Executive Summary:

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to establish by cooperative agreement a National Resource Center for Adoption (NRCA). NRCA will serve as a member of the Children's Bureau's (CB) Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Network, which is designed to improve child welfare systems and to support States and Tribes in achieving and maintaining sustainable, systemic change which results in greater safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families. NRCA will be the primary provider of T/TA regarding effective and promising adoption services for children and youth in the child welfare system.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this announcement is the Adoption Opportunities program, § 203 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, (P.L. 95-266), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36).

Description

Background

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the Federal Government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.  Within HHS, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is the agency responsible for Federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.  The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) administers national programs for children and youth; works with States, Tribes, and local communities to develop services that support and strengthen family life; seeks joint ventures with the private sector to enhance the lives of children and their families; and provides information and other assistance to parents.  Many of the programs administered by ACYF focus on children from low-income families; abused and neglected children; children and youth in need of foster care, independent living, adoption or other child welfare services; preschool children; children with disabilities; runaway and homeless youth; and children from Native American and migrant families. 

Within ACYF, the Children's Bureau (CB) plans, manages, coordinates, and supports child abuse and neglect prevention and child welfare services programs.  CB is the agency within the Federal Government that is responsible for assisting child welfare systems by promoting continuous improvement in the delivery of child welfare services.  CB programs are designed to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of all children, including those in foster care, available for adoption, recently adopted, abused, neglected, dependent, disabled, or homeless, and to prevent the neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children. 

The purpose of  CB's programs is to promote strengthening of the family unit in order to help prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their families and encourage reunifying families, when possible, if separation has occurred.  State and Tribal child welfare systems are designed to deliver direct services that protect children who have suffered maltreatment, who are at risk for maltreatment, or who are under the care and placement responsibility of the State and/or Tribe because their families are unable to care for them.  These systems also focus on securing permanent legal placement with families, such as reunification, guardianship, and adoption for children and youth who are unable to return home.  (For more information about CB's programs, visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb.)

Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network

CB's Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network (T/TA Network) is designed to improve child welfare systems and to support States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families.  The T/TA Network is currently comprised of a group of training and technical assistance (T/TA) providers funded entirely or partially by CB through grants, contracts, and interagency agreements.  For over a decade, CB has provided funding for a growing network of National Resource Centers (NRCs), Child Welfare Information Gateway, and other child welfare T/TA providers.

T/TA Network members serve a variety of systems, agencies, organizations, and institutions and perform a diverse range of services.  Despite being authorized by different statutes and charged with diverse tasks and objectives, members of the T/TA Network are collectively charged with the successful promotion of systems change that will ultimately improve outcomes for children, youth, and families in the United States and its territories.  T/TA Network members hold program-specific topical expertise in multiple aspects of child welfare systems and across the continuum of child welfare practice and as such, they are expected to provide States and Tribes with the necessary information, T/TA, and consultation to build capacity within their child welfare systems.  Together, T/TA Network members are expected to facilitate positive change in service delivery, and in some cases comprehensive cross-system reforms, that collectively build systemic capacity and result in more effective and promising practice.

Knowledge development and transfer, leadership development, information management, and dissemination of effective and promising practices have all been key objectives of the T/TA Network.  While network members have overlapping responsibilities in several of these areas, their roles are also complementary.  National Quality Improvement Centers (NQICs) develop knowledge by demonstrating and evaluating innovative practices.  NRCs transfer knowledge to State, Tribal, and local systems and identify evidence-based approaches, while serving as repositories of national expertise in topical areas of child welfare.  Child Welfare Information Gateway houses, manages, produces and disseminates child welfare information and resources.  The Workforce Institute delivers training and cultivates leadership among professionals in child welfare.  The Technical Assistance Implementation Centers provide resources and in-depth, long-term technical assistance to implement multi-year State and Tribal projects for systemic change.  Other members of the T/TA Network support similar activities intended to build capacity, improve systems, and improve policy and practice in child welfare.  (More information about T/TA Network members can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/tta/index.htm.)

CB NRCs are important members of the CB T/TA Network.  The following table lists CB NRC funding opportunities that are being announced in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.

One T/TA Network

CB expects its T/TA providers to function as "one T/TA Network." Members are expected to function as a seamless entity in their provision of T/TA service delivery to States and Tribes.  They are expected to individually provide topical expertise as a part of the whole T/TA Network; each member of the Network is expected to: collaborate; coordinate their T/TA; perform project activities that complement one another; subscribe to common principles; cross refer to the appropriate T/TA Network member as needed to be responsive to the needs of States and Tribes; and participate fully in common messaging that clearly identifies each provider with the T/TA Network.

Whenever a T/TA Network member performs activities and provides T/TA that are either entirely or partially supported by CB, these services must be clearly identified with the T/TA Network and perceived by the individual provider's client to be a service of CB.  States and Tribes should be made aware of any existing T/TA Network efforts related to their child welfare systems.  All T/TA Network members are expected to inform their clients about the full array of relevant T/TA Network resources when addressing requests for T/TA.  Integrated service delivery must be pursued when beneficial to the client and collaboration shall take precedence over concerns about an individual T/TA provider's scope of responsibility.  A T/TA Network member is expected to consult and partner with its Network peers at the request of a client or if additional support or expertise is appropriate, when such collaboration would increase the likelihood of successfully achieving the objectives of the T/TA, and/or when it is appropriate to do so in order to effectively address the T/TA needs of the client.

Coordination

For several years, CB has worked closely with the T/TA Network to continuously develop a more coordinated strategy and approach to working with States and Tribes.  This was a progression from the previous work and mission of NRCs, which historically worked independently of one another in the provision of T/TA.  Collaboration, communication, and coordination among T/TA Network members have greatly increased as a result of this evolution.  Membership in the T/TA Network has been expanded in response to the important contributions that these CB initiatives collectively offer in building capacity for systemic change.  T/TA Network members have developed into a community of resources and centers of topical expertise that are flexible, responsive, collaborative, and coordinated in responding to changing Federal priorities and emerging challenges from the field.  To this end, CB is committed to continuing to plan, implement, and foster a stronger, formalized, coordinated, and seamless T/TA strategy across the network of T/TA providers to support State and Tribal child welfare systems in their change efforts.

CB does not expect any individual T/TA provider to have comprehensive expertise across all aspects of child welfare practice in a child welfare system.  Therefore, NRCs are expected to regularly engage with their peers in joint consultation, training, and other T/TA activities when collaboration or partnership is necessary to most effectively serve clients' T/TA needs.  NRCs will collaborate and work closely with Federal staff in CB central and regional offices when States and Tribes submit requests for on-site T/TA and other substantial services.  Each NRC will follow all approval and coordination procedures for T/TA requests and will work cooperatively with the entity designated by CB to coordinate T/TA delivery.  Each NRC will be prepared to serve, if necessary, as a facilitator of collaborative consultation and training in response to T/TA requests related to its area of focus and topical expertise.  NRCs will refer requests to other T/TA Network members when appropriate and collaborate when the expertise of more than one provider is necessary to achieve the objectives of a T/TA request or need.   CB expects T/TA Network members to operate collectively as a single, integrated T/TA service delivery system, providing coordinated and timely implementation delivery of T/TA that avoids delays or duplication of effort.

Child Welfare Monitoring and Technical Assistance

CB employs several monitoring tools, including CFSRs, Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) Assessment Review, and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Assessment Review, to ensure conformity with Federal child welfare requirements and to help States achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for children.  (For more information about child welfare monitoring, see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/index.htm.)

Section 1123A of the Social Security Act requires that technical assistance be made available to States, to the extent feasible, to enable them to develop and implement corrective action plans that address those areas needing improvement.  Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) have become an important tool for planning corrective action and pursuing strategies for change.  PIPs are expected to build on child welfare systems' strengths and address areas needing improvement which were identified during Federal monitoring reviews.  PIPs emphasize building capacity and implementing changes that will improve child welfare outcomes.

While the work of several T/TA Network members focuses on improving State and Tribal compliance with Federal requirements, helping jurisdictions apply the knowledge gained from Federal child welfare monitoring reviews, and assisting with the development and implementation of PIPs, the ultimate purpose of the T/TA Network is to improve child welfare systems, build capacity, and to support States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that yields better outcomes for children, youth, and families.  CB has learned that systemic reform requires a proactive approach to T/TA as well as a commitment to strategic, focused, and sustained planning and implementation.

