Empowering Families Innovation GrantsFunding Guidelines 2017

1. IntroductionIf current trends continue, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will represent more than half of all children in out-of-home-care within five years. We need new ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to stop this trend and ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can live safely at home connected to family, culture and community.

If you have ever had an idea that you believe will make a substantial difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Empowering Families Innovation Grants are an opportunity to make that idea a reality.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families matter. Your ideas matter.

2. What is our goal?We want to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families’ capability to care for and protect their children. The Empowering Families Innovation Grants are an opportunity to form partnerships, generate new ideas, and share learnings to make this happen.

We’d like to link with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and together come up with innovative ways to draw on the strengths, capabilities and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and organisations.

3. What are we looking for?We need to re-think how we work with our families and communities. This means we want:

local and practical ideas that directly benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

ideas that can be scaled up and promote partnerships and quality service delivery bold and ground-breaking ideas in culturally safe and responsive practices ideas that are known to work in other parts of Australia or internationally, or from

other sectors, that can be trialled in Queensland practical solutions that build evidence about ‘what works’ to improve outcomes for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities ideas that focus on reducing regional disparities in service provision across Queensland proposals that fully involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in

decision making.

4. About the grantsWe have partnered with peak bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to develop Changing Tracks: an action plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to address the disproportionate social and economic disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

The Empowering Families Innovation Grants program is one of the enabling actions contributing to this action plan. It aims to generate ideas for new initiatives, programs or ways of working that will help keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children safe, well and connected to family, kin, culture and country.

The first of three funding rounds will commence in 2017. The grants will consist of two pools:

POOL ONEStarting locally or developing a big ideaApplicants can apply for up to $15,000 (excluding GST) per project to:

deliver an innovative locally based project OR develop an innovative idea into a detailed proposal — these are new, early stage ideas

that have the potential to be worked into implementation-ready solutions.

Maximum project duration is 6 months (with no minimum project duration).

POOL TWOImplementing a big ideaApplicants can apply for up to $100,000 (excluding GST) per project to:

support the trial of a larger scale, well-developed, implementation-ready project in Queensland.

Maximum project duration is 12 months (with no minimum project duration).

Important details: Funding is non-recurrent. Project duration is measured from the project start date as identified in the relevant

agreement. Applicants are not restricted in the number of applications they are able to submit across

both pools during each funding round. However, only one application per pool will be funded per funding round.

Learnings across all projects will be reviewed for the potential to scale up to statewide delivery or to inform the department’s core business.

5. Get partners on boardIndividuals, groups and organisations are strongly encouraged to get together and apply. This includes:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders Queensland-based social innovators (noting that partners may be located outside Queensland) clients, families and service providers within the child protection and family support

sector academics and researchers innovators and people with good ideas from a range of industries community groups local government agencies not-for-profit and private sector organisations.

If you are not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation or individual, you will need to describe how you have engaged, or plan to engage with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders to inform how you develop and deliver your project. Please consider processes of culturally respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

While funding will not be provided to state government agencies, we hope to see partnerships formed between government and community to develop and implement innovative ideas and projects.

6. What do we mean by ‘innovation’?What is social innovation?New ideas and ways of doing things, or adaptation of old ideas and practices, that provide better solutions to social problems. Social innovation creates new value and better outcomes for society that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

Source: Australian Government, Department of Education, Social Innovation – Introduction to social innovation, viewed 11 January 2017, <https://docs.employment.gov.au/system/ files/doc/other/socialinnovtnintronov2013_2.pdf>

We’re looking to fund bold new approaches and different ways of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to transform outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It’s time to think differently and do differently.

Trial and error plays an important role in innovation. These grants present an opportunity to try out and develop new ideas, and adjust them to make them work.

Collaboration — both within and across industries — drives innovation. That’s why establishing partnerships is important to develop and implement your ideas and projects. This is an opportunity to think outside the square and work with partners that you might not have worked with before.

We are looking for: new ideas new ways of working ways to scale up and spread ideas that are already working improvements to existing ways of working.

