FY_2027-28_Program_Plan.docx

FY 2027-28 Human Services Grants Program Proposed Program Plan

When completing the Proposed Program Plan, ensure responses to each question are complete and concise. The final document should be no longer than 10 pages total.

A. Community Need

1. Describe the community needs the program seeks to address. Include how the program contributes to the wellbeing and safety of Santa Monica and how it is responsive to documented City needs and priorities.

B. Program Participants

1. Describe the program’s eligibility criteria for the primary service populations. Include how your program defines low-income households.

2. Describe how individuals are screened for eligibility including how they meet the criteria for Santa Monica Program Participant (SMPP).

3. Describe how participants access your program (e.g., by referral only, walk-ins, etc.) and the intake process.

4. If service demand exceeds availability, describe how participants will be prioritized and how you will manage a waitlist if applicable.

C. Program Description

1. In a short paragraph (3-5 sentences), provide a basic summary description of your program.

2. In bullet point format, list the key activities and services of your program.

3. Describe the evidence-based or best practices used by your program, along with the research that supports them. In your response, include how programming is delivered using a holistic, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach.

4. Describe how your program is culturally appropriate, relevant, and sensitive to serving economically, ethnically, and socially diverse populations.

D. Program Accessibility

1. Provide a list of all program locations and the days and hours of operation. If your agency is not located in Santa Monica, describe your plan for effectively delivering services locally. If you are working to identify a location in Santa Monica, describe those efforts.

2. Describe your agency's outreach and engagement strategies, including how you reach individuals who have not previously used social services, have language/communication or accessibility barriers, have historically refused services, or face reduced access to services due to real or perceived barriers related to eligibility, safety, or trust in formal systems.

3. Describe how your program is low barrier.

4. Describe how your program provides physical and communication accessibility to people with disabilities.

E. Partnerships and Referrals

1. Identify your program’s key partners and describe how you work with them to enhance service delivery.

2. Describe your process for referring participants to other agencies for additional services. For individuals who do not meet your program’s eligibility criteria, describe how you facilitate warm handoffs to other agencies.

F. Program Evaluation All proposals must define a minimum of two and a maximum of five indicators, including outputs and outcomes, on the Performance Indicators tab in the Program Budget, Demographics, and Performance Workbook. Consider your program’s indicators as you respond to the following questions:

1. Describe how you evaluate the effectiveness of your program. Include how often data is collected, who is responsible for reviewing data, and how data will inform quality/performance improvements.

2. Describe how program participants are involved in program design and evaluation, including how you solicit participant input and feedback and how that informs service enhancements.

G. Operational Capacity

1. Describe your program’s staffing plan. Include direct service and supervisory staff positions and their basic roles and responsibilities.

2. Describe the role of your agency’s Board of Directors or governing body as it relates to your proposed program’s operations.

3. Describe the extent to which your program utilizes volunteers or interns. Include their typical roles and responsibilities and a brief description of how they are trained and supervised.

4. Describe the basic timeline for implementing program operations (e.g., securing a site (if applicable), hiring and training staff, etc.).

H. Past Performance

1. Describe your agency’s past experience operating the type of program being proposed.

I. Policies & Procedures

1. Describe how your agency operationalizes racial equity, diversity, and cultural competency, for example, through personnel practices, staff and board training, and program design.

2. Describe your agency’s policies and procedures for handling grievances.

3. Provide a schedule for any proposed fees to be charged to SMPP for services, if applicable. Describe strategies for ensuring that low-income participants can access services regardless of ability to pay.

J. Employee Retention

1. Describe your agency’s approach to staff wellbeing in the following areas:

i. Benefits and Compensation

ii. Work/Life Balance

iii. Professional Development

iv. Other initiatives that promote the physical, mental, and financial health of your workforce

2. Describe the efforts your agency or program takes to prevent or address frequent staff turnover.