IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT APPLYING FOR A YCC GRANT, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE TO COMPLETE THE ON-LINE APPLICATION.
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, PARTNERS ARE REQURED TO SIGN A CERTIFICATION STATEMENT FORM.
AN APPLICATION MAY ONLY BE PRINTED ONCE IT IS FINALIZED AND SUBMITTED TO YCC. THE FORM CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED WHEN THE FINAL, SUBMITTED APPLICATION IS PRINTED!
9-5B-2. Purpose The purpose of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act [9-5B-1 to 9-5B-11 NMSA 1978] is to provide a process to employ young persons in public projects that conserve New Mexico's natural resources and provide community benefits of lasting value. New Mexico will benefit by having its natural and urban environments improved and enhanced and its youth instilled with an appreciation of natural resources, cooperation, hard work and accomplishment.
History: Laws 1992, ch. 91, § 2. Effective dates. - Laws 1992, ch. 91 contains no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, is effective on May 20, 1992.
New Mexico’s Youth Conservation Corps
YCC Commission Members:
•Marlene Nunez, Public Member •Charles Anderson, Public Member •Dr. Stewart Farley, Public Member •Vincent Maria, Public Member •Nicholas Seibel, Public Member •Veronica Garcia, Secretary Public Education Department Designee: Eric Spencer •Patrick H. Lyons, Commissioner of Public Lands Designee: Dana Vackar Strang •Joanna Prukup, Secretary Energy Minerals & Natural Resources Department Designee: Arthur “Butch” Blazer •Dorian Dodson, Secretary Children Youth & Families Department Designee: William Cordova
YCC Staff:
Wendy Kent, Executive Director Darlene Valdez, Coordinator Rosie Martinez, Executive Assistant
CONTACT INFORMATION www.emnrd.state.nm.us/YCC
Youth Conservation Corps 141 East DeVargas Santa Fe, NM 87501 Fax: 505-827-1439 Wendy Kent, Executive Director Phone: 505-827-1437 Email: wendy.kent@state.nm.us Darlene Valdez, Coordinator Phone: 505-827-1438 Email: darlene.j.valdez@state.nm.us Rosie Martinez, Executive Assistant Phone: 505-827-1440 Email: rosie.martinez@state.nm.us We are here to help you so feel free to call or email us. We can give advice and opinions but will not review your application before it is submitted.
Vision A community where Youth Conservation Corps members contribute to the quality of life for all people of New Mexico. Mission Promote the education, success and well-being of the youth of our communities through the conservation and enhancement of New Mexico’s natural resources that contributes to lasting community benefits. Goals Together we strive for . . . healthy natural resources and lasting community benefits instilling values of hard work and accomplishments promotion of education and training Values We strive to be . . . responsible stewards of the state's resources positive role models for New Mexico's youth
YCC’s Connection to the CCC
The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), created under President Roosevelt, hired 2.3 million men to build roads, dams and state parks across the United States in the 1930’s. These men were between the ages of 18-25 and usually unemployed due to the Depression. In New Mexico, nearly 100 camps and 55,000 young men served in the CCC. More than 30,000 were New Mexico residents. These men earned $30 a month plus a cot in a tent and regular meals. Under the supervision of the Army, the men built roads, cleared pastures, erected fence, constructed water tanks, planted trees, built recreational facilities, and battled erosion. Many of these structures still stand today! In 1992 the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a youth conservation group patterned after the CCC was founded. Past Commission member, Vicente Ximenes was a co-founder of YCC and past member of the CCC in New Mexico.
9-5B-4. Project objectives. Corps members shall generally be involved in projects in New Mexico that: A. preserve, maintain and enhance natural resources; B. rehabilitate and improve cultural, historical and agricultural resources; C. benefit recreational areas and parks by improving their use and access; D. assist in emergency operations, including fires, floods and rescue of lost or injured persons; E. beautify, improve and restore urban areas; and F. renovate community facilities, including those for the elderly or indigent.
History: Laws 1992, ch. 91, § 4. Effective dates. - Laws 1992, ch. 91 contains no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, is effective on May 20, 1992.
