Executive Summary:

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this funding opportunity is Section 208 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act [42 U.S.C. 5116 et seq.].

Description

Purpose

T/TA by NRCCBCAP is intended to build the capacity of CBCAP lead agencies and their State, local, and Tribal partners to:

• Foster an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Facilitate and assist efforts of CBCAP lead agencies in the interagency, inter-disciplinary, coordinated planning and development of a network of community-based, evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Actively engage in conducting regular and ongoing assessments that will be used to identify unmet needs and which also incorporate findings from other Statewide needs assessment processes;
  
  
• Increase the percentage of CBCAP funding to support and successfully implement evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs and practices;
  
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to meaningful parent leadership, especially for parents of children with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups;
  
  
• Maximize funding through leveraging of funds for the financing, planning and operation of child abuse prevention programs and activities;
  
  
• Promote the development and implementation of a continuum of program evaluation processes that include self-assessment, peer review, outcome accountability, quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies;
  
  
• Conduct public awareness and education regarding the importance and value of prevention and family support;
  
  
• Support States in their systems reform and improvement efforts.  These efforts include Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), Program Improvement Plans (PIPs), Child and Family Services Plans (CFSPs), Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Plans, and other related Federal initiatives.

The NRCCBCAP will also provide programmatic technical assistance and support to the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting (EBHV) discretionary grantees and support linkages to the CBCAP and other prevention efforts.

T/TA by the NRCCBCAP is intended to build the capacity of the CBCAP lead agencies and their State, local, and Tribal partners to:

• Foster an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Facilitate and assist efforts of CBCAP lead agencies in the interagency, inter-disciplinary, coordinated planning and development of a network of community-based, evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Actively engage in conducting regular and ongoing assessments that will be used to identify unmet needs and which also incorporate findings from other Statewide needs assessment processes;
  
  
• Increase the percentage of CBCAP funding to support and successfully implement evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs and practices;
  
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to meaningful parent leadership, especially for parents of children with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups;
  
  
• Maximize funding through leveraging of funds for the financing, planning and operation of child abuse prevention programs and activities;
  
  
• Promote the development and implementation of a continuum of program evaluation processes that include self-assessment, peer review, outcome accountability, quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies;
  
  
• Conduct public awareness and education regarding the importance and value of prevention and family support;
  
  
• Support States in their systems reform and improvement efforts. These efforts include the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), the Program Improvement Plans (PIPs), the Child and Family Services Plans (CFSPs), Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Plans, and other related Federal initiatives.

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), within ACF, 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 CB plans, manages, coordinates, and supports child abuse and neglect prevention and child welfare services programs. The 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 to 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 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 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. (Please refer to Appendix X for additional information on how NRCs and Implementation Centers are expected to collaborate.) Other members of the T/TA Network support similar activities intended to build capacity, improve systems, and improve policy and practice in child welfare. (A list of T/TA Network members anticipated in Fiscal Year 2010 is included in Appendix Y, and 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 2009.

One T/TA Network

CB expects for 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 the NRCs, which historically worked independently of one another in the provision of T/TA. Collaboration, communication, and coordination among T/TA Network members has greatly increased as a result of this evolution. Membership in the T/TA Network has been expanded in response to the important contributions that the variety of CB initiatives 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 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 the 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. 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 Child and Family Service Review (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. As described under 45 C.F.R. Section 1355.25 of 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. 45 C.F.R. Section 1355.25 further states that 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.

 (Complete text of 45 CFR Section1355.25 can be found at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html.)

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. The 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. The 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, the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 CBCAP

Legislative Authority

Since its enactment in 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) [42 U.S.C., Section 5101 et seq.,] has sought to increase national attention to the problem of child abuse and neglect and to improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to the maltreatment of children. Through its several reauthorizations over the years, the law has worked to strengthen the entire child protective services system. Under CAPTA, programs have been implemented for the prevention of child maltreatment, the identification of child abuse and neglect, initial response, assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse reports, and prosecution of caregivers found to be the perpetrators of the abuse. 

