1. BLOCK Fest
Funding Opportunity
December 1st
, 2013
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Idaho’s current education system does not establish well-founded and impactful early
child education programs to adequately prepare Idaho’s students for rising expectations of
learning. Beginning the education process earlier with research based programs that are both
insightful and playful can help Idaho maximize the results of their earnest achievement programs
currently focusing on junior high and high school success. Idaho’s education and business
leaders need to change the statistics that claim Idaho students are not proficient in math and
reading. Idaho needs a program that will manifest its effects during pivotal moments in the lives
of each Idaho student as they choose which and how many high school courses to take that will
prepare and motivate them to go on to college and compete in the twenty first century workplace.
According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, “research on children’s
learning in the first six years of life validates the importance of early experiences in mathematics
for lasting positive outcomes (2007).” A coordinated analysis of six large-scale longitudinal
studies found that young children’s math concepts at school entry were even better than literacy
skills at predicting later school achievement (Duncan et al., 2007). Well before children enter
school they are developing core skills in math and literacy on which they will build later school
achievement. A key challenge for Idaho is to educate a new generation with essential math and
science skills needed for today’s economy. Yet in spite of strong evidence, poor investment in
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2. pre-school early learning corresponds with the “striking disparities in what children know and
can do, evident well before they enter kindergarten” (National Academy of Sciences, 2000).
State initiatives launched over the past decade to strengthen math and science skills
solely focus on junior high and high school. The greatest educational efforts at this time
concentrate on packing more into the secondary school curricula during the final years of high
school to raise trailing graduation rates in Idaho high schools and rate of graduates going on to
college (J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation, 2005). Most recently, The Common Core
Standards have been developed and is being implemented in Idaho schools at each grade level to
help define clear and specific goals for measuring science and math achievement and
understanding. It is clear Idaho legislators and educators are going to great lengths to improve
grade school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
Still, vital building of fundamental brain architecture in young children—a proven
precursor to strong science and math achievement in high school—is widely neglected. Within
Idaho legislation, Idaho Code § 33-208 indicates child attendance in Kindergarten programs is
not compulsory in Idaho K-12 schools, nor are children compelled to begin education until they
reach 7 years old (Idaho Code § 33-202). Brain development begins well before kindergarten or
first grade; research indicates the first six years of life can be a crucial window for building brain
architecture used significantly in junior high and high school math and science. To improve the
effectiveness of existing efforts to excel junior high and high school student performance in math
and science, a stronger focus on early child development programs is a vital corner stone to
achieving such impact.
Results from a study comparing the relationship between early block play in preschool
children and their later math skills determined a significant relationship between preschool block
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3. performance and the number of math courses taken, number of honors courses, mathematics
grades achieved, and weighted mathematics ‘points’ scores (Wolfgang, Stannard & Jones, 2001).
Other researchers at the University of Delaware and Temple University added further supporting
evidence that playing with blocks helped preschoolers develop the kinds of skills that support
later learning in STEM. In fact, research determined that this repeated exposure to block play
was especially important for low-income preschools to develop spatial skills and math thinking.
In many cases, Idaho children are denied sufficient opportunity to develop pivotal emergent math
and science skills due to a general lack of awareness by educators, community leaders,
businesses, and parents about the need to implement early experience-based learning before
formal K-12 education begins. There is ample need for growth in early child education that Idaho
businesses and organizations can respond to in ways that will help cultivate opportunity for
Idaho pre-schoolers and make early STEM learning a fundamental part of each Idaho child’s
formal education, thus raising the potential and competency of the future workforce.
