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Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF) Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is accepting applications for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance cooperative agreement. The national effort is designed to enhance and promote the continuous quality improvement of the services available to agencies that provide mentors to children with an incarcerated parent. The cooperative agreement will enhance the programmatic and administrative capacities of public and private agencies that provide services to youth and families impacted by incarceration. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Legislative Authority Section 439 of the Social Security Act (available at http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title04/0439.htm), as amended by the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-288), authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for the purpose of supporting the establishment or expansion and operation of community-based programs to provide one-on-one mentoring relationships between a child of an incarcerated parent(s) and a caring, supportive adult mentor under the MCP program. The legislation also authorizes four percent of the available funds to be used to provide technical assistance to our MCP grantees. The Mentoring Children of Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance cooperative agreement is included within that authorization at Section 439(i)(2) of the Social Security Act. History The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF) Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is responsible for providing Federal support to local, community- and faith-based programs to create a mentoring relationship between a youth (between the ages of 4 and up to 18 years old) who has an incarcerated parent, with a caring adult. FYSB supports communities through the Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) grant. FYSB currently funds 219 MCP programs across the country. In addition, FYSB supports a National Mentoring Service Agency that distributes vouchers, redeemable for mentoring services, to children of prisoners. A significant number of the effective agencies and competent professional staff dedicated to providing mentors to youth with an incarcerated parent across the country still face issues that require additional training and technical assistance. Some of these issues include: lack of staff resources; geographic concerns, which lead to inadequate or non-existent services; deficiency in skills of staff to provide a full range of services to young people; changes in leadership or management within the agency; and difficulty finding appropriate resources for the financial match. FYSB is supporting a national coordinated effort designed to deliver training services and technical assistance services through a cooperative agreement. The cooperative agreement must support the continuous improvement to all Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) grantees to deliver high quality effective mentoring services to youth and their families, as well as promoting quality improvement and capacity-building of MCP servicing agencies. Description A. Purpose The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to benefit MCP grantees, and ultimately the individuals and families they serve, by improving and enhancing the quality of MCP programs. This type of agreement allows the flexibility, responsiveness and individualized assistance needed when working with these organizations. This technical assistance is another resource in a continued effort to improve the lives of children across all risk behaviors affecting health. The goal of this agreement is to enhance the quality of services that caring role models provide young people to help ensure that MCP services have a profound and life-changing potential to markedly advance the life prospects of youth. The Mentoring Children of Prisoners Training and Technical Assistance Center (T&TA) is designed to deliver high quality technical assistance and training/conferences to MCP grantees based on FYSB and grantee needs. Successful applicants will develop, coordinate and carry out a national training and technical assistance center for MCP grantees geared towards the continuous quality improvement of MCP services. B. Core Elements The successful applicant is expected to provide the following services and activities as core elements:
C. Scope of Services 1. Services: The training and technical assistance services must be designed to deliver continuous improvement to all MCP grantees across the country. The successful applicant will be responsible for all planning, coordination, production, and execution of training services; developing individualized plans, as well as full-scale activities to promote optimum services for MCP programs. The successful applicant must also have experience in coordinating with facilities for training and technical assistance services, such as conferences, clinics and training sessions. 2. Positive Youth Development (PYD): FYSB has worked to promote a PYD framework for all its funded grant programs and activities. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to develop their project descriptions with the PYD framework in mind as discussed below. The PYD approach is predicated on the understanding that all young people need support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. With this support, they can develop self-assurance and create a healthy, successful life. Key elements of PYD are:
If these factors are being addressed, young people can become not just "problem-free" but "fully prepared" and engaged constructively in their communities and society. These key elements result in the following PYD outcomes:
3. Measuring Program Success: FYSB is committed to fulfilling the objectives of the MCP legislation by providing mentors to youth who have an incarcerated parent. FYSB is committed to assisting our current MCP grantee organizations strengthen their program via numerous training and technical assistance options that include but are not limited to the T&TA cooperative agreement. The successful applicant will develop an evaluation plan that will measure achievement of project objectives, customer satisfaction, acquisition of competencies, effectiveness of program services and project strategies, the efficiency of the implementation process and the impact of the project. 4. Definitions: Definitions of three terms used in this program may be found at Section 439 of the Social Security Act. Including those terms, the following is a comprehensive list of definitions applying to this program: CAREGIVER - The parent or legal guardian charged with the responsibility of caring for a child while the noncustodial parent is incarcerated. CHILDREN OF PRISONERS (Also called a Mentee) - Children with one or both parents incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local correctional facility. The term is deemed to include children who are in an ongoing mentoring relationship in this program at the time of their parents' release from prison, for purposes of continued participation in the program. For the purposes of this grant program, a child of a prisoner is eligible for services if:
