June 2017

California Consulting LLC: "Putting Clients First"

California Consulting: Building Community Through Grant Writing Workshops



Calfironia Consulting presented at the Basics of Grant Writing Workshop in San Bernardino on May 12, 2017. The workshop was hosted by CA Senator Connie Levya and Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes(47th district). 

A full house welcomed California Consulting at the Job Corps Center in San Bernardino. With well over 40 attendees,  this brief seminar was a valued resource for the San Bernardino community. The presentation was customized and given by California Consulting Associates,Dan Rodriguez and Christina Gonzalez, followed by a Q&A interactive session that was energetic and well received. 

Organizations in attendance included grassroots and developing nonprofits, SB County Department of Public Health, Councilmember Blanca Gomez from the City of Victorville and a variety of local community based organizations and school districts. 

GRANT AWARDS:

California Consulting is pleased to announce our client, the City of Carson, has been awarded $267,915 from the CALFire Urban Forestry Improvement & Expansion grant. Congratulations to the City of Carson staff and California Consulting's grant writing team on the successful application

California Consulting is pleased to announce the City of Maywood was awarded $150k for the CalFire Urban and Community Forestry CCI Grant. A generous, in-kind work/ stewardship donation by the organization Amigos de los Rios makes this grant a total of $211k. Congratulations to the City of Maywood and California Consulting's grant writing team on the successful application.
 

California Consulting is pleased to announce Santa Paula USD received the California SUMS Initiative Cohort 1 Phase I for $75,000 to be paid over a 3 year period. Congratulations to Santa Paula Unified School District staff and California Consulting grant writing team for writing the successful application.


California Consulting is pleased to announce that our client, Whitter City School District, received $60,000 for the ST Math Grant. This grant provides funding for game-based instructional software for k-12 that is designed to boost math comprehension and proficiency through self-paced, language- independent, mastery-based objectives and visual learning at Sorensen, Jackson & Longfellow Elementary schools. Congratulations to all Whittier City School District.


Please Join Us for the State of the State of Transporatation Funding Client Call on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 10:00am. 




California Consulting Welcomes Gloria Gallardo as New Project Manager


 
California Consulting is pleased Gloria Gallardo has joined us as our new Project Manager.  Gloria Gallardo is a credentialed grant professional with over 25 years' experience in the public sector.  Ms. Gallardo held positions with the California Department of Health Services, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the California Department of Justice (DOJ).  After a career in state service, she accepted a position with the Department of Transportation, Montebello Bus Lines (MBL).  Over the course of her career, Ms. Gallardo has secured millions of dollars in federal, state and local grants; and has also served as a peer reviewer for various federal agencies. 

As a DOJ employee, Ms. Gallardo was assigned to Task Forces under the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) where she supported federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in their mission to reduce drug trafficking.   As the Transit Administration Manager for MBL, Ms. Gallardo wrote and managed federal, state and local grants in support of public transportation; and she managed the civil rights programs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Equal Employment Opportunity and Title VI).  As a public transportation advocate, Ms. Gallardo fostered partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to local businesses, community based organizations, members of the community, educational institutions, as well as executives and elected officials.  She also served as the Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus Operations Subcommittee charged with the review and evaluation of various transportation policies, operating issues, and transportation financing programs in Los Angeles County.  

Ms. Gallardo graduated from the University of La Verne with a degree in Public Administration and also completed the Human Resources Management Certificate Program at Cal Poly Pomona.  


The Consulate General of Armenia Holds Successful Meeting with Business Leaders

May 24, 2017 -  Steve Samuelian co-hosted a Business Leadership Roundtable with the Consulate General of Armenia and the Armenian American Business Council in collaboration with the Community Affairs Council. 

The roundtable was attended by business leaders throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Many represtatives from businesses across Southern California were also in attendance. 

Armenia's Consulate General's representative, Valeri Mkrtumyan presented investment enviroment, legislation, and prospective sectors and business potential.  KPMG International Consulting provided an analysis on business opportunities in Armenia as well as tax policies and other privileges given by Armenia to investors.

Steve Samuelian, California Consulting CEO, stated "New beginnings start with the US business field. The business discussions will continue and will be aimed at implementing prospective investment programs in IT and other fields."

You can find the agenda for the meeting here.

California Consulting Welcomes Sigfrido Rivera as New Project Manager

  
California Consulting is pleased to welcome Sigfrido Rivera as our new Project Manager.  