Title I of CAPTA authorizes research and demonstration grants, data collection and information dissemination activities and two State grant programs: the Basic State Grant and the Children's Justice Act (CJA) Grant. Title II of CAPTA authorizes the Community-Based Grants for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, or for the sake of brevity, the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program. This program assists States to develop and implement, or expand and enhance a comprehensive statewide system of community-based family resource and support services to prevent child maltreatment. The CBCAP Conceptual Framework provides an overview of the key provisions of the program (Attachment 1). Title II also authorizes the establishment of a national network for community-based family resource programs which is implemented through a national resource center to provide technical assistance on the provisions of the program.

Purpose

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to establish, by cooperative agreement, a NRCCBCAP. NRCCBCAP will serve as a member of CB's T/TA Network. This 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. NRCCBCAP will be the primary provider of T/TA to build the capacity of CBCAP lead agencies and their partners. The key focus is on building the capacity to effectively implement the requirements of the program and support evidence-informed and evidence-based child maltreatment prevention programs and activities. It will facilitate lead agency efforts in the planning and development of a network of interdisciplinary community-based programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect. It will also promote stronger linkages with the child welfare and other child and family systems.

T/TA by NRCCBCAP is intended to build the capacity of CBCAP lead agencies and their State, local, and Tribal partners to:

• Foster an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Facilitate and assist efforts of CBCAP lead agencies in the interagency, inter-disciplinary, coordinated planning and development of a network of community-based, evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
  
  
• Actively engage in conducting regular and ongoing assessments that will be used to identify unmet needs and which also incorporate findings from other Statewide needs assessment processes;
  
  
• Increase the percentage of CBCAP funding to support and successfully implement evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs and practices;
  
  
• Demonstrate a commitment to meaningful parent leadership, especially for parents of children with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups;
  
  
• Maximize funding through leveraging of funds for the financing, planning and operation of child abuse prevention programs and activities;
  
  
• Promote the development and implementation of a continuum of program evaluation processes that include self-assessment, peer review, outcome accountability, quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies;
  
  
• Conduct public awareness and education regarding the importance and value of prevention and family support; and
  
  
• Support States in their systems reform and improvement efforts.  These efforts include CFSRs, PIPs, CFSPs, ECCS Plans, and other related Federal initiatives.

TTA Focus

The target population for NRCCBCAP is the State Lead Agencies and their partners. All States, the District of Columbia, and the territories receive funding under the CBCAP program. In every State, the Governor designates a Lead Agency to receive these funds.  Lead Agencies are most often the State child welfare agency, another public agency, or the Children's Trust and Prevention Board for the State. Lead Agencies provide grants to local agencies to fund child abuse prevention and family support services and activities.  Many States fund core services such as parent education, parent mutual support, home visiting programs, early childhood programs, respite and crisis care, family resource centers, and other family support services. In addition, Lead Agencies provide leadership and support for the child abuse prevention network in the State, offer T/TA, conduct public awareness, and evaluate their funded programs. For the last several years, CBCAP has focused on promoting the increased use of evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs and practices. For a list of CBCAP lead agencies and more information, visit:  www.friendsnrc.org

CBCAP lead agencies are involved in many inter-related systems change and systems building efforts in their States. Some examples of these efforts at the Federal level are the CFSR, the PIP, the CFSP, and the ECCS plans. Findings from the States that have completed their CFSRs thus far indicate that many States and communities lack adequate prevention and community-based services for families. There is also a need for comprehensive family assessments and for greater engagement of parents in the case planning process. The ECCS plans emphasize the need for collaborative efforts to support State early childhood systems building across the full range of early childhood sectors. These sectors include health, mental health and social and emotional development, early care and education, family support, child welfare, and parenting education. Much more work is needed to bridge the gaps across all these related efforts to promote maximum efficiency and effectiveness for building a comprehensive system of support for families and communities to prevent child abuse and neglect.

