Innovative Supports for Black ParentsCall for Applications

Ontario Black Youth Action Plan

This is an invitation to prospective applicants to submit applications for funding under the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan for programs and ideas that provide Innovative Supports for Black Parents. This application package is issued by Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Children and Youth Services (the ministry).

ContentsInnovative Supports for Black Parents Call for Applications01.Program Guidelines11.1Background11.2Initiative Overview21.3Initiative Guiding Principles31.4Program Requirements and Activities41.5 Program Outcomes71.6 Funding91.7 Eligibility102Application Process112.1 Submitting an Application112.2 Co-Design / Information Session112.3 Application Questions112.4 Selection of Initiatives112.5 Important Notes for Applicants14Appendix A: Collective Impact and Cultural Identity (CI2) Approach15Appendix B: Application Template16Proposed Budget20Appendix C: Child and Youth Development Resources*22Appendix D: Application Checklist23

1. Program Guidelines1.1 Background

Ontario Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP)

Ontario released the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) in March 2017 with the goal of reducing disparities for Black children, youth and families. The BYAP is a four-year, $47 million commitment that, when fully implemented, will support 10,800 Black children, youth and their families annually.

The BYAP will increase access to supports and opportunities for Black children, youth and their families[footnoteRef:2] in Ontario across life stages, from early childhood to the transition to school and / or work. New investments will only be available in communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ottawa and Windsor. [2: The Ontario Black Youth Action Plan uses the definition of Black in its most inclusive sense to reflect the diverse ancestry, origins and ethnic identities of individuals of African and Caribbean descent. The term is based on self-identification, is not mutually exclusive and is used by Statistics Canada.]

All BYAP initiatives have been developed with input from the External Implementation Steering Committee and feedback from community engagement sessions. The External Implementation Steering Committee is made up of Black community leaders, organizations and youth working together to inform the design and implementation of BYAP initiatives and ensure the Plan is responsive to the needs of Ontarios Black children, youth and families. More information on EISC can be found here.

Initiatives under the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan will be delivered using the Collective Impact and Cultural Identity (CI2) Approach. To learn more about the CI2 Approach please see Appendix A.

Innovative Supports for Black Parents Initiative

Research demonstrates that culturally relevant and responsive parenting supports can lead to positive outcomes for children as well as parent(s) / caregivers. In particular, parenting supports that are culturally relevant have been found to promote resilience for parents / caregivers and children and reduce early development of child anti-social behaviours (e.g. acting out at school or at home).[footnoteRef:3] Research has also identified a need for spaces for Black families to gather and access culturally relevant information and supports, with a focus on developing healthy relationships, parenting and problem solving skills within families.[footnoteRef:4] [3: Coard, S.I., Foy-Watson, S., Zimmer, C., Wallace, A. (2007). Considering Culturally Relevant Parenting Practices in Intervention Development and Adaptation: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Black Parenting Strengths and Strategies (BPSS) Program. The Counseling Psychologist, 35, 797-820.] [4: McCready, L., James, C., Chavannes, V., Foster, N., Tewelde, Y., Kellen, A., Hay, B., Eugene, C. (2013). Gathering our Voices: The Lived Experiences of Black Fathers in the City of Toronto. The Black Daddies Club.]

Culturally relevant supports are rooted in cultural identity, which is the identity or feeling of belonging to a group. It is part of a persons self-conception / self-perception and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation (i.e. age), locality or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture. Cultural identity is an important promotive factor in the context of normative development and a protective factor against the harmful effects of Anti-Black Racism.

Culturally relevant and responsive supports move beyond surface modifications (e.g. language, racial makeup of frontline staff, visuals used in programming) and include:[footnoteRef:5] [5: Coard S.I., Herring M.H., Watkins M.H., Foy-Watson S.A., McCoy S.Z. (2013). Black Parents Strengths and Strategies (BPSS) Program: A Cultural Adaptation of the Strong-Willed Child Program. In: Clauss-Ehlers C., Serpell Z., Weist M. (eds) Handbook of Culturally Responsive School Mental Health. Springer, New York, NY.]

Recognizing culture as a strength and protective factor; and

Addressing deeper issues of cultural traditions and perspectives on parenting and child rearing.

1.2 Initiative Overview

Within the BYAP, the Innovative Supports for Black Parents Initiative will fund selected applicants to develop and implement community-based, culturally relevant and responsive supports for Black parents (and / or Black caregivers of Black children, which could include grandparents, older siblings, aunts / uncles, etc.) and families using a CI2 approach. The goal of the initiative is to improve parenting skills for Black parents / caregivers and improve outcomes for Black children and youth and their families.

Funding is available through two streams:

1) Program Stream This stream provides funding for grassroots groups / collaboratives / local organizations to design, implement and evaluate a new or existing innovative culturally-relevant Black parenting program and/or idea in their community. This may include virtual / mobile parenting supports provided outside of permanent physical program sites (e.g. through an online service).

2) Centre Stream This stream provides an opportunity for community-based groups / organizations and collaboratives to design, implement and evaluate a culturally focussed centre-based model to deliver Black parenting programs and other relevant family programs / services at a permanent physical program site.

1.3 Initiative Guiding Principles

The development, implementation and evaluation of culturally relevant and innovative supports for Black parents under the two funding streams will be guided by the following principles, which also align with the CI2 Approach (see Appendix A for more details):

Cultural Identity Focussed

Services are consciously designed and delivered using inclusive practices and adaptations that reflect promotive and protective factors related to the concept of identity. As a result, programming meets the unique strengths, needs, interests and abilities of Black parents / caregivers and children to support their childs holistic development (social, emotional, physical, cognitive, communication), belonging, community engagement, self-expression and well-being.

Culturally Welcoming

Black children and parents / caregivers feel welcome in the environment (in-person or online) where they participate in services. The environment is reflective of the diversity and cultures of Black parents / caregivers and children. Families are viewed as capable and experts on their own strengths, needs, abilities and experiences.

Inclusive of Intersectionalities

Services are accessible and responsive to Black parents / caregivers and children with varying abilities and cultural, language, socio-economic, sexual orientation and religious backgrounds or identities.

Program-Specific Common Agenda

Programs / services aim to address outcome disparities for Black children and youth in areas such as wellbeing, education, interactions with the justice system and employment. There is a plan to actively and regularly share best practices and learnings.

High Quality and Evidence-Informed

High quality services are informed by the latest or emerging evidence and research, and designed to foster positive outcomes for Black parents / caregivers and children. Programs develop, collect, share and analyze data to measure progress and drive collective decision-making towards advancing and achieving the common agenda.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Programs and services are coordinated and delivered in the local community in collaboration with multiple sectors / partners where appropriate and beneficial, including broader community agencies and service providers, school boards, early years partners, public health, primary care providers, Black parents and caregivers.

Community / Family EmpoweredThe voices of members of the Black community, including Black parents / caregivers and children are prioritized in the design, delivery and evaluation of services that embrace and build on their strengths, address identified gaps and meet their unique needs. Their voices are prioritized when program decisions are made and programming aims to empower them to take action on their own behalf.

1.4 Program Requirements and Activities

Culturally relevant and responsive parenting supports funded under these two streams will be flexible and tailored to the specific needs of local Black communities. Parenting supports should be developed and implemented in partnership with other groups and / or organizations, must be developed and implemented using the CI2 approach, and should fall unde