Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program (IORCP) Guidelines
Table of Contents
- Applicant’s guide
- Purpose of Guidelines
- Contribution Program
- Objectives
- Eligible Projects
- Program Description
- Funding Amount Available
- Eligible Expenses
- Non-Eligible Expenses
- Call Out for Applications
- Completing the application
- The Assessment Process
- Control Procedures
- Contribution Agreement
- Reporting Requirements
- Performance Measurement
- Method of payment
- Cash Management
- Audit requirements
- Expected Results and Performance Indicators
- Thresholds for Approval
- Security Requirements
- Other Terms and Conditions
- Interpretation of Terms and Conditions
- Other Considerations
Applicant’s guide
Indigenous Offender Contribution Program – Correctional Service Canada
1. Purpose of Guidelines
- Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (both on and off-reserve, First Nation, Non-Status,, Métis, and Inuit);
- Indigenous governments;
- Indigenous organizations and/or Governing Bodies;
- A provincial/territorial/municipal government or agency thereof;
- A non-profit organization;
- Canadian universities and colleges and,
- Any combination of the above.
This guide is designed to help applicants prepare a project proposal for funding from the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program (IORCP) within Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Specific instructions for completing the application form as well as information about the assessment process are provided.
1.1 Eligible Applicants
Contributions may be provided to the following classes of recipients in support of the objectives of the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program:
1.2 Non-eligible Applicants
Crown Corporations, for-profit groups and individuals are not eligible for funding under the CSC IORCP.
1.3 Application submission
For more information on the Contribution Program, and to submit your application, please reach out to CSC National Headquarters: IORCP/PCRDA.GEN-NHQ@CSC-SCC.GC.CA
1.4 Contributions Program Budget
We will fund up to $200,000 for one year, for eligible recipients
2. Contribution Program
- Increase organizational capacity for eligible recipients to support the development and/or implementation of projects, programs, resources or services that assist in the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of federal offenders
- Increase number of Indigenous federal offenders gain access to community support services prior to being released to rural and remote areas and are able to plan their reintegration in order to transition with continuity of services;
- Increase number of Indigenous offenders are able to develop suspension and revocation mitigation plans in collaboration with their parole officers and other service providers; and
- Increase the number of resources and programs available to assist Indigenous offenders.
- Activities associated with capacity building;
- Activities associated with project, program and/or service implementation, readiness and delivery; and/or,
- Activities and/or the development of resources associated with community involvement in Indigenous offender reintegration.
- Salaries, wages, mandatory employee related costs, and other labour costs such as employee benefits;
- Travel and living expenses in accordance with the National Joint Council directive on Travel;
- Communications services and equipment;
- Office equipment and minor capital acquisitions net of disposal. Minor capital acquisitions are defined as less than $5,000 per acquisition. The maximum expenditure threshold will be set at the time of Contribution Agreement development;
- Data management and other information services;
- Insurance (recipients must ensure that any public events funded by the Program are covered by appropriate insurance);
- Training;
- Professional services including Evaluation services;
- Rental of space and equipment;
- Purchased repair and maintenance;
- Utilities, materials and supplies;
- GST/HST;
- Honorarium. Honoraria will be considered in line with accepted practices for a particular region;
- Hospitality for gatherings, feasts, ceremonies, circles, meeting, events and workshops. Hospitality does not include alcohol. Expenses associated with meeting space rental, transportation, accommodation, and meals must not exceed the rates permitted for government business (in accordance with the National Joint Council directive on Travel);
- Dissemination, promotion and communications;
- Third-party project evaluation and audit services;
- Other costs related to the approved project, subject to project authority approval.
- Provision of services that are the responsibility of other levels of government;
- Core operating expenses, including those incurred by the organization in its normal or daily conduct of business (e.g., rent);
- Capital costs or expenditures (e.g., purchase of land, buildings, vehicles);
- Any type of Director's fees for volunteer members of Boards or other governing bodies;
- Annual general meetings or regular executive board meetings of an organization or association, including related travel for board members;
- Ongoing production of newsletters, newspapers, magazines, journals, social media, website design and maintenance, or radio and television broadcasts;
- Pure research in any discipline (pure research is original investigation undertaken to gain new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, but without specific applications);
- Project-related travel and hospitality expenses that exceed the National Joint Council rates;
- Unidentified miscellaneous costs; and
- In-kind expenses.
