ced application reviewer training module 1: introduction to ced program and application review june...
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CED Application Reviewer TrainingModule 1: Introduction to CED
Program and Application Review
June 2012
CED Application Reviewer Training
Module Outline
Module 1 includes:– An introduction to the program– Guidelines for application reviews and scoring– An overview of the application process– Tips on writing comments– Info on the application review schedule– Quiz questions to gauge what you’ve learned
CED Application Reviewer Training
The CED Program
Provides technical and financial assistance to activities that contribute to community economic development and revitalization
Support creation of jobs through start-up or expansion of businesses
For 2012, as part of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, special emphasis on efforts to address food deserts in low-income communities
Requirements specified in Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) published on April 6, 2012
CED Application Reviewer Training
FY 2012 CED Awards
FY 2012 funds available for awards $27M Maximum award level: $800,000 Length of Project or Project Period: – 36 months (3 years) for non-construction projects– 60 months (5 years) for construction jobs
CED Application Reviewer Training
Application Review Guidelines
The FOA lists 6 criteria under which each application will be reviewed– Objectives and Need for Assistance– Business Plan– Organizational Capacity– Public Support– Budget and Budget Justification– Bonus Points
CED Application Reviewer Training
Application Review Guidelines (cont.)
Review all information provided, regardless of where in the application it is presented
Applications that meet the requirements of the FOA and present the projects most likely to succeed should be score the highest
Assess whether the application proposes a “well-planned and viable” project and plans seem feasible and mutually reinforcing
CED Application Reviewer Training
Scoring Applications
Scoring done on “extent to which” each criterion is addressed within the application– Use the full range of points as appropriate– Evaluation sub-criteria for a given criterion of the application are
not designed to receive equal weight Written descriptions of strengths and weaknesses, with
application page numbers Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written
comments Panel members must reach consensus Score applications independently; don’t try to produce
“winning” applications
CED Application Reviewer Training
Scoring Applications (cont.)
When scoring applications, do not:– Award a perfect score to an application that has a stated
weakness.– Award a zero score to an application that has a stated
strength.– List weaknesses or strengths that are not part of the
evaluation criteria.– Provide an applicant a score without sufficient evidence-
based comments to justify it– Expect significant scoring differences to be approved.
CED Application Reviewer Training
Application Review Process
Reviewer
Reviewer
Reviewer
Submitted to Chair
Chair
Submitted to PAM
PriorityArea
Manager(PAM)
Approval
Rejected by PAM
Rejected by Chair
CED Application Reviewer Training
The Panel Works as a Team
Panel members are expected to – Fully participate and contribute in order to work towards
completing the review per the OCS schedule– Be prompt and fully prepared for all team scheduled
conference calls– Be available to meet and respond to comments via email as
needed, including on weekends– Maintain objectivity and undertake a thorough,
comprehensive analysis of applications– Fully consider and respect the opinions of others
CED Application Reviewer Training
The Panel Works as a Team
Panel members must:– Develop panel summary reports by consensus– Not consider their work to be complete until the PAM
approves all summaries– Solve problems through good communication– Maintain confidentiality– Ask for assistance from OCS, Team WilDon, and OGM
when needed
CED Application Reviewer Training
Reviewers’ Written Comments
When reviewing and scoring applications you must provide written comments in the ARM system
Comments justify the scores assigned to each application review criterion
Comments should:– Be detailed enough to summarize the main points of the
application being reviewed– Note each application's strengths and weakness– Not include a mix of strengths and weaknesses
CED Application Reviewer Training
Reviewers’ Written Comments
Comments must: – Be constructive, objective, and factual– Include application page numbers where you found
the information referenced in your comments– Be complete sentences with proper grammar
PAMs may reject unacceptable comments
CED Application Reviewer Training
Reviewers’ Written Comments
A comment is unacceptable if it:– Reflects generic, non-substantive opinions
• There is no way this organization can do this project.– Does not provide the basis for a conclusion
• The applicant identifies results and benefits.– Repeats the criteria without providing evidence
• The applicant’s service area has high unemployment.
CED Application Reviewer Training
Reviewers’ Written Comments
A comment is acceptable if it:– Draws from the evaluation sub-criterion when articulating a basis for
each conclusion; – Uses examples from the application to support each finding; AND– Provides the applicant with a sufficient rationale for the score
Example: The applicant demonstrates the compelling need in the target area for the proposed community economic development project by explaining that the area’s unemployment rate is 43%, which is significantly higher than the state’s unemployment rate of 12% (p. 2).
CED Application Reviewer Training
Application Review Schedule
Application reviews must be completed in accordance with the schedule established by OCS
Scores and summary comments must be submitted to the PAM via ARM by 9AM EDT by the established deadlines
Interim deadlines will be established through the application review process
More information about specific dates will be discussed on your first panel conference call
CED Application Reviewer Training
Application Review Schedule (cont.)
Following the approval of all applications by the PAM, your panel will be contacted with instructions on how to return review materials to Team WilDon– Use the UPS box and return shipping label provided
• Signed Score Sheets • Original, signed Conflict of Interest and Work Agreement forms • Signed W9 and Honorarium Payment Voucher
Destroy any printed applications, notes from the application review and other confidential review materials at the conclusion of the review
Required forms are available from Team WilDon
CED Application Reviewer Training
Module 1 Wrap-up
You have learned…– About the CED program– Our approach to reviewing applications– Basic guidelines for application reviews and scoring
What’s next?– Self-review quiz for Module 1– Module 2: Objectives and Need for Assistance
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
1. What is the purpose of the CED program?a) Provide grants to nonprofitsb) Provide assistance for creating employment and business
opportunitiesc) Provide funding to eliminate food desertsd) Provide construction and non-construction funding
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
1. What is the purpose of the CED program?a) Provide grants to nonprofitsb) Provide assistance for creating employment and
business opportunitiesc) Provide funding to eliminate food desertsd) Provide construction and non-construction funding
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
2. Reviewers should focus on what when reviewing applications? a) Whether the application is put together in the order
specified by the FOAb) Whether the application proposes a “well-planned and
viable” project c) Whether the application includes plans that seem
feasible and mutually reinforcingd) B and Ce) All of the above
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
2. Reviewers should focus on what when reviewing applications? a) Whether the application is put together in the order
specified by the FOAb) Whether the application proposes a “well-planned and
viable” project c) Whether the application includes plans that seem
feasible and mutually reinforcingd) B and Ce) All of the above
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
3. When scoring CED applications, you cannot:a) Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written
commentsb) Use the full range of points as appropriatec) Score applications independentlyd) List weaknesses that are not part of the evaluation
criteria
CED Application Reviewer Training
Self-Review Quiz
3. When scoring CED applications, you cannot:a) Ensure that the scores are consistent with the written
commentsb) Use the full range of points as appropriatec) Score applications independentlyd) List weaknesses that are not part of the evaluation
criteria
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