Friends Of The Children Incorporated

PROVIDES FUNDS TO INVEST IN INNOVATIVE LOCAL ACTIVITIES THAT IMPROVE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN TWO GEN APPROACH TO YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROJECT

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN PREVENTION PROJECT

SALARIED, PROFESSIONAL MENTORING FOR HIGH RISK YOUTH

THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN'S (FOTC) ADOLESCENT EDUCATION SUPPORT STRATEGIES AND CAREGIVER PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WILL BENEFIT A TOTAL OF 2600 YOUTH IN AT LEAST TWELVE STATES WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF DELINQUENCY, VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SCHOOL FAILURE AND EARLY PARENTING. THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO: PROVIDE 12 HOURS/MONTH (144 HOURS/YEAR) OF PROFESSIONAL, INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL-DIRECTED MENTORING TO 2,600 YOUTH AGES 4-17 (ENROLLING 625 NEW YOUTH) WHO HAVE BEEN ASSESSED AS HIGH RISK FOR LATER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND DELINQUENCY BY GRANTING SUBAWARDS TO CHAPTERS WITHIN THE GROWING NATIONAL NETWORK THAT WILL SERVE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING THE THREE-YEAR GRANT PERIOD; DEVELOP AND INTEGRATE YOUTH INFORMED, RESEARCH-BASED, AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TRAINING ENHANCEMENTS FOR FRIENDS, SUPERVISORS, AND PROGRAM STAFF, FOCUSED ON: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT STRATEGIES; AND SKILL-BUILDING TOOLS FOR PARTNERING WITH CAREGIVERS DURING ADOLESCENCE, ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND POSITIVE IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING PARENT-YOUTH RELATIONSHIPS. FOLLOWING PILOT TESTING, ENHANCEMENTS WILL BE DISSEMINATED ACROSS THE FOTC NETWORK AND THE NATIONAL MENTORING/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FIELD. FOTC WILL HIRE FRIENDS FROM THE COMMUNITIES SERVED AND INTEGRATE YOUTH AND CAREGIVER FEEDBACK THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT. FOR ENHANCEMENTS, FOTC WILL COLLABORATE WITH CONSULTANTS WITH EXPERIENCE STRENGTHENING ADOLESCENT SCHOOL PERFORMANCE; AND PARTNERING WITH CAREGIVERS. FOTC WILL TRACK YOUTH IMPROVEMENT ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING SKILL BUILDING, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, AND THE AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; AND TRACK STAFF IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ENHANCEMENTS.

THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN’S (FOTC) ADVANCING WELLBEING AND HEALING THROUGH PROFESSIONAL MENTORING, WITH A FOCUS ON NATIVE COMMUNITIES PROJECT WILL BENEFIT A TOTAL OF 3300 CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN AT LEAST SEVENTEEN STATES WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF DELINQUENCY, VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SCHOOL FAILURE AND EARLY PARENTING. UNIQUELY DESIGNED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THE HIGHEST-RISK YOUTH, FOTC EMPLOYS SALARIED, PROFESSIONAL MENTORS ("FRIENDS") AND COMMITS TO YOUTH FOR 12.5 YEARS. OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, THE FOTC MODEL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP AND BREAKING CYCLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE, COMPOUNDING RISK FACTORS AT AN EARLY AGE.     THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO EXPAND FOTC’S REACH AND IMPACT, STRENGTHENING WORK IN RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND TRAUMA MITIGATION AND HEALING SUPPORTS FOR YOUTH AND CAREGIVERS. FOTC WILL: (1) PROVIDE 12 HOURS/MONTH OF PROFESSIONAL, INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL-DIRECTED MENTORING TO 3300 YOUTH (ENROLLING 1100 NEW YOUTH AT AGES 4-6) ASSESSED AS HIGH RISK FOR LATER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND DELINQUENCY BY GRANTING SUBAWARDS TO THEIR BROAD, DIVERSE, AND GROWING NATIONAL NETWORK; AND (2)  ENHANCE FOTC’S PAID, PROFESSIONAL MENTORING SUPPORTS WITH EVIDENCE-INFORMED AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICES FOR WORKING WITH NATIVE YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND INCREASING SERVICES THAT ADVANCE MENTAL HEALTH, PROMOTE HEALING AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DELINQUENCY AND JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. FOLLOWING PILOT TESTING, ENHANCEMENTS WILL BE DISSEMINATED ACROSS THE NETWORK AND, AS APPROPRIATE, THE NATIONAL MENTORING/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FIELD.     FOTC WILL HIRE FRIENDS FROM THE COMMUNITIES SERVED, INCLUDING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN NATIVE-LED CHAPTER(S).  FOR THE ENHANCEMENT WORK, FOTC WILL PARTNER WITH CONSULTANTS WITH EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING PROGRAMMING FOR NATIVE YOUTH AND TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.  FOTC WILL MEASURE SUCCESS BY: (1) TRACKING YOUTH IMPROVEMENT ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING SKILL-BUILDING, ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, PRO-SOCIAL PEER RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE AVOIDANCE OF RISKY BEHAVIORS SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; AND (2) TRACKING FRIENDS' AND PROGRAM MANAGERS' IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES. FOTC WILL TRACK PERFORMANCE MEASURES USING AN EXISTING INTERNAL EFFORTS TO OUTCOMES DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND WILL NOT USE ANY PORTION OF THE PROJECT BUDGET TO CONDUCT RESEARCH.     THE PANDEMIC LAID BARE AND EXACERBATED DISPARITIES FOR YOUTH ALREADY AT HIGH-RISK FOR FUTURE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND DELINQUENCY. THIS PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE FOTC TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING WORK AND EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES. WE AIM TO SHARE ENHANCEMENT TRAININGS TO STRENGTHEN YOUTH OUTCOMES ACROSS THE NATIONAL MENTORING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SECTORS.

