Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for Domestic Violence Shelters/Grants to Native American Tribes (Including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal Organizations, 37322-37330 [2014-15331]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37322-37330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15331]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[C.F.D.A. Number: 93.671]


Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence Prevention 
and Services/Grants for Domestic Violence Shelters/Grants to Native 
American Tribes (Including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal 
Organizations

AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration on 
Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), ACF, HHS.

ACTION: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) was originally 
published as Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2014-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0801 on 
April 29, 2014 at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2014-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0801. FYSB is publishing this notice in the Federal 
Register to satisfy its regulatory requirements at 45 CFR 1370.2.

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SUMMARY: This FOA governs the proposed award of formula grants under 
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to Native 
American tribes (including Alaska Native villages) and tribal 
organizations. The purpose of these grants is to: (1) assist tribes in 
efforts to increase public awareness about, and primary and secondary 
prevention of, family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; 
and (2) assist tribes in efforts to provide immediate shelter and 
supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, 
or dating violence, and their dependents (42 U.S.C. 10401, et. seq.). 
This FOA announces formula awards and is not open for competition.

DATES: The application due date is June 30, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shena R. Williams at (202) 205-5932 or 
email at Shena.Williams@acf.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is the full, published FOA, 
available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/

[[Page 37323]]

grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2014-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0801:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Description

Background
    The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) is 
committed to facilitating healing and recovery and promoting the social 
and emotional well-being of victims, children, youth, and families who 
have experienced domestic violence, maltreatment, exposure to violence, 
and trauma. This FVPSA funding opportunity announcement, administered 
through ACYF's Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is designed to 
assist tribes in their efforts to support the establishment, 
maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects: (1) To prevent 
incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; 
(2) to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to 
community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and (3) to provide 
specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who 
are members of racial and ethnic minority populations (section 10406 
(a)).
    Tribes face unique circumstances and obstacles when responding to 
family violence. The particular legal relationship of the United States 
to Indian tribes creates a federal trust responsibility to assist 
tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Indian victims of 
family violence.
    In FY 2013 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and 
the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) consulted with 
tribal governments on all of the grant programs administered by ACF. 
FVPSA- related issues were addressed during each of these 
consultations.
    During FY 2013, ACF awarded FVPSA grants to 143 tribes or tribal 
organizations in support of 222 tribes; 55 states and territories; and 
55 nonprofit State Domestic Violence Coalitions. In addition, ACF 
awarded FVPSA grants to one National Indian Resource Center addressing 
Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women, other national, special 
issue and culturally specific resource centers, and the National 
Domestic Violence Hotline.

Ensuring the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Families/Adults

    ACYF is committed to facilitating healing and recovery and 
promoting the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and 
families/adults who have experienced maltreatment, exposure to 
violence, and/or trauma. Awards governed by this funding opportunity 
announcement and other current fiscal year expenditures are designed to 
ensure that effective interventions are in place to build skills and 
capacities that contribute to the healthy, positive, and productive 
functioning of families.
    Experiencing trauma can have a profound effect on the overall 
functioning of individuals and families. Thus, efforts to address the 
impact of trauma are essential in cultivating social and emotional 
well-being. ACYF therefore promotes a trauma-informed approach, which 
involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic 
interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress, as well as the behavioral 
and mental health consequences of trauma.
    ACYF expects to maintain a continued focus on social and emotional 
well-being as a critical component of its overall mission to ensure 
positive outcomes for all individuals and families. Tribal grantees 
have a critical role in incorporating ACYF priorities by helping to 
ensure trauma-informed interventions are embedded within the service 
provision framework of all services funded by FVPSA. Tribes and tribal 
organizations are strongly encouraged to leverage the expertise of the 
FVPSA-funded National Indigenous Women's Resource Center on Domestic 
Violence and the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and 
Mental Health to infuse programs with best supported and most promising 
practices on trauma-informed interventions as they seek to promote the 
social and emotional well-being of families seeking shelter and 
supportive services.

