TORONTO URBAN HEALTH FUND Information Session 2014-2015
What is TUHF? TUHF is a funding program of Toronto Public Health TUHF was formed in 2013 after the merger of the AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs (established in 1987/1990) TUHF funds projects that increases the knowledge base, and/or capacity of community groups to take action in the areas of: HIV prevention Harm reduction Child and youth resiliency
Who can apply for funding? Non-profit organization with letters patent Incorporation number Head office located in Toronto and services taking place in Toronto Has annual Audited Financial Statement and Auditor's Report signed by a CA or CGA within the last two years *If you do not meet all of the above criteria, you may be able to apply with a trustee who will be responsible for the financial oversight of your project
What is our project definition? Must be requesting funding for a one year project that meets our project definition and criteria Activities are time limited; have a clear beginning, middle, and end Enables TPH to develop partnerships with community groups or deliver services to meet the mandates of both organizations Could be used to increase organization and community capacity to provide ongoing service Must have measurable activities, short-term goals, objectives, and outputs that address community needs and are based on best practice principles Organization must have the capacity to manage and implement the project
How long is the funding for? The 2015 funding cycle will run from July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2016 One-year projects could include: innovative ideas, pilot projects, resource development, or projects that address emerging issues Three-year projects are available every 3 years the next three-year funding cycle begins in July 2017
How much is available? The total amount available for the 2015-2016 funding cycle is $325,505 In the 2014-2015 cycle, the average amount for funded one-year projects was $31,775. In the 2015-2016 cycle, we expect to fund 10-12 projects.
What do we fund? TUHF funds can be used for: Hourly wages for project staff Fringe benefits for project staff Hourly wages for recruited peer staff Advertising and promotion Consultation/honoraria Local travel expenses Printing Project materials, supplies, and equipment Resource development Workshop/forum expenses Other expenses case by case
What cannot be funded? TUHF funds cannot be used for: Drug or alcohol treatment Administrative costs Pamphlet development One-on-one professional counselling Alcohol misuse prevention activities Illicit substance paraphernalia Organizational operating costs Honoraria to encourage youth participation Staff salary related to overall operations Supervision and management
What might your project look like? Examples of the types of strategies that may be included in your project: Resilience building Health promotion Organizational capacity building Community development Creating safe and supportive environments
What might your project look like? Examples of the types of activities that may be included in your project: Workshops Drop-ins Outreach Forums Productions Special events Media resources
Which stream should you apply to? Project objectives related to HIV prevention: To increase knowledge and awareness of behaviours that put people at risk of HIV To increase access to HIV/STI prevention and sexual health promotion messages To increase access to prevention services for people living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS To increase access to supportive environments, including reducing stigma and discrimination
Which stream should you apply to? Priority populations in the HIV prevention stream: Gay and bisexual men and youth; and men who have sex with men (MSM) People from countries with high rates of HIV People living with HIV Sexual partners of gay youth/men, people from endemic countries and persons living with HIV Youth in care Transgender /transsexual population People from countries with emerging high rates of HIV
Which stream should you apply to? Project objectives related to harm reduction: To increase knowledge and awareness of the harms associated with substance use and misuse To increase awareness and access to resources and services for people misusing substances To reduce problematic patterns of substance use To increase access to supportive environments that promote health, including reducing stigma and discrimination. To increase the capacity of organizations and the community to effectively respond to substance misuse
Which stream should you apply to? Priority populations in the harm reduction stream: People who inject drugs People who are homeless or street-involved People who are incarcerated People who are engaged in sex work People involved in high-risk activities, including substance use
Which stream should you apply to? Project objectives related to child and youth resiliency: To increase knowledge and awareness of behaviors that put children and youth at risk of HIV transmission and substance use To delay the onset of first substance use and/or sexual activity To increase life and social skills To increase the practise of healthy behaviours To increase youth engagement in communities To increase access to social support networks for children and youth
Which stream should you apply to? Priority populations in the child and youth resiliency stream: History of family members misusing alcohol or other drugs Youth with behavioural, mental health, and/or social problems Youth excluded from school or with poor school attachment Youth who are in conflict with the law Youth from racialized groups facing extreme socio-economic disadvantage Youth facing challenges coping with their identity (including sexual, racial, gender, gender expression, and other diversity issues)
What about Aboriginal communities? TUHF strongly encourages applications in any stream from organizations or projects that primarily serve First Nations, Métis, or Inuit groups
What if you need support? To avoid conflicts of interest during the review process, Community Projects Grants Officers are not involved in proposal/project development 17 TPH staff who are not involved in the application review process are available to support applicants If you are interested in receiving support, you may indicate that today or by November 1, 2014 to sbell6@toronto.ca You will be assigned to a TPH staff by November 14, 2014 That staff will be your primary contact at TPH during the application process Staff will communicate regularly to ensure your needs are being met and equitable support is being provided
What if you need support? Your TUHF staff can provide the following support: Organizational and financial eligibility Letters patent Audited financial statements Board list Declaration of non-discrimination policy Trusteeship Application form Support applicants in filling out the application form Provide technical assistance Application and review process Explaining the steps that are involved during the application, review, and appeals process Evaluation Discussing evaluation strategies and options
How do you apply? Applications are available online on our website On the site you will find: 1. the application form (fillable pdf form), 2. Board of Directors information form (Appendix A), and 3. the Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation & City Policy form (Appendix B). All three forms must be completed and returned by February 4, 2015.
