HHS-2008-ACF-ACYF-CA-0056 CAPTA: National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services

Jean Nussbaum: Hello and welcome to the Pre-Application Webinar for Funding Opportunity No., FON, HHS-2008-ACF-ACYF-CA-0056 National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response and Child Protective Services. My name is Jean Nussbaum and I work at the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, which is housed in the Children's Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I am also the program contact for this grant announcement.

This webinar is being webcast at both 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008.

This webinar is intended to provide prospective applicants with an overview of the program announcement that became public on May 12th, 2008, and is currently available on www.grants.gov and the Administration for Children and Families, ACF, Grants Opportunity webpage at www.acf.hhs.gov/grants. To find the announcement, go to www.acf.hhs.gov/grants and click on Open Funding Opportunities. Then find the link for CAPTA, National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services. The direct link to the announcement is also provided on this slide.

The webinar will attempt to clarify common applicant questions by highlighting information in the announcement. All perspective applicants are encouraged to refer back to the program announcement for more detailed information when preparing their application. Page numbers in the PDF version of the program announcement available at the ACF Grant Opportunities website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2008-ACF-ACYF-CA-0056.html have been included on the webinar slides for your reference.

Federal staff will not be responding directly to the questions of listeners during this webinar. All participant lines will be muted. Listening participants will, however, have the opportunity to send written questions to the Children's Bureau by email during and after the webinar. Potential applicants may submit questions in response to the webinar until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 4th. Questions should be sent to cb@dixongroup.com. Please include the words "Applicant Question 0056" in the subject heading of the email. And please include your name, the name of your organization, and your telephone number in the text of the message. All questions received prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4th will be reviewed by Children's Bureau staff.

A transcript of the webinar and a summary of the questions submitted by the deadline and the Children's Bureau's responses will be posted on the ACYF Grant Review webpage at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/grantreview/cb/cb.html as soon as they become available. Webinar slides will be posted on this webpage for applicants' future reference. Any questions that a potential applicant has prior to the first webinar or after the pre-application conference question period closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4th should be directed to the applicable program or grant contact person in the program announcement.

Again this is the pre-application webinar regarding funding for the National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services. This cooperative agreement will be referred to as QIC on Differential Response or QIC for shorthand through the webinar.

The legislative authority for the Differential Response QIC comes from Sections 105 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as amended. Information about the legislation that authorizes and supports the QIC and other child welfare programs can be found on the Children's Bureau website at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb under Laws and Policies. There will only be one award for this funding opportunity and that award will be a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding federal assistance where a substantial federal involvement is anticipated. As described in the grant announcement under Section 2, Award Information, federal involvement and collaboration includes: the Children's Bureau's review and approval of planning stages of the project activities before implementation phases may begin; the Children's Bureau involvement in the establishment of policies and procedures that maximize open competition and rigorous and impartial development review and selection of project activities if applicable; joint collaboration between the Children's Bureau and the award recipient in the performance of key programmatic activities; close monitoring by the Children's Bureau of the requirements stated in this announcement that limit the grantee's discretion with respect to scope of services offered, organizational structure and management processes; and close monitoring by the Children's Bureau during the project period to ensure compliance with the intent of this funding.

To ensure the responsibilities of both parties are understood, a cooperative agreement document will be developed incorporating legislative authority, federal regulations, and terms and conditions. The document will also identify the duration of the agreement, roles, and responsibilities of the grantee and ACF/CB and reporting requirements. The cooperative agreement document must be signed by the authorized official of the recipient organization and the ACYF/CB program official. Expectations for collaboration with federal staff to successfully complete the goals and objectives of these projects are described throughout the program announcement.

The eligible applicants for the QIC on Differential Response include state governments, county governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, non-profits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), non-profits without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and special district governments.

If an application proposes that two or more entities serve as the QIC on Differential Response collaboratively, the application must identify a primary applicant responsible for administering the cooperative agreement. Partnerships are encouraged between organizations with experience and expertise in child welfare, differential response, and family support programs.

Eligible applicants may apply for a maximum of $1.7 million in year 1 and a maximum of $2 million per budget period in years 2 through 5. Applications with requests that exceed the ceiling on the amount of individual awards will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. In years 2 through 5, the project will allocate at least $1.6 million to support research and demonstration projects and dissertations and no more than $400,000 will be used by the QIC to administer and manage the project. The cooperative agreement will be awarded for a project period of 5 years or 60 months. The initial award will be for a 12-month budget period. Continuation of awards for subsequent 12-month budget periods is subject to availability of funds and will be subject to satisfactory progress on the part of the awardee and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government.