Application Content
9-5B-7. Application for project approval; considerations for approval. A. Sponsors shall apply to the commission for project approval. B. A sponsor's application shall include: (1) a comprehensive work plan; (2) a complete project cost estimate; (3) the number of corps members required; and (4) the estimated time necessary to complete the project. C. The commission shall examine the following in considering a project for approval or rejection: (1) the opportunities the project provides in the development of skills, discipline and good work habits;
(2) the degree of difficulty in carrying out the project; (3) the project's compliance with conservation and community service objectives, as set forth in Section 4 [9-5B-4 NMSA 1978] of the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act; (4) the sponsor's ability to contribute the necessary financial and human resources to the project; and (5) the project's compatibility with concurrent corps projects, including the availability of the required corps work force. D. A project shall not be approved if its implementation would result in the displacement of currently employed workers, including a partial displacement, such as reduction in hours or benefits. Participating sponsors shall not terminate, lay off or reduce the working hours of any employee in order to use a corps member to perform the employee's duties.
9-5B-3. Definitions. As used in the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Act [9-5B-1 to 9-5B-11 NMSA 1978]: A. "commission" means the New Mexico youth conservation corps commission; B. "corps" means the New Mexico youth conservation corps; C. "corps member" means a person enrolled in the corps; D. "department" means the energy, minerals and natural resources department; E. "nonprofit organization" means any organization that has been granted an exemption from federal income tax by the United States commissioner of internal revenue as an organization described in Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or renumbered;
Important Definitions
F. "project" means an activity that can be completed in six months or less, results in a specific identifiable service or product that otherwise would not be accomplished with existing funds and does not duplicate the routine services or functions of the sponsor; G. "resident" means an individual who has resided in New Mexico for at least six months before applying for employment with the corps; and H. "sponsor" means any local unit of government, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization or federally recognized Native American tribe.
The following slides illustrate;
•Who can sponsor a YCC project; •What types of projects; and •Where they can be located.
Who; Hands Across Cultures (non-profit), What; River restoration, riparian improvements Where; San Juan Pueblo
Who; Farmington Municipal Schools (local government) What; Thinning, Dead and Down Removal, Landscaping Where; City of Farmington Riverside Park
Who; Pueblo of Zuni (tribal entity) What; Non-Native Species Removal also considered water conservation Where; Pueblo of Zuni
Who; Southwest Environmental Center (non-profit) What; Bird Blind Built of Straw Bales Where; New Mexico State Park (Now Mesilla Valley State Park)
Who; Espanola Public Schools (local government); What; Portal Construction, Erosion Control, Landscaping Who; Espanola Public Schools
Who; Jemez State Monument (state agency), What; Adobe wall restoration. Where; Jemez State Monument
Who; City of Albuquerque (local government) then Harwood Art Center (non-profit); What; Design, creation and installation of a tile mosaic Where; Albuquerque Convention Center.
Request for Proposal and YCC Grant Application May be found on the YCC Website:
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/YCC
Things to Consider Before Applying for a YCC Grant
Does the Organization support the Project? YCC is a reimbursable program. If the Organization is awarded a YCC grant, then the Organization will be expected to implement the YCC project as described in the application. The grant funds may only be used as outlined in the budget submitted in the application.
•Who is going to write the grant? •If it is someone outside your organization, have you spoken to the person about what your goals and objectives are? •Does the grant writer, property owner, and Project Sponsor all have the same understanding as to what is going to be accomplished? Has the grant writer and Project Sponsor actually visited the site of the proposed project? Have you spoke to the people “on the ground” to get their input? What is the long range plan for the property?
•If you expect someone or a department in your organization
to work with the Corps members, how do they feel about it? Are you FORCING them to do it? How resentful are they?
•
Have you identified a Project Coordinator? Does the person know he/she is going to be the Project Coordinator? How do they feel about being the Project Coordinator?
• What is the capacity of your organization? YCC is a reimbursable program. • Do you have a cash flow problem? • Can you afford workers compensation? General Liability? • What kind of financial support can you provide to the Project? Have you identified your in-kind contribution?