Proposal Writing Workshops All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Proposal Writing Workshop: Etobicoke Civic Centre November 3 Boardroom 9:00-5:00 Scarborough Civic Centre November 6 Cmte Room 2 9:00-5:00 City Hall City Hall North York Civic Centre November 14 Cmte Room 4 9:00-5:00 November 17 Cmte Room 4 9:00-5:00 November 25 Cmte Room 4 9:00-5:00 Please sign up today or RSVP to Stephanie Bell: sbell6@toronto.ca
Proposal Writing Workshops The Proposal Writing Workshops will address: Detailed instructions on how to complete the application form Writing a project summary Selecting which stream to apply to How to describe activities to help you reach your priority population Identifying, addressing, and justifying the needs of your priority population Writing project objectives Building partnerships Work planning Budgeting
How does the review process work? 1. Organizational and financial eligibility is assessed 2. Eligible applications are reviewed by staff and a Review Panel 3. Staff provides the Review Panel with performance assessments for previously funded agencies 4. The Review Panel will make recommendations to the Board of Health with consideration for performance assessment (for previously funded agencies), reaching priority populations, addressing geographic needs, and reducing duplication of activities undertaken by community agencies and/or TPH 5. The Board of Health gives final approval for the allocation of funding
Who will review your application? TUHF staff and a Review Panel work together to review applications. The Review Panel includes at least: 1 City Councillor or representative of the Board of Health 1 technical member in each stream (i.e., epidemiology, evaluation, best practices, etc.) 5 expert members in each stream
How does the review process work? The Review Panel will assess each section of the application: Section % Organizational capacity 15% Priority population 15% Demonstration of need 20% Project objectives 4% Project partners 7% Innovation 10% Project team 3% Work plan 16% Budget 10%
What if a project isn t funded? If your project is not successful you will: Receive feedback on your application from the Review Panel and can discuss with TPH staff Have the opportunity to attend capacity building workshops hosted by TPH, including grant writing workshops Remain in touch with TPH staff who can provide you with resources and additional support in reaching your priority populations
Appeals Process In past funding cycles there has been an appeal process available to agencies who did not receive funding after the initial review process A small portion of the total funds has usually been reserved for the appeals process Historically, the appeals process involved a deputation at a Board of Health subcommittee meeting Based the small amount of funds available, there may or may not be an appeal process If one is available, the process will now involve a written submission only The written submission will be assessed by the Review Panel
When does it all happen? Event Date(s) Information Sessions October 17 31, 2014 Deadline to request support from TPH November 1, 2014 Grant writing workshops November 3 27, 2014 Applicants assigned to TPH staff November 14, 2014 Application deadline February 4, 2015 Allocations decisions announced April 2015 Appeals documentation deadline Appeals decisions announced
TUHF Team HIV Prevention Stephanie Bell Community Projects Grants Officer sbell6@toronto.ca 416-338-0916 Harm Reduction Shaleena Theophilus Community Projects Grants Officer stheoph@toronto.ca 416-338-0623 Evaluation Sheree Shapiro Health Promotion Specialist sshapir@toronto.ca 416-338-0917 Supervisor Herbert Co hco@toronto.ca 416-338-7946 Child and Youth Resiliency Joanne McKinlay Community Projects Grants Officer jmckinl@toronto.ca 416-338-1557