Specific strategies adopted by a State or Tribe to improve a particular outcome or an area of practice must be part of a larger, cohesive, and comprehensive vision for change that permeates the child welfare system at all levels of responsibility and leadership.  The principles that drive the change effort need to inform and infuse each step of the reform process and to be supported before, during, and after implementation.

Systems of Care Framework and CFSR Guiding Principles

T/TA Network members who provide services directly to child welfare agencies and courts are expected to subscribe to a common set of guiding principles.  The Systems of Care (SOC) framework and CFSR principles have become the foundation for an evolving model of practice that guides the manner in which the T/TA Network entities supports States and Tribes in their pursuit of necessary systemic change.  CB expects T/TA Network members to operate collectively as a single, integrated T/TA service delivery system.

Adopted from its application in the mental health field, SOC refers to a conceptual framework and set of principles that directs child welfare agencies and systems to pursue individualized, coordinated, and holistic approaches to working with children, youth, and families.  In child welfare, SOC is characterized by shared, cross-cutting principles and a continuum of integrated services from prevention to permanency support that span programs, agencies, and institutions.  A SOC approach is community-based, child-centered, family-focused, strengths-based, culturally competent, and comprehensive.  It addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social, educational, and developmental needs of children, youth and their families while taking into account the individual, family, community, and broader systemic risk and protective factors that contribute to a child's safety and well-being.  (More information regarding SOC can be found at http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/service/soc/.)

The guiding principles of the CFSR are consistent with this SOC framework.  Child safety, permanency, and well-being are closely tied to principles of service delivery for effective practice including: prevention services; family-focused and community-based services; flexible, accessible, and coordinated services; culturally appropriate services; and strengths-based and individualized services.  Services should be organized along a continuum and linked to a wide service array to meet the multiple service needs of children, youth, and families.  The principles of the CFSR are more commonly described to be:

• Family-centered practice;
• Community-based services;
• Individualizing services; and
• Strengthening the capacity of families.

In the context of T/TA service delivery, subscribing to SOC and CFSR principles means that NRCs are expected to collaborate with other T/TA Network members and CB and to collectively offer client-centered, individualized, and strengths-based services to States and Tribes.   NRCs will occupy a critical niche in an array of T/TA service providers who address multiple legislative and child welfare service priorities and address practice areas across the continuum of child welfare service delivery.  NRC's T/TA will be proactive, collaborative, coordinated, accessible, and culturally competent.

Together, members of the T/TA Network will build relationships and engage child welfare systems.  Frequently, they will conduct joint assessments, provide collaborative consultation, and produce shared products, particularly in programmatic areas where T/TA entities share responsibility for practice issues.  Network members will accept individual and shared accountability for the quality of their consultation and products and their ability to facilitate sustainable systemic change.  Furthermore, NRCs are responsible for ensuring that the consumers of its T/TA, State and Tribal child welfare systems and ultimately the children, youth, and families they serve, have a voice in decision-making regarding the quality and content of service provision.  T/TA Network members will work with States and Tribes to consider how system change activities will support a seamless experience of service delivery for children, youth and families.  (Further information about implementing SOC principles in child welfare can be found in Primer Hands On Child Welfare, Improving Child Welfare Outcomes through Systems of Care: Building the Infrastructure, and other publications at http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/service/soc/build/soctoolkit.cfm.  More information about changing systems can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/changing_culture.htm.)

While its approach to service delivery must be aligned with the SOC framework and CFSR principles, the substance of NRC's T/TA activities will be guided by them as well.  Whether assessing systemic problems, constructing strategic plans, facilitating dialogue, or designing T/TA with its State and Tribal consumers, NRCs will observe and critically examine management and practice issues through the lens of the CFSR and SOC principles.  While these principles are central to the T/TA Network's operation and vision for change, CB does not expect NRCs to uniformly advise States and Tribes to adopt the SOC framework or to articulate their principles in the same way.  States and Tribes will differ significantly in their strengths and challenges, organizational cultures, visions for the future, and strategies for change.  CB intends for SOC and CFSR principles to guide NRC's service delivery approach rather than become prescribed content that is uniformly disseminated to States and Tribes.  NRCs are expected to tailor their T/TA to each of its clients and to consider the impact of service delivery as children, youth and families are transitioned to different programs within the child welfare agency.

Once a State or Tribe has identified a particular need, barrier, or issue that requires attention, an NRC is expected to partner with its T/TA peers, CB, and the client to comprehensively assess and mutually define the problem in the context of broader systemic conditions.  Rather than assuming that a problem is isolated, NRCs will approach identified problems as opportunities for further investigation, broad systems thinking, and change that will result in sustainable improvement.

Working with CB Research and Demonstration Grantees

CB awards discretionary research and demonstration grants for projects that test innovative approaches to addressing a variety of child welfare issues.  NRCs will be expected to consider the knowledge being developed by these projects as a potential resource.  Throughout the life of their cooperative agreements, NRCs will work with their Federal Project Officers (FPOs) and others to identify topically relevant discretionary grant activities, to determine areas of knowledge being developed by these grantees that could be utilized by NRC as it provides T/TA, and to make the most of potential connections between CB's knowledge development and knowledge transfer initiatives.  Information about CB Research and Demonstration grants is available through the Discretionary Grants Library.  This is an online tool that allows users to search for and view CB program announcements and other information related to specific CB grant projects: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs_fund/index.htm#disc  

The National Resource Center for Adoption

NRCA is expected to provide T/TA to guide, support, and assist State and Tribal agencies to build the capacity of State, Tribal, and other publicly administered or publicly supported child welfare agencies to improve adoption systems; integrate policy and practice; and to develop, expand, strengthen, and improve the quality and effectiveness of adoption services provided to children and youth in the child welfare system.  This T/TA will assist States and Tribes in establishing and maintaining effective interagency cooperation and collaboration that involves all stakeholders, including youth, and promotes public-private partnerships in the coordination of adoption programs for children and youth in the child welfare system.  NRCA will work with States to increase the effectiveness, timeliness, capacity,  and quality of adoption service delivery to children and youth from foster care as well as to enhance post adoption services.  NRCA will provide T/TA to State public child welfare and Tribal child welfare agencies to promote professional leadership development of minorities in the field of adoption and to improve professional competency in the field of adoption.  NRCA will provide T/TA to assist States in the implementation of the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994, as amended.  Examples of T/TA topics include:

• Program planning to achieve timely adoption outcomes;
  
  
• Using information systems and outcomes data in adoption program planning;
  
  
• Developing and sustaining adoption support and preservation services, including adoption assistance programs;
  
  
• Preparing children and youth for adoptive placement;
  
  
• Preparing, assessing, and retaining foster, kin, and adoptive parents;
  
  
• Promoting adoption opportunities for older children;
  
  
• Providing training and technical assistance to assist States in fully implementing the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) of 1994, as amended; and
  
  
• Providing T/TA to promote professional leadership development of minorities in the adoption field and to improve professional competency and capacity in adoption practice in child welfare.

NRCA is funded under the Adoption Opportunities Program.  The Adoption Opportunities program, section 205 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 (P.L.95-266), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36), provides discretionary funds for projects designed to eliminate barriers to adoption and help find permanent families for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly children with special needs.  The major programs areas, as mandated by the legislation, are:

1. The development and implementation of a national adoption and foster care data gathering and analysis system;
   
   
2. The development and implementation of a national adoption information exchange system;
   
   
3. The development and implementation of an adoption training and technical assistance program;
   
   
4. Increasing the placements in adoptive families of children of color who are in the foster care and have the goal of adoption, with a special emphasis on recruitment of  families of color;
   
   
5. Post-legal adoption services for families who have adopted children with special needs, including day treatment and respite care;
   
   
6. Support the placement of children in kinship care arrangements, pre-adoptive, or adoptive homes;
   
   
7. The study of the efficacy of states contracting with public and private agencies (including community-based and other organizations);
   
   
8. Increasing the number of older children adopted from foster care, emphasizing several recruitment strategies (media campaigns to inform the public of the needs of older children available for adoption; training personnel in older children's needs; and recruiting families to adopt older children);
   
   
9. Improving the efforts to eliminate interjurisdictional adoption barriers;
   
   
10. Interstate placement funding practices; best practice recommendations for inter and intra state adoptions; and how State definitions of special needs differentiate and/or group similar categories of children;
    
    
11. Research of adoption outcomes and barriers and factors that affect these outcomes.

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-266) established the Adoption Opportunities Program to:

• Facilitate placement of children with special needs in permanent adoptive homes;
  
  
• Promote quality standards for adoptive placement and the rights of adopted children; and
  
  
• Provide for a national adoption information exchange system.

The Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-294) expanded the Adoption Opportunities program to:

• Increase the number of minority children placed in adoptive families, with an emphasis on recruitment of and placement with minority families;
  
  
• Provide for post-legal adoption services for families who have adopted special needs children; and
  
  
• Increase the placement of foster care children legally free for adoption

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendments of 1996, (P.L. 104-235), required States to institute an expedited termination of parental rights process for abandoned infants or when the parent is responsible for the death or serious bodily injury of a child.

The Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, (P.L. 108-36) reauthorized, amended the Adoption Opportunities Act as follows:

• Authorized an expanded continuing interdisciplinary and longitudinal research program; and
  
  
• Directed the Secretary to provide for implementation of programs to increase the number of older foster children placed in adoptive families, including a grants program to eliminate barriers to placing children for adoption across jurisdictional boundaries.

The Adoption Opportunities program, sections 201 to 205 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, (P.L. 95-266), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36) provides that T/TA be provided to:

1. Promote professional leadership development of minorities in the adoption field;
   
   
2. Provide training and technical assistance to service providers and State agencies to improve professional competency in the field of adoption and the adoption of children with special needs; and
   
   
3. Facilitate the development of interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs of children who are waiting for adoption and the needs of adoptive families.

Based on the most recent data available (2007 AFCARS), there are approximately 496,000 children in foster care in the United States.  Of those, 130,000 are waiting for an adoptive home.  Based on data from AFCARS as well as information gleaned from the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) and other sources, far too many children remain in foster care longer than is desirable and wait for families to adopt them.  Foster care, which is designed to be temporary, too often becomes a long term placement or a series of multiple placements, neither of which promotes positive outcomes for children.  If children are not able to be reunified with their birth families, adoption by relatives, kin, foster parents, or adoptive parents is the permanent plan of choice.  The sound administration of State adoption programs, based in a thorough foundation of administrative, technical, and clinical knowledge in the field of adoptions and child welfare, including current legislation, policies, practices, trends, and history, is critical to effective performance and successful outcomes for children in care. 

Through CFSRs, CB conducts comprehensive assessments of the child welfare systems in all fifty States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as a method of assisting the States in continuous improvement of their child welfare systems.  Compiled results from the first round of the CFSRs identified the following common challenges in the area of outcomes related to adoption:

• Inconsistent concurrent planning efforts;
  
  
• Maintaining the goal of reunification for long periods of time without reevaluating the appropriateness of the goal;
  
  
• Not seeking or filing for termination of parental rights (TPR) timely;
  
  
• Reluctance of courts to terminate parental rights;
  
  
• Adoption studies and paperwork not completed timely;
  
  
• Lengthy TPR appeals process;
  
  
• Lack of consistency with regards to conducting adoption home studies;
  
  
• Establishment of a case goal of long term foster care (LTFC), or alternative permanent planned living arrangement (APPLA), without thorough consideration of the options of adoption and guardianship, particularly for older youth;
  
  
• Delays in interstate placements and reluctance to place children with out-of-State relatives; and
  
  
• Lack of diligent recruitment of foster and adoptive families who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the children in care.

Through its T/TA Network of NRCs and other discretionary programs, CB promotes the development and dissemination of proven and promising approaches.  The T/TA Network works in  partnership with States and Tribes to improve systems and capacity to deliver competent adoption services and improve outcomes for children and youth in care awaiting adoption as well as children and youth in long term foster care/alternative permanent planned living arrangements who do not have a permanent family.  CB actively funds recruitment and retention activities for foster and adoptive parents and a national recruitment campaign through its cooperative agreement with the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids and in partnership with the Ad Council.  The adoption activities which the States, Tribes, and courts carry out must be in accordance with Federal laws regarding adoption.  CB is funding NRCA in order to assist States and Tribes in building their capacity to carry out all adoption-related programs and functions to better serve the children and youth in care and their families before, during, and after adoptive placement.

NRCA will be expected to develop and implement a replicable model of T/TA that results in the increased capacity of States to fully implement and be in compliance with the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) , as amended.  A specific focus of the model will be the provision of T/TA to the States by professionals who are considered experts in this legislation (MEPA) as well as other related federal laws (i.e., Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and child welfare practices designed to prevent the delay and denial of foster or adoptive placements based on race, color, or national origin.  To this end, NRCA will staff a pool of expert consultants, including attorneys and child welfare professionals, who possess a wealth of expertise, experience, and knowledge regarding MEPA as well as other pertinent Federal laws and policies. 

NRCA will be expected to provide T/TA on all aspects of Title IV-E Adoption Assistance using a pool of consultants with a broad level of experience, expertise, and knowledge in Federal laws and implementation of the Adoption Assistance Program, in order to assist States in the proper administration of Title IV-E Assistance in compliance with Federal laws and policies.

Roles and Responsibilities 

Within CB T/TA Network, NRCs develop knowledge, identify emerging trends, transfer knowledge of effective and promising practices, and provide T/TA to support systemic change nationwide.  As a member of CB's T/TA Network, the NCRA will serve as the primary provider of T/TA related to adoption.  Activities to be conducted by NRCA will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Fostering an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of child welfare, and specifically adoption-related issues, including clinical, policy, practice, program, legal, legislative, and administrative issues, resulting in improved outcomes for children and youth in the child welfare system;
   
   
2. Facilitating and assisting efforts of State, local, Tribal, public, and private agencies in the coordinated planning and development of a range of services and supports for the adoption of children from the child welfare system; 
   
   
3. Actively engaging in conducting regular and ongoing needs assessments that will be used to identify unmet needs and which also incorporate findings from other statewide needs assessment processes, such as the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR), Title IV-E Reviews, and the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP);
   
   
4. Demonstrating a commitment to meaningful stakeholder involvement, especially youth in foster care and those members of other underrepresented or underserved communities;
   
   
5. Providing on-site and off-site T/TA and consultation to State, local, and Tribal child welfare agencies, in coordination with other members of  CB T/TA Network, in the assessment of training needs and coordinated development of T/TA strategy, including collaboration with State training systems, outside providers of T/TA,  and provision of "training for trainers", curriculum development, roundtables, and other mechanisms to carry out effective T/TA;
   
   
6. Supporting States in the development and implementation of their Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) resulting from CFSRs and other monitoring activities;
   
   
7. Providing guidance, coordination, leadership development, and financial support for the National Association of State Adoption Programs (NASAP).  The purpose of this Association is to develop and maintain a working network of State adoption managers to share current program, policy, and practice developments as well as promising practices, trends, and legislation.  This builds capacity within and across States to carry out effective, efficient, state-of-the-art adoption services programs which result in positive outcomes for children and youth in the public child welfare arena, including increasing the numbers of children and youth adopted nationally;  developing and maintaining a "customer service" focus; and removing geographical barriers to placing children across jurisdictions.  It is anticipated that NASAP will hold an annual meeting, supported and partially funded by NRCA, for the 50 state adoption managers as well as representatives of the relevant T/TA Network and Federal staff, for a total of approximately 75 attendees, to discuss relevant issues and will include relevant CB staff and members of the CB T/TA Network in the meeting.  States will be responsible for their own travel costs, hotel, and per diem for meals.  NRCA will cover reasonable and necessary costs for meeting facilities at the hotel, making all logistical arrangements and planning with the facility, including supplies and technology, such as power point and DVD projectors, microphones, and other necessary meeting supports.  These costs should be included in the applicant's budget.
   