BLOCK Fest™ is an award-winning response to the need for early child education
programs in Idaho. BLOCK Fest™ raises awareness of early math and science learning
opportunities by offering hands-on block play experiences to families of young children, thus
helping to develop the workforce of the future. In 2005, the program was originally developed
by the University of Idaho’s Parents as Teachers Demonstration Project earning the 2006 Losos
Prize for Excellence. Today, BLOCK Fest™ is exclusively licensed by the Twiga Foundation,
Inc. headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The Twiga Foundation coordinates BLOCK Fest™ events in
twelve states and is uniquely poised to expand early child core literacy and math learning within
Idaho. The Twiga Foundation is experienced in delivering training and event coordination at a
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4. local and national level. The organization maintains a large number of subject matter experts,
including the original team of program and curriculum developers from University of Idaho.
The Twiga Foundation is a not-for profit organization that grasps the importance of
providing young children ample and efficient learning opportunity that will ensure Idaho
children thrive in K-12 schools where core standards are continually being raised to meet a
global economic demand. Every effort of Twiga Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to promoting
healthy family consciousness and child development in the home, workplace, and community.
Organization coordinators, master and certified trainers work to expand these early math and
science learning events for parents and children ages eight months to eight years. With close to
50 exhibits in the U.S. currently, BLOCK Fest™ is a hands-on building extravaganza featuring
five different block stations with unique block types allowing for child-directed constructive
play—a framework created from a 50-year cumulative body of research concerning child and
infant brain development. Included in this research used to develop BLOCK Fest™ are several
clarifying findings:
• Brain development occurs through life as experiences continue to enhance new brain
growth and refine existing brain structures.
• Skills acquired in one life cycle stage affects learning at subsequent stages.
• Children reach their potential when they have the experiences needed to lay foundational
skills in early years.
• Critical periods for symbols and relative quantity, two significant math prerequisites,
occur before the age of five years.
• Simple tasks such as manipulation of blocks helps infants and toddlers develop early
skills, including math literacy—the language of numbers.
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5. • Guided parent involvement eases the parent’s uncertainty towards their own math and
science skills.
BLOCK Fest™ subject matter experts, Diane Demarest, M. Ed., Patricia O’Hara, M.S., and
Harriet Shaklee, Ph.D. use construction play as a tool for teaching because of the opportunity it
affords young children to classify, measure, order, count, use fractions, and become aware of
depth, width, length, symmetry, shape and space (Hirsch, 1996). As a child moves about a pile
of blocks he or she uses small and large motor skills to navigate. Problem solving and planning
is required in considering possible actions with the varied shapes in space. Block play engages
all areas of development during one play event.
PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
1. Provide logistical support to coordinate a BLOCK Fest™ exhibit sublicense at all Idaho
School Districts
The Twiga Foundation will coordinate sublicensing each school district in Idaho to include
all 113 Idaho school districts and 26 Independent Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Twiga
Foundation will work with each school district and LEA to arrange the purchase of a sublicense.
They will also work with schools’ point of contact to select an event space suitable to
accommodate the exhibit.
2. Provide logistical support to implement a permanent BLOCK Fest™ exhibit in all
Idaho School Districts.
With the assistance of their Grant Manager, Redden Group, Twiga Foundation will plan and
carry out the logistics of delivering an exhibit to each participating school district and arranging
suitable storage locations for the BLOCK Fest™ exhibit when not in use. Twiga will coordinate
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6. the purchase and logistics arrangements for trailers to transport and store each school district’s
block exhibit. Scheduling four BLOCK Fest™ events per year in each school district’s zone with
the area’s certified trainers will also be included in the logistics of pre-event planning.
3. Provide logistical support for 3 annual Master Trainer development training &
curriculum planning
Annually, Twiga Foundation will build upon existing core staff to train and educate
additional Master Trainers to facilitate certified trainings at new BLOCK Fest™ exhibit sites in
Idaho for the duration of 3 years. Newly accredited Master Trainers will travel to classroom
training sites to lead workshop education activities. BLOCK Fest™ Project Director will also
attend each training.
