MLK Center Great Families 2020 – Northwest/Midtown Neighborhood
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5.1. Executive Summary
Martin Luther King Community Center (MLK Center) is a private 501(c)(3), not-for-profit
founded in 1971 as the Butler Tarkington Youth Center. We believe that if, as a community, we
can improve the academic success of students, stabilize our families emotionally and financially,
nurture a sense of community and connectedness, the quality of life in the neighborhood will
improve and turn the curve on poverty.
MLK Center and its partners respectfully request $295,963 for Year 1 of Great Families
2020 (GF2020) from United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI). MLK Center, St. Nicholas Learning
Center, Mt. Zion Academy and St. Mary’s Child Care Center, and other partners will strategically
integrate service delivery to increase the number of quality early childcare education (ECE)
slots, and increase the financial stability of 100 families in the Maple Crossing Great Place in the
Midtown/Northwest Neighborhood of Indianapolis. This area includes the 34th/Illinois focus
area. Specifically, efforts will focus on the southern part of the James Whitcomb Riley IPS
School #43 feeder area that includes Butler Tarkington, Crown Hill and Mapleton Fall Creek
neighborhoods.
The neighborhood is experiencing a shortage of early childhood education slots. As a
solution, MLK Center will sub-contract with high quality providers to grow their capacity. MLK
Center and providers have been meeting over the past year to develop a comprehensive plan.
For GF2020, MLK Center will serve as sub-grantee and contract with St. Nicholas, Mt. Zion
Academy and St. Mary’s Child Care Center, connecting families to high quality early education
slots. Additionally, IPS School #43 operates a Pre-K program with 20 slots for neighborhood
families.
MLK Center provides co-active coaching and Center for Working Families (CWF)
activities that address the key components of post-secondary education, workforce
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development, income supports, homeownership and credit repair. MLK Center has an existing
MOU with the Children’s Museum for a family education program, and the Work One Mobile
Unit for career credentials. Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation and Near North
Development Corporation will connect families to Individual Development Accounts and home
ownership.
MLK Center will expand upon the mental and behavioral health supports currently
available on-site in the neighborhood through Christian Theological Seminary, Brooke’s Place
and Changing Faces, and integrate them in the CWF Workflow Plan. Current social networking
activities will be strengthened and expanded so families can remain in the neighborhood they
have chosen to raise their children. Community Building and Crime Prevention activities will
also be coordinated to increase resident engagement for GF2020 families and improve social
capital.
Funds will be used to support 50% of the Director of Operations Position, and 100% of
the GF2020 Project Coordinator at the MLK Center. The Project Coordinator will be responsible
for overall coordination of contractors and service provider partners, and supervision of CWF
coaches and the Intake Specialist who will work with families across ECE sites to develop family
economic success goals. ECE service providers will receive scholarship funds for children
enrolled in the project, and coaches will disperse grant dollars from the Working Parents Fund
to help families meet economic stability goals.
MLK Center anticipates requesting $295,063 in Year 2 and $261,730 in Year 3.
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5.2. Program Description
The mission of the MLK Center is rooted in values we have established as a
neighborhood leader of individual and family support for our residents: To create a meaningful
impact on the lives of those we serve, through quality, multi-generational programs that build
community, invest in youth, empower families, advocate for our neighbors, and provide a
peaceful space to connect. We envision accomplishing this mission by enhancing quality of life
for our connected neighborhoods block by block, one family at a time. This mission and vision
align with the Great Families 2020 (GF2020) approach of being geographically-based, with an
integrated two-generation approach to address key factors that impact family stability: finances,
employment, education, health and social capital. MLK Center operates a successful 2-
generation approach for families with school age children at IPS School #43. With the support
of this grant, this approach will be expanded and improved to serve children ages 0-5 and their
families. Existing partnerships with high-quality, early education providers in the neighborhood
will be formalized to serve the whole family unit, and build community and social capital block by
block. The contract partners are committed to implementing a 2-generation approach to ensure
children from our neighborhood are entering kindergarten ready to learn and parents are
economically and educationally strong with formal and informal networks of support.
MLK Center Board of Directors first identified a Center for Working Families as a goal to
move beyond case management services in 2014, during our strategic planning retreats. A
contract was implemented with Edna Martin Christian Center, utilizing multiple CWF coaching
staff. This model allowed for CWF activities to be implemented immediately, rather than waiting
months or years to fully build out the MLK Center CWF. Building a full-scale CWF specific to
the needs of the neighborhood was identified in the agency 2016-2019 Strategic Plan by the
Board of Directors. An application for official CWF designation was submitted in March 2017,
pending approval.
