CCSI Flexible Funding

One of the most exciting aspects of the CCSI Statute is the provision for the creation and use of flexible funding. This provision of the law allows localities to combine resources to serve children and families, and to apply these resources in a flexible manner. Tier III is developing guidelines and technical assistance resources that will help counties develop these mechanisms. The first of these technical assistance resources is included below—a directory of funding streams and innovative local programs to provide respite services to children and families.

With the ability to develop flexible funding streams also comes the responsibility to ensure that funds are used according to their original purpose and towards the goals specified by an individualized family support plan.

CCSI Respite Funding Technical Assistance Resource Document—This document provides an overview of funding available for respite services in NYS and examples of county programs.

Other Funding Resources

• www.grants.gov —A single comprehensive Web site that contains information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. The Web site now has information about more than 800 available grant programs involving all 26 federal grant-making agencies. The site provides information in a standardized format across the agencies and includes a "Federal Grant Opportunities" feature to help applicants find potential funding opportunities. The site also contains an "Apply for Grants" feature that greatly simplifies the application process by allowing applicants to download, complete, and submit applications for specific grant opportunities from any federal grant-making agency.
• Funding Early Childhood Mental Health Services & Supports—(March 2001) Center for Mental Health Services. Has links to useful funding documents that include:
  • Funding Overview
  • Funding Matrix – Array of available funding and supports
  • Funding Tables – Description of available resources and contact information
• Thinking Broadly: Financing Strategies for Comprehensive Child and Family Initiatives—First in a series of Finance Project products. The series focuses on strategies for financing children and family services, as well as community building and development. Each guide or strategy brief presents options for generating resources or for using resources effectively to fund specific programmatic needs. Each illustrates these options with examples drawn from initiatives around the country and highlight relevant considerations to assist decision makers who are weighing the alternatives.
• Volume III—For the Long Haul: Maintaining Systems of Care Beyond the Federal Investment—Through example, examines the fundamental strategies System of Care grantee sites should consider in order to maintain long-term financial stability, with an emphasis on nonfederal funding sources.
• Federal Mental Health Programs and Supports— For Adults and Children, developed by the President’s New Freedom Mental Health Commission (2002).
• Federal Child Welfare Financing Analysis—Provides an overview of how child welfare services are funded.
• Using Title I to Support Out-of-School Time and Community School Initiatives Strategy Brief—Title I, the largest single federal investment in education, provided $10.3 billion annually (in 2002) to school systems across the country to improve educational outcomes for students at risk of educational failure. Title I funds serve more than 11 million students enrolled in both public and private schools.
• The Finance Project—Financing Strategies —A comprehensive clearinghouse of information and technical assistance resources to support decision-making that produces and sustains good results for children, families, and communities.
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grants—Learn about funding opportunities from OJJDP, other agencies within the Office of Justice Programs or the Federal Government, or in the private sector.
• HHS Children and Families Funding Resources—The Children's Bureau of the Federal Administration for Children and Families awards funds both to States on a formula basis and to individual organizations that successfully apply for discretionary funds. For discretionary grants, the Children's Bureau submits to the Federal Register an announcement of funds available, the primary areas of focus, and the method of application.
• The Foundation Center—Founded in 1956, the Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
• The Compassion Capital Fund (CCF)—CCF was created to help faith-based and community groups build capacity and improve their ability to provide social services to those in need. The offers information about the fund, a detailed introduction to the history and purpose of the CCF National Resource Center, links to funding announcements and applications, and a toolkit for faith-based and community organizations. It also provides links to the 21 "intermediary organizations" whose purpose is to help smaller organizations operate and manage their programs effectively, access funding from varied sources, develop and train staff, expand the types and reach of social services programs in their communities, and replicate promising programs.