   
8. Coordinating with CB, both Central Office (CO) and Regional Offices (RO) in the needs assessment and development of T/TA strategy.  This coordination will involve the National Adoption Specialist and the Capacity Building Division; other CB divisions, such as Policy, State Systems, Research and Innovation, etc, as appropriate; and State and Tribal agencies and courts;
   
   
9. Processing all on-site T/TA requests through the lead entity designated by CB to oversee and assign T/TA requests.  This will involve appropriate RO staff working with the requesting entity, other relevant T/TA network members, other CB staff, as well as other critical stakeholders.  NRCA will facilitate an assessment of T/TA needs, the development of a comprehensive and coordinated T/TA plan, and coordinated and timely implementation delivery that avoids delays or duplication of effort;
   
   
10. Demonstrating a commitment to meaningful stakeholder involvement by building State and Tribal capacity to consistently involve courts, youth, families, Tribes and other relevant stakeholders in program planning, implementation, evaluation, and other systems change initiatives;
    
    
11. Participating in bi-annual team meetings of the T/TA Network;
    
    
12. Collaborating and coordinating with other members of the T/TA Network, other agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other agents of CB to strengthen T/TA efforts, avoid duplication, and manage resources effectively;
    
    
13. Providing information and data entry into the T/TA data base as well as tracking and evaluating all T/TA provided.  NRCA will cooperate with the entity designated by CB to coordinate T/TA delivery;
    
    
14. Providing data needed by CB entity designated to  manage, maintain, and update a web-based tracking system for T/TA requests and responses to T/TA requests, in order to evaluate the results and benefits of the technical assistance provided by NRCA and the T/TA Network;  
    
    
15. Promoting professional leadership development of persons of color in the adoption field and improving the competency of child welfare professionals in the delivery of adoption services.   This might include developing and disseminating related materials, including curricula, guidelines, and training materials as well as coordinating with other workforce development entities in the CB T/TA Network, including the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute,  in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of resources and utilizing existing curricula and strategies as much as possible while maintaining a specialized focus;
    
    
16. Serving as the national expert and lead NRC, in coordination with CB, on issues related to adoption of children from foster care, the Multi Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA), as amended, and the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program, and carry out related T/TA in those subject areas.  T/TA activities on the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive parents will be led by the National Resource Center for the Recruitment and Retention of Foster and Adoptive Families (NRCRRFAR) at AdoptUsKids;  
    
    
17. Taking the lead planning responsibility and providing logistical support for an annual CB permanency meeting in coordination with the assigned CB lead staff.  This conference is held annually in the Washington DC area.  Participants are the States' adoption, foster care, and family preservation managers, representatives from the T/TA Network, Federal staff, and other State and Tribal staff involved in child welfare programs as directed (approximately 250 people in total).  This function will include ongoing planning with representatives from the constituent groups, and their Federal Project Officer (FPO) liaisons, as well as representatives from the relevant NRCs.  This high-level working meeting typically lasts 2 to 3 days.  The invited State managers' expenses are reimbursed by NRCA and should be covered in the proposed budget (approximately 150 State managers), as well as  technological support, travel, hotel, per diem for meals, partial reimbursement for speakers, supplies, and reasonable related costs,; and
    
    
18. Conducting evaluation of the T/TA delivered and utilizing evaluation feedback for constant self-improvement.

Expectations

NRCA will support the delivery of child welfare services in modalities which strengthen parental capacity and reflect approaches that are family-centered, community-based, and individually focused.  Enhancement of service delivery models which strengthen such practices will be viewed as a relevant consideration in development of training and technical assistance (T/TA) activities.  Practices to be supported include the following:

• Family-centered practice is designed to strengthen and empower families to protect and nurture their children and youth; safely preserve family relationships and connections when appropriate; recognize the strong influence social systems have on individual behavior; enhance family autonomy; respect the rights, values and cultures of families; and focus on an entire family rather than selected individuals within a family. 
  
  
• Community-based practice is designed to support the needs of children and youth within the context of their families and communities; emphasize prevention-oriented services and support; and provide local communities a role in identifying, designing, implementing, and overseeing services within the community. 
  
  
• Individualized services are designed to tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of children, youth, and families served; recognize that children, youth, and families are affected by both individual and environmental factors; recognize that children, youth, families, and the environments in which they operate are unique; and offer children, youth, and families opportunities to provide input into their strengths, needs, and goals as well as the means to achieve those goals.
  
  
• Strengthening parental capacity is achieved through practices that enhance services and support for both parents and recognize the value of involving both parents in care of their children, promote parents' strengths and self-esteem by emphasizing partnership with service providers, and balance parental need for autonomy in decision-making with the need for ongoing support.

In collaboration with members of the T/TA Network and CB, NRCA will work with States and Tribes across the nation to build on strengths and address both specific problems and broad child welfare performance issues.  The NCRA will:

• Subscribe to a SOC framework and CFSR principles in the coordination, administration, and delivery of T/TA;
  
  
• Support and facilitate peer-to-peer mentoring and networking among State and Tribal child welfare systems and courts;
  
  
• Perform outreach that will engage States, Tribes, and courts and prompt their participation in networking activities, utilization of available T/TA, and resources;
  
  
• Build the capacity of State and Tribal child welfare systems as well as courts to achieve systemic change and improve outcomes for children, youth and families;
  
  
• Partner closely with CB, current members of the T/TA Network, States, Tribes, courts and other regional and national stakeholders;
  
  
• Provide proactive T/TA that supports the implementation of State, Tribal, and court strategies for improved child welfare practice;
  
  
• Utilize the experience and expertise of CB regional offices (ROs), T/TA Network, stakeholders, and other resources - making referrals when appropriate;
  
  
• Provide coordinated and individualized T/TA that supports existing services and resources available to States, Tribes and courts;
  
  
• Participate fully in any national evaluation activities, if applicable;
  
  
• Develop, conduct, and continuously improve through self evaluation;
  
  
• Present self evaluation findings to CB and the T/TA Network; and
  
  
• Collaborate with other T/TA providers to address common issues, improve cross-system networking, jointly develop and execute mutual NRC evaluation activities, as well as provide collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive T/TA that involves all necessary T/TA providers.

NRCA will also be expected to:

1. Identify T/TA needs in collaboration with States, CB T/TA Coordinating Committee, the T/TA coordinating entity as designated by CB, the T/TA network,  CFSR/PIP results, CFSP, as well as other ongoing national T/TA reviews and efforts; 
   
   
2. Be actively involved in identifying other T/TA needs based on their work with other child welfare organizations;
   
   
3. Develop and distribute brochures, webcasts and webinars, technical assistance announcements, articles, and other materials and products.
   
   
4. Be creative, responsive, and innovative in responding to questions and requests from State and Tribal agencies;
   
   
5. Develop new materials and products on cutting edge issues as they emerge from Federal and State legislation, new regulations, and other developments in the child welfare field;
   
   
6. Achieve T/TA outcomes through a combination of strategies, including on-site training; webinars, webcasts, and other forms of technology-driven mechanisms; on and off-site technical assistance; and consultation with State and Tribal training organizations and all appropriate stakeholder groups;
   
   
7. Forge strong links with all members of the CB T/TA network, including their support contractors, in carrying out coordinated T/TA strategy development, consultation, and delivery and evaluation of T/TA;
   
   
8. Assist States to develop and maintain a customer service focus and model of service delivery;
   
   
9. Promote leadership development of persons of color in the field of adoption in child welfare;
   
   
10. Improve professional competency in the field of adoption in child welfare;
    
    
11. Promote and support interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs of children who are waiting for adoption and the needs of adoptive families;
    
    
12. Increase States' capacities to provide permanency and improve outcomes for children and youth in the child welfare system, including increasing the numbers of children and youth adopted from foster care.  This includes increasing adoption of children and youth ages 9 and over, children of color, sibling groups, and children with physical, behavioral, or emotional/mental health challenges.  Other outcomes to be addressed include: decreasing the length of time to adoption finalization; decreasing the number of children and youth waiting to be adopted; and decreasing the number of children and youth in long term foster care/alternative permanent planned living arrangements;
    
    
13. Assist States to develop, refine, and implement  policies and practices consistent with Federal legislation, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act (AFSA), the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA), as amended,  Title IV-E Adoption Assistance, and other relevant Federal laws;
    
    
14. Increase States' capacities to understand and utilize data effectively to inform and analyze practice, including, but not limited to, the use of AFCARs data and SACWIS systems data;
    
    
15. Increase States' capacities to support adoptive families before, during, and after placement;
    
    
16. Facilitate and expand States' implementation of concurrent planning efforts to expedite permanency; and
    
    
17. Assist States in working to remove geographical barriers to placing children and youth across jurisdictions.

 Expected outcomes include the enhanced capacity of State and Tribal agencies to:  

1. Develop, support, and maintain a range of services and supports, including post-adoption services, for the adoption of children and youth from the child welfare system;
   
