Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FASD Education Law & Equity Project Application Due September 12, 2017 Grant Period: January 1, 2018 December 31, 2020 Grant Application at www.mofas.org/grants/apply-for-a-mofas-grant/ The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) is soliciting proposals from qualified educational law providers for its Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Education Law and Equity Project. FASD is a prenatal brain injury with a range of developmental, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms that last a lifetime. FASD is a condition that can make school difficult. Students with learning challenges associated with an FASD may qualify for special education services, but the lack of understanding of FASD can lead to increased frustration for students, school staff, and families. The prevalence of FASD in school age children is estimated to be higher than previous findings. Currently, as many as 1 in 20 U.S. school children are estimated to have an FASD. 1 In spite of the estimated prevalence, many students impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure do not have the benefit of an FASD diagnosis due to a lack of diagnostic capacity in Minnesota and across the U.S. Even with the high prevalence of students estimated to be impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure, this is often an issue that is relegated to the margins, often leaving schools under prepared and under resourced to support students with an FASD. This grant opportunity is designed to provide support to individuals with a known or suspected FASD to ensure equitable access to an appropriate education across Minnesota. Each year, one of the most common requests for services and support referrals is from families experiencing challenges accessing appropriate school services. This trend reflects the findings from Anne Streissguth s seminal 2004 study in which 14% of youth between the ages 6 11 and 61% of adolescent participants 12 and over with an FASD experienced significant school disruptions 2. Those disruptions included learning disabilities and challenges, suspension, expulsion, truancy, bullying, and school drop out. Other common symptoms that affect some on the spectrum include: difficulties in social interactions, sensory processing, attention difficulties, behavioral issues, anxiety and depression, and co-occurring medical issues and mental health diagnoses. Equitable access to an appropriate education is a foundational human and civil right that can disrupt the school-toprison pipeline that some on the spectrum have experienced and better prepare youth for the transition to adulthood, post-secondary options, employment, and housing. In 1973, Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones and Dr. David Smith made the first diagnoses of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Over the years, the condition has come to be known as a spectrum condition with a wide range of symptoms. A complicating factor is often the other co-occurring medical and mental health conditions that can be present as well. FASD is a condition that impacts our entire community. It cuts across race, socioeconomic class, and cultures. 1 Centers for Disease Control Vital Signs, February 2016. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, November 2015. 2 Streissguth AP et al. (2004). Risk factors for adverse life outcomes in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 25(4): 228-38.
The promise of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is to provide rights and protections to children with disabilities and to their parents. Not all students with an FASD qualify for special education services. For students on the spectrum that qualify for special education services, there are many inconsistencies. A recent national survey conducted by the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with 481 responses from parents and caregivers demonstrated that students on the spectrum are being served under each of the 13 different special education categories. In that same survey, only 7% of the 481 caregivers responding reported that the educational category assigned and the IEP met the needs of their child, while 93% reported that their child s needs were not being met. In order to best support students and families, we are seeking a spectrum of education law related services throughout the state of Minnesota to serve students up to the age of 21 and the family members that support them in their education. We are seeking qualified grantees to provide at minimum services including, but not limited to: Brief consultation and legal advice service up to 30 minutes Extensive consultation and legal advice for 30 minutes or more Brief services including: attending school meetings, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, 504 meetings, and providing strategies to address issues with individual programs and plans Extended services: Facilitated IEP meetings, dispute resolution, conciliation, settlement negotiations, and drafting complaints Respondents are also welcome to propose other related educational law services designed to support students and families.
Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FASD Education Law & Equity Project Community Grant Proposal Instructions To submit this application, you must: 1. Complete the questions on this application online at www.mofas.org/grants/apply-for-a-mofas-grant/. 2. Complete the required statements section to verify that you understand the requirements. 3. Attach the required additional information mentioned below in the submissions section. 4. Once completed, sign to verify your application. 5. Use the submit button at the end of the form. *You have the option of completing portions of the application and saving your work to return to later. To save your application click "Save and Continue Later" at the bottom of the form. This will take you to a page with a unique hyperlink to your application. You will have a chance to enter your email address to have the link sent to you via email. The link will expire after 30 days. If you cannot access the online grant application, please contact Kendra Gludt at kendra@mofas.org or call 651-917- 2370. We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online grant application, please indicate what assistance you need. Application Information Legal Name of Lead Organization: Address: County: Telephone: Website: Federal Tax ID Number: State Tax ID Number: Legal Tax Status (e.g. 501(c)(3)): Checks would be made payable to: Address checks would be mailed to: Dollar Amount Requested from MOFAS:
Contact Information Name Title Phone Email Contact for Grant Application Project Director Financial Officer Executive Director Applicant Background Describe the lead agency and its current scope of work. Describe the geographical region and population currently served by the agency. 3,000 max characters Describe your experience providing educational law services. Describe any history of receiving training on FASD and your level of knowledge on FASD. Description of Program Describe the target population served by this program, including age range, socioeconomic status, and approximately how many people will be served during the grant period. Present the goal of your program and activities required to reach this goal. Identify which specific services you intend to provide for the target population. 3,000 max characters
Describe your collaborative partners for this particular project. What formal or informal agreements do you have with them? Timeline: Provide an expanded and detailed timeline of project activities. Leadership, Roles, and Staffing. Describe the key personnel involved in carrying out this grant. Include staff qualifications, any licenses, and applicable prior experience. Explain how the grant-funded work will be staffed, with particular attention to leadership and accountability. Present your evaluation plan. How will you know that the project made a difference? Capacity What resources does your organization have to complete the proposed program (such as staff, consultants, and technology)? Committed funds: list committed sources and amounts of funding for this project. Present prospects for sustainability after the grant ends. How will you incorporate this program into your organization as a whole? How will the work carry on after the end of this grant period?
Reflect on any challenges you anticipate in implementing your proposed program. Include possible solutions to these challenges. Required Statements Anti-Discrimination Agreement I agree that I am committed to compliance with all applicable anti-discrimination laws and do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, or other legally protected category or characteristic, in employment, programs or activities. Contract Agreement Read the grant contract terms and select one of the boxes below. (Grant Contract Terms PDF) I have read and accept the contract terms. I do not accept the contract terms and have attached exceptions to the contract terms. Submissions Project Budget and Narrative (Excel Spreadsheet) Project Financial Support/Other Sources of Funding (if applicable) Organization s current year operating budget with most recent actual expenses compared (budget to actual) Proof of tax exempt status (if applicable) Most recent year-end financial statements Most recent tax return (example: Form 990) Exceptions to the grant contract terms (if applicable) Signature By signing here, I certify that the Executive Director has reviewed this grant proposal and is in agreement with the submission of the proposal. I certify that the information provided is true, correct, and reliable for purposes of evaluation for potential grant award. I understand that if I submit inaccurate or misleading information, I may be disqualified from receiving a grant award. SIGNATURE NAME TITLE DATE