FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION

Bienvenidos Building Bridges Initiative

a.k.a. CCF

The Compassion Capital Fund project is made possible through a cooperative agreement between HELP-NM, and the Administration for  Children and Families through the Federal Department of Health and Human Services

Links to Project Information

Press Release

RFP Document Downloads

NOTICE About Funding

Newsletters

Project Overview

Workshop Descriptions

Trainer BIOs

Frequently Asked Questions

OMB Circulars Cost Principles for Nonprofits

Training & Technical Assistance Information

Training Schedule

Training Partnerships

The Bienvenidos Building Bridges Initiative (BBBI) a.k.a CCF is a project of HELP-NM, one  of the country’s oldest Community Action Agencies.  For the past half century, HELP-NM has been instrumental in forming and developing organizations, both faith-based and community-based, to serve the most vulnerable and needy citizens of New Mexico.

The current project, funded by a grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, continues that tradition through the provision of training, technical assistance, and in some cases, financial backing  to  strengthen social service organizations who serve needy and vulnerable populations.

There are three parts to the support:  Training, which consists of workshops, training seminars, electronic and print media to teach basic concepts of good management, effective service provision, and working with the community. 

Technical Assistance is described as one-on-one , face-to-face  training that takes place between one mentor or expert and one organization, an event that may include staff, leadership, boards of directors, and/or volunteers, according to a plan for assistance worked out between the mentor/TA and the principals of the organization.

SubAwards, also known as mini-grants, are funds used to pay for activities or supplies that help build the capacity of the organization according to the regulations for allowable expenses determined by the Office of Management and Budget.  The funds are meant to purchase goods and services that will  have a long-lasting effect on the ability of the organization to serve.

The process of obtaining a grant is a competitive one, and is meant to be a part of the learning experience.

A series of training events, which are mandatory for those seeking grant awards and training, are scheduled.  See the schedule in the box on this page. GO THERE

For Question or Further Information Contact

Gracie Gonzalez
Grants Program Manager
eMail:  Gracie@helpnm.com
Telephone:  505-766-4921

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November 2009

Training Calendar

December 2009

Training Calendar

Trainers and Technical Assistants needed

Bienvenidos Building Bridges Initiative/Compassion Capital Fund is Professional Volunteers

Looking for consultants

Summary: BBBI/CCF provides capacity building training sessions and technical assistance to faith/community based organizations in the state of New Mexico who help build healthy families (e.g. working with prisoners, ex-offenders, their families, youth at risk, the elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.).

Critical Areas to be addressed:

HELP-NM Training and Technical Assistance Consultants provide Training sessions and site

specific one-on-one technical assistance to project partners who work in distressed communities with capacity building activities in five critical areas: 1) organizational development, 2) program development, 3) collaboration and community engagement, 4) leadership development, and 5) fund development.

Training:

• Individual Consultant provide group training sessions on selected topics, in selected cities throughout the State.
• Group sessions consist of 8 or more participants. (Depending on the topic: Sessions could be from 3 – 6 hours, some session could be held on evenings or weekends)
• It is the responsibility of the Consultant to develop the training curriculum to be used during the training.

Technical Assistance (TA)

• Currently BBBI has 17 agencies it provides technical assistance to. The first step in delivering TA services is for the consultant to conduct an agency assessment to determine the needs of that organization.
• The TA Consultant together with the project partner will develop a Plan for Service. The TA will then assist the project partner agency to accomplish the plan.
• The TA Consultant will then schedule visits to the project partner to monitor and accomplish the plan.

Method of Compensation

• Out of town sub-awardee engagements will be reimbursed at $285.00/day ($85.00 per diem and $200.00 honorarium)
• In town sub-awardee engagements will be reimbursed at $230 for the day ($30.00 per diem and $200.00 honorarium)

· Mileage will be reimbursed at $.40/mile

If interested please answer the following questions and return to Gary Larsh at

glarsh@helpnm.com or via fax at 505-265-5412 as soon as possible.  If you have questions you may contact Mr. Larsh at 505-766-4917.

1. What experience do you have in providing training sessions or seminars?

2. What experience do you have in providing both training sessions and/or technical assistance to community nonprofits or similar organizations?

