SDPP Call For Proposals December 2004 (closed) - Information Guide

NOTE: This Call for Proposals has closed, no further applications will be accepted.

Projects to Support Early Learning and Child Care
and Social Inclusion of Children and Families

This Call for Proposals consists of five documents:

• Information Guide (This Document) 
• Project Funding Application (no longer available)
• M-30 Supporting Documentation for organizations in Quebec (PDF) 
• Appendix A: Results-based Reporting for the Social Development Partnerships Program 
• Frequently Asked Questions 

Please read this Information Guide before completing the Project Funding Application. Appendix A provides an introduction to results-based reporting for the Social Development Partnerships Program.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: PRIORITIES AND OVERVIEW OF THIS CALL FOR PROPOSALS

1.1 The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP)

This Call for Proposals is committed to addressing the social development objectives of the Government of Canada (GoC) by delivering project contribution funding through the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) to non-profit sector organizations. The purpose of this funding is to promote the generation and dissemination of knowledge, foster partnerships to achieve shared goals, and facilitate public dialogue to address the social development needs of vulnerable populations in Canada.

To be considered for project contribution funding through this Call for proposals, an organization must meet the eligibility requirements of the SDPP1.

These requirements are presented in Section 1.3 and are set out in the SDPP Terms and Conditions which can be found at the following address:
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/04_SDPP_TCs.shtml

1.2 Priorities for this Call for Proposals

There are two funding streams² in this Call for Proposals:

• Early Learning and Child Care and
• Social Inclusion of Children and Families

Proposals are being invited from non-profit organizations to respond to a specific priority under one of the funding streams.

Our priorities for this Call for Proposals have been informed through consultations with experts in the non-profit sector and provincial/territorial government officials working on issues for children and families, as well as by current research and policy themes.

1.2.1 Early Learning and Child Care

The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) stream supports projects that advance quality child care consistent with the Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care (2003) and the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen early learning and child care in Canada. ELCC refers to non-parental child care settings for children under six. These settings include centre-based care, regulated family day care, and nursery school/preschool programs.

Specific Priority: Enhancement of Children’s Development

One of the key elements of a quality early learning and child care system is its ability to enhance children’s development to ensure that they are ready for school and for full participation in the broader community. A holistic approach to development, which promotes children’s autonomy and creativity, and addresses all domains of development, i.e., physical, emotional, social, language and cognitive, must be an integral part of a quality early learning and child care system. In addition, a quality system must address the needs and concerns of children in differing circumstances. These circumstances include stressful environments, personal disability, and cultural displacement.

Projects funded under this priority will enhance knowledge on developmental outcomes and inform the creation and evaluation of future quality developmental programs for children in early learning and child care settings. Project funding under this priority will be for a maximum of two years.

Under this priority, SDPP will fund knowledge development or partnership projects, related to early learning and child care, to:

• Facilitate public policy dialogue on the age-appropriate developmental outcomes and milestones which are relevant for early learning and child care programming/curricula; and to
  
• Further knowledge on existing tools and approaches, in Canada and internationally, which enhance or assess children’s development.

Factors that will be considered in the assessment of the proposal:

• Interdisciplinary or cross-sectoral approach;
• Builds on other work and does not duplicate current or past work;
• Promotion of aspects of early development (physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive); and
• Reflection of the understanding that children in different circumstances may require different approaches.

1.2.2 Social Inclusion of Children and Families

Social inclusion of children and families is about ensuring that children and families have access to opportunities, and the ability, to participate in their communities. Projects funded under this stream support the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen the capacity of communities to develop solutions that enhance the social well-being of children and families and promote their participation in their communities.

Specific Priority: Community supports for children under six, and their families, in disadvantaged circumstances

Children’s development is facilitated by their families, quality child care arrangements, and others in their community: in schools, recreational programs, health and social services. The capacity of communities to respond to the needs of families is key to their ability to enhance the well-being of their children.

This priority seeks to enhance the capacity of communities to contribute to "levelling the playing field" for children under six living in disadvantaged circumstances such as poverty, isolation, or with special needs. As with all families, families in such circumstances need strong supportive communities to promote positive outcomes for their children.

Projects will explore models that promote place-based best practices and partnerships to help communities organize themselves to enhance the well-being of children under six and their families, especially those in disadvantaged circumstances. Place-based initiatives refer to those that are developed for a specific geographic location. Projects should be community driven and citizen-led. In addition, projects which include more than one community will be favoured. Projects could include knowledge development, community action, mentoring strategies, models of engagement, or innovative approaches or tools. Funding will be for a maximum of three years.