Sigfrido Rivera brings to California Consulting, LLC., 30 years of experience in grant writing, grant program administration, urban planning, land acquisition, airport land use compatibility, and public outreach at the municipal level. 

Previously,during his 30-year career with the City of Ontario, Sigfrido successfully secured and implemented $126 million in federal and local grants. Before retiring from the City, he negotiated and implemented an Acquisition, Disposition and Development Agreement to build and 16-acre business park (under construction) near Ontario International Airport. Sigfrido's extensive experience in grant writing and implementation proved instrumental in securing the grant funding to complete the voluntary property buyout phase of the project and relocate the residents from the project site. He served on the City's Development Advisory Board and on the Ontario International Airport Noise Advisory Committee for over 10 years.

Sigfrido holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from California State University, Northridge and a Master in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is fluent in Spanish (speak, read and write).


US Department of Justice: 2017 COPS Hiring Program (CHP)

Deadline: July 10, 2017

Amount: Up to $125,000 per officer position, over the three
year (36 month) grant period

Match: 25% or any program costs not covered by the grant award

Eligibility: State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority
Eligibility Note: School Districts may apply to the CHP Program for School Resource Officers by coordinating with their local law enforcement agency to submit an application


CHP is a competitive grant program that funds the hiring of full-time, sworn, career law enforcement officers. CHP provides 75 percent of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each full-time officer, up to $125,000 per officer position, over the three year (36 month) grant period. State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply.
 

California Department of Education (CDE): 2016-2017 Summer Food Service Program (Apportionment)

Deadline: Applications or other data may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017)

Amount: Allocation. Sponsors receive reimbursement based on the number and types of meals served multiplied by the operational and administrative rate. There is $33,000,000 in federal funds available for the SFSP.

Match: None

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations, other organizations or agencies.

Required Eligibility Criteria: Summer sites must be established to serve all children in the community while on school vacation and not enrolled for day care. Meals must be served to all children at the same time. Sponsoring agencies serving snacks after school, must serve meals during summer vacation. Applications results are provided within 30 days.

Funding provides reimbursement for meals served to children who are on school vacation in areas where 50 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Camp sites may receive reimbursement for serving meals to children who are income eligible. Non-school agencies may be reimbursed for snacks in afterschool settings. Entities eligible to be a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor include public and private schools; Indian tribal governments; units of local, municipal, or county governments; and other public or private nonprofit agencies.

  


California Consulting is pleased to welcome Francine Castanon as our new Associate 


  F rancine Castanon is an Associate with California Consulting and will be responsible for client relations and business development in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. 

Francine is a U.S. Army combat veteran and holds a B.A. from Cal State Northridge. Francine is currently finishing her Masters Degree in public finance. 

She has experience working for State Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma and currently serves on the City of Oxnard Homeless Commission as a Commissioner. California Consulting is proud to welcome Francine to our team.

Welcome, New Clients!
              
             
   
California Consulting welcomes the City of Perris, City of Tustin, City of Port Hueneme, and  Mercy Crusade Spay, Neuter & Wellness Clinic  as our newest clients. We look forward to working with you strategically to meet the needs of your communities.


Thank you for your renewal!

  
   
California Consulting is delighted that City of Carson has  renewed their contract. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services!



Municipal Grant Opportunities: 

Education Grant Opportunities: 


ON THE GO



5/25/17-California Consulting Associate, Maryann Marino with Assemblymenber Stephen Choi at an event for the Assemblymember.







5/24/17- California Consulting CEO, Steve Samuelian, co-hosted the Consulate General of Armenia's Business Leadership Roundtable. 





5/17/17- California Consulting Associate, Stephen Sanger, attended the MMANC Region 1 Lunch and Learn at the Santa Clara Community Center 





5/16/17-  California Consulting CEO, Steve Samuelian, attended the BizFed Board Meeting with LA City Controller Ron Galperin and  Los Angeles County Business Federation  CEO  Tracy Rafter  held at NBC Universal.




5/12/17- California Consulting was proud to attend the Association of California Cities, Orange County annual Golden Hub of Innovation Awards lunch in Newport Beach. The luncheon was sold out with over 200 elected and appointed officials from cities all across Orange County. Pictured here are ACCOC Manager Diana Victoria Coronado, California Consulting Senior Associate Maryann Marino, ACCOC CEO Heather Stratman, and California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian. California Consulting is proud to support the great work of ACCOC and we are proud to provide grant writing services for several cities across Orange County.

