 
|
Executive Summary: The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 funds to award grants to plan and implement up to three Family Support 360 Centers for military families of children with developmental disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law (P.L.) 106-402, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 15081(2) authorizes ADD to "support the development of national and State policies that reinforce and promote, with the support of families, guardians, advocates, and communities, of individuals with developmental disabilities, the self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life of such individuals through - (A) family support activities" (DD Act of 2000, § 161(2)). This funding opportunity will enhance the capabilities of families in assisting children with developmental disabilities to achieve their maximum potential; support the increasing ability of children with developmental disabilities to exercise greater choice and self-determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities; and ensure the protection of children with developmental disabilities' legal and human rights. For the purpose of this program announcement, the term "children" refers to individuals from birth to 25 years old. While many service programs are available in this country, human service systems often fail to meet the diverse needs of an individual with developmental disabilities and his or her family. A family may need several services, and many human service systems address primarily one need, such as health, education, or employment. These systems usually focus on one individual, not the person and his or her family. Military families usually navigate two systems - civilian and military. Family Support 360 Centers empower and strengthen families. They increase responsiveness to the needs of children with developmental disabilities and families, promote more public-private partnerships to assist people, encourage wiser spending of money, and reduce duplication of effort. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Legislative Authority The legislative authority for this funding opportunity is Title I, Subtitle E of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act of 2000) (42 U.S.C.§§ 15081-83.). Funding Opportunity Description Background The DD Act of 2000 authorizes support and assistance to States, public agencies, and private, non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to, culturally competent services, supports, and other assistance and opportunities that promote independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community. As defined in the DD Act of 2000 (§ 102(8)(A)), the term "developmental disabilities" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments that are manifested before the individual attains age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following functional areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and capacity for economic self-sufficiency. The DD Act of 2000 identifies a number of significant findings, including:
The DD Act of 2000 also promotes the best practices and policies presented below:
ADD, like other programs in ACF, promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities. ACF and ADD envision:
There are four programs authorized by the DD Act of 2000: (1) State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (Subtitle B); (2) Protection and Advocacy Systems (Subtitle C); (3) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Subtitle D); and (4) Projects of National Significance (Subtitle E). Each of these programs engages in systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy activities both as a collaborative network and as independent entities to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and enhance participation in community life in the State. This program announcement provides information about funding within the Projects of National Significance (PNS). Description The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of FY 2008 grant award funds to plan and implement Family Support 360 Centers for military families. Background on Family Support 360 Projects In FY 2004, ADD awarded grants to 21 entities to implement Family Support 360 projects and establish and operate one-stop centers to help communities meet the many needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The families helped are members of unserved or underserved populations. Through the one-stop centers, a family receives a family assessment and participates in the development of its individual family plan. The plan includes the services and supports (e.g., health and/or mental health care, housing, counseling and/or marriage education, parenting skills development, child care, employment, transportation, respite care, personal assistance care, financial assistance and/or management) the family needs that may be provided by public human service agencies or private community and faith-based groups. These grants support the emergence of new leaders in the delivery of human services and demonstrate new models that others may replicate for reaching and serving people. They increase public and private partnerships, fostering trust and collaboration efforts. Most importantly, the grants provide families the services and supports they need, when they need them, and help families to stay together and thrive. Background Related to Military Families Military families of children with developmental disabilities have significant challenges. Due to the nature of the military lifestyle, families encounter separation and disruption when military personnel are relocated or deployed. They also face cultural issues where they often must develop new relationships and depend upon strangers for support. In order to preserve, strengthen, and maintain the military family unit, targeted families need services and supports from a myriad of military and public and private providers, each with its own eligibility determination criteria and planning process. There are few places now with a comprehensive infrastructure to offer military families a seamless, one-point of entry (i.e., one-stop center) to establish eligibility and develop a family-centered plan to preserve and strengthen families. As a result, it is imperative that ADD supports initiatives that will allow a variety of military and civilian partners, including faith-based and community organizations, to discuss and develop consensus on how their collective resources could be used in a more family friendly manner. Successful entities under this funding opportunity will receive grants , in the first six months, to explore with their partners how to develop a common language, pool resources, coordinate services, and share expenses in order to reduce overhead and create a setting (i.e., one-stop center) in which outcome-oriented, family-centered, collaborative planning could occur, since military families usually navigate both civilian and military systems. Project activities must be conducted in partnership with the installation commander, Developmental Disabilities Network (the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the State Protection and Advocacy System, and the University Center on Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service) in that State or Territory, as well as others (including, but not limited to disability-related service providers, advocacy groups, military family organizations, family-strengthening groups, and faith-based organizations). Services Available to Military Families According to the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior, there are 440 military installations in the continental United States. The largest U.S. Army installation is Fort Hood, Texas; the largest U.S. Air Force installation is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; the largest U.S. Coast Guard installation is Air Station Clearwater, Florida; the largest U.S. Marine installation is Pendleton, California, and the largest U.S. Naval installation is Norfolk, Virginia. TRICARE is the health program serving active duty members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees and their families, and survivors. TRICARE, a major part of the Military Health System, brings together the health care resources of the uniformed services and supplements them with networks of civilian health care professionals, institutions, pharmacies and suppliers to provide access to high-quality health care operations while maintaining the capability to support military operations. There are 63 U.S. military hospitals, 413 military medical clinics and 413 military dental clinics worldwide. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Exceptional Family Member (EFMP) program helps to identify family members of military families and helps to provide them with the services they need. EFMP refers to two different functions: a personnel function and a family support function. DoD policy on family centers allows, but does not require, the military services to offer family support services to exceptional family members within the Military Services' family support systems. This function differs based on the branch of service. More information can be found at http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil. The Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) project is a federally funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center established to assist military families who have children with special education or health needs. STOMP began in 1985. It is a project of Washington PAVE, and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The staff members of the STOMP project are parents of children who have disabilities and have experience in raising their children in military communities and traveling with their spouses to different locations. More information can be found at http://www.stompproject.org. Project Design Successful applicants will have up to six months to develop a formal implementation plan. They will describe how they expect to implement the plan by the seventh month. They will be expected to implement the plan at the beginning of the seventh month of the grant, serving at least 20 families in the first year, and 40 families of children with developmental disabilities each year in years 2 through 5. Each family served through the 360 one-stop will receive an assessment, participate in the development of a family plan, which contains the services and supports the family will receive, and prior to and during the implementation of a family's plan, the family will have access to a navigator to assist the family learn about and successfully access the military and civilian services contained in the family's plan. Definitions Children: individuals from the ages of birth to 25. Navigator: individual who assists families in identifying needs for support, developing a plan of action, and obtaining access to relevant supports. The navigator is not a case manager, but a guide and advocate for families he or she helps. Many paid and unpaid navigators in current Family Support 360 projects are parents of children with developmental disabilities. Application Requirements Even though successful applicants will have up to six months to develop an implementation plan, for reviewers to get a sense of the capacity and expertise of applicants, each will need to provide its initial best judgment as to how it would establish and operate a 360 one-stop to serve the required number of families (i.e., 20 in year one, and 40 in each year for years two through five) with navigators during each year of a grant. In the application, the applicant must address the following: General Parameters for Services and Supports to Targeted Families: Applicants must describe how they would approach - information and referrals, as well as in-depth planning for services and supports. The families projected to be served would have access to individualized family-centered assessment and planning for services and supports. Individualized planning may focus on one or more of the following areas of need: healthcare and mental health services, eligibility for personal assistance and supports (e.g., access to direct care workers, respite care, food stamps, and cash assistance), accessible transportation, child care services, family strengthening services (e.g., parenting education and marriage education), early intervention, education, housing, and employment-related assistance. The individualized planning and assessment through the one-stop must involve at least three services in the first year of the grant, with three additional services being made available each year in years two through five of the grant. The selection of services to be offered in any year should be those that the eligible targeted families will most likely need throughout the grant year. Area of Need. The applicant must indicate in its application the number of military families of children with developmental disabilities on or connected to the installation, who could benefit from a Family Support 360 project. The applicant must also describe how it will contribute to the installation's interest or responsibility to address sections 582 and 586 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. Involvement and Input from Targeted Families. The applicant should describe how it will establish and use an advisory committee that primarily (greater than 50 percent) consists of military families of children with developmental disabilities. This committee will allow the families to make decisions on how the grant funding will be spent on activities and outcomes of the project. Project Partnerships. The applicant should describe the process of collaboration with the installation commander or his/her designee, military family organizations, the Developmental Disabilities Network (the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the State Protection and Advocacy System, and the University Center on Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service) in that State or Territory, and other relevant partners in planning or implementation of a Family Support 360 project if funded. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with EFMP and PTI program efforts in areas where they exist. Letters of support should accompany the application. Building Consensus for an Implementation Plan. Applicants should describe how they will build a consensus for an implementation plan with their partners to establish and sustain a one-stop center for the targeted families. Implementation plans should include Federal, State and local inter-agency collaboration, military, and public-private partnerships to achieve service integration for targeted families. Operational Components. Applicants should provide their initial best judgments related to:
