Reviewer Comments Form
Concept Paper # 123456
(Please cite concept paper page numbers when possible in order to reference your comments.)
Criterion 1. Describe the Need for the Project. Points in this category will be awarded based on the level of need for a gun violence reduction project and the quality of the data used to support it. Explain the nature and extent of gun violence problems in your community. Fully explain the specific problems your proposal addresses and provide data to support your explanation. (15 Points)
Strengths:
The applicant includes a clear description of the current level of gun violence in the targeted county. In addition, the applicant describes how the reliance on grants for the majority of positions addressing high levels of gun violence linked to over 5,000 Gang members in the area of service is not sufficient to address the current of gun related violence and crime. Pgs 1 & 2
Weaknesses:
The applicant does not provide any trend data documenting the extent of gun violence and gun related crimes in the targeted county prior to 2002. This omission makes it impossible to determine the extent to which gun violence has increased over an extended period of time. Pgs 1 & 2
Criterion 2. Describe Community Readiness and Project Coordination. Points in this category will be awarded based on the level of programs, services, and commitment of participating agencies and providers that are now in place in your community, which better ensures the program's success. Briefly describe related governmental or community initiatives that complement or will coordinate with the proposal. Describe the level of participation among the initiative's partners. (25 Points)
Strengths:
The applicant includes a clear description of how the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved and supported the implementation Community Violence Prosecution Program in November of 2001. In addition, these program coordinators the efforts of the District Attorney's Office and the Probation Department in adjudicating and supervising violators of gun related crimes. Pg 3
The applicant describes current efforts of the Prosecution Program staff to be actively involved with community based organizations and clubs such as the Lions Club and other law enforcement entities like the Crime Prevention Unity of the Madera Police Department. Pg 3
Weaknesses:
No significant weaknesses noted
Criterion 3. Describe the Project Design. Points in this category will be awarded based on how well you have assessed what is needed to support the project. Describe the project and how it addresses the problems established from Criterion 1. Although this section should be the longest in your grant proposal, provide only as much detail as is necessary to understand how your program will work. You do not need to provide detailed procedures for each step in the implementation process. (35 Points)
Strengths:
The applicant includes a clear description of the proposed project's approach to addressing what is described as high gang activity and related gun crimes in the targeted service area. This approach includes an increased emphasis on coordination of efforts of the variety of law enforcement and probation entities within the countywide service area through the hiring an experienced staff member dedicated full-time to this effort. Pgs 4 & 5
The applicant provides a detailed description of how the proposed project will also focus on community outreach through an aggressive public relations campaign with multiple targets clearly delineated. Pgs 4 & 5
Weaknesses:
No significant weaknesses noted
Criterion 4. Determine How You Will Measure Success. Points in this category will be awarded based on how well you have thought out the process to objectively and regularly assess the program's effectiveness. After reviewing the Performance Measures section of this solicitation, describe the information, beyond that required in any section, which the project will collect to
measure the project's progress toward its goals. Briefly address who will collect the information, the methods of collection, and how the information will be reported. (15 Points)
Strengths:
The applicant clearly describes the role of the program analyst in collecting and disseminating data. Pg 7
The applicant includes a clear description of the process and outcome data that will be collected for the enforcement, adjudication, supervision, community outreach and education components of the proposed project. Pg 8
Weaknesses:
The applicant's failure to include trend data relating to gang activity and related gun crimes could hinder the effectiveness of determining the extent to which the implementation of program strategies impacted a reduction in gun related crimes and violence. Pgs 6 & 7
Criterion 5. Summarize the Budget. Points in this category will be awarded based on the project's cost effectiveness by comparing the overall funds requested with other portions of the application, such as the services to be provided and the estimated number to be targeted or served by the project. Provide a brief budget summary that describes what you request in federal support for the 2-year grant period. Request a funding amount for the following categories and briefly list the types of expenses covered under each category. It is not necessary to define each expenditure. For example, under Travel and Training you might simply provide a budget amount and explain that the funds will be used to attend related trainings for project staff and partners.
Budget Categories: Personnel and Fringe Benefits, Contractual and Professional Services, Travel and Training, Supplies and Operating Expenses, Equipment, Indirect Costs (if the applicant agency has an approved indirect cost plan). (10 points)
Strengths:
The applicant includes a clear narrative description of each major budget line-item expenditure that projects salaries, travel, supplies and materials needed for the public relation campaign. Pgs 9 & 10
Weaknesses:
No significant weaknesses noted
GENERAL COMMENTS (if any):
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