Direct service delivery will not be funded.

Factors that will be considered in the assessment of the proposal:

• Community-driven and citizen-led through partnerships or coalitions;
• Builds on existing knowledge and research on inclusive communities but does not duplicate current or past work;
• Promotion of opportunities for children and families to feel a sense of belongingness and to be engaged in their communities;
• Reflection of the understanding that children in different circumstances have different needs and may require different approaches; and
• Will provide lessons learned that can be shared with other communities in similar circumstances.

Potential Activities:

Potential project activities that are consistent with the priorities for both Early Learning and Child Care and Social Inclusion of Children and Families include:

• Generating knowledge on exemplary programming by exploring and testing innovative approaches, best practices, tools and methodologies, and by developing appropriate indicators of impact;
• Disseminating information and knowledge to a range of audiences through a range of media (such as publications, newsletters, and Web sites) and/or by organizing conferences, workshops and symposia;
• Establishing and maintaining sustainable partnerships, networks or collaborations; and
• Participating in public dialogue and/or consultations.

1.3 Mandatory Eligibility Criteria

Project proposals will only be assessed if they are submitted by eligible organizations and if the project addresses one of the priorities of this Call for Proposals.

1.3.1 Eligible Organizations

To be eligible, an organization must meet the following criteria:

• the organization must be non-profit; and
• actively pursuing social development activities in line with the SDPP’s objectives .

Eligible organizations include:

• Organizations in the non-profit sector carrying out social development activities
• Government-funded/publicly supported educational and research institutions (e.g., universities and colleges)
• Other organizations whose primary purpose is to provide services to their own members (e.g., labour unions and professional associations)
• Quasi-governmental agencies (e.g., Children’s Aid Societies)

Educational and research organizations are encouraged to apply in partnership with voluntary organizations working to promote the social well-being of children and families.

Individuals are not eligible to receive project funding under SDPP.

1.3.2 Eligible Project Proposals

Projects must address one of the priorities of this Call for Proposals in either the Early Learning and Child Care or Social Inclusion of Children and Families stream (see Section 1.2 ). Failure to address one of the priorities will disqualify the proposal from the assessment review process.

1.4 Project Duration and Funding Available ³

Projects funded by this Call for Proposals are expected to begin in April 2005 (or later at the applicant’s discretion) and to be completed by March 31, 2007, for Early Learning and Child Care, and by March 31, 2008, for Social Inclusion of Children and Families. In special circumstances, a short extension may be granted. Projects may be short-term or for multi-year periods.

For the Early Learning and Child Care and Social Inclusion of Children and Families streams, the Social Development Partnerships Program has approximately $2.5 M per year available for contribution funding, for a maximum of three years.

SECTION 2: GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL

2.1 How to complete the Project Funding Application

The Project Funding Application consists of two parts: Organizational Information and Project Proposal Information.

You must complete the following and include all necessary supporting documentation:

1. Organizational Information
2. Project Proposal Information
3. Executive Summary
4. Factors under Early Learning and Child Care or Social Inclusion of Children and Families
5. Added Value and Impact
6. Project Objectives
7. Approach or Methodology
8. Products or Outputs
9. Beneficiaries
10. Intended Results
11. Work Plan
12. Knowledge Dissemination Plan
13. Capacity to Complete the Project
14. Budget

Download the Rich Text (RTF) version of the Project Funding Application document complete it, and save it as an RTF file on a disk or CD for submission to the Department. Please complete your proposal in at least Arial font, size 12 and use charts and bullet style where appropriate, remembering to keep your proposal as concise as possible.

The required content for each section is included in the Project Funding Application document. The factors which will be assessed are outlined in Section 3 of this Guide, the Assessment and Recommendation Process.

Incomplete proposals will not be considered for funding.

All sections of the Project Funding Application must be completed for your proposal to be assessed. Use the checklist at the end of the application to ensure you have covered everything.

2.2 How to submit your proposal

This Call for Proposals has closed. No further applications will be accepted.

You must submit five (5) paper copies of the proposal AND one (1) electronic version (on disk or CD) to be received by Social Development Canada by 4:00 pm EST, Feburary 4, 2005. The electronic version must be on a disk or CD, enclosed with the paper copies. E-mailed or faxed copies WILL NOT be accepted. As indicated earlier, it is preferable that the electronic version of the proposal be submitted in Rich Text (RTF) format.

Please ensure that one of the five paper copies is the original version signed by designated authorities. The signature block is included in Section 7 of Part A, Organizational Information, in the Project Funding Application.

The five paper copies of the proposal, plus the CD or disk, must be sent to:

NOTE: When submitting your proposal, please include both the current and former name of the directorate in the mailing address.