Master Trainers are the subject matter experts of BLOCK Fest™. They host trainings to
prepare Certified Trainers to host effective and informed BLOCK Fest™ events in each of their
respective communities. The Twiga Foundation will expand their current number of in-state
Master Trainers in Idaho to meet the project’s training needs. Core staff at Twiga Foundation
will incorporate annual curriculum development meetings to train existing and additional Master
Trainers.
4. Provide logistical support for a minimum of 12 (16 hour) Certified Training Workshops
The Twiga Foundation will host and provide logistical support for 12 Certified Trainer
Workshops for all sublicenses of BLOCK Fest™ in Idaho. On a quarterly schedule, the Twiga
Foundation will train a maximum of 200 participants each year for the length of three years.
These workshops will be coordinated in conjunction with other required meetings when
applicable to minimize travel and other associated costs.
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7. Twiga Foundation’s appointed Grant Manager (Redden Group) will meet with regional
school district administrators to identify the best way to schedule trainings throughout 2014,
2015, and 2016. Once dates are decided, Twiga Foundation’s team will provide logistical and
planning support for the training sessions and participants. This support will include pre-event
planning, registration services as well as coordination and management. The Redden Group will
help coordinate with each Idaho school district’s Administrative staff to schedule dates, arrange
applicable lodging, and meeting rooms. Lodging and related costs are budgeted based upon 50
participants over a 2-day period per workshop.
The targeted number of Certified Trainers connected to each BLOCK Fest™ exhibit is 4.
Twiga Foundation will work to train two candidates from the community and two from the
school district staff. The Redden Group will coordinate marketing plans to recruit candidates for
training, conduct pre-event planning, set time, location and dates of training.
5. Support for Block Fest 3+1 host training sessions administered by Certified Trainers
Twiga foundation supports BLOCK Fest™ Certified Trainers to train interested and available
BLOCK Fest™ event hosts using their developed 3+1 training curricula. They will coordinate
supplying Certified Trainers with 3+1 curriculum materials and instructions for reporting
evaluation of trainings on an as-needed basis.
6. Manage Curriculum Development Meetings, Master Trainer and Certified Trainer
Refresher Trainings
The Twiga Foundation maintains a core number of subject matter experts, or Master
Trainers, who develop and evaluate training, both in-classroom and distance learning, set
standards and provide certification to trainers and hosts attached to a BLOCK Fest™ exhibit
across the country. Based on the requirements of the sublicense, the Twiga Foundation will
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8. coordinate recertification trainings every three years with Certified Trainers from all established
BLOCK Fest™ sites to improve minimum standards for training and certification and provide
in-service and continuing education for certified BLOCK Fest™ trainers.
Twiga Foundation will develop and disseminate education materials for the training. Site
selection and scheduling arrangements will be made no later than 6-8 weeks in advance for all
training. Subject matter experts will also coordinate as needed to develop and evaluate training,
both in-classroom and distance learning.
7. Provide logistical support to schedule monthly BLOCK Fest™ events in each Idaho
School District
The Twiga Foundation will work with school districts, Certified Trainers, and hosts, to
establish a schedule for monthly BLOCK Fest™ events. To recruit eager and skilled BLOCK
Fest™ hosts and to provide ample opportunity to children and parents in the community for
block play experiences, The Twiga Foundation will offer a stipend to hosts after each monthly
event.
Of the four Certified Trainers Twiga Foundation will train in each school district, each
trainer will agree to host a minimum of one BLOCK Fest™ a year, budgeting for an average of
four block play events per school district per year. These events may take place in the school or
community. The Certified Trainer in each community will represent both. This average of four
BLOCK Fest™ events is budgeted with the understanding that smaller school districts may
require fewer than four events per year to meet community needs, while larger districts will
require more than four events in their area each year.