3. What experience do you have in providing training sessions in the critical areas and/or the types of training requested? (Examples below)

4. What experience do you have in any of the five critical areas (organizational development, program development, collaboration and community engagement, leadership development, and evaluation of effectiveness).

5. Provide any additional information or questions which relate to this request.

Anyone interested in volunteering

should call Gracie at

(505) 766-4921

COMPASSION CAPITAL FUND PROJECT
TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

2009 - 2010

Regardless of where a non-profit organization finds itself in terms of growth and development, the need for continuous improvement is ever-present in the minds of both the Board and senior management.

Usually, this need translates into training and some form of ongoing technical assistance/consulting. These avenues can be provided internally, if the non-profit has attained longevity in its chosen markets, maturity regarding its services, programs and people, and overall economies of scale ……… non-profits with operating budgets of $8-10 million and higher tend to possess  support infrastructures, such as IT and HR.

On the other end of the developmental continuum, technical assistance/consulting is usually provided externally, by leveraging consultants who possess “subject matter expertise,” non-profit/for-profit management experience, or a combination of the two. It is this model that Compassion Capital Fund will use to meet the various needs of those non-profits who meet the requirements of the sub-award process.

Because the scope of the Compassion Capital Fund grant (hereafter known as the CCF project) is limited, we will only be equipped to assist a small percentage of those non-profits who may be eligible. This translates into the following parameters for the training/technical assistance component:

·               There will be 4-6 technical assistants, or “consultants” identified to represent the core group; this number will fluctuate throughout the year

·         Each technical assistant/consultant will be assigned at least 1 and no more than 3 non-profits to assist, depending on how many non-profits demonstrate eligibility, where they are geographically, the specific need(s) they have, stage of growth/development, and availability.

·         Each technical assistant/consultant will be expected to arrange for at least 1 site visit to conduct a formalized assessment to determine specific needs as well as priorities (more than 1 site visit may be required, depending upon the size and complexity of the non-profit client).

·         Once assessments have been analyzed and synthesized, each technical assistant/consultant will develop a work plan to be shared with other consultants as well as the Project Manager prior to implementation.

·         Because of limited budget dollars, we will only be able to remunerate technical assistants/consultants a nominal per diem, in addition to mileage at $.37/mile (fee schedules will be discussed at a later date). This Grant Year, we will also have a small group of adjunct faculty, who will be responsible for facilitating our training workshops throughout the year. These workshops will be for the benefit of all of New Mexico’s faith and community-based non-profits, and will be marketed accordingly.

·                        Each technical assistant/consultant will be expected to “broker” their client relationships with sub awardees and maintain consulting logs to track progress against mutually agreed upon deliverables, deadlines, etc. (format TBD)

·               Recruiting for qualified technical assistants/consultants will be ongoing throughout the year to compensate for core member attrition.

·         Technical assistants/consultants will convene periodically to share successes, challenges, and learning opportunities (meetings, newsletters, emails, CCF Internet links)

I want to re-emphasize that this effort continues to be a “work in progress” and therefore open for input and feedback from many different constituents:  the CCF Steering Committee, consultants, and most importantly, those non-profits who are selected to actually receive training and technical assistance. There will be a feedback “loop” created in the form of a CCF newsletter that will serve as a primary communication vehicle for our information as well as for your feedback.

In summary, we at CCF are extremely excited about the possibilities ahead of us. We continue to encourage you as potential recipients of subsequent training and technical assistance to play an active (and proactive!!) role in your development. At the end of this process, a critical success factor will definitely be the extent to which we were able to assist your non-profit in capacity-building; another will be your ability to utilize our assistance in making demonstrable and measurable improvements.

Thank you all for your interest, and please be on the lookout for more information as we move forward.

As we initiate partnerships with other interested learning providers, we will include them on this website, so please visit us often.

For Questions or Further Information Contact

Gary Larsh
Training Coordinator
eMail:  GLarsh@helpnm.com
Telephone:  505-766-4917

or complete and send this

Request for Technical Assistance

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Who is eligibile for this grant?

Q: What are the target populations?

Q. What can our organization use these funds to do?

Q: We are just getting started and are very small.  May we apply?