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN BULLYING PREVENTION AND MENTOR SUPERVISION PROJECT

THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN'S PREVENTING SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT PROJECT WILL BENEFIT YOUTH IN AT LEAST 19 STATES WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF DELINQUENCY, VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SCHOOL FAILURE, AND EARLY PARENTING. UNIQUELY DESIGNED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THE HIGHEST-RISK YOUTH, FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN EMPLOYS SALARIED, PROFESSIONAL MENTORS (FRIENDS) AND COMMITS TO YOUTH FOR 12.5 YEARS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. FOR 31 YEARS, THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN MODEL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP AND BREAKING CYCLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE, COMPOUNDING RISK FACTORS AT AN EARLY AGE. THE GOALS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ARE TO: PROVIDE 12 HOURS/MONTH (144 HOURS/YEAR) OF PROFESSIONAL, INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL-DIRECTED MENTORING TO YOUTH AGES 4 TO 17 (ENROLLING NEW YOUTH) WHO HAVE BEEN ASSESSED AS HIGH RISK FOR LATER ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND DELINQUENCY BY GRANTING SUBAWARDS TO CHAPTERS WITHIN THE GROWING NATIONAL NETWORK DURING THE 3-YEAR GRANT PERIOD; AND DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A NEW CERTIFICATE FOR PROFESSIONAL MENTORING, WHICH WILL ADVANCE THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO QUALIFY AS A PROFESSIONAL MENTOR. THE CURRICULUM WILL FOCUS ON THE CORE COMPETENCIES OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL MENTOR, INCLUDING TRAUMA-INFORMED, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICE AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY/NAVIGATION. FOLLOWING YOUTH AND CAREGIVER INPUT AND NETWORK PILOT TESTING, A PLAN WILL BE IN PLACE FOR DISSEMINATION ACROSS THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN NETWORK.

DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION GRANT PROGRAM

PURPOSE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING AWARDS ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 PUBLIC LAW 117-328 AND THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR DIVISION L OF THAT ACT. PROJECTS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ARE LISTED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) THAT ACCOMPANIES A SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR’S APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. THE JES LISTS PROJECT, RECIPIENT, STATE, AMOUNT AND CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING AWARD PROJECTS INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES. HUD WILL NOT KNOW THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE RECIPIENT SUBMITS THE REQUIRED PROJECT NARRATIVE AND CONFIRMS ALIGNMENT WITH THE LANGUAGE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. TO FIND THE DETAILS OF THE GRANT AWARD AS WRITTEN WITHIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK AND PATH SELECTIONS TO GET TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/EDI-GRANTS, SELECT THE FISCAL YEAR OF INTEREST, SCROLL DOWN TO PROGRAM LAWS AND REGULATIONS, UNDER FISCAL YEAR 20XX CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20XX: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT).; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SUBSEQUENT APPROVED PROJECT NARRATIVE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS OR SERVED BY THE ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE JES RECIPIENT OR PROJECT DESCRIPTION SECTIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN MENTAL HEALTH SURGE CAPACITY PROJECT - THE FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN MENTAL HEALTH SURGE CAPACITY PROJECT WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE WRAPAROUND AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM NAVIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN EIGHT METRO AND RURAL COUNTIES IN OREGON (MULTNOMAH, WASHINGTON, CLACKAMAS, KLAMATH, DESCHUTES, JEFFERSON, CROOK AND LANE). A NATIONAL NETWORK SERVING 26 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE US, FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN’S TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH IMPACTS GENERATIONAL CHANGE BY EMPOWERING YOUTH WHO ARE FACING THE GREATEST OBSTACLES THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL MENTORS CALLED FRIENDS. THROUGH LONG-TERM, TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS, FRIENDS PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED, MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SUPPORT TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES LEAST LIKELY TO ACCESS TRADITIONAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE WELLBEING FOR YOUTH LIVING WITH THE INTERSECTING PRESSURES OF POVERTY, COMPLEX TRAUMA, AND RACE. POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED: FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN INTENTIONALLY ENROLLS CHILDREN (AGED 4-6) WHO ARE FACING EXTREME SYSTEMIC OBSTACLES. PROGRAM YOUTH EXPERIENCE AN AVERAGE OF FOUR ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) BY THE TIME THEY TURN FIVE. FORTY PERCENT EXPERIENCE THE TRAUMA OF FOSTER CARE AND OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT, OVER HALF EXPERIENCE PARENTAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR INCARCERATION. ALL CHILDREN WHO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM ARE AT-RISK FOR LONG-TERM CHALLENGES TO THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING DUE TO EARLY TRAUMATIC EXPOSURE. NETWORK-WIDE, 88% IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF COLOR. STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS: FOUR FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN SITES LOCATED ACROSS OREGON WILL PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED, MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SUPPORT TO APPROXIMATELY 600 FORMALLY ENROLLED UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES, POSITIVELY IMPACTING MORE THAN 3,000 CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, AND CAREGIVERS. THIS SUPPORT DOES NOT DEPEND ON A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS, EXTENDS ACROSS A MYRIAD OF CONTEXTS (INCLUDING CLASSROOMS), AND FOLLOWS YOUTH THROUGH DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES AND LIFE EXPERIENCES OVER 12+ YEARS. LEVERAGING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES SUCH AS MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING AND ATTUNEMENT STRATEGIES, FRIENDS WILL ACTIVATE PATIENT ENGAGEMENT IN THEIR CARE, PARTNER DIRECTLY WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS TO REDUCE STIGMA AND ENSURE THAT YOUTH AND CAREGIVERS HAVE ACCESS TO TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AND INVITE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO ENGAGE WITH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE, WORK AND PLAY, FACILITATING CONNECTIONS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO NEEDED RESOURCES. PROJECT GOALS AND MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES GOAL: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE RECEIVING EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA MITIGATION SERVICES AND REDUCE THE BURDEN ON EXISTING SYSTEMS OF CARE BY INVESTING IN PAID, PROFESSIONAL MENTORING. MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES: 1) BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, FRIENDS WILL SUPPORT =80% OF YOUTH TO REGULARLY ACCESS PREVENTATIVE HEALTH SERVICES BY LEVERAGING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH CARE PROVIDERS. 2) BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, FRIENDS WILL SUPPORT =90% OF YOUTH TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING THEY’RE PROUD OF, DEMONSTRATING EVIDENCE OF HOPE, A KEY FACTOR IN THE BUILDING OF RESILIENCE. 3) BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, FRIENDS WILL SUPPORT =90% OF YOUTH TO PROGRESS ON SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS PRACTICING HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS.

SALARIED, PROFESSIONAL MENTORS FOR FOSTER YOUTH

FIE EARMARK GRANT AWARDS

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

"THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT LA HABRA'S LIL' INNOVATORS EARLY CHILDHOOD STEM PROJECT WILL INCREASE STEM SKILL AND ENGAGEMENT AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL TEACHERS, DISADVANTAGED PRESCHOOLERS, AND THEIR PARENTS. DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THREE OF LA HABRA'S HEAD START AND CALIFORNIA STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM SCHOOLS, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 224 PRESCHOOLERS AND 20 TEACHERS WITH A YEAR-LONG PROGRAM OFFERING INCREASED DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS IN STEM FOR UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME HISPANIC STUDENTS WHO ARE PRIMARILY ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. TEACHER OUTCOMES WILL INCLUDE IMPROVED STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING STEM AND INCREASED TEACHING QUALITY OF STEM SUBJECTS. PARENT OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED BELIEF IN THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM AND INCREASED ABILITY TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S STEM LEARNING. THE STANDARDS-BASED EDUCATION PROJECT WILL IMPROVE THE MUSEUM'S ABILITY TO SERVE ITS PUBLIC BY CREATING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE CONSISTING OF A NETWORK OF ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, AND EVALUATORS WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF STEM EDUCATION FOR THE YOUNGEST LEARNERS IN THIS ACADEMICALLY-CHALLENGED COMMUNITY."

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

BUILDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CAPACITY WITH A PROFESSIONAL MENTORING MODEL

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT LA HABRA WILL CREATE THE FRIENDLY FARM EXHIBIT FOR CHILDREN AGES 2-10, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE EXHIBIT WILL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION AND EXERCISE AS A SOLUTION TO THE NATIONAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY PROBLEM. TARGETING THE COMMUNITY'S LOW INCOME, UNDERSERVED, IMMIGRANT HISPANIC POPULATION, THE EXHIBIT WILL FEATURE AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE IN CALIFORNIA'S LA HABRA VALLEY. AS A LEADER IN A FIVE-YEAR COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE, THE MUSEUM WILL PARTNER WITH HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THE EXHIBIT PROMOTES THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY EATING, FARM-TO-TABLE FOOD, AND EXERCISE WHILE SHOWCASING MEXICAN-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO FARMING IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY. PRESENTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, THE EXHIBIT WILL FEATURE A PRETEND-PLAY ENVIRONMENT OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GROSS/FINE MOTOR SKILLS, LANGUAGE/VOCABULARY ACQUISITION, AND COGNITIVE REASONING ABILITIES.