For the 2015-2016 MSA Grant cycle, we are proposing changes to the grant rating criteria in an attempt to simplify the application process and clarify the criteria. In summary, our proposed changes would:

a) Remove redundant criteria by including them in either the pre-application or the full application, but not in both.
b) Carry pre-application scores over to the full application; final scores would combine scores on pre- and full-application criteria. Score modifiers would remain the same as in previous years.
c) Reword criteria to more specifically describe how they will be interpreted in the rating process.
d) Remove the tobacco criterion and replace it as a minimum qualification, as described in Question 1 below.

The questions in this survey ask for input on the proposed changes to the criteria. Please review them here [http://www.countyofnapa.org/HHS/TobaccoMSA] and tell us what you think. (Please copy the link and paste into a new tab in your browser, then click the link to view the proposed criteria.)

If you would like to reference the grant rating criteria from previous application cycles, you may access them here: [http://www.countyofnapa.org/hhs/tobaccoMSA/]

If you have input on specific criteria that is not covered by the questions, please provide it in the comment fields.

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* 1. The current rating criteria include a criterion that asks if the program includes a smoking cessation component.

When that criterion was originally included, the intent was to make a connection between the origination of the MSA funds and the provision of services that reduce smoking. In effect, the criterion was designed to give agencies that provide cessation services a bonus.

The reality is that the intent of the criterion became watered down over the years. As it stands now, most applicants get the full points available for this criterion. The main exception to that is programs serving populations for whom cessation services may just not be appropriate, for example, programs serving children. In that case this criterion penalizes such programs.

Given that, HHSA is suggesting that we remove the cessation criterion and instead require that all applicants proposing to serve adults either directly supply smoking cessation services to their program participants or provide those services through another organization as evidenced by a contract or MOU. Programs that supply services only to children would be exempted from this requirement.

We would appreciate your reaction to this proposal and your thoughts on other ways to make the connection between the grant program and the original source of the funding.

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* 2. Overall, the proposed changes will result in less work for applicants

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* 3. Overall, the proposed changes make the application process fairer

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* 4. Overall, the proposed changes make the criteria easier to understand

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* 5. Please provide any additional comments on rating criteria or related issues here

Thank you for your input on the proposed changes to the MSA Grant criteria! If you have not yet taken our other survey - on the MSA Grant process - we would appreciate your feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MSA_Process (please copy the link and paste it into your browser).

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