2.1 Objectives
The program’s objectives are to:
2.2 Eligible Projects
Projects must advance CSC’s objectives regarding community reintegration services for Indigenous offenders through the development, design or delivery of community reintegration services in some demonstrable manner.
The program provides funding for:
Projects eligible for funding will contribute to new or existing programs and services that support the reintegration of Indigenous offenders. Funding is not to be used to support an organization's ongoing operations, or to supplement a shortage of funding under another program or initiative of any order of government, or support an already successful program or initiative, especially as a repetitive delivery offering.
2.3 Program Description
Correctional Service Canada (CSC) contributes to public safety by carrying out sentences imposed by courts through the safe and humane custody and supervision of offenders and by assisting in the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens through the provision of programs in penitentiaries and in the community.
The Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program (IORCP) (the “Contribution Program”) supports capacity and project development to eligible recipients through funding allocations that facilitate CSC’s capacity to support its Mandate. The Program also contributes to the achievement of departmental legislative, policy development, and consultative objectives.
The objective of the Contribution Program is to provide funding assistance to facilitate Indigenous offender reintegration support by strengthening community partnerships, enhancing community engagement and increasing awareness of CSC programs within communities. The key element that supports this objective is:
Offender Reintegration Services: Provides contributions to facilitate CSC’s activities to provide effective, culturally appropriate interventions (such as gang disaffiliation) and reintegration support for Indigenous offenders under active federal sentence. CSC collaborates with various organizations and communities to develop and provide correctional interventions to address offenders’ unique cultural and spiritual needs and support their safe and successful reintegration into the community. This in turn requires CSC to support these organizations and communities in building their capacity to deliver correctional programs, services, and initiatives, as well as ensuring that its existing correctional interventions are adaptable to the diverse circumstances across the communities.
2.4 Funding Amount Available
As indicated in section 1.4, the maximum budget for the present call is $200,000.
Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to the activities of the project. These activities must be reflected either in the original budgetary submission, or via subsequent approved budgetary adjustments.
2.5 Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include expenditures such as:
A detailed budget will be required as part of the application process.
No project expenses may be incurred prior to the acceptance and signing of the funding agreement by all parties.
2.6 Non-Eligible Expenses
The following activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:
2.7 Call Out for Applications
Applications will be received using an open solicitation process, given the anticipated interest around the IORCP is likely to draw. An open solicitation process whereby an “invitation to submit applications” (ISA) will identify a wide audience by launching an ISA on the CSC website and other means of communication to reach as many applicants as possible.
Further, CSC will take advantage of existing community relationships to reach potential applicants, including applicants from isolated and remote communities. CSC has a well-developed network with community stakeholders and partners stemming from the structure of the organization. The existence of positions such as Regional Administrators, Indigenous Community Liaison Officers, and Indigenous Community Development Officers will ensure the Program reaches its target audience.
3. Completing the application
The following information corresponds to each section of the Application form. Applicants should provide answers to all questions and include any required detailed information in an appendix to the application form.
- Provide the full name of your organization along with any abbreviations frequently used, as well as the section name or division name
- Previous name, if changed in the last year
- Address, telephone numbers (with extension), fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and web site addresses, where applicable
- Name of the applicant;
- Goal(s)/mandate of the applicant’s organization;
- Statement of purpose and objective for which funding is being sought;
- Name and signature of authorized officer(s);
- Description of the organization’s proposed activity(ies) and the expected results (including title, goals, objectives); and it’s strategic relation to the reintegration of federal offenders;
- Indication of a means for evaluation of the activities: target results, progress and final reports;
- Declaration, if applicable, of any personnel involved in the activities for whom the Public Service of Canada Conflict of Interest may apply.
- An outline of the organization’s annual program;
- Budget for the proposed activity(ies), itemizing all expenses, as well as a cash flow forecast for the project;
- Identification of other sources of funding/revenue; and
- Details of past CSC financial support.
3.1 Identification of applicant
The mailing address must be complete and clearly indicate the location of the organization (e.g., room number, floor, street number and postal code). Should a post office box be designated as the official mailing address, please provide this information as well.
