Deadline for Application: March 25, 2025
RE: Application for 2025/26 Ska-Be (Helper) Program Funding
The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is pleased to announce that we have received new funding from the Ministry of Health for the Ska-Be (Helper) Funding. We are sending out this request for letters of interest as we can provide funding up to $104,800 for (1) of our ONWA Chapter sites. ONWA is pleased to provide the opportunity to potentially partner with ONWA Chapters to provide community-based initiatives that seek to support the wellbeing of Indigenous women with chronic illness or disabilities and their families through culturally safe home care and/or respite services.
Outline of Project and Services to be Provided:
Program Description
The Ska-Be (Helper) program provides specialized complex care supports for urban Indigenous elderly women and their families and Indigenous women with chronic illness or disabilities and their families through culturally safe home care and/or respite services that are reflective of their needs and culture.
The program adopts an intersectional and wrap-around service approach to address mental health needs, chronic disease and illness, and disability. Funding for the Ska-Be (Helper) program enables Indigenous individuals with chronic diseases or disabilities to remain in their homes as long as possible, increasing their quality of life.
In addition, the Ska-Be (Helper) workers support seniors at appointments with physicians and specialists where they ensure they understand treatment plans.
ONWA’s Role as Project Lead and Services Collaboration:
As part of the Project Lead Role ONWA will support the program lead provincially through training, education, mentoring, guidance, and ensuring Indigenous women’s voices are central to the work.
The Ska-Be (Helper) Funding will provide the following services in their communities:
The Recipient will provide all the following home and community care services:
Caregiver Support and Respite Services.
Transportation Services
Adult Day Programs
Homemaking Services
Personal Support Services
Indigenous Cultural Support Services
The Recipient also provides service planning. Ska-Be (Helper) workers assist seniors in navigating the health care system and create cultural plans of care that are based on the Indigenous Wellness Framework. Ska-Be (Helper) workers also advocate on behalf of clients to improve care provision and health outcomes.
With an expected active caseload of between 10 to 15 clients for each Ska-Be (Helper) workers, it is estimated urban Indigenous elderly women and Indigenous women with chronic diseases or disabilities would receive home and community care support services. Additionally, other Indigenous elderly women and their families will receive brief 1:1 services through workshops. The Ska-Be worker will be trained as a personal support worker.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please provide a letter of interest and complete the process outlined below on behalf of your Chapter to ONWA if you feel this project will meet identified needs within your community. In your proposal please outline briefly how this project will benefit Indigenous communities within your community and how it will improve their quality of life. Include any summary information on community consultation, surveys, and or environmental scans you may have had around this type of need. The deadline to submit your proposal is March 25, 2025.
PROPOSAL RESPONSE GUIDELINES
Responses to the RFP should include the following:
Cover Letter
The cover letter should include:
The title of the Project,
Be dated and signed by a person authorized to negotiate, make commitments, and provide any clarifications with respect to the proposal on behalf of the organization,
Provide the name of the contact person for the project,
Indicate the capacity of the organization to complete the project, including project organization and project management.
Proposed Project Plan
The proposed project plan should include:
An outline of what the organization plans to accomplish through this program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and what specific activities will be completed,
Please complete the attached template.
Examples of your organization’s previous experience working with Indigenous populations in this area,
Identify existing resources the organization can contribute to the project,
Identify the qualifications and experiences of the organization,
Include examples of programming to be offered.
Proposed Budget
Include a budget that outlines the breakdown of expected costs required to carry out the activities of this project.
MEMBERSHIP AND INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS
ONWA Membership – Membership Template Required to be completed/updated
Incorporation Letter
Audited Financial Statement
Proof of Insurance
By-Laws
Board Member List
Please note: These items are required to be on file and up to date for any flow-through funding agreement to be established with the ONWA.
PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS:
A Review Committee has been established for the application selection process and will select successful candidate Chapters. The Review Committee will notify the successful applicants in writing no later than March 28, 2025, at which point a funding agreement between the ONWA and the site will be established and, will provide more detail regarding the terms of program delivery. The agreement will also include details on the overall program objectives, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
ONWA will be providing the successful chapter with up to $104,800.00 in total funds for the work outlined in the Ska-Be (Helper) Funding Program Agreement for 2025-2026 fiscal year.
ONWA is looking forward to potentially partnering with you on this initiative. Please feel free to contact Laurie Moyer, at lmoyer@onwa.ca should you have any questions or require clarification.
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