[Federal Register: March 23, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 14785-14793]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr06-97]
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Part II
Department of Health and Human Services
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Announcement of Availability of Funds for Adolescent Family Life (AFL)
Demonstration Projects; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Announcement of Availability of Funds for Adolescent Family Life
(AFL) Demonstration Projects
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the
Secretary.
Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement of Availability of Funds
for Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Demonstration Projects.
Announcement Type: Initial Competitive Grant.
CFDA Number: 93.995.
Key Dates: To receive consideration, applications must be received
by the Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) Office of Grants
Management no later than May 22, 2006. Applications will be considered
as meeting the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of
Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the application
due date. Applications will not be accepted by fax, nor will the
submission deadline be extended. The application due date requirement
specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-
1 (revised 08/2004). Applications that do not meet the deadline will be
returned to the applicant unread. See heading ``APPLICATION and
SUBMISSION INFORMATION'' for additional information.
Overview: The Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs (OAPP) of the
Office of Population Affairs (OPA) requests applications for care
demonstration grants under the Adolescent Family Life (AFL) Act
Demonstration Projects Program, as authorized by Title XX of the Public
Health Service (PHS) Act, 42 U.S.C. 300z et seq. Title XX authorizes
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for care
demonstration projects to provide services to pregnant adolescents,
adolescent parents, and their families. Services are intended to
``enable pregnant adolescents to obtain proper care and assist pregnant
adolescents and adolescent parents to become productive independent
contributors to family and community life'' and ``to assist families of
adolescents to understand and resolve the societal causes which are
associated with adolescent pregnancy.'' PHS Act Sec. 2001(b)(3)(A) and
(B). In addition, Title XX demonstration projects are required to ``use
such methods as will strengthen the capacity of families to deal with
the sexual behavior, pregnancy, or parenthood of adolescents and to
make use of support systems such as other family members [and]
friends.'' PHS Act Sec. 2003. With respect to Title XX care
demonstration projects in particular, funds are awarded to develop
interventions in an effort to ameliorate the effects of too-early
childbearing for teen parents, their babies and their families.
The parenting and healthy relationship skills of the adolescent
mothers, extended family members, fathers of their children, husbands,
and/or male partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship,
are important to ensuring services meet the intent of the legislation.
For example, fathers of the adolescent mothers' children, husbands and/
or male partners with whom the adolescent mothers are in long-term
relationships can be offered case management services and an array of
other services that consist of and are not limited to: career and
leadership development, entrepreneurial training, tutoring and General
Education Degree (GED) preparation, parenting groups, couples groups
encouraging healthy relationships leading to marriage, mentoring,
community service, cultural activities, and resources for employment.
In addition, parents and siblings of the pregnant or parenting
adolescent are encouraged to participate in various supportive services
that will also help to ensure the welfare of the babies and the
adolescent mother.
These grants are for public or private nonprofit organizations or
agencies to demonstrate effective means of strengthening families by
providing an array of services that help prevent repeat pregnancy and
enhance the well being of pregnant or parenting adolescent mothers,
their children, fathers of their children, husbands and/or male
partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship. Faith-based
and community-based organizations are encouraged to apply. See heading
``Care Services'' for additional information.
Applicants should describe current and proposed efforts to prevent
the sexual coercion and exploitation of teens by older partners, as
well as management and reporting that comply with State reporting laws
regarding child sexual abuse, sexual assault (including statutory
rape), incest, or family violence in their proposals. For more
information, applicants may access the National Clearinghouse on Child
Abuse and Neglect Web site at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov.
Special consideration may be granted to underserved areas and
populations not currently receiving Title XX funding for care programs.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Population Affairs (DASPA) has the
discretion not to fund current Title XX care and prevention grantees.