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Reach and outcomes of current programming: MLK Center contracted with Edna
Martin Christian Center in September 2015 for a portion of their staff time to bring Center for
Working Families activities back to the MLK Center until funds could be raised for full-time MLK
Center employees. In 2016, MLK Center hired two full-time employees focused on employment
and financial stability, and was awarded a contract from Employ Indy for the Youth Employment
Services program that serves youth ages 17 to 26. We re-established a relationship with the
Work One Mobile Team and Washington Township Community Schools for High School
Equivalency and Adult Basic Education instruction. Together with EMCC, we achieved the
following outcomes for 68 individuals in 2016:
• 80% of CWF participants who enrolled in credentialed training completed and received
credentials;
• 88% of CWF enrollees secured employment.
• 40% achieved increased income
• 100% maintained employment for 30 days
• 89% maintained employment for 60 days
• 78% maintained employment for 90 days
Additionally, MLK staff worked with EMCC to deliver income support, financial coaching,
employment, and adult education services to families receiving the On My Way PreK and PSP
scholarships. From March 2016 to the end of 2016, financial coaching services were provided
to 82 combined MLKCC/EMCC area residents and targeted preschool voucher parents.
Specifically, 55 are selected MLKCC/EMCC area residents with children ages 0-5, of which 27
are On My Way PreK/Indy preschool Scholarship Program recipients. The financial services
included a number of tasks that focused on current financial assessments and planning to
achieve goals.
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The contract with EMCC successfully ended at the end of 2016. In the first five months
of 2017, MLK Center staff have provided employment coaching to 65 adults, financial coaching
to 9 adults, and 26 adults have received income supports totaling more than $4200.
Neighborhood families are enrolled in 2-generation programming for elementary aged
students, supported by our Education Advocate, and receive homework assistance and youth
development programming. Twenty families receive education focused case management for
children at IPS School #43 and are connected to counseling on-site at the Center, provided by
Christian Theological Seminary. Based on program outcomes and additional need, we were
recently awarded $190,000 by the Indiana State Department of Education for the 2017-2018
school year, to serve sixty elementary age students and their families, and track outcomes
utilizing the Indiana Program Quality Self-Assessment.
• In 2016, 100% of student receiving educational programming were advanced to the
next grade level in 2016.
• 79% avoided suspension
• 100% improved or maintained grade levels in reading and math
Under CCDF licensed-exempt center status, the MLK Center can only serve children ages 5
and older in the after-school program. Due to our financial stability and capacity to manage and
implement this project, MLK Center will be the sole sub-grantee and sub-contract with
neighborhood ECE Providers who are pursuing higher Paths to Quality Levels. Partners
determined this is the best route to increase the number of quality child care slots for children in
our neighborhood.
Neighborhood and demographics, culture, etc.: This GF2020 Project will focus on
the Mid-North area of Indianapolis including the Butler Tarkington, Crown Hill and Mapleton Fall
Creek neighborhoods. This area overlaps closely with the feeder area for James Whitcomb
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Riley IPS School #43, a traditional neighborhood public school.
The area includes the Mid-North Quality of Life (QOL) plan, Department of Public Safety focus
area of 34th/Illinois, and the Great Places 2020 focus area of Maple Crossing. Our service area
is segregated racially and economically north and south of 42nd Street, with 38th Street serving
as an additional divide.
• Some of the blocks south of 38th street are 60% blighted with abandoned homes and lots.
• 100% of the families served by the MLK Center are African American.
• Eighty percent of the children at IPS School #43 receive free and reduced lunch.
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• Seventy-three percent of our after-school students from IPS School #43 are reading below
or severely below grade level.
• In the 34th/Illinois Focus Area, 14% of the households are led by single females with
children and 10.77% are led by single males with children (IMPD).
• At $23,789 per year, median incomes in the area are only 59% of those in Marion County
(Census).
• The majority of census tracts in the Great Place have average household incomes between
$12,000 and $30,000 with unemployment rates as high as 30%.
• Crisis indicators in the 34th/Illinois Focus Area are well above the rates of Indianapolis as a
whole. Criminal Homicides and Non-Fatal Shootings have more than a 1000% variance
compared to Indianapolis.
• Indianapolis EMS calls for mental health related incidents are more than 644% times that of
Indianapolis as a whole. Forty-nine percent (49%) of the adults in this area have a high
school diploma or less education.
Approach for serving 100 families: Great Families 2020 will provide an opportunity to
integrate a variety of initiatives that currently stand alone in the neighborhood, consistent with
the MLK Center vision to serve entire families, block by block. GF2020 will allow partners to
expand capacity and improve upon the system of services available to families of school-aged
children. The GF2020 Project Coordinator will convene regular meetings of partners and
contractors to coordinate enrollment of families on-site at the child care centers, and to secure
child care slots for parents who engage with employment and financial stability services first.
