HomeMy WebLinkAboutFY2024 Aid to Agencies Application (Emerging)_ICSLFY2024 Aid to Agencies Application (Emerging)
Section 1 - General Information
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Aid to Agencies provides flexible operational funding for nonprofits. Applications are due Monday, January 30, 2023 at
12pm. This application is for “emerging” agencies, those that have not existed as a legal entity for at least 2 years or
have not received A2A funds in any of the last five years. Each agency is eligible to apply for up to $15,000. No award
will be made for less than $5,000. Please submit one project proposal per application. Questions can be directed to
Brianna Thul at bthul@iowa-city.org or to Neighborhood Services staff at 319-356-5230. Hard copy applications are
available upon request.
Submit completed applications online or a PDF version to bthul@iowa-city.org. Emailed applications must receive a
confirmation email from City staff before the application deadline to be considered for funding. No exceptions will be
made for late submittals. Online submittals are preferred, but you may send your application by certified or registered
mail; overnight delivery service e.g., FedEx; or deliver in person if arrangements are made with a Neighborhood
Services representative. Please call 319-356-5230 to make drop off arrangements prior to arrival.
Applications are due on Monday, January 30, 2023 by 12pm. No exceptions will be made for late
submittals. Should you have any questions while completing the application contact
Neighborhood Services staff at 319-356-5230 or by email at bthul@iowa-city.org.
1. Lead Organization / Agency
Application Contact
Name *
Address *
Website
Iowa City Sober Living
City
Iowa City
State / Province / Region
Iowa
Postal / Zip Code
52244
Country
United States
Street Address
PO Box 2946 or 1598 Spartan Circle NE Solon IA 52333 (contact person home address)
Address Line 2
www.iowacitysoberliving.com
Name *
Title *
Merrilee Ramsey
Co-founder, Board President
2. Organization/Agency Type *
Years in Operation *
Project Name *
Brief Description *
Total Funds Requested *
Has the applicant received City assistance in the last five years?*
Is the applicant currently in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations including any
CDBG and/or HOME funded projects?*
Phone *
Email *
319-530-7751
iowacitysoberliving@gmail.com
501(c)3
Public
For Profit
Faith-Based
CHDO
Other
1
3. Project
Year 1 Start-up Funding; Resident Manager Salary x 6
months
Iowa City Sober Living (ICSL) is a start-up non-profit organization that will assist women to transition from
substance abuse to substance free living. Start-up expenses are expected to include residence down payment,
lender fees, insurance, utility hookup fees, furnishings, repair/remodeling as needed and salary for resident
manager. It will be critical for the resident manager to be on board 2-3 months prior to opening to train in regard
to policies, procedures, assist with screening residents and general orientation to the role.
12,500.00$
4. History
Yes No
(including partners, co-applicants, etc.)
Yes
No
Currently in litigation
Section 2 - Need and Priority
The City Steps Plan guides funding within the community that benefits low-moderate income persons by
creating jobs, improving housing, and providing services. You can find a copy of City Steps
at www.icgov.org/actionplan
5. Summary of proposed project *
6. Why is the project needed?*
7. How does the project fill a gap in the community?*
8. How does the project address the goals of 2021-2025 City Steps?*
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ICSL is transitional housing for 8-10 women in recovery from substance abuse, primarily alcohol. 80% of persons
leaving treatment facilities for substance abuse will relapse within 90 days. That translates into only
20% making it in the outside world sober. Relapse triggers, especially for women, can include returning home to
previous unhealthy relationships, financial demise, untreated physical and mental health conditions,
unemployment, childcare concerns, and general lack of support. ICSL provides a kind, loving, substance free
environment whereby women live for 3-6 months to regain strength, health and wellness, and develop the tools
needed to maintain a sober life for the long term. Overseen by an on-site, live in resident manager (also in
recovery) daily programs support accountability for sobriety and residence policies, recovery planning, health
and wellness, peer support and mentorship, family support and community reintegration.