In terms of the match requirement, the grantee is required to meet a non-federal share of the project costs. The grantee must provide at least 10% of the total approved cost for the project per budget period. The total approved cost of the project can be calculated by dividing the requested federal share, a maximum of $1.7 million in year 1, by the divisor of 0.90. The result will be the total project cost including the applicant's minimum 10% match. In this example, the total project cost would be a total of $1,888,889 with a required 10% match of $188,889 for year 1. In year 2 through year 5, the required 10% match would be $222,222. The non-federal share may be met by cash or in kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.

The purpose of this program announcement is to establish by the awarding of a cooperative agreement in National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response in Child Protective Services. The National Quality Improvement Center will work to generate knowledge on effective practice models of differential response in Child Protective Services. It will support the infrastructure needed at the state and local levels to improve child welfare outcomes for children and their families who are identified as a result of referrals for suspected child maltreatment. Through the support of research demonstration and dissertation projects, the Quality Improvement Center will work to foster projects that address Differential Response in Child Protective Services across the various systems that interface to maximize family strengths and keep children safe. These systems include neighborhood and community-based organizations, prevention programs, child protection, child welfare, health, education, housing, financial, and family support programs.

Project goals. The overall goals of the project are to develop a national resource for sharing information and to foster a learning network on the use of practiced models of Differential Response in Child Protective Services; (2) to identify core elements, explicit and implicit, in the current success of the implementation of effective practice models of Differential Response in Child Protective Services; (3) to support and/or replicate innovative, collaborative, and effective practices at the state and local level that strive to improve the child welfare outcomes for children and their families through the utilization of effective practice models of Differential Response in Child Protection; (4) to evaluate the effectiveness of practice of Differential Response Models in Child Protective Services undertaken through this project; (5) to disseminate the lessons learned from this initiative; and (6) to support doctoral students conducting related research on this topic.

Differential Response, also referred to as dual track, multiple track, or alternative response, is a service provision approach involving multiple intervention options for case workers. This model allows Child Protective Services to respond appropriately and effectively to accepted reports of child abuse and neglect based upon several aspects of the report including severity. Over the past decade and a half, there have been several efforts to explore the use of practiced models of Differential Response in Child Protective Services. But the majority of these studies have been exploratory and descriptive in nature with minimal outcome data. Building on the lessons learned from these prior efforts, we seek to further expand the body of research and knowledge base in this area and to advance state and local differential response efforts to improve child welfare outcomes.

The Quality Improvement Center will perform the following functions: (1) the QIC will develop knowledge about improving outcomes for children and their families in the child welfare system through the implementation of Differential Response Models in Child Protective Services; (2) it will promote collaborative problem solving among selected projects and doctoral students receiving dissertation support through the QIC; (3) it will develop and implement Differential Response in Child Protective Services, research, and demonstration projects to promote innovation, evidence-based and evidence-informed practice improvements and advanced knowledge about improving child welfare outcomes through the design, replication, and evaluation of differential response models and initiatives; (4) establish a national information sharing network to disseminate information on promising practices. As such, the QIC will become a member of the Children's Bureau National Training and Technical Assistance Network. However, the QIC will not assume the training, technical assistance and information dissemination functions and responsibilities currently performed by CB's national resource centers, Child Welfare Information Gateway, and other T-TA network partners; (5) evaluate the impact of implementing differential response models on outcomes for children and families who are identified as a result of referrals for suspected child maltreatment; and (6) identify barriers and recommend and implement changes in policies, procedures, and practice.

To accomplish the goals of the QIC, the QIC will explore a broad range of issues and questions about effective practice models of differential response. Some of these questions include: "How do we successfully implement these models?"; "What kind of collaboration and systems are essential to the success of these models?"; "Why have some differential response initiatives been discontinued?"; "How can these efforts result in better outcomes for children and families and further reduce the risk of child maltreatment?"

During the first year of this grant, the grantee will work collaboratively with the Children's Bureau to decide how to address these questions. For example, with help from the Children's Bureau and the National Advisory Committee, the grantee will decide whether to take a broad look at a comprehensive set of questions or a more focused approach which questions the project will answer during the literature review phase of the QIC project and which questions it will answer through implementation and evaluation of selected projects and dissertation support, and whether to focus its selective projects on a single region or take a national approach. Applicants must describe the process they propose to engage in during the planning year to refine and further define the focus of the remainder of the project.

Applicants must propose a design that clearly and concisely describes a strategy for a 12-month planning phase, Phase I planning year or the development of the Quality Improvement Center. This plan will also include the process for identifying and selecting a research topic for research and demonstration projects, soliciting applications and selecting projects. Upon approval of the Phase I plan by the Children's Bureau, a 48-month implementation phase will follow. Early in Phase II, the QIC will announce, monitor, and evaluate 48-month research and demonstration projects. Also, during Phase II the QIC will announce and support four 2-year dissertation research for up to four advanced level doctoral students conducting research in this area.