   
2. Conduct interagency needs assessments of required services;
   
   
3. Facilitate adoption systemic change as well as program, policy, and practice development, informed by best practices, current knowledge, and research;
   
   
4. Coordinate the delivery of adoption services;
   
   
5. Promote and support the meaningful participation of stakeholders in the design and implementation of services, including youth and birth/foster/adoptive parents;
   
   
6. Conduct program evaluations and quality assurance functions;
   
   
7. Develop and maintain a customer service focus and model of service delivery;
   
   
8. Increase permanency and improve outcomes for children and youth in the child welfare system, including increasing the numbers of children and youth adopted from foster care.  This includes older children (ages 9 and up) and teens, children of color, sibling groups, and children with physical, behavioral, or emotional/mental health challenges.  Other outcomes to be addressed include: decreasing the length of time to adoption finalization; decreasing the number of children and youth waiting to be adopted; and decreasing the number of children and youth in long term foster care/alternative permanent planned living arrangements;
   
   
9. Develop and maintain a customer service focus and model of service delivery;
   
   
10. Promote leadership development of persons of color in the field of adoption in child welfare;
    
    
11. Improve professional competency in the field of adoption in child welfare;
    
    
12. Promote and support interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs of children who are waiting for adoption and the needs of adoptive families;
    
    
13. Develop, refine, and implement  policies and practices consistent with Federal legislation, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act (AFSA), the Multiethnic Placement Act as amended, (MEPA) , Title IV-E Adoption Assistance, and other relevant Federal laws;
    
    
14. Understand and utilize data effectively to inform and analyze practice, including, but not limited to, the use of AFCARs data and SACWIS systems data;
    
    
15. Support adoptive families before, during, and after placement;
    
    
16. Facilitate concurrent planning efforts to expedite permanency; and
    
    
17. Remove geographical barriers to placing children and youth across jurisdictions.

Specific Tasks to be Performed by NRCA

Each applicant is required to submit a narrative (with accompanying Gantt chart and logic model) that clearly and concisely describes its strategy for a three-month Planning Phase (Phase I) followed by a 57-month Implementation Phase (Phase II). 

During the Planning Phase, NRCA will:

• Meet with the Federal Project Officer (FPO) and other representatives of CB to discuss the scope of work of NRCA in the context of the current environment;
  
  
• Build and strengthen its relationships with CB, members of the T/TA Network, and other key stakeholders;
  
  
• Work with the CB FPO to transition all materials and other resources from the previous NRCA grantee as appropriate and needed;
  
  
• Review program announcement descriptions of required areas of T/TA, roles and responsibilities, and expectations to determine areas in which the work plan could be strengthened to better respond to the announcement requirements;
  
  
• Revise and refine NRCA's plans for outreach to CB Regional Offices, States and Tribes in conjunction with CB and the T/TA Network;
  
  
• Assess the evaluation plan in relation to the CB T/TA Evaluation activities;
  
  
• Obtain approval from CB for its revised plans; and
  
  
• Initiate outreach to targeted States and Tribes.

During the Implementation Phase, NRCA will:

• Implement revised work plan;
  
  
• Continue to engage States and Tribes;
  
  
• Collaborate in the assessment and analysis of needs and strengths of States and Tribes;
• Respond to T/TA requests;
  
  
• Collaborate and regularly consult with CB and the T/TA Network;
  
  
• Provide coordinated and individualized T/TA that supports the implementation of strategies for systems change;
  
  
• Collaborate with the T/TA Network to develop individualized strategies which address the specific needs of State and Tribal child welfare systems;
  
  
• Assist States and Tribes in disseminating knowledge and promising practices though peer-to-peer T/TA, training, and conference presentations;
  
  
• Actively participate in knowledge development and dissemination initiatives;
  
  
• Annually review the work plan, incorporating the information gained from evaluation activities;
  
  
• Obtain FPO approval of revised work plan; and
  
  
• Complete required reporting and distribute evaluation findings.

CB expects NRCA to devote significant effort to tasks that will provide a foundation for future project activities during the first six to twelve months of the award.  During year one, NRCA will:

• Build and strengthen its relationships with CB, members of the T/TA Network, and other key stakeholders;
  
  
• Consult with CB and other T/TA Network members about its preliminary project plans;
  
  
• Revise and refine, if necessary, its preliminary plans;
  
  
• Obtain approval from CB for its plans;
  
  
• NRCA is expected to be available for some collaborative efforts shortly after the date of award and to become increasingly available for consultation and leadership regarding State and Tribal T/TA requests.  NRCA's capacity to provide T/TA should steadily increase six months after the project start date; and 
  
  
• Submit summary documents or products from its completed assessment and a proposed plan for future T/TA activities, including product development and dissemination to CB for review and approval.

During years two through five, NRCA will shift its effort from planning and assessment to more substantial delivery of on- and off-site consultation and training, peer-to-peer facilitation, product development and dissemination, and other collaborative activities.  Throughout the project, NRCA will work closely with its Federal project officer.  As priorities shift and needs for T/TA change, NRCA will remain flexible and responsive to the needs of States and Tribes and work with CB to adapt and revise its project plans as necessary.

The NCRA is expected to collaborate, provide on- and off-site T/TA, facilitate peer-to-peer networking, develop and disseminate products and resources, and evaluate its activities throughout the project period. 

In its application, each applicant must describe how it will complete its required and proposed activities within the planning and implementation phases of the project.  After the award of the cooperative agreement and prior to implementation, plans may be revised to accommodate coordination of activities with other grantees.  The applicant's plans will be subject to review, revision, and final approval by CB. 

All project plans are subject to review, revision, and final approval by CB and CB will approve consultants hired by NRCA. 

Dissemination

NRCA will be a repository for information and resources and a vehicle for dissemination for products that address a broad range of issues related to its topical areas of responsibility in the T/TA Network.  NRCA is also expected to play a critical role in the dissemination of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices.

Evidence-Based Practices are approaches to prevention or treatment that are validated by some form of outcomes analysis or evaluation.  This could be findings established through scientific research, such as controlled clinical studies, but other methods of establishing evidence are valid as well.  

Evidence-Informed Practices use the best available research and practice knowledge to guide program design and implementation within context.  This informed practice allows for innovation and incorporates the lessons learned from the existing research literature.

CB expects NRCA to be point of contact for easily accessible, well-organized, and user-friendly resources for States and Tribes.  In addition to storing and organizing information, NRCA will be responsible for assessing the quality of its resources and for being knowledgeable about their content.  NRCA will make general information about itself, the T/TA Network, applicable programs and services, and specific training curricula, research, reports, tools, or other resources widely available.  NRCA also is expected to consult with the Child Welfare Information Gateway and other T/TA Network members to capitalize on opportunities to link useful information and facilitate easy navigation by website users without unnecessarily duplicating effort.

Collaboration

NRCA will lead collaborative efforts in its area of topical expertise.  It will also partner with other NRC's to address important systemic and practice issues that are closely linked to permanency issues but for which NRCA will not have principal responsibility.  For example, CB expects NRCA to partner closely with the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections on issues such as concurrent planning and increasing permanency for older youth with a plan of long term foster care or alternative planned living arrangement and with the National Resource Center for the Recruitment and Retention of Foster and Adoptive Families at AdoptUsKids on reducing barriers to interjurisdictional foster and adoptive placements and improved customer service focus in serving families.  

In addition, NRCA will provide consultation to CB's Technical Assistance Implementation Centers and participate in collaborative assessment activities and preparation that will support their execution of implementation projects as needed.  NRCA will work with Child Welfare Information Gateway to ensure that products and resources are easily accessible and effectively disseminated.  It will also partner with the National Resource Center for Tribes to support the provision of effective, culturally competent adoption services in Tribal communities.  NRCA will explore opportunities to collaborate with other T/TA Network members, such as the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute and the National Quality Improvement Centers, to foster leadership development and to improve training related to adoption services.  

National Cross-Site Evaluation

NRCA must allocate funds and devote sufficient resources to participate fully in a national cross-site evaluation and to conduct its own center-specific evaluation activities.

NRCA will participate fully in CB's national cross-site evaluation of the T/TA Network.  The cross-site evaluation employs a participatory and utilization-focused approach to: 1) evaluate the activities, processes, and approaches of the CB T/TA Network in their efforts to successfully achieve systems change; and 2) examine the degree to which networking, collaboration, information sharing, adherence to common principles, and common messaging occur across the T/TA Network.  The National Cross-site Evaluation of the T/TA Network began its design phase in Federal fiscal year 2009.