And
FYSB MCP GRANTEES - Agencies that were funded in Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007, as authorized by the Social Security Act, as amended by the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-288). MCP Grantees may be a unit of State or local government, an independent school district, a Native American Tribal group or government, a private non-profit organization, an institution of higher learning, or a community or faith-based organization. Grantees receive annual awards ranging from $26,000 to $2 million and may serve constituents in their local, state or regional area. The cooperative agreement will serve these agencies. JAIL - A short-term detention facility for those awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses. MENTORING - A structured, managed program in which children are appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers (age 18 or older) for one-on-one relationships, involving meetings and activities on a regular basis, intended to meet, in part, the child's need for involvement with a caring and supportive adult who provides a positive role model. MENTORING SERVICES - Those services and activities that support a structured, managed program of mentoring, including the management by trained personnel of outreach to, and screening of, eligible children; outreach to, education and training of, and liaison with sponsoring local organizations; screening and training of adult volunteers; matching of children with suitable adult volunteer mentors; support and oversight of the mentoring relationship; and establishment of goals and evaluation of outcomes for mentored children.
II. AWARD INFORMATION
Substantial Involvement with Cooperative Agreement: Federal Officials Minimum Responsibilities
Applicant Minimum Responsibilities
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants:
Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under this announcement. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement. Please see Section IV for required documentation supporting eligibility or funding restrictions if any are applicable. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None 3. Other: Disqualification Factors Applications with requests that exceed the ceiling on the amount of individual awards referenced in Section II. Award Information will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3., Submission Dates and Times, will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package: ACYF Operations Centerc/o The Dixon Group Inc. Attn: MCP Training and Technical Assistance Funding 118 Q Street NE Washington, DC 20002-212 Phone: 866-796-1591 Email: FYSB@dixongroup.com URL: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Each application package must include the original and two copies. Do not staple the application or any section of the application. The length of the entire application package must not exceed 120 pages. This includes the required Federal Standard Forms (SF)/certifications (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B and Certification Regarding Lobbying), table of contents, project summary, project description, budget/budget justification, supplemental documentation, proof of non-profit status, summaries of sub-grants and contracts, and letters of agreement. All pages of the application package must be sequentially numbered beginning with page one. The required Federal forms will be counted towards the total number of pages. All pages of each application will be counted to determine the total length. All pages exceeding the 120-page limit will be removed and will not be considered in the reviewing process. A cover letter is not required. Applicants are reminded that if a cover letter is submitted, it will count towards the 120-page limit. Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application. The Certification Regarding Lobbying may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/grants/lobby.htm. In addition, applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities (if any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan) shall complete and submit Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions. The project description must be typed and double-spaced on a single-side of 8 1/2 x 11 inch plain white paper with at least one inch margins on all sides, using black print with 12-point size Times New Roman font. Applicants that do not adhere to the prescribed format will have points deducted from the overall total after the grant review:
For charts, budget tables, supplemental letters, and support documents, applicants may use a different point size and font, but no less than 10-point size and single-spaced. Points will not be deducted for these items. Applicants that deviate from this format risk having their application not reviewed in its entirety. A final decision will be made by the Office of Grants Management on whether applications that deviate from the prescribed format will be reviewed in their entirety. The application package should include the following and be in the following order: 1. The Required Federal Forms/Certifications - See below for description. 2. Table of Contents - This section should reference the order of the application sections and provide page numbers. 3. One-Page Project Summary/Abstract - This section should contain the following information: Agency name, city, State; amount of Federal funding requested for 12-month period; point of contact, name, phone, and email; two to three paragraph statement on what will be accomplished with the project. 4. Project Description - This section is a comprehensive description of the proposed project, what it will accomplish and how it will be implemented. The project description should address each of the categories in Section V.1; be structured in a manner that addresses each of the evaluation criteria in a logical format in the following order: Objectives and Need for Assistance; Results and Benefits, Approach; Staff and Position Data; Organizational Profiles; and Budget and Budget Justification. Applicants must title each section accordingly. 5. Budget and Budget Justification - The budget is a line-item format and must be in a worksheet, table, or spreadsheet that illustrates how calculations were derived. The budget should reflect a 12-month budget period. Each category heading within the line-item budget should correspond with the budget categories listed in Section B of the SF-424A. The budget justification is a narrative that provides a rationale for the items requested and how these items relate to the overall success of the project. 6. Proof of Non-Profit Status - See this section below for acceptable documentation that must be submitted by date of award. 7. Summary of Sub-grants/Contracts - A summary of a monetary sub-grant and/or contract must be provided as part of the application package. The summary must include a description of the project services that will be completed through the sub-grant or contract using Federal funds and process by which the primary applicant will monitor the sub-grant and/or contract for compliance to the grant and project performance. 8. Letters of Agreement - Letters of Agreement (LOA) are required if the applicant is proposing to provide services through a different agency or entity based on a non-monetary arrangement. The LOA must enumerate the project services that will be completed under the agreement. D-U-N-S Requirement All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a D-U-N-S number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The D-U-N-S number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal, Grants.gov. A D-U-N-S number will be required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003. Please ensure that your organization has a D-U-N-S number. You may acquire a D-U-N-S number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com. Proof of Non-Profit Status Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
