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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVPI _Oshkosh_ARPA_Application_2024 2-compressed 1 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Application for Non-Profit Entities, Community Groups, and Neighborhood Associations Due Date: March 1, 2024, 4:30 PM Application must be completed in full to be considered. Submit complete application & budget sheet electronically to citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov -or- Mail - City Manager’s Office, 215 Church Ave – PO Box 1130, Oshkosh WI 54903-1130 -or- Place in City Hall Dropbox Attachments, brochures or other materials may be included as part of the application packet. Application Review Criteria The electronic version (including email message and all attachments) cannot exceed 10 MB GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Name of Project/Program: 2. Organization Name: 3. Address: 4. Primary Contact Person: 5. Title: Phone: 6. E-mail 7. If applicable: Federal Tax Identification Number: 8. If applicable: DUNS number: Provide Mission Statement/Purpose: PROPOSAL OVERVIEW – must match Budget Overview sheet Funds Requested Total Project Cost Annual Organizational Budget $ $ $ 2 PROPOSAL DETAILS (Please limit to 700 words) 1.PROGRAM/PROJECT APPROACH – include the following details, as applicable:a)Briefly describe the program/project you are requesting funds for.b)Describe the need for your program/project.c)Identify any other organizations in Oshkosh that address this need. d)Describe your level of collaboration with other agencies on this project. e)Is this a new, existing, or changed program?f)Specifically, what will you use ARPA funds for?g)Who will benefit and how?h)How will you prevent the duplication of benefits to end users? i)How many individuals/families will be served by this program/project? j)How will these funds help you respond to, or recover from COVID-19?k)For existing programs: How many people were served during the last program year? How many were from the City of Oshkosh?l)If existing, describe measurable impact has the program achieved to date (with examples) 2.PROJECT OUTCOMESa)If this is a continuing activity, describe a measurable outcome of your previous year's work regardless of funding source. b)Describe two anticipated measurable outcomes for your proposed project/program.c)Describe (if applicable) how proposed use of funds may achieve sustainability objectives as described in the City’s Sustainability Plan.d)Describe (if applicable) how project and proposed use of funds will benefit underrepresented or marginalized individuals/groups, and/or achieve objectives contained in the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan. 3.DESCRIBE THE AGENCY'S AUDITING AND FISCAL CONTROLS a)Briefly describe your agency's fiscal oversight / internal controls to minimize opportunities for fraud, waste and mismanagement.b)How does your agency plan to segregate ARPA funds from other agency funds for purposes of identification, tracking, reporting and audit? 4.CONTINGENCY PLAN a)If your grant request is not fully funded, what adjustments are you prepared to make? 5.PROJECT BUDGETa)Briefly explain project revenues and expenses related to this proposal. This should match with the Budget Overview sheet.b)Be specific about how ARPA dollars would be spent.c)Provide details about how funds would be used by December 31, 2024. PLEASE COMPLETE THE ATTACHED BUDGET OVERVIEW AND SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION. 1.PROGRAM/PROJECT APPROACH We are requesting funds to purchase and renovate new space. This capital project will consolidate many of our existing program locations into one centralized facility. The new space will house our administrative offices, Day Center, educational programs, job coaching and Early Intervention program. We currently operate in multiple locations, leading to fragmented services and inefficiencies. A consolidated space will address the critical need for a more unified location that supports effective program delivery, staff collaboration, and community engagement. This consolidation is especially important as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19, which has underscored the necessity for adaptable and accessible community services. Within Oshkosh, while Lakeside Packaging Plus offers some day and employment services, there are no organizations providing comprehensive early intervention services along with growing wait-lists for quality day and employment services. We've engaged in preliminary discussions with other nonprofits about the potential for shared spaces within our new facility. Additionally, we are actively consulting with agencies that refer clients to us to ensure our new space aligns with broader community needs and perspectives, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of support. ARPA funds will purchase the property, cover renovation costs, and equip the facility with the necessary technology and resources to serve our community effectively. These investments are critical for creating a space that supports our mission and the people we serve. Pirmary beneficiaries of this project are individuals with disabilities and their families, ages birth to three and 14 plus. Consolidating our services will enhance accessibility, improve program effectiveness, and foster a more cohesive community for our service users. To avoid duplication, we maintain open lines of communication and collaboration with other service providers. By coordinating our efforts and sharing resources where possible, we ensure that our services complement rather than duplicate existing community supports. Annually, we serve over 2,000 individuals through our programs. Our new facility will continue to support this significant service population, with room for growth. In 2023, we served 400 individuals within Oshkosh, most within the Early Intervention program. Across all VPI programs, we reached 2,030 individuals in 2023, demonstrating our extensive impact and the critical role we play in the broader community. Please see the attached Impact Reports for our measurable impact. 2.PROJECT OUTCOMES We’ve received great feedback from parents with children in our Early Intervention program. 