Applicants are required to support at least three research and demonstration projects. These projects will develop and implement, replicate, evaluate, or systematize effective practice models of Differential Response in CPS systems with specific components or strategies that are based on theory, research, or evaluation data. In years 2 through 5, the project will allocate at least $1.6 million per year to support research and demonstration projects and dissertation research. Additionally, the QIC must cooperate fully with any evaluation requested by the Children's Bureau. The QIC will also be responsible for cross site evaluation of the research and demonstration projects and sponsors as appropriate.

Applicants must propose a Phase I plan that addresses the following components: the proposed membership and composition of the National Advisory Committee for the Quality Improvement Center; (2) an analysis of the current state of research on Differential Response Models in Child Protective Systems; (3) a feasible and appropriate method for conducting a comprehensive review of the literature as well as of current differential response initiatives or best practices; (4) a systematic approach to focusing the research topic and refining the implementation plan; (5) a strategy for developing a comprehensive review of literature and best practices; (6) an approach and method for the timely development of the Phase II Implementation Plan; and (7) a preliminary design for the Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A) that presents a clear vision of how the proposed QIC would operate.

Although applicants will have considerable flexibility in developing an implementation strategy tailored to the needs and resources they identify, applications for the first year of funding must explain how during Phase I the applicant will: (1) form a National Advisory Committee that will assist in the following tasks: setting the goals and priorities for the QIC; selecting the focus topic for the QIC; defining research, practice, and policy issues pertaining to the topic; developing the Phase II Implementation Plan; and providing feedback on the plans and activities conducted by the QIC. The Children's Bureau anticipates that the National Advisory Committee will consist of representatives from the relevant research, practice, and policy communities and will include representation from the federal agencies that are already working on related issues; (2) conduct a comprehensive review and analysis that describes and evaluates the effectiveness of current efforts aimed at implementing Differential Response Models in CPS and identifies service and knowledge gaps as well as other issues related to the effective collaboration and coordination across the multiple systems serving these families; (3) conduct a literature review that provides a comprehensive survey of the research and promising practices nationally and regionally on implementing and utilizing Differential Response Models in CPS; (4) fine tune the work plan for the subsequent grant years 2 through 5 and the evaluation plan. In the implementation phase, the QIC will focus on four years of research and demonstration projects. Therefore, the work plan has to be sufficient scope and magnitude to support intensive investigation; (5) develop a process for soliciting, reviewing, and selecting (1) a minimum of three research and demonstration projects to be implemented in Phase II, (2) up to four doctoral students to receive support for two years for their dissertation research on this or related topics as appropriate. The applicant must propose a plan to provide support for the dissertation research at $25,000 per year.

Because the QIC initiative is funded through cooperative agreement, the Children's Bureau must give final approval at the end of Phase I planning year to the Phase II Implementation Plan before the grantee can move forward.

In fiscal year 2009, FY 2009, or year 1, Phase I, the planning year of the cooperative agreement, the Quality Improvement Center must develop and submit a Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A) for announcing, selecting, monitoring and evaluating research and demonstration projects and dissertation support. The plan must build upon the knowledge gained from the review of the literature and promising practices in the field, the results from the comprehensive needs assessment and input from the National Advisory Committee and other sources.

Applicants must submit a preliminary design for the Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A) in their applications. This preliminary design must present a clear and comprehensive vision of how the proposed Quality Improvement Center would operate. Additionally, applicants must describe the approach and processes that they would use to develop the implementation plan and address anticipated logistical and administrative issues. The Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A) with any revisions made by the grantees since the application process is due to the Children's Bureau nine months after the award of the cooperative agreement.

At a minimum, the Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A), including any revisions made by the grantee since the application process, must include the following components: the results of the comprehensive review of literature conducted during the planning phase or Phase I; a conceptual framework or logic model; an administrative structure for soliciting proposals, reviewing and selecting research and demonstration projects, and dissertation support; a plan to provide technical assistance to perspective candidates for research and demonstration projects as well as limited technical assistance to perspective doctoral students seeking dissertation support under this initiative; and technical assistance plan for the projects selected for support by the Quality Improvement Center. The Quality Improvement Center will be required to monitor the operations of projects as well as provide ongoing support, guidance and technical assistance to assist them in project implementation, data collection, and evaluation; a design for administrative and management structure for ensuring projects are implemented within 90 days of their selection; a description of mechanisms performing and maintaining a consortium and information-sharing network among selected projects. The Children's Bureau anticipates that the members of the consortium will meet regularly to exchange information and engage in collaborative problem-solving efforts; a methodology for evaluating the research and demonstration projects; a strategy for dissemination including fostering and strengthening communication and coordination activities with the National Advisory Committee and the Children's Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network; identification of linkages with appropriate agencies, organizations, and resources on the local, regional, state, or federal levels that address issues pertaining to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.