8. Track the activity and success of the BLOCK Fest™ project through technical
assistance and communication
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9. a. Provide and maintain dedicated email address
The Twiga Foundation contracts with an Idaho based grant management firm, the Redden
Group, who provide project management for federal grant programs and non-profit
organizations. Their work will include producing and maintaining a website and internet
accessible secure database for online registration, managing ongoing communication with
instructors and class participants through a help desk with a toll-free number. If awarded,
Redden Group will be contracted to maintain an additional phone line and dedicated e-mail
address, blockfest@twigafoundation.org, to communicate with the public and provide
information about the BLOCK Fest™ program.
b. Develop, provide, and maintain secure database for project reporting
The Twiga Foundation and the Redden Group are fully equipped to provide and maintain
secure databases and will utilize current databases to enhance the BLOCK Fest™ program and
track event records and data. Visit www.PursuitPolicy.org to see similar current Redden Group
contracted projects.
c. Produce, store, and disseminate promotional materials about the BLOCK Fest™
program
The Twiga Foundation will provide a central office space where all BLOCK Fest™
promotional materials are produced stored and disseminated. The Twiga Foundation currently
works with the Redden Group who specializes in promotional material development and
dissemination and a staff member will be available Monday through Friday to respond to any last
minute requests. The Project Coordinator will develop, produce, and disseminate content that
promotes awareness about the benefits of block play and the availability of BLOCK Fest™ in
each school district and surrounding communities. The Twiga Foundation will work with
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10. Certified Trainers and hosts connected to each school district and its respective community
members to develop a schedule of BLOCK Fest™ events available to children and parents in the
area. The schedule of events will be a resource used to develop timelines and content for public
advertising.
d. BLOCK Fest™ web site, development, and maintenance of limited-access document
sharing
The Redden Group is experienced in maintenance and operation of training websites and
organizational websites. The Redden Group will use their successful training program
framework to utilize all of the required database and technical requirements, including an
internet-accessible secure database for online registration and document sharing. The Twiga
Foundation will develop the database as necessary to provide the BLOCK Fest™ program with
their document sharing and tracking needs.
e. Coordinate production and distribution of educational materials to support training
The Twiga Foundation will coordinate the printing and distribution of all education materials
to instructors via requests on a timely basis. All materials will be housed, produced and
disseminated from one central location to minimize costs.
f. Collect and analyze statistical data on program implementation
Twiga Foundation will require statistical event and training data reports be collected
throughout the campaign. Such data will be developed based on research and evidence based
practices. This data will be utilized to identify areas for improvement and growth.
g. Provide scholarships for new Certified Trainers to attend BLOCK Fest™ certification
Because early education is under-funded and lacking public awareness, interested Certified
Trainer candidates are hard pressed to justify and obtain travel and training funds to cover the
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11. required Workshop training fees established by the Twiga Foundation. The included budget
provides $250 training scholarships to 556 Certified Trainer (4 per school district) candidates to
alleviate this concern. These scholarships will assist in generating qualified and motivated trainer
attendance. The Twiga Foundation will manage scholarship requests and distribution.
h. Provide hosting stipend for Block Fest™ event hosts
Each Certified Trainer and/or BLOCK Fest™ host will be paid a $200 stipend ($50 per hour)
each time they host a BLOCK Fest™ event to ensure the project’s successful completion.
CAPABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES
The Twiga Foundation, as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to family-consciousness
and child development, is uniquely poised and qualified to enter into this partnership with the
Albertsons Foundation. In 2009, through a partnership with the University of Idaho, Twiga
became the exclusive licensor of BLOCK Fest™. With a strong record of successful family and
community-based project administration and partnership participation, Twiga Foundation can
assure achievement of all BLOCK Fest™ project objectives. The mission of Twiga Foundation
is to research, develop, and share information, ideas and innovations that assist Idaho and other
states in establishing effective standards for early child education and productive parent
involvement in that learning process.