Use of Funds

    Grantees should ensure that not less than 70 percent of the funds 
distributed are used for the primary purpose of providing immediate 
shelter and supportive services to adult and youth victims of family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. 
Not less than 25 percent of the funds must be used for the purpose of 
providing supportive services and prevention services (section 
10408(b)).
    FVPSA funds awarded to grantees should be used for activities 
described in (section 10408(b)):
Shelter
     Provision of immediate shelter and related supportive 
services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, including paying 
for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for 
such shelter.
Supportive Services
     Provision of individual and group counseling, peer support 
groups, and referral to community-based services to assist family 
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence victims, and their 
dependents, in recovering from the effects of the violence.
     Provision of services, training, technical assistance, and 
outreach to increase awareness of family violence, domestic violence, 
and dating violence, and increase the accessibility of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence services.
     Provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate 
services.
     Provision of services for children exposed to family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including age-
appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the non-
abusing parent that support that parent's role as a caregiver, which 
may, as appropriate, include services that work with the non-abusing 
parent and child together.
     Provision of advocacy, case management services, and 
information and referral services, concerning issues related to family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence intervention and 
prevention, including: (1) Assistance in accessing related federal and 
state financial assistance programs; (2) legal advocacy to assist 
victims and their dependents; (3) medical advocacy, including provision 
of referrals for appropriate health care services (including mental 
health, alcohol, and drug abuse treatment), but which shall not include 
reimbursement for any health care services; (4) assistance locating and 
securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness 
prevention services; (5) transportation, child care, respite care, job 
training and employment services, financial literacy services and 
education, financial planning and related economic empowerment 
services; and (6) parenting and other educational services for victims 
and their dependents.
     Provision of prevention services, including outreach to 
underserved populations.
     Assistance in developing safety plans, and supporting 
efforts of victims

[[Page 37324]]

of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence to make 
decisions related to their ongoing safety and well-being.

Annual FVPSA Tribal Grantee Meeting

    One or more grantee representatives should plan to attend FVPSA's 
tribal grantee meeting and may use grant funding to support the travel 
of up to two participants. The meeting is a training and technical 
assistance activity focusing on FVPSA administrative issues as well as 
the promotion of evidence-informed and promising practices to address 
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. Subsequent 
correspondence will advise the grantees of the date, time, and location 
of their grantee meeting in 2015.

Client Confidentiality

    In order to ensure the safety of adult, youth, and child victims of 
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their 
families, FVPSA-funded programs must establish and implement policies 
and protocols for maintaining the confidentiality of records pertaining 
to any individual provided domestic violence services. Consequently, 
when providing statistical data on program activities and program 
services, individual identifiers of client records will not be used 
(section 10406(c)(5)).
    In the annual grantee Performance Progress Report (PPR), grantees 
must collect unduplicated data from each program. No client level data 
should be shared with a third party, regardless of encryption, hashing, 
or other data security measures, without a written, time-limited 
release as described in section 10406(c)(5). The address or location of 
any FVPSA-supported shelter facility shall, except with written 
authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of 
such shelter, not be made public (section 10406(c)(5)(H)) and the 
confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided 
domestic violence services by any FVPSA-supported program will be 
strictly maintained.

Coordinated and Accessible Services

    The impacts of family violence may include physical injury and 
death of primary or secondary victims, psychological trauma, isolation 
from family and friends, harm to children living with a parent or 
caretaker who is either experiencing or perpetrating family violence, 
increased fear, reduced mobility, damaged credit, employment and 
financial instability, homelessness, substance abuse, chronic 
illnesses, and a host of other health and related mental health 
consequences. In tribal communities, these dynamics may be compounded 
by barriers such as the isolation of vast rural areas, the concern for 
safety in isolated settings, lack of housing and shelter options, and 
the transportation requirements over long distances. These factors 
heighten the need for the coordination of the services through an often 
limited delivery system. To help bring about a more effective response 
to the problem of family violence, domestic violence, or dating 
violence, HHS urges tribes and tribal organizations receiving funds 
under this funding opportunity to coordinate activities and related 
issues and to consider joining a consortium of tribes to coordinate 
service delivery where appropriate.
    It is essential that community service providers are involved in 
the design and improvement of intervention and prevention activities. 
Coordination and collaboration among victim services providers; 
community-based, culturally specific, and faith-based services 
providers; housing and homeless services providers; and tribal, 
federal, state, and local public officials and agencies are needed to 
provide more responsive and effective services to victims of family 
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their families.
    To promote a more effective response to family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence, HHS requires states receiving FVPSA 
funds to collaborate with State Domestic Violence Coalitions, tribes, 
tribal organizations, service providers, and community-based 
organizations to address the needs of family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence victims, particularly for those who are 
members of racial and ethnic minority populations and underserved 
populations (section 10407(a)(2)).
    To serve victims most in need and to comply with federal law, 
services must be widely accessible. Services must not discriminate on 
the basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or 
religion (section 10406(c)(2)). The HHS Office for Civil Rights 
provides guidance that may assist grantees in complying with civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination on these bases.
    HHS also provides guidance to recipients of federal financial 
assistance on meeting the legal obligation to take reasonable steps to 
provide meaningful access to federally assisted programs by persons 
with limited English proficiency. Please see www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/laws/revisedlep.html. Additionally, HHS provides 
guidance regarding access to HHS-funded services for immigrant 
survivors of domestic violence. Please see www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/origin/domesticviolencefactsheet.html.
    Services must also be provided on a voluntary basis; receipt of 
emergency shelter or housing must not be conditioned on participation 
in supportive services (section 10408(d)). Please see Appendix B for 
guidance regarding access to HHS-funded services for lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGTBQ) (also known as ``Two 
Spirited'') survivors of domestic violence.
    Additionally, please see Appendix B--LGBTQ (also known as ``Two-
Spirit'') Accessibility Policy; this Policy provides that the applicant 
must consider how its program will be inclusive of and non-stigmatizing 
toward LGBTQ/Two-Spirit participants in its application for funding. If 
not already in place, the applicant and, if applicable, subawardees 
must establish and publicize policies prohibiting harassment based on 
race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), 
religion, and national origin, as well as provide staff training and 
implement policies and procedures for documenting work reflecting these 
assurances.

