP online curriculum, the Provider must have at least one full-time staff member and two part-time staff members to ensure that training and support is provided to participating DCFS agencies and to ensure that these agencies utilize and maximize the FLP services.

C. Participant Capacity: The Fostering Learning program will provide support for and access to Odysseyware online curriculum to 333 DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care that are learning above, at or below grade level, including youth with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or youth who have been identified as BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI (see section Target Population), to empower participants to achieve success, namely credit attainment, grade promotion, graduation and social/emotional skill gains, through a non-threatening, self-paced learning environment tailored to the individual's need and skill level.
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SERVICE DELIVERY AND STAFFING EXPECTATIONS

The direct service staff chosen by the participating agency to deliver FLP services receives initial and continual supplemental training from the FLP Program Director to ensure their ability to deliver services.

In effort to maximize student outcomes during Odysseyware sessions it is recommended that the site staff to client ratio goal be 1 staff per 5 youth and the staff to client ratio should not to exceed 1 staff per 10 youth.

The direct service staff is responsible for ensuring the program requirements are met and should have educational and experiential qualifications commensurate with the service delivery duties as they relate to the Fostering Learning Program.
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TARGET POPULATION

Client - Clients are defined as DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care for whom the Department is legally responsible and for whom the Department has determined, in consultation with the provider, the client’s needs for rehabilitative, social and other services may best be met by the program and services provided under this contract.

BD – behavioral disorder; ED- emotional disorder; LD – learning disability; ASD – autism spectrum disorder; CD – cognitive disability or OHI – other health impairment.

Inclusions:
DCFS youth, ages 10 to 21, in substitute care that are learning above, at or below grade level, including youth with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or youth who have been identified as BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI.

Exclusions: DCFS youth in subsidized care or youth outside of the inclusion criteria

Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 333
Capacity at Any Given Time: 200

Client Capacity Under Program: 333
Capacity at Any Given Time: 200

Average Length of Services: 12 months

The provider must obtain prior authorization from DCFS to serve clients outside of the program plan parameters.
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PROGRAM OUTCOMES AND METRICS

Program Level Outcomes:
• 333 DCFS educationally challenged and complex youth will be provided access to the FLP services, and 200 or 60% of the participants will accrue usage time over the 12-month service period.
• Increased technological access and educational equity for disabled DCFS youth, with or without disabilities, through virtual learning (online) education services.
• Increased utilization of DCFS youth, with or without disabilities, of computers, computer technology, and educational technology.
• Increased utilization of educational materials and instructional aides for teachers and curriculum planners at participating DCFS agency sites.
• Increased anticipation in a 21st century school learning culture with technology as a core component of learning and educational delivery.
• 100% of trained site supervisors and support staff at the participating DCFS agency sites will establish a lab/classroom schedule and develop a course of study that helps participants maintain the minimum usage requirements and that services agency and participant goals.
• 100% of staff will receive technical assistance and training in FLP service offerings and increase their teaching skills through specialized professional development training customized to the site’s technological needs. A more skilled teaching staff will result from the introduction to varied curriculum materials and instruction and increased technological skills.

Client Level Outcomes:
• 60% of registered participants will achieve the minimum usage requirements of FLP (minimum 5 hour of online usage per youth per month).
• Credit attainment - 70% of stable youth served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will earn course credit for semester promotion by demonstrating improved mastery of course-level academic concepts as a result of FLP participation.
• Grade Promotion - 70% of stable youth served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will progress a grade level and demonstrate improved grade-level mastery of academic concepts as a result of FLP participation.
• Graduation (8th) - 70% of 8th grade participants served who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more, will graduate by demonstrating mastery of primary school (K-8th grade) academic concepts as a result of FLP participation, as measured by youth assessment and instructor assessment, as well as standardized assessments.
• Graduation (12th) - 60% of 12th grade participants served who meet the FLP program minimums usage requirements of 90 days or more, will graduate by demonstrating mastery of high school (9-12 grade) academic concepts as a result of FLP program participation, as measured by youth assessment and instructor assessment, as well as standardized assessments.
• 100% of registered participants who meet the FLP Program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will have the opportunity for increased engagement in education and the educational process through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program.
• 60% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will show increased engagement in education and the educational process through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program.
• 60% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will achieve overall improved school performance through their participation in the Fostering Learning Program
• 100% of registered participants who meet the FLP program minimum usage requirements and are enrolled for 90 days or more will have the opportunity for increased technological access and educational equity through online education services.

Process Outcomes:
• 100% of complete referrals will be processed and accepted within forty-eight (48) hours.
• Approximately 150 teachers and support staff at the participating DCFS agencies will attend and complete FLP training and support services in accordance with the Fostering Learning Program requirements.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3599
• CSFA Popular Name: Fostering Learning Program
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Fostering Learning Program (Extra On-line Program)
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $315,888.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-29
• 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.