The Twiga Foundation has worked in partnership with the Families and Work Institute of
New York, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Institute for a Competitive
Workforce, an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, to promote the Alfred P. Sloan Award
for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility in communities nationwide since that
time. Members of The Twiga Foundation participated in the implementation of Workplace
Flexibility 2010, a public policy initiative at Georgetown University Law in Washington, DC, to
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12. develop a range of public policy solutions on workplace flexibility that work for both the
employer and employee.
Ms. Patricia Kempthorne, founder and CEO of The Twiga Foundation, graduated from
the University of Idaho with a degree in business management and devoted her life’s work to
community service in the not-for-profit sector. Ms. Kempthorne is a leading advocate for
families and children. While serving as the first lady of Idaho from 1999 to 2006 she was able
shine a spotlight on the issues closest to her. Through her efforts, she brought greater awareness
to erasing the stigma of mental illness, breaking the cycle of child abuse and domestic violence,
preventing underage drinking, and increasing the rates of immunization and literacy among the
youngest Idahoans.
Additionally, Ms. Kempthorne works with a number of national boards. She serves on
the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation Board of Directors, a unique coalition
of Governors’ spouses and emeritus spouses, federal agencies, and public and private
organizations dedicated to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15. She also serves
on the Parents as Teachers National Board of Directors, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital Board of
Directors, and the University of Idaho College of Business and Economics Advisory Board.
Natasha Branaham will serve as the BLOCK Fest™ Project Director. Ms. Branaham
began work with The Twiga Foundation, Inc. to be a part of an organization that strives to make
a difference in the lives of those in her community. Her role at The Twiga Foundation is to
maintain a relationship with our current exhibit owners and Certified Trainers, as well as strive to
cultivate new connections with organizations that would benefit from the use of BLOCK Fest™ .
She has developed, coordinated, and hosted training's and BLOCK Fest™ events both locally
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13. and across the country. Her goal is to ensure The Twiga Foundation is successful in providing
children across the nation an opportunity to learn through block play.
Natasha has a long volunteer history serving her Boise community including, Make-A-
Wish foundation for nearly 10 years, The Good Samaritan Home, and is a Big Sister in the Big
Brother's Big Sister's program. Natasha has received her BA in Relational and Organizational
Communication from Boise State University which has offered opportunities to critically explore
the complex ways communication creates, maintains, and changes the relationships that
constitute our interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural lives.
Significant to Twiga Foundation’s success with BLOCK Fest™ are the continuing
partnerships they maintain with original trainers and instructors of the project. Currently, these
individuals operate and will continue to operate as Master Trainers, developing and revising
curriculum and offering certifications for additional trainers interested in bringing BLOCK
Fest™ to their community. The Twiga Foundation’s following core staff of subject matter
experts are indispensable to the continuing growth and success of the program.
Diane Demarest, MEd is one of the original developers of BLOCK Fest™ and has been
implementing events and trainings since it was launched in 2005. Diane is a long-time educator
and trainer. Diane is a native of New Jersey and lived in a number of eastern states before
moving to Idaho with her family in 1998. She completed her undergraduate in child
development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree from the
University of Idaho in Organizational Leadership. Diane was a Parents as Teachers Supervisor,
directing the University of Idaho PAT Demonstration Project for 8 years as well as a PAT
Program Quality Consultant. She is currently the Executive Director of the Idaho Charter
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14. Schools Network. She also consults on program development and evaluation in the area of
parent education. She continues to work on BLOCK Fest™ as a Master Trainer.
Dr. Mari T. Fernandez has been on the faculty at the University of South Florida (USF)
since 1985 where her research, teaching, and service have focused on connecting families and
educators and supporting them to enhance the developmental and academic outcomes for
children. She is now the Director of the Florida Parental Information and Resource Center
(PIRC) at USF, a federally funded statewide project that focuses on family engagement in
education. Under her directorship, the Florida PIRC became the State Office for Parents as
Teachers, an evidence-based home visiting program. Dr. Fernandez serves as a master trainer for
BLOCK Fest™, an initiative that the Florida PIRC at USF has used statewide in Florida to
engage families in supporting their young children’s learning, especially in the areas of math and
science.