5/12/17- California Consulting Associates Christina Gonzalez and Dan Rodriguez presented at the Grant Writing Workshop hosted by Senator Connie Levya and Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes. 



5/12/17 -  Assemblyman  Matthew Harper , California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian, and Assemblyman  Steven Choi  at a reception honoring Assemblyman Choi in Irvine. California Consulting is proud to provide grant writing services for several public agencies throughout Orange County.



5/11/17 - California Consulting Associate Amiee Alden attended the 2017 Women's Leadership Summit for the Municipal Managers Association of Northern California.








5/8/17- California Consulting CEO, Steve Samuelian, attended the ACSA Region 17 annual awards dinner held in Irvine, CA. The event recognized 20+ Orange County teachers and administrators for their outstanding dedication to students. The dinner was a full house of 400+ education leaders from throughout the Orange County region. California Consulting is proud to provide grant writing services for school districts all over the State and we are very proud of our continued work for many agencies in Orange County.

5/8/17- California Conulting Associate, Holly Choon Hyang Bachman, attended the League of California Cities Riverside Membership Dinner on May 8, 2017.




5/4/17- California Consulting LLC Associate Matthew Park attended the ACSA Region 11 division membership meeting . The event was attended by school superintendents and administrators from throughout Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties. California Consulting is proud to provide grant writing services for many school districts across the State.


Issue: 18
In This Issue

Team Member Spotlight: Tove Beatty

 
California Consulting is pleased to spotlight Tove Beatty.  Tove  has over 15 years of experience with federal, state, local and foundation grants' proposals, winning and preserving over $100 million in funding to date. She has worked for both nonprofit and governmental agencies on complex portfolios of up to $30 million in capital and operational funding for everything from human services and hospice care to public transportation and urban planning.

Her grants-related skills do not stop at proposals and budgeting, Tove is also a legislative analyst, expert in "reading the tea leaves" of long-term funding trends and strategizing advocacy efforts on behalf of clients.

She has been a nonprofit Executive Director, Assistant Director and Administrative Director and has two decades of grants' budgeting, administration and reporting expertise.

Tove graduated magna cum laude from San Jose State University, is a published author, and more recently served on the American Public Transportation Association's Legislative Committee and TransForm's Steering Committee for their annual urban planning legislative conference.

Most recently, she volunteers at the Oakland Animal Shelter and enjoys working in her garden



Upcoming Grants: 

Municipal Opportunities:

California Water Commission: Proposition 1 Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP)

Deadline: August 14, 2017

Amount:  Varies by project.  $2.7 Billion allocated to WSIP from Proposition 1 bond

Match: TBD

Eligibility: Public agencies and proponents of new water storage projects in California


The California Water Commission announced that starting March 14, 2017, proponents of new water storage projects in California may submit applications for funding of public benefits under the water bond approved by California voters in 2014 through the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). Proposition 1 - the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act - a $7.5 billion water bond for investments in the state's water management systems, includes $2.7 billion for public benefits related to new water storage projects.  Through the WSIP, the Commission will fund the public benefits of water storage projects that improve the operation of the state water system, are cost effective, and provide a net improvement in ecosystem and water quality conditions.  The program will support the California Water Action Plan and its call for more reliable and resilient water resources. The WSIP represents the state's largest investment in new water storage projects in decades.



California Natural Resources Agency: 2016-2017 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) Program

Deadline: June 21, 2017

Amount: Up to $500,000

Match: Matching funds are not required for EEM program grants. However, applications which include other sources of funds for the proposed project will be more competitive.

Eligibility: Any state, local, federal or 501(c)(3) non-profit entity may apply for and receive grants.


The EEM grant program, is funded each fiscal year from the Highway Users Tax Account.  EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities.  Eligible EEM projects must fit one of the following categories:
  1. A.    Urban Forestry projects designed to offset vehicular emissions of carbon dioxide.
  2. B.     Resource Lands projects for the acquisition or enhancement of resource lands to mitigate the loss of, or the detriment to, resource lands lying within or near the right-of-way acquired for transportation improvements.
  3. C.     Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency responsible for assessing the environmental impact of the proposed transportation improvement.




Federal Transit Administration: Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program FY 2017 Notice of Funding

Deadline: June 26, 2017

Amount: Varies.  $55 Million allocated for the entire program in FY 2017

Match: 15% or more of the project costs

Eligibility: Designated recipients of FTA grants, including states, local governmental authorities, and Indian Tribes


The main purpose of the  Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation's transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to State and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.   Eligible projects include projects or programs of projects in an eligible area for:
1)      Purchasing or leasing low or no emission buses;
2)      Acquiring low or no emission buses with a leased power source;
3)      Constructing or leasing facilities and related equipment for low or no emission buses;
4)      Constructing new public transportation facilities to accommodate low or no emission buses;
5)      Rehabilitating or improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate low or no emission buses.