NRCA will have regular contact with the cross-site evaluation contractor and participate as an important stakeholder in the evaluation.  NRCA will be actively involved in the execution of the cross-site evaluation, participating as necessary in the development of evaluation instruments, collection of qualitative and quantitative information, interpretation of data, and utilization of findings.  NRCA will be required to enter information into the T/TA Network's automated data collection system within the timeframes set by CB and the cross-site evaluation.  CB expects regular and timely reporting of on-site T/TA and other activities into the web-based tracking system currently known as the Technical Assistance Tracking Internet System (TATIS).  NRCA will be responsible for including a quality assurance component in its evaluation plan that tracks timely and accurate reporting into the system.

Center-Specific Evaluation

In addition to performing evaluation activities that meet the requirements of the cross-site evaluation, NRCA will conduct its own center-specific evaluation activities.  CB expects NRCA to regularly evaluate its performance and to use this information to improve its processes and services.  NRCA will design and conduct an evaluation using multiple measures, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods as necessary.  Center-specific evaluation activities must complement NRCA's participation in the cross-site evaluation and avoid unnecessary duplication.

In its center-specific evaluation activities, NRCA will build on the components of the national cross-site evaluation, addressing more nuanced questions or examining different evaluation questions that are likely to yield practical information and promote the improvement of its T/TA modalities.  Center-specific evaluation findings are expected to be substantive, highlighting both project strengths and challenges.  During the course of the project period, NRCA will facilitate communication for the purpose of T/TA improvement ("feedback loops"), ensuring that its findings are shared with other members of the T/TA Network and CB's central and regional offices.

A list of potential "domains" and examples of questions for center-specific evaluation can be found in Section IV.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: APPROACH.

Upon award of the cooperative agreements, NRCA will share its preliminary center-specific evaluation plans with other members of the T/TA Network and the cross-site evaluation contractor.  NRCs may choose to include common evaluation components (i.e., methods, collection tools, processes, outputs, and/or outcomes) in their center-specific designs, particularly when evaluating joint activities and collaborative T/TA that is provided to a State or Tribal child welfare system by multiple T/TA Network members.

All evaluation plans must be approved by the FPO.  Prior to beginning its evaluation activities, NRCA will review and revise its center-specific evaluation design in partnership with CB.

NRCA will regularly update its FPO about ongoing evaluation activities and findings in required progress reporting and provide CB with a written report at the end of the project.  NRCs will collaborate with each other, their State and Tribal partners, CB, the national evaluation contractor, and other members of the T/TA Network when necessary to produce a comprehensive evaluation report at the conclusion of the project period and present findings to CB, the T/TA Network, and other stakeholders.

Logic Model

The applicant is required to submit in its application a logic model for its planning and implementation.  The logic model also must accompany all subsequent submissions of plans related to this announcement to CB.

Travel for Meetings and Presentations

Approximately six weeks after the award of the cooperative agreement, NRCA project director, the project evaluator, and representatives of other key partners and/or subcontractors involved in the execution of the award, if applicable, will be required to attend a one-day meeting with the FPO and other Federal staff in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of this meeting is to review and approve activities and planning timelines in year one of the award and to clarify expectations for the project.

In addition, NRCA project director or another designated representative will attend T/TA Network meetings held twice annually in the Washington, D.C. metro area over the duration of the five-year project period.  All expenses related to attendance at these two-day meetings also should be included in the applicant's proposed budget. 

The applicant's budget for the first 12-month budget period should include anticipated costs for two meetings, as well as costs for two key staff persons to attend at least two CB meetings annually as identified with the Federal project officer.

Project Requirements

The acceptance of funds for projects responsive to this announcement will signify the applicant's assurance that it will comply with the following requirements:

1. Have the project fully functioning within 90 days following the notification of the grant award.
   
   
2. Participate in any national evaluation or technical assistance contract that relates to this program announcement.
   
   
3. Submit all performance indicator data, program, evaluation, and financial reports in a timely manner, in the required format (see Section VI.3).  CB prefers and will accept the interim and final reports on disk or electronically using a standard word-processing program, however grantees are required to provide the original and two copies of performance progress and final reports.
   
   
4. Submit an original and two copies of the final report, the final evaluation report, and any program products to CB within 90 days of the project end date.
   
   
5. Allocate sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the project director, the evaluator, and other key partners to attend the meetings described in this program announcement.
   
   
6. Convene an annual CB meeting which focuses on achieving permanency in child welfare systems and allocate funds to support this face-to-face meeting in its budget.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds.

Additional Information on Awards:

The cooperative agreement awarded will be for a project period of 60 months.  The initial award will be for a 12-month budget period.  The award of continuation beyond each 12-month budget period will be subject to satisfactory progress on the part of the awardee and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government.

Description of Anticipated Substantial Involvement under the Cooperative Agreement:

A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding Federal assistance in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. A cooperative agreement clearly defines the respective responsibilities of CB and the grantee prior to the award. CB anticipates that agency involvement will produce programmatic benefits to the recipient otherwise unavailable to them for carrying out the project. The involvement and collaboration includes:

• CB review and approval of planning stages of the activities before implementation phases may begin;
  
  
• CB and recipient joint collaboration in the performance of key programmatic activities (i.e., strategic planning, implementation, information technology enhancements, T/TA, publications or products, and evaluation);
  
  
• Close monitoring by CB of the requirements stated in this announcement that limit the grantee's discretion with respect to scope of services offered, organizational structure, and management processes; and
  
  
• Close monitoring by CB during performance which may, in order to ensure compliance with the intent of this funding, exceed those Federal stewardship responsibilities customary for grant activities.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• For profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses

Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches are acceptable. Applications from collaborations must identify a primary applicant responsible for administering the cooperative agreement.

Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.

Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under this announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None

3. Other:

Disqualification Factors

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package:

ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132 Phone:  866-796-1591
Phone 2:  or TTY 711
Email: cb@dixongroup.com

2. Content and Form of Application Submission:

Each application must contain the following items in the order listed:

Application for Federal Assistance.  (Standard Form (SF) 424, SF-424A and SF-424-B).  Follow the instructions that accompany the forms and those in Section V, Application Review Information.

Certifications/Assurances.  See Forms, Assurances, and Certifications, below.

Table of Contents.  List the major sections of the application, and show the page that each section begins on.

Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum, double spaced).  See Section IV.2, Project Description.  Clearly mark this page with the applicant name as shown on SF-424, identify the program announcement and the title of the proposed project as shown on SF-424 and the service area as shown on SF-424.  The summary description should not exceed 300 words.

Care should be taken to produce a summary/abstract that accurately and concisely reflects the proposed project.

The Project Description.  Applicants should organize their project description in this sequence: 1) Objectives and Need for Assistance; 2) Approach; 3) Evaluation; 4) Organizational Profiles; and 5) Budget and Budget Justification.  

Budget and Budget Justification.  Include information on the required cost item of Travel for Meetings and Presentations (see Section I).

Indirect Charges.  If claiming indirect costs, provide documentation that the applicant currently has an indirect cost-rate approved by HHS or another cognizant Federal agency.

Third-Party Agreements.  If applicable, include a letter of commitment or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from each partner and/or contractor describing their role, detailing specific project tasks to be performed, and expressing commitment to participate if the proposed project is funded.  Note: General letters of support not expressing specific commitments are not required and will not be considered by reviewers under the evaluation criteria.

Staff and Position Data.   Include job descriptions and curriculum vitae/ resumes for proposed project staff.

Page Limit.  The length of the entire application package may be less than but must not exceed 110 pages.  This includes but is not limited to the required Federal Standard Forms and certifications (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and Certification Regarding Lobbying), table of contents, project summary, project description, logic model, Gantt chart, budget/budget justification, supplemental documentation, proof of non-profit status, summaries of sub-grants and contracts, letters of agreement, resumes, CVs and any other pages included in the application package.  All pages of the application package must be sequentially numbered, beginning with page one.  All pages of each application will be counted to determine total length.  All pages exceeding the 110 page limit will be removed and will not be considered in the reviewing process.  A cover letter and general letters of support are not required.  Applicants are reminded that if a cover letter and general letters of support are submitted, they will count towards the 110-page limit.

Each applicant must organize its application in the order listed in this section and number all application pages.  Pages will be counted in the order they are submitted in hard copy and numbered when received electronically.  All pages that exceed the page limit will be removed and will not be reviewed.

