Dear Colleagues,
 
Lisa Grost offered some recent feedback from the MDCH grant review team to help increase our chances for funding next year.  She shared areas of concern where more info might be helpful.  Her Grant Review Team would like more information/justification about:
 
- Why we've chosen the projects we have.  If we haven't already done so, she suggests that we describe how the PAC, the Eco-Map, and/or the community agenda supports the project. (see below for more info on these items).
 
Action steps for 2006-2007.  These forms will be used for reporting next year and more detail is needed on some of the projects.  Again, if you haven't listed listed major action steps for the specific project(s) you intend to complete or help with in 2007, please do so. 
 
- Evaluation.  How will the project/progress will be evaluated?  I.e.: #'s served, units delivered, milestones achieved, etc.
 
- How Tobacco-related initiatives might be included in our projects (i.e. no smoking at farmers markets, in the Garden House, and/or in our other outreach initiatives.
 
- How current programs will expand -- in scope and/or into other areas of the community/region.  If existing or new low-income neighborhoods will be served, these should be noted, due to the grant-funding requirements (some is targeted for just low-income neighborhoods).  This should also include how we plan to engage other coalitions. 
 
- There is some concern that amounts of support for certain projects are staying the same, increasing, and/or a little high.  This trend could indicate a growing dependence on MDCH, vs. the other direction that they encourage -- sustainability and more community support.  Smart Commute week was mentioned.  It sounded like the Grant Review team wants more justification and/or we might want to shift some of the project request into other projects... This also seemed true for the Hunter Park Initiatives, the Bike Safety and Repair, and the Triathlon. 
 
Lisa:  Did I capture your grant review team's concerns adequately?
 
MOCTH Team:  Please send any comments, additions, questions, etc. by Tuesday at noonish if possible.  I'll work with Janine to respond to Lisa's requests but any additional input from you is welcome and might make the difference on our proposal. 
 
Janine:  Could you send out the final versions of the ACTION Reports to everyone on Tues morning (or sooner, if you have them)? 
 
Everyone:  Any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcome. 
 
Here's a summary of this long-winded message:
 
For projects with less detail, we need:
1) more clarification of why (including PAC, Eco-Map, Summit Priority/community need, etc)*
2) major action steps
3) how the project might be different, expanded, evaluated, and/or include Tobacco Cessation
 
Sorry to bother you over the weekend, but I wanted to give you as much time as I could to think about and respond to Lisa's request/offer.
 
LeRoy
 
PS  Here are some helpful links:
PAC: See http://www.re-news.net/update/year3/PACsummary9-2.htm 
Eco-Map:  See Aug 22 update at www.re-news.net/update
Summit Reports:  See http://www.re-news.net/update/year3/planA.htm