However, all applicants are required to adhere to the DASPA criteria as
set forth in this announcement. If there are multiple applicants from
one State, agency collaboration is encouraged. Please note, the DASPA
may elect to award one grant per State.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Care Services
Under this announcement, funds are available for care projects
only. The project site or sites must be identified in the application
rather than selected after the grant is awarded. Under the Title XX
statute, the primary purpose of care programs is to establish
innovative, comprehensive, and integrated approaches to the delivery of
care services for pregnant adolescents and adolescent parents under 19
years of age at program entry, with primary emphasis on unmarried
adolescents who are 17 years old or younger. Care services should
promote the healthy involvement of the adolescents' children, extended
family members, fathers of their children, husbands, and/or male
partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship. The OAPP
encourages the submission of care applications which propose to: (1)
Add care services to supplement existing adolescent health services in
school, hospital or other community settings; (2) provide care services
to underserved populations; (3) continue services to clients after the
delivery of the baby to enable them to acquire good parenting skills
and to ensure that their children are developing physically,
intellectually and emotionally; (4) stress self-sufficiency skills,
such as school completion (in mainstream or alternative schools and GED
programs) and/or job training preparation and placement; (5) involve
the adolescents' children, extended family members, fathers of their
children, husbands and/or male partners with whom they are in a long-
term relationship (e.g., through job training, parenting classes, and
counseling); (6) provide education on how to build and maintain healthy
relationships, prepare for marriage, parenting and future families; (7)
assure identification of mental health concerns and referral to
appropriate resources; and (8) provide Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STI) and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention counseling.
Applicants should justify their proposed approach by assessing
current literature and describing the lack of existing programming in
the community. Applicants should propose projects that will establish
better coordination, integration, and linkages
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among organizations with such existing programs.
Under the statutory requirements of Title XX, applicants for care
projects are required to provide, either directly or by referral, the
following 10 core services:
(1) Pregnancy testing and maternity counseling;
(2) Adoption counseling and referral services which present
adoption as an option for pregnant adolescents, including referral to
licensed adoption agencies in the community if the eligible grant
recipient is not a licensed adoption agency;
(3) Primary and preventive health services, including prenatal and
postnatal care;
(4) Nutrition information and counseling;
(5) Referral for screening and treatment of STIs, including HIV/
AIDS;
(6) Referral to appropriate pediatric care;
(7) Educational services relating to family life and problems
associated with adolescent premarital sexual relations including:
(a) Information about adoption;
(b) Education on the responsibilities of sexuality and parenting;
(c) The development of material to support the role of parents as
the providers of sex education; and
(d) Assistance to parents, schools, youth agencies and health
providers to educate adolescents and preadolescents concerning self-
discipline and responsibility in human sexuality;
(8) Appropriate educational and vocational services;
(9) Mental health services and referral to mental health services
and to other appropriate physical health services; and
(10) Counseling and referral for family planning services.
Note: Funds provided under Title XX may not be used for the
provision of family planning services other than counseling and
referral services unless appropriate family planning services are
not otherwise available in the community. In accordance with sec.
2006(a)(17) of Title XX (42 U.S.C. 300z-5(a)(17)), applicants must
make maximum use of funds available under the Title X Family
Planning Program in providing this required core service. According
to the Title XX legislation (section 2006(a)(18)), ``the acceptance
by any individual of family planning services or family planning
information (including educational materials) * * * shall be
voluntary and shall not be a prerequisite to eligibility for or
receipt of any other service furnished by the applicant.''
In addition to the 10 required core services listed above,
applicants for care projects may provide any of the following
supplemental services:
(1) Referral to licensed residential care or maternity home
services;
(2) Child care sufficient to enable the adolescent parent to
continue education or to enter into employment;
(3) Consumer education;
(4) Counseling for the immediate and extended family members of the
eligible person;
(5) Transportation; and
(6) Outreach services to families of adolescents to discourage
sexual relations among unemancipated minors.
The applicants proposal must address how each of the ten core
services and any supplemental services will be provided, either
directly or by referral.
Youth Development or Developmental Assets Approach
Achieving a successful transition into adulthood for adolescents
can be difficult and this is particularly so for pregnant and parenting
adolescents. Research has clearly shown that future educational and
economic prospects for teens decline significantly if they have a baby.
Teen pregnancy is closely linked to less than optimal health outcomes
for mother and infant, school dropout, lack of job skills, repeat
pregnancies, poverty, and unstable home environments. To help address
these multiple problems, the OAPP encourages applicants to incorporate
youth development concepts into their care programs.
