Children and Families Administration 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purposes of this funding announcement are as follows: (1) To develop and implement programs of comprehensive community-based support services for the target population as described in Public Law 100-505, as amended; (2) to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of these comprehensive support services; and (3) to develop these programs as identifiable sites that other States/locales seeking to implement comprehensive support services for this population can look to for guidance, insight, and possible replication.

On February 9, 2005, the Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published an announcement seeking applications for the Assets for Independence Program. The announcement appeared in Volume 70, pages 6879-6888 of the Federal Register. This document announces one additional application due date of July 15, 2005, which is in addition to the three due dates listed in the February 9 standing announcement (March 15, June 15 and November 1). To be considered timely for this additional due date only, applications must be received at the OCS Operations Center by July 15. (For more details, see submission dates and times section below.) This document also announces two informational telephone conference calls concerning the Assets for Independence Program and the process for submitting a grant application. Submission Dates and Times: The new additional closing date for the Assets for Independence Program is July 15, 2005. (This closing date is in addition to three other valid closing datesMarch 15, June 15 and November 1as noted in the current standing announcement.) Applications received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the July 15 closing date will be classified as late, and will not be reviewed this cycle. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the due date. Applicants are responsible for ensuring applications are mailed or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date. Applications hand carried 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., eastern time, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt. Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via Grants.gov. Late Applications: Applications that 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. eastern time 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. Other Submission Requirements: Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original application with all attachments, signed by an authorized representative and two copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date. Applications should be mailed to: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services' Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Assets for Independence Program. Hand Delivery: An applicant must provide an original application with all attachments signed by an authorized representative and two copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date. Applications that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday. Applications should be delivered to: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services' Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22209; Attention: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Assets for Independence Program. Electronic Submission: https://www.Grants.gov. Please see Section IV.2 Content and Form of Application Submission of the February 9 announcement, for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications electronically. Informational Conference Calls: The Office of Community Services will host two informational telephone conference calls concerning the Assets for Independence Program and the grant application process on June 20 and 21, 2005 at 2 p.m. until approximately 3 p.m. These calls will be open to all interested individuals. Please call the Office of Community Services on (202) 401-4626 or go to the OCS Asset Building Web site at https://www.acf.hhs.gov to register for a call and for dial- in information. Participants are strongly encouraged to register, as the number of lines is limited. OCS plans to make handout materials available to all individuals who register for either of the informational calls. Announcement Availability: The Assets for Independence Program announcement and all application materials are available at https:// www.Grants.gov. Standard forms and certifications may also be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. Finally, the OCS Asset Building Web site at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding provides much information about the Assets for Independence Program and the application process. The page includes links to all required forms as well as to a guidebook for developing an AFI Project and applying for an AFI grant.

This funding announcement seeks proposals that improve child well-being by removing barriers to and strengthening family formation and healthy marriage in underserved communities. The Children's Bureau believes that by designing strategies to target funding for healthy marriage activities to community-based agencies in underserved communities where high rates of child protection and foster care resources are used, child well-being may be improved and the rate of children of color in foster care could be reduced. Projects will explore and remove barriers to forming lasting families and healthy marriages as a means to promote the well-being of children and families who are at risk of entering, or are already in the child welfare system. Projects will also explore what particular services, delivery, and outreach efforts designed to support the formation and stability of healthy marriages are most effective at helping children and families in targeted communities. Grantees must comply with applicable laws, including those that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, and age in their programs.