•What partnerships do you have in place? Can you find other individuals/partners to help support the YCC project? •How many Corps members will it take to complete the project on time? What is a fair wage for the work they will be doing? What or where is the pool of applicants and will there be enough to choose from? •Are you sure the property owners (where the YCC project is taking place) understand how YCC works, is excited about the project and is committed to maintaining the project for years to come? •Is the project you are proposing really of lasting value or is it just maintenance?
•Have you developed a clear and reasonable time frame for the Project? •Do you have a list of other work projects (with tasks identified) in order of priority to be placed in the “Alternative Projects” section of the YCC Application?
•What kind of educational opportunities can you offer the Corps Members? •Have you considered partnering with local school districts and higher educational providers to enable your Corps members to receive credit hours for their participation in the YCC project? Have you spoken to the local Community College? Mesalands Community College may be able to offer classes for college or concurrent credit hours. •What about certifications? Getting licensed? Organizing GED classes? •What life skills trainings can you provide?
What will YCC pay for?
•Wages for Corps members, FICA, Unemployment. The more funds in Corps member wages, the better your chances are of getting a grant. (The YCC Commission requires that 70% of the grant request be in wages. This is the formula- Wages Line Item Budget/Total YCC Grant Budget). •Workers Compensation (the rate is obtained from your insurance company). •Training materials such as books, paper, pens, notebooks, and other items that are related to a classroom setting (we do not pay for computers, printers or any other large item equipment costs).
•GED, credit hours, defensive driving, CRR, first aid, conflict resolution, career counseling, tutoring and other appropriate types training. •Educational trips (within reason and in New Mexico). •Trainers’ Wages (a trainer may a person who is working side by side with the Corps members providing on-the-job training). •Administrative costs associated with the Project (usually no more than 6% of the YCC grant request). •General liability (rate is obtained from your insurance company).
• Supplies related to the YCC project. Examples would be lumber, crusher fines, shovels, hard hats, chainsaws and appropriate safety gear, picnic tables, wheel barrows, drip irrigation, fencing materials, boots, power saws, transportation and other items that are needed to see that the YCC project is completed (we will not reimburse for capital outlay items such as vehicles, sheds, lawn mowers, trash compactors, walkie talkies and other items that are over $500 or could be considered as more valuable to the Project Sponsor’s daily operation than to the completion of the YCC project.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA Mandatory Requirements (failure to meet these
requirements will be considered non-compliance with the RFP; In other words, your application will go in the round file): – The Application budget request shall not be over $150,000.00; – At least 70% of the grant request shall be for wages. (wages line item/total grant request); and – A signed and dated Statement of Assurances.
The YCC Commission shall rate Applications on the following criteria: Applicant Information Page 5 points
The Application information page should be completely and accurately filled out. Attachment 1 (Attach at the end of Application)
501(c)(3) letter (if a non-profit organization) • Campaign Disclosure Form (if a non-profit organization)
•
Work Plan Compliance
and work tasks.
25 points
Detailed work project locations, descriptions
Attachment 2 (Attach at the end of Application) • Resumes • Maps • Design Plans (if applicable) • Easements (if applicable)
Education and Training
• • • •
25 points
-Industry Certification, Credit Hours, Continuing Education Certifications (examples are as follows)
Defensive driving First Aid/CPR Biology/Chemistry (for credit) S-130/190-Fire Fighting (10 points)
-General training (examples are as follows)
• • • • •
Work ethics Job skills Harm reduction classes Conflict resolution Construction skills) (15 points)
Workshop Attendance Past Contract Performance:
• • • •
5 points 15 points
Project/Education Completion Contract Compliance Quality of Reimbursements Communication
Poor(0) Fair (2.5) Good (3.75) Poor(0) Fair (2.5) Good (3.75) Poor(0) Fair (2.5) Good (3.75) Poor(0) Fair (2.5) Good (3.75)
(First time applicants will receive the full 15 points)
Total Points Available: 100