All adolescents need to see hope for their future, acquire the
skills necessary to turn hope into reality, and be provided with
opportunities to help them reach that reality. Examples of youth
development activities in a care program are ones that address school
retention and completion, job and vocational training, service
learning, community involvement, building and maintaining healthy
relationships, marriage preparation, building skills, confidence and
self-efficacy, and avoiding health risks such as tobacco, alcohol, drug
use, and sexual involvement. These types of activities contribute to
strengthening the support systems these young parents need to achieve
productive futures. Where possible, adolescents should be an integral
part of the design, implementation, and evaluation of this approach.
All services provided by AFL grantees, however, including all
activities that are part of a youth development approach, must be
within the scope of the Title XX care services listed above.
Parental, Family, and Male Involvement
Strengthening families and healthy relationship skills is a primary
focus for the OAPP. In the case of adolescent parents, this includes
not only providing health, educational, and social services for
adolescents who are pregnant or parenting, but also finding ways to
ensure the healthy involvement of their children, extended family
members, fathers of their children, husbands and/or male partners with
whom they are in a long-term relationship. Research has clearly shown
the importance of families in the social, emotional, and intellectual
growth of children and adolescents. Adolescent parents are still
adolescents; they need the involvement and support of their own parents
as they continue their transition to adulthood. Applicants should
provide services that include the adolescents' children, extended
family members, fathers of their children, husbands, and/or male
partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship. The
involvement of these groups is important to enhance the overall well-
being and skills of these individuals within the context of a healthy
family.
Goals and Objectives
The Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs (OAPP) has 3 cross-site
performance measures for AFL Care programs: (1) Reduce the incidence of
repeat pregnancies among AFL clients; (2) Increase AFL Care
demonstration client conformance with recommended infant immunization
schedules; and (3) Increase the educational attainment of AFL Care
demonstration project clients. All grantees will be responsible for
reporting on these three measures and the applicant should include a
program goal(s) statement related to these outcome objectives.
Additional programmatic goal(s) and objectives can be proposed, if
applicable.
A goal is a general statement of what the project hopes to
accomplish. It should reflect the long-term desired impact of the
project on the target group(s) as well as reflect the program goals
contained in this program announcement. An outcome objective is a
statement which defines a measurable result the project expects to
accomplish. All outcome objectives, including the performance measures
above, should be described in terms that measure how project specific
results will be measured. Good applications should contain the 3 OAPP
performance measures listed above and no more than 3 additional
objectives. Applications should ensure all proposed objectives are
specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed
(S.M.A.R.T.).
Specific: An objective should specify one major result directly
related to the
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program goal, state who is going to be doing what, to whom, by how
much, and in what time-frame. It should specify what will be
accomplished and how the accomplishment will be measured.
Measurable: An objective should be able to describe in realistic
terms the expected results and specify how such results will be
measured.
Achievable: The accomplishment specified in the objective should be
achievable within the proposed time line and as a direct result of
program activities.
Realistic: The objective should be reasonable in nature. The
specified outcomes, expected results, should be described in realistic
terms.
Time-framed: An outcome objective should specify a target date or
time for its accomplishments. It should state who is going to be doing
what, by when, etc.
The Public Management Institute, How to Get Grants (1981).
Evaluation
Section 2006(b)(1) of Title XX requires each grantee to expend at
least one percent, but not more than five percent, of the Federal funds
received under Title XX on evaluation of the project. In cases in which
a more rigorous or comprehensive evaluation effort is proposed, waivers
of the five percent limit on evaluation may be granted by OAPP (see
sec. 2006(b)(1)). Under this announcement, the OAPP is requesting
applications for evaluation-intensive projects. For evaluation-
intensive projects, the OAPP will waive the five percent limit up to a
maximum of 20 percent. Evaluation plans that are not evaluation-
intensive, according to the following criteria, will be scored
accordingly by the external review panel.
1. The evaluation plan should be directly tied to program
objectives. Research hypotheses should be clearly stated and reflect
the outcomes the program intends to achieve.
2. The evaluation plan should include a process or implementation
evaluation. Evaluations in their first year should focus on determining
that the intervention is in place, that it is adequately and
appropriately staffed, and that it is reaching its intended population.
3. The evaluation plan should have a viable comparison strategy. If
a true experimental design with random assignment is not possible, a
quasi-experimental design with matched comparison group would be
acceptable.
4. The evaluation plan should have a sufficient sample size to
ensure that any observed differences between groups are significant.
The evaluation plan should propose appropriate statistical analyses.