Q: What are the dates and deadlines that I need to know?

Q:  Can funds be used to purchase necessary vaccines for our employees?

Q:  Do we need to send two people to the RFP trainings?

Q:  What if we aren’t able to attend any of the RFP trainings?

Q: What if we aren’t able to attend any of the RFP trainings?

Q: What if our agency has received more than one direct federal grant in the past five years?

ANSWERS

A: Small, less experienced social service organizations with budgets under $500,000, no more than one direct federal grant in the past five years, and who are serving one of the target populations.

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A: The homeless, The elderly in need, youth at risk(includeing victims of human trafficking), families in transition from welfare to work, those in need of intensive rehabilitation such as prisoners, the chemically dependent, and mental health consumers, children and families of prisoners, prisoners facing re-entry.

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A: These are capacity-building funds.  This means that they must be used to increase the ability of your agency to  help your consumers over the next few years.  They may not be used to pay for direct services to the client.

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A: You are the kind of agency we are looking for.  You do not need to be designated as a 501 ( c ) 3 organization nor do you need a fiscal sponsor to apply.  As a matter of fact, if your fiscal sponsor has a budget larger than our limit, they may not be included in the process.

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A: The last mandatory training opportunity in Albuquerque is Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the United Way Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

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A:  Yes, as long as they are required for employees and/or volunteers to do their jobs (e.g. Hepatitis, rabies, etc.).

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A:  No, you only need to send one representative per agency.

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A:  The RFP trainings are mandatory, therefore if you are unable to send at least one agency representative to one of the trainings you will not be able to apply for a sub-award.

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A:  You  must have insurance by the time you receive an award, however in order to apply you only need to submit an insurance quote.  You may contact Carol A. Lindenmuth, Account Consultant at Manuel Lujan Agencies, Phone: 1-505-262-9421, Email: Carol@mlins.com and let her know you need a quote to submit with  your application for HELP-NM, and she will work with you.

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A:  Unfortunately, in order to qualify an agency must not have received more than one direct federal grant in the past five years.  Therefore, if your agency has received two or more direct federal grants in the past five  years, you do not qualify.

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Workshop Descriptions

CCF/HELP-NM PROJECT

Workshop Descriptions

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Trainer and Technical Assistant Bios

ERNEST E. (GENE) ORTEGA

Gene Ortega is President of Rural Housing, Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit developer of affordable housing.  Mr.  Ortega has led GHI in developing over 700 affordable rental units and more than 100 units for first-time homebuyers.

Until his retirement in 2003, Mr.  Ortega was the Executive Director of Home Education Livelihood Program (HELP), Inc., an Albuquerque-based, statewide, nonprofit corporation providing housing, day care, skills training, senior citizen outreach and rural economic development assistance.  Mr.  Ortega had been affiliated with HELP for 24 years, leading the organization’s development of affordable housing for low- and very-low-income families.

Both RHI and HELP under Mr.  Ortega‘s leadership became known for their provision of social services and housing for migrant and seasonal  farm-worker  families, and additionally served seniors, homeless persons and  people with disabilities.

Mr. Ortega was president of Management Consultants Unlimited, Inc., a group specializing in providing training and technical assistance to nonprofits and farm-worker corporations.  He also worked in various capacities in the analysis of bilingual vocational training programs of the federal government. Mr.  Ortega has done extensive work in designing and implementing training and technical assistance program to a number of Tribal Councils and Native American agencies.

He holds a Bachelors of  Science degree in Biology and Spanish and serves or has served as a board member for various local and national organizations, including the following:

Ø  National Community Reinvestment Coalition- Past Chairman

Ø  Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Affordable Housing Advisory Council- Past Chairman

Ø  National Farm-worker Council- National Council of La Raza

Ø  New Mexico Housing Assistance Alliance

Ø  New Mexico Community Foundation

Ø  National Congress for Community Economic Development

Ø  CRA Advisory Committee, First Secure Bank

Ø  CRA Advisory Committee, Bank of America / New Mexico

Ø  Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of commerce

Ø  Farm-worker Justice Fund

Ø  Neveda Fair Housing

Ms. Bernal has over 20 year of extensive national and state experience in providing technical training and assistance for developing economic and housing projects and/or programs.  To insure a viable and effective project or program is accomplished, Ms. Bernal’s technical assistance focuses on providing a comprehensive approach to reaching the community’s or organization’s goals.   Ms. Bernal also has extensive experience in Board Development, providing training and role-reversal activities to establish a cohesive relationship between staff, board and funding/regulatory agencies.