Ten months after the award of the cooperative agreement, the grantee will make an oral presentation to the Children's Bureau staff in Washington, D.C. describing and defending its Phase II Implementation Plan (Version A). One month after the presentation at the Children's Bureau, the Quality Improvement Center will submit a revised implementation plan, Phase II Implementation Plan (Version B), incorporating recommendations from Children's Bureau staff. The Children's Bureau will review this plan and continued funding is contingent upon Children's Bureau approval of this plan, Implementation Plan (Version B).

The Quality Improvement Center funded under this program announcement is a demonstration project. The Children's Bureau defines a demonstration project as one that puts into place and tests new, unique, or distinctive approaches for delivering services to a specific population. Under the Quality Improvement Center, a minimum of three demonstration projects must be implemented and at least four doctoral dissertations must be supported in Phase II of the project.

The focus of the projects will be based on the topics selected by the Quality Improvement Center grantee and the Children's Bureau. These projects should test and evaluate multiple approaches and/or multiple site interventions on the selected focus topic. Therefore, the number of subjects must be large enough to support a rigorous, methodologically sound implementation and evaluation plan.

Projects implemented by the Quality Improvement Center must develop and implement an evidence-based model with specific components or strategies that are based on theory, research or evaluation data or replicate or test the transferability of successfully evaluated program models, determine the effectiveness of the model and its components or strategies using a rigorous evaluation approach. The evaluation must examine utilization as well as cost analysis to determine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the model and its components or strategies using multiple measures of results. Lastly, the project must produce detailed procedures and materials based on the evaluation that will contribute to and promote evidence-based strategies, practices and programs that may be used to guide replication or testing in other settings.

The Children's Bureau requires an objective, rigorous evaluation of this grant project. This evaluation should be designed to collect systematic data to answer at a minimum the questions of interest to the Children's Bureau that are selected from those listed in this program announcement and other questions proposed by the applicant and approved by the Bureau. The proposed evaluation plan should measure the effects of the implementation of the proposed project on safety, permanency and well-being. The findings from the evaluation should support evidence-based practice and provide states with examples of strategies that are tied to positive outcomes for children and families. Applicants should allocate an appropriate percentage of their budgets to support a rigorous program evaluation.

All applications in response to this program announcement are due by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11th, 2008. Applications submitted by mail must be received by 4:30 p.m. and electronic submissions must be submitted via www.grants.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. Late applications will not be considered. Applications that request amounts that exceed the stated ceiling of $1.7 million for the first budget period will not be considered. Application submission information or Section 4 of the announcement and further details specific to submission, due dates and times, can be found on Page 43 of the announcement. The application limit is 75 pages. Pages over this limit will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed. This page limit does not include standard forms, SF-424, 424A and 424B, certifications, assurances, third-party agreements, letters of commitment, job descriptions, resumes, and curricula vitae.

We would also like to provide you with a couple of additional reminders regarding the submission of applications. Electronic submission is voluntary but encouraged. Due date and time applies to all applicants whether mailed, hand delivered, or submitted electronically. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed, hand delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date and time. This does not mean the day before or the day of the due date. This should include enough time so that if difficulties are encountered, there will be sufficient time to submit a hard copy via express mail. Applicants must have a D-U-N-S or D-U-N-S number and register in the Central Contract Registry, CCR, to obtain the Authorized Organization Representatives, AOR, electronic signature credentials for electronic submission. And, if you are experiencing any difficulty with electronic submission, you must contact the grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov to receive a case number which documents your problem.

As a reminder, any questions about the information from this webinar, should questions in response to the webinar be sent to cb@dixongroup.com by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday, June 6th. All questions received prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern on June 6th will be reviewed by Children's Bureau staff. A transcript of the webinar and a summary of the questions submitted by the deadline and the Children's Bureau's responses will be posted on the ACYF grant review webpage at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/grantreview/cb/cb.html as soon as they become available. Webinar slides will also be posted on this web page for applicants' future reference. Any questions that a potential applicant chooses to, as prior to the first webinar or after the pre-application conference question period closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 6th, should be directed to the applicable program or grant contact person in the program announcement.

Be creative and consult your program announcement. Good luck.