Harris County Early Childhood Resiliency Fund (ECRF)

Geographic Scope: Harris County, Texas

Funder: Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC)

Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act 2021 (Pub. Law 117-2), Section 603(c)(1)(a)

Total Available: Approximately $5,300,000

Maximum Award: Up to $1,000,000 per agency

Funding Term: January 2025 through June 2026

Background & Objectives

This program was designed to support local service providers in incubating, accelerating, and enhancing solutions to respond to the developmental and therapeutic needs of young children in Harris County who have been exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV), which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Problem Statement:

• IPV/DV rose significantly in Harris County during COVID-19
• Between 2019 and 2022, IPV/DV related homicides rose from 32/year to 64/year
• Average daily calls requesting shelter and nonresidential safety interventions nearly doubled
• Research demonstrates continued IPV/DV exposure interferes with healthy caregiver-child attachment and optimal child development
• Early trauma exposure can lead to anxiety, impaired cognitive function, social problem-solving deficits, and increased risk for teen dating violence and IPV into adulthood

Eligible Applicants

• Up to 20 Harris County-based public, nonprofit, and academic agencies
• Must be able to provide evidence of enhanced and innovative services for children and families
• Priority given to organizations with the most innovative service delivery

Program Goals

1. Measurably increase access to early childhood trauma interventions for Harris County children and family systems experiencing or exposed to IPV/DV
2. Provide comprehensive and culturally competent services to children exposed to IPV/DV
3. Enhance the capacity of service providers to deliver effective interventions
4. Improve outcomes for children exposed to IPV/DV by reducing trauma symptoms, improving academic performance, and strengthening social relationships
5. Increase public awareness of the impact of IPV/DV on children

Funding Priorities

• Programs that target underserved populations (children of color, children with disabilities, children from low-income families)
• Interventions that address unique needs in developmentally appropriate ways
• Programs incorporating trauma-informed approach emphasizing safety, stability, and support
• Interventions focusing on building protective factors and resilience in children
• Programs with strong collaboration with families and caregivers

Eligible Therapeutic Interventions (Examples)

• Child-Centered Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Neuro-Feedback
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Support Groups
• Educational Programs
• Case Management

Eligible Use of Funds

• Personnel: Direct staff time for outreach and project activities including delivery of developmental/therapeutic services (max 20% for supervision)
• Payroll Taxes: Proportionate to direct and supervisory staff time
• Benefits: Fringe benefits proportionate to staff time
• Travel: Mileage reimbursement for program-related activities (documented)
• Equipment: Purchase or lease (tablets, computers) for direct service delivery
• Supplies: Items under $5,000 acquisition cost
• Contractual: Services needed for the program
• Administration: Not to exceed 10% of grant award (no more than 10% to indirect costs)

Not Eligible: Up to 10% may be used for administrative costs and organizational capacity building with demonstrated benefit to current and future DV survivors

Requirements & Responsibilities

Financial:

• Funds disbursed on reimbursement basis
• Monthly reporting and invoices required
• Payment turnaround: 30 days from fully complete & approved invoice
• Invoices due by 8th of each month for prior month
• Late submissions result in late reimbursements
• All costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary
• Must comply with 2 CFR 200 procurement standards

Insurance Requirements (once awarded):

• Commercial General Liability:
  • $1,000,000 per occurrence (Bodily Injury, Products-Completed/Operations, Personal and Advertising Injury)
  • $2,000,000 General Aggregate per project
  • $1,000,000 Umbrella/Excess per occurrence and aggregate
  • HCDVCC named as additional insured
• Workers' Compensation: Employer's Liability and applicable endorsements per Texas law
• Certificate of Insurance: Proof of waiver of subrogation required

Non-Discrimination:

• HCDVCC will require reasonable, non-discriminatory processes to assess victim needs
• No discriminatory refusal of services in violation of federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws

Evaluation Participation: All agencies required to participate in third-party evaluation

Known Awardees

• Hope Active (serves grades 6-12 with mentorship programs)
• UH's Developmental Psychopathology Lab (research focus on personality pathology and attachment disorders in youth)
• UT Health Trauma and Resilience Center (evidence-based trauma-focused care for children/adolescents, B.R.Y.T.E. Program)
• By The Way (community organization providing drug, alcohol, and domestic abuse awareness)

Contact Information

For general inquiries: HCDVCC website (hcdvcc.org)
For specific programs:

• Hope Active: Visit their website or check qualification eligibility page
• UH Developmental Psychopathology Lab: Contact Dr. Sharp
• UT Health Trauma and Resilience Center: 713.500.BEAM (2326)

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Detailed Project Narrative (30% of total score)
   • Outline the proposed program
   • Projected number of families/children to receive services
   • Program goals and objectives
   • Strategies to be implemented
   • Need for the program related to the pandemic
2. Budget Narrative (25% of total score)
   • Demonstrate knowledge of eligible use of funds
   • Detail all project expenses and funding sources
   • Provide sufficient description to calculate budgeted amounts
   • Show alignment with proposed services
3. Project Timeline (25% of total score)
   • Illustrate expected outcomes and activities
   • Show implementation schedule for January 2025 - June 2026 funding term
4. Letters of Support (5% of total score)
   • From key partners and stakeholders
5. Organizational Capacity Statement (15% of total score)
   • Demonstrate ability to implement proposed program during grant contract period
   • Describe experience of key staff
   • Highlight relevant experience of those working directly with clients
   • List relevant training and certifications held by key staff
   • Include most recent programmatic and financial audits

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals evaluated based on:

• Alignment with program goals (primary criterion)
• Innovation in service delivery
• Evidence of enhanced services
• Quality of partnerships
• Organizational capacity and experience
• Budget reasonableness and alignment with services

Important Notes

• Up to 20 agencies will be selected
• Participation in third-party evaluation is mandatory
• All selected agencies must provide monthly reporting
• Certificate of Insurance (with HCDVCC as additional insured) required upon award