When applying electronically, we strongly suggest that you attach your proof of non-profit status with your electronic application. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Forms, Assurances, and Certifications The project description should include all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program announcement under Section V. Application Review Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all of the Standard Forms required as part of the application process for awards under this announcement. Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must file the appropriate Standard Forms (SFs) as described in this section. All applicants must submit an SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. For non-construction programs, applicants must also submit an SF-424A, Budget Information and an SF-424B, Assurances. For construction programs, applicants must also submit SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D, Assurances. When required for programs that involve human subjects, the Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption form must be submitted. All forms may be reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and return the appropriate standard forms with their application. The Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption (Common Rule) form may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Applicants must furnish, prior to award, an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application. The Certification Regarding Lobbying may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. (If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.) The Pro-Children Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. 7183, imposes restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to children under the age of 18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded health care, day care, or early childhood development, including Head Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory prohibition also applies if such facilities are constructed, operated, or maintained with Federal funds. The statute does not apply to children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order on the responsible entity. Additional information may be found in the HHS Grants Policy Statement at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html. Information on the Certification Regarding Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA) may be found in the HHS Grants Policy Statement at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html. Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary certification. Where return of a form is required, complete the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions found on the forms. The forms and certifications may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Information on the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C 552) or FOIA may be found in the HHS Grants Policy Statement at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Please see Section V.1 for instructions on preparing the full project description. Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of received applications. Electronic SubmissionApplicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or paper format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov site. When using www.Grants.gov, applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the www.Grants.gov site. ACF will not accept grant applications via facsimile or email. Acceptable electronic formats for the application attachments (narratives, charts, etc.) must use the following standard technologies, i.e., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, Jpeg, and Gif. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before submitting an electronic application, applicants must complete the organization registration process as well as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Since this process may take more than five business days, it is important to start this process early, well in advance of the application deadline. Be sure to complete all www.Grants.gov registration processes listed on the Organization Registration Checklist, which can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html. Please note the following if planning to submit an application electronically via www.Grants.gov:
Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format should submit one original and two copies of the complete application. The original and each of the two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized representative, and be unbound. The original copy of the application must have original signature(s). Non-Federal ReviewersSince ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review and selection process. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Due Date for Applications: 08/11/2008 Explanation of Due Dates The due date for receipt of applications is referenced above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date will be classified as late and will not be considered in the current competition. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed or hand-delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date and time. Applications that are submitted by mail must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above at the address listed in Section IV.6. Hand Delivery Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers must be received on or before the due date referenced above, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Electronic Submission Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above. ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile or email. Late Applications Applications that do not meet the requirements 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 DUE DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR COMPETITION. Extension of Deadlines ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; 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. Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will 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 http://www.Grants.gov. Checklist You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package.
