Funding Corner: Helping Human Services Agencies Buy Software and Services
Resources to help agencies secure and manage financing for human services solutions.
Buying new software for human services can be daunting, especially if your agency has never done it before. The same goes for newer managed services and workforce initiatives that require a different approach to budgeting and justifying your request.
We’ve compiled resources to help you navigate the various funding opportunities available to agencies, understand what tools will truly support workers and empower your practice, and bring modernization and change management initiatives to life in a way that drives meaningful, long-term results.
Bo’s Pro Tip #1: Do Your Homework
Each financing option has its own subset of terminology and requirements. Whether you’re weighing a block grant against a discretionary grant or differentiating between an operational expense and a capital expense, you need to be familiar with the nuances and specifics of each option to determine which is right for your agency.
Grants and Foundations for Human Services Agencies
Local, state, and national grants and community foundations are both great resources you can strategically leverage to support many different initiatives, from innovation and modernization to training and workforce development. Here are some resources to get started.
Search for Yourself:
- Grants.gov: Explore and apply for various federal and non-federal grants and funding programs.
- Candid: Access an extensive foundation directory and get information about grantmakers to find the right match.
- Community Foundation Locator: Search by state or zip code to find foundations in your region.
Resources and Training:
- The Grantsmanship Center: Training and publications that help organizations get and manage grant funding.
- The Best Grant Writing Courses: Breaks down courses available for both new and experienced writers (includes price and continuing education credits too).
- A Quick Guide to Grants for Human Services: Provides tips for planning, searching, and applying for grants through a human services lens.
Bo’s Pro Tip #2: Be Proactive
Public Funding Streams
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) dollars are available through the end of 2024 and allow spending for social services, technology infrastructure, and capacity building.
Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Infrastructure funds to help close the digital divide with access to reliable broadband, protect from cyberattacks, and invest in underserved communities.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Federal money administered by states that provides basic cash assistance for families with children when they face a crisis or have very low incomes.
Medicaid
Administered by states, follows federal requirements; provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.
Title IV-E
Provides funds to assist with the costs of foster care maintenance, for eligible children, also covers some administrative and training costs.
State
General revenue dollars may be allocated to counties and local offices for operations. Get in touch with your state department of human services (or equivalent) to see what’s available.
Local
Beyond public and private grants, consider reaching out to local businesses and corporations headquartered in your state or county to establish partnerships.
Bo’s Pro Tip #3: Consult Your Peers
How Northwoods Helps
Since 2003, our team has partnered with hundreds of agencies across the country to support their technology, process, and change management initiatives. We know the challenges you face better than anybody in the business. We use this insight to help agencies of all sizes make buying decisions that support their mission to help those who need it most.
We’ve created various resources to guide agencies along their buying journey. If you’re looking for more personalized support, our fiscal advocate, Amy Drapcho, is available to help you:
- Maximize your state and federal reimbursement options and other special allotments.
- Identify and write proposals for grant opportunities that support your agency’s initiatives.
- Consult on complicated funding and procurement processes and questions.
- Connect with customers who’ve leveraged similar options to offer first-hand counsel.
See Our Solutions
Meet Traverse
Agencies use Traverse® to support workers with a centralized digital case file. Workers can gain two productive hours a day to spend more time with clients.
Meet Case Aide Services
Case Aide Services takes on time-consuming administrative tasks. Agencies save time, money, and dramatically improve performance metrics in child welfare.
Better Together
Northwoods software and services can be used together to ensure your focus remains on what truly matters—delivering exceptional human services.
Bo’s Pro Tip #4: Get Creative
Since different budgets go into effect at different times (federal in October; and typically state in July and local in January), be strategic about when you tap into each pool to spread payments over multiple years. Remember too that you don’t always have to ask for new money. You can often find savings within line items that have already been approved (e.g., overtime or mileage that you no longer need) and reallocate those dollars toward your current project.
Conclusion
There may never be a perfect time to launch a new initiative, implement a new technology, or turn a big idea into actionable results. But there will always be a new and better way of doing things that allows your agency to make a greater impact on your clients and community. Adapting to this change may seem daunting, but with the right resources and support, you’ve got it! Get in touch if you want to discuss how Northwoods can help.
Take it With You
Download a PDF version of this guide to change management in human services. Keep it to reference again at any time in the future!