Chart 1 below indicates the proposed outreach and recruitment goals to scale-up to and enroll
at least 100 young children age 0-5 and their families into the integrated services model. All
providers identified as potential sub-contractors have committed to pursuing upper levels of
Paths to Quality (PTQ) rating.
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IPS School #43 currently has 20 Pre-K seats available, and children are eligible for
before and after care provided by the MLK Center. We have an excellent working relationship
with the School and staff, as the 21st Century Community Learning Center is located at the
school. These IPS families will be recruited into the Great Families Project.
St. Nicholas Early Learning Inc., is a high-quality, affordable, and inclusive program for
infants, toddlers, and three year old children in the Mid-North neighborhoods of Indianapolis.
The motivation for St. Nicholas Early Learning, Inc. first emerged when a Trinity Episcopal
Church parishioner and a Mapleton-Fall Creek resident began discussing the critical need for
high-quality, affordable childcare for infants and toddlers in the broader Trinity neighborhood.
When space became available in the Trinity Outreach Center that dream moved into action with
the formation of the Trinity Childcare Committee in January 2015.
They have been working with Ann Gabbert at United Way to expand the number of slots
available and advance to PTQ Level 3. St. Nicholas has committed to identifying 20 child care
slots for the Great Families project. Some eligible families are already enrolled at St. Nicholas,
and we will recruit their parents into the CWF. Some slots will be available for new parents
enrolling in CWF who need child care. St. Nicholas currently accepts CCDF and raises funds
for scholarships, and has committed to providing match funds from these scholarship dollars.
Mt. Zion Academy is located at 34th and Boulevard Place in the Crown Hill
Neighborhood and serves children ages twelve months to 12 years. Mt. Zion believes every
child deserves the best. The vision is the provision of excellent academic and developmentally
appropriate care for children in a holistic environment. The Academy is currently licensed at
Level 2 Paths to Quality, and has committed to pursuing Level 3 in 2017, by working with Ann
Gabbert at United Way of Central Indiana to build their capacity. Mt. Zion has committed
unrestricted reserve funds that can be used as match funds for these child care slots following
the bidding process.
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St. Mary’s Child Center believes children are inherently competent, capable, and
strong, and serves three to five year old children at five locations around the city. Thirteen
families from the targeted area are currently enrolled at St. Mary’s, which are licensed at Level 4
PTQ. Additionally, MLK Center and St. Mary’s are working to establish a classroom at the MLK
Center to serve 15 additional children ages three and four that would be operated by St. Mary’s
and be established as a PTQ Level 4. These 15 children are not included in the 100 goal due to
the timeline of this project, projected for the second half of 2018. The MLK Center building is
equipped with a classroom, child sized restrooms, and ample outdoor space.
Another 20 children and families will be recruited through existing avenues and outreach
to early education providers such as Early Learning Indiana, to develop partnership agreements
and contracts. The GP2020 Project Coordinator will also build relationships with small providers
in the neighborhood to support their pursuit of PTQ levels, and increase the number of children
with access to quality child care. This overage will help us ensure the scale up to 100 families.
Chart 1.
Recruitment Partner/Strategy Estimated Number of Children Year 1
Ages
IPS School #43 Pre-K 20 4 and 5 years
St. Nicholas ECE 20 6 weeks to 3 years
Mt. Zion ECE 40 12 months to 5 years
St Mary’s 15 3 and 4 years
MLK Center CWF existing families with children in low-quality child care.
5 0 to 4
General Neighborhood Recruitment, Advertising, outreach to other ECE
providers 20 +0 to 5
TOTAL 120
MLK Center will recruit the parents of these children into the CWF program within 60 days.
Parents will also be recruited through existing neighborhood partnership and connected to
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designated slots with partner organizations based on their preferences. The MLK Center will
take the following key action steps to implement our plan as a sub-grantee:
Establish Program Infrastructure: The MLK Center Executive Director and Director of
Operations will be key personnel early in the project to establish infrastructure. We will hire a
Great Families Project Coordinator and a new CWF Coach to supplement existing MLK Staff.
