WRITTEN PROPOSAL

Grant Proposal Project

Christi Martzall

Dr. Bo Chang, Ph.D.

EDST 697: The Grant Process and Research

April 2020

Proposal Summary

Every day in Delaware County, Indiana, criminal offenders are released on probation and placed back into our community. These individuals and their probation officers face unique challenges overlooked by society even though criminal probation results have a direct effect on positive outcomes in our community. Because this social issue requires specific community support, we are excited to present this innovative proposal for the We Care Backpack Program to Walmart Local Community Grants as the final funding source.

The We Care Backpack Program will provide a social hand-up to former offenders, reduce community harm and probation officer stress, as well as improve the Delaware County Probation Department's (DCPD) reporting rate within (6) months of being awarded the final funds requested herein.

The We Care Backpack Program will initially advance the best interests of our community in two ways: 1) by providing new probationer's with identified needs in the form of an adult backpack containing basic hygiene items, personal care needs, organizational tools, a food gift card, a Community Resource Guide and a 30-day public transportation pass; and 2) by securing professional staff training in harm reduction techniques specifically for probation officers for the DCPD in Muncie, Indiana.

According to the DCPD, the number one reason ex-offenders return to incarceration is because they are unable to get transportation to the DCPD office in downtown Muncie. The second most common problem reported is a need for basic hygiene/personal items essential for DCPD probation client's to be successful in community and employment settings.

The We Care Backpack Program has already secured community investors in local dentist, Leland Wilhoite (Walmart adult backpacks), the Dollar Store in nearby community Yorktown (organizational tools), Muncie-owned Bee Clean Laundromat (personal care needs), a DCPD in-kind donation (27-page Community Resource Guides), and $10 Subway gift cards from long-time Muncie accountants, Estep-Doctor, Inc. In total, the We Care Backpack Program has investors available for 40% of the initial total start-up costs of $2,439.25.

However, in order to implement this vital community program, we ask Walmart Local Community Grants to contribute $1,484.00 for the remaining costs needed to train the DCPD probation officers and to purchase the 30-day public transportation passes.

As a recognized government entity, the DCPD's mission is to provide all necessary services to their clients including a fundamental knowledge of human services available. This makes the DCPD the perfect organization to pilot the We Care Backpack Program.

DCPD will track client success and report the correlation data of their clients who received a We Care Backpack to those DCPD clients who did not receive a We Care Backpack.

The We Care Backpack Program is needed in Muncie, not only in order to reduce harm in our community and increase criminal probationary success, but also to improve the effectiveness of adult probation officers at DCPD and provide future funding opportunities that will offer more permanent solutions for our communities' most common social issues.

Finally, success as a result of the We Care Backpack Program will increase vital underlying support down the road. One potential future funding source, for example, is Uber. Currently, Uber and Goodwill are working together in several major metropolitan US cities to provide free Uber transportation to people with addiction issues, medical appointments and who are summoned for jury duty. Also, Uber not only employs people with a previous criminal history, they are a major national advocate for hiring felons and giving them a second chance. Therefore, once success is proven through the We Care Backpack Program, it would be logical for Uber to look to Muncie, Indiana, as a test area to expand their philanthropic ride-share programs to include communities of all sizes and ex-offenders.

Again, we are eager to present this proposal for the We Care Backpack Program to the Walmart Local Community Grant Program to increase the overall success rate, self-confidence and motivation of both DCPD staff, their clients and our community.

Proposal

The number one reason in Muncie, Indiana, ex-offenders return to jail or prison after release from incarceration is failure to report to their probation officer as required. This is according to Jeff Hansard, Chief Adult Probation Office of the Delaware County Probation Department (DCPD). Specifically, lack of transportation to the DCPD is the leading cause for probation revocation within the City of Muncie in Delaware County, Indiana.

Throughout the United States, successful completion of criminal probation significantly reduces community harm; therefore, it is imperative that the We Care Backpack Program outlined in this proposal be supported and fully funded. As it happens, several community partners and local business have already committed financial and in-kind support of this application. However, implementation of this innovative program will not be possible without final funding from Walmart Local Community Grants (LCG).

