1. (a) Program purpose and priorities. All grant applications submitted to the department for community outdoor outreach programs are evaluated for program eligibility and prioritized according to the Project Priority Scoring System set forth in this section. In general, recommended priorities for community outdoor outreach projects are:

   1. (1) to ensure sponsor performance on active grants and compliance on previous grants;
   2. (2) to improve community outdoor outreach opportunities for inner-city, rural, low-income, minority, female, physically/mentally challenged, and youth-at-risk citizens;
   3. (3) to reward partnerships between local sponsors and other organized groups;
   4. (4) to increase the number of participants served;
   5. (5) to maximize the use of funds for direct community outdoor outreach opportunities;
   6. (6) to reward commitment of sponsor resources;
   7. (7) to increase use of TPW programs and facilities; and
   8. (8) to reward promotion of outdoor educational activities.

2. (b) Project Priority Scoring System.

   1. (1) Proposed project's primary constituency. Maximum of 14 points.

      1. (A) inner city (city must have population of 100,000 or greater): 2 points;
      2. (B) rural (cities less than 17,500 population or counties with a population of less than 28,000): 2 points;
      3. (C) minority (minorities within served population greater than or equal to 50% of total served population): 2 points;
      4. (D) female (females within served population greater than or equal to 50% of total served population): 2 points;
      5. (E) low-income (served families with annual combined family income less than $19,500 greater than or equal to 50% of total served population): 2 points;
      6. (F) physically/mentally challenged (includes ADD, ADHD): 2 points;
      7. (G) youth (age 17 and under) : 2 points.
   2. (2) Proposed project encourages partnerships with organized groups. Application must include written and signed agreements between the project sponsor and the proposed partnership group. Letters of endorsement by themselves will not receive credit. One point shall be awarded for each partnership agreement that commits cash contributions, volunteer labor, program materials, physical facilities use, transportation, food, etc. Maximum of 4 points.
   3. (3) Number of program participants the proposed project will serve. One point awarded per 25 persons served, up to a maximum of 10 points.
   4. (4) The extent to which the proposed project prioritizes direct service costs. Points shall be awarded on a percentage basis, determined by dividing the direct service delivery costs by the total project cost and multiplying the result by 10. Maximum of 10 points.
   5. (5) The extent to which the sponsor's funds and resources are committed to the project. Points shall be awarded on a percentage basis, determined by dividing the local/sponsor funds by the total project cost and multiplying the result by 4. Maximum of 4 points.

   6. (6) The extent of the proposed project's direct relationship with TPW programs and/or facilities. Maximum of 5 points. One point shall be awarded per:

      1. (A) TPW facility used;
      2. (B) instance of TPW personnel involved;
      3. (C) instance of TPW instructional materials used; or
      4. (D) instance of TPW program provided. Maximum of 5 points.
   7. (7) Project specifically serves at-risk youth. A definition of at-risk youth must be included, as well as a description of each activity designed to serve at-risk youth. One point shall be awarded for each activity serving at-risk youth as defined in the project. Maximum of 3 points.
   8. (8) Project proposes activities related to TPW initiatives. One point shall be awarded for each proposed activity related to a TPW initiative (e.g., fishing, camping, hunting, environmental education, or other outdoor activity) Demonstrated participation in the TPW Outdoor Kids Program automatically receives the full point total. Maximum of 5 points.

   9. (9) Project promotes outdoor educational activities. Each educational element must be demonstrated by a discussion of the curriculum to be employed. Maximum of 4 points. Points will be awarded according to the curriculum's potential to increase participants' :

      1. (A) awareness;
      2. (B) knowledge, skills, and abilities;
      3. (C) critical thinking; and
      4. (D) behavioral change.

Source Note:The provisions of this §61.135 adopted to be effective August 31, 2000, 25 TexReg 8409.