FY27 TLS Mentoring/Scholarship Program

FY27 TLS Mentoring/Scholarship 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 Mentoring/Scholarship Program provides educational support, college access assistance, and therapeutic support to assist youth in gaining the skills and confidence to reach their full academic and developmental potential. This is accomplished through a meaningful and supportive mentoring relationship, which is the main delivery system for higher education readiness and access. Students are also invited to attend college road trips, adventure therapy trips, and volunteer/service opportunities. This combination of these efforts facilitates positive youth development and academic achievement.

Each youth is matched with a one-on-one college educated mentor, who has been vetted and trained by Provider staff. Mentors meet weekly with youth to ensure educational success through individualized sessions to meet program benchmarks.

Together, mentors and youth complete a College Readiness Inventory which is used to assess whether the youth has mastered tasks related to post-secondary preparedness as well as skills necessary for successful adulthood. Using the results of the Inventory, youth and mentors evaluate remaining needs and set goals to work toward together.
The mentor works as both an advocate and coach for the student, identifying and gathering resources and then empowering the youth to make informed decisions about their education. Mentors connect their youth to supports like scholarships, tutors, and financial aid offices, and coach the student through new experiences like job interviews, understanding financial aid award letters, and communicating with officials in their desired academic institutions. Students are thus provided much needed assistance and opportunities to practice self-advocacy skills in their journey to independence.

Each time a student meets with their mentor, they earn $100 in scholarship money, which they can access when they are enrolled in a post-secondary program for tuition, room and board, fees, transportation, personal needs, etc. Upon receiving financial aid award letters, youth share all award letters with their mentor to compare offers and assess whether they will be in need of additional funding to attend the school. When necessary, mentors help students communicate with financial aid offices and caseworkers to obtain additional paperwork, including tax documents and court order documents as proof of independent status.

In addition to College Access Mentoring, there is a second program component, Travel and Service-Learning Opportunities. Youth are also invited but not required to attend college road trips and other travel and to participate in service opportunities.
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REFERRALS

DCFS/CWCA workers may refer any youth interested in pursuing higher education after high school. Foster Progress Program Staff will follow up with each referral and invite the youth to submit their own application. Youth may also submit applications without being referred by workers. Program staff will then interview the young person. Youth must exhibit a commitment to continue their education and a desire for the support of a weekly mentor to work on that goal. If no mentor is immediately available, youth will be invited to participate in group activities and program staff will support their educational goals until a mentor can be recruited, vetted, and trained. All eligible participants are accepted until all openings are filled.

The Department will keep the Provider informed of policy and procedures that affect youth ages 14-21, especially as they relate to education. The Department will inform all 14 and 15 year olds in substitute care of the programming annually through the Foster Parent Newsletter, DCFS DNet, and Regional announcements and will include the Provider on the Spider website and the Education and Transition Services webpage. DCFS/POS workers coordinate and communicate with program staff and mentors regarding placement and any details that impact client’s capacity to transition successfully into adulthood, especially details such as IEPs and 504 plans in school, mental health concerns. DCFS/POS staff will inform Foster Progress program staff when there is a change in placement, new contact information for a client, or a new worker assigned to the client.

Initial contact is made with youth upon receipt of their program application via a formal interview by Program Staff. Subsequent contact includes the Match Meeting and weekly one-on-one meetings with the youth and their mentor.

Ongoing contact is maintained through quarterly individual communication and follow up with Program Staff, and periodic communication of scholarship and employment opportunities, as well as group activities. Program-wide activities include College Road Trips, Student Leadership and Service Committee, annual FAFSA Workshop, College Decision Day, and our end of the year Graduation and Scholarship Dinner.

Further contact includes youth-initiated requests for support between mentoring sessions and quarterly outreach from Program Staff, which youth seek out as-needed.
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STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS

All direct service staff must have completed at least a bachelor's degree in education, social work, or a related field. Experience with foster youth or other vulnerable populations is preferred.
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TARGET POPULATION

Client: Youth in substitute care, aged 16-21, who intend to pursue higher education after high school. There are no minimum grades or test scores, all that is required is a commitment to the goal of furthering their education and the desire for the support of a mentor.

Inclusions:
The agency will accept referrals for youth for whom the Department has legal responsibility are between 16 through 20 years of age, who exhibit, through the application and interview process, the desire to continue their education after high school. The agency will attempt to contact any referred client who is deemed appropriate by their DCFS or agency caseworker, POS worker or caregiver and to invite them to apply.