The existing MLK Center Coach will continue to see adults without children outside of these
project boundaries. Other grant funds will be pursued to hire two additional coaches. MLK
Center resources will continue to provide an Intake Specialist responsible for bridging the gap
between referrals and program enrollment, and helping clients to the next step. In April 2017,
MLK Center began implementing plans for a renewed 21st Century Community Learning Center
(21st CCLC) at IPS School #43 and has a waiting list of children under the age of 5 who will be
immediately recruited into the GF2020 Project. The MLK Center Director of Operations will be
responsible for overseeing all 2-generation programming - both the 21st CCLC, Early Education,
CWF and the Great Families 2020 Project. This position reports to the Executive Director, and
manages the 21st CCLC Site Coordinator and the Great Families Project Coordinator. The
Director of Operations and Great Families Project Coordinator will be responsible for convening
regular meetings, executing MOUs and establishing formal contracts with sub-contractors for
ECE activities to establish the infrastructure for an integrated approach.
Plan and Coordinate: The Great Families 2020 Coordinator will be responsible for
interacting with MLK Staff and other service providers providing wrap-around services that
develop social capital and address behavioral health needs. Specifically, updated MOUs will be
secured with Christian Theological Seminary, Brooks Place, Changing Faces and others
providing services to address toxic stress. Additionally, this position will oversee recruitment,
and the 60-day timeline for enrolling the parent or child depending on pointy-of-entry and serve
as the director for the Center for Working Families.
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While the 21st CCLC funds referenced cannot be used as matching funds, the activities
will be complementary and coordinated. Family engagement, adult education and family
economic success outcomes are aligned between the two projects. Great Families 2020 will
help ensure that all children in the family are on a path to success and improve the outcomes of
the 21st CCLC over time, as the young children advance on to IPS School #43 for Pre-K and
Kindergarten. Per IPS, approximately 350 children attend School #43 and there are 85 families
in the Great Places quarter-mile boundary of Maple Crossing, from which we can recruit.
Maintain Leadership Support: The Agency Executive Director and Director of
Operations will maintain significant oversight of the project, as it impacts the culture, daily
operations and service delivery model of the MLK Center and its neighborhood partners. The
Executive Director will report regularly to the Board of Directors and Board Program Committee
on budget and programming progress.
Data Collection & Evaluation: The Director of Operations ensures client and program
data are collected in accordance with our logic model, and that evaluation procedures are
followed. The Data Coordinator at MLK Center is an existing position responsible for current
data collection and alignment activities, whose position will be used as matching funds for
GF2020. MLK Center received a three out of three on 2016 and 2017 UWCI data alignment
scoring.
Meeting Match Requirement: The MLK Center Executive Director is the key
fundraising professional at the MLK Center, responsible for all grant writing and donor relations
including local funders, along with the Board of Directors. Match funds will be secured with
$34,252 of cash on hand, including $10,000 from Meridian Street United Methodist Church and
our United Way Allocation. $120,165 represents committed funds from our future United Way
Allocations, the Youth Employment Services Contract from Employ Indy, and committed barrier
buster funds from an anonymous donor. MLK Center also has $9000 on hand of restricted
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Crime Prevention funds that can be released for this project. Match dollars to be raised equals
$145,322, of which half are pending in the application process with the Children’s Bureau/DCS,
CTS Faith in Action project and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Approximately $40,000
will be requested of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Additionally, contractual partners
have committed to pursuing matching funds in the form of scholarships for child care.
Preliminary Evidence
Preliminary Evidence of ECE: Children ages 0-5 in families enrolled in GF2020 will
receive high-quality early childhood education from the MLK Center and subcontractors that are
on a path to achieve the top two quality rankings in PTQ, and Pre-School program at IPS
School #43. These programs address health and safety, provide a stimulating environment;
maintain small student- teacher ratios; use scientifically-based curriculum; employ highly
qualified teachers who develop close, nurturing relationships with children and effectively
engage parents. These evidence-based practices will be promoted and centers will actively
pursue technical assistance and training from United Way as well as professional development
from Indiana Association of Child Care Resource and Referral.
Preliminary Evidence of FES: The MLK Center will strengthen and enhance the CWF
activities in the Mid-North area for enrolled parents and bundle additional services. Our
evidence-based co-active coaching model sees the parents as naturally creative, resourceful
and whole, and completely capable of finding their own answers to whatever challenges they
face. Chart 2 on the next page outlines the CWF workflow for parents in GF2020. Parents
seeking job training must take a Test of Adult Basic Ed (TABE) and if necessary complete 24
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hours of adult remedial education before being connected to job training by the WorkOne Mobile
Team. Parents not seeking job training meet with an Employment Coach to receive job leads,
job readiness training, industry specific credential training and ongoing support. Parents with
income are connected to a Financial Coach to receive budgeting and financial management
tips, and access barrier buster funds for financial needs along the way, such as license
Chart 2.
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reinstatement, children care costs, gas cards, rent, utilities, etc. Up to 15 families will have
access to Individual Development Accounts through Mapleton Fall Creek Community
Development Corporation. Homeownership preparation courses are provided by Indianapolis
Neighborhood Housing Partnership, and new homes will be available on Graceland Avenue in
2017 through Near North Community Development Corporation and Habitat for Humanity.