Definitions--For the Purposes of This Funding Opportunity

    Tribes and tribal organizations should use the following 
definitions in carrying out their programs.
    Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been 
in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the 
victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be 
determined based on a consideration of the length of the relationship, 
the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the 
persons involved in the relationship.
    Domestic Violence: Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence 
committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with 
whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is 
cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a 
person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic 
or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or 
by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected 
from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of 
the jurisdiction.

[[Page 37325]]

    Family Violence: Any act or threatened act of violence, including 
any forceful detention of an individual, which (a) results or threatens 
to result in physical injury; and (b) is committed by a person against 
another individual (including an elderly person) to whom such person 
is, or was, related by blood or marriage, or otherwise legally related, 
or with whom such person is, or was, lawfully residing.
    Indian Tribe: Any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized 
group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or 
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et. seq.), which is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Personally Identifying Information or Personal Information: Any 
individually identifying information for or about an individual, 
including information likely to disclose the location of a victim of 
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, 
including: a first and last name, a home or other physical address, 
contact information (including a postal, email or Internet protocol 
address, or telephone or facsimile number), a social security number, 
and any other information, including date of birth, racial or ethnic 
background, or religious affiliation, that, in combination with any of 
the above identifiers, would serve to identify any individual.
    Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge and supportive services 
in compliance with applicable state law and regulation governing the 
provision, on a regular basis, of shelter, safe homes, meals, and 
supportive services to victims of family violence, domestic violence, 
or dating violence, and their dependents.
    State Domestic Violence Coalition: A statewide, nonprofit, private 
domestic violence service organization with a membership that includes 
a majority of the primary-purpose domestic violence service providers 
in the state; has board membership representative of primary-purpose 
domestic violence service providers and the communities in which the 
services are being provided in the state; has as its purpose to provide 
education, support, and technical assistance to such service providers 
to enable the providers to establish and maintain shelter and 
supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their 
dependents; and serves as an information clearinghouse, primary point 
of contact, and resource center on domestic violence for the state and 
supports the development of policies, protocols, and procedures to 
enhance domestic violence intervention and prevention in the state.
    Supportive Services: Services for adult and youth victims of family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. 
Such services are designed to meet the needs of such victims for short-
term, transitional, or long-term safety and provide counseling, 
advocacy, or assistance for victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
    Tribal Consortium: A partnership between one or more tribes or 
Alaska Native villages which authorizes a single tribal organization or 
nonprofit to submit an application and administer the FVPSA grant funds 
on their behalf.
    Tribally Designated Official: An individual designated by an Indian 
tribe, tribal organization, or nonprofit private organization 
authorized by an Indian tribe to administer a grant.
    Tribal Organization: The recognized governing body of any Indian 
tribe; any legally established organization of Indians that is 
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is 
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to 
be served by such organization, and that includes the maximum 
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. In any case 
where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform 
services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each 
such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of 
such contract or grant.
    Underserved Populations: Populations underserved because of 
geographic location, underserved racial and ethnic populations, 
populations underserved because of special needs (such as language 
barriers, disabilities, alienage status, or age), and any other 
population determined to be underserved by the Attorney General or by 
the Secretary of HHS, as appropriate.

