Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau; Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), 38157-38166 [05-13075]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Administration for Children and Families
• Children and Families Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38157-38166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13075]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's 
Bureau; Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect 
(LONGSCAN)

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-CA-0087.
    CFDA Number: 93.670.
    Due Dates for Applications: Application is due August 10, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The purpose of these grants is to support a 
fourth implementation phase of the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies 
of Child Abuse and Neglect, which is conducting and coordinating 
prospective studies of young children who are at risk or who have 
already experienced maltreatment. These studies are expected to 
contribute to the knowledge of the etiology and consequences of child 
maltreatment, and provide new insights into the prevention, 
identification and treatment of maltreatment.

Priority Area 1

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The purpose of these grants is to support a fourth implementation 
phase of the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and 
Neglect, which is conducting and coordinating prospective studies of 
young children who are at risk or who have already experienced 
maltreatment. These studies are expected to contribute to the knowledge 
of the etiology and consequences of child maltreatment, and provide new 
insights into the prevention, identification and treatment of 
maltreatment.

Background

    LONGSCAN is a consortium of prospective studies designed to examine 
the life course of young children who are at risk of maltreatment or 
who have already been maltreated. Currently, the total projected sample 
size is about 1,500 children who are recruited at age four or younger. 
Baseline data is collected through child and primary caretaker 
interviews on all children in each of the studies at age four. Teacher 
assessments on each child are collected at subsequent follow-ups after 
the child enters school. The studies use common data collection 
instruments and a common developmental perspective so that applied 
analyses of data as well as comparisons among sites and site-specific 
analyses can be accomplished. To date, the specific common measurement 
batteries have been selected for ages four, six, eight and twelve, and 
data have been collected on twelve-year-olds in some sites. Tracking is 
carried out annually. Each site is responsible for selecting and 
maintaining a sample to follow at the designated data points for up to 
twenty years. The study duration of twenty years has been selected for 
conceptual reasons only, and the actual duration of the effort will be 
contingent upon the availability of financial support.
    The Principal Investigators have signed and abide by a Governance 
Agreement that describes the operating structure of the Executive Board 
and seven Committees (Publication, Measures, Human Subjects, 
Communication, Field Procedures and Tracking, Data Handling and 
Analysis, Funding and Development) and policies related to ownership, 
local analysis and authorship. The Executive Board and Committees meet 
twice a year and use the Internet in between to discuss issues that 
arise and to reach agreement on the most appropriate procedures and 
actions to take.
    Samples of children for the five sites vary by their level of risk 
and exposure to maltreatment. The studies include children identified 
at birth as at risk; children identified as at risk in pediatric 
clinics during their first year of life; children identified as at risk 
due to a report to a child protective services agency; children in 
treatment because of maltreatment; and children who have been removed 
from their families and placed in foster care following maltreatment. 
In addition to the common measures, each site also is collecting data. 
For example, one site has recruited children in their first year of 
life and has a special focus on use of videotaped observations of 
parent-child interactions as a means of assessing attachment and 
bonding. Two sites are obtaining information on the role of the fathers 
in caring for the children.
    As the grantees complete their fifteenth year of work, the sites 
have completed recruitment of their samples; collected site-specific 
data; selected, piloted and trained on administering measures for the 
age four, six, eight, and twelve, fourteen, and sixteen-year old 
follow-ups; developed procedures and conducted annual contact 
interviews with the samples; developed forms; and conducted CPS record 
reviews for their samples.
    During the first fifteen years of implementation, the Coordinating 
Center has provided for coordination of cross-site activities including 
measurement selection and development; production of instruments, 
operational manuals and training for site staff; development of the 
data entry system and training of site staff in entry and analysis; 
receipt and checks for the data; development, maintenance, 
documentation and distribution to sites of datasets; and conducted 
cross-site analyses. All sites will have completed the data collection 
on the four-, six-, and eight-year-olds, and most will have completed 
the data collection for twelve-year-olds. Consortium members have 
written papers and presented individually and on panels at various 
national professional conferences.
    The Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF) 
Children's Bureau seeks to fund a fourth phase of the Consortium for 
Longitudinal Studies to enable the completion of all data collection 
for children at ages twelve and sixteen in these samples, and to