5. The evaluation plan should measure dosage. Client participation
and use of various service components should be carefully tracked so
that any differences can be corrected for, or at least taken into
account, in discussion of evaluation results.
6. The evaluation plan should include a follow-up assessment and
longitudinal tracking of program participants during and after the
intervention.
In addition, applications should clearly demonstrate the capacity
to participate in a cross-site evaluation, as well as the understanding
that use of a core evaluation instrument will be incorporated into the
outcome evaluation design. The core instrument has specific questions
that will measure the 3 OAPP performance measures. A copy of the core
instrument is included in the AFL application kit and may be viewed at
http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov.
Section 2006(b)(2) of Title XX requires that evaluations be
conducted by an organization or entity independent of the grantee
providing services. To assist in conducting the evaluation, each
grantee shall develop a working relationship with an independent
evaluator associated with a college or university located in the
grantee's state. This evaluator will provide monitoring and evaluation
of the proposed program. The OAPP strongly recommends extensive
collaboration between the applicant organization and the proposed
evaluator. It is important to establish this relationship when
preparing the application to ensure that the project's goals and
objectives and the evaluation plan are consistent with each other.
Curricula Review
The grantee shall submit all curricula and educational materials
for use in the AFL project, whether currently available or to be
developed by the grantee to the OAPP for review and approval prior to
use in the project. The review shall ensure that the materials are
medically accurate, consistent with Title XX policies on religion, and
in compliance with the statutory prohibitions against advocating,
promoting, encouraging, or providing abortions.
Note: Curricula and educational materials should be identified
for this application. Review and approval of curricula and other
educational materials are not done until an application is approved
for funding. Successful approval of a grant application does not
indicate approval of curricula and educational materials for use in
a funded project.
II. Award Information
This notice announces the availability of approximately $5 million
to support an estimated 13-15 new care demonstration grants, up to a
maximum of $375,000 each per year. Any application that proposes
funding over the maximum will not be considered. Please note, in Fiscal
Year (FY) 2005, the OAPP issued a similar Request for Applications
(RFA) announcing approximately $5 million for new care demonstration
projects. In response to that RFA, OAPP received 216 grant applications
and was able to fund only 14 new projects. Grants may be approved for
project periods of up to five years, and are funded in annual
increments (budget periods). Funding for all approved budget periods
beyond the first year of the grant is contingent upon the availability
of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and adequate
stewardship of Federal funds.
Applications are encouraged from organizations which are currently
operating programs that are completing their funding cycle, if
modifications are made to expand or enhance services for a new
demonstration project according to the guidelines specified in this
announcement. Existing or previous programs should include information
regarding the evaluation outcomes of previous programs. Applications
are also encouraged from organizations that have the capability to
conduct a rigorous evaluation of the funded project.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Any public or private nonprofit organization or agency is eligible
to apply for a grant. However, only those organizations or agencies
which demonstrate the capability of providing the proposed services and
meet the statutory requirements are considered for grant awards. Faith-
based and community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for AFL
grants. Please note, however, that AFL funds may not be used for
inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious
instruction, and proselytization. If an organization engages in such
activities, they must be offered separately in time or location from
the program funded under the AFL program and participation must be
voluntary for program beneficiaries. An AFL program, in providing
services and outreach related to program services, cannot discriminate
against current or prospective program beneficiaries on the basis of
religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or
a
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refusal to actively participate in a religious practice.
2. Cost Sharing
Applicants funded under this announcement will be required to match
federal funding provided by the OAPP. Section 2005 (c)(2) of Title XX
states that an AFL grant award may not exceed 70 percent of the total
costs of the project for the first and second years, 60 percent of the
total costs for the third year, 50 percent for the fourth year and 40
percent for the fifth year. The AFL non-Federal share of the project
costs may be provided in cash expenditures or fairly evaluated in-kind
contributions, including facilities, equipment, and services.
Generally, other Federal funds may not be used as matching funds. Note,
however, that the PHS Grants Policy Statement 9505 (``Non-Federal
Sources of Funds'') provides that: ``Unless otherwise restricted by
legislation or regulation, costs used to satisfy the grantee's matching
requirements may be financed from * * * Funds derived either directly
or indirectly from Federal sources which are received as fees,
payments, or reimbursements for the provision of a specific service,
such as patient care reimbursements received under Medicare or
Medicaid.''