If you have questions concerning any aspect of this Call for Proposals, please contact Penny Hammell, by telephone at (819) 997-1170 or by email at penny.hammell@sdc-dsc.gc.ca or Kelly King at (819) 994-9993 or kelly.king@sdc-dsc.gc.ca

The Community Development & Partnerships Directorate will make every effort to respond to all questions up until the closing date. Questions and their answers will be posted on the Social Development Canada website at:

http://www.sdc.gc.ca/en/hip/sd/SDPPcfp2004/faq.shtml

Section 3: ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATION PROCESS

3.1 Overview

The Assessment and Recommendation process is designed to identify those projects which have the best potential for achieving the specific funding priorities of this Call for Proposals, in the Early Learning and Child Care and Social Inclusion of Children and Families streams of the Social Development Partnerships Program. Assessment of proposals will involve review by officials within Social Development Canada (SDC) and other federal officials. Expert reviews may be done to provide clarity on specific aspects of the assessment elements. Final approval of project proposals will be made by the Minister of Social Development. Table 1 provides an overview of the process.

3.2 Assessment of a Project Funding Application

The assessment of proposals will be based on:

Table 3: Assessment of the Factors in the Project Proposal Information:

National relevance and applicability, partnerships, and potential added value and impact for addressing the needs of children and families, in line with the priorities of this Call for Proposals, are key aspects of the assessment process. The clarity and reasonableness of each element will be assessed as well as the degree to which the following questions can be answered. The assessment questions indicate what factors will be considered. Note that the higher the dollar value of the proposal, the higher the expectation regarding significant, measurable intended results and impact.

Does the project build on other work, and avoid duplication of current or past initiatives by the applicant or others?

Does the project clearly describe the developmental aspects to be addressed?

Does the project reflect the understanding that children in different circumstances may require different approaches?

The budget assessment will involve an analysis of:

• the required financial and budget tables
• the required written budget explanations

SECTION 4: OVERVIEW OF CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Once the Minister has approved a proposal, the department will enter into negotiations to develop a contribution agreement. The contribution agreement is a legal agreement that sets out such details as amount of funding to be provided, timing of payments, objectives, milestones and results to be achieved.

Below is an overview of the types of terms and conditions that will be included in a contribution agreement.

4.1 Lobbyists

• If an individual within your organization, or a third party lobbying the Government of Canada on your behalf with respect to the funding requested in this application, meets the definition of lobbyist as defined by the Lobbyist Registration Act, but is not registered as a lobbyist with the Lobbyist Registration Branch, you are responsible for making the appropriate arrangements with Industry Canada.

4.2 Former public servants

• If a former public office holder or public servant will be employed for the purpose of implementing the project, he or she must be in compliance with the post-employment provisions of the relevant Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code.

4.3 Payment of Funds

• Contribution funding is usually provided on the basis of reimbursement of eligible contribution expenses. In some instances, advance payments are allowed.

• The payment of contribution funds will be made quarterly or monthly, based upon the approved contribution budget, the dollar value of the project and satisfactory financial and progress reports.

• Any revenues generated by the project will be used to reduce the amount of the federal contribution.

• The Department may withhold up to 10% of the contribution until after the project has been completed.

• The Department will recover any overpayments, unexpended balances and disallowable or inadmissible expenses reimbursed under the contribution agreement.

4.4 Contracting / Subcontracting

• Contribution recipients must disclose and receive approval in writing for the subcontracting of any part of the project activities. All contracts of $25,000 and over must involve a competitive process including at least three bids; otherwise, a justification for sole sourcing must be provided in writing to the Government of Canada and approved by the appropriate Government official.

4.5 Reporting and Other Requirements

Financial and Progress Reporting

• The applicant is required to maintain financial and all other records to demonstrate due diligence throughout the project; and

• Organizations are required to submit both financial and progress reports to the department throughout the duration of the agreement. Progress reports will indicate progress in meeting milestones and in moving towards intended results. The timing and content of these reports will be negotiated at the agreement stage.

Final Report

• The applicant will be required to submit a report on attainment of objectives and intended results as part of the project’s final report. This will include an analysis of the performance indicators, conclusions and lessons learned. The timing and content of these reports will be negotiated at the agreement stage.

4.6 Audit and Other Requirements

• The Department may, during the course of the contribution agreement or within six years following its termination, conduct audits and/or evaluations of any aspect of the contribution agreement; and,

• The organization will allow the Department or its representatives full access to all information, records, documents, and personnel necessary to conduct such audits and/or evaluations.