Ms. Bernal has served on numerous state and national boards that focus on funding and program support for local governments and non-profit agencies.  Ms. Bernal has served as an executive director for over 16 years of two economic development entities and continues to provide technical assistance to numerous local governments and non-profit entities as a Housing Specialist for a National Intermediary.

SERVICES PROVIDED

Project Administrative and Management Services

Management Consulting

Board Development

Program Evaluation

Short and Lon-Range and Strategic Planning

Gerald Ortiz y Pino, MSW

Professional Experience

            In 2003 I retired from State and Local government after a career as a social worker, social welfare program administrator, human services and human resource management professor, community organizer and social services planner. In 2004 I was elected to the New Mexico State Senate representing District 12 (most of downtown Albuquerque and surrounding neighborhoods). 

            Also in 2004 I began working for a non-profit agency named HELP-NM as director of the family services division.

 I have worked throughout New Mexico (Las Cruces, Taos, Las Vegas and Santa Fe) but spent the past 28 years in Albuquerque.  My interests broadened gradually over the years from an initial focus on mental health and children’s protective services to work in child and family advocacy, substance abuse, positive youth development and early childhood programming. 

My background includes time spent working in state and local government social agencies as an administrator; university and college teaching; United Way administration; child advocacy and private, non-profit social agency management as well as three years in the private, for-profit sector with an Employee Assistance Program.

Educational Background

            BA in Latin American Studies (University of New Mexico, 1965)

            Masters in Social Work (Tulane University School of Social Work, 1968)

I write a regular newspaper column for the Weekly Alibi in Albuquerque (since 2001) on political and social issues.

I was a registered lobbyist with New Mexico State Legislature for twelve years as an advocate for low income families, children and non-profit social agencies.

I helped found (with two other social workers) a private adoption and foster care agency called La Familia in 1984 and co-founded (in 2000) a Charter High School for drop outs in Albuquerque, the Robert F. Kennedy Charter High School.  I also helped found Los Puentes and Cesar Chavez Charter High Schools in Albuquerque and Cesar Chavez in Deming. All primarily serve adolescents who have left mainstream high schools.

Personal

I am married to Donna Bruzzese, a marriage and family therapist in private practice.

I am father to three adult children and four adult step-children and grandfather to eight.  I am a member of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Aquinas Newman Center at UNM.

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Newsletters

Volume 1, Issue 8 - Dated Janaury 30, 2010

Volume 1, Issue 1 - Dated January 25, 2008

Volume 1, Issue 2 - Dated May 1, 2008

Volume 1, Issue 3 - Dated July 31, 2008

Volume 1, Issue 4 - Dated January 19, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 5 - Dated April 23, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 7 - Dated August 22, 2009

NOTICE About Funding

The 2009/2010 Compassion Capital Fund RFP Cycle will begin November 2009.

Please stay tuned for further updates.

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Press Releases

For Immediate Release                                                         Contact:  Ms. Gracie Gonzalez

October 22, 2009                                                                       HELP, New Mexico

                                                                                                 Phone:  506.766.4921

                                                                                                EMAIL: gracie@helpnm.com

HELP-New Mexico is announcing its Open Call for Proposals.  The Request for Proposals (RFP) Trainings will begin on November 4, 2009.  If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for a sub-award you must attend one of the mandatory RFP Trainings.  We encourage you to register early, as lack of registrations may result in the cancellation of trainings.

HELP-NM provides training, technical assistance and monetary sub-awards to smaller, inexperienced faith/community based agencies.

Albuquerque, NM -- In October 2007, HELP-NM received the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) Grant through the Federal Department of Health and Human Services.   Through this grant HELP-NM was able to fund thirty-seven agencies in Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 with awards ranging from $5,000 to $22,000 for a total disbursement of over $450,000.