In an effort to promote stronger linkages with the discretionary grantees, the NRCCBCAP is also tasked with providing programmatic technical assistance to the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting Program grantees.  The technical assistance will focus on implementing and sustaining evidence-based programs. On September 30, 2008, the Children's Bureau (CB) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) funded cooperative agreements to support the State and local infrastructure needed for the high quality implementation of existing evidence-based home visiting programs to prevent child maltreatment.  Grantees will leverage these grants with other funding sources to develop state and local funding, workforce, and policy infrastructures to support the use of evidence-based home visiting programs and practices.  These grantees are required to partner with the State CBCAP Lead Agencies.  More information about these grantees is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs_fund/discretionary/2008.htm

The most effective way to meet the challenge of preventing child abuse and neglect is for all child abuse prevention and treatment programs, public and private, to work together in partnership with families and other disciplines such as social services, health and mental health, child care, early childhood, education, law enforcement, community faith-based and other advocacy groups in the community to achieve their common goals. CBCAP grantees are in a unique position of leadership as they assume responsibility for directing, leading and evaluating the network of public-private partnerships and the continuum of preventive services for children and families in their States. 

For purposes of defining the scope of NRCCBCAP and the T/TA in this announcement, prevention is defined as efforts to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs in the first place. These efforts must promote the increase of protective factors and the reduction of risk factors to strengthen and support families and communities. Efforts may include primary prevention activities that target a universal population, as well as secondary prevention efforts that target populations with identified risk factors for abuse or neglect. Through the provision of T/TA, NRCCBCAP will assist CBCAP lead agencies in building their capacity to establish and support an array of evidence-based and evidence-informed family support and prevention activities that can successfully secure children's safety, strengthen parental capacity, improve caretaking and coping skills, support healthy and nurturing relationships, and foster physical, mental, and educational well-being. NRCCBCAP will also work with CBCAP leads and partners to address systemic, community-level, organizational, and practice issues that impact the availability and quality of child maltreatment prevention services. NRCCBCAP is expected to participate and collaborate in joint efforts with other Federal agencies working on child maltreatment prevention as specified by CB. As appropriate, NRCCBCAP will collaborate and support the ongoing work of the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup around technical assistance coordination. The NRCCBCAP will also work collaboratively with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsored "Knowledge to Action (K2A) Prevention Consortium" and Child Welfare Information Gateway in order to transfer knowledge regarding community and societal level actions that promote safe, stable and nurturing relationships for children. 

Primary responsibility for T/TA regarding in-home services for child welfare involved families, alternative response, child protective services, reunification, guardianship, adoption and post-adoption has been assigned by CB to other NRCs in the T/TA Network. NRCCBCAP is expected to collaborate with its T/TA Network partners and to coordinate activities with them on common issues and at points of intersection between designated areas of focus. The overall purpose of collaboration is to promote greater effectiveness and efficiency, to minimize duplication, and to maximize the resources available to State and Tribal child welfare systems.

Expectations

NRCCBCAP is expected to train and assist State lead agencies to establish effective interagency cooperation and collaboration that involves all stakeholders, including families, and promotes public-private partnerships in the establishment and expansion of child abuse prevention programs and activities. T/TA needs will be identified by CBCAP lead agency staff in collaboration with ACYF central and regional Office personnel, and coordinated with other ongoing national T/TA efforts. Other T/TA needs will be generated by the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting program grantees. CB is also working closely with its T/TA Network to respond to T/TA needs related to CFSRs, PIPs and other priorities. CB coordinates the Federal Interagency Workgroup on Child Abuse and Neglect and the NRCCBCAP will be asked to participate in other interagency initiatives and national efforts that pertain to child maltreatment prevention. NRCCBCAP is expected to work in partnership with Child Welfare Information Gateway to develop and disseminate products to promote child maltreatment prevention activities. It will be actively involved with identifying other T/TA needs based on its work with CBCAP Lead Agencies. Training outcomes should be achieved through a combination of strategies, including on and off-site T/TA, use of technology to reach a wider audience, peer learning communities, and consultation with all appropriate stakeholder groups.

