[Federal Register: June 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 113)]
[Notices]
[Page 33181-33202]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jn04-135]
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Part III
Department of Health and Human Services
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Administration for Children and Families
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Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) Discretionary Grants; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) Discretionary Grants
Program Office Name: Administration for Children and Families,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau.
Funding Opportunity Title: Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA)
Discretionary Grants.
Announcement Type: Competitive Grant-Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-LO-0024.
CFDA Number: 93.577.
Due Date for Applications: Applications are due July 27, 2004.
Due Date for Letter of Intent (Optional): Letters of intent are due
3 weeks prior to application due date.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Priority Area: I. Early Learning Opportunities Act
The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care
Bureau announces the availability of funds and request for applications
for its FY 2004 Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) grants. Funds
will be awarded to Local Councils that have been designated, as
evidenced in a letter of designation, by an entity of local government,
an Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity, as
the Local Council for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant. Local
Councils must submit the results of a current needs and resources
assessment and a plan, addressing the most significant needs. Local
Councils are encouraged to promote the involvement of faith-based and
community organizations and providers.
Local Councils must include: Representatives of local agencies that
will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted under the
ELOA; parents; other individuals concerned with early learning issues
in the locality, such as representatives of entities providing
elementary education, child care resource and referral services, early
learning opportunities, child care, and health services; and, other key
community leaders.
ELOA funds may be used to develop, operate, or enhance voluntary
early learning programs that are likely to produce sustained gains in
early learning. To be considered for funding, applications must include
activities for ``enhancing early childhood literacy'' AND two or more
of the other allowable activities: promoting effective parenting;
helping parents, caregivers, child care providers, and educators
increase their capacity to facilitate child development and promote
learning readiness; developing linkages among and between early
learning programs and health care services for young children;
increasing access to early learning opportunities for young children
with special needs; increasing access to existing early learning
programs by expanding the days or times that young children are served,
by expanding the number served, or by improving the affordability of
the programs for low-income families; improving the quality of early
learning programs through professional development and training
activities, increased compensation, and recruitment and retention
incentives for providers; and removing ancillary barriers to early
learning, including transportation difficulties and absence of programs
during nontraditional work times. ELOA funds may only be used for young
children from birth to the age of mandatory school attendance in the
State where the child resides. Construction and purchase of real
property are not allowable.
A. The Child Care Bureau
The Child Care Bureau was established in 1995 to provide leadership
to efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply of child
care. The Child Care Bureau administers the Child Care and Development
Fund (CCDF), a $4.8 billion child care program that includes funding
for child care subsidies and activities to improve the quality and
availability of child care. CCDF was created after amendments to ACF
child care programs by Title VI of the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 consolidated four Federal child
care funding streams including the Child Care and Development Block
Grant, AFDC/JOBS Child Care, Transitional Child Care, and At-Risk Child
Care. With related State and Federal funding, CCDF provides more than
$11 billion a year to States, Territories, and Tribes to help low-
income working families access child care services.
The Bureau works closely with ACF Regional Offices, States,
Territories, and Tribes to assist with, oversee, and document
implementation of new policies and programs in support of State, local,
and private sector administration of child care services and systems.
In addition, the Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices
throughout the Federal government to promote integrated, family-focused
services, and coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these
activities, the Bureau seeks to enhance the quality, availability, and
affordability of child care services, support children's healthy growth
and development in safe child care environments, enhance parental
choice and involvement in their children's care, and facilitate the
linkage of child care with other community services.
B. The Early Learning Opportunities Act
The Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) was passed by Congress
to award grants to States* to enable them to increase, support, expand
and better coordinate early learning opportunities for children and
their families through local community organizations. The purposes of
the Act are:
To increase the availability of voluntary programs,
services, and activities that support early childhood development,
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of
young children so that they enter school ready to learn;
To support parents, child care providers, and caregivers
who want to incorporate early learning activities into the daily lives
of young children;
To remove barriers to the provision of an accessible
system of early childhood learning programs in communities throughout
the United States;
To increase the availability and affordability of
professional development activities and compensation for caregivers and
child care providers; and
To facilitate the development of community-based systems
of collaborative service delivery models characterized by resource
sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local planning for
services.
* The Act provides that if the amount appropriated for this program
in any fiscal year is less than $150 million, the Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS) shall award grants on a competitive basis
directly to Local Councils. DHHS is administering the program under
this special provision in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004.
