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Aquatic Center Grant Program

List of Aquatic Centers


Fall 2008 Aquatic Center Directors' Conference
(Agenda TBD)
October 14th and 15th, 2008
California State University, Northridge
Castaic Lake BISC

 

Current Contractor Information

  1. Year End Report - Information Letter
  2. Aquatic Center Grant Program Manual
  3. Inventory List
  4. 2007 Budget Page Template
  5. Reimbursement Claim - Equipment Summary Form
  6. Reimbursement Claim - Scholarship Summary Form

One of the primary missions of Cal Boating is to promote a safer and more enjoyable boating environment. In support of this mission, the Department makes grants available for non-profit organizations colleges and universities and local agencies operating in California that offer on-the-water training to enhance basic boating safety education.

Following are typical questions about this program.

FAQs

Information on the Boating Safety Grant Program (FAQ's)

Who May Apply For Funds?

Funding is available to colleges and universities, cities and counties, and agencies with federal not-for-profit status that provide on-the-water boating safety education instruction to the general public.

To be considered for funding, a program must carry the proper insurance for participants in the programs. Please read the attached insurance requirements carefully to make sure your program is eligible for funding. During the contract process, you will also be required to provide a certificate of insurance for your program. If your program is self-insured, you must provide a letter from your office of risk-management stating self-insurance status.

Additionally, in order to be considered for funding, an applicant must also be in compliance with the State of California nondiscrimination policy regarding employment. Please see the attached policy.

When can I apply for funds?

The next grant application period is scheduled for September to November 2009.  Due to changing circumstances, please check back for updates to this proposed funding cycle.  The opening and closing dates of the application period (usually a 6 week period) will be posted.  The Department only accepts grant applications during an open application period.  Grant applications submitted outside of that specified period will not be considered for funding. 

If you would like to be placed on a mailing list to automatically receive a grant application package when the application period opens, please contact Joleane King or Amy Rigby.  Please include your organization’s name, the organization’s address, and the name of the person to whom it should be directed.

Where do the funds for this program come from?

Most funding is provided under Section 668.2 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, which allows State funds to be used for the grant program. Additionally, funds are derived from the federal Wallop-Breaux grant program administered by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety in Washington, D.C. Historically, the Department of Boating and Waterways has received funds from the Coast Guard on an annual basis. However, there is no guarantee that these funds will always be available.

What type of equipment can be purchased with grant funds?

Vessels, and/or associated equipment used for boating safety education is eligible for grant funding. Examples include sailboats, trailers, water-ski boats, canoes, kayaks, life jackets, and associated safety equipment. (Currently, competitive racing and rowing equipment may not be purchased with grant monies.) Grant recipients must have federal non-profit status.

What types of scholarships are available through grant funds?

Scholarships are available for individuals to learn boating and aquatic safety. Examples of groups eligible for scholarship funds include but are not limited to youth at-risk, and physically or mentally challenged individuals. Contracts must be completed within one year. A minimum of 30 classes must be administered during the term of the contract. Scholarship funds are not available for competitive racing and rowing programs.

What does the Department look for in awarding a grant to an organization?

The Department will consider awarding grant funds to non-profit organizations that can provide a comprehensive on-the-water program for enhancing boating safety education and accommodate a large number of individuals in a cost-effective way. The grant process is competitive in nature. The organization should provide access to the general public and conduct boating safety education most of the calendar year. Programs that provide courses year-round are favored.

The organization must have, or must plan to develop, a positive boating safety record and be recognized for its instructional expertise or public service.

What are some of the contractual requirements that would be included on the contract?

If boating equipment is purchased and scholarships are approved through grant funds, the organization must agree to provide a specified number of boating safety classes each year.

The organization:

  • must be responsible for the replacement of any equipment purchased under the contract if damaged or stolen.
  • must provide all equipment repairs, insurance and staffing for the program.
  • is required to provide an annual report and equipment inventory to the Department. Suggestions for improvements in the boating safety program are desirable.
  • must comply with the attached insurance requirements and must provide additional coverage that holds the Department harmless for any accidents that occur through the conduct of the available program.
  • must agree to have its records available for audit by both the state and federal agencies having authority over the funding.
  • is responsible for complying with a variety of federal and state requirements, concerning such items as procurement and nondiscrimination requirements.
  • must attend one Aquatic Center Directors conference per year. Conferences are held twice a year.

The Department retains legal ownership of the equipment purchased under the program. Any vessel or trailer that is required to be registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall have the Department of Boating and Waterways listed on the registration as the lien holder. The organization must request permission from the Department to dispose of any equipment purchased during the term of the contract. The Department must be consulted if the equipment is to be used for any activity other than boating safety training.

What are some of the steps the Department follows after my agency submits a proposal for review?

After the Department receives a proposal, it is reviewed with the above criteria in mind. Usually a site visit is conducted in order to further evaluate the program. If the Department approves the application, a contract is sent to the grant recipient for signature, then processed through the Department's Administrative Services Section and signed by the Director. Further contractual approval occurs at the Department of General Services' Legal Office.

What happens after a grant is awarded?

After a contract is awarded, a follow-up visit with the organization is made by a Department representative. Such visits include a review of the program goals and inventory of the equipment purchased with Department funds.

How do I receive the funds I have been awarded?

No money is awarded upon approval of the contract; all funds are distributed through reimbursements only. Billings should be submitted in triplicate and contain an invoice from the program, a summary of the billing, proof of payment, and if necessary, manufacturer/dealer invoices or receipts. Purchase orders from manufactures/dealers will not be accepted in place of invoices when requesting reimbursement from the Department.

Reimbursement Claim - Equipment Summary Form
Reimbursement Claim - Scholarship Summary Form

The required time to receive reimbursement varies. Once the request for payment leaves our office, it goes to the State Controller's office where the actual check is processed and mailed to the contractor. Although we have tried to take steps to shorten this process, it can be lengthy, varying from as short as several weeks to as long as three months. Programs without sufficient funds to cover payments while waiting for reimbursement should not apply for grant monies.

Aquatic Center Directors' Conferences

These conferences provide an opportunity for directors of aquatic centers throughout the state to come together and discuss boating-related topics. Any group is welcome to attend these meetings regardless of whether they receive funding from Cal Boating.

Topics discussed in the past include:

  • Aquatic programs for children, including youth at-risk programs
  • Ways to make program dollars go further
  • Programs for the disabled
  • Sharing instructional videos and manuals
  • Grant writing workshops
  • How aquatic centers can form valuable partnerships with municipal governments and other area organizations.
  • The role of the Internet in aquatic programs

Conference attendees get the chance to network with others who direct programs similar to theirs, affording them a chance to share ideas and find ways to offer better, safer, and often, cheaper programs.

The conferences are held twice a year, in spring and fall. The spring conference is usually held in March in Southern California. The fall conference is held in October in Northern California. Agencies participating in the grant program volunteer to host a conference. The conference lasts 2 days and occasionally includes a third day, which involves a boating activity.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Event: Fall 2008 Aquatic Center Directors' Conference
Date: October 144th and 15th, 2008
Place: California State University, Northridge at Castaic Lake BISC

Other information will follow when we have further details regarding hotel, directions, conference fees and itinerary, etc.

How do I appeal the denial of a permit, license, or application?

Contact the Director of the Department at:

E-mail: Margarita Sanchez, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director
Call: (888) 326-2822
Write: Raynor Tsuneyoshi, Director
2000 Evergreen St., Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815