As most people know, failure to attend a probation meeting end in one of two outcomes: either a Failure to Appear (FTA) is entered and a warrant for arrest, and/or they will be taken into custody immediately when they eventually report to DCPD. Not only do both outcomes put additional stressors on the PO and the Client but missed PO-Client appointments further clog the already strained judicial system. Finally, missed Client appointments prevent the PO from providing important referrals to services and supports necessary for Client success. The We Care Backpack Program is one solution that will diminish problems facing both DCPD POs and their Clients by providing necessary initial support services.

Walmart LCG's will recognize the value of this grant application as the goals, objectives and activities detailed below demonstrate solid strategies that will yield positive results and ultimately secure future funding to provide a more permanent solution to the transportation problem of DCPD Clients.

The We Care Backpack Program proposal requests funds from Walmart LCG's in order to:

Purchase (25) 30-day public transportation passes from MITS (Muncie Indiana Transportation System); and
Provide funds to train (11) DCPD staff on Motivational Interviewing by The Center for Mindfulness in Public Safety.

By combining training for DCPD staff on motivational interviewing techniques with the distribution of (25) Client We Care Backpacks, the DCPD will increase the attendance rate of probation appointments, thereby reducing community harm and increasing Client success.

Currently, DCPD has two PO's assigned to the (separate) courthouse each day to serve as the DCPD point-of-contact when a judge imposes a probationary sentence. These "Court POs" meet with each new Client to assign their permanent PO and schedule their Intake Appointment at DCPD. The (25) We Care Backpacks will be distributed by the Client's permanent PO at the DCPD Intake Appointment.

To further enhance Client success, dignity and improve the PO-Client relationship, each backpack will include hygiene items, a food gift card, a felon-friendly employers list, organizational tools and a comprehensive list of community resources containing information for local food pantries, mental healthcare access, addiction issues, support groups, etc.

Needs Statement

As the Delaware County Probation Department (DCPD) website states, their mission is "to provide necessary services to the [Client]...[including] fundamental knowledge of human services..." This makes the DCPD the perfect organization to pilot the We Care Backpack Program. Although DCPD are enthusiastic and staff firmly believe this project will help them achieve their overall goal of reducing harm, local, state and federal funding especially do not support pilot programs like this. Also, philanthropic support for this client population, and government entities like DCPD, in general, is historically unpopular. Therefore, seed money to support this important project and prove its capacity to reduce harm in our community is vital for future funding opportunities.

Goal, Objectives and Activities

Goal 1

To increase the attendance rate of clients reporting to DCPD as required within (6) months of implementing the We Care Backpack Program.

Objective 1.1

Provide (1) 30-day MITS bus pass to (25) new DCPD clients at a value of $18.00 each.

Activity 1.1

Use this Proposal to apply to the Local Walmart Community Grant Program to fund this objective.

Goal 2

Reduce the recidivism rate and increase dignity of adult probation clients released from incarceration in Muncie by providing supportive services.

Objective 2.1

Provide DCPD with (25) new adult backpacks filled with tools for mutual success.

Activity 2.1

Secure letters of commitment from Wilhoite Dental, Subway, Bee Clean Laundromat the Yorktown Dollar Store confirming they support and will provide funds as detailed above upon notice of approved final funding needed for this proposal.

Activity 2.2

Obtain copy of the Community Resource Guide and secure letter of commitment from DCPD stating they will cover the cost of printing (25) community resource guides for the backpacks upon successful funding of the MITS bus passes.

Activity 2.3

Obtain copy of felon friendly employers in our areas from Region 6 WorkOne Office.

Goal 3

To increase the effectiveness and success rate of the DCPD adult probation officers.

Objective 3.1

Provide each of the (11) DCPD PO's with We Care Backpacks in order to create a more optimistic client-PO relationship.

Activity 3.1

Schedule meeting with DCPD so that the Chief Probation Officer, Jeff Hansard, and I can explain the We Care Backpack Program, expected outcomes and opportunities for future funding and the timeline of this project.

Activity 3.2

Schedule dates for the Center for Mindfulness in Public Safety to provide DCPD professional training on Motivational Interviewing.

