Welcome AFI Program Design and Implementation Part II

Welcome! AFI Program Design and Implementation Part II of II

AFI Program Design and Implementation • Last in a series of four webinars – – – Overview and Application Process Nonfederal Cash Contribution Project Design and Implementation Part 1 Project Design and Implementation Part 2 All topics are repeated and downloadable Schedule, registration and download links at: http: //www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/ocs/afi_calendar. html 2

AFI Program Design and Implementation • If you have technical difficulties with hearing or viewing this presentation, please press “*0” or contact Stephanie Dodge – 703. 279. 6256 – SDodge@icfi. com If you have not received material, contact the AFI Resource Center: - Afiprogram@acf. hhs. gov; - 202. 401. 4626 - The call will be recorded and posted at: - http: //www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/ocs/afi/outreach_presentatio ns/project_design_presentation_two. html 3

AFI Program Design and Implementation • Materials for this call are in downloadable form • http: //www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/ocs/afi/outreach _presentations/project_design_presentation_two. html – This presentation – Project Builder Contact the AFI Resource Center for materials or with follow up questions: Afiprogram@acf. hhs. gov: 202. 401. 4626 4

Part I Recap • Creating an effective workplan • Strategies for recruiting and selecting a client population • Functions of an AFI account – Part I was recorded and will be made available for interested parties 5

Agenda • Financial Education and Assetspecific • Look at organizational capacity and partnerships • Create a budget 6

Education • As discussed in the overview of IDAs, an IDA has an educational component • Each accountholder receives general financial education training and training specific to their asset • In the end, many accountholders value the education more than the asset 7

Financial Education • A key feature of most IDA programs is that accountholders receive financial education training • Want to make sure that accountholders know how to budget, keep in mind the difference between wants and needs as they try to get the most out of the dollars they do have and seize opportunities to bring more income to the household 8

Financial Education • No AFI requirement on class time. Studies by the Center for Social Development suggest about 10 -12 hours is optimum. But situations vary. • Many curricula available – usually no need to recreate the wheel • Who delivers classes varies by host agency and local partner skills base 9

Asset-specific Education • Accountholders benefit from guidance on how to acquire and successfully use their asset • Classes should be made available to help with business management, home ownership and getting into and paying for school 10

Asset-specific Education • Classes can be delivered by a variety of parties depending on the competencies of host agency and local partners. • Note that accountholders who have graduated from your program from your AFI program may come back to you for advice and guidance. 11

Education • Different modules can be taught by different parties • Classes and curricula often offered for free • Think about: – – – classes mandatory? Repeat classes days/times classes offered transportation/on-line classes Child care/food or snacks on site Classes start before accounts open or viceversa? 12

Organizational Capacity • To gauge ability to do this work and need for partners, check organizational capacity • We’ve talked about the basic elements of running an AFI Program. Look realistically at your staff to see if you can do it alone 13

Organizational Capacity • Questions to ask: – Do we have the facilities to house the program? – Do we have skill in financial ed training? – Do we have skill in asset training? – Do we provide tax services? – Do we have staff to do administrative work and provide counseling to accountholders? 14

Staffing • Having staff in place to meet accountholders’ needs when they join the program is important • Are there already staffers in place to serve? Can you bring in staff? • Also consider “free” sources of labor – volunteers, students, retired professionals 15

Staffing • Staff must: • Perform administrative tasks – including data entry in MIS system • Interact with financial institution • Provide instruction to accountholders • Keep accountholders focused on their obligations • Maintain contact with accountholders • Maintain contact with partners • Raise funds – Project Builder page 27 16

Staffing – Partnerships • The duties that the host agency does not have the skills to meet, can be met by partners – do selfassessment • Partnerships must be ensured by written agreement • List duties that each partner must fulfill 17

Partnerships • Virtually all programs have partnerships, they are vital to making your program function. • AFI program encourages partnerships. Not only enhances your program but also your application 18

Partnerships – Financial Institution • Financial Institution will hold: – Project Reserve Fund – IDA accounts • Financial institution may be a funder • Financial institution may provide classes • Value of linking with welcoming financial institution partner 19

Budget • When you have finished creating the map of what you will do in your AFI program, you need to create a budget • How to start? • Look at total nonfederal share you will be able to raise, so that you know the total budget amount 20

Budget – Develop Line-Item Cost Projections – Project Cost through Five Years – Compose Budget Narrative – Project Builder page 44 – Project Builder appendix N 21

Project Reserve Fund • At least 85% to match IDA savings • Up to 13% for financial education and other activities • At least 2% for data collection • Can raise $$ beyond the AFI grant and the matching nonfederal cash contribution • Note difference between project reserve fund & other funds 22

Budget • Make sure that your overall budget makes sense. It will be noticed if your activities will obviously cost more than you say they will • It will be noticed if you leave out major items like staffing, materials, space. • If there are items that will be taken care of as in-kind contributions do say so. 23

Questions & Answers • Instructions to ask questions. • If you have a question, please press *1 on your phone or simply type in your question • Please provide the operator with your name and organization. 24

Application Submission Information • Due date: March 25 th, 2008 • Received by 4: 30 p. m. Eastern time – see appendix M in Project Builder • Address: Office of Community Services Operations Center Assets for Independence Program 1515 Wilson Blvd, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22209 1. 800. 281. 9519 25

Application Submission Information • May submit using www. grants. gov • Must be submitted by 4: 30 p. m. on March 25 th, 2008 • Prepare www. grants. gov submission well before due date – Registration – DUNS number – Authorized signature 26

AFI Orientation Call Series Overview and Grant Application Tuesday. Jan, 29 Process Tuesday, Feb. 19 Tuesday, Mar. 4 Cost Sharing: Raising Nonfederal Resources Thursday, Jan. 31 Thursday, Feb. 21 Thusday, Mar. 6 AFI Project Design & Implementation, Part 1 Tuesday, Feb. 5 Tuesday, Feb. 26 AFI Project Design & Implementation, Part 2 Thursday, Feb. 7 Thursday, Feb. 28 All calls at 2 p. m. Eastern Registration and document download: http: //www. acf. hhs. gov/programs/ocs/afi_calendar. html 27

AFI Resource Center • www. acf. hhs. gov/assetbuilding – Project Builder – Application forms – Program announcement – Technical information on AFI IDA implementation • AFIprogram@acf. hhs. gov • 202 -401 -4626 28

Other IDA Resources • • Center for Social Development http: //gwbweb. wustl. edu/csd IDA Network -http: //www. idanetwork. org New America Foundation www. assetbuilding. org • Others can be found in the Project Builder in appendix A 29

Contact Information AFI Resource Center afiprogram@acf. hhs. gov (202) 401 -4626 www. acf. hhs. gov/assetbuilding 30