3.2 The proposal
An application that meets the information requirements as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program must be prepared. The initial application should contain essential information addressing the applicant’s interest and capacity to meet the program objectives.
The application must be signed by an authorized officer with the appropriate title indicated (e.g. President, Secretary, Chair, etc.).
All applications are required to have the following information, as per the template provided on the website:
3.3 Other sources of funding
Total Government Assistance (TGA) (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) will not exceed 100% of eligible costs.
This stacking limit must be respected when assistance is provided. In the event that the actual TGA provided to a recipient exceeds this stacking limit, it will be necessary for CSC to adjust the level of assistance (and seek reimbursement, if necessary) so that the stacking limit is not exceeded.
All potential recipients will be required to disclose all sources of funding (government and private sector) for a proposed project before the start and at the end of the project. CSC shall have the right to reduce the Contribution by the equivalent amount of the assistance received or receivable where it deems it appropriate.
Further, IID will follow a process to verify if Public Safety has done agreements with the organizations being considered, to see if there is any overlap in activities, until their Contribution program sunsets. This will be done through the existing governance structure of Heads of Corrections, using a template Public Safety will complete and send back to CSC.
4. The Assessment Process
- Potential for the project to support culturally-safe reintegration efforts for Indigenous offenders serving a federal sentence;
- GBA+ analysis
- Quality and feasibility of activities undertaken;
- Accuracy of the budget;
- Qualifications of the participant relative to the planned activities.
- Experience providing services including, but not limited to, delivering culturally relevant trauma or addictions counselling, life skills training or providing culturally safe support to either prevent affiliation or promote disaffiliation from a gang;
- Life skills training includes assistance to learn the following: employment and budgeting skills, how to find transportation, find and secure housing, how/where to obtain identification and how to purchase/prepare nutritious food, and other kinds of life skills, as needed;
- Project leadership in the following areas of expertise: understanding the unique experiences of Indigenous people in Canada in the criminal justice system;
- Experience working with Indigenous communities in a safe and culturally responsive manner;
- Experience in affirming and engaging with the unique lived experiences of being an Indigenous person in Canada (e.g., what has your organization done to demonstrate commitment to ending structural oppression for Indigenous people in Canada or promotes inclusion, how is your organization perceived by Indigenous communities);
- Experience in applying a social determinants of health approach to rehabilitation and reintegration for this group, in particular determinants like racism, poverty, intergenerational and historical trauma, substance use and other factors;
- Experience providing services to support gang disaffiliation;
- Experience providing services to individuals who may have a history of long-term institutionalization;
- Readiness to implement and reach the population of interest in a manner that demonstrates understanding of the unique barriers some may face to participating and approaches and supports needed to reduce these barriers;
- Expertise in knowledge mobilization and effective approaches for reaching diverse audiences and communities;
- Readiness to provide reintegration support services in institutions to support the transition to the urban community, as well as within urban communities to provide ongoing support to Indigenous offenders upon release.
4.1 Proposal Requirements
Eligible and complete applications, including the supporting documents, will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Projects will be reviewed for and selected on the basis of their alignment with CSC’s long-standing corporate priority of providing effective, culturally appropriate interventions and reintegration support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis offenders. In accordance with the Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples, a distinctions-based approach will guide project selection to ensure that the unique interests and circumstances of Indigenous people are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented through the projects selected.
CSC serves an increasingly diverse and complex client base, which includes an aging population, which is gender diverse, geographically dispersed, and represents both official language communities. Special consideration will be given to applications proposing projects serving populations for which CSC has identified a gap in reintegration services. Inter-sectoral collaboration will ensure efforts are aligned and services are provided to a diverse population of Indigenous offenders. Projects providing services that respect the diversity of Indigenous peoples, and account for significant provincial and territorial variations in cultures, traditions and languages will also be prioritized. Remote and rural communities are explicitly mentioned in the performance measurement framework of the Contribution Program to ensure this program targets these communities. The Oversight Committee will meet quarterly to ensure selected proposals continue to align with the objectives of the Contribution Program and continue to consider geographic distribution, sub-set demographics and remote communities.