[[Page 38158]]

begin data collection from older participants as appropriate. 
Variations in subject recruitment have resulted in a range in the ages 
of the children in the studies so that, although data collection from 
eight-year-olds will have just been completed in one site, at least 
four of the five sites will be well into the age 16 follow-up during 
this period. It is also expected that a common measurement battery will 
be developed and used for the follow-ups as the sample moves from 
adolescence into adulthood. This phase of funding will provide for data 
analyses and findings for baseline and follow-up of the samples through 
age twelve, and preliminary analyses for the developmental transition 
through adolescence and into adulthood.
    In this, the fourth phase, the Children's Bureau again intends to 
award up to six separate grants: five to Satellite Sites and one to a 
stand-alone Coordinating Center. Each Satellite Site and Coordinating 
Center applicant is expected to submit an individual application in 
response to this priority area.
    The Children's Bureau is committed to the process of secondary data 
analysis for the purpose of verification and extension of research 
findings. To that end, the applicant(s) will agree to archive data from 
the study with the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect 
within two years of the termination of Federal funding for the project. 
The applicant's Institutional Review Board and research participants 
should be made aware that the data from the project will be archived 
and made available to other researchers after personal identifiers have 
been removed. Archiving will involve providing individual respondent 
data in electronic form and the accompanying documentation, including 
the codebook, the final report, and copies of the research instruments, 
as appropriate. A manual describing the guidelines of the Archive, 
`Depositing Data with the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and 
Neglect: A Handbook for Investigators,' is available from the Archive 
directly at the Family Life Development Center, MVR Hall, Cornell 
University, Ithaca, NY 14853 (phone: (607) 255-7799), from the Archive 
Web site at www.ndacan.cornell.edu, or from the National Clearinghouse 
on Child Abuse and Neglect Information.

History

    In Fiscal Year 1989, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect 
(NCCAN), which was the predecessor to the Office on Child Abuse and 
Neglect (OCAN), an office in the Children's Bureau, funded two 
successful applicants in response to the priority area for the 
Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment. The 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Juvenile Protective 
Association in Chicago were awarded a planning grant as a `central 
grantee' and `satellite grantee,' respectively. The planning grant 
successfully developed a plan for a longitudinal study. The original 
announcement stated that upon completion of this planning year, a 
central grantee and up to three satellites would be funded for a five-
year period and possibly longer, pending statutory authority and the 
availability of funds. The announcement went on to state that 
additional satellite projects could be funded in the future.
    In FY 1990 and FY 1991, NCCAN awarded five-year grants to the 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Juvenile Protective 
Association for the implementation of the Consortium for Longitudinal 
Studies of Child Maltreatment. The University of North Carolina 
received the award as the central grantee (Coordinating Center) and for 
two Satellite Sites (in North Carolina and Seattle); and the Juvenile 
Protective Association received the award for a satellite grantee (in 
Chicago), thus implementing the proposed plan for the Consortium 
Coordinating Center and three Satellite Sites.
    In FY 1990, the San Diego State University Foundation received a 
grant in response to the priority area on Psychological Impact of Child 
Maltreatment, and by FY 1991, had signed an agreement to participate as 
a Satellite Site in the Consortium.
    In FY 1991, the University of Maryland at Baltimore received a 
grant in response to the priority area on Field Initiated Research for 
Child Abuse and Neglect, and agreed, as part of their application, to 
coordinate with the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies. The University 
of Maryland at Baltimore also signed an agreement to participate as a 
satellite site in the Consortium. With the award of this grant in 1991, 
the Consortium comprised the Coordinating Center and five Satellite 
Sites.
    In FY 1995, a limited competition was held to continue the 
Consortium for Longitudinal Studies and all existing grantees were 
awarded new grants. In FY 2000, a limited competition was again held, 
with each of the satellite sites becoming eligible to receive an 
individual grant. Currently, the Coordinating Center grant is awarded 
to the University of North Carolina, and satellite site grants are 
awarded to the University of North Carolina, the University of 
Maryland, San Diego Children's Hospital, the Juvenile Protective 
Association in Chicago, and the Washington State Department of Social 
and Health Services.
    The collaborative effort in which these grantees are involved is 
multi-disciplinary and has taken the name of the LONGSCAN Consortium. 
In this priority area, the Children's Bureau has sought to address the 
needs identified by the report from the National Research Council 
(1995) for collaborative, longitudinal studies in a developmental 
framework and theory-based longitudinal research to examine the 
antecedents and consequences of child abuse and neglect.