Expected outcomes of the T/TA include the enhanced capacity of each State Lead Agency and their partners to engage in systemic change. This will be achieved through the following:

1. Developing, supporting, and maintaining networks of coordinated resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect;
   
   
2. Conducting comprehensive interagency needs assessments of required services;
   
   
3. Facilitating CBCAP program and policy development;
   
   
4. Coordinating the delivery of evidence-based and evidence-informed family support and child maltreatment prevention services and strategies at the individual, family, community and societal levels;
   
   
5. Promoting the meaningful participation of parents in the design, implementation and evaluation of funded services; 
   
   
6. Sponsoring public awareness and education regarding the importance and value of prevention efforts;
   
   
7. Conducting program evaluations that utilize a continuum of approaches including self-assessment, peer review, outcome evaluation, and other quantitative and qualitative methodologies; and
   
   
8. Enhancing the capacity of the lead agencies to become active participants in their State's systems change efforts such as the CFSR, PIP processes, the CFSP, the ECCS plan, and other Federal interagency related efforts.

The NRCCBCAP will also provide programmatic technical assistance and support to the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting (EBHV) discretionary grantees and support linkages to the CBCAP and other prevention efforts.

Roles and Responsibilities

NRCCBCAP will support the delivery of child maltreatment and family support activities in modalities which reflect family-centered, evidence-based and evidence-informed, community-based and individual-focused approaches. Enhancement of service delivery models which strengthen such practices will be viewed as a relevant consideration in development of training and technical assistance activities. It will promote the following: 

• Family-centered practice is designed to strengthen and empower families to protect and nurture their children; 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.  The focus is also on promoting protective factors and reducing risk factors for child maltreatment at the individual, family, community and societal levels.
  
  
• Community-based services are 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 and 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 on-going support.
  
  
• Evidence-Based Practices are approaches to prevention or treatment that are validated by some form of documented scientific evidence.  This evidence could be findings established through scientific research, such as controlled clinical studies or other comparable and rigorous research methods.
  
  
• 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.

In collaboration with other members of the T/TA Network and CB, NRCCBCAP will work with Lead Agencies across the nation to improve systems that address both specific problems and broad child maltreatment prevention issues. NRCCBCAP will:

• Subscribe to a SOC framework, systems thinking, and CFSR principles in the coordination, administration, and delivery of T/TA;
  
  
• Support and facilitate peer-to-peer learning, mentoring and networking between Lead Agencies, the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees, and their State and local partners;
  
  
• Perform outreach and marketing that will engage and inform lead agencies and their partners and prompt their participation in utilization of available T/TA and other resources from appropriate members of the CB T/TA Network;
  
  
• Build the capacity of State CBCAP Lead Agencies, the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting Program grantees, and their partners to achieve systemic change and improve outcomes for children and families;
  
  
• Partner closely with CB, other members of the T/TA Network, States, Tribes and other stakeholders;
  
  
• Partner with the Child Welfare Information Gateway to develop and disseminate public awareness materials and resources to promote child abuse prevention;
  
  
• Partner with other related Federal interagency collaborative efforts such as the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup, Center for Disease Control's K2A Prevention Consortium, and other appropriate efforts as determined by CB;
  
  
• Provide proactive T/TA that supports the implementation of State and Tribal strategies for improved child maltreatment prevention practice;
  
  
• Utilize the experience and expertise of CB regional offices, T/TA Network, stakeholders, and other resources; making referrals and developing collaborative T/TA strategies when appropriate;
  
  
• Utilize state-of-the-art technical assistance strategies that are grounded in evidence-based and evidence-informed practices;
  
  
• Provide coordinated and individualized T/TA that supports existing services and resources available to States and Tribes;
  
  
• Develop and disseminate knowledge and lessons learned from T/TA activities conducted with lead agencies and their partners;
  
  
• Consider the knowledge being developed by CB discretionary research and demonstration projects as a potential resource in the T/TA they provide;
  
  
• Develop and conduct self evaluation; and
  
  
• Participate fully in any national evaluation activities sponsored by CB, if applicable.