The following information corresponds to each section of the Application form (link application form here). Applicants should provide answers to all questions and include any required detailed information in an appendix to the application form.
While proposed activities may be eligible for funding, other criteria, such as the cost-benefit of the initiative to the Contribution program, must also be assessed in order to determine if a project or initiative is should be supported with a Contribution.
Applicants must demonstrate in their application some or all of the following organizational capacities and expertise:
4.2 Assessments based on merit
Each application submitted will be reviewed to determine the quality, relevance and timeliness, feasibility and expected outcomes/benefits of the proposed project. Applicant organizations and applications for funding will be reviewed in accordance with the general Program objectives as well as the specific eligibility criteria as outlined in this guide.
5. Control Procedures
- Achievement of pre-determined performance expectations or milestones, as appropriate to the individual project or activity;
- Reimbursement of eligible expenditures;
- A costing formula (based on a cash flow statement); and/or
- Feedback from participants
- Feedback from project partners
- Number of participants finding stable housing
- Number of participants securing full-time/part-time and temporary employment
- Number of participants/contacts with educational opportunities
- Number of counselling/mentorship sessions per participant
- Number of cultural/land-based opportunities provided
- Number of groups activities attended
- Number of pro-social activities undertaken by participants
- Number of new relationships/contacts formed amongst participants
- Number and types of resources accessed
5.1 Contribution Agreement
On approval of a request for a contribution, a detailed Contribution agreement will be drawn up and signed by the recipient and the Regional Deputy Commissioner (RDC). A Contribution Agreement is an agreement between the recipient and CSC regarding the amount of contribution awarded, in consideration for specific deliverables to be completed.
By accepting a contribution, the recipient agrees to carry out the funded project, to be responsible for realizing all deliverables specified in the Contribution agreement, and to be accountable for the amounts received. As consideration, CSC agrees, subject to conditions stipulated in the Contribution agreement and to renewal of the program, to fund all or part of the project's costs.
Security Requirements may vary depending on the nature and location of the proposed work. If a security clearance is required the information will be presented to the applicant before the contribution agreement is drafted. If required, the regional IID contact will complete a Security requirements check list outlining the security requirements. Once agreed upon, the clauses containing the security requirements are written into contribution agreement and will have to be completed before the grant is awarded.
5.2 Reporting Requirements
By signing the agreement, the recipient agrees to submit progress and financial reports, as specified in the agreement for the duration of the project.
Successful applicants should use 10% of their budget towards independent evaluation services and enter their output in the Project Evaluation Report Tool quarterly. The reporting will consist of two short quarterly updates and more extensive updates at mid-year and end of year. With regards to recipients that tend to receive funding on a recurrent basis, it is important to note that unsatisfactory final reports could have a bearing on the success of future applications.
Note that the practice of periodically reviewing recipients can be very helpful in ensuring that recipients are in fact compliant and achieving the stated outputs and outcomes as per signed agreements.
CSC reserves the right to publish the name of the recipient, a summary of the project, as well as the amount of the contribution awarded in any manner it deems fit including, but not limited to, posting on CSC's web site, CSC’s social media, and so forth.
Recipients of the Contribution Program’s funding may also be surveyed after the completion of the project about further related work or follow-up activities in an ongoing effort to evaluate the impact of the research and the value of the Contributions Program.
5.3 Performance Measurement
CSC will monitor performance and determine the efficiency and effectiveness of Contribution Program. The program objectives should be aligned with the Departmental Results Indicators. Within the framework of the Contribution Performance Measurement Strategy:
5.4 Method of payment
Payments are to be made based on one or a combination of the following:
No organization shall retain any profits driven from the project. Profits are to be reimbursed by recipients to the Crown.
A costing formula can be determined on a case-to-case basis based on the Contribution Program’s goal to build capacity in partner Indigenous organizations and communities. In this case, payments should be timed to correspond as closely as practicable to the recipient’s cash flow requirements. This could include advance payments.
There is an opportunity to use the additional fixed, flexible and block contribution funding approaches for transfer payments to Indigenous recipients as described in the CSC Contribution Program Terms and Conditions.