A school psychologist by training, Dr. Fernandez has extensive experience working with
families from diverse backgrounds, with a special focus on families of young children who may
be disadvantaged in meaningfully engaging in their children’s education due to economic,
educational, language, or cultural factors. She speaks Spanish and French, languages which have
been very useful in her work with families of Hispanic and Haitian Creole extraction.
Harriet Shaklee, Ph.D. Harriet Shaklee has a Ph.D. in Child Development Psychology
from the University of Oregon and 35 years of experience teaching and doing research at the
University of Iowa, University of Washington, and Seattle University. In recent years she has
worked at the University of Idaho, bringing research to the public through University of Idaho
Extension. Her special interests include rural families, transition to adulthood, early childhood
issues for parents, work and family, and grandparents raising grandchildren.
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15. Additional Project Managers and other required personnel will be contracted for each
task requested by The Albertsons Foundation. All contracts will be on a competitive open bid
format and awarded by the executive board of The Twiga Foundation with the concurrence of
The Albertson’s Foundation, following all Albertsons Foundation requirements and procedures.
The Twiga Foundation uses a CPA driven on-line accounting system to manage all grants,
record-drawdowns, and disbursements. Grant funds from The Albertsons Foundation will be
kept separate from all other funds through this system that is monitored by The Twiga
Foundation executive board members.
The Twiga Foundation has resourced a grant management firm, the Redden Group who
will provide project management for BLOCK Fest™. The Redden Group’s primary business
function is that of a paid Agreement Administrator for companies like International Association
of Directors of Law Enforcement (IADLEST) and for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) agreements issued by the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). Since most non-profit entities lack the expertise, staffing and financial resources to
apply and properly manage a grant agreement they choose to contract with the Redden Group to
write the agreement and administer it.
The Redden Group delivers a variety of services that assist and enable Associations in
achieving superior levels of organizational achievement. The combined prior experience and
expertise of the Redden Group has provided the company with national recognition and an
unmatched reputation for results-oriented, cost-effective leadership. The company’s primary
goal is to form strategic partnerships with Associations to determine organizational goals and
identify effective methods of obtaining desired end results. The Redden Group is dedicated to
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16. Figure 1.
providing Firefighter, EMS, Law Enforcement, and non-profit Associations with appropriate
organizational support.
Currently the Redden Group manages federal SAFER grant projects in 13 states,
providing volunteer departments in each region multimedia campaign planning, workshop
logistics planning, local marketing assistance, and Volunteer Firefighter incentive program
implementation. For the past four years, the Redden Group has successfully managed
IADLEST’s Pursuit Policy Training programs for police personnel nationwide, both scheduling
and conducting 40 Train-the-Trainers and over 1,400 Pursuit Policy Workshops. Between
February 2009 & December 2012, there were 17,347 individuals who took classroom-based
workshops and over 600,000 officers potentially introduced to improved policy pursuit practices
as a result. These details outlined above demonstrate how The Twiga Foundation and the Redden
Group achieved set grantor’s goals and how this proven track record can be directly applied to
managing the BLOCK Fest™ project.
IMPACTS/OUTCOMES & EVALUATION DATA COLLECTION/PERFORMANCE
Already, The Twiga Foundation has extended 47 BLOCK Fest™ exhibits to 12 states, including
Idaho, as shown in Figure 1. Based off
their last reports in 2012, 120 individuals
attended workshops to become Certified
Instructors. From those Certified
Instructors, The Twiga Foundation has
received quarterly reports cataloging
4,047 adults and 6,118 children attended
at least one of the 272 events held last year. Certified Trainers conducted 37 3+1 Trainings
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17. which trained 330 individuals to host a registered BLOCK Fest™ event. Twiga further expanded
one-hour training curriculum to event volunteers which trained 361 individuals last year. Parent
Handbooks created as take-home teaching aids by Twiga Foundation were given out by event
hosts to at least 4,500 parents.