While these federal funds cannot be used as match, they will be leveraged along with other
GF2020 funds.
Currently, families seeking post-secondary education are connected to the Mid-North
Promise Program through our existing partnership with The Indianapolis Children’s Museum.
Families in the GF2020 Project will continue to be connected to this wonderful opportunity, as
well as a free museum membership, while receiving coaching and wrap around services from
the MLK Center.
2-Generation Model and Wrap-Around Services: MLK Center has operated from a
Trauma Informed Community Building model since 2015. All programs and activities stem from
the idea that post-traumatic stress and toxic stress are very real in the Mid-North area. The
effort to address these issues is a multi-pronged approach of counseling, support groups,
workshops and professional development training for staff. In 2015 MLK Center established a
partnership with the Black Psychologists Association of Indiana to collaborate on a
neighborhood event focused on grief and loss following four murders in the Summer/Fall of
2015. This led to an ongoing partnership with Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) to facilitate
grief and loss support groups, as well as individual counseling for a variety of behavioral health
issues. The CWF coaches connect parents and children to the masters level counseling
interns, who are supervised by CTS faculty in the Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy
program. Counseling appointments are provided free-of-charge, with approximately ten
appointment slots available per week. The program is currently at capacity, and will be
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expanded through Great Families 2020. CTS has committed to pursuing future match funds for
programming. MLK Center is also pursuing a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
to broadly expand and promote the health and success of boys and young men of color, so they
can heal, grow, and thrive in the face of the chronic stress and trauma. MLK Center recently
advanced to the final round of the application process from more than 600 applications
nationwide.
During the 2016 Fall and Spring semesters, Brooke’s Place conducted an eight-week
support group for 10 and 11 year old youth who have lost a loved-one due to homicide. The
series will repeat beginning August 2017, as well as individual counseling for children and
parents who have experienced trauma. Services are provided to youth in small groups of three,
and there is capacity for the program to grow at the MLK Center and serve parents in the
GF2020 Project as well.
Changing Faces conducts sexual assault support groups for both adults and teens at the
MLK Center, including training for professional staff to identify the warning signs and symptoms
of sexual assault. Sexual Assault is a leading contributor to substance abuse, impacting the
family’s ability to achieve economic success. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Alan Archibald,
will continue to provide trauma-informed care professional development workshops for MLK
Center staff and partners, as well as workshops for adults. Mr. Archibald will also work with the
MLK Center to develop family workshops. Topics will be identified based on ACES scores
completed for each family. ACES – Adverse Childhood Experience Score – is a ten question
assessment that can help predict risk factors for a variety of physical health, mental health and
behavioral outcomes. The MLK Center staff builds trust with clients so they can start identifying
their ACES Score and start addressing the toxic stress and barriers to long-term success. Dr.
Flora Belle Bryant, a licensed clinical social worker, works with parents to identify
heroes/sheroes in their lives, to build upon their resiliency and develop a path for healing.
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MLK Center has been developing relationships with these partners for years. Chart 3.
below outlines the relationships between various sub-contracts for services and MOUs when no
funds are changing hands.
Logic Model
Attach please find our program logic model that illustrates our proposed program path.
Qualifications of lead staff
The Director of Operations, Sharvonne Williams, will be responsible for the
administrative duties related to GF2020. She has experience managing federal funds from the
Corporation for National Service at Serve Indiana, as well as cross-initiative agreements,
activities, outcomes and partnerships. The Great Families Project Coordinator, a new position,
will be responsible for overseeing the day to day activities of the project, recruiting and
interacting with families, monitoring program outcomes, communicating with sub-contractor
staff, etc. Please see the attached position description. GF2020 funds will also be used to
support a new coach in the Center for Working Families model. The Executive Director, Allison
Luthe, is responsible for agency fundraising and securing match dollars for the initiative.
5.3. Evaluation Capabilities-
The MLK Center is committed to capturing and recording high-level client and program
data that will be imported into United Way’s data integration system. MLK Center received a
technology grant from United Way in 2016 to implement the Efforts to Outcomes software and
we have dedicated a specific staff person to this task. MLK Center received a 3 out of 3 on our
UWCI data alignment standards score in both 2016 and 2017. We have consent language in
our current program enrollment forms, and are committed to helping residents understand the
process to increase trust and participation. Existing programs have been established based on
need and previous program outcomes, so we are committed to the learning process. The MLK
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Chart 3.
