FY27 TLS Journey to My Better Self Career Academy

FY27 TLS Journey to My Better Self Career Academy

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 Journey to My Better Self Career Academy (JTMBS-CA) is designed to facilitate youth development; to deliver intensive employment training and other supportive services to help youth (ages 16-20) to be job-ready for entry level employment.

PHASE I – Career Development (25 - 30 hours / 4 weeks)
Job Readiness Workshop – During the first four weeks, youth participate in orientation, soft-skills training and career-readiness workshops. The soft-skills training is designed to help participants learn proactive, positive ways to rebuild and maintain peaceful relationships, and create an atmosphere in which integrity and connectedness can be restored when there are upsetting behaviors.

The workshops are comprised of modules addressing workplace etiquette, hygiene, conflict resolution, financial literacy, resume and cover letter writing, job search and interviewing techniques, job retention methodologies as well as workplace safety (OSHA). Participants receive a stipend upon completing a minimum of 25 hours during Phase I.

Career Coaching – During JTMBS-CA Phase I, the selected provider assists participants in assessing their skills through Casey Life Skills Assessment and Illinois WorkNet Career Assessment
Tool and developing a comprehensive career action plan (CAP).

Pre- and post-assessments – the selected provider conducts pre- and post- Illinois WorkNet assessments of participants to determine their readiness skills and knowledge acquisition.

PHASE II – Internship (50 to 60 hours / 6 weeks)
Workplace Training – workplace internship placements and support for participants throughout the duration of their six-week workplace internship. As a virtual alternative, when in-person internships are not possible, the provider will work with ecommerce companies to provide virtual workplace internship placements for participants, and support participants throughout the duration of their six-week internship. Participants receive a stipend every two weeks during Phase II. A minimum of 50 hours is required to complete Phase II.

Program Evaluation – distribution of pre and post survey questionnaires to participants in order to garner feedback on ways to improve, maintain interests and successes of the program.

Job Placement – While job placement is not guaranteed, program staff assists participants in identifying permanent part- and full-time job placement opportunities.

The primary goals of the JTMBS-CA are to prepare participants with career-readiness skills, whereby they are used in an actual work setting, consequently making them more competitive in the labor market. Additionally, JTMBS-CA encourages participants to attend college - providing them with resources to pursue higher education aspirations for better income and employment
opportunities.
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CLIENTS

DCFS Clients
Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 60
Capacity at Any Given Time: 20

Agency Clients
Client Capacity Under Program: 60
Capacity at Any Given Time: 20

Average Length of Services: 80 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: Youth and young adults, ages 16-20 who have an open DCFS case, and are referred by designated/authorized DCFS staff.

Unit of Service: Clients must complete a minimum of 25 hours to move to Phase II of the JTMBS-CA program. During the internship stage of the program (Phase II), clients will work 10 hours a week and will receive a stipend every two weeks. Youth must work a minimum of 50 hours to complete this phase of the program.
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DEFINITIONS

Phase I Career Workshop: This four-week workshop is designed to prepare youth for permeant part- or full-time employment by providing soft skills training. The workshops are comprised of modules addressing workplace etiquette, hygiene, workplace conflict resolution, workplace safety, financial management, resume writing, job search and interview techniques, and job retention.
Participants receive a stipend at the completion of Phase I.

Phase II Workplace Internship: program staff supports participants in obtaining and maintaining a six-week workplace internship. Participants receive a stipend every two weeks during Phase II. A minimum of 50 hours is required to complete Phase II.

Data Collection: The program’s data collection will consist of participant’s pre- and post- Illinois WorkNet assessments, attendance, pre-and post-program survey questionnaires, internship performance evaluations for each participant.

Career Coaching: Career coaching includes individual and group coaching focused on preparing youth for permeant part-or full-time employment, also helping those who are interested in accessing secondary education and vocational opportunities.

Job Placement: While job placement is not guaranteed, workforce coaches will assist participants in identifying permanent part- and full- time job placement opportunities.
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TARGET POPULATION

Inclusions:
Youth, ages 16-20 who have an open DCFS case, and are referred by designated/authorized DCFS staff.

Exclusions:
• Participants whose referrals have not been approved by the designated/authorized DCFS staff person
• Participants who suffer from severe mental and/or developmental disabilities
• Participants who are serious substance abusers
• Participants who present aggressive and/or criminal behaviors
• Participants with an active warrant for their arrest
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REFERRAL AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Referral Decision-Making Criteria:
Upon review of the referral information the selected provider will accept referrals made by designated/authorized DCFS staff of clients that meets the eligibility criteria as defined in the program plan. The selected provider will verify clients’ eligibility with the Office of Education and Transition Manger.

The selected provider can decline clients who present any conditions or behavior listed in exclusions.
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ADMISSION NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

Once the participant has been accepted into the program, the selected Provider will notify the referring designated/authorized DCFS staff person via phone, email or in writing to schedule a face-to-face intake interview within 10 working days of the participant being accepted into the program.

The selected Provider will notify the designated/authorized DCFS staff person in writing and/or by telephone within 10 days, if a referral is not accepted. They will be informed of the reason(s) why the referral was not accepted (i.e. contract capacity, client not meeting referral criteria etc.). The referral documentation will be shredded by the provider. If the participant’s rejection is based on the current contract’s operating at capacity, the selected Provider will maintain the referral documents and notify the designated/authorized DCFS staff person and will notify him/her when an opening becomes available.
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DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The DCFS Division of Placement and Permanency, or their designated staff person(s), will identify participants in need of the JTMBS-CA program and provide written referral information to the selected Provider. Referrals will be initiated by the DCFS Division of Placement and Permanency or designated/authorized DCFS staff person(s).

It is expected that referral information will be received no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of client orientation, unless given an exception by the selected Provider.

The designated/authorized DCFS staff person will inform the participant about JTMBS-CA program and the reasons for the referral. The DCFS staff person will notify and will prepare the referred participant for the orientation, including addressing any transportation issues, giving the participant the name and address of the selected Provider and directions to the Provider’s location.

A completed referral form, signed by the designated/authorized DCFS staff person, and faxed to the selected Provider a Consent Release of Information CFS 600 form, signed by the participant if the participant is 18 years of age or older, or by the participant’s guardian if the participant is under the age of 18, and fax to the selected Provider.
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OUTCOMES AND METRICS

• It is expected that 100% of participants will have a written career action plan (CAP) identifying education and career goals and objectives.
• It is expected that 70% of participants will complete Phase I of the program.
• It is expected that 60% of participants will complete Phase II of the program.
• It is expected that 20% of participants will pursue post- secondary education, vocational training or apprenticeship programs.
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GEOGRAPHIC/SERVICE PROVISION AREA(S)

Cook County, IL

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3606
• CSFA Popular Name: Journey to Better Self
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Journey to My Better Self Career Academy
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $255,564.00
• 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.