II. Award Information

    Subject to the availability of federal appropriations and as 
authorized by law, in FY 2014, ACYF will allocate 10 percent of the 
appropriation available under section 10403(a) to tribes for the 
establishment and operation of shelters (including safe houses), and 
the provision of supportive services or prevention services to adults 
and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating 
violence, and their dependents.
    HHS will also make available funds to states to support local 
domestic violence programs to provide immediate shelter and supportive 
services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; State Domestic 
Violence Coalitions to provide technical assistance and training, 
advocacy services, among other activities with local domestic violence 
programs; the national resource centers, special issue resource 
centers, and culturally specific resource centers; the National 
Domestic Violence Hotline; and to support discretionary projects 
including training and technical assistance, collaborative projects 
with advocacy organizations and service providers, data collection 
efforts, public education activities, research, and other demonstration 
projects.
    In computing tribal allocations, ACF will use the latest available 
population figures available from the Census Bureau. The latest Census 
population counts may be viewed at: www.census.gov. Where Census Bureau 
data are unavailable, ACF will use figures from the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs' (BIA's) Indian Population and Labor Force Report, which is 
available at: www.bia.gov/WhatWeDo/Knowledge/Reports/index.htm.
    The funding formula for the allocation of family violence funds is 
based upon the tribe's population. The formula has two parts, the 
tribal population base allocation and a population category allocation.
    Base allocations are determined by a tribe's population and a funds 
allocation schedule. Tribes with populations between 1 and 50,000 
people receive a $2,500 base allocation for the first 1,500 people. For 
each additional 1,000 people above the 1,500 person minimum, a tribe's 
base allocation is increased $1,000. Tribes with populations between 
50,001 to 100,000 people receive base allocations of $125,000, and 
tribes with populations of 100,001 to 150,000 receive a base allocation 
of $175,000.
    Once the base allocations have been distributed to the tribes that 
have applied for FVPSA funding, the ratio of the tribal population 
category allocation to the total of all base allocations is then 
considered in allocating the remainder of the funds. By establishing 
base amounts with distribution of proportional amounts for larger 
tribes, FYSB is balancing the need for basic services for all tribes 
with the greater demand for services among tribes with larger 
populations. In FY 2013, actual grant awards ranged from $14,071-
$1,583,043.
    Tribes with smaller populations are encouraged to apply for FVPSA 
funding

[[Page 37326]]

as a consortium. In a tribal consortium, the population of all of the 
tribes involved is used to calculate the award amount. The allocations 
for each of the tribes included in the consortium will be combined to 
determine the total grant for the consortium.

Length of Project Periods

    FVPSA tribal formula grant awards will be used to perform or to 
partially perform functions or activities that take place within a 2-
year period. The project period for this award is from October 1, 2013 
to September 30, 2015.

Expenditure Period

    The project period under this program announcement is 24 months. 
The FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures starting October 1 of each 
fiscal year for which they are granted, and will be available for 
expenditure through September 30 of the following fiscal year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Award year  (Federal fiscal year                                        Application requirements & expenditure
              (FY))                  Project period  (24 months)                       periods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2014.........................  10/01/2013-9/30/2015               Regardless of the date the award is
                                                                      received, these funds may be expended by
                                                                      the grantee for obligations incurred since
                                                                      October 1, 2013. The funds may be expended
                                                                      through September 30, 2015.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Re-allotted funds, if any, are available for expenditure until the 
end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year that the funds became 
available for re-allotment. FY 2014 grant funds that are made available 
to tribes and tribal organizations through re-allotment must be 
expended by the grantee no later than September 30, 2015.

III. Eligibility Information

    Tribes, tribal organizations, and nonprofit private organizations 
authorized by a tribe, as defined in Section I. of this announcement, 
are eligible for funding under this program. A tribe has the option to 
authorize a tribal organization or a nonprofit private organization to 
submit an application and administer the grant funds awarded under this 
grant (section 10409(b)). Tribes may apply singularly or as part of a 
consortium with other tribes.

Additional Information on Eligibility

DUNS Number and System for Award Management (SAM) Requirement

    All applicants must have a DUNS number (www.dnb.com), be registered 
with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov), and maintain 
an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, 
and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. 
Applicants should finalize a new, or renew an existing, registration at 
least two weeks before the application deadline to allow time to 
resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these 
requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or 
receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts 
to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the 
SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at: https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf.
    HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately 
receive, federal grant funds from any HHS Agency, or receive subawards 
directly from recipients of those grant funds to:
     Be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an 
application or plan;
     Maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active award or an 
application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and
     Provide its active DUNS number in each application or plan 
it submits to the OPDIV.
    ACF is prohibited from making an award until an applicant has 
complied with these requirements. At the time an award is ready to be 
made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these 
requirements, ACF:
     May determine that the applicant is not qualified to 
receive an award; and
     May use that determination as a basis for making an award 
to another applicant.