Assessment of the Capacity and Capability of Information Technology. The applicant should provide a needs assessment for and/or design of an information system with a single point of entry for the one-stop center. This activity may involve identifying and testing existing software and hardware to support the computer and informational needs of the one-stop center or designing new technology. Existing Resources. Each applicant should identify existing military, State and local resources for targeted families, including information on services and supports that are available from community groups and faith-based organizations, including those that provide family-strengthening services. This information would form the initial database for the one-stop center, leading to a hard copy or e-catalog of services and supports for the staff members and targeted families. Key Personnel. Each applicant should describe the staff to be used in the first six months and their functions and initial projection for recruitment and securing key personnel, especially navigators, for implementation. Staff should have substantial experience living with a developmental disability or have direct substantial experience assisting individuals with developmental disabilities. Training Needs. Each applicant should identify the anticipated training needs of current and potential staff members who will work with targeted families, and may include educational and training issues for non-staff, including military personnel, assisting the targeted families in other settings and environments. Civil Rights. Each applicant should describe how it will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, where applicable, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. Communication and Dissemination. Each applicant should provide evidence of having the capacity to communicate and disseminate information with their project partners and others through e-mail and other effective, affordable, and accessible forms of electronic communication. Analysis of Eligibility. The applicant must provide a review of existing State and Federal laws that impact the targeted families. At a minimum, a legal analysis should provide a detailed summary of the following issues: (1) Funding streams for services and supports to families with members who have developmental disabilities; (2) The legal and policy barriers for targeted families to achieving self-sufficiency; and (3) Eligibility criteria and other program requirements that may pose obstacles to serving targeted families. Assurance Related to Providing an Implementation Plan and Implementing It. Each applicant must provide assurances that it will provide an implementation plan to ADD no later than six months after receiving the initial grant award and that it will implement the plan in month seven of year one through year five of the grant. II. AWARD INFORMATION
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants:
A letter from the Commander of the military installation within the
Faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements 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: Yes Grantees must provide at least 25 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. 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. For example, in order to meet the match requirements, a project with a total approved project cost of $266,667, requesting $200,000 in ACF funds, must provide a non-Federal share of at least $66,667 (25 percent) or total approved project cost of $266,667. Grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non-Federal resources even if they exceed the amount of the required match. Failure to provide the required amount will result in the disallowance of Federal funds. A lack of supporting documents at the time of application will not exclude the application from competitive review. 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: Ophelia McLain, Program SpecialistU.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Developmental Disabilities 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW. Mail Stop: HHH 405D Washington, DC 20447 Phone: 202-690-7025 Fax: 202-205-8037 Email: ophelia.mclain@acf.hhs.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: The Letter of Intent should include the following information:
The Project Description The project description is a very important part of an application. It should be clear, concise, and address the specific requirements mentioned under Section I. The project description pages should be numbered. The length of the application, including all attachments and required Federal forms, must not exceed 75 pages. The federally required forms will be counted towards the total number of pages. Any application that exceeds the 75-page limit requirement will have the additional pages removed from the application prior to the review. 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 Letter of Intent: 05/27/2008 Due Date for Applications: 06/24/2008 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 not be provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 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. 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 Attention: Tim ChappelleOffice of Grants Management Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW. Mail Stop: Aerospace Building, 6th Floor East Washington, DC 20447 Hand Delivery Tim Chappelle 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. LETTER OF INTENT Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify ACF of their intention to submit an application under this announcement. Please submit the letter of intent by the deadline date listed in Section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times. The letter of intent should include the following information: number and title of this announcement; the name and address of the applicant organization; and/or Fiscal Agent (if known); and the name, phone number, fax number and email address of a contact person. Letter of intent information will be used to determine the number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications. The letter of intent is optional. Failure to submit a letter of intent will not impact eligibility to submit an application and will not disqualify an application from competitive review. 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. 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. EVALUATION Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities that address the project's effectiveness. 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: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - 1 point This criterion will be evaluated to the extent the abstract is present and complete. The project abstract provides crucial project information in a concise format and is used by the independent review panel, ADD staff and the Commissioner during all phases of the review process. The project summary section of the abstract focuses on the specific purpose of the proposal. The summary must include a brief statement of need, the project goal, project objectives and impact indicators. APPROACH - 40 points 15 Points
5 Points
5 Points
5 Points
5 Points
3 Points
2 Points
OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE - 25 points 15 Points
5 Points
5 Points
EVALUATION - 14 points 5 Points
5 Points
4 Points
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 15 points 4 Points
4 Points
3 Points
3 Points
1 Point
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - 5 points 3 Points
2 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. ADD may consider geographical dispersion and branch of service, in reviewing and selecting applications. The applications will be reviewed by a panel of approximately three individuals who are all non-Federal reviewers. The reviewers will have knowledge of issues pertaining to people with developmental disabilities. 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: Not ApplicableVI. 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 In the first semi-annual report, successful applicants will provide a formal implementation plan, as previously stated in this program announcement. Each semi-annual report will include:
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Program Office Contact: Ophelia McLain, Program Specialist Grants Management Office Contact: Tim Chappelle, Grants Officer VIII. OTHER INFORMATION The statutory requirements for the ADD programs and information about program accountability can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/ddact/DDACT2.html
|
|||