Additional Forms Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) This program is covered under Executive Order (Exec. Order) 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," and 45 CFR Part 100, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities." Under the Exec. Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. The official list of the jurisdictions that have elected to participate in Exec. Order 12372, including addresses and contact persons, may be found on the following URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit all required materials to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form (SF) 424, item 19. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application due date to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and official State process recommendations, which may trigger the "accommodate or explain" rule. Comments submitted directly to ACF should be addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447. Although some jurisdictions have chosen not to participate in this process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the Program Announcement are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, or Commonwealth, etc., does not have a SPOC. Therefore, applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to Exec. Order 12372. 5. Funding Restrictions: Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are unallowable. Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs. Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable activities or expenditures under this grant award. Fees directed to MCP grantees associated with services or membership to the organization awarded this cooperative agreement are not allowable activities or expenditures under this grant award. 6. Other Submission Requirements: Please see Sections IV.2 and IV.3 for deadline information and other application requirements. Submit applications to one of the following addresses: Submission by Mail ACFY Operations Centerc/o The Dixon Group, Inc. Attn: MCP Training and Technical Assistance Funding 118 Q Street NE Washington, DC 20002-2132 Hand Delivery ACYF Operations Centerc/o The Dixon Group, Inc. Attn: MCP Training and Technical Assistance Funding 118 Q Street NE Washington, DC 20002-2132 Electronic Submission Please see Section IV.2 for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov. V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13) Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection information. The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139, which expires 4/30/2010. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 1. Criteria: Part I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW PURPOSE The project description provides the majority of information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete. It should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing the project description, information that is responsive to each of the requested evaluation criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application in a manner that is clear and complete. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be placed in an appendix. Part II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Applicants that are required to submit a full project description shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the measures that will be used to evaluate applications. TABLE OF CONTENTS List the contents of the application including corresponding page numbers. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Provide a summary of the project description (one page or less) with reference to the funding request. OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement. RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, grantees will increase capacity to support mentor/mentee matches through individualized technical assistance on capacity-building issues.APPROACH Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from OMB. This clearance pertains to any "collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF." Provide a list of organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The following are requests for additional information that must be included in the application:
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION Provide a budget with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form (SF-424A or SF-424C). Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching is a requirement, include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs.
TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL INDIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL PROJECT COSTS EVALUATION CRITERIA: The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely according to the order presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (i.e., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about how it will be conducted). In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following criteria: OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE - 15 points
RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED - 15 points
APPROACH - 30 points
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 15 points
STAFF AND POSITION DATA - 15 points
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - 10 points
2. Review and Selection Process: No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an incomplete application. Initial ACF Screening: Each application will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing date and time and whether the requested amount exceeds the stated ceiling. Late applications or those exceeding the funding limit will be returned to the applicants with a notation that they were unacceptable and will not be reviewed. Applications that pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel made up of non-Federal reviewers who are experts in the field. The review panel will use the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.I to review and score the applications. The panel will assign a score (maximum 100) to each application and identify the application's strengths and weaknesses. The results of these reviews will assist the FYSB Associate Commissioner and program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in the funding decision, but will not be the only factors considered. Applications generally will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These include, but are not limited to: comments of reviewers and government officials, staff evaluation and input, geographic distribution, previous program performance of applicants, compliance with grant terms under previous U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants, audit reports, investigative reports, or an applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous FYSB or other Federal agency grants. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to an application that is responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement. Please reference Section IV.2 for information on non-Federal reviewers in the review process. 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: Awards will be made by September 30, 2008. VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Award Notices: The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Notice of Award (NoA) document that sets 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 (if applicable), and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The NoA will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail. Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified by letter, signed by the Program Office head. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (non-governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental). Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this ACF program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the services funded under this program. Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, can be found at the HHS web site at: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf. A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular programs or services funded with Federal funds without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a faith-based organization that receives Federal funds retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's mission statements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS funded activities. Faith-based and community organizations may reference the "Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government" at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html. HHS Grants Policy Statement The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services new single policy guide for discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. Unlike previous HHS policy documents, the GPS is intended to be shared with and used by grantees. It became effective October 1, 2006 and is applicable to all Operating Divisions (OPDIVS), such as the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), except the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The GPS covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions and points of contact as well as important OPDIV-specific requirements. Appendices include a glossary of terms and a list of standard abbreviations for ease of reference. The GPS may be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html. 3. Reporting Requirements: Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial reports (SF-269 found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html) throughout the project period. Program progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period. Final reports may be submitted in hard copy to the Grants Management Office Contact listed in Section VII of this announcement. Program Progress Reports: Semi-AnnuallyFinancial Reports: Semi-Annually VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Program Office Contact: Victoria Marquez Grants Management Office Contact: Lisa Dammar VIII. OTHER INFORMATION
Posted on June 27, 2008 |