HELP-NM was recently refunded for a third year of the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF).  The first goal of this grant is to provide training and technical assistance to grassroots faith or community based agencies. The second goal of the CCF grant is to provide small capacity building sub-awards to grassroots faith/community based agencies (governmental entities and entities with taxing authority are not eligible) whose budget is less than $500,000.   Priority will be given to those agencies that have been in existence less than five years, however those agencies with more than five years of existence are still eligible to apply.  These agencies must have a proven record of providing services to the homeless, elders in need, at-risk youth, families and individuals in transition from welfare to work, those in need of intensive rehabilitation such as addicts or prisoners, and organizations that help couples who choose marriage for themselves to develop the skills  and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages. 

HELP-NM anticipates disbursing sub-awards ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for a total disbursement of $209,000 (subject to change at the discretion of the Administration for Children & Families' grants office).  For complete details on the application process please RSVP and attend one of our training sessions.  In order to apply for a sub-award attendance is mandatory.

HELP-NM‘s CCF Project (under Family Services Division) will commence their fall RFP trainings in November 2009.  Workshops will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the workshops the first three hours will be devoted to discussing the Request for Proposal application process (attendance is mandatory).  During the month of November and December, ten workshops will be delivered throughout the state of New Mexico.  HELP-NM invites non-profit volunteers, staff and board of directors to join us at any of the following RFP trainings followed by skill building workshops:

November 3, 2009                  November 4, 2009                  November 7, 2009 (8:30 – 12:45)      

Farmington, NM                      Taos, NM                                Albuquerque, NM (This training

Basic Grant Writing                Board Development                 does not include the RFP)                 

Gary Larsh                            John Ross                               Topic: Volunteer Retention and

                                                                                          Boost your Board Presenter: C. Miney

November 10, 2009                November 12, 2009               

Albuquerque, NM                   Las Vegas, NM                          November 23, 2009

Board Development               Basic Grant Writing                   Portales, NM              

John Ross                              Marcie Davis                           Basic Grant Writing                           

                                                                                          G. Larsh                                 

November 24, 2009                December 2, 2009                                                      

Roswell, NM                           Las Cruces, NM                       December 3, 2009

Basic Grant Writing                 Basic Grant Writing                 Silver City, NM         

Ernest (Gene) Ortega              Paulette Hilton-Robinson          Basic Grant Writing

                                                                                          Paulette Hilton-Robinson                  

December 7, 2009                              December 9, 2009                 December 10, 2009

Albuquerque, NM                                Socorro, NM                           Albuquerque, NM

This is an RFP only training Topic: TBA                             Topic: TBA

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.                Presenter: TBA                      Presenter: TBA

Come learn how to apply for a sub-award and receive more information, including deadlines and requirements.  For a full description of each workshop, times and locations please log onto www.helpnm.com, Compassion Capital Fund link.  Due to space limitations we ask that you please register as soon as possible.  For more information or to register please contact Martha Aragon, Administrative Assistant, (505) 766-4907 or via e-mail at Martha@helpnm.com

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ABOUT HELP-New Mexico, Inc.

HELP-New Mexico, Inc. is a statewide community-based organization, a community action agency and a faith-based organization with over 42 years of experience providing community-based services. 

HELP-NM exists to create self-sufficiency and provide economic opportunities to strengthen families throughout New Mexico. Since its inception in 1965, HELP-New Mexico has provided services to over 800,000 individuals and families and, has successfully managed over $200 million dollars in grants and contracts. HELP-NM has over 200 staff in 35 offices and/or Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten Centers throughout New Mexico.

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RFP Documents

The 2009/2010 Compassion Capital Fund RFP Cycle has begun, please make sure you register for one of the mandatory RFP trainings.

Please stay tuned for further updates.

RFP Fiscal Year 2010

Allowable Activities Chart

Assurance Regarding Cooperation

Certification Regarding Maintenance of Effort

Disclosure of Lobbying

General Assurance on Compliance

Guidance to Faith Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government

Sample Letter of Intent

Technical Assistance Request

Cost Principles for Nonprofits

Sample Logic Model

SF424 Blank

SF242A Blank

SF424B Blank

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