For example, funding could be used to:

pilot an innovative project trial a new service idea seek seed funding for social enterprise explore ways to enable better access to services kick-start a business idea find ways to improve service delivery and practice host a series of outcome-focused yarning circles research an issue host a design jam or think tank design new technology to improve service provision produce resources.

7. Opportunities

The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering care has increased to an unacceptable level, and new solutions are urgently needed. We recognise that a number of issues have contributed to this disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system in Queensland.

The Empowering Families Innovation Grants are an investment in new ideas and projects, or old ideas with a new twist — from the radical and ground-breaking to the local and practical — that seek to tackle these issues.

The inaugural Queensland Family Matters Forum held in August 2016 identified several areas that are the key building blocks for making positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Queensland.

We have identified focus opportunities from these building blocks that we would like you to focus on for applications in the first round of funding. Your application should address one of the following opportunity statements:

Opportunity 1Design, deliver and facilitate access to quality universal and targeted services necessary for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families will be able to access the appropriate support when they require it. We need new ways of working and new ways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to access support systems.

Opportunity 2Unlock the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the design, development and implementation of services.

To deliver appropriate services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander non-government and community-controlled organisations will play a lead role in providing services. Design of services will be based on evidence that includes the wisdom, knowledge and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Opportunity 3Maintain family, cultural and community connections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle recognises the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being cared for within their own families and communities wherever possible, and the strength in remaining connected to their family, community and culture.

Opportunity 4Improve data, monitoring and accountability measures with a focus on addressing regional disparities.

To make effective and efficient decisions and to hold government and services accountable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, decisions must be based on strong evidence and data. Collecting and sharing of data should be consistently maintained and used across Queensland.

8. Assessment criteriaAll applications to the Empowering Families Innovation Grants program will be assessed against the project information and the following assessment criteria. All criteria are equally weighted.

Assessment criteria - Both poolsSome points to consider. 1. The project is innovative Is creative and seeks to test new approaches Creates value and better outcomes Improves existing practice

2. The project will improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families by addressing one of the opportunity statements

Responds to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families Shows how it will address the selected opportunity statement

3. The project engages Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Engages with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to inform the project Based on lived experience

4. The project demonstrates collaborations/partnerships with diverse initiative partners

Links with other organisations and interested parties Aims to secure co-funding and in-kind support from other partners and investors (where

possible)

Pool two ONLY — must address the following additional criteria:5. The project is ready to implement Demonstrates appropriate governance structures Identifies resources required to support delivery

6. The project is based on evidence and/or promising ideas from other jurisdictions and/or industries

Supported by evidence where the proposal has been previously tested or draws on relevant evidence where the proposal is new

Provides clear evidence of success in other jurisdictions (nationally or internationally) or applied from other industries

7. The project demonstrates an ability to measure outcomes and impact:

Demonstrates project effectiveness Shows an understanding of what data will be collected to measure impact, and how it will

be collected Includes measures for monitoring and evaluation.

9. Eligibility for fundingTo be eligible for funding you must meet the following requirements:

be a Queensland-based legal entity*

hold and maintain appropriate insurance (including at least $10 million public liability insurance) **

* Individuals who are not legal entities will need to initiate and demonstrate a partnership with an eligible auspicing organisation in order to manage the receipt of funds.

** Depending on the nature of the individual proposal, entities receiving grants may be required to obtain additional insurance (including more than $10 million public liability insurance).

10. Grant restrictionsApplications that will generally not be considered under the grants program include:

initiatives already funded by the Queensland Government initiatives that are funded and yet to be implemented by the Queensland Government initiatives that would generally be considered core work of a Queensland Government

department staffing and project costs of a recurrent or ongoing nature proposals that seek retrospective funding for work undertaken prior to the proposal funding of existing debts or shortfalls employment of staff that may create an expectation of ongoing employment or create

ongoing operating expenses requests for one-off assets (e.g. vehicles, office set-up costs) capital or building expenses required for the business as usual operation of an

organisation.

11. Application processKey dates for Round 1 Applications open – 30 May 2017 Applications close – 14 July 2017 (midnight) Funding offers –August/September 2017

This is the first of three funding rounds. Future rounds will be held in early 2018 (Round 2) and early 2019 (Round 3).