Using the ANA Project Abstract form (OMB Control Number 0980-0204, exp. 10/31/06), the applicant must include: The name of the applicant, the project title, the Federal amount requested, the amount of matching funds to be provided, length of time required to accomplish the project, the goal of the project, a list of the project objectives (not activities), the estimated number of people to be served and the expected outcomes of the project. In addition to the Project Abstract form, the applicant will provide an introductory summary narrative that includes: An overview of the project, a description of the community to be served, the location of the identified community, a declarative statement identifying the need for the project, and a brief overview of the project's objectives, strategy and community or organizational impact. Application Format: Applicants are required to submit applications in a standard format, following the ANA requirements on application length, font, numbering, line spacing, etc. Please refer to Section IV Part 2, ``Content and Form of Application Submission'' for detailed formatting instructions. 2. Review and Selection Process No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an incomplete application. Initial Screening: Each application submitted under an ANA program announcement will undergo a pre-review screening to determine: (a) Timelinessthe application was received by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the closing date; (b) the funding request does not exceed the upper value of the dollar range specified; (c) the applicant has submitted a current signed and dated resolution from the governing body; and, (d) if the applicant is not a Tribe or Alaska Native Village government, the applicant has submitted proof of a majority of the board of directors is representative of the community to be served. An application that does not meet one of the above elements will be determined to be incomplete and excluded from the competitive review process. Applicants with incomplete applications will be notified by mail within 30 business days from the closing date of this program announcement. ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information regarding funding decisions prior to the official applicant notification. After the Commissioner has made decisions on all applications, unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing within 90 days. The notification will include the reviewer comments. Applicants are not ranked based on general financial need. Applicants who are initially excluded from competition because of ineligibility may appeal the agency's decision. Applicants may also appeal an ANA decision that an applicant's proposed activities are ineligible for funding consideration. The appeals process is stated in the final rule published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817 and 45 CFR part 1336, subpart C). Competitive Review Process: Applications that pass the initial ANA screening process will be analyzed, evaluated and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of the Evaluation Criteria. The evaluation criteria were designed to analyze and assess the quality of a proposed community-based project, the likelihood of its success, and the ability of ANA to monitor and evaluate community impact and long- term results. The evaluation criteria and analysis are closely related and are wholly considered in judging the overall quality of an application. In addition, the evaluation criteria standardizes the review of each application and distributes the number of points more equitably. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the program announcement criteria and ANA's program areas of interest. A determination will be made as to whether the project is an effective use of Federal funds. Application Review Criteria: Applicants will be reviewed based on the following criteria and points: ANA's criteria categories are Introduction and Project Summary/Application Format; Need for Assistance; Project Approach; Organizational Capacity; Project Impact/ Evaluation; and Budget and Budget Narrative/Cost Effectiveness. Application Consideration: The Commissioner's funding decision is based on an analysis of the application by the review panel, panel review scores and recommendations; an analysis by ANA staff; review of previous ANA grantee's past performance; comments from State and Federal agencies having contract and grant performance related information; and other interested parties. The Commissioner makes grant awards consistent with the purpose of the Native American Programs Act (NAPA), all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, this program announcement, and the availability of appropriated funds. The Commissioner reserves the right to award more, or less, than the funds described or under such circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the Federal government. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of projects based on the amount of approved award. Federal. Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the 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 and Social Security numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. Approved but Unfunded Applications. Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, for a period not to exceed one year. 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates Approximately 120 days after the application due date, the successful applicants will be notified by mail through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award document which will set forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share to be provided and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and sent to the applicant's Authorizing Official. Applications not funded in this competition will be notified in writing.

The purpose of this funding announcement is to award a cooperative agreement for the creation of a national Quality Improvement Center (QIC) focused on identifying effective practices in the privatization of child welfare services. The QIC will assess needs and resources, then plan and implement research and demonstration activities to develop knowledge about improving child welfare services and systems through privatization. The QIC will be awarded funds for a planning period and an implementation phase. During the planning period, the QIC will engage in a collaborative process to review the literature, clarify the focus and refine the implementation plan for the remainder of its child welfare privatization knowledge-building activities. During the implementation phase, the QIC will sponsor (through sub-grants), monitor and evaluate research or demonstration projects that test a variety of privatization models or hypotheses at multiple sites. The QIC will also provide technical assistance to its sub-grantees, funded under this initiative.

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announces the availability of funds to support new research under the Healthy Marriage Research Initiative. Applications for both short-term (12-17 months) and long-term (up to 60 months) studies will be considered. OPRE will consider applications in three broad categories of evaluation and research: intervention studies; basic studies; and methodological and analytical studies.

This notice is to inform interested parties of corrections made to the Community-Based Abstinence Education program announcement that published on May 20, 2005. The following corrections should be noted: Under Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, Program Purpose and Scope, within the seventh paragraph, revise the following sentence from: ``Programs that utilize this definition promote `abstinence Sex education programs that promote the use of contraceptives are not eligible for funding under this announcement.'' To: ``Programs that utilize this definition promote an ``abstinence until marriage message.'' Sex education programs that promote the use of contraceptives are not eligible for funding under this announcement''. Under Section II. Award Information after ``Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $459,000'' insert the following: Length of Project Periods: Three year project period with 12 month budget periods. Under Section IV.2 Application Submission Information, Content and Form of Application Submission, revise the sentence ``Electronic submission is voluntary'' to state: ``Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.''. The only changes to the Community-Based Abstinence Education program announcement are explicitly stated in this Notice of Correction. All applications must still be sent on or before the deadline date of June 20, 2005.