General Content and Form Information.  To be considered for funding, each application must be submitted with the Standard Federal Forms and must follow the guidance provided.  The application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the award.

The project description must be typed and double-spaced on a single side of 8.5 x 11 inch plain white paper with a least one inch margins on all sides, using black print with 12-point size Times New Roman font.

For charts, budget tables, supplemental letters and documents, applicants may use a different point size and font, but no less than 10-point size and single spaced.

All copies of an application must be submitted in a single package.   A separate package must be submitted for each funding opportunity.  The package must be clearly labeled for the specific funding opportunity it is addressing.

Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, brochures, or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a photocopy machine with an automatic feed.  Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way separate subsections of the application, including supporting documentation.  Use a clip (not a staple) to securely bind the application together.  Applicants are advised that the copies of the application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the Federal Government for review.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application.  It is essential that applicants read the entire announcement package carefully before preparing an application and include all of the required application forms and attachments.  The application must reflect a thorough understanding of and support the purpose and objectives of the applicable legislation.   Reviewers expect applicants to understand the goals of the legislation and CB interest in each topic.  A "responsive application" is one that addresses and follows all of the evaluation criteria in ways that demonstrate this understanding.  Applications that are considered to be "unresponsive" or do not clearly address the evaluation criteria or program requirements generally receive very low scores and are rarely funded.

CB's website (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb) provides a wide range of information and links to other relevant websites.  Before preparing an application, applicants can learn more about CB's mission and programs by exploring the website.

Organizing the Application.  Reviewers will use the specific evaluation criteria in Section V of this funding announcement to review and evaluate each application.  The applicant should address each of these specific evaluation criteria in the project description.  Applicants should organize their project description in this sequence: 1) Objectives and Need for Assistance; 2) Approach; 3) Evaluation; 4) Organizational Profiles; and 5) Budget and Budget Justification.  The applicant must use the same headings as these criteria, so that reviewers can readily find information that directly addresses each of the specific review criteria.

Logic Model.  A logic model is a tool that presents the conceptual framework for a proposed project and explains the linkages among program elements.  While there are many versions of the logic model, they generally summarize the logical connections among the needs that are the focus of the project, project goals and objectives, the target population, project inputs (resources), the proposed activities/processes/outputs directed toward the target population, the expected short- and long-term outcomes the initiative is designed to achieve, and the evaluation plan for measuring the extent to which proposed processes and outcomes actually occur.  Information on the development of logic models is available on the Internet at www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/developing/toolkit/.

Evaluation.   Project evaluations are very important.  If the applicant does not have the in-house capacity to conduct an objective, comprehensive evaluation of the project, then CB advises that the applicant contract with a third-party evaluator specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or college, to conduct the evaluation.   In either case, it is important that the evaluator has the necessary independence from the project to assure objectivity.  A skilled evaluator can help develop a logic model and assist in designing an evaluation strategy that is rigorous and appropriate given the goals and objectives of the proposed project.  Additional assistance may be found in a document titled "Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation."  A copy of this document can be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/other_resrch/pm_guide_eval/reports/pmguide/pmguide_toc.html.

Protection of Human Subjects.   See "Certifications" later in this section..  General information about the HHS Protection of Human Subjects regulations can be obtained at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/.  Applicants may also contact OHRP by email (ohrp@csophs.dhhs.gov),by phone (240-453-6900) or by Toll-Free Telephone within the U.S. (866) 447-4777.

Electronic Submission

Applicants that submit their application electronically are advised to be sure that they secure and retain their service ticket number for reference whenever they have any interaction with the Grants.gov Contact Center.

D-U-N-S Requirement

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Part I   THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW

PURPOSE

Part II   GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Due Date for Applications: 04/27/2009

Explanation of Due Dates

Acknowledgement of Received Application

ACF will not provide acknowledgement of receipt of hard copy application packages submitted via mail, courier services, or by hand delivery.  Applicants who submit their application packages electronically via http://www.Grants.gov will receive two email acknowledgements from that website:

• An automatic acknowledgement of the application's submission that will provide a Grants.gov tracking number.
• An acknowledgement that the submitted application package has passed or failed a series of checks and validations.

4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs:

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)

5. Funding Restrictions:

6. Other Submission Requirements:

Submission by Mail

Hand Delivery

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE - 20 points

In reviewing the objectives and need for assistance, reviewers will consider the extent to which:

1. The applicant demonstrates a clear and thorough understanding of 1) the need for providing coordinated training and technical assistance about program planning to increase the effectiveness, timeliness, capacity, and quality of adoption service delivery to children and youth from foster care and enhance post adoption services and 2) the goals of the applicable legislative mandates;
   
   
2. The applicant demonstrates a strong understanding of 1) the Systems of Care framework, systems thinking, and CFSR principles that will guide the project's activities and 2) the structure and purpose of the T/TA Network.
   
   
3. The training and technical assistance objectives of the project will effectively build the capacity of State and Tribal agencies to develop, operate, expand, and enhance effective innovative, evidence-based, and evidence-informed strategies aimed at improving outcomes for the children, youth, and families involved with the adoption from the foster care system.
   
   
4. The applicant presents a clear, concise, and appropriate vision for the proposed project.  The overall vision for the training and technical assistance approach reflects an understanding of the priorities described in the "Purpose", "Expectations" and "Roles and Responsibilities" section of the grant announcement.
   

APPROACH - 40 points

In reviewing the approach, reviewers will consider the extent to which:

1. The applicant clearly demonstrates that it would function as a member of "one T/TA Network" as described in the Background section of this funding opportunity announcement.  The application includes a detailed description of how it would collaborate, coordinate its T/TA, perform project activities that complement the work of its CB T/TA Network partners, subscribe to common principles, and participate fully in common messaging that would clearly identify itself with the T/TA Network.
   
   
2. There is a reasonable timeline (e.g., charts such as a Gantt chart, bar chart or other chart that illustrates project schedules) for implementing the proposed project, including the activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates and the factors that may accelerate or decelerate the work.
   
   
3. The application provides a workable plan of action.  The plan relates to the stated objectives and scope of the project and reflects the intent of the legislative mandates.  The overall plan for the training and technical assistance approach reflects an understanding of the priorities described in the "Purpose", "Expectations," and "Roles and Responsibilities" section of the grant announcement.
   
   
4. The application describes sound strategies for effectively providing technical assistance and building the capacity of State, Tribal, and local public and private agencies to create and support networks of coordinated resources and activities designed to increase the effectiveness, timeliness, and quality of adoption of children and youth from foster care as well as enhancing post adoption services.
   
   
5. The applicant details how its T/TA will be highly accessible, coordinated, and individualized.  The applicant explains how T/TA Network members and stakeholders will be engaged and facilitated to support State and Tribal child welfare agencies and their partners and how the duplication of efforts and services will be avoided.  The applicant's approach to T/TA is client-directed and includes sound plans for supporting State and Tribal child welfare agencies and their partners with expert consultation in assessment, strategic planning, and implementation that is likely to result in systemic change.
   
   
6. The application describes strategies to help lead agencies promote the movement towards evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and practices.  The applicant's T/TA strategies would ensure that agencies successfully adopt, implement, and sustain these programs.
   
   
7. The applicant provides a convincing plan for delivering T/TA to its State and/or Tribal partners.  The applicant describes the types of T/TA that it expects to provide and the frequency and intensity of services that will be available.
   
   
8. The application describes effective strategies to help State and Tribal child welfare agencies develop a child-focused, family-centered approach to the delivery of adoption programs and activities that reinforce and complement the State's or Tribes' efforts to achieve safety, permanency and well-being for children.  The plan includes strategies that will enhance State and Tribal child welfare agencies' capacity to achieve timely adoption outcomes; use data and information systems for adoption program planning; develop and sustain adoption support and preservation services, including adoption assistance programs; preparing children and youth for adoptive placement; preparing, assessing, and retaining foster, kin, and adoptive parents; and promoting adoption for older children.  The plan includes strategies that promote parent and youth leadership and involve parents and youth in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of funded programs.  The plan includes strategies to ensure that system change activities will support a seamless experience of service delivery for children, youth, and families.
   
