HomeMy WebLinkAboutCWJ FY24 A2A ResponsesOctober 7, 2022
FY24 Legacy Aid to Agencies
HCDC Question and Answer (Q&A) Session
Instructions
The Q&A session provides an opportunity for commissioners to ask clarifying questions about
the applications submitted through United Way. Please provide written responses to the
questions attached. Written responses must be received by City staff no later than October 13,
2022 to be included in the October HCDC packet.
Written responses can be directed to Brianna Thul at bthul@iowa-city.org or dropped off at City
Hall (410 E Washington Street).Responses may also be mailed but must be received by the
deadline to be included.
Agencies are encouraged to attend the October 20, 2022 HCDC meeting, but should be aware
that the purpose of the meeting is for HCDC to discuss the written answers submitted in
advance. Agencies will not be asked to present their application. This adjustment is intended to
gather the information required to accurately score submissions, while also promoting the
effective use of time and resources for both agencies, and commissioners.
Tentative Timeline
September 15, 2022 Applications are due to United Way by 5pm.
September 16, 2022 Staff will share the submissions with HCDC as soon as they are
available from United Way – likely September 16, 2022.
September 30, 2022 Staff will provide HCDC summary sheets with suggestions for
questions (provides staff about 2 weeks to prepare).
October 6, 2022 Written questions due to staff (provides HCDC about 3 weeks to
review submissions).Questions should be relevant to the scoring
criteria established in advance.
October 7, 2022 Staff to compile and send questions from HCDC with written
answers due October 13,2022 (provides about 1 week for
agencies to respond in writing).If HCDC does not have questions
for an applicant, staff will inform the agency.
October 14, 2022 HCDC packet posted with written responses from agencies
(provides about 1 week for HCDC to review responses).
October 20, 2022 HCDC Q&A Discussion Session. HCDC will discuss questions and
answers for each agency.
October 7, 2022
Agency:Center for Worker Justice
Questions:
1. How does their survey method of collecting client data ensure validity of the data
gathered?
CWJ collects client data through follow-up surveys that are given to clients after they
receive services or attend workshops or training sessions at CWJ’s office. Clients are
given iPads to complete the surveys. Regarding the reliability of the survey results, the
questionnaires are available in English and Spanish; Arabic translators and CWJ staff
are also available so clients can ask questions when filling out the surveys. Additionally,
individuals who attend workshops fill out a separate survey from those who receive
other forms of assistance. This allows CWJ to track what services individuals receive.
Moreover, the survey questions ensure the validity of our data as they ask specific
questions and list many answer options. For example, when asking about
demographics, our answer choices are diverse enough that they can provide detailed
information, and there is an “other” option if the individual does not identify with any of
the answer choices. Our questionnaire asks about race, gender, age, disability status,
income and education levels, and more.
2. Demographics do not appear to add up. Why is that? (Example: 1,288 reported under
gender, 521 under race, 759 under ethnicity, etc.) Please provide accurate demographic
information if this is not correct.
The inaccuracies in the demographic information is due to typing errors which
unfortunately spread throughout our demographic calculations. Please find attached a
document with the updated demographics data.
3. CWJ listed a number of activities such as education and advocacy they will be providing
with funding; however, it is unclear how they propose to use $45,000. Please elaborate on
specifically how the funds will be used.
Proposed Budget
Expense Cost (in USD)
Office Expenses (internet, percentage of rent,
office supplies, telephone services, etc.)
10,000
Education/Training Workshops (the workshop
leaders are paid, translators/translation
equipment in 3 different languages, food and
10,500
drinks for attendees, child care for attendees,
etc.)
Salaries (percent of CWJ staff members’
salaries)
22,500
Travel (travel expenses for handing out flyers
to the community, transporting people to and
from the workshop, and paying travel
expenses for presenters/workshop leaders,
etc.)
2,000
Total 45,000
4. This application was submitted after the deadline. What was the reason?
We had difficulties with the United Way application portal and submitted our proposal at 4:53
pm but the portal would not accept our upload. We had to call Patti Fields at United Way to help
with the technical difficulties and as she was attempting to help us, we were placed on hold
because other grant applicants were calling in at the same time because they were also facing
trouble with the portal.
5. CWJ describes the success of a program, My Home to Yours, and distributed $500,000 to
750 individuals and families. This amount does not appear to be reflected in the agency
budget. Why is that?
The FMHY program was created in 2020 and 100% of donations went to beneficiaries or
members as direct assistance. Zero percent of this money went into the operation costs/budget
of the CWJ. The $500,000 was also spread out over three years since 2020. The majority of
the funding was donated in 2020 and 2021; we have received few donations in 2022.
6. A letter referencing the 2020 fiscal year signed by an audit committee was submitted.
What is the role of the audit committee and is this an internal or external group?
The audit committee was created by CWJ’s bylaws. It is an internal group with one CWJ
member–the CWJ Vice President–who acts as a liaison for the organization and provides the
committee with any information they need while conducting the audit. The audit is conducted
by a volunteer certified accountant who checks the books and ensures that there aren’t any
discrepancies between the expenses and income.
7. Please also attach a copy of the most recent 990, audit, or board approved financials.
Please find attached the most recent Form 990.