Evaluation Plan

The three goals necessary to implement this program are achievable, specific, timely, include appropriate activities and measurable outcomes during 2020:

Increase the attendance rate of clients successfully reporting to DCPD within (6) months of implementing the We Care Backpack Program.
Reduce the recidivism rate and increase dignity of adult probation clients released from incarceration in Muncie by providing supportive services.
Increase the effectiveness of the DCPD.

Although this is a small, pilot project the final evaluation of the We Care Backpack Program will show an increase in reporting rates for DCPD's Muncie Clients who receive a We Care Backpack versus those who are not afforded one. This is important for future funding opportunities. By providing additional supportive services at the initial PO-Client meeting, especially the 30-day free public transportation pass, the PO enhances the probability of a successful PO-Client relationship. This will reduce professional stress on the PO and increase Client success.

DCPD POs will measure Client success at the end of the six-month period following receipt of the grant funds. POs will track Client success and report the correlation data of their Clients who received a We Care Backpack to those DCPD Clients who did not receive a We Care Backpack.

Sustainability Plan

Any success reported as a result of the We Care Backpack Program (increased Client attendance, increased PO efficacy, decrease in court backlog) will ensure underlying support in the future. One potential future funding source, for example, is Uber. Currently, Uber and Goodwill are working together in several major metropolitan US cities to provide free Uber transportation to people with addiction issues, medical appointments and who are summoned for jury duty. Additionally, Uber not only employs people with a previous criminal history, they are a major national advocate for hiring felons and giving them a second chance. Therefore, it would be logical for Uber to expand their philanthropic ride-share programs to also include ex-offenders.

Success of the We Care Backpack Program will demonstrate to Uber, as well as other major corporations and community funders, that providing free or low-cost transportation to the DCPD not only benefits our community-at-large, but also positions Muncie as a leader in the state for successfully addressing the serious lack of transportation and human service needs of those re-entering our communities after release from incarceration.

Budget and Budget Narrative

Expenses

Cost Each

# Needed

Line Item Total

Invested Community Partner

30-Day MITS Bus Pass (Attachment A)

$18.00

$450.00

Walmart Local Community Grant

APPA Relias Academy Training for DCPD staff (Attachment B)

$94.00

$1,034.00

Walmart Local Community Grant

Walmart Adult Backpack Item # 574477561 (Attachment C)

$4.50

$121.00

Wilhoite Dental

Printing of Community Resource Guide

$6.50

$162.50

In-kind donation from DCPD

Personal Care Items

$15.00

$375.00

Bee Clean Laundromat

Subway Gift Card

$10.00

$250.00

Estep, Doctor (dba Subway, Inc.)

Folder/Notebook/Pen (Attachment D)

$1.87

$46.75

Yorktown Dollar Store

TOTAL PROJECT COST

$2,439.25

$1,484.00

TOTAL REQUESTED FROM WALMART COMMUNITY GRANT FOUNDATION

The DCPD is thankful for the opportunity to request the final funding necessary for the We Care Backpack Program from the Walmart Local Community Grant (LCG) Program. The We Care Backpack Program is needed in Muncie, not only in order to reduce harm in the community and increase criminal probationary success, but also to improve the effectiveness of adult probation officers at DCPD and provide future funding opportunities for other innovative programs that will offer more permanent solutions to the most common PO-Client problems.

Attachments A and B document funds required from the Walmart LCG Program to implement this mission by providing funds for the two final items needed for this innovative proposal: (25) 30-day MITS bus passes and training for (11) DCPD staff from Relias Academy on applying successful harm reduction techniques to their Client interviewing skills.

Attachment C shows the backpack(s) that will be purchased from Muncie Walmart with funds donated by Wilhoite Dental. Attachment D lists organizational items to be included in each backpack from the Yorktown Dollar Store. Also, a "Community Resource Guide" (27-pages/each) will be printed and provided for each backpack by the grantee, DCPD. Finally, Bee Clean Laundromat has committed to funding personal care items for each backpack. Personal care items will also be purchased from Muncie Walmart and will include (1) of each of the following: body soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, lotion, hairbrush and laundry detergent. All items purchased will be gender neutral.

Attachment A

MITS 30-Day Bus Pass

As of March 10, 2020, the Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) charges $18.00 for 30 Day Pass.

Although it was requested that MITS add the citizens served by this proposal to their ½ price list, MITS declined to include DCPD Client's at this time.