   
9. The project would promote: (1) interagency collaboration and implementation of new procedures for blending and leveraging funding streams; (2) collaborative long-range planning of adoption program delivery options; and (3) management improvement strategies that facilitate interagency coordination.  The awardee would assist State and Tribal child welfare agencies to become more active in partnering in various systems change efforts such as the Child and Family Services Reviews, Program Improvement Planning processes, and other related Federal and State initiatives.
   
   
10. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to developing protocols and other joint efforts for coordinated T/TA to States and Tribes with other members of the T/TA Network.
    
    
11. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to follow all approval and coordination procedures for T/TA requests and work collaboratively with any national T/TA coordinating entity that CB designates during the course of the project period.
    
    
12. The applicant presents a sound plan for promoting, strengthening, and formalizing peer-to-peer consultation and problem-solving across State and Tribal child welfare agencies and their partners.  The applicant should propose networking activities that are likely to increase peer-to-peer learning and transfer of knowledge and communication between State and Tribal child welfare agencies and their partners.
    
    
13. The applicant would effectively coordinate activities with other members of the T/TA Network funded by CB.
    
    
14. The applicant includes plans to collaborate and coordinate with other Federal and national efforts. 
    
    
15. The applicant's services, program activities, and materials will be developed and provided in a manner that is racially and culturally sensitive to the population being served.
    
    
16. The applicant describes how it will utilize the knowledge being developed by CB discretionary research and demonstration projects and other related research in its T/TA activities.
    

EVALUATION - 15 points

In reviewing the evaluation plan, reviewers will consider the extent to which:

1. The logic model effectively illustrates the project's approach and guides its evaluation plan.  The evaluation strategy addresses both process and outcomes.  The plan includes methods and criteria to evaluate the results and benefits of the technical assistance project in terms of its stated objectives.  The goals and objectives are stated in specific measurable form and will document change, improvement, and effectiveness.  The awardee will collect appropriate data.  The project proposes appropriate measure(s) for each goal, objective, result, or benefit.
   
   
2. The applicant presents a reasonable preliminary evaluation plan that can be expected to provide regular, meaningful feedback for project improvement. The applicant identifies specific evaluation questions for investigation, appropriate methods (e.g., written surveys, questionnaires, conference calls, focus groups, and unstructured telephone or in-person interviews), and realistic timeframes.  Its proposed methods and quantitative and qualitative measures are appropriate for the objectives of the evaluation.  The applicant proposes a sound process for making certain that evaluation findings are with the T/TA Network.  The proposed measures are aligned with the principles of the SOC framework and CFSR principles and the evaluation design is likely to support a coherent vision for T/TA with the T/TA Network.
   
   
3. The center-specific evaluation plan is likely to yield substantive and useful information in the domains listed in Section VI.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION- APPROACH.  The plan clearly identifies the domains in which evaluation findings will be pursued and provides sound rationale for these selections.
   
   
4. The applicant demonstrates sufficient in-house capacity to conduct an objective evaluation of the project, or provides a sound plan for contracting with a third-party evaluator specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or college to conduct the evaluation.
   
   
5. The applicant presents a sound plan for documenting project activities and results, including the development of a data collection infrastructure that is sufficient to support a methodologically sound evaluation.  Appropriate data sources are identified and relevant data would be collected.  There is a sound plan for collecting and analyzing these data, securing informed consent and implementing an IRB review and Tribal review, if applicable.
   

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 20 points

In reviewing the organizational profiles, reviewers will consider the extent to which:

1. The applicant organization and its staff document experience and expertise in successful collaboration with a variety of partners in the provision of T/TA.  The applicant makes a strong case that it has the capacity and the commitment to function as a member of "one T/TA Network" as described in the Background section of this funding opportunity announcement.
   
   
2. The applicant (and its partners and contractors, if applicable) demonstrates sufficient and relevant experience and expertise in administration, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of similar projects.  The applicant has sufficient experience, expertise, and understanding in increasing the effectiveness, capacity, timeliness, and quality of adoption service delivery to children and youth from foster care as well as enhancing post adoption services, adoptive placement services from foster care, permanency planning and achievement,  building adoptive family capacity, and family-centered practice to provide high quality TA.  The applicant possesses sufficient knowledge about State and Tribal child welfare systems and populations to develop sound State and Tribal child welfare agency focused and culturally competent outreach and networking activities. 
   
   
3. The proposal clearly demonstrates the applicant's ability to administer and implement the project effectively and efficiently.  The applicant and any partnering organizations collectively have sufficient experience and expertise in: (1) identifying the training and technical assistance needs of an agency or organization; (2) developing or participating in the development of a plan to meet those needs; (3) designing, developing, and delivering training and technical assistance including recruiting, assigning, and deploying staff with appropriate experience; and (4) designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training materials.  If the project involves partnerships with additional agencies, organizations, or subcontractors, the applicant demonstrates that each partnering organization has the ability and organizational capacity to fulfill its roles and functions.
   
   
4. The roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of each proposed key project staff position, including consultants, subcontractors, and/or partnering agencies or organizations, are clearly defined and appropriate for the successful implementation of the proposed project.  The applicant has secured commitments from its key partners, if applicable.  The application includes appropriate MOU or letters of commitment from key partnering organization(s) as appropriate. 
   
   
5. The proposed project director and key project staff possess sufficient relevant knowledge, experience, and capabilities to implement and manage a project of this size, scope, and complexity effectively.  The role, responsibilities, and time commitments of each proposed project staff position, including consultants, subcontractors, and/or partners, are clearly defined and appropriate to the successful implementation of the proposed project.
   
   
6. There is a sound management plan for achieving the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks and ensuring quality.  The plan clearly defines the role and responsibilities of the lead agency.  The plan clearly describes the effective management and coordination of activities carried out by any partners, subcontractors and consultants (if appropriate).  There would be a mutually beneficial relationship between the proposed project and other work planned, anticipated or underway with Federal assistance by the applicant.
   
   
7. The applicant possesses the organizational capability to successfully perform the activities described in this announcement and to fulfill its assigned role and function within the larger T/TA Network.
   

BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - 5 points

In reviewing the budget and budget justification, reviewers will consider the extent to which:

1. The costs of the proposed project are reasonable, in view of the activities to be conducted and expected results and benefits.  The budget includes the costs associated with travel to provide on-site T/TA, support for the annual permanency meeting, for support of leadership training for persons of color from State and Tribal child welfare agencies, and for support of the National Association of State Adoption Managers Association and annual meeting.
   
   
2. The applicant's fiscal controls and accounting procedures would ensure prudent use, proper and timely disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds received under this program announcement.
   

2. Review and Selection Process:

A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily experts from outside the Federal Government) will use the evaluation criteria described in this announcement to evaluate each application.  The reviewers will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide comments about the strengths and weaknesses, and give each application a numerical score.

The results of the competitive review are a primary factor in making funding decisions.  In addition, Federal staff conducts administrative reviews of the applications and, in light of the results of the competitive review, will recommend applications for funding to the ACYF Commissioner. ACYF may also solicit and consider comments from ACF Regional Office staff in making funding decisions.  ACYF may take into consideration the programmatic involvement of the private sector, national, or State or community organizations or the potential for high benefit from low Federal investment.  ACYF may elect not to fund any applicants having known management, fiscal, reporting, programmatic, or other problems that make it unlikely that they would be able to provide effective services or effectively complete the proposed activity.

With the results of the peer review and the information from Federal staff, the Commissioner of ACYF makes the final funding decisions.  The Commissioner may give special consideration to applications proposing services of special interest to the Federal Government and to achieve geographic distributions of grant awards.  Applications of special interest may include, but are not limited to, applications focusing on underserved or inadequately served clients or service areas and programs addressing diverse ethnic populations.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Award Notices:

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

3. Reporting Requirements:

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Program Office Contact:

Patsy Buida
Children's Bureau
1301 Young Street, Room 945
Dallas, TX 75202-5433
Phone:  214-767-1971
Email: patsy.buida@acf.hhs.gov

For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)).

Grants Management Office Contact:

Ben Sharp, Grants Officer
Division of Discretionary Grants
ACYF/ Operations Center
c/o Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Phone:  866-796-1591
Phone 2:  or TTY 711
Email: cb@dixongroup.com

For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)).

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

Additional information about this program and its purpose can be located on the following website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/

For general information regarding this announcement please contact:

ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Phone: 866-796-1591 or TTY 711

Email: cb@dixongroup.com

Checklist

You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package.

Posted on February 26, 2009