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
Application kits may be requested from, and submitted to the OPHS
Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550,
Rockville, MD 20852, 240-453-8822. Application kits are also available
online at the electronic grants management Web site (e-Grants) at
https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov/ and Grants.Gov at http://www.grants.gov.
Applicants may fax a written request to the OPHS Office
of Grants Management to obtain a hard copy of the application kit at
240-453-8823.
2. Content and Form of Application
In preparing the application, it is important to follow ALL
instructions and public policy requirements provided in the application
kit. Applications must be submitted on the forms supplied (OPHS-1,
Revised 08/2004) and in the manner prescribed in the application kits
provided by the OAPP. Applicants are required to submit an application
signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. The program narrative
must be printed on 8\1/2\ by 11 inch white paper, with one-inch
margins, double-spaced with an easily readable 12-point font. All pages
must be numbered sequentially not including appendices and required
forms. The program narrative should not be longer than 50 double-spaced
pages, not including appendices and required forms. All pages, figures,
and tables must be numbered sequentially. Do not staple or bind the
application package. Use rubber bands or binder clips.
The narrative description of the project must contain the
following:
One-page Summary: Briefly provide a statement of the proposed
demonstration project indicating that this is a CARE demonstration
project and whether it is for a local or statewide project; Type of
organization applying (school, state agency, voluntary agency, etc.);
Geographic area to be served (urban, rural, suburban); Description of
target population to be served; Statement of the program intervention;
Brief description of the proposed project.
Description of Applicant Organization: Describe the
decision-making authority and structure (e.g. relationship to the Board
of Directors), its resources, experience, existing program units and/or
those to be established if funding is obtained. This description should
cover personnel, time and facilities and contain evidence of the
organization's capacity to provide the rapid and effective use of
resources needed to conduct the project, collect necessary data and
evaluate it.
Rationale: Describe the rationale for use of the proposed
approach based upon previous practice and review of the literature and/
or evaluation findings.
Geographic Area: Describe the geographic area to be
served. Document the incidence of adolescent pregnancy, and describe
economic conditions, income levels, existing services and unmet needs
in the proposed service area.
Program Outcome Objectives: Provide a clear statement of
results or benefits expected that are consistent with the OAPP
performance measures. Objectives should be specific, measurable,
achievable, realistic, and time-framed.
Care Services Demonstration Model: Describe the program,
including how services will continue to be provided to clients after
the birth of the child to enable parents to acquire good parenting
skills and to ensure that their children are developing normally
physically, intellectually and emotionally. Describe how the applicant
will add care services to supplement existing adolescent health
services in a school, hospital or other community setting. Describe how
the applicant will provide directly, or by referral, each of the
required ten core services and any supplemental services as
appropriate. As appropriate, state how the project will be coordinated,
integrated and linked to existing services within the service area.
Describe case management and follow-up procedures. Describe the
population, recruitment methods and selection criteria. Describe how
the applicant will as appropriate, involve families, voluntary
associations, religious and charitable organizations and other groups
in the private sector.
Workplan and Timetable: Provide a year long work plan and
timetable, which spans at least three years of program implementation.
Numbers and Types of Clients: Provide estimates of clients
expected to be served during the first year (e.g. adolescent mothers,
extended family members, fathers of their children, husbands, and/or
male partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship).
Documentation of Support: Provide a summary of the views
of public agencies, providers of services and the general public in the
geographical area to be served. Provide documentation of the support
from other community agencies.
Continuation Funding: Describe the plan regarding
continuation of services at the termination of this Federal funding.
Evaluation Plan: The evaluation plan must clearly
articulate the program interventions and/or processes to be tested;
theory upon which the program intervention is based; proposed
questions/hypotheses the evaluation will address; instruments,
including information regarding reliability and validity of
instruments; sampling plan and data collection schedule; data analysis
plan, including statistical tests. Describe how the evaluation is
consistent with the program, particularly how data will be used for
mid-course corrections and ongoing program improvements. Discuss how
the evaluator will ensure confidentiality of the data. Describe the
qualitative methodology planned and how it will be integrated with the
required quantitative design. Describe how the data will be collected.