If funding is to be provided through a cash flow schedule, as per individual agreements, the cash flow schedule must be evaluated as part of the initial application review. Further, holdback must be significant enough to ensure CSC will receive a final report from the recipient. Average holdback should be around 10%, but can range between 5% and 25% depending on the risk analysis.
5.5 Cash Management
Contribution funding will be managed as a centralized fund with a specific envelope at NHQ that will be distributed to the regions for approved contribution agreements.
5.6 Audit requirements
In accordance with its Contribution agreement, the recipient shall keep proper accounts and records of revenues and expenses received in connection with the funded project, for at least six years after completion of the project. Such accounts and records shall be open to audit and inspection by CSC to ensure compliance with the terms of the Contribution agreement. CSC may make copies and take extracts at all reasonable times for a period of six years after completion of the project.
CSC may request at any time that recipients provide satisfactory evidence to demonstrate that all eligible costs claimed have been paid.
5.7 Expected Results and Performance Indicators
Data to inform indicators related to operating level metrics will be collected. The following operating level metrics will be considered for inclusion in the Contribution Agreements of which will become the required reporting data by the recipients:
Number of participants served
5.8 Thresholds for Approval
The approval or rejection of applications, the execution and administration of Contribution Agreements and related administrative matters, and the approval of claims for payment in conformity with the requirements of the Financial Administration Act, will be administered by officials of the Department in accordance with the delegated authorities approved by the Minister.
5.9 Security Requirements
The applicant agrees to meet security requirements should there be a requirement to access, store and/or share sensitive information/assets throughout the course of the IORCP.
6. Other Terms and Conditions
Refer to the approved CSC Class Contribution Program Terms and Conditions document for the complete listing of Terms and Conditions associated with this Program.
7. Interpretation of Terms and Conditions
It is understood that the Terms and Conditions of the Contribution Program are broad. As a result, to help clarify eligibility, IID has developed (and will continue to develop) templates for applications and agreements. Regions are strongly encouraged to contact IID when attempting to interpret Terms and Conditions.
- Application Template
- Budget Template
- IORCP Guidelines
7.1 Tools and Templates
To support organizational capacity to manage their funded projects, CSC has created the following tools streamlining the management and the delivery of the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program:
8. Other Considerations
- to address injustices, combat prejudice and eliminate all forms of violence, racism and discrimination against Indigenous peoples, including elders, youth, children, persons with disabilities, women, men and gender-diverse and two-spirit persons
- to promote mutual respect and understanding, as well as good relations, including through human rights education
- related to the monitoring, oversight, follow up, recourse or remedy or other accountability with respect to the implementation of the Declaration
8.1 Official Languages Act
The first Official Languages Act, enacted in 1969, recognized the equal status of English and French throughout the federal administration. Its primary goal was to ensure that Canadian citizens had access to federal services in the official language of their choice. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted in the official language of your choice. You may also indicate which language you wish to correspond in.
8.2 Indigenous Languages Act
The Indigenous Languages Act was co-developed with Indigenous Peoples and received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. It commits the Government of Canada to supporting and funding Indigenous- led language reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening activities. The Translation Bureau is the Government of Canada’s centre of expertise for the provision of translation, interpretation and terminology services in English, French, Indigenous languages and foreign languages. The Bureau relies on independent service providers to offer translation and interpretation services in Indigenous languages, and is actively looking to expand its pool of service providers in order to cover a greater number of the many Indigenous languages in Canada. CSC will support applicants who choose to submit an application and/or supporting documents in an Indigenous language.
8.3 Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+)
GBA+ is an analytical process that provides a rigorous method for the assessment of systemic inequalities, as well as a means to assess how diverse groups of women, men, and gender diverse people may experience policies, programs and initiatives. Using GBA+ involves taking a gender- and diversity-sensitive approach to our work. All intersecting identity factors as part of GBA+, not only sex and gender, is a Government of Canada commitment, and the GBA+ will be applied throughout this Contribution program.
8.4 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal received Royal Assent and came immediately into force. This legislation advances the implementation of the Declaration as a key step in renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. The purpose of this Act is to affirm the Declaration as an international human rights instrument that can help interpret and apply Canadian law. It also provides a framework to advance implementation of the Declaration at the federal level. This Act requires the Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to implement an action plan that includes measures:
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