Closed
California state funding opportunity
Community Connections
CA State Library
- Portal ID6364
- StatusClosed
Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.
Program summary
Synopsis
The purpose of this project is to eliminate barriers that prevent people from accessing vital community resources, particularly in the areas of housing, health, nutrition, employment, and education through establishing community resource navigators in up to ten California Public Libraries.
This program will help California public libraries build staff skills and knowledge about social care resources, as well as create or join a hub of local social service organizations. Collaborations with existing service providers will be an essential element of each successful project. By expanding their capacity to provide effective social service assistance, successful awardees will build resilience and improve the health and wellbeing of their communities. All participating libraries will: · Receive funds of up to $60,000; · Partner with at least two California-based organizations providing social services; · Receive training from the California State Library; · Engage with a cohort of library staff focused on developing skills, tools, and knowledge to best implement the project. The cohort will convene monthly to create a community of practice. Requirements All awardees will be required to: · Participate in monthly virtual meetings; · Partner with at least two California-based (Regional?) social service organizations; · Create a needs assessment (training will be provided); · Establish a location in the library that can be used for appointments, with a computer, printer, and phone. To conduct an effective project, each library will engage in a needs assessment during the grant period. Shared conversations will be built into the Community Connections project so that all libraries participating in the project will have the opportunity to share ideas, concerns, and solutions to challenges that occur during the course of the project. Training on partnerships, needs assessments, asset mapping, and more will be offered by the California State Library. Libraries interested in being part of the Community Connections project will need to identify staff to focus on this project (either a current staff member or new hire) to serve as a Community Resource Specialist (CRS). The CRS will provide social service information and referrals for patrons to other organizations. The CRS will also develop or participate in a hub of organizations providing these resources. Grants will be awarded in October 2021. Projects will close on June 30, 2022. Funding can be used to offset staff costs, as this project will be time-consuming and will work best if there is a single person identified to receive training, serve as the point person for partnerships, and staff a community resource desk.
Timeline
Key dates
-
July 27, 2021
Opportunity posted to California Grants Portal -
September 28, 2021
Applications close -
October 15, 2021
Expected award date
Who may apply
Eligibility
Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:
- Public Agency
- Additional info on eligibility
- This opportunity is available to all California public libraries that meet the criteria found at this link https://www.library.ca.gov/Content/pdf/grants/lsta/LSTAEligibility.pdf
- Geography
- This grant opportunity is available to public libraries in California.
Awarding agency
Additional information
- Agency name
- CA State Library
- Full announcement
- View the full announcement ↗
- Grantor contact
-
Jody Thomas
1-916-603-7173
Jody.Thomas@library.ca.gov
Funding
Funding source
- Source
- Federal
- Funding method
- Advance(s)
- Notes
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants are federally funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and are awarded by the State Library to eligible California libraries.
Government Grants Consulting
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