Legislative Authority

    The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Section 105 (b)(5) (42 
U.S.C. 5106).
    Projects funded under this announcement will be expected to:
    1. Have the project fully functioning within 90 days following the 
notification of the grant award.
    2. Participate if the Children's Bureau chooses to do a national 
evaluation or a technical assistance contract that relates to this 
funding announcement.
    3. Submit all performance indicator data, program and financial 
reports in a timely manner, in recommended format (to be provided), and 
submit the final report on disk or electronically using a standard 
word-processing program.
    4. Submit a copy of the final report, the evaluation report, and 
any program products to the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and 
Neglect Information, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, within 90 
days of project end date. This is in addition to the standard 
requirement that the final program and evaluation report must also be 
submitted to the Grants Management Specialist and the Federal Project 
Officer.
    5. Allocate sufficient funds in the budget to:
    (a) Provide for the project director, the evaluator and a child 
welfare representative to attend an annual 3-day grantees' meeting in 
Washington, DC.
    (b) Provide for the project director, the evaluator and a child 
welfare representative to attend an early kickoff meeting for grantees 
funded under this priority area to be held within the first three 
months of the project (first year only) in Washington, DC and
    (c) Provide for 10-15 percent of the proposed budget to project 
evaluation.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.

[[Page 38159]]

Federal Substantial Involvement With Cooperative Agreement

    A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding Federal 
assistance in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. A 
cooperative agreement clearly defines the respective responsibilities 
of the Children's Bureau and the grantee prior to the award. The 
Children's Bureau anticipates that agency involvement will produce 
programmatic benefits to the recipient otherwise unavailable to them 
for carrying out the project. The involvement and collaboration 
includes Children's Bureau review and approval of planning stages of 
the activities before implementation phases may begin; Children's 
Bureau involvement in the establishment of policies and procedures that 
maximize open competition, and rigorous and impartial development, 
review and funding of grant or sub-grant activities, if applicable; and 
Children's Bureau and recipient joint collaboration in the performance 
of key programmatic activities (i.e., strategic planning, 
implementation, information technology enhancements, training and 
technical assistance, publications or products, and evaluation). It 
also includes close monitoring by the Children's Bureau of the 
requirements stated in this announcement that limit the grantee's 
discretion with respect to scope of services offered, organizational 
structure and management processes, coupled with close Children's 
Bureau monitoring during performance, which may, in order to ensure 
compliance with the intent of this funding, exceed those Federal 
stewardship responsibilities customary for grant activities.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $1,750,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 1 to 6.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $500,000.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $500,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 60-month project with five 12-month 
budget periods.
Other
    Explanation of Other: In the first budget period, the maximum 
Federal share of each of the five Satellite Sites is not to exceed 
$250,000, and the maximum Federal share of the Coordinating Center is 
not to exceed $500,000. The projects awarded will be for a project 
period of 60 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month 
budget period. The award of continuation beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Floor on amount of individual awards: None.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Others. (See Additional Information on Eligibility below.)
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Eligibility is limited to current grantees who are members of the 
Consortium for Longitudinal Studies: The University of North Carolina, 
Chapel Hill; San Diego State University Foundation, San Diego; the 
Juvenile Protective Association, Chicago; the Department of Social and 
Health Services, Olympia, Washington; the University of Maryland at 
Baltimore.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    Cost Sharing/Matching: None.

3. Other Eligibility Information

    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. On June 27, 
2003 the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal 
Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant 
applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to provide 
a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after 
October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant 
is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide 
electronic portal (https://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be 
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation 
of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement 
and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at https://www.dnb.com.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status.
    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
     A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney 
general, or other appropriate State official certifying that the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net 
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above 
for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by 
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

ACYF Operations, The Dixon Group, Attn: Children's Bureau, 118 Q St., 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. Phone: (866) 796-1591. URL: https://
www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-CA-0001.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the https://
www.Grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.Gov:
     Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly 
encouraged.
     When you enter the Grants.Gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that you 
do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.Gov.

[[Page 38160]]

     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format 
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application. 
The original and each of the two copies must include all required 
forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an 
authorized representative, have original signatures, and be submitted 
unbound.
    Private non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms'', ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'', 
titled ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants'', at 
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Each application must contain the following items in the order 
listed:

Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424). Follow the 
instructions below and those that accompany the form.