IV. Application Requirements

Forms, Assurances, Certifications, and Policy

    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must submit the listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, certifications 
and policy. All required Standard Forms, assurances, and certifications 
are available at ACF Funding Opportunities Forms or at the Grants.gov 
Forms Repository unless specified otherwise.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Forms/certifications             Description          Where found
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SF 424M.......................  This is a required      www.Grants.gov
                                 Standard Form.          Forms
                                Application for          Repository/
                                 Federal Assistance--    Active Forms.
                                 Mandatory.
Certification Regarding         Required of all         Available at
 Lobbying.                       applicants at the       https://
                                 time of their           www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                 application. If not     grants-forms.
                                 available with the
                                 application, it must
                                 be submitted prior to
                                 the award of the
                                 grant.
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying  If any funds have been  ``Disclosure
 Activities.                     paid or will be paid    Form to Report
                                 to any person for       Lobbying'' is
                                 influencing or          available at
                                 attempting to           https://
                                 influence an officer    www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                 or employee of any      grants-
                                 agency, a member of     forms.html.
                                 Congress, an officer
                                 or employee of
                                 Congress, or an
                                 employee of a member
                                 of Congress in
                                 connection with this
                                 commitment providing
                                 for the United States
                                 to insure or
                                 guarantee a loan, the
                                 applicant shall
                                 complete and submit
                                 the SF-LLL,
                                 ``Disclosure Form to
                                 Report Lobbying,'' in
                                 accordance with its
                                 instructions.
                                 Applicants must
                                 furnish an executed
                                 copy of the
                                 Certification
                                 Regarding Lobbying
                                 prior to award.

[[Page 37327]]

 
The needs of lesbian, gay,      See Appendix B for      See Appendix B
 bisexual, transgender, and      submission              for the
 questioning youth are taken     requirements.           complete policy
 into consideration in                                   description.
 applicants program design.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assurances and Policy

    Each applicant must provide a signed copy of both the assurance and 
policy. (See Appendices A and B.)

The Project Description

    The content of the application should include the following in this 
order:
A. Cover Letter
    The cover letter of the application should include the following 
information:
    (1) The name and mailing address of the tribe, tribal organization, 
or nonprofit private organization applying for the FVPSA grant.
    (2) The name of the Tribally Designated Official authorized to 
administer this grant, along with the Official's telephone number, fax 
number, and email address.
    (3) The name of a Program Contact designated to administer and 
coordinate programming, including the telephone number, fax number, and 
email address.
    (4) The Employee Identification Number (EIN) of the entity 
submitting the application.
    (5) The D-U-N-S number of the entity submitting the application 
(see Section III. Eligibility).
    (6) The signature of the Tribally Designated Official (see Section 
I. Definitions).
B. Program Description
    An overview of the project including:
    (1) A description of the service area(s) and population(s) to be 
served.
    (2) A description of the services and activities to be provided 
with FVPSA funds.
    (3) A description of barriers that challenge the effectiveness of 
the operation of the program and/or services provided to victims of 
domestic violence, family violence, and dating violence, and their 
dependents.
    (4) A description of the technical assistance needed to address the 
described barriers.
C. Capacity
    A description of the applicant's operation of and/or capacity to 
carry out a FVPSA program. This might be demonstrated in ways such as 
the following:
    (1) The current operation of a shelter (including a safe house), or 
domestic and dating violence prevention program;
    (2) The establishment of joint or collaborative service agreements 
with a local public agency or a private nonprofit agency for the 
operation of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence 
activities or services; or
    (3) The operation of other social services programs.
D. Services To Be Provided
    A description of the activities and services to be provided, 
including:
    (1) How the grant funds will be used to provide shelter, supportive 
services, and prevention services for victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence. Please note that for the 
purposes of this grant, domestic violence does not include services 
targeted solely to address child abuse and neglect.
    (2) How the services are designed to reduce family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence.
    (3) A plan describing how the organization will provide specialized 
services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or 
dating violence.
    (4) An explanation of how the program plans to document and track 
services provided, as well as any outcomes that can be linked to the 
program's logic model.
    (5) A description of how the funds are to be spent. For example, a 
half-time Domestic Violence Advocate and costs for transportation to 
shelter.
E. Involvement of Individuals and Organizations
    A description of the procedures designed to involve knowledgeable 
individuals and interested organizations in providing services funded 
under FVPSA. For example, knowledgeable individuals and interested 
organizations may include tribal officials or social services staff 
involved in family violence prevention, tribal law enforcement 
officials, representatives of State or Tribal Domestic Violence 
Coalitions, and operators of domestic violence shelters and service 
programs.
F. Involvement of Community-Based Organizations
    (1) A description of how the applicant will involve community-based 
organizations whose primary purpose is to provide culturally 
appropriate services to underserved populations.
    (2) A description of how these community-based organizations can 
assist the tribe in addressing the unmet needs of such populations.
G. Current Signed Tribal Resolution
    A copy of a current tribal resolution or an equivalent document 
that:
    (1) Covers the entirety of FY 2014, including a date when the 
resolution or equivalent document expires, which can be no more than 5 
years.
    (2) States that the tribe or tribal organization has the authority 
to submit an application on behalf of the individuals in the tribe(s) 
and to administer programs and activities funded.