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Despite having reputable treatment centers in Eastern Iowa, sober living homes are few and far between. ICSL
will be the first in Johnson County. It is worth repeating that without the support and rebuilding of self after initial
treatment, 80% of persons will relapse within 90 days. If persons can maintain sobriety for 12 months, the
chance of relapse drops to 40%. The resident manager will assume a vital role in coordinating the intake of our
residents and their orientation to the home.
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ICSL will become part of the recovery spectrum in Johnson County and beyond. If women in treatment (inpatient
or outpatient) are aware of the sober living option before discharge, our staff and residents can interact with them
via social media or in person to encourage them to seek more time to heal. We have been in contact with the
following treatment facilities and have been overwhelmingly supported:
Sedlacek Treatment Center and Unity Point Chemical Dependency in Cedar Rapids
Community Family Resources in Iowa City
The Abbey Center in Bettendorf
Top of the World Ranch in Milan IL
Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Mason City
Referrals can also be received from Recovery Programs or self-referral via our website. We have a list of over 20
women and/or families that have contacted us for information and to be placed on a list for admission when we
open. The resident manager can start by contacting this list of women and determine if they still have a need for
sober living. Women on the waiting list will have first priority for admission if they meet criteria.
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Increase rental units in Johnson County by 8 units in a peer supported environment
Serve those that may be experiencing homelessness.
Provide public service by decreasing the population in Johnson County that are suffering from addiction to
alcohol and/or drugs and provide programs and resources that will assist in life-long sobriety.
Assist with transitioning the residents back into workforce, further education, or volunteerism in community
Provide residents with health and wellness activities and education.
Provide resident with basic budget tools and financial management.
Provide appropriate discharge planning (approx. 6-12 months) that enables residents to safely return home to
family and friends or transition to a new, healthier environment.
Incorporate current community services and partner with other NPOs that may share our target population
(mental health counseling, churches, recreation centers, Guide-Link, treatment centers, food pantries, domestic
violence shelters, transportation)
9. Describe how you will incorporate sustainability initiatives into your project to help carry out the City’s Climate
Action Plan.*
10. Provide a description of your primary target population(s). Explain how your agency promotes racial equity
and inclusivity for marginalized populations (including people of color, LGBTQ, immigrants/refugees, individuals
with disabilities).*
Additional Documentation
Limited to 1500 characters
A "Go Green" document will be posted in appropriate rooms in the home to remind residents about reducing
waste and improving recycling.
A residence close within city limits will allow us to encourage residents to bus, Huber, bike and/or walk to work or
classes and leave their vehicles at home; carpooling to meetings and events will be encouraged.
Plans are to have an organic garden at the residence to allow for healthy fruits and vegetables for residents and
incorporate composting.
Depending on the residence purchased, we have discussed the addition of solar panels not only for climate
protection but to minimize out of pocket utilities expense.
The residence will engage in an in-house recycling program of all eligible materials and food waste will be
monitored.
The residence manager will pay close attention to house thermostat to minimize heating and cooling cost.
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Substance abuse and addiction does not discriminate and neither does ICSL.
Reasonable modifications for increased accessibility per FHA and ADA standards
Criteria for admission:
Bed availability--we cannot house more women than allowed by housing/zoning regulation (8)
Willingness to get sober and stay sober with a suggested minimum sobriety time of 30 days prior to admit
Willingness to abide by policies and procedures based on NARR* standards
Ability to afford and pay a monthly fee that includes all programming, housing, utilities (groceries not included)
*National Alliance of Recovery Residences
Please submit no more than 7 additional pages
Executive Summary 2023 update.pdf 408.31KB
Section 3 - Resources and Feasibility
Provide a budget breakdown for your specific program. Include only costs directly related to the program. For example,
providing a specific service should include the total estimated costs and available resources, broke out by general
categories such as salaries, materials, office expense, marketing, etc. If required by local and/or federal regulations,
include the cost of an audit. Document costs whenever possible.