Mid-North Great Families 2020 Sub-grantee: MLK Center
Initiatives
Support
ECE
FES MLK
Mt Zion
CTS
St. Nicholas
Brooke's Place
Mid North QOL
MLK
MLK
IMPD Focus Area
Early Learning Indiana
Great PlacesMaple
Crossing
IPS School #43
OMWPK
Changing Faces
Indy 2020
Other Providers -Contractors
MOU Partner
Contract
Partner
Children’s Museum
Mapleton Fall Creek CDC
Near North CDC
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Center Data Coordinator is designated as the data point person for ETO and our data collection
process. It is also identified as a key job description requirement for program staff.
MLK Center is currently engaged in a robust evaluation process with the Indiana
University Public Policy Institute who received their own parallel grant from CICF to evaluate our
crime prevention/social capital activities. This process looks at program outcomes and
neighborhood level outcomes, as well as process evaluation to understand what works in crime
prevention. We have also engaged an evaluator for our 21st Century Community Learning
Centers grant, that has both program and budget requirements for an external evaluator. This
grant measures educational outcomes for children and parent engagement outcomes for adults,
including connections to the Center for Working Families. It has strenuous data collection and
evaluation requirements. Parent and teacher surveys were collected as part of this application
process, including a data sharing agreement with IPS and partners. Our recent history and
track-record with data collection and reporting will only be strengthened by our commitment to
the evaluation of GF2020.
5.4. Organizational Capacity
The MLK Center is no longer in a renewal phase. We are experiencing a growth period
and, along with our partners are ready for this challenge! We received an “Exceeds Standards”
on the 2016 UWCI Agency Evaluation after rigorous attention to agency governance,
management and operations. The current Executive Director was hired in June 2015 and has
overhauled the agency culture and continues to exemplify success in raising funds and
achieving desired outcomes within a learning context. The Executive Director has experience
with complex programs and initiatives such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Making
Connections Initiative that brought the Center for Working Families model to Indianapolis. She
was a founding staff member of the Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign that included multiple
implementing agencies, strategic partners and funders. The Director of Operations was hired in
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May 2017 to manage the day to day programming operations so that the Executive Director can
focus on fund development, public relationship and the prep work for a facility capital campaign.
The staff has grown from 2 in 2015 to seven full-time staff in 2017. Ten temporary staff join the
agency during the summer program, and five staff work year-round, part-time in the after school
program.
Federal Funds: MLK Center currently receives federal funds through the City of
Indianapolis Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) and has complied with all
requirements. Requests for additional documentation or requirements have been satisfied in a
timely manner. MLK Center also receives federal funds from the Indiana Department of
Education through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. The agency has
engaged our auditor, Beckman Cox, to discuss any necessary changes to current financial
policies and procedures to receive additional federal funds. A full audit of financial statements
will be conducted in July 2017. The Executive Director has experience managing federal funds
in previous positions, including AmeriCorps and Individual Development Account grant monies.
The agency’s contractual bookkeeper has experience managing federal funds for other non-
profit organization clients as well.
Seed Funds: Due to leadership and staff transitions, the MLK Center did not pursue
any private grant funds from 2013 to mid-2015. Therefore, all funds received in 2015 and 2016
were small grants, used to seed programs and produce results that led to future funding.
Programs were started on small scales, and produced results that led to gradual, intentional
expansion as programs met service capacity. These small funds have led to full-time staff
positions, and creative partnerships with other neighborhood-based services. In our 2016-2019
strategic plan, the Board of Directors identified resource development goals around diversifying
funds and increasing the amount of unrestricted donations to the organization. This will provide
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for institutionalization of programs and services that were spawned by small grants in 2015-
2016.
Attached please find a letter of commitment signed by the agency Executive Director
and Board Chair, to meet the 1:1 match requirement.
5.5. Community Collaborations
MLK Center has a history of collaboration and partnership building to achieve results,
and has worked to focus activities that overlap the goals of the Quality of Life, Great Places
2020 and Public Safety Priority areas so that they are seamless to residents. The MLK Center
mission goes hand-in-hand with the goals of these initiatives, and nothing new has been created
to just satisfy a project. Rather, much like the goals of the Great Families 2020 project, the
initiatives have enhanced the work of the MLK Center and vice versa.
Quality of Life Plans: Collaboration. The MLK Center was in a transitional stage
when the Quality of Life (QoL) plan was developed for the Mid-North area. However, since
2015, staff have participated in QoL events and meetings and coordinate projects with the
Community Builder employed by the Mapleton Fall Creek Development Corporation through the
Community Building Team meeting. The Community Building Team works together on the
implementation of the Mid-North Quality of Life Plan.