Appendices: Include articles of incorporation and mission
statement for private nonprofit organizations. Resumes of key staff and
detailed
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position descriptions. How the project will obtain parental consent.
Letters of commitment and support from other providers. Provide
evidence of a working agreements with an evaluator affiliated with a
college or university located in the applicant's State. The entities to
be involved in the evaluation must be identified, their willingness to
participate documented, their role (s) described and their capability
documented by an attached curriculum vitae. Provide a copy of the table
of contents of the proposed curriculum, plus a list of any other
instructional materials that will be an integral part of the proposed
project.
Applicants must be familiar with Title XX in its entirety to ensure
that they have complied with all applicable requirements. A copy of the
legislation is included in the application kit.
A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is
required for all applications for Federal assistance. Organizations
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps necessary
to obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in
the application package, and may be downloaded from the OPA Web site.
3. Submission Dates, Times and Mechanisms
The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
Applications may only be submitted electronically via the
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system
or the Grants.gov Website Portal is encouraged.
Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants
Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day
after the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the
announcement.
Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the
deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed
ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic
applications early in the application development process, and to
submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any
problems with submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions via the OPHS eGrants System
The Grants.gov Website Portal provides organizations with the
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities.
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management,
and, if required, must contain the original signature of an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed
by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Website Portal
must contain all completed online forms required by the application
kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or
exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the due date
requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission
via the Grants.gov Website Portal, the applicant will be provided with
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the
entire application package.
All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Website Portal will
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the
Grants.gov Website Portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Website Portal.
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by
the Grants.gov Website Portal, applicants should immediately mail all
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be
electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing.
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov
Website Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants
will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants
Management confirming the receipt of the application submitted using
the Grants.gov Website Portal.
Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through
the Grants.gov Website Portal.
Electronic Submissions via the OPHS eGrants System
The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov
, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of
Grants Management at (240) 453-8822.
When submitting applications via the OPHS eGrants system,
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face
page (Standard Form
[[Page 14791]]
424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for
the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms
and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also
need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain
Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original
signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency.
Electronic applications submitted via the OPHS eGrants system must
contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the
Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The
applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office
of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however
these mail-in items must be entered on the eGrants Application
Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission,
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation
page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission
including all electronic application components, required hardcopy
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address
of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy
materials must be submitted.
As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status
of their application in the OPHS eGrants system to ensure that all
signatures and mail-in items are received.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the
application. The original application must be signed by an individual
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and
conditions of the grant award.
Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant
Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date
specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application
deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the
instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline
will be returned to the applicant unread.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Applications for AFL grants must meet both of the following
requirements (each year):
(1) Requirements for Review of an Application by the Governor.
Section 2006(e) of Title XX requires that each applicant shall provide
the Governor of the State in which the applicant is located a copy of
each application submitted to the OAPP for a grant for a demonstration
project for services under this Title. The Governor has 60 days from
the receipt date in which to provide comments to the applicant. An
applicant may comply with this requirement by submitting a copy of the
application to the Governor of the State in which the applicant is
located at the same time the application is submitted to OAPP. To
inform the Governor's office of the reason for the submission, a copy
of this notice should be attached to the application.
(2) Requirements for Review of an Application Pursuant to Executive
Order 12372 (SPOC Requirements). Applications under this announcement
are subject to the review requirements of E.O. 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' as implemented by 45
CFR part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and
Human Services Programs and Activities.'' E.O. 12372 sets up a system
for state and local government review of proposed Federal assistance
applications. As soon as possible, the applicant (other than Federally-
recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact the State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) for each state in the area to be served. The
application kit contains the currently available listing of the SPOCs
which have elected to be informed of the submission of applications.
For those states not represented on the listing, further inquiries
should be made by the applicant regarding submission to the relevant
SPOC. Information about the SPOC is located on the OMB Web site http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc/html.
The SPOC's comment(s) should
be forwarded to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton
Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. The SPOC has 60 days from the
closing date of this announcement to submit any comments.
5. Funding Restrictions
Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than
the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the
submission requirements.
Grant funds may be used to cover costs of: Personnel, consultants,
equipment, supplies, grant-related travel, and other grant-related
costs. Grant funds may not be used for: building alterations or
renovations, construction, fund raising activities, and political
education and lobbying. Guidance for completing the application can be
found in the Program Guidelines, which are included with the complete
application kits.
