 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Ron Irvine—PortfolioGrant Writing and Funds DevelopmentFeb. 2006
Fundraising training and education: Through the Master of Management program at Aquinas College , took classes related to fundraising in the following classes:
Proposals that are presently being put together and submitted: • Through the Grant Writing Class, has written a proposal that will be submitted to foundations and corporations with Hope Network as the fiduciary in the amount of $70,000.00. • In collaboration with several community organizations, is currently writing a proposal for Workforce Investment Act Youth Employment Funding through ACSET in the amount of $200,000.00. The probable fiduciary will be Wedgwood Christian Services. The collaborative partners are Grand Rapids Community College, Wedgwood Christian Services, Grand Rapids Urban League, Women's Resource Center , and MiConnections (under KISD Transition Services). (update: joined with KISD and were successfully funded with $500,000 to serve 260 youth in poverty where I became a case coordinator in 7 schools)
Funding proposals have been submitted and received from the following sources: • Grand Rapids Community Foundation: $600.00 for a classroom project raising a garden and selling produce. • Cascade Engineering: $1000.00 and $650.00 for summer activities and career exploration • Michigan Association of Centers for Independent Living and the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum: $1000.00 for summer career exploration activities and leadership development • Center for Creative Leadership (MI Disability Resource Center): $8,000.00 for a four week youth leadership development and service project. (update: The Arc stepped up as fiduciary and were funded for two subsequent summers [2006-2007] that I coordinated) • MiConnections project: $7000.00 for youth leadership development, service projects, small business startups, and career exploration. • I was instrumental in bringing the High School / High Tech initiative to Michigan . In Michigan , we decided to call this project, MiConnections. Below is the process I was involved in that ended up with a statewide coordinator, two statewide consultants, minigrant funding for youth activities, and in Kent County , a full time local coordinator position, a collaborative of organizations, and over 60 youth involved. (see below)
Federal Grant Development Process —High School / High Tech
In January 2002, Ron Irvine discovered through research the High School / High Tech grant that addressed many of the urgent needs of Grand Rapids youth with disabilities.
In February 2002, Ron Irvine contacted the US Department of Labor for more information on the High School / High Tech initiative grant. He requested names of interested parties in Michigan . He was given the name of Shannon Berkin, a rehabilitation counselor for the Michigan Commission for the Blind that had worked in Florida 's High School / High Tech program.
In March 2002 , Ron and Shannon talked via phone after several email exchanges. After several follow up contacts, we decided that we didn't have the partners in place at that point to apply for the SGA that had just come out.
Fall 2002, Shannon introduced Ron to Bernie Kramer, her supervisor that had many connections in the high levels of Michigan state government. After several email exchanges, Ron sent a document he generated with ideas for implementing this program in Grand Rapids , potential community partners, and students that might be good candidates.
In January 2003 , a core group from Michigan Rehabilitation Services ( MRS ) and Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) met to discuss the potential for bringing HS/HT to Michigan . The discussion included ideas for funding, location of the project, and possible pilot sites. Grand Rapids and Flint were identified as pilot sites, starting with Grant Rapids.
In February/March 2003, initial meetings were held with staff from Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Kent County Intermediate School District (ISD) to discuss HS/HT and its incorporation into the existing Career Technical Center and Transition Center . Staff viewed this as a tremendous opportunity to address the high dropout rates in Kent County and their desire to increase the number of students with disabilities enrolled in the Tech Center .
In late May 2003, an informational meeting was held in Grand Rapids for interested parties to share the HS/HT model, answer questions, and develop an action plan for funding. Forty people attended, including representatives from the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), Michigan Workforce Development Board, Grand Rapids Public Schools , Kent County ISD, Association for the Blind, Grand Rapids Center for Independent Living, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and Michigan Commission for the Blind. The participants committed to developing HS/HT in Michigan and a project team was formed.
May/June 2003 , information on the HS/HT project was disseminated at meetings across the state to garner support. The SILC and the President of the Michigan Workforce Development Board committed to the project, along with MRS and MCB . Key members of these groups met with the project team to develop an action plan to secure additional commitments from education, business, disability groups, and the Governor's Office.
In June 2003 , members of the project team met with representatives from Grand Rapids Schools, MRS , Michigan Works!, and Office of Workforce Development to discuss links between MI Hi-Tech Connections and their existing transition initiatives. Based on need and the willingness of local stakeholders, Grand Rapids was selected as the first pilot site.
In July 2003, an interagency team submitted the grant proposal to the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy.
From July 2003 to the present , representatives of MRS , MCB , SILC, disability groups and the Workforce Development Board have met with the project team numerous times to develop the MI Hi-Tech Connections model, and to discuss how to implement and sustain a state wide infrastructure to support it. Representatives of these organizations and of other partners, including MDE, will constitute the core membership of the state MI Hi-Tech Connections Steering Council.
In October 2003 , Michigan 's grant proposal was accepted.
In January 2004 , Ron Irvine was selected as the Kent County Coordinator and hired; funded full-time through matching money from the Michigan Department of Education.
In February 2004 , two half-time consultants and an administrative assistant were hired as statewide project staff. The name of the project was changed from MI Hi-Tech Connections to MiConnections.
In March 2004 , a statewide project coordinator was hired.
In August 2004 , MiConnections of Kent County offered its first event; a four-day event for youth and school staff focusing on youth leadership.
Statewide Partners • Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) – fiscal agent • Michigan Commission for the Blind ( MCB ) • MI Dept of Education/Office of Special Ed. & Early Intervention Services • Michigan Works! Association (MWA) • MI Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) • MI Rehabilitation Council (MRC) • MI Commission on Disability Concerns (MCDC) • MI Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) Local Partners • ARC of Kent County • Cascade Engineering • Disability Advocates of Kent County • Goodwill Industries • Grand Rapids Community College —M- TEC • Noto's Fine Italian Dining • VSA ARTS • Michigan Rehabilitation Services • Michigan Commission for the Blind • Association for the Blind • Michigan Works • Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns • Michigan Community Service Commission
|