This announcement governs the proposed award of formula grants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal organizations. The purpose of these grants is to assist Tribes in establishing, maintaining, and expanding programs and projects to prevent family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents. This announcement sets forth the application requirements, the application process, and other administrative and fiscal requirements for grants in fiscal year (FY) 2005. Grantees are to be mindful that although the expenditure period for grants is a two-year period, an application is required every year to provide continuity in the provision of services. (See General Grant Requirements For Tribes Or Tribal Organizations B. Expenditure Periods). C.F.D.A. Number: 93.671, Family Violence Prevention and Services.

This notice establishes the proposed allocations to States of FY 2005 funds for refugee \1\ social services under the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP). The final notice will reflect amounts adjusted based upon final adjustments to FY 2002, FY 2003 and FY 2004 (October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2004) data submitted to ORR by States.

Pursuant to section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974; as amended, 42 U.S.C., 2991b-1, the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) herein describes its proposed interpretive rules, general statement of policy and rules of agency procedure or practice in relation to the Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) project SMART NA Communities (Strengthening Marriages and Relationships in Tribal and Native American Communities). For FY 2005, ANA reserved an amount of funding under the SEDS program to fund projects that are beneficial to the development of healthy Native American communities. ANA has decided to participate in ACF's Healthy Marriage Initiative, and intends to use the reserved SEDS funds to support projects that improve child well-being by removing barriers associated with forming and retaining healthy families and marriages in Native American communities. Under the statute, ANA is required to provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes in interpretive rules, statements of general policy, and rule of agency procedure or practice and to give notice of the final adoption of such changes at least 30 days before the changes become effective. The notice also provides additional information about ANA's plan for administering the programs.

Notice is hereby given that a noncompetitive grant award is being made to the Rural Community Assistance Program, Inc. to provide training and technical assistance to small communities struggling to deal with the safety and security of small and very small community water and wastewater treatment systems. This award addresses Congressional concern that many small and very small community water and wastewater treatment systems might be most vulnerable to terrorist attack, yet the least prepared to deal with the issues. The application is not within the scope of any existing or expected to be issued program announcement for the Fiscal Year 2005Rural Community Development Activities Program (RF) as authorized under the Community Services Block Grant Act of 1998, as amended; Sections 680(a)(3)(B) of the Community Opportunities Accountability, and Training and Educational Services (COATES) Act (Pub. L. 105-285). This application is expected to provide valuable on-site training and technical assistance to small and very small communities struggling to deal with the safety and security of small community water and wastewater treatment systems. This announcement is inviting application for a 12-month budget period and a 12 month project period. The funds are not being competed due to the Senate appropriation language in FY 2005 that directs the Office of Community Services to support a Rural Community Assistance Program Small Community Infrastructure Safety and Training and Technical project. Congress intends the funds to go to an organization that is capable of conducting a project that is national in scope that provides State, regional and national infrastructure safety training workshops and on- site technical assistance targeted to small and very small community water and wastewater treatment systems. Contact for Further Information: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Veronica Terrell(202) 401-5295, vterrell@acf.hhs.gov.

This notice is to inform interested parties of corrections made to the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program published on Friday, April 29, 2005. The following corrections should be noted: Under IV.6 Other Submission Requirements, the correct address to mail and hand deliver applications is: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Attention: Eduardo Hernandez, Administration for Children and Families Office of Community Services, Operations Center, Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22209, Phone: 1-800-281-9519, E-mail: OCS@lcgnet.com. The only changes to the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program Announcement are explicitly stated in this Notice of Correction. All applications must still be sent on or before the deadline date of May 31, 2005.

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces the availability of fiscal year 2005 funds to award grants to support the expansion of the National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs). The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-402) section 152(d) (42 U.S.C. 15062) authorizes the expansion of the National Network of UCEDDs, ``* * * for States or populations that are unserved or underserved by Centers due to such factors as (1) population; (2) a high concentration of rural or urban areas; or (3) a high concentration of unserved or underserved populations.'' Applicants should have expertise in addressing the health disparities and education issues of ethnic and racial minority groups. This funding opportunity will support the administration and operation of up to three new UCEDDs that are interdisciplinary education, research, and public service units of universities, or public or not- for-profit entities associated with universities that engage in core functions (e.g., provision of interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education of students and fellows; provision of community services, including training and/or technical assistance; conduct of research; and dissemination of information) addressing, directly or indirectly, one or more of the areas of emphasis (e.g., quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life). This program announcement contains instructions for the submission of the fiscal year 2005 grant applications for core funding.