    Note:  An applicant that received no funding in the immediately 
preceding fiscal year must submit a new tribal resolution or its 
equivalent. An applicant funded as part of a consortium in the 
immediately preceding year that is now seeking funds as a single 
tribe must also submit a new resolution or its equivalent. Likewise, 
an applicant funded as a single tribe in the immediately preceding 
fiscal year that is now seeking funding as a part of a consortium 
must submit a new resolution or its equivalent.

H. Policies and Procedures
    Written documentation of the policies and procedures developed and 
implemented, including copies of the policies and procedures, to ensure 
that the safety and confidentiality of clients and their dependents 
served is maintained as described in Section I.

Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, 
the public reporting burden for the project description is estimated to 
average 10 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing 
the collection of information. The Project Description information 
collection is approved under OMB control number 0970-0280, which 
expires November 30, 2014. 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.

[[Page 37328]]

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    The review and comment provisions of the Executive Order (E.O.) 
12372 and Part 100 do not apply. Federally recognized tribes are exempt 
from all provisions and requirements of E.O. 12372.

Funding Restrictions

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. L. 113-76), enacted 
January 17, 2014, limits the salary amount that may be awarded and 
charged to ACF grants and cooperative agreements. Award funds issued 
under this announcement may not be used to pay the salary, or any 
percentage of salary, to an individual at a rate in excess of Executive 
Level II. The Executive Level II salary of the Federal Executive Pay 
scale is $181,500 (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2014/EX.pdf). This amount reflects an 
individual's base salary exclusive of fringe benefits and any income 
that an individual may be permitted to earn outside of the duties to 
the applicant organization. This salary limitation also applies to 
subawards/subcontracts under an ACF mandatory and discretionary grant.

Application Submission

    Applications should be sent or delivered to: Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Program, Family and Youth Services Bureau, 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for 
Children and Families, Attention: Shena R. Williams, 1250 Maryland 
Avenue SW., Suite 8213, Washington, DC 20024.

V. Award Administration Information

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the uniform 
administrative requirements and cost principles of 45 CFR part 74 
(Uniform Administrative Requirements for Awards and Subawards to 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit 
Organizations, and Commercial Organizations) or 45 CFR part 92 (Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State, Local, and Tribal Governments). The Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) is available at www.gpo.gov.
    An application funded with the release of federal funds through a 
grant award does not constitute, or imply, compliance with federal 
regulations. Funded organizations are responsible for ensuring that 
their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.

Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations

    Grantees are also subject to the requirements of 45 CFR 87.1(c), 
Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which says, 
``Organizations that receive direct financial assistance from the 
[Health and Human Services] Department under any Department program may 
not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, 
religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or 
services funded with direct financial assistance from the Department.'' 
Therefore, organizations must take steps to completely separate the 
presentation of any program with religious content from the 
presentation of the federally funded program by time or location in 
such a way that it is clear that the two programs are separate and 
distinct. If separating the two programs by time but presenting them in 
the same location, one program must completely end before the other 
program begins.
    A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its 
independence from federal, state, and local governments, and may 
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, 
and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based 
organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular 
programs or services funded with federal funds without removing 
religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In 
addition, a faith-based organization that receives federal funds 
retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain 
religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on 
a religious basis, and include religious references in its 
organization's mission statements and other governing documents in 
accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other 
applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS-funded activities.
    Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based 
Organizations, which includes the prohibition against federal funding 
of inherently religious activities, Understanding the Regulations 
Related to the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiative'' 
are available at https://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/about/regulations/. 
Additional information, resources, and tools for faith-based 
organizations is available through The Center for Faith-based and 
Neighborhood Partnerships Web site at https://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/ and at the Administration for Children & Families: Toolkit 
for Faith-based and Community Organizations.

Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

    The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 8102 et seq.) 
requires that all organizations receiving grants from any federal 
agency agree to maintain a drug-free workplace. By signing the 
application, the Authorizing Official agrees that the grantee will 
provide a drug-free workplace and will comply with the requirement to 
notify ACF if an employee is convicted of violating a criminal drug 
statute. Failure to comply with these requirements may be cause for 
debarment. Government-wide requirements for Drug-Free Workplace for 
Financial Assistance are found in 2 CFR part 182; HHS implementing 
regulations are set forth in 2 CFR 382.400. All recipients of ACF grant 
funds must comply with the requirements in Subpart B--Requirements for 
Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR 382.225. The rule is available 
at https://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=18b5801410be6af416dc258873ffb7ec;rgn=div2;view=text;node=
20091112%3A1.1;idno=49;cc=ecfr.