Major League Baseball Foundation: Baseball Tomorrow Fund
Deadline: Quarterly (January 1, April 1, July 1, & October 1)

Amount: $40,000 average award size

Match: 50% or more of total project cost

Eligibility: Tax exempt organizations including municipalities, school districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits


The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball around the world by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, uniforms, and equipment. Grants are intended to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment necessary for youth baseball or softball programs. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund supports projects that meet the following evaluation criteria: increase the number of youth participating in baseball and softball programs; improve the quality of youth baseball and softball programs.
 
 
 


Educational Opportunities:



US Department of Justice: 2017 COPS Hiring Program (CHP)

Deadline: July 10, 2017

Amount: Up to $125,000 per officer position, over the three year (36 month) grant period

Match: 25% or any program costs not covered by the grant award

Eligibility: State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that have primary law enforcement authority

Eligibility Note: School Districts may apply to the CHP Program for School Resource Officers by coordinating with their local law enforcement agency to submit an application.


CHP provides funding to hire and re-hire entry level career law enforcement officers in order to preserve jobs, increase community policing capacities and support crime prevention efforts.  CHP grants may be used to hire new officers, including existing vacancies that are no longer funded in an agency's budget.  The CHP grant will fund the number of officer positions equal to 5% of an agency's actual sworn force strength including up to a maximum of 15 officers for agencies with a service population of less than 1 million; or, up to a maximum of 25 officers for agencies with a service population of over 1 million.  The grant will provide 75 percent of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each newly hired and/or rehired full-time officer, up to $125,000 per officer position, over the three year (36 month) grant period.  Priority focus areas for the hiring of new officers include: (1) Violent Crime; (2) Homeland Security Problems; and (3) Illegal Immigration.





Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grants

Deadline: Quarterly (December 1, 2016; March 2, 2017; June 2, 2017; September 7, 2017; December 1, 2017)

Amount: $15,000 - $25,000

Match: None

Eligibility:  Public Safety Organizations, including fire departments, police departments, military entities, schools, registered non-profits, etc. in communities served by a Firehouse Subs restaurant. 


Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The foundation will fund projects in the following areas: Life-saving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, disaster relief and military support.




CA Office of Public School Construction (OPSC): Facility Hardship Program

Deadline: Continuous

Amount: Estimated $13.7 Million left in program

Eligibility: To be eligible for a facility hardship grant the district must demonstrate that one of two conditions exists: facilities must be repaired/replaced due to an imminent health and safety threat, or existing facilities have been lost to fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster.

The Facility Hardship program assists districts with funding when it has been determined that the district has a critical need for pupil housing because the condition of the facilities, or the lack of facilities, presents an imminent threat to the health and safety of the pupils.  There are two types of Facility Hardship projects based on the Current Replacement Cost, as defined in School Facility Program Regulation Section 1859.2:
  1. Replacement: Cost to mitigate the health and safety threat is greater than 50 percent of the cost of replacement.
  2. Rehabilitation: Cost to mitigate the health and safety threat is less than 50 percent of the cost of replacement.




California Department of Education (CDE): 2016-2017 School Nutrition Programs (Apportionment)

Deadline: Applications or other data may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017)
Amount: Allocation.  Agencies are reimbursed for the number and types of meals or pints of milk served, per the student's household eligibility for free, reduced-price, or paid meals or milk. There is $2,093,630,000 in federal funds and $156,705,000 in state funds available.

Match: None

Eligible Applicants: Local educational agencies
Required Eligibility Criteria: Public and private nonprofit schools (including public charter schools) are eligible to participate. Also eligible are public and private, nonprofit licensed residential child care institutions (e.g., group homes, juvenile halls, orphanages).  Residential child care institutions and all for-profit schools and agencies are not eligible for the Seamless Summer Feeding Option or the State Meal Program. No for-profit schools or agencies are eligible for federal or California state School Nutrition Programs funding.


Funding supports five school meal and milk programs to assist schools, districts, and other nonprofit agencies in providing nutritious meals and milk to children at reasonable prices or free to qualified applicants. The five programs are the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Feeding Option (SSFO), Special Milk Program (SMP),  and State Meal Program (STMP).




 

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