In Item 5 of Form 424, put DUNS number in ``Organizational DUNS:'' box.

    In Item 5 of Form 424, include name, phone number, and, if 
available, e-mail and fax numbers of the contact person.
    In Item 8 of Form 424, check `New.'
    In Item 10 of Form 424, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program title and number for the program for 
which funds are being requested as stated in this funding opportunity 
announcement.
    In Item 11 of Form 424, identify the single funding opportunity the 
application addresses.
    In Item 12 of Form 424, identify the specific geographic area to be 
served.
    In Item 14 of Form 424, identify Congressional districts of both 
the applicant and project.
Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (Form 424A) and Budget 
Justification
    Follow the instructions provided here and those in Section V. 
Application Review Information.
    Certifications/Assurances. Applicants requesting financial 
assistance for non-construction projects must file the Standard Form 
424B, `Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.' Applicants must sign and 
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must 
provide a certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award 
in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the 
certification with their applications.
    Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form 
LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who 
have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection with 
receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a 
disclosure form to report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the 
disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification regarding 
environmental tobacco smoke. By signing and submitting the application, 
the applicant is providing the certification and need not mail back the 
certification with the applications.
    If applicable, applicants must include a completed SPOC 
certification (Single Point of Contact) with the date of the SPOC 
contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the Form 424.
    Project Use of Human Subjects. If your evaluation plan includes 
gathering data from or about clients, there are specific procedures 
which must be followed in order to protect their privacy and ensure the 
confidentiality of the information about them. Applicants planning to 
gather such data are asked to describe their plans regarding an 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. If applicable, applicants must 
include a completed Form 310, Protection of Human Subjects. For more 
information about use of human subjects and IRB's you can visit these 
Web sites: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_chapter2.htm#d2 and https://
www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/ictips.htm.
    Description. Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on 
preparing the project summary/abstract and the full project 
description.
    Proof of non-profit status (if applicable). Please see Section 
III.3 Other Eligibility for ways to demonstrate non-profit status.
    Indirect cost rate agreement. If claiming indirect costs, provide 
documentation that applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Letters of agreement and memoranda of understanding. If applicable, 
include a letter of commitment or Memorandum of Understanding from each 
partner and/or sub-contractor describing their role, detailing specific 
tasks to be performed, and expressing commitment to participate if the 
proposed project is funded.
    General Content and Form information: The application limit is 75 
pages total including all forms and attachments. Pages over this page 
limit will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed.
    The application must be typed, double spaced, printed on only one 
side, with at least \1/2\ inch margins on each side and 1 inch at the 
top and bottom, using standard 12 Point fonts (such as Times New Roman 
or Courier). Pages must be numbered.
    All copies of an application must be submitted in a single package, 
and a separate package must be submitted for each funding opportunity. 
The package must be clearly labeled for the specific funding 
opportunity it is addressing.
    Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include 
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, 
brochures, or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a 
photocopy machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or 
fasten in any way separate subsections of the application, including 
supporting documentation; however, each complete copy must be stapled 
securely in the upper left corner. Applicants are advised that the 
copies of the application submitted, not the original, will be 
reproduced by the Federal government for review.

[[Page 38161]]

    Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application. It is essential that 
applicants read the entire announcement package carefully before 
preparing an application and include all of the required application 
forms and attachments. The application must reflect a thorough 
understanding of the purpose and objectives of the applicable 
legislation. Reviewers expect applicants to understand the goals of the 
legislation and the Children's Bureau's interest in each topic. A 
``responsive application'' is one that addresses all of the evaluation 
criteria in ways that demonstrate this understanding. Applications that 
are considered to be ``unresponsive'' generally receive very low scores 
and are rarely funded.
    The Children's Bureau's Web site (https://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/
cb) provides a wide range of information and links to other relevant 
web sites. Before you begin preparing an application, we suggest that 
you learn more about the mission and programs of the Children's Bureau 
by exploring the Web site.
    Organizing Your Application. The specific evaluation criteria in 
Section V of this funding announcement will be used to review and 
evaluate each application. The applicant should address each of these 
specific evaluation criteria in the project description. Applicants 
should organize their project description in this sequence: (1) 
Objectives and Need for Assistance; (2) Approach; (3) Organizational 
Profiles; (4) Budget and Budget Justification and should use the same 
headings as these criteria, so that reviewers can readily find 
information that directly addresses each of the specific review 
criteria.
    Project Evaluation Plan. Project evaluations are very important. If 
you do not have the in-house capacity to conduct an objective, 
comprehensive evaluation of the project, then the Children's Bureau 
advises that you propose contracting with a third-party evaluator 
specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or 
college, to conduct the evaluation. A skilled evaluator can assist you 
in designing a data collection strategy that is appropriate for the 
evaluation of your proposed project. Additional assistance may be found 
in a document titled ``Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation.'' A copy 
of this document can be accessed at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/
core/pubs_reports/prog_mgr.html or ordered by contacting the National 
Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, 330 C Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20447; phone (800) 394-3366; fax (703) 385-3206; e-
mail nccanch@calib.com.
    Logic Model. A logic model is a tool that presents the conceptual 
framework for a proposed project and explains the linkages among 
program elements. While there are many versions of the logic model, 
they generally summarize the logical connections among the needs that 
are the focus of the project, project goals and objectives, the target 
population, project inputs (resources), the proposed activities/
processes/outputs directed toward the target population, the expected 
short- and long-term outcomes the initiative is designed to achieve, 
and the evaluation plan for measuring the extent to which proposed 
processes and outcomes actually occur. Information on the development 
of logic models is available on the Internet at https://www.uwex.edu/
ces/pdande/ or https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cyfar/capbuilding/
outcome/outcome_logicmdir.html.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Due Date for Applications: August 10, 2005.
    Explanation of Due Dates: The closing time and date for receipt of 
applications is 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on the date noted above. 
Mailed or hand carried applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the 
closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date at the ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., 
Attn: Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. 
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, 
when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications are 
received on or before the deadline time and date.
    Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, 
Inc., Attn: Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street NE., Washington, DC 20002-
2132, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This 
address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application 
with the note. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be 
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier 
services, or by hand delivery. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 
https://www.Grants.gov.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. on the deadline 
date will not be considered for competition. Applicants using express/
overnight mail services should allow two working days prior to the 
deadline date for receipt of applications. (Applicants are cautioned 
that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed).
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
    Checklist: You may use the checklist below as a guide when 
preparing your application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Required form or
         What to submit           Required content         format                     When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Abstract...............  See Section IV and  Format described    By application due date.
                                  V.                  in Section IV and
                                                      V.
Project Narrative..............  See Section IV and  Format described    By application due date.
                                  V.                  in Section IV and
                                                      V.
SF424..........................  See Section IV....  Format described    By application due date.
                                                      in Section IV.
SF424A.........................  See Section IV....  Format described    By application due date.
                                                      in Section IV.
SF424B.........................  See Section IV....  Format described    By application due date.
                                                      in Section IV.
Assurances and Certifications..  See Section IV....  Format described    By time of award.
                                                      in Section IV.

[[Page 38162]]

 
Proof of Non-profit status, if   See Section III     Format described    By time of award.
 applicable.                      and IV.             in Section III.
Indirect Cost rate Agreement,    See Section IV....  Format described    By time of award.
 if applicable.                                       in IV.
Letters of commitment from       See Section IV....  Format described    By time of award.
 partner organizations, if                            in IV.
 applicable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional Forms: Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged 
to submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grant 
Related Documents and Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit 
Grant Applicants'' at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Required form or
         What to submit           Required content         format                     When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit   Per required form.  May be found on     With application.
 Grant Applicants.                                    www.acf.hhs.gov/
programs/ofs/
forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, 
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate 
the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2).
    A SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on 
proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to 
eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official 
recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly 
differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State 
process recommendations which may trigger the ``accommodate or 
explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the 
program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions that have or for projects 
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action 
in regard to E.O. 12372.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.
    Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program 
announcement are subject to the availability of funds. The size of the 
actual awards will vary.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An Application must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an 
explanation of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: ACYF 
Operations Center, The Dixon Group, 118 Q St. NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132. Attention: Children's Bureau.

    Hand Delivery: An Applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. Please see Section IV.3 for an explanation of due dates. 
Applications should be delivered to: ACYF Operations Center, The Dixon 
Group, 118 Q St. NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. Attention: Children's 
Bureau

    Electronic Submission: https://www.grants.gov. Please see Section 
IV. 2 Content and Form of Application Submission, for guidelines and 
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``Project Summary/Abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).