Moving forward, if awarded this grant, The Twiga Foundation’s project manager will be
responsible for final reporting on a monthly basis All data will be measured utilizing surveys and
data tracking software. All timelines will be tracked following the projected implementation,
training, and marketing plan developed with each of Idaho’s school district administrators.
Timelines will be strictly adhered to for each of the required deliverables. If a Certified or Master
training is canceled due to lack of attendance, data will be provided documenting efforts to
recruit school and community members, advanced notification and rescheduled dates and
locations. Dates of completion will be set for each of the identified tasks associated with the
logistical facilitation of all workgroups and meetings. Results will be tracked documenting
projected dates, registration notices, and accommodation selections where applicable, and
notifications disseminated via e-mail, web, and mail.
Success will be measured by tracking the number of meetings, districts with obtained
sublicenses and block exhibits, and BLOCK Fest™ play events completed on-time. All reporting
will be provided on a monthly basis identifying the number of meetings held, and sublicenses
and block exhibits acquired in Idaho school districts, required data measures, number of certified
trainers trained, and children and parents impacted. Data gathered during the reporting process
including responses from Master and Certified Trainers, parent participants, and stakeholders
will be utilized to refine the program and deliverables.
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18. In order to successfully function as the BLOCK Fest™ program administrator, The Twiga
Foundation will,
1. Provide comprehensive logistical support to all components of the BLOCK Fest™ project
2. Increase information to the academic community in Idaho about the BLOCK Fest™ program
3. Increase the accessibility and incentive of block play by providing event host stipends
Each of these deliverables will be met according to the identified grant performance measure
criteria.
It is imperative that Idaho’s education system establish well-founded and impactful early
child education programs to adequately prepare Idaho’s students for rising expectations of
learning. Beginning the education process earlier with research based programs that are both
insightful and playful will help Idaho maximize the results of their earnest achievement
programs currently focusing on junior high and high school success. Block play programs will
change the statistics that claim Idaho students are in majority not proficient in math and reading.
BLOCK Fest™ provides consistent and recurring opportunity for children to develop a
correlation between fun and learning. It is a proven program that will allow teachers the freedom
to implement higher standards while maintaining motivated and empowered students. This early
learning process will set the stage for a long-lasting conducive attitude towards solving academic
challenges. More than this though, the BLOCK Fest™ program inspires equal understanding of
fundamental math literacy and practical application in young children living varying economic
conditions in either metropolitan areas or rural landscapes throughout the state.
Each Idaho student deserves every benefit the state’s education system can provide to
them so that they can in-turn rise above the discouraging statistics of college or job readiness that
currently characterizes Idaho. Catering to children’s early education needs, BLOCK Fest™ will
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19. cement a solid core skill set in math and science skills and a propensity for learning. From there,
students in Idaho would grow measurably in later years. It is a program that will manifest its
effects during pivotal moments in the lives of each Idaho student as they choose which and how
many high school courses to take that will prepare and motivate them to go on to college and
compete in the twenty first century workplace.
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20. BLOCK Fest Budget Detail Worksheet
(Based on 3-year timeline)
A. Personnel – List each position by title and name of employee, if available. Show the annual
salary rate and the percentage of time to be devoted to the project. Compensation paid for
employees engaged in grant activities must be consistent with that paid for similar work within
the applicant organization.
Name/Position Computation Cost
Project Director Natasha Branaham $36,000/year + 30% for benefits = $46,800/ year
2 Project Assistants $21,000 each per year + 30% benefits = $60,000/year
(for curriculum development & exhibit ordering for 3 years)
Total: $ 320,400
B. Travel – Itemize travel expenses of project personnel by purpose (e.g., staff to training, field
interviews, advisory group meetings, etc.) Show the basis of computation (e.g., six people to 3-
day training at $X airfare, $X lodging, $X subsistence). Indicate source of Travel Policies
applied, Applicant or Federal Travel Regulations.