Attachment B

DCPD Harm Reduction Training by APPA Relias Academy

American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Relias Academy is a comprehensive Continuing Education solution for community corrections professionals and their small organizations of under 15 users. Relias Learning is the leading online training provider for Corrections and Public Safety, which includes community corrections. It is Relias Learning's mission to help their customers achieve the highest quality practice and accreditation standards with online learning and compliance programs.

The APPA is an international association composed of members from the United States, Canada and other countries actively involved with pretrial, probation, parole and community-based corrections, in both criminal and juvenile justice arenas. All levels of government including federal, state/provincial, local and tribal agencies are counted among its constituents. A key component of APPA's mission is to meet the professional development needs of the community corrections professionals with quality and affordable training. In partnership with Relias Learning and through various federally and privately funded initiatives, APPA is able to provide online training solutions on the APPA Relias Academy site and via Relias Learning's Learning Management Systems solutions for individuals and agencies.

APPA/Relias DCPD Training: Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Risk

Reduction

This 10.5 contact hour training package is accredited by the American Probation and

Parole Association and includes the following courses:

• Using Assessment Tools: Learn how assessment tools can be used to enhance the decision-making process and guide the development of more effective community supervision

practices and treatment plans for individuals under supervision.

• Understanding Responsivity: Learn about specific and general responsivity factors and how to consider these factors when assigning individuals under supervision to services and programs.

• Facilitating Offender Success with Effective Case Planning: Learn about criminogenic needs found in evidence-based practices literature that are shown to be associated with an individual's delinquent or criminal behavior. Learn how to target interventions to address these needs and develop case plans to assist individuals under supervision change their behavior and achieve their supervision goals.

Attachment C

Eastport Backpacks to be purchased from Muncie Walmart by Wilhoite Dental

Attachment D

Folder, notebook and pen to be provided by Yorktown Dollar Store

Attachment E

Delaware County Adult Probation Department

Attachment F

Resume of Grant Writer

MARTZALL, Christina R.

2411 S. West St., Yorktown, Indiana 47396 • crmartzall@bsu.edu • (765) 716-4441

EDUCATION Adult and Community Education, M.A. (2021)

Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Legal Administration, B.S. (1990)

Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Leadership Jackson County, Graduate (1996)

Seymour Indiana

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL MANAGER, eKeeper Systems, Inc. 2015-2020

EXPERIENCE Yorktown, Indiana (2015-2020)

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, State of Indiana 2010-2015

Muncie, Indiana

PARALEGAL, Brooke & Mawhor, LLC. 2008-2010

Muncie, Indiana

SOCIAL WORKER, Salvation Army 2003-2008

Muncie, Indiana

GRANTS AWARDED Walmart Local Community Grant, Columbus, Indiana

($5,000 for local employment support) 2001

Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority

($50,000 for senior housing study) 1999

References

Hansard, J., Delaware Supervisor, County Adult Probation Department, telephone call

1/15/2020.

Karsh, E., & Fox, A. (2020). THE ONLY GRANT-WRITING BOOK YOU'LL EVER NEED.

O'Neal-McElrath, T, & Kantner, L, & English, L. (2019), WINNING GRANTS STEP

BY STEP.

DELAWARE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT WEBSITE. Online. Obtained January

22, 2020.

TREATMENT INDIANA BLOG. Indiana Jail Program Helps Inmates Recover (2019). Indiana

Center for Recovery (publisher). Obtained January 22, 2020. https://www.treatmentindiana.com/blog/38 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

OPENING THE MANAGER'S DOOR: STATE PROBATION OFFICER STRESS AND

PERCEPTIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN WORKPLACE DECISION-MAKING

(2003). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249718646_ (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/munciecityindiana (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

https://mindfulcorrections.org/?s=how+much+is+training (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

https://help.uber.com/riders/article/sponsorships-and-partnerships?nodeId=7fcdcbcb-a498-43d4-9698-e3295339e024 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

https://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Uber-Pilots-Free-Rides-for-Local-Michigan-Jurors.html (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

https://www.in.gov/fssa/files/Muncie%20Area%20Office%20Resource%20Guide.pdf

https://www.mitsbus.org/mits-bus/bus-fares/ (Links to an external site.)