FOR-PROFIT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE RELATED TO FASD AND IN PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON FASD-RELATED TOPICS

(A) One grant of up to $50,000 covering downstate New York (Long Island and New York City) will be funded by DDPC for a 12-month period to launch professional training on the topic of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) prevention. The contract term will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for two additional one-year periods at up to $50,000 per year.

(B) One grant of up to $30,000 covering upstate New York (remainder of the State) will be funded by DDPC for a 12-month period to launch professional training on the topic of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) prevention. The contract term will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for two additional one-year periods at up to $30,000 per year.

The applicant's program and budget narratives must provide the justification for the amount requested. An applicant may apply for both the upstate and downstate grants by submitting two individual applications.

The DDPC, in collaboration with the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), is seeking to implement activities to educate and train the general public and service professionals about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy, in order to reduce the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in New York State. The purpose of this grant is to implement a targeted education initiative on the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and on FASD prevention.

In 2004, OASAS conducted focus groups with addiction and allied health professionals and asked about their FASD-related attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Findings from the focus groups indicated that professionals generally lack information on FASD. To address this knowledge gap, these grants are intended to provide opportunities for regional professional development on FASD. Successful applicants will be responsible for:

• Selecting an appropriate FASD prevention curriculum, based on existing materials developed by one or more of the national organizations;

• Implementing a training program focusing on capacity building and skill building for professionals, and maximizing the number of professionals reached;

• Participating in an orientation on FASD sponsored by DDPC and OASAS, which will include information about making referrals to OASAS prevention, treatment, and recovery services; and

• Collaborating with the DDPC and OASAS to systemically evaluate the outcomes of the training initiative.

All interested applicants for either grant are required to submit a one-page letter of intent by January 30, 2009 to Robin Worobey, Program Planner at the address above. All final grant applications should be sent to Sheila Carey, Executive Director, and must be delivered to the DDPC office by close of business (5:00 pm) on March 6, 2009.

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, BOARDS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

Approximately $35 million is available for new multi-year grants to eligible agencies to establish community learning centers to provide academic enrichment outside of the regular school hours primarily to children who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools and schools identified as being in need of improvement.

The grant application is available at www.emsc.nysed.gov under Funding Opportunities/Allocations. Grant applications must be postmarked by March 27, 2009.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

PRIMARY STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER LOCATED IN NEW YORK STATE

The purpose of this Request for Applications is to solicit applications for federal grant funding made available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fiscal Year 2009 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program (Program) through the New York State Office of Homeland Security (OHS). This Program provides funding intended to improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable EOCs with a focus on identified deficiencies and needs.

To be considered for funding, eligible EOCs must be a primary State, local or tribal Emergency Operations Center located in the State of New York.

FY 2009 EOC Grant Program funds may only be expended for EOC construction or renovation costs. Allowable costs include EOC design, construction, and renovation costs including, but not limited to, hardening of the structure and building envelope to resist natural and man-made hazards (requirements above code minimums are allowable) and the hardening of systems to better resist damage and contamination from natural and man-made events. Funds must be spent in compliance with rules and regulations noted in the Federal EOC Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit. In addition, planning costs to support the EOC construction or renovation are allowable.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm February 12, 2009 through the State's electronic grants management system (E-Grants).

For grant guidance, application requirements and instructions, contact: Office of Homeland Security at the above address or call 1-866-837-9133 or email: [email protected]

CDBG: NON-ENTITLEMENT UNITS OF GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT; NYMS: MUST BE INCORPORATED UNDER NYS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW

The New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation's Office of Community Renewal announces the availability of approximately $40 million in NYS Community Development Block Grant funding for the 2009 Annual Competitive Round and the Open Round Economic Development Programs and approximately $5 million in New York Main Street funding for the 2009 Round.

NYS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The New York State Community Development Block Grant Program (NYS CDBG) is a federally funded program authorized by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 administered by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation's Office of Community Renewal (OCR). The NYS CDBG Program provides funding to eligible communities for the development of projects providing decent and hazard-free affordable housing, access to safe drinking water, proper disposal of household wastewater, access to community-needed services in local facilities, foster economic opportunities through the support of projects that create and/or retain permanent employment opportunities principally benefiting low-and moderate-income persons. Activities funded under the NYS CDBG Program must benefit low-and moderate- income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight or meet community development needs having a particular urgency; 70% of NYS CDBG funds must benefit low-and moderate- income persons.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants are non-entitlement units of general local government (village, city, town or county), excluding metropolitan cities, urban counties and Indian Tribes that are designated Entitlement communities. Non-entitlement areas are defined as cities, towns and villages with populations of less than 50,000, except those designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and counties with populations of less than 200,000.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Annual Competitive Round Program

2009 Annual Competitive Round funds are available for the funding of community development projects in the categories of: Housing (rehabilitation, homeownership, residential water/wastewater system assistance); Public Facilities and Public Infrastructure. A community may propose a project that addresses a particular area of need or may propose a project that undertakes a strategy that addresses community development needs within a particular area. OCR encourages communities to propose projects that are creative and innovative in addressing their community development needs.

Proposals for Economic Development projects should be submitted under the Open Round Economic Development Program.

Open Round Economic Development Program

2009 Open Round Economic Development funds are available for economic development activities that create and/or retain permanent, private sector job opportunities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, through the expansion and retention of business and industry in New York State. The primary goal of NYS CDBG economic development funds is to create permanent, sustainable jobs that principally benefit low and moderate incomes persons.