National Advisory Panel

In collaboration with CB, NRCCBCAP will establish a national advisory panel whose members will review NRCCBCAP's approach to T/TA and offer opinions and insights regarding its strategies to address prevention and family support issues. The panel will be comprised of direct and indirect consumers of NRCCBCAP's T/TA and partners from other fields that impact the success of CBCAP services. Members will include family members, youth, and program managers from CBCAP agencies as well as representatives from research, policy, practice and other partners, such as but not limited to, those in child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence, early childhood, and public health. panel members will provide NRCCBCAP with expert consultation that contributes to its assessment (described below in under Assessment of Prevention Practices) during Year One and help to guide its activities throughout the project period.

Specific tasks to be performed- Planning Phase

Each applicant is required to submit a narrative (with accompanying logic model) that clearly and concisely describes its strategy for a six-month planning phase (Phase I) followed by a 54-month implementation phase (Phase II). 

During the Planning Phase, the NRCCBCAP will:

• Meet with the CB FPO and other CB representatives to discuss the scope of work of the NRCCBCAP in the context of the current environment;
  
  
• Work with the CB FPO to transition all materials and other resources from the previous NRCCBCAP grantee, as appropriate and needed;
  
  
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of other new CB initiatives, including the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting Program, In-Home and Tribal Resource Centers, the Technical Assistance Implementation Centers, and the NQICs to determine the relationship of these entities to the work of the NRCCBCAP;
  
  
• Build and strengthen relationships with CB, other members of the T/TA Network, and other key stakeholders;
  
  
• Collaborate with Child Welfare Information Gateway on the planning for the development and dissemination of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and year-round public awareness activities;
  
  
• Collaborate and coordinate with other related Federal interagency initiatives such as the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup, the CDC K2A Prevention Consortium, and/or other child maltreatment prevention projects at other agencies as specified by CB;
  
  
• Initiate needs assessment of relevant constituents;
  
  
• Prepare final marketing plan, based on draft submitted in application, including materials and other resources to engage and inform constituency of NRCCBCAP services and resources; 
  
  
• Review the work plan submitted as part of the application process to determine areas that need to be revised or strengthened based on new information obtained;
  
  
• Work with CB FPO's, CB regional Offices (ROs), and others as required to identify and implement the plan for coordinating with the ROs and the other CB T/TA Network members in the provision of TA;
  
  
• Work with CB FPOs, CB Regional Offices and other NRCs and Implementation Centers to identify any changes in process for receiving, reviewing and approving T/TA requests from States and Tribes; 
  
  
• Assess NRCCBCAP self-evaluation plan in relation to the requirements of CB's plan for a National Cross Site Evaluation of the CB T/TA Network;
  
  
• Work with the CB FPO to design a plan for supporting grantees through materials development, teleconferences, meetings, web pages, and other identified resources and media;
  
  
• Obtain approval from the CB FPO for revised plans; and
  
  
• Respond to T/TA requests from CBCAP lead agencies.  