96% of parents either agreed or strongly agreed that the Early Intervention team had helped increase their understanding of their child’s strengths, abilities, and needs. Measurable outcomes for our proposed project include a quantifiable increase in the number of individuals served, attributable to the elimination of operational inefficiencies through consolidation. Additionally, we anticipate enhanced staff recruitment and retention rates, stemming from the creation of an improved working environment in our new centralized facility. Our organizational programs focus on improving workforce development and lessening barriers to employment for our community members. We will be able to better and more efficiently serve our clients with consolidated facilities and office space. 3.DESCRIBE THE AGENCY'S AUDITING AND FISCAL CONTROLS Purchases flow through a central purchaser and require multiple approvals. Once purchased, invoice isapproved by requesting individual to ensure reciept. Accounting then processes the invoice. The CFOreviews and authorizes payment. Grant funds and expenses are closely monitored by grant writer andController. No other individual has the ability to purchase, pay, and record expenditures related to anygrant. VPI undergoes an annual audit performed by an unrelated third party accounting firm. VPI uses a combination of department and account numbers along with other tracking tools to ensure all grant funds and expenditures are properly recorded. The grant writer with assistance of the Controller and Accounting Specialist review all grant expenditures to make sure they are properly recorded. 4.CONTINGENCY PLAN If our grant request is not fully funded, we will adjust spending on improvements and renovations. 5.PROJECT BUDGET Please see the attached case for support and budget narrative for information about how the ARPA dollars would be spent and an explanation on the project budget. The lease for our current Day Services building ends on November 30, 2024, so we will need to purchase and be moved into a new building by the end of November. Since these funds would be used towards the purchase of a new building, they would be fully spent before the end of November. 3 BUDGET OVERVIEW / INCOME AND EXPENSES ORGANIZATION NAME: ____________________________________________________ REVENUE SOURCE PROJECTIONS Estimated Funding for this Project/Program Proposed ARPA Funding Other Government Grants - list: OACF Funding OAUW Funding Donations/Other Fundraising Internal/Self-Funding Other – list: TOTAL REVENUES $ EXPENSES REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES Project/Program Budget (PROPOSED) Salaries/Benefits Occupancy Professional Fees/ Contracted Services Program/Office Materials Marketing/Printing Professional Development Other - list: Building Other – list: Other – list: Other – list: COVID RELATED EXPENSES (please identify) Other - list: Other - list: Other TOTAL EXPENSES $ NOTE: Revenues and Expenses must balance RenovationsFurnishings Specialized Equipment Technology & Security Contingency 4 THE APPLICATION CERTIFIES TO THE BEST OF ITS KNOWLEDGE: 1.The information submitted to the city of Oshkosh (“City“) in this application, and substantially in connection with this application, is true and correct. 2.The applicant is in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and orders applicable to it that could have an adverse material impact on the project. Adverse material impact includes lawsuits, criminal or civil actions, bankruptcy proceedings, regulatory action by a governmental entity or inadequate capital to complete the project. 3.The applicant is not in default under the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreements, leases or financing arrangements with its other creditors that could have an adverse material impact on the project. 4.The applicant has to close, and will continue to disclose, any occurrence or event that could have an adverse material impact on the project. THE APPLICANT UNDERSTANDS: 1.This application and other materials submitted to the City may constitute public records subject to disclosure under Wisconsin’s Public Records Law. The applicant may mark documents “confidential” if the documents contain sensitive information. 2.Submitting false or misleading information in connection with an application may result in the applicant being found ineligible for financial assistance under the funding program, and the applicant or its representative may be subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution. YES NO (circle one) I certify that the requested funding is needed to ensure this project will happen in the City of Oshkosh. Signature Date Authorized representative of Applicant/Organization PRINTED NAME: TITLE OF APPLICANT: ORGANIZATION NAME: Community Programs Hub Case for Support Across the United States, thousands of children, adolescents and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities are waiting for day services. From children to adults, the demand for early intervention and day service programming continues to grow. With facilities at capacity and few equipped to meet the unique needs of the individuals that desperately need this level of care, it’s time that we do more to support individuals with a disability or a unique need. As our population ages, the demand for adult day services and the facilities to meet this demand will continue to increase. There is more that needs to be done. For thousands of individuals living in northeast Wisconsin, Valley Packaging Industries (VPI) has answered that call. Our commitment to the individuals we serve is unquestioned. Our history has built a strong foundation for an even more exciting future. VPI Founded in 1956, VPI was based on the belief that individuals with a disability, a special need, or disadvantaged circumstances could lead more independent lives. The organization was founded knowing that individuals with disabilities were ready and capable to enter the workforce and there was an overwhelming need for contract packaging services in the Fox Cities area. For nearly 70 years, VPI has been a solution to meet both needs. Our team has a singular focus - to improve the quality of life for all that we serve. This is grounded in our long-standing human services mission that inspires our work day-in and day-out: To promote the dignity and worth of individuals who have disabilities or are disadvantaged and to assist them in developing their optimum level of social, vocational and economic independence in the community. Entering our seventh decade, VPI has strived to meet the unique needs of the individuals and families we serve, providing a robust array of programs and services. Serving more than 2,000 individuals throughout Outagamie, Winnebago, Waupaca, and Calumet counties at all ages and stages of their lives every year, VPI provides the following community programs and services aimed at empowering individuals to reach