Matching Grant
Mentor teams should NOT help refugee families to register for MG. Any problems concerning MG or questions should be directed to MARC@denrescue.org who will find answers and solutions through the case manager and other routes.
The money from the Matching Grant program comes through a federal government grant program. LFS keeps track of all donations and volunteer time that is given to them and the families in the Matching Grant program. The MG program then matches the cash value of those time and donations, $2 for every $1. One hour of volunteer time spent helping a family is worth $25.98, one mile driven is worth $0.55, and donations are worth whatever their case value is. Those numbers are actually doubled since it is a 2-to-1 matching program! This money is given to LFS who then distributes it to refugee families. To access their MG funds, refugees must go to the LFS office.
To submit your hours, please go to the "Submit Volunteer Time and Donations Here!" link OR fill out this Word document and e-mail it to MARC@denrescue.org. Please do this at least monthly throughout your 6-month mentoring commitment. Feel free to also fill out and submit the online form every time you visit your family if that is easiest! If you forget to send it in one month (or several), the old hours from past months still count, so send those in too!
Matching Grant (MG):
Source: Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Refugee Resettlement (Federal)
Amount: $200 a month per adult and $40 a month per child
Duration: 120 to 180 days (4-6 months) or 1 month after being employed. Typically it will only last for 120 days unless they are very close to being employed, in which case it can be extended to 180 days. If not, they will be switched to TANF after 120 days. Also, the 120 period begins on their day of arrival. (MG families generally can’t apply for TANF until after their 120th day has passed. We may extend them, if it seems fairly certain that they will obtain employment by the 180thday, but I can’t give you a specific set of criteria. If we decide that TANF is the route, then the case manager will take them as soon after the 120thday as possible to apply for TANF.)
Requirements: Having a high chance of being employed within the first 6 months. Volunteer time and donations are sufficient to fulfill matching requirements. Submitting your time to us is VERY IMPORTANT this funding source!
Use: Housing and personal expenses
Bus Passes: Participants in MG can receive bus passes from their LFS employment specialist.
Bus passes for those on MG: Info here.
Detailed Matching Grant guidelines for 2013: PDF
Colorado Matching Grant figures: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/ffy-2012-13-state-of-colorado-orr-funded-programs