2027 Community Services Program
Ends on
Overall Theme: Align Community Services Program with the four pillars of Social Determinants of Health priorities: Economic Stability, Education/Health Care, Community and Social Engagement.
Infant Mortality
Eligible applications must support projects/programs that increase access to education as it relates to infant mortality for expectant mothers, mothers of newborns and infants.
The Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan identified concerns regarding “the unacceptable rate of mortality for black babies and poor health outcomes of black women”. Furthermore, infant mortality is linked “with social determinants of health and their inequitable impact on women and babies of color. Social determinants of health are factors in an individual’s social, economic and physical environment that affect infant mortality.”
The Community Services Program should focus on the Full Term First Birthday Strategic Plan as it relates to “engagement, education and equip residents to support and promote healthy full-term pregnancies and safe sleep for babies”. Additionally, proposed programs should seek to:
1. Reduce premature births and infant mortality among African American infants specifically and all infants generally by 50 percent by 2025.
2. Eliminate sleep-related infant deaths in Akron.
Public Safety
Eligible applicants in this area must focus on projects/programs that directly support the strategic priorities of the City of Akron Youth Violence Prevention Plan and focus on the neighborhood as the unit of change.
Eligible grants must prioritize Akron youth ages 13-24 – the key demographic in the Plan. Grants must directly align with one of the eight “Strategic Approaches” outlined in the Plan.
Conversations within the community clearly show that residents would like to see “neighborhood safety” prioritized so that “everyone from all neighborhoods feels safe. ”Proposals should be strategic and impactful, focusing on youth. Respondents seemed to gravitate towards youth violence or the exposure of youth to violence in a big way. The youth themselves reported wanting to not just be safe but “feel safe” in their neighborhoods.
City of Akron Youth Violence Prevention Plan
Financial Empowerment Eligible proposals must focus on working with Akron’s low income residents to provide guidance and assistance with managing finances, reducing debt, increasing savings, establishing and building credit, and access to safe and affordable mainstream banking.
Eligible grants must prioritize financial stability and services while at the same time integrating with other social services including housing, foreclosure prevention services, workforce development, and prisoner re-entry.
Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Approach
Information and Referral Eligible proposals must focus on providing information and referrals to Akron residents related to health, human and social service organizations.
Eligible proposals must have the ability to refer residents in need to agencies that have the skills and have been vetted to provide services on an as-needed basis based on the callers need. Provide information and referrals to where callers can access assistance.
Grantees MUST complete a final report detailing the results of the project/program and outcomes achieved.
GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Responses to questions should be between 250-500 words; no more than two pages in length and double-spaced. If necessary, you may include additional information in the Attachments section at the end of each section.
2. Label and reference attachments appropriately. There is space for extra attachments at the end of each section.
3. To provide the reviewers of your application with a better understanding of the target area of the project, you may attach photographs, maps or other visual aids. These may be included with the application as attachments at the end of each section.
4. If a question does not appear to apply to your proposal, “Not Applicable” or “N/A” is a legitimate answer.
5. If you have questions about completing the application, please contact Darin Chambers in the Long Range Planning Division office at (330) 375-2090 x6476.
6. Download the Certifications page here. Please print this form, have the appropriate parties* sign, and upload in Section 6 of the application. This form is required to evaluate your application.
*Appropriate parties are comprised of the following only: Executive Director, President or Chief Executive Officer)
Notes:
Billing Procedures: Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis for expenses incurred in accordance with the contract's goals and objectives. Billings for anticipated expenses may be included by special arrangement. Billing schedules may vary for projects but will generally be either monthly or quarterly. No advances will be given. Eligible reimbursements are based on items in your approved project budget.
Any costs incurred before the effective date of the contract or after the termination date of the contract will not be covered by the grant. Matching funds must be expended within the period of the grant agreement.
Monitoring and Reporting: Monthly progress reports and a short final report evaluating the success of the project are required as a condition of receiving reimbursement under the contract. Monthly reports must be submitted in order to be reimbursed project expenses.
City staff will periodically conduct on-site monitoring of each project. This will include observing project activities and a review of files and financial records. Any deficiencies or required corrective actions will be noted in a formal letter to the grant recipient.