OCR typically provides funding for economic development activities for the following purposes:

1. To provide financial assistance to businesses for an identified CDBG eligible activity which will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities principally benefitting low- and moderate-income persons; or

2. To construct publicly owned infrastructure improvements, which are necessary to accommodate the creation, expansion or retention of a business which will result in the creation or retention of permanent, private sector job opportunities principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, assistance to businesses that are involved in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, agribusiness, high technology, and research and development and traditional small business projects. CDBG funds may be used to finance up to 40% of a project. Funds may be used for the acquisition machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures, building construction or rehabilitation, working capital, real property acquisition or for public infrastructure improvements as described above.

Applicants for the Open Round Economic Development Program must apply to the OCR on behalf of the business seeking NYS CDBG funds. The OCR makes awards directly to the applicant community and does not make direct loans or grants to businesses.

FUNDING LIMITS

Annual Competitive Round Awards

Towns, Cities and Villages:

Housing/Public Facilities $400,000

Public Infrastructure (water/sewer only) $600,000

Counties:

Housing/Public Facilities/Public Infrastructure $750,000

Joint Applicants:

Public Infrastructure (water/sewer only) $900,000

Open Round Economic Development Awards

Maximum Award $750,000

Maximum Award per FTE Job Created or Retained $ 15,000

The OCR may consider applications for projects exceeding the maximum FTE job created/retained or the funding limit where it is found that a project or projects may have a significant and transformational impact beyond the immediate public benefit or for projects with the potential for a regional or statewide economic impact.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

Annual Competitive Round Program

The 2009 Annual Competitive Round Application will be available on the websites of the Office of Community Renewal, www.nysocr.org and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, www.nysdhcr.gov on January 28, 2009. Applications are due no later than April 24, 2009. Applications are to be sent or hand-delivered to: Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207. If mailed, applications must be postmarked no later than April 24, 2009. If hand-delivered, it must be delivered by April 24, 2009 no later than 4:00 p.m.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, OCR will consider applications not received by 4:00 p.m. on, or postmarked by April 24, 2009 ineligible. Applicants should make early submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery-related problems.

Open Round Economic Development Program

Interested applicants must consult the OCR and complete an initial inquiry to determine if an economic development project, meets CDBG and OCR program requirements. Based upon the results of the initial inquiry, the applicant may be invited to submit an application for funding for the 2009 Program Year. Applicants may submit initial inquiries any time after January 28, 2009, when the initial inquiry form will be posted to the NYS OCR website, www.nysocr.org.

NEW YORK MAIN STREET PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The New York Main Street Program (NYMS) provides funding to assist New York State communities with their main street/downtown revitalization efforts. NYMS will provide grants to stimulate reinvestment in mixed-use (commercial/civic and residential) "main street" buildings or districts in order to address issues of code compliance, energy conservation, accessibility, and to provide affordable housing and job opportunities.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants must be incorporated under the NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, an applicant must have been in existence for at least one year prior to contract execution.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding one or more of the following activities:

Building Renovation

Local Program Administrators (LPAs) may provide participating owners with matching renovation grants of up to $40,000 per building for first and/or second floor civic/commercial use, plus an additional $20,000 for each residential unit, not to exceed 75% of total project cost or $100,000 per building, whichever is less. Building renovation projects include facade renovations and interior work.

Creation of Downtown Anchors

LPAs may provide grants of up to $150,000 per building, but not exceeding 33% of total project cost, to building owners to help establish or expand cultural or business anchors that are key to local revitalization efforts. Anchor grant projects may include residential units on the upper floors.

Streetscape Enhancement

As an ancillary activity, LPAs may provide grants of up to $25,000 for programs to plant trees and other landscaping, install street furniture and trash cans, provide appropriate signs in accordance with a local signage plan, and to perform other appurtenant activities can be provided to communities to enhance the NYMS target area.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum funding request is $200,000. The minimum funding request is $50,000.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

Applications will be available electronically on the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal's (DHCR) website, www.nysdhcr.gov on January 28, 2009. Applications should be submitted over the internet using the Community Development Web Application System, CDOL.

Applications for New York Main Street program funding must be submitted to the CDOL by 5:00 PM ON April 24, 2009. Any applications for these programs received after the stated deadline will be considered to be late submissions and will be returned to the applicant.

Questions about the 2009 Annual Competitive Round, the Open Round Economic Development, or the New York Main Street Programs should be directed to OCR at the earliest opportunity at 518-474-2057.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Organizations eligible to apply for funding under this initiative must be non-profit organizations, including school districts, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), community colleges and community-based organizations that can also provide the required 50% matching funds from eligible non-federal sources.

Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) Venture

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) seeks eligible organizations to provide adult food stamp applicants and recipients, including those in receipt of Safety Net Assistance, with the educational programs and services that are needed to promote job entry, job retention and advancement. The local social service district is a required partner for organizations that will serve Safety Net individuals, and applicant organizations must obtain their involvement and support of this project.

A total of $3,000,000 in 50% FSET funds is available to support programs for a 12 month period beginning July 1, 2009. Selected contractors will earn reimbursement on a performance basis as program participants achieve specific benchmarks (i.e., educational gains, job entry/retention).

Proposals are due by March 27, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.

Program requirements and application instructions are outlined in the Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) Venture Request for Proposals (RFP), which can be found on our Office's website at http://www.otda.state.ny.us. A copy of the RFP may also be obtained by faxing a request to Kathryn DeBella at (518) 486-7650.

For an application, contact: Kathryn DeBella, at the above address, (518) 486-7650 (fax), or email: [email protected]