Specific tasks to be performed- Implementation Phase

During the Implementation Phase, NRCCBCAP will:

• Implement revised work plan;
  
  
• Implement marketing and outreach plan to engage CBCAP lead agencies, the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees, and their partners;
  
  
• Continue assessment and analysis of needs and strengths of CBCAP lead agencies and the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees;
  
  
• Respond to T/TA requests and provide coordinated and individualized T/TA that supports the implementation of strategies for systems change;
  
  
• Collaborate and regularly consult with the CB FPO, CB regional offices, and other members of the T/TA Network;
  
  
• Collaborate with other T/TA Members to develop individualized strategies which address the specific needs of CBCAP leads and the prevention system in their States;
  
  
• Support grantees through various communication and knowledge development strategies including web pages on the NRCCBCAP website, teleconferences, webinars and newsletters;
  
  
• Support the grantees in the development and implementation of their annual meetings and direct their individual planning committees in the identification of specific needs, issues, trends and knowledge development related to child maltreatment prevention and promoting evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and practices;
  
  
• Assist CBCAP leads and the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees in disseminating knowledge and promising practices though peer-to-peer T/TA and conference presentations;
  
  
• Collaborate with Child Welfare Information Gateway to develop, print, and disseminate the yearly Community Resource Packet and website for child maltreatment prevention;
  
  
• Actively participate in knowledge development, dissemination and implementation initiatives, including contributing to and/or coordinating with CDC's K2A Prevention Consortium;
  
  
• Collaborate and coordinate with other Federal interagency efforts related to child maltreatment prevention such as the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup, and others as specified by CB;
  
  
• Annually review work plan incorporating the information gained from T/TA and evaluation activities as well as findings from the CFSR and other related systems change efforts;
  
  
• Collect evaluation data and coordinate data collection with National Cross Site Evaluator; and
  
  
• Complete required reporting and distribute evaluation findings.

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 agreements 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.   

Collaboration

NRCCBCAP will lead collaborative efforts in its area of topical expertise and will partner with other T/TA Network members to address important systemic and practice issues related to organizational improvement but for which NRCCBCAP will not have principal responsibility. In addition, NRCCBCAP will provide consultation to CB's Implementation Centers and participate in collaborative assessment activities and preparation that will support the execution of their implementation projects. NRCCBCAP will work with Child Welfare Information Gateway to ensure that products and resources are easily accessible and effectively disseminated, and it will partner with the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes to support the provision of effective, culturally competent, in-home services in Tribal communities. NRCCBCAP will also explore opportunities to collaborate with other T/TA Network members. For example, it will work with the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute to consider training content related to organizational improvement and NQICs to understand new findings related to engaging nonresident fathers, establishing public-private child welfare partnerships, implementing differential response, and preventing maltreatment of young children.  NRCCBCAP is also expected to collaborate with the contractor conducting the national cross-site evaluation of the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting program.

NRCCBCAP is expected to build relationships with other Federal T/TA providers external to CB's T/TA Network, especially those within the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup.  NRCCBCAP will work with CB to identify and pursue T/TA partnerships across Federal bureaus, offices, and agencies when appropriate.

Dissemination

NRCCBCAP 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. NRCCBCAP 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 documented scientific evidence. This could be findings established through scientific research, such as controlled clinical studies, or other comparable and rigorous methods.  

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 NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP will be responsible for assessing the quality of its resources and for being knowledgeable about their content. NRCCBCAP will make general information about itself, the T/TA Network, applicable programs and services, as well as specific training curricula, research, reports, tools, or other resources widely available. NRCCBCAP is expected to consult with 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.

National cross-site evaluation

NRCCBCAP 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.

NRCCBCAP 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 members 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 occurs across the T/TA Network. The National Cross-site Evaluation of the T/TA Network began its design phase in Federal fiscal year 2009.

NRCCBCAP will have regular contact with the cross-site evaluation contractor and participate as an important stakeholder in the evaluation. NRCCBCAP 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. NRCCBCAP 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). NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP will conduct its own center-specific evaluation activities. CB expects NRCCBCAP to regularly evaluate its performance and to use this information to improve its processes and services. NRCCBCAP will design and conduct an evaluation using multiple measures, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, as necessary.  Center-specific evaluation activities must complement NRCCBCAP's participation in the cross-site evaluation and avoid unnecessary duplication.