Purpose of Travel Location Item___ Computation __Cost
Certified Training Workshops 50 participants + 2 BLOCK Fest™ staff x 2 days
Travel for 2 BLOCK Fest™ instructors = $2,120 x (12 total meetings)
=$25,440
Travel for 556 Certified Training attendees (over 3 years): $500 airfare/mileage, lodging
$150 (2 days), $130 per diem (2 days) = $433,680
Master Training Meetings (3 total) 3-4 participants x 2 days
Travel for up to 4 registered attendees and for 2 BLOCK Fest™ instructors + $500
airfare/mileage + lodging $150 (2 days) + $130 per diem (2 days)
x (3 master training meetings) = $14,040
All travel expenses using current GSA per diem rates and requirements.
Total: $ 473,160
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21. C. Equipment – List non-expendable items that are to be purchased. Non-expendable equipment
is tangible property having a useful life of more than two years and an acquisition cost of $5,000
or more per unit. Expendable items should be included either in the supplies category or in the
other category. Explain how the equipment is necessary for the success of the project. Attach a
narrative describing the procurement method to be used.
Item Computation Cost
1 BLOCK Fest™ exhibit per school district
139 school districts x $9,997.00 exhibit cost x 6% tax = $1,472,958
Storage/Transportation trailers per exhibit
139 exhibits x $1,700 trailer purchase & branding cost x 6% tax = $250,478
(based on pricing for a 5’ x 10’ cargo trailer)
Total: $ 1,723,436
D. Supplies – List items by type (office supplies, postage, training materials, copying paper, and
expendable equipment items costing less than $5,000 such as books, hand held tape recorders)
and show the basis for computation. Generally supplies include any materials that are
expendable or consumed during the course of the project.
Supply Items Computation Cost
Phone/fax $1,200.00
Office supplies $2,400.00
Room/Equipment Rental $54,000.00
Postage and Shipping of Workbooks $155,500.00
Certified Trainer Workbooks Printing
$ 26.78 per Exhibit Manual set-up instructions estimated upon 8”x10”, 60 pages x 556 Certified
Trainers = $14,890
$26.78 per Certified Training Manual estimated upon 8”x10”, 60 pages x 556 Certified Trainers
= $14,890
Total: $ 242,880
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22. E. Consultants/Contracts
Name of Consultant Service Provided Computation Cost
Master Trainers 2 per Certified Training $500 per trainer per day x 2 trainers
x 2 days x 4 trainings x 3 years = $24,000
Certified Trainers BLOCK Fest™ Event Hosts $200 per host per day x 139 school
districts x 4 events per year x 3 yrs = $333,600
Contracts: Provide a description of the product or services to be procured by contract and an
estimate of the cost.
Item Cost
Redden Group – Project Coordinator – $120,000 per year x 3 years = $360,000
Total: $ 717,600
F. Other Costs – List items (e.g. rent, reproduction, telephone, janitorial or security services,
and investigative or confidential funds) by major type and the basis of the computation.
Description Computation Cost
Certified Training Class Registration 556 attendees (over 3 years) x $250 registration fee
= $139,000
Internet-accessible secure database Development & Maintenance =$29,500
Parent Block Bags 25 bags per event per year x 3 years x 139 exhibits
= $41,700
Total: $210,200
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23. Budget Summary – When you have computed the budget worksheet, transfer the totals for each
category to the spaces below. Compute the total direct costs and the total project costs.
Budget Category Amount
A. Personnel $_ 320,400
B. Travel $_ 473,160
C. Equipment $1,723,436
D. Supplies $ _242,880
E. Consultants/Contracts $_ 717,600
F. Other $ _210,200
G. Indirect Costs _________
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS: $3,687,676
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