Exclusions:
Youth who have never been in DCFS care and youth who have a recent history of aggressive and disruptive behaviors are deemed to be inappropriate.

Client Capacity Under DCFS Agreement: 30
Capacity at Any Given Time: 30

Client Capacity Under Program: 60
Capacity at Any Given Time: 60

Average Length of Services: Three years (typically Junior and Senior Year of High School, and first year of College).

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
To ensure current and former foster youth gain the academic and personal skills needed to become self-sufficient adults, capable of accessing and completing post-secondary education plans necessary to meeting their life and career goals.

Client Level Outcomes
The ultimate goal for each client is to develop skills and supports in their life to successfully address the demands of adulthood and the pursuit of a postsecondary education by equipping them with a mentor who guides and coaches them through new experiences.

100% Attend Mentor Match Meeting at entry to program
Each student must attend the Match Meeting to formally begin participating in the program. The purpose of the Match Meeting is to establish the mentoring relationship, deliver and agree upon program expectations, outline methods for staying in contact and making cancellations, and identify the student’s educational and career goals. Each pair signs the Match Agreement which is kept on record for reference.

100% Complete College Readiness Inventory, a Pre-assessment at start of program
Every student completes the College Readiness Inventory at the start of their mentoring relationship. Students self-assess progress toward independent living skills and post-secondary readiness and completion. This data is kept and tracked throughout students’ participation in the program to identify areas for improvement.

70% Complete Transition Checklist Post-assessment upon completion of the program
At the close of the mentoring relationship each pair meets with the program staff for the Transition Meeting. Students complete the Transition Checklist and outline their intended academic plan of study, including their long- and short-term housing plans and any plans for working either full or part time. Students and mentors also reflect on the student’s progress toward independent living skills.

60% Describe educational and career goals
Through their mentoring relationship students are able to articulate their academic and career plans for the next 5 years. Students reflect on their interests and goals to identify which type of postsecondary program to attend (2-year, 4-year, or vocational). For students who are uncertain of their career goals, they explore potential career paths through job shadowing, informational interviewing, and other work development activities facilitated by their mentor. Program staff track and update students’ self-identified goals through quarterly check-ins.

85% Complete application process for a post-secondary program (applications, FAFSA, enrollment)
Students explore colleges and other programs for best fit, and apply to minimum 3 schools, with a majority of students applying to five. Students must complete the FAFSA after October 1st and notify program staff of acceptances. As students near enrollment, program staff verifies that mentoring pairs have submitted any additional paperwork necessary for successful enrollment. Program staff tracks students’ progress toward each step in the college application process through quarterly check-in calls and paperwork submitted by students such as confirmation of FAFSA completion and financial aid award letters.

70% Identify at least one reliable housing option upon completion of program
As students prepare to enroll in college, they and their mentors identify viable housing options for the academic year, including remaining in their current placement, moving on campus, or securing an apartment. If the student plans to live on campus, the student works with their mentor to find housing over breaks and holidays. Program staff keep track of students’ housing plans through check-in calls before the student enrolls and before breaks begin.

70% Secure multiple forms of financial aid, including scholarships and DCFS Programs
Students planning to enroll in a postsecondary program work with their mentors to seek out multiple forms of financial aid by collaborating with program staff, the child welfare team, and the financial aid office. With the support of their mentor, students gather necessary information to complete applications for DCFS programs, including Youth in Scholarship, Youth in College, and the ETV as applicable. Students also research and apply for private scholarships to create a financial aid package that covers as much of their cost of attendance as possible.

90% Say their mentoring relationship is/has helped them reach their goals
Students are given multiple informal opportunities to reflect on their mentoring relationship throughout the year, and are formally surveyed annually to assess the impact the mentoring relationship has had on them thus far. Students are able to highlight particular challenges and goals their mentor has supported.

Process Outcomes
80% of participants graduate high school.
80% of participants enroll in a post-secondary education program (2- or 4-year college or vocational program)
80% of participants indicate post-secondary education as part of their immediate or future plans
80% of participants can identify individuals and resources in their web of supports to help them through social, emotional, and academic challenges
50% of participants return for second year at 2- or 4-year institution

System Outcomes
The goal is to ensure current and former foster youth gain the academic and personal skills needed to become self-sufficient adults, capable of accessing and completing post-secondary education necessary to meeting their life and career goals.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Children And Family Services
• CSFA Number: 418-00-3603
• CSFA Popular Name: Foster Progress
• Funding Opportunity Number: 418 - Mentoring/Scholarship Program
• Assistance Listings Number: State
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $111,504.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Funding Sources: State
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-04-28
• 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.