FY27 TLS Get Real: Financial Decisions in the Real-World

FY27 TLS Get Real: Financial Decisions in the Real-World

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 selected provider will provide the Get Real: Financial Decisions in the Real World curriculum including all program materials for 500- 1000 youth within the DCFS system between ages 19-21. In total, 1000 copies of the following materials will be made available: Get Real workbooks, access to College Budget Builder tool and bookmark, receipt boxes, savings goal cards, On the Money magazine, access to online youth financial management tools and digital learning badges related to banking, savings plans and certificates.

The selected provider will provide support for 1-2 training sessions each quarter as needed to train new instructors. The selected provider will also provide one refresher training meeting for DCFS trainers as well as one refresher training call for DCFS instructors as needed. In total, it is estimated that 60-120 service providers will be trained. The selected provider will provide all training materials including training binders with lesson guides, Get Real workbook answer keys and sample student materials, master copies of the financial literacy and financial capability assessments
and related answer keys, master copies of review worksheets and evaluation forms, training evaluation forms, DVDs or USBs (as desired), copies of the Money Matters simulation game for their student groups, credit crunch game cards, training assessments and evaluations will all be included. Action plans identifying target training dates and outreach numbers and certificates of completion for all staff successfully trained will also be included. Access to online assessment tools and training in these tools will also be provided as needed. Training will include both instruction
and also, time for practice and application of the Get Real training modules with other staff.

The selected provider will provide support at least one training per quarter with service personnel in person. All of the training materials noted above will be provided for these personnel as well. A total of 100-250 training sets or training materials update sets will be provided. The selected provider will also hold a total of up to 4 calls throughout the training period with the training staff to ensure smooth progress in ongoing trainings as needed.

In addition to the training provided, the selected provider will continue to update both the student and instructor training materials and will be available to provide ongoing consultation to sites in the initiation and delivery of their Get Real services. The selected provider and the Young Illinois Saves coalition will be available to help connect sites to both financial institutions offering high quality, community outreach and youth bank accounts that benefit youth with no fee and low minimum banking options to avoid check cashing fees. Through the Young Illinois Saves network, volunteers
from the financial community, in particular credit counseling, VITA, financial planning advisors and legal assistance organizations that provide serves on a pro-bono basis can be secured as available throughout the state to assist sites as needed both when questions arise or when special presentations of educational information on a specific topics such as credit, tax, banking or saving/ investing might be needed. (Up to 1 hour of consultation for up 50 sites has been provided in the attached budget.) Additionally, as part of this consultation, the selected provider will hold two monthly conference calls for service personnel and trainers. In total, at least 20 calls will be provided each year. On these calls, the selected provider will review progress in implementing the financial education programming as well as answer any questions or address issues with implementation of this initiative.

All of the youth in this program will have an opportunity to set a savings goal and receive ongoing financial education information through Young Illinois Saves.
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CLIENTS

DCFS Clients
Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 900
Capacity at Any Given Time: N/A

Agency Clients
Client Capacity Under Program: 900
Capacity at Any Given Time: N/A

Students will receive 8-12 hours of financial education covering managing your first paycheck, saving, budgeting, banking, credit and investing. This will ideally occur over several instruction sessions. Financial education will focus on knowledge gain as well as increasing financial management skills and developing an effective financial management plan.

Direct services staff will receive 12 hours of training over two days. One training for direct services staff typically occurs in central, southern, or northern Illinois and one in the Chicago metropolitan area each year for new instructors. At least one training for new instructors will be held each quarter. The technology trainings are 1 hour in length.

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

Client: The “Client” for this contract will be all youth served by DCFS as they reach age 19 and/or within two years prior to emancipation. All clients will be required to complete the financial education programming for Count to 21 before their 21st birthday (or transition to independence date) in order to receive their stipend upon emancipation.

The selected provider will also be serving the clients indirectly by training both the DCFS training staff who will then train the contract staff. The program staff will also provide ongoing support to both the training staff and the direct services contract staff.

Unit of Service: A “Unit of Service” would be the refresher training of DCFS training staff, support for ongoing quarterly trainings, provision of coalition calls and individual consultations, establishment of saving programs, all program materials, data analysis consultation and reporting assistance and ongoing consultation with program sites.
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TARGET POPULATION

Inclusions:
Financial literacy is required for youth starting at age 19 per the Procedure 302, Appendix M. All agencies that serve youth ages 18-21 must have at least 1 certified financial literacy instructor on staff.

Exclusions:
Cases for youth in care who are diagnosed with a developmental disability and have an IQ of 65 will be discussed with a C21 Meeting Facilitator and any exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. A modified version of financial literacy may be required and, in these cases, a CFS 418-L will be required per Procedure 302, Appendix M.
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REFERRAL AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Referral Decision-Making Criteria: All youth in the DCFS system served by either DCFS staff or contracting agencies would be required to complete the Get Real program between ages 19-21 to apply for their transition fund through Countdown to 21. Clients would be identified by their case managers at the DCFS contract agencies based upon age. There are no prequalification assessments required for admittance, but clients should complete a pre-test for assessment purposes only upon admission to the program.

Admission Notification Procedures: Clients will receive a schedule of Get Real financial education classes offered from the contracting agency within one month prior to their eligibility. This notification will inform the students of the benefits of the program such as the stipend, certification and any financial product offerings or savings incentives. The notification will also inform students of the required time frame.

Agencies will receive notification from DCFS of the training requirements for their new staff and new staff will be asked to complete the training at one of several statewide locations at the next quarterly offering.

Department Responsibility: Department training staff will be responsible for tracking the completion of the training by DCFS contractor agencies that are required to have a specific number of staff trained determined by the number of eligible youth that they serve. Department staff will also be responsible for providing and tracking certification.
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OUTCOMES AND METRICS

Program level outcomes:
New DCFS Training Staff Members will be trained in the Get Real program and certified to provide training to direct service personnel as needed. Training staff will provide quarterly trainings statewide.

Each of the 60 contract sites are required to have a certified instructor with larger agencies required to have additional certified instructors to be able to meet demand for this program. Training staff and provider staff will provide quarterly trainings statewide to new instructors.

Client level outcomes:
It is the objective for this program to have youth successfully completing the Get Real program with an average of over 75% correct responses on their final assessment. The final assessment covers topics including knowledge of banking, budgeting, saving, investing and credit. All youth receiving Get Real certification will have completed a financial plan including a saving, banking, budgeting, and credit management plan. Youth behaviors will also be assessed, and it is our objective that a majority of youth will increase positive financial management behaviors in at least some areas of financial behavior including possible areas such as budget, banking, saving, investing and credit.

Process level outcomes:
Per the Countdown to 21 Policy Guide, Section IV.H., all youth are required to complete a department approved financial literacy course and all CWCA, Residential Program and ILO/TLP Program agencies are required to have a certified instructor.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3602
• CSFA Popular Name: Financial Literacy
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Get Real: Financial Decisions in the Real-World
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $86,520.00
• 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.