C. Allowable Early Learning Activities and Preferred Action
In general, Local Councils may use ELOA funds to pay for
developing, operating, or enhancing voluntary early learning programs
that are likely to produce sustained gains in early learning. The
President has identified the enhancement of early childhood
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literacy as a priority for this administration. Therefore, for FY 2004
grants, the Child Care Bureau will only consider for funding those
Local Councils that include in their applications activities for
``Enhancing Early Childhood Literacy'' (see Item 1. below), AND two or
more of the other allowable activities listed below (i.e., Items 2
through 8):
1. Enhancing early childhood literacy;
2. Helping parents, caregivers, child care providers, and educators
increase their capacity to facilitate the development of cognitive,
language comprehension, expressive language, social emotional, and
motor skills, and promote learning readiness;
3. Promoting effective parenting;
4. Developing linkages among early learning programs within a
community and between early learning programs and health care services
for young children;
5. Increasing access to early learning opportunities for young
children with special needs including developmental delays, by
facilitating coordination with other programs serving such young
children;
6. Increasing access to existing early learning programs by
expanding the days or times that the young children are served, by
expanding the number of young children served, or by improving the
affordability of the programs for low-income families;
7. Improving the quality of early learning programs through
professional development and training activities, increased
compensation, and recruitment and retention incentives for early
learning providers;
8. Removing ancillary barriers to early learning, including
transportation difficulties and absence of programs during
nontraditional work times.
Letter(s) of Designation (Designation of Local Council by Local
Government Entity)
An eligible applicant for an FY 2004 ELOA grant must be a Local
Council designated, in writing, by a local government entity(ies) (or
Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity) as the
``Local Council'' to serve one or more localities for the purpose of
applying for an ELOA discretionary grant. The applicant must include a
``Letter of Designation'' in its application from an appropriate local
government entity(ies) specifically designating it as the Local Council
for the purpose of applying for an ELOA discretionary grant.
Because the structure and authority of local governments differ
greatly across the nation, and even within a State, it is the
responsibility of the applicant to determine and identify the
appropriate entity(ies) of local government to designate them as the
Local Council for an ELOA grant application. The local government
entity(ies) making the designation must also clearly explain in its
letter the source/nature of its authority to make such a designation on
behalf of the locality(ies) it represents. Examples of officials that
may be authorized to sign the Letter of Designation on behalf of the
local government entity(ies) include but are not limited to: Mayors,
city managers, city councils, county boards of supervisors, county
boards of commissioners, county administrators, Tribal Councils, boards
of municipal officers, etc.
Applicants serving multiple localities (e.g., cities, townships,
boroughs, counties) are strongly encouraged to obtain a Letter of
Designation from an appropriate entity of local government from each of
the localities to be served. Appendices A and B include sample Letters
of Designation that meet this purpose. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to utilize the language and format provided in the sample
Letters of Designation. Appendix A is a sample Letter of Designation
for a Local Council when the services of a Fiscal Agent will not be
used, while Appendix B is a sample Letter of Designation for a Local
Council that will use a Fiscal Agent.
Composition of a Local Council
To receive an award, the membership of the Local Council must be
composed of the following:
a. Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this
announcement;
b. Parents;
c. Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services; and
d. Other key community leaders.
See Section III, Additional Information on Eligibility, for more
information on identifying the membership of their Local Council.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the sample format in Appendix
C to meet this purpose.
Local Councils are encouraged to include representatives and
leaders of faith-based and community organizations and providers as
members of the Local Council.
D. Definitions
Administrative Costs--means costs related to the overall management
of the program, which do not directly relate to the provision of
program services. These costs can be in both the personnel and non-
personnel budget categories and include, but are not limited to:
salaries of managerial and administrative staff, indirect costs, and
other costs associated with administrative functions such as
accounting, payroll services, or auditing.
Note: Not more than three percent of the total Federal share
received by the Local Council through this announcement shall be
used to pay for the ``administrative costs'' of the Local Council,
including administrative costs of any sub-grantees and third parties
in carrying out activities funded under the grant.
Budget Period--for the purposes of this announcement, budget period
means the 17-month period of time for which ELOA funds are made
available to a particular grantee (i.e., beginning on September 30,
2004, and ending on February 28, 2006).
Caregiver--means an individual, including a relative, neighbor, or
family friend, who regularly or frequently provides care, with or
without compensation, for a child for whom the individual is not the
parent.
Child Care Provider--means a provider of non-residential child care
services (including center-based, family-based, and in-home child care
services) for compensation who or that is legally operating under State
law, and in compliance with applicable State and local requirements for
the provision of child care services.