Notice is hereby given that a program expansion supplement in the amount of $99,227 is being award to the Community Services for Children, Incorporated CSC) by the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). CSC has requested additional funds and a one-year extension to build on the success of its program by offering the Family Formation and Development Project (FFDP) to 40 additional unwed, low-income couples. The current project has shown promising results. During the past two years CSC has administered a successful Special Improvement Project (SIP) project. It has served 40 couples, meeting all stated objectives. The project serves only unwed couples with children. The majority of these families are Hispanic and are enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs to ensure comprehensive family services. CSC's objectives are: To improve family formation and development including marriage as a choice. CSC will provide an 8-week family formation and development course called ``Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education'' to 40 low-income, unwed couples with children in Head Start or Early Head Start programs. To promote stable families. CSC will present through course materials, other resources and home visits, information on the long-term benefits of two-parent families on the health and success of their children. To increase awareness of the importance of providing financial and medical support of children. CSC will collaborate with the Office of Child Support Enforcement to provide training and referral on the benefits of paternity establishment and child support services. Section 452(j) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 652(j), provides Federal funds for information dissemination and technical assistance to States, training of Federal and State staff to improve child support programs, and research, demonstration, and special projects of regional or national significance relating to the operation of State child support enforcement programs.

Funds are provided for Head Start-University Partnership Research Grants: Curriculum Development and Enhancement for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, for research activities to develop and test curricular approaches, adaptations or targeted curriculum enhancements for use by Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This grant program is part of a larger Head Start research effort. Three other grant funding mechanisms are being offered concurrently with the one described in this announcement. They include: (1) American Indian-Alaska Native Head Start Research Center, (2) Head Start Graduate Student Research Grants, and (3) Head Start Graduate Student Research Partnership Development Grants. For more information, please see these other Head Start Research announcements listed in the Federal Register or listed on https://www.Grants.Gov, or send an e-mail inquiry to opre@xtria.com. Priority Area: Head Start-University Partnership Research Grants: Curriculum Development and Enhancement for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.

This document corrects the two notices that were published in the Federal Register on Monday, May 2, 2005, Vol. 70, No. 83, Pages 22663 and 22664. It corrects the information on page 22663 under Notice of Computer Matching Program; the information beginning with ``A. Participating Agencies and ending with E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program'' should be placed on page 22664 under Notice of Computer Matching Program and the information on page 22664 under Notice of Computer Matching Program beginning with ``A. Participating Agencies and ending with E. Inclusive Dates of the Matching Program'' should be placed on page 22663 under Notice of Computer Matching Program. On page 22664 under Notice of Computer Matching Program. A. Participating Agencies please correct the transposed letters from ``OSCE'' to read ``OCSE.'' This transposition occurred at the Federal Register.

The primary purpose of this funding announcement is to provide financial support to selected tribes, tribal organizations, and migrant programs for child abuse prevention programs and activities that are consistent with the goals outlined by Title II of CAPTA. The goal of the programs and activities supported by these funds is to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of abuse or neglect within the tribal and migrant populations. The funds must support more effective and comprehensive child abuse prevention activities and family support services, including an emphasis on strengthening marriages and reaching out to include fathers, that will enhance the lives and ensure the safety and well-being of migrant and Native American children and their families. Some examples of programs that may be funded include, but are not limited to, voluntary home visiting, respite care, parenting education, mutual support, family resource centers, marriage education, and other family support services. The funds must also be used to support an evaluation of the programs and services funded by the grant. Finally, programs funded should develop stronger linkages with the Community-based Child Abuse Prevention Program (CBCAP) State Lead Agency funded under Title II of CAPTA. It is anticipated that three grants (one each to a tribe, a tribal organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this announcement for $143,000 per grantee for FY 2005. This amount reflects the maximum Federal share of this project not exceeding one-third (\1/ 3\) of one percent (1%) of the Federal appropriation for Title II for each 12-month budget period.

The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is accepting applications for the Basic Center Program (BCP). The Basic Center Program is one of the programs authorized under Part A of the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Act of 1974 to address runaway and homeless youth problems. Basic Center Programs provide an alternative to involving runaway and homeless youth in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. Each program must provide a safe and appropriate shelter and individual, family, and group counseling, as appropriate. Optional services that programs may provide are: Street-based services; Home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation from the family; Drug abuse education and prevention services; and At the request of runaway and homeless youth, testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Each BCP is required to provide to runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15) days including room and board; individual, group and family counseling (as appropriate); and aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Some programs also provide some or all of their services through host homes (usually private homes under contract to the centers) with counseling and referrals being provided. Basic Center programs shelter youth through 18 years of age.