11. Budget
Use of Funds City Funds Other Funds Source of Other
Funds
Type Status
City Funds Other Funds
Total
Please list anticipated dates uncommitted funding is expected *
Documentation of Costs
12. Labor
Type Description Hours Per Hour Rate Total Cost
Please include estimates of paid skilled, paid unskilled, and volunteer labor for your organization which correspond to the budget breakdown. Paid labor for other
organizations should not be included
Total Labor Cost
Building Acquisition $75,000.00$HTFJC Cash Committed
Building Acquisition $25,000.00$IWF Cash Committed
Building Acquisition $15,000.00$Donations Cash Uncommitted
Professional Fees $5,000.00$Donations Cash Committed
Overhead $5,000.00$Donations Cash Committed
Building Acquisition $75,000.00$Prairie Meadows
Foundation
Cash Uncommitted
Building Acquisition $75,000.00$WCRF Cash Uncommitted
Site Improvements $5,000.00$Walmart
Community
Cash Uncommitted
Site Improvements $5,000.00$ACT Cash Uncommitted
Residence Manager
Salary x 6 months
12,500.00$$Emerging A2A Cash Uncommitted
12,500.00$285,000.00$
July 2023-December 2023
(unsure of definition of committed vs uncommitted but in this
context the uncommitted are grants we have yet to apply for
and/or have not received confirmation of award)
$0.00$
0.00$
13. If volunteers are used, please describe how these volunteers are utilized for the proposed activity.
14. All Aid to Agency projects are required to expend their full award and complete the proposed project by the
end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2024). Will you be able to meet this requirement?*
Limited to 1000 characters
Volunteers will be used for programming to include meditation classes, yoga, healthy lifestyle sessions, cooking
classes, budgeting, recovery coaching; facilitation of recovery meetings, transportation, residence maintenance,
relief time off for residence manager, help with fund raisers, sponsorship/mentoring of women. The goal would
be to have a Volunteer Manager to coordinate availability and scheduling.
The resident manager will be provided an ongoing list of volunteers that she has access to for help during the
day or with planned activities at the house. The resident manager will not manage the volunteers.
Board of Directors are volunteers and do not receive compensation
Yes No
Section 4 - Beneficiaries
Please indicate the population to be served by the proposed program according to the linked income categories. If
requesting money for a specific administrative expense (like a staff member ’s salary), indicate the population served by
your entire agency.
(Please Note: If funded, this information will be used as income targeting for your Agreement).
15. Income Breakdown
Median Income Households Persons
0-30% AMI
31-50% AMI
51-60% AMI
61-80% AMI
Over 80% AMI
Total
Percent LMI
Percent Iowa City Residents
Please describe the basis or methodology used to estimate the number of clients to be served (?)
AMI = Area Median Income, see www.icgov.org/actionplan.
Name *
Title *
Impact & Community Benefit
4
4
4
2
2
0 16
87
50
Limited to 750 characters
Maximum 8 women in house. Length of stay average 6 months with some leaving at 3
months, few may stay up to a year. Total admissions per year 16. Anecdotal discussions
with Sober Living Homes across the nation report most admissions are underemployed or
unemployed, single or single with 1-2 children, average age 35. Iowa City is a professional
city due to the University of Iowa and University of Iowa Health Care and the house may
admit a few at a higher income level. As there is no other residential Sober Home in the
area, ongoing data will be collected in regard to demographics served. Although 50% is
noted for Iowa City residents, we estimate 75% or more will be from Johnson County and
the remaining 25% still from Eastern Iowa.
16. Signature
Merrilee Ramsey
President, Co-founder
Signature *
Board of Directors *
Agency Budget *
Financial Information *
IRS 990 form
Date
Section 5 - Required Documentation
It is recommended that applicants submit as much information as possible with the application to facilitate a full project evaluation.
Provide a list of individuals serving on the board.
2022 Board of Directors Contact List - Copy.pdf 11.97KB
Provide the budget for the agency.
Combined profit loss actual and projected.xlsx 19.86KB
Provide a 990 form, agency financial statements, or similar documentation.
N 990 072021 to 062022.docx 345.67KB
1/29/2023