 |
 |
| 10.580 FOOD STAMP PROGRAM OUTREACH/PARTICIPATION PROGRAM |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Section, 17a(1), Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2026(a)(a); Section 17(b)(1), 7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1); Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| Outreach Grants: The purpose of these grants is to study effective strategies to inform and educate eligible low-income people not currently participating in the Food Stamp Program (FSP) about the nutrition benefits of the program, eligibility rules, and how to apply so that they can make an informed decision about whether to participate in the program. Program Participation Grants: The purpose of the Program Participation grants is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement: 1) Simple food stamp application and eligibility systems; or 2) Measures to improve access to food stamp benefits by eligible applicants. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Discretionary). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Program Participation Grants: Funds for program participation projects are to be used to improve the quality and efficiency of operations within the food stamp offices and no more than 25 percent of the grant funds may be used for outreach activities. Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package. Outreach Grants: Funds are used for research into food stamp outreach strategies to one or more of the targeted groups of people who are eligible for the program but traditionally underused food stamp benefits. Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Outreach Grants: Public organizations, with the exception of State and local food stamp agencies; and Private, nonprofit organizations; specific instructions provided in Request for Application. Program Participation Grants: State agencies that administer the Food Stamp Program, State or local governments; agencies that provide health or welfare services; public health or educational entities and private nonprofit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Persons potentially eligible for food stamps (low-income individuals or families). |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Proof of nonprofit status is required of nonprofit organizations and institutions. Nonprofits must also submit an IRS Determination Letter, Form 501C (3). Specific instructions provided in Request for Application. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| Instructions provided in Request for Application. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Application package should be prepared in accordance with instructions in a specific Request for Application (RFA) and sent to the grant officer identified in the RFA. |
| Award Procedure |
| A Grant Review Technical Panel objectively reviews all complete and timely applications according to established review criteria provided in the Request for Applications and makes recommendations to Agency officials, who make final award decisions. |
| Deadlines |
| Provided in Request for Application. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Provided in Request for Application. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| None. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Provided in Request for Application. |
| Reports |
| Instructions provided in Request for Application. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133; Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; State governments that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133. |
| Records |
| State agencies must maintain records as necessary to support the use of Food Stamp Grant funds in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the three year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit. |
| Account Identification |
| 12-3505-0-1-605. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $989,197; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Based on availability of funds. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Outreach Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/default.htm. Program Participation Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/program-improvement.htm. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Outreach Grants: 7 CFR Part 3016, 7 CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3018. Program Participation Grants: 7 CFR Part 3015, 7 CFR Part 3016, 7CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3021, 7 CFR Part 3019. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Grants Management Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2867. Contact: Leslie Byrd, Grant Officer for Outreach Grants, or Lisa Johnson, Grant Officer for Program Participation Grants. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.fns.usda.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/2005-summary.htm and http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/grants/2004/summary.htm. Program Participation Grants: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/participation- grants.htm. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/06-participation- grants.htm. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/government/pdf/2007-participation- grants.pdf. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| The review panel to score and rank applications uses Technical Review Criteria, which are furnished to all applicants in the Request for Applications package. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
|