In its center-specific evaluation activities, NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP will review and revise its center-specific evaluation design in partnership with CB.

NRCCBCAP 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, NRCCBCAP 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.

Within six months of the award of the cooperative agreements, the NRCCBCAP project director, project evaluator, and representatives of other key partners and/or subcontractors involved in the execution of the award, if applicable, must make an oral presentation to CB staff in Washington, D.C., describing and supporting its implementation plans for each of the major areas of activity.

The applicant's budget for the first 12-month budget period should include anticipated costs for these two meetings, as well as costs for two key staff persons to attend CB's annual grantee meeting, usually held in the winter or spring in Washington, D.C. The focus of this meeting is for CB grantees to network, discuss lessons learned, and meet with their assigned FPO for monitoring purposes. In years two through five of the cooperative agreement, NRCCBCAP is required to send the project director and the project evaluator to the annual grantee meeting.

In addition, the NRCCBCAP 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. 

Project Requirements

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

1. Have the project fully functioning with 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 (See Section VI.3). CB will accept the interim and final report on disk or electronically using a standard word-processing program, however grantees are only 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. Propose and justify a percentage of the project budget to be allocated to program evaluation.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Explanation of Other:

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.

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

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

• 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

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 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency.

Third-Party Agreements. If applicable, include a letter of commitment or Memorandum of Understanding 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 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, 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.

Applicants that deviate from this format and page limit requirements risk having pages removed from their applications.

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 the Children's Bureau's 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 http://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 www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/developing/toolkit/.

Protection of Human Subjects.  See "Certifications" later in this section. General information about 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) or by phone (240-453-6900) or by Toll-Free Telephone within the U.S. (866-447-4777.

Electronic Submission

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: 05/26/2009

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 application demonstrates a clear understanding of the need for providing training and technical assistance to public and private agencies linked to the CBCAP program, and demonstrates a clear understanding of the goals of the legislative mandate.

2)      The applicant demonstrates a strong understanding of 1) the SOC framework, systems thinking, and the CFSR principles that will guide the project's activities, and 2) the structure and purpose of the T/TA Network.

3)      The applicant demonstrates a thorough understanding of implementation, systemic intervention, and organizational change and the barriers that prevent systemic change from occurring.

4)      The applicant presents a clear, concise, and appropriate vision for the proposed project and discusses the overall vision for the training and technical assistance approach will effectively enable CBCAP Lead Agencies to fulfill the requirements of the program.

5)      The T/TA objectives of the project will effectively build the capacity of State CBCAP Lead Agencies to support effective evidence-based and evidence-informed community-based efforts and initiatives aimed at the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

6)      The applicant provides a clear description of the activities and services to be provided to the CBCAP Lead Agencies, the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees, and their partners.  The activities and services are linked to a reasonable statement of the goals (the intended end products of an effective project) and objectives (measurable steps for reaching these goals) of the proposed project.

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)      The applicant provides a clear and 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.

4)      The application presents a sound and feasible Planning Phase and Implementation Phase that is consistent with the expectations described in this announcement.

5)      The application describes sound strategies for effectively providing technical assistance and building the capacity of State, and local public and private agencies to create and support excellent networks of coordinated resources and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

6)      The applicant details how its 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 its CBCAP Lead Agencies and their partners and how the duplication of efforts and services will be avoided. The applicant's approach to TA is client-directed and includes sound plans for supporting CBCAP Lead Agencies and their partners with expert consultation in assessment, strategic planning, and implementation that is likely to result in systemic change.

7)      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 chooses to establish during the course of the project period.

8)      The application describes strategies to help lead agencies promote the movement towards evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and practices and describes the technical assistance strategies to successfully adopt, implement, and sustain these programs.  These strategies include plans for technical assistance to the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting discretionary grant program/

9)      The application describes a sound process for providing technical assistance to the lead agencies on the development and implementation of evaluation processes that will determine the efficacy and impact of their networks, programs, and activities. These evaluation processes encompass a continuum of approaches from self-assessment, peer reviews, outcome accountability, and other quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.