Debarment and Suspension

    HHS regulations published in 2 CFR part 376 implement the 
government-wide debarment and suspension system guidance (2 CFR part 
180) for HHS' non-procurement programs and activities. ``Non-
procurement transactions'' include, among other things, grants, 
cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and loans. ACF 
implements the HHS Debarment and Suspension regulations as a term and 
condition of award. Grantees may decide the method and frequency by 
which this determination is made and may check the Excluded Parties 
List System (EPLS) located at www.sam.gov, although checking the EPLS 
is not required. More information is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants-forms.

Pro-Children Act

    The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. 7181 through 7184, imposes 
restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's 
services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements 
only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that 
smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or 
contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of 
kindergarten, elementary, or secondary

[[Page 37329]]

education or library services to children under the age of 18. In 
addition, smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility or portion of a 
facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or 
regular provision of federally funded health care, day care, or early 
childhood development, including Head Start services to children under 
the age of 18. The statutory prohibition also applies if such 
facilities are constructed, operated, or maintained with federal funds. 
The statute does not apply to children's services provided in private 
residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, 
portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or 
facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with the 
provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil monetary 
penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and/or the imposition of an 
administrative compliance order on the responsible entity.

Approval/Disapproval of an Application

    The Secretary of HHS shall approve any application that meets the 
requirements of the FVPSA and this announcement. The Secretary shall 
not disapprove an application unless the Secretary gives the applicant 
reasonable notice of the Secretary's intention to disapprove and a 6-
month period providing an opportunity for correction of any 
deficiencies. The Secretary shall give such notice within 45 days after 
the date of submission of the application if any of the provisions of 
the application have not been satisfied. If the tribe does not correct 
the deficiencies in such application within the 6-month period 
following the receipt of the Secretary's notice, the Secretary shall 
withhold payment of any grant funds to such tribe until such date as 
the tribe provides documentation that the deficiencies have been 
corrected.

VI. Reporting Requirements

Performance Progress Reports (PPR)

    ACF grantees must submit a PPR using the standardized format 
provided by FVPSA and approved by OMB (0970-0280). This report will 
describe the grant activities carried out during the year, report the 
number of people served, and contain a plan to document and track 
services provided, as well as any outcomes that can be linked to the 
program's logic model. Consortia grantees should compile the 
information from the individual report of each participating tribe into 
a comprehensive PPR for submission. A copy of the PPR is available on 
the FYSB Web site at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/resource/ppr-tribal-fvpsa.
    PPRs for tribes and tribal organizations are due on an annual basis 
at the end of the calendar year (December 30) and will cover from 
October 1 through September 30. Grantees should submit their reports 
online through the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system at the 
following address: https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi with a copy sent 
to: Division of Family Violence Prevention (FVPSA Programs), Family and 
Youth Services Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 
Administration for Children and Families, Attention: Shena R. Williams, 
1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8213, Washington, DC 20024, Phone: (202) 
205-5932, Email: Shena.Williams@acf.hhs.gov.

Federal Financial Reports (FFR)

    Grantees must submit annual Financial Status Reports. The first SF-
425A is due December 30, 2014. The final SF-425A is due December 30, 
2015. SF-425A can be found at: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html, www.forms.gov.
    Completed reports may be mailed to:

Deborah Bell,
Division of Mandatory Grants,
Office of Grants Management,
Administration for Children and Families,
370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor,
Washington, DC 20447.

    Grantees should submit their reports online through the Online Data 
Collection (OLDC) system at the following address: https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi. Failure to submit reports on time may be a 
basis for withholding grant funds, or suspending or terminating the 
grant. All funds reported as unobligated after the obligation period 
will be recouped.

VII. FFATA Subaward and Executive Compensation

    Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity may be 
subject to the Transparency Act subaward and executive compensation 
reporting requirements of 2 CFR 170. See ACF's Award Term for Federal 
Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward and 
Executive Compensation Reporting Requirement implementing this 
requirement and additional award applicability information.
    ACF has implemented the use of the SF-428 Tangible Property Report 
and the SF-429 Real Property Status Report for all grantees. Both 
standard forms are available at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/.

VIII. Agency Contact

Program Office Contact

    Shena R. Williams, Program Specialist at (202) 205-5932 or email at 
Shena.Williams@acf.hhs.gov.

Grants Management Contact

    Deborah Bell, Division of Mandatory Grants at (202) 401-4611 or 
email at Deborah.Bell@acf.hhs.gov.