Indy 2020: Cooperation. The MLK Center cooperates with many of the partners
identified in the Bicentennial Plan for Indianapolis but does not currently have a formalized role
in activities. However, many of our activities contribute to outcomes in the areas of economic
mobility, education, resident involvement, and neighborhoods.
Great Places 2020: Collaboration. The MLK Center participates on the Maple
Crossing Steering Committee that meets monthly to track the L.O.V.E. goals identified in the
plan. MLK Center has received early-action funds from LISC to pursue Education goals
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specifically related to IPS School #43 and CWF activities, and is a partner in program planning
for the newly redeveloped Tarkington Park. MLK Center reports quarterly to LISC on job
placement, training certificates obtained, increased income, etc.
LISC staff approached the MLK Center and Great Places 2020 Steering Committee
about developing a committee that would utilize IMPD crime data to inform neighborhood
decision making. Through conversation it was agreed that the existing MLK Center Crime
Prevention Committee, that was developed to pursue CICF Crime Prevention Funds,
conveniently served this purpose. No one had to recreate the wheel, all interests were served
and progress has been made. MLK Center will receive funding to support community centered
solutions to crime in the Maple Crossing Great Place geography as a result. Additionally, the
Executive Director participates in the city-wide Education Committee meetings for Great Places
2020.
Public Safety Priority Areas: Collaboration. The 34th and Illinois focus area is in the
MLK Center catchment area and Crown Hill Neighborhood where services are targeted for
families of IPS School #43. MLK Center staff communicate regularly with IMPD and the North
District Commander through monthly crime prevention focused meetings. MLK Center is taking
a lead with Great Places Early Action Funds, on tenant organizing in the Shoreland and Enclave
Apartment buildings, identified by IMPD as being in the top five for 911 runs to apartment
buildings in all of Marion County. Families with children ages 0-5 live in both apartment
buildings and will be recruited into the project.
MLK Center Great Families 2020 – Northwest/Midtown Neighborhood
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Position Description: Great Families 2020 Project Coordinator
Reports To: Director of Operations
MLK Center is seeking a Coordinator for the Great Families 2020 Project to serve as team leader and ensure service integration of Early Childhood Education and Center for Working Families from a 2-Generation approach.
Duties
• In conjunction with Director of Operations, serve as point person to United Way of Central Indiana staff, technical assistant providers and evaluators to ensure success;
• Direct activities and staff of the Center for Working Families including coaches, case managers and support staff to achieve program outcomes;
• Direct activities and staff of the Early Childhood Education classroom to achieve program outcomes;
• Convene partners, staff and sub-contractors to ensure progress toward GF2020 goals;
• Work with Director of Operations to approve staff requests for program expenditures consistent with program outcomes and budget;
• Work with Director of Operations to submit reimbursement claims and reports in a timely manner;
Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Human Services or related required;
• 3 years’ experience with workforce development, youth education, 2-Generation and Trauma Informed Care models required;
• 2 year’s experience serving as team leader required;
• Ability to plan and manage the utilization of resources;
• High level of interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills to work as a team;
• Ability to take initiative and meet objectives on a strict timeline;
• Submit to criminal background check and drug screen;
• Commitment to mission of MLK Center, while fostering inclusiveness and the values espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
40 W 40th Street ● Indianapolis, IN 46208 ● www.MLKCenterIndy.org ● 317.923.4581
Review Committee/Site Visit Questions:
• Describe in further detail your approach to wrap around services that include economic assets, social capital, and health/well-being. What interventions will be provided and what outcomes will be tracked?
We have many entry points into our program from IPS School #43, rental assistance requests, afterschool program, Adult Basic Ed Classes, etc. If they connect to us for children’s programming, we are talking to them about adult needs. If they come to us for adult/family assistance, we ask about the programming their children are connected to. We currently have a waiting list of people with children ages 0 to 5 because they must be five years old to come into our after school and summer camp. The Great Families Coordinator will manage the relationships with our contractors/early ed providers to enroll families currently receiving child care, and connect enrolled families to open child care slots. The Coordinator will supervise the coaches who will provide employment coaching, financial coaching and life coaching. Almost 100% of our families are currently employed, so we know that the emotional supports and health/well-being coaching will be a focus for us. We will work with families to break the cycle of “I can do it by myself” which leads them to ask for help after they’re in crisis. Three Masters level students from CTS are available for individual and group counseling. Great Families 2020 will allow us to expand the number of families connected to counseling. We would also like to expand the availability of our parent workshops that are held on family nights. These workshops include story telling about family history and culture to discuss s/heroes as a tool to build resiliency. We are challenging the traditional social service model and working to build more of a support system within the community for families. We track employment placements, increased income, increased assets, connections to neighborhood association or community groups, and connections to counseling or other supports. Within counseling, we track the number who have achieved individual goals.