Applicants for discretionary grants are expected to anticipate and
justify their funding needs and the activities to be carried out with
those funds in preparing the budget and accompanying narrative portions
of their applications. The basis for determining the allowability and
allocability of costs charged to Public Health Service (PHS) grants is
set forth in 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. If applicants are uncertain
whether a particular cost is allowable, they should contact the OPHS
Office of Grants Management at 240-453-8822 for further information.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Organizations applying for funds under the AFL Demonstration
Projects Program must submit documentation of nonprofit status with
their applications. If documentation is not provided, the applicant
will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the
review process. The organization will be notified that the application
did not meet the submission requirements.
Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit
status:
A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) most recent listing of tax-exempt
organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of te IRS Code.
A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
A statement from a State taking body, State Attorney
General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the
applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net
[[Page 14792]]
earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit
status.
Any of the above proof for a State or national
organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the
applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Eligible competing grant applications will be reviewed by a multi-
disciplinary panel of independent reviewers and will be assessed
according to the following criteria:
(1) The applicant's presentation of a detailed evaluation plan that
indicates an understanding of program evaluation methods, reflects a
practical and technically sound approach to assessing both the
project's implementation and its outcomes, demonstrates the capacity to
participate in a cross-site evaluation, and the intent to incorporate
the AFL core evaluation instrument into the outcome evaluation design.
The applicant's provision of a clear statement of mission, goals,
measurable (outcome) objectives, reasonable methods for achieving the
objectives. Evaluation activities are included in the proposed workplan
and timetable. (30 points)
(2) The applicant's presentation of an organizational model for
service delivery with appropriate design, including all 10 core
services with the requirements of Title XX. Any supplemental services
listed under the above subtitle ``Care Services'' are also discussed.
All services proposed in this part of the project are addressed within
an innovative youth development or developmental assets approach. A
reasonable workplan and timetable are included. (20 points)
(3) The applicant's presentation of the need for the project,
including the incidence of adolescent pregnancy in the geographic area
to be served and the availability of services for adolescents within
this geographic area. [Healthy People 2010 is a set of health
objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the new
century; one goal is to eliminate health disparities. In evaluating
this criterion, priority will be given to programs which serve
underserved populations.] (10 points)
(4) The applicant's presentation of an innovative, detailed, and
viable plan to recruit and retain involvement of the adolescents'
children, extended family members, fathers of their children, husbands
and/or male partners with whom they are in a long-term relationship.
This plan should also include innovative strategies for building
healthy relationships, marriages, and families. (10 points)
(5) The capacity of the applicant to implement the program,
including personnel and other resources, and the applicant's experience
and expertise in providing programs for adolescents, including
management and reporting of sexual exploitation and coercion of teens.
(10 points)
(6) The population the project proposes to serve including number
and type of clients to be served. The applicant must specify how
program staff demonstrate responsiveness to the population it serves.
(10 points)
(7) The community commitment to, and involvement in, planning and
implementation of the project, as demonstrated by letters of commitment
and willingness to participate in the project's implementation,
acceptance of referrals, etc. (10 points)
2. Review and Selection Process
Final grant award decisions will be made by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Population Affairs (DASPA). In making these decisions,
the DASPA will take into account the extent to which applications
recommended for approval will provide an appropriate geographic
distribution of resources, the priorities in sec. 2005(a), and other
factors including:
(1) Recommendations and scores of applications submitted by the
review panels;
(2) The geographic area to be served, particularly the underserved
areas and populations;
(3) The reasonableness of the estimated cost of the project based
on factors such as the incidence of adolescent pregnancy in the
geographic area to be served and the availability of services for
adolescents in this geographic area;
(4) The adequacy of the evaluation plan, including incorporation of
the six evaluation criteria listed in the ``Evaluation'' section of
this announcement, and the demonstrated ability to participate
successfully in a cross-site evaluation.
Special consideration may be granted to underserved areas and
populations not currently receiving Title XX funding for care programs.
The DASPA has the discretion not to consider, for this announcement,
current Title XX care and prevention grantees who are already funded
under the Title XX program. However, all applicants are required to
adhere to the DASPA criteria as set forth in this announcement. If
there are multiple applicants from one State, agency collaboration is
encouraged. Please note, the DASPA may elect to award one grant per
State.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award
The OAPP anticipates announcing and awarding grantees under this
announcement by September 30, 2006.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The OAPP does not release information about individual applications
during the review process until final funding decisions have been made.