IX. Appendices

A. Assurances of Compliance With Grant Requirements

B. LGBTQ (Also Known as ``Two-Spirited'') Accessibility Policy

Appendix A

Assurances of Compliance With Grant Requirements

    The grantee certifies that it will comply with the following 
assurances under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, 42 
U.S.C. 10401, et seq. (cited herein by the applicable section number 
only):
    (1) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grant 
funds will be used to provide shelter, supportive services or 
prevention services to adult and youth victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents (section 
10408(b)(1)).
    (2) Not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be 
for the primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and 
supportive services as defined in section 10402(9) and (12) to adult 
and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence or dating 
violence as defined in section 10402(2), (3) and (4), and their 
dependents (section 10408(b)(2)).
    (3) Not less than 25 percent of the funds distributed shall be 
for the purpose of providing supportive services and prevention 
services as described in section 10408(b)(1)(B) through (H), to 
victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, 
and their dependents (section 10408(b)(2)).
    (4) Grant funds will not be used as direct payment to any victim 
of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, or to any 
dependent of such victim (section 10408(d)(1)).
    (5) No income eligibility standard will be imposed on 
individuals with respect to eligibility for assistance or services 
supported with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (section 
10406(c)(3)).
    (6) No fees will be levied for assistance or services provided 
with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (section 
10406(c)(3)).
    (7) The address or location of any shelter or facility assisted 
under the FVPSA that otherwise maintains a confidential location 
will, except with written authorization of the person or persons 
responsible for the operation of such shelter, not be made public 
(section 10406(c)(5)(H)).
    (8) Procedures are established to ensure compliance with the 
provisions of section

[[Page 37330]]

10406(c)(5) regarding non-disclosure of confidential of private 
information (section 10407(a)(2)(A)).
    (9) Pursuant to Section 10406(c)(5), comply with the new FVPSA 
provisions regarding non-disclosure of confidential or private 
information. As such, the applicant will comply with additional 
requirements imposed by that section which include but are not 
limited to: (A) Grantees shall not disclose any personally 
identifying information collected in connection with services 
requested (including services utilized or denied), through grantee's 
funded activities or reveal personally identifying information 
without informed, written, reasonably time-limited consent by the 
person about whom information is sought, whether for the FVPSA 
funded activities or any other Federal or State program (additional 
consent requirements have been omitted but see section 
10406(c)(5)(B)(ii)(I) for further requirements); (B) grantees may 
not release information compelled by statutory or court order unless 
adhering to the requirements of section 10406(c)(5)(C); (C) grantees 
may share non-personally identifying information in the aggregate 
for the purposes enunciated in section 10406(c)(5)(D)(i) as well as 
for other purposes found in section 10406(c)(5)(D)(ii) and (iii).
    (10) As prescribed by section 10406(c)(2) of the FVPSA, the 
Tribe will use grant funds in a manner which avoids prohibited 
discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, 
national origin, or religion.
    (11) Funds made available under the FVPSA will be used to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State and local public 
funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the 
objectives of the FVPSA (section 10406(c)(6)).
    (12) Receipt of supportive services under the FVPSA will be 
voluntary. No condition will be applied for the receipt of emergency 
shelter (section 10408(d)(2)).
    (13) The Tribe has a law or procedure to bar an abuser from a 
shared household or a household of the abused person, which may 
include eviction laws or procedures (section 10407(a)(2)(H)).

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Tribally Designated Official

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Tribe or Tribal Organization

Appendix B

LGBTQ (Also Known as ``Two-Spirited'') Accessibility Policy

    As the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) signing 
this application on behalf of

[Insert full, formal name of applicant organization]

I hereby attest and certify that:

    The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and 
questioning (also known as ``Two-Spirited'') program participants 
are taken into consideration in applicant's program design. 
Applicant considered how its program will be inclusive of and non-
stigmatizing toward such participants. If not already in place, 
awardee and, if applicable, sub-awardees must establish and 
publicize policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sexual 
orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, and 
national origin. The submission of an application for this funding 
opportunity constitutes an assurance that applicants have or will 
put such policies in place within 12 months of the award. Awardees 
should ensure that all staff members are trained to prevent and 
respond to harassment or bullying in all forms during the award 
period. Programs should be prepared to monitor claims, address them 
seriously, and document their corrective action(s) so all 
participants are assured that programs are safe, inclusive, and non-
stigmatizing by design and in operation. In addition, any sub-
awardees or subcontractors:
     Have in place or will put into place within 12 months 
of the award policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sexual 
orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, and 
national origin;
     Will enforce these policies;
     Will ensure that all staff will be trained during the 
award period on how to prevent and respond to harassment or bullying 
in all forms, and;
     Have or will have within 12 months of the award, a plan 
to monitor claims, address them seriously, and document their 
corrective action(s).

Insert Date of Signature:

Print Name and Title of the AOR:

Signature of AOR:

[End of full FOA]

    Statutory Authority: The statutory authority for this program is 
42 U.S.C. 10401, et. seq.

Mark Greenberg,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 2014-15331 Filed 6-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P