Funding amountsPOOL ONEStarting locally or developing a big ideaApplicants can apply for up to $15,000 (excluding GST) per project

POOL TWOImplementing a big ideaApplicants can apply for up to $100,000 (excluding GST) per project

Assessment panelAn assessment panel made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, child protection and family support professionals and social innovation experts will review all

applications and make recommendations to the Director-General for final funding decisions. Please note that if you are successful, the panel may opt to fund only part of your application.

ProcessApplications open Get creative, innovate and think outside the square Bring partners on board to help turn your ideas into a full proposal or to help you deliver

in areas they may have strengths that you don’t Talk to Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and

community organisations about what works and what doesn’t.

Develop your application Develop an overview of your project and its objectives Work out how you will implement your project Bring partner(s) on board Provide cost estimates of how you will use the funding to deliver your project Identify any risks and provide strategies to mitigate these Address the assessment criteria Develop a clear evidence base to support your proposal (pool two only) Think about how your project could be scaled up to a statewide level.

Submit application online for assessmentApplications will be managed online through www.qld.gov.au/empoweringfamiliesfund. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

FOR POOL ONE a completed online application form acknowledgement of reading and accepting the Standard Terms and Conditions a project budget.

FOR POOL TWO a completed online application form acknowledgement of reading and accepting the Standard Terms and Conditions a project budget an overview of supporting evidence.

Assessment and offersThe applicant must advise the department of any changes that are likely to impact on their eligibility for the Empowering Families Innovation Grants.

The assessment panel will assess all applications against the project information and assessment criteria. Applicants may be asked to submit further details or provide clarification during the assessment process.

Applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome of the assessment process. All offers for funding will be issued in writing and must be signed by the accepting applicant before funds will be released.

12. Important information about the fundingSuccessful applicants will be required to:

enter into a service agreement comply with the requirements and conditions within the service agreement comply with the Community Services Act 2007 participate in performance monitoring processes.

Copies of the service agreements and terms and conditions are available from the department’s website at www.communities.qld.gov.au/gateway/funding-grants/ streamlined-agreements.

Either a Funding and Service Details and Short Form Particulars Agreement or a Short Forms Particulars Agreement will be used depending on the value of the grant and any contractual arrangements the successful applicants already have in place.

Applications must incorporate how the requirements will be met and considerations for the Service System Support and Development funding specification. A copy of the full specification can be found at www.communities.qld.gov.au/gateway/funding-grants/investment-domains-guideline-investment-specifications.

Successful applications will be listed on Queensland Government websites. An applicant must inform the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services if the applicant does not want contact information disclosed.

All funding decisions are final and are not subject to review.

13. Reporting and acquittalsSuccessful applicants will be required to provide the department with the following:

Mid-point progress report (Pool two ONLY) You need to submit this report approximately six months (or at the halfway point of the

project) after the contract has commenced. You should use the template that we provide to you. Information will be used to help us understand how applicants are progressing.

Final project report and acquittal (Both pools) You need to submit this report within one month from the stated end date of the project. You should use the template that we provide to you. The final report will let us know how you went and the results you have achieved. We will ask you for feedback on the potential to scale up and spread your project. Reports will also be used to inform future funding arrangements. We will request a funds acquittal.

14. Contact usWeb: www.qld.gov.au/empoweringfamiliesfund

Email: empoweringfamilies@communities.qld.gov.au

Phone: 07 3037 2951

Postal address: GPO Box 806, Brisbane QLD 4001

15. Useful websitesSupporting Families Changing Futures Website - www.qld.gov.au/supportingfamilies

The Supporting Families Changing Futures reform program is focused on delivering the right services at the right time to support families and keep children safe.

Family Matters — Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger children.Website - www.familymatters.org.au

Family Matters is Australia’s national campaign to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander children grow up safe and cared for surrounded by their family, community and culture.

Advance QueenslandWebsite - advance.qld.gov.au

Advance Queensland is a comprehensive suite of programs based on international evidence of ‘what works’ and designed to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future.

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