[[Page 38163]]

1. Criteria

General Instructions
    ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions 
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended 
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of 
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are 
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. 
Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly 
funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an 
integral part of the grant funded activity should be placed in an 
appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be 
included for easy reference.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation 
criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what your project 
description should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the 
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how 
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or 
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. 
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, 
maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the 
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to 
any ``collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by 
ACF.'' List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other 
key individuals who will work on the project along with a short 
description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. If the 
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit 
status in its application. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by 
providing: (a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in 
the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently 
valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State 
taxing body, State attorney general, or other appropriate State 
official certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit 
status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private 
shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly 
establishes non-profit status; (e) any of the items immediately above 
for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by 
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations 
for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form. 
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit 
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the 
calculation to be duplicated. Also include a breakout by the funding 
sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative 
budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are 
derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the 
proposed costs.
General
    Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. 
``Non Federal resources'' are all other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be 
presented in a columnar format: first column, object class categories; 
second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s); 
and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a 
narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.

[[Page 38164]]

Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, 
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than 
States that are required to use part 92 procedures, must justify any 
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without 
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc. Note: Whenever 
the applicant intends to delegate part of the project to another 
agency, the applicant must provide a detailed budget and budget 
narrative for each delegate agency, by agency title, along with the 
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, upon notification that an award will be made, it 
should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with 
the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates, 
and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of 
their indirect cost proposals may also request indirect costs. When an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    Evaluation Criteria: The following evaluation criteria appear in 
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the 
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; 
however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely 
according to the order presented. Application components may be 
organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and 
logical flow of information (e.g. from a broad overview of the project 
to more detailed information about how it will be conducted.
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Approach (50 points)
    Criterion 2: Approach (50 points). For Satellite Site applicants, 
reviewers will evaluate the extent to which applicants:
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the issues, problems, and 
benefits associated with being a Satellite Site, and with participating 
in the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect.
    2. Describe activities undertaken during the first, second and 
third implementation phases and how the approach being proposed for the 
fourth five-year effort would build on this work; describe the study 
samples(s), provide details about what data have been collected within 
the sample(s) to date, and describe how attrition of the study 
samples(s) will be addressed.
    3. Explain how the issues of research definitions of child abuse 
and neglect have been and will be addressed.
    4. Propose an approach that is comprehensive and developmentally 
appropriate and reflects cultural sensitivity to the issues being 
addressed.
    5. Describe the approach that will be employed for the specific 
functions of a Satellite Site, and demonstrate sufficient resources and 
the appropriate facilities for carrying out the project, as applicable.
    6. Demonstrate an ability to gain access to necessary information.
    7. Delineate data processing and documentation procedures, and 
indicate

[[Page 38165]]