their maximum level of independence. ●Birth to Three services: Comprehensive services for children under the age of three that prepares them to enter school on track with age-appropriate peers. ●Education services: School-to-work programs and services supporting a seamless transition to inclusive community employment settings after high school. ●Employment services: Individualized vocational support services aimed at each individual we serve reaching their optimum level of independence in the community. ● Mental Health services: Safe and supportive trauma-informed care for individuals with a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis supporting their immediate needs and long-term health and wellness. ● Adult Day Services: Interactive and engaging programming for adults that includes daily activities, exercise, and social outings in an inclusive and supportive environment. The dedicated team at VPI creates opportunity. We create opportunities for individuals to realize their full potential and remove barriers and bridge the gaps that can result from a lack of education, a disability or cognitive delay, incarceration, poverty and other challenges that life presents. Creating this path to individuals realizing their full potential is a unique journey. Constantly evolving to meet the needs of our community, VPI is poised for an exciting opportunity that will transform our ability to increase access to more individuals in our new community programs hub. A Community Programs Hub Grounded in our focus on the dignity and self-worth of everyone we serve, VPI’s new Community Programs Hub will allow us to cater to the diverse needs of our participants and expand our range of services and activities. A fully accessible and inclusive space, VPI’s Community Programs Hub will equip clients with skills and abilities that will transform their daily life. The following programs and services will be housed in the new Community Programs Hub. ● Activity spaces: From art and exercise to music and activities, the Community Programs Hub will have multi-purpose spaces that can be configured to accommodate a wide variety of programming. ● Sensory room: Equipped with a range of stimuli to help individuals develop and engage their senses, the Sensory Room is a safe and accessible space that can be calming and support a range of developmental activities focusing on balance, core strength and sensory management. ● Outdoor space: Safe and accessible space for age-appropriate activities ranging from gardening, games and recreational activities. ● Training Kitchen: Fully accessible kitchen for individuals with disabilities to learn healthy and safe habits and food preparation skills. ● Family Service Center: A space for families to receive comprehensive services for children under three years old, to gather resources and coordinate care with their support team. ● Classroom spaces: Fully accessible and inclusive space for multi-age programs and services ● Personal Care Space: Accessible wellness space for staff to better support the personal care of clients. ● Collaboration Spaces: Multi-purpose spaces for staff to convene and discuss client care. The creation of a Community Programs Hub aligns with our commitment to provide the highest standard of care in an inclusive and engaging environment. Bringing all of our services in a building designed to meet the unique needs of the individuals we serve creates a more efficient and effective programming model. The programmatic, financial and operational benefits are numerous: ● Staff efficiency through a higher degree of coordination of programs and services and ability to collaborate to meet individual client’s needs ● Welcoming and hospitable space for staff, individuals and caretakers. The space should reflect the commitment of our team; the Community Programs Hub will align with our focus on dignity and self-worth ● Professional development for staff working with individuals with unique needs ● Reduced operational expenses due to efficiencies built into new space ● A more attractive and user-friendly programming space that will support employee morale, recruitment and retention ● Acoustics and sensory improvements to programming space ● Address safety and code compliance concerns of current physical layout, health & wellness areas, and personal hygiene spaces (i.e. restrooms) ● A safe, stimulating and welcoming environment for our members to receive social and physical engagement with their peers Your support VPI’s Community Programs Hub is a big step in our journey to promote the dignity and worth of the individuals we serve and ensure their optimum level of social, vocational and economic independence in the community. The Community Programs Hub is part of our continued efforts to meet individuals where they are at, restoring hope and removing barriers toward each person we serve realizing their full potential. At VPI, we have created an environment of acceptance, support, and purpose. The Community Programs Hub brings this vision to life. An investment in this project is a commitment to the independence and social and emotional health of countless individuals in our community that have a disability, a special need, or disadvantaged circumstances. Your investment could allow them to lead more independent lives. Budget Narrative Project Revenues Proposed ARPA Funding - $100,000 City of Oshkosh ARPA Funding to be used towards the purchase of the building, renovation costs, and equipping the building. Internal/Self-Funding - $1,500,000 VPI funding from some of the proceeds of the sale for the VPI Roemer Road Production Facility. Other – Donations/Fundraising - $1,125,000 Donations and gifts through a capital campaign. Currently in the silent phase of this campaign. Project Expenses Building - $1,500,000 Purchase of the new building. Renovations - $500,000 Renovations to the building to ensure it meets the needs of those we serve, including ADA accessibility, programming spaces, and efficiency. Furnishings - $200,000 Furniture for offices, activity spaces, classrooms, and collaboration spaces. Specialized Equipment - $225,000 Adaptive equipment (i.e., Hoyer lifts, sit-to-stand lifts, personal care equipment) and activity supplies and equipment to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Technology and Security - $100,000 Secure building and door access with badges, security cameras (interior and exterior), wireless access points, hybrid meeting and classroom capabilities, visitor entry system. Contingency - $200,000 Contingency in place for any unexpected costs that may arise during this process.