• Describe your match in further detail. What are the specific sources of the unrestricted, non-federal funds you intend for this purpose? Please note that contractors cannot provide match funds, only Sub-grantees. Total match projected: $262,385
On-hand: $44,252 1. $10,000 unrestricted funds from Meridian Street UMC 2. $12,500 on hand from anonymous donor specifically for barrier buster funds 3. $9000 on hand from Crime Prevention grant for community building and social capital 4. $12,752 on hand from United Way allocation Committed: $109,665
1. $25,000 committed from Children’s Bureau/DCS child abuse prevention funds (secured as reimbursable so not on hand)
2. $20,000 from Employ Indy/Youth Employment Services money from Lilly Endowment (not federal funds) for 17-24 year olds with children ages 0-5 (secured as reimbursable contract so no on hand)
3. $10,000 in barrier buster funds from Employ Indy/ Youth Employment Services money from Lilly Endowment (not federal funds) for 17-24 year olds with children ages 0-5 (secured as reimbursable contract so no on hand)
4. $30,000 unrestricted cash committed from neighborhood partners as scholarships to St. Nicholas and Mt. Zion. Details will have to be worked out regarding donations going to MLK Center since these partners are contractors.
5. $49,665 committed by MLK Center from future United Way allocations. Funds to be raised: $108,468
1. $43,468 = portion from pending grant to Christian Theological Seminary for Faith in Action Project.
2. $25,000 = portion from pending grant to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for mental health and toxic stress activities
3. $40,000 = proposed grant to be submitted to Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust based on instructions from the grant officer.
• Please submit a new budget and narrative that reflects a 16-month term, not a 12-month term. The budget narrative should describe in detail all cost categories. Please provide detail and justification for areas including: the percentage of each staff member’s time allotted to the Great Families 2020 initiative, the salary requested for new staff, contractual staff costs, and flexible funds. Please note that food is not an allowable expense.
Our budget was based on a 16-month period. No changes have been made. Great Families 2020 Project Coordinator = 100% charged to this grant New CWF Coach #1 = 100% charged to this grant Barrier buster funds are specifically used for: rental/utility assistance, driver’s license reinstatement, gas cards, bus tickets, employment training and new hire expenses, background checks, etc. No food expenses will be charged to this grant.
• Elaborate on your strategy to ensure families enrolled in CWF move forward in achieving their goals and participate in multiple services (financial, education, and employment). How will 100 stay active, and how will you ensure high participation rate of the families in child care services?
This will be the primary responsibility of the Project Coordinator, to work with early education providers to enroll families and monitor progress of families with the coaches and wrap around service providers. We have targeted 120 families for enrollment currently based on existing relationships. We anticipate a high participation level due to our intentional relationship building with parents and partners. Additional outreach will target additional families for enrollment so that 100 are active at any given moment during the program.
• Elaborate on your sustainability plans for this program after the funding period ends as the requested budget represents a large percentage of your overall budget.
We acknowledge that this project is a large portion of our budget, because we are already practicing this
model and want to grow it. This week our Board of Directors approved a projected budget of $813,848
that does not include Great Families 2020 funding. It also does not include any of the “Funds to be
raised” in the budget narrative. We will continue to write grants and fund raise to sustain the program.
• Will the partners you contract with to provide high quality early childhood education services have the capacity to serve families with infants and toddlers or for families who work nontraditional hours?
Providers do not currently provide services past 7:00 p.m.
• Clarify if there are additional partners in the targeted neighborhood that were not listed in the application but that you plan to work with to recruit families and provide services across the five domains (early childhood education, financial stability, economic assets, social capital, and health). Specifically, toxic stress is identified as a focus, but nothing is mentioned about broader behavioral health needs and resources.
We have discussed a parent café on-site provided by Families First. Saint Vincent DePaul is scheduled to provide their Getting Ahead Classes Changing Faces provides sexual assault support groups Brookes Place provides support groups and individual counseling for children who have experienced a love one dying of homicide.
• There seems to be some overlap between the duties of the Director of Operations and the Coordinator (e.g., some roles were linked to both positions). Please submit a job description for the Director of Operations to differentiate the Coordinator position.
The Great Families coordinator will be responsible for programming of families with children 0-5. Our After School coordinator is responsible for programming of families with children ages 5-17. The Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our two-generation programming for children ages 0-17 and their parents, and supervises these two positions plus the data specialist, to ensure program data is being collected, tracked and reported. Since many families have children across these to age groups, the Director of Operation will ensure services are coordinator. The Director of Operations also supervises the Intake Specialist, who assists the coaches and provides case management services for income supports.