Early Learning--when used with respect to a program or activity,
means learning designed to facilitate the development of cognitive,
language, motor, and social-emotional skills to promote learning
readiness in young children (see definition of young child).
Early Learning Program--means a program of services or activities
that helps parents, caregivers, and child care providers to incorporate
early learning into the daily lives of young children; or a program
that directly provides early learning to young children.
Indian Tribe--has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
Local Council--means a Local Council established or designated by a
local government, Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native
Hawaiian entity to serve as applicant under this announcement serving
one or more localities.
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Local Government--means a county, municipality, city, town,
township, borough, parish, select board, council of local governments
(whether or not incorporated as a non-profit corporation under State
law), intra-state district, a general purpose unit of local government,
and any other interstate or regional unit of local government. ``Local
Government'' does not mean any of the 50 States, or any agency or
instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments.
Locality--means a city, county, borough, township, or area served
by another general purpose unit of local government, an Indian Tribe, a
Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian entity.
Native Hawaiian Entity--means a private non-profit organization
that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians, and is recognized by the
Governor of Hawaii for the purpose of planning, conducting, or
administering programs (or parts of programs) for the benefit of Native
Hawaiians.
Non-Federal Share--means that portion of project costs not borne by
the Federal government. Under ELOA, the minimum required Non-Federal
Share is 15 percent of the total cost of the approved project.
Parent--means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, a
stepparent, a foster parent, or a legal guardian of, or a person
standing in loco parentis to a child.
Program Income--means gross income earned by the grantee or
subgrantee that is directly generated by a grant supported activity, or
earned only as a result of the award. 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92 include
similar types of earned revenue, which qualify as program income. These
include but are not limited to income from fees for services performed
and the use of rental property.
Project Period--for the purposes of this announcement, project
period means the 17-month period starting on September 30, 2004, and
ending on February 28, 2006.
Real Property--means land, including land improvements, structures
and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment.
Regional Corporation--means a Native Alaska Regional Corporation;
an entity listed in section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 619(4)(B)).
Training--means instruction in early learning that--(a) Is required
for certification under State and local laws, regulations, and
policies; (b) is required to receive a nationally or State recognized
credential or its equivalent; (c) is received in a postsecondary
education program focused on early learning or early childhood
development in which the individual is enrolled; or (d) is provided,
certified, or sponsored by an organization that is recognized for its
expertise in promoting early learning or early childhood development.
Young Child--for purposes of this program, means any child from
birth to the age of mandatory school attendance in the State where the
child resides. Information on the compulsory school age in each State
is available at http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/digest2001/tables/dt151.asp
.
E. Protections
1. No person, including a parent, shall be required to participate
in any program of early childhood education, early learning, parent
education, or developmental screening pursuant to the provisions of the
Early Learning Opportunities Act.
2. Nothing in the Early Learning Opportunities Act shall be
construed to affect the rights of parents otherwise established in
Federal, State, or local law.
3. No entity that receives funds under the Early Learning
Opportunities Act shall be required to provide services under this
announcement through a particular instructional method or in a
particular instructional setting to comply with the ELOA.
Appendices: Appendices D and E of this announcement provide detail
about current ELOA grants. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check
these appendices to ensure that they are not proposing to offer
services in a geographic area served by a current ELOA grantee.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Program Funding: $33,579,313.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 30 to 50 per budget period.
Ceiling of Individual Awards: $1,000,000 per budget period.
Floor of Individual Awards: $250,000 per budget period.
Average Project Award Amount: $700,000 per budget period.
Project Periods for Awards: 17 months (project and budget period).
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Other: Please see Additional Information on Eligibility for
specific eligibility guidelines.
Additional Information on Eligibility:
A. Letter(s) of Designation (Designation of Local Council by Local
Government Entity)
An eligible applicant for an FY 2004 ELOA grant must be a Local
Council designated, in writing, by a local government entity(ies) (or
Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity) as the
``Local Council'' to serve one or more localities for the purpose of
applying for an ELOA discretionary grant. The applicant must include a
``Letter of Designation'' in its application from an appropriate local
government entity(ies) specifically designating it as the Local Council
for the purpose of applying for an ELOA discretionary grant.
Because the structure and authority of local governments differ
greatly across the nation, and even within a State, it is the
responsibility of the applicant to determine and identify the
appropriate entity(ies) of local government to designate them as the
Local Council for an ELOA grant application. The local government
entity(ies) making the designation must also clearly explain in its
letter the source/nature of its authority to make such a designation on
behalf of the locality(ies) it represents. Examