Dormant Accounts Fund 2017-2019 – Action Plan Mental Health Initiative for Travellers

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Dormant Accounts Fund 2017-2019 Action Plan
Mental Health Initiative for Travellers

Budget

Total €500,000:
€460,000 for grant allocation.
€40,000 for measure level evaluation.

Overview

Among the key initiatives and developments arising from the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NTRIS) is the reinvigorated efforts by the State to ensure that Travellers interact fully with the public health sector in order to address some of the underlying health-related challenges facing those communities.

The NTRIS acknowledges that some of the difficult issues currently faced by Travellers include declining family structures and religious certainty, lack of employment and pressure to engage in damaging group activities such as heavy drinking, coupled with a sense of exclusion and experiences of extreme prejudice. These factors can result in generalised poor self-esteem and self-efficacy which is associated with depression and other mental health problems; these conditions are, in turn, related to higher incidences of suicide.

The All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS, 2010) highlighted that the suicide rate among Travellers is six times higher than in the general population and seven times higher amongst young Traveller men. The need to tackle the complex issue of mental health among the Traveller community has further significance; over half of Irish Travellers are aged under twenty years.

The aim of this measure is to develop Traveller mental health initiatives, to improve mental health outcomes for Travellers and to reduce suicide. These initiatives include maintaining and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and improving Traveller access to mainstream mental health services through the development of culturally appropriate services.

This proposal is in line with a number of actions proposed in the NTRIS, namely:

Action 42: The Department of Health, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, will develop programmes to address mental health issues among children and youths in the Traveller and Roma communities.

Action 86: The Health Service Executive will support and further develop culturally appropriate services to respond to the mental health needs of Travellers and Roma in consultation with Traveller and Roma organisations.

Action 87: The Health Service Executive will develop targeted interventions and educational materials to support good mental health, suicide prevention and promote self-esteem and self-acceptance for young Travellers.

Grant Allocations

Minimum Grant: €60,000
Maximum Grant: €80,000

Target Number of Proposals to be supported

Between six and eight proposals.

Measure Objective

The aim of this measure is to develop Traveller mental health initiatives improve mental health outcomes for Travellers and to reduce suicide. These initiatives include maintaining and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and improving Traveller access to mainstream mental health services through the development of culturally appropriate services.

Management and Administration of the Measure

Health Service Executive (HSE) will administer the measure on behalf of the Department, in accordance with Government accounting procedures and relevant legislative and administrative frameworks.

Indicative Eligible Actions or Activities

The aim of the measure is to develop Traveller mental health initiatives to improve mental health outcomes for Travellers and to reduce suicide. Eligible actions include activities that are culturally appropriate and that:

  • develop programmes to address mental health issues among children and youths in the Traveller community;
  • support and further develop services to respond to the mental health needs of Travellers in consultation with Traveller organisations;
  • develop resource materials to promote and support self-esteem, self-acceptance, resilience and determination, good mental health and suicide prevention for young Travellers; and
  • develop and deliver positive well-being initiatives with Travellers.

Activities at the local level should be evidence-based and take into account the link between alcohol/drug use and suicidal behaviour.

Measure Priorities

To develop mental health initiatives to:

  • reduce suicide rates among for Travellers;
  • improve mental health outcomes for Travellers;
  • maintain and promote positive mental health and wellbeing of Travellers;
  • improve Traveller access to mainstream mental health services through the development of culturally appropriate services; or
  • improve opportunities for engagement by Travellers in mainstream health services including mental health services.

Measure Outputs

  • Reduction in rates of suicide among Travellers;
  • Reduction in rates of presentation for self-harm among Travellers;
  • Number of programmes developed to address mental health issues among children and youths in the Traveller community;
  • Number of children and youth supported in programmes developed to address mental health issues;
  • Number of culturally appropriate mental health education materials;
  • Uptake of positive well-being initiatives; and
  • Increase in Travellers accessing mainstream mental health services.

Applicants must demonstrate the difference their project proposal or project will make to improve the mental health and health and wellbeing of Travellers.

Duration of the Grants awarded

Twelve months.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a grant agreement no later than end-July 2018.

Grant Agreements will have a maximum end date of 31 October 2019.

Who is eligible to apply

This is a targeted call for applications. It is anticipated that the targeted call for applications will include Traveller Representative organisations,
Traveller organisations, Mental Health organisations and Traveller Health Units.

Selection Criteria

Capacity of the Organisation – Score 0-20

  • Relevant experience and knowledge in relation to delivering actions outlined within their project proposal
  • Previous experience of managing public funding
  • A robust governance structure for the management and delivery of the proposal
  • Adequate financial management controls and systems
  • For applicants who are applying with partners or as part of a consortium they must demonstrate that appropriate governance, management and delivery arrangements are in place.

Strategic Fit – Score 0-20

  • The degree to which the project proposal addresses the objectives of the legislation as set out in section 41 of the 2012 Act i.e. the objectives of the Dormant Account Funds
  • The degree to which the project proposal addresses the specific objectives and priorities for a specific measure and as outline in Measure Guidelines
  • Extent of co-funding or leveraging of private funding with particular reference to philanthropic funding
  • Where applicable how does the project proposal adopt a collaborative approach to the development and implementation of the proposal, including co-operation and partnership working with key stakeholders, thus reducing duplication
  • Demonstrate a Participatory Approach i.e. what evidence is there that those most impacted will benefit from the actions or interventions or activities outlined in the project proposal, have been involved in the design and development of the proposal?
  • Sustainability: The extent to which the project/programme has the potential to make a lasting difference

NOTE: THE MINIMUM SCORE TO BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING IS 8

Value for Money/Added Value – Score 0-20

  • Extent to which projects/programmes are clear and include targets, realistic costings and timescales
  • Clear justification/rationale for costs requested
  • The proposal clearly identifies the numbers of people likely to benefit directly (proposals that benefit significant numbers will be favoured)
  • The cost effectiveness of the proposal with regard to the level, range and quality of outputs and outcomes to be delivered.
  • Complementarity of programme with Government programmes and objectives demonstrating linkages with relevant statutory providers, where appropriate
  • How does the project proposal add value to current initiatives, including the potential to influence practice
  • The degree to which the project proposal is additional to an organisation’s core work and activities and is not being used a substitute for mainstream government funding. The applicant must clearly demonstrate the funding is for a once-off project proposal and for distinct piece of work.

Demonstration of Need – Score 0-20

  • Is there a clear and concise statement of need for the project proposal including reference to evidence based research or objective data?
  • Does the proposed plan of actions and activities meet the needs identified

NOTE: THE MINIMUM SCORE TO BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING IS 8

Achievability and Strength of the Proposal – Score 0-20

  • Has a clear set of actions /activities been outlined in the project proposal?
  • Is the timeframe for the actions clear and realistic?
  • Is there a clear outline of how the project will be delivered and by whom?
  • Has the project provided information on the intended outcomes and outputs and how the applicant will monitor and evaluate the proposal

Scoring Framework

A Score (0-20) will be awarded for each criterion. For two of the criterion, Strategic Fit and Demonstration of Need, applicants must achieve a minimum score of eight (40%) to be considered eligible for funding.

The Quality Threshold for consideration for funding will be 65%. However, due to the competitive nature of the funding, not all applicants scoring above 65% will be awarded funding.

Application Timeframe

Applications should be forwarded to michelle.hayes2@hse.ie

Open for on-line applications on : 11 June 2018
Closed for on-line applications on: 14 July 2018

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be expected to submit an end-of-project report, demonstrating progress on stated outputs for the measure, within three months of the completion of the work.

HSE will provide a report on the evaluation of the measure no later than end-2019.

Evaluation

Programme/Measure level, using a portion of the global grant.
Note: Disbursement Scheme states “Incorporating evaluative processes to measure outcomes/impact of the programme over time.”

Eligible Costs

Indicative List of Eligible Costs

  • Salary costs, including recruitment, which must be no greater than the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales.
  • Venue/Room hire;
  • Meeting Costs;
  • Staff Travel and Subsistence;
  • Tutors/Facilitators Fees;
  • ICT costs towards website development/online supports;
  • Publicity and Advertising;
  • Printing and Design;
  • Small items of equipment necessary for training. Single Items must not exceed €1,000 inclusive of VAT;
  • Indirect Overhead costs are eligible for Community and Voluntary Organisations only: a flat rate of 5% of the total direct cost will apply.

All cost included in applications must relate directly to the implementation of the project proposal and clearly verifiable.

Ineligible costs

Indicative List of Ineligible Costs

  • Building or Refurbishment Costs;
  • Redundancy costs;
  • Penalties/Interest;
  • Costs not directly related to the project;
  • Retrospective costs – activity that has already been undertaken prior to date of project approval;
  • Costs for actions for which more appropriate funding opportunities already exist;
  • Organisation Core Costs, including salary and overheads which are not as a direct result of the implementation of the Dormant Accounts Fund project.