When final funding decisions have been made, the applicant's authorized
representative will be notified of the outcome of their application by
postal mail. The official document notifying an applicant that an
application has been approved for funding is the Notice of Grant Award
signed by the Grants Management Officer, which specifies to the grantee
the amount of money awarded, the purposes of the grant, the length of
the project period, terms and conditions of the grant award, and the
amount of funding to be contributed by the grantee to project costs.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rules and requirements
that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all
recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to
state and local governments. Applicants funded under this announcement
must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that
includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html
.
The HHS Appropriations Act requires that when issuing statements,
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part
with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
[[Page 14793]]
3. Reporting
Applicants funded under this grant announcement will be required to
electronically submit an End-of-Year Program, Evaluation and Financial
report 90 days after the grant budget period ends.
VII. Agency Contacts
Administrative and Budgetary Contacts Requirements
For information related to administrative and budgetary
requirements, contact the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 1101
Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852; 240-453-8822.
Program Contacts Requirements
For information related to the OAPP program requirements, the OAPP
staff are available at 240-453-2828 to answer questions and provide
technical assistance on the preparation of grant applications.
Questions may also be directed to the OAPP staff via e-mail at http://oapp@osophs.dhhs.gov">
http://oapp@osophs.dhhs.gov. If contacting the OAPP by e-mail, please include
If contacting the OAPP by e-mail, please include
the phrase ``AFL Care Question'' in the subject heading.
VIII. Other Information
Protection of Human Subjects Regulations
The applicant must comply with the HHS Protection of Human Subjects
regulations (which require obtaining Institutional Review Board
approval), set out at 45 CFR part 46, if applicable. General
information about Human Subjects regulations can be obtained through
the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp by e-mail, please include
, ohrp@osophs.dhhs.gov, or toll free at (866) 447-4777.
Technical Assistance
The OAPP is committed to providing technical assistance to help
prospective applicants at no cost. The OAPP anticipates offering both
in-person technical assistance workshops at three locations across the
country, and an interactive on-line workshop to provide such assistance
through a teleconference. These one-day workshops will assist the
public in learning more about the purposes and requirements of the
Title XX program, the application process, budgeting information, and
considerations that might help to improve the quality of grant
applications. The OAPP encourages applicants to have appropriate agency
staff members and a financial representative participate in the
workshop. In order to participate in the teleconferencing workshop,
participants must have a computer with internet access and a telephone.
Participants will be able to ask questions and receive pertinent
feedback during this workshop via the computer.
With respect to both the in-person and interactive on-line
workshops, applicants should check the OPA website for workshop and
registration information. All participants must pre-register for the
workshops. Participants may pre-register on-line at http://www.est-oappta.com.
Participants that do not have access to the Internet may
call Enterprise Services and Technologies, Incorporated, the technical
assistance contractor for the OAPP at 301-585-6046 to request a
registration form. Completed registration forms should be faxed to
ATTN: OAPP RFA Workshop at 301-941-1847, or you may insert OAPP RFA
Workshop into the subject line and e-mail the form to a.suggs@ent-s-t-
com. Upon receipt of the applicant's request, the specific workshop
information and logistical information will be faxed or emailed for the
workshop specified by the participant. The OAPP anticipates conducting
the in-person technical workshops in April 2006. Applicants should
visit the OPA website for further information on dates and times. The
interactive on-line workshop will be conducted live by May 26, 2006. If
a prospective applicant cannot attend the live interactive on-line
workshop, the transcripts of the workshop will be available on-line at
http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov until the closing date of this announcement.
Annual Conference and Training
Each year, the OAPP hosts an annual grantee conference for care
grantees. The Project Director and Evaluator are expected to attend
and/or participate in the annual conference. In addition, the OAPP
offers technical assistance and training to improve the caliber and
professionalism of front-line staff. The Project Director, Evaluator
and front-line staff are expected to participate in OAPP sponsored
technical assistance workshops.
Dated: March 9, 2006.
Alma L. Golden,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs.
[FR Doc. 06-2804 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-30-P