10)      The applicant provides a convincing plan for delivering intensive TA to its State and/or Tribal partners. The applicant describes the types of TA that it expects to provide and the frequency and intensity of services that will be available.

11)      The application describes effective strategies to help lead agencies develop a child-focused, family-centered approach to the delivery of child abuse prevention programs and activities that reinforce and complement the State's efforts to provide services to preserve and support families. The plan includes strategies that will enhance the lead agency's capacity to promote protective factors and reduce risk factors for child maltreatment at the individual, community, and societal levels. The plan includes strategies that promote parent leadership and involve parents in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of funded programs.

12)  The project would promote: (1) interagency collaboration and implementation of new procedures for blending and leveraging funding streams; (2) collaborative long-range planning of child abuse prevention, family support services and service delivery options; and (3) management improvement strategies that facilitate interagency coordination. The awardee would assist Lead Agencies to become more active participants in various systems change efforts such as the CFSR, PIPs, CFSP, the ECCS Plan, and other related Federal and State initiatives.

13)  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.

14)  The applicant presents a sound plan for promoting, strengthening, and formalizing peer-to-peer consultation and problem-solving across State CBCAP Lead Agencies, the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees and their partners. The applicant should propose networking activities that are likely to increase peer-to-peer learning and transfer of knowledge and communication across these groups.

15)  The applicant's networking plan demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the barriers to successful consultation and partnership across jurisdictions. The applicant proposes feasible approaches or steps to building a collaborative network that take these barriers into consideration.

16)  The application describes a sound plan for establishing an advisory panel that will provide useful overall program direction and guidance to the activities of the resource center. The application describes effective strategies for efficiently and effectively utilizing their expertise.

17)  The applicant will effectively coordinate activities with other members of the T/TA Network funded by CB, especially linkages with the NRC for In-Home Services, NRC for Child Protective Services, the National Quality Improvement Center on Early Childhood (a.k.a. Preventing the Abuse and Neglect of Infants and Young Children), the National Quality Improvement Center on Differential Response, the NRC for Tribes, and the Supporting Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs grantees.

18)  The applicant includes plans to collaborate and coordinate with other Federal and national efforts. The application describes how the Resource Center will coordinate with the Early Childhood Systems Federal Partners Workgroup, CDC's K2A Prevention Consortium or other related efforts.

19)  The resource center'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.

20)  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:

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 and expertise in strategic implementation, organizational change, and systemic intervention to provide high quality TA. The applicant is grounded in experience and demonstrates a thorough understanding of child welfare systems, child maltreatment prevention, child abuse related issues, and evidence-informed or evidence-based practice. The applicant possesses sufficient knowledge about State and Tribal child welfare systems and populations in its geographic service area to develop sound, regionally-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; (4) developing evaluation strategies and providing technical assistance on evaluation methodologies, and (5) designing, developing, delivering and evaluating training materials. If the project involves partnerships with additional agencies, organizations or subcontractors; 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 MOUs or letters of commitment from key partnering organization(s) as appropriate. (Evidence of formal agreements between the successful applicant and its State and/or Tribal partners will be secured after a proposal process in year one of the award and are not expected in this application.)

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 producing the child maltreatment prevention Community Resource Packet or other materials each year for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The budget includes costs associated with providing technical assistance and support for the Supporting Evidence-based Home Visiting grantees.  The applicant proposes and justifies the amount and percentage of the project budget to be allocated to program evaluation.

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 of the programmatic staff of the private sector, national, or State or community organizations. 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:

Melissa Brodowski
Children's Bureau
Portals Office Building, 8th Floor
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Phone:  202-205-2629
Email: melissa.brodowski@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:

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.

Appendix 1

CBCAP CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (pdf - 52kb)

Posted on March 27, 2009