how aggregate or single site data analysis will be addressed, as 
applicable.
    For Coordinating Center applicant, reviewers will evaluate the 
extent to which the applicant:
    1. Demonstrates an understanding of the issues and problems that 
must be addressed in working with the Satellite Sites, and of 
coordinating the activities of the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies 
of Child Abuse and Neglect.
    2. Describes the range of activities to be undertaken in the 
Coordinating Center.
    3. Describes procedures for coordinating data collection efforts, 
including the development of common measurement protocols, training, 
and quality control procedures.
    4. Delineates data management, processing and documentation 
procedures, and indicates how aggregate or single site data analysis 
will be addressed by either the Coordinating Center or by Satellite 
Sites, as applicable. Describes procedures for sharing data among 
Satellite Sites.
    5. Describes plans for assisting with individual site data analyses 
for the Satellite Sites, or plans for site-specific comparisons among 
sites and/or pooled data analyses.
    6. Projects the planned topics for analysis and publication over 
the proposed five-year project cycle. Justify the selection of topics 
in terms of (a) knowledge development to inform policy and improve 
practice in child welfare especially as it relates to child abuse and 
neglect and (b) all of the outcome measures discussed above but 
especially a reduction in recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect, 
reductions in incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care.
    7. Describes plans for providing Consortium datasets to the 
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect as described in this 
announcement.
    For both Satellite Site and the Coordinating Center applicants, 
reviewers will evaluate the extent to which applicants:
    1. Describe why you believe the project is innovative.
    2. Provide information on articles, papers and presentations on the 
projects to date, as well as those planned; describe the strategies for 
the dissemination of the products, interim findings, as appropriate, 
and reports that would be of use to other researchers, policy-makers, 
and practitioners in the field.
    3. Discuss how the issues of informed consent have been and will be 
addressed for the child, primary caregiver, teacher and record reviews; 
describe use of the Certificate of Confidentiality and how any legal 
and ethical issues that may arise will be addressed; and discuss how 
informed consent procedures address plans to archive the data at the 
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Organizational Profiles (20 points)
    Criterion 3: Organization Profiles (20 points). For both Satellite 
Site and Coordinating Center applicants, reviewers will evaluate the 
extent to which applicants:
    1. Discuss staff and organizational experience specifically to 
conduct child maltreatment research and university or agency support, 
if applicable, to the organizational capabilities required for 
implementation of this activity.
    2. Describe experience in working with child welfare agencies in 
collaborative efforts, if applicable.
    3. Provide information on skills, knowledge and experience of the 
project director and key project staff (e.g., brief resumes of the 
current and proposed staff that indicate what position the individual 
will fill, as well as job descriptions that specifically describe the 
job as it relates to the proposed project).
    4. List organizations and consultants who will work on the program 
along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution. Provide information on plans for training project staff 
as well as staff of cooperating organizations and individuals, if 
needed.
    5. Provide a management plan that shows how the proposed project 
goals will be accomplished. List the activities to be conducted in 
chronological order, showing a reasonable schedule for accomplishing 
each task and target dates.
    6. Describe the relationship between the proposed project and other 
work planned, anticipated or underway by the applicant with federal 
assistance.
Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 points)
    Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 points). For 
both Satellite Site and Coordinating Center applicants, reviewers will 
evaluate the extent to which applicants:
    1. Discuss, concisely, the objectives and needs for longitudinal 
research on child abuse and neglect.
    2. Discuss the merits of a multi-site, multi-sample study.
    3. Discuss the general and overall goals of the LONGSCAN project 
specific to your application as the Coordinating Center or a Satellite 
Site.
    4. Discuss the implications of the findings to date to future work.
    5. Discuss how this work will benefit the field by enhancing 
policy, improving practice, and advancing science in child maltreatment 
research.
    6. Discuss the significance to the field of the proposed project.
Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
    Criterion 4: Budget and Budget Justification (10 points). For both 
Satellite Site and Coordinating Center applicants, reviewers will 
evaluate the extent to which applicants:
    1. Show that costs of the proposed program are reasonable and 
justified in terms of the application and the anticipated results and 
benefits. Discussion should refer to (1) the budget information 
presented on Standard Forms 424 and 424A and (2) the activities to be 
conducted.
    2. Describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will 
be used to ensure prudent use, proper and timely disbursement and 
accurate accounting of funds received under this program announcement.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review 
process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application 
copies (not the original) of specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals specified in the application budget.
    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.
    When the Operations Center receives your application it will be 
screened to confirm that your application was received by the deadline. 
Federal staff will verify that you are an eligible applicant and that 
the application contains all the essential elements. Applications 
received from ineligible organizations and applications received after 
the deadline will be withdrawn from further consideration.
    A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily experts from outside 
the Federal government) will use the evaluation criteria described in 
this announcement to evaluate each application. The reviewers will 
determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide 
comments about the strengths and weaknesses and give each application a 
numerical score.
    The results of the competitive review are a primary factor in 
making funding decisions. In addition, Federal staff conducts 
administrative reviews of the applications and, in light of the results 
of the competitive review, will

[[Page 38166]]

recommend applications for funding to the ACYF Commissioner. ACYF 
reserves the option of discussing applications with other funding 
sources when this is in the best interest of the Federal government. 
ACYF may also solicit and consider comments from ACF Regional Office 
staff in making funding decisions. ACYF may take into consideration the 
involvement (financial and/or programmatic) of the private sector, 
national, or State or community foundations; a favorable balance 
between Federal and non-Federal funds for the proposed project; or the 
potential for high benefit from low Federal investment. ACYF may elect 
not to fund any applicants having known management, fiscal, reporting, 
programmatic, or other problems which make it unlikely that they would 
be able to provide effective services or effectively complete the 
proposed activity.
    With the results of the peer review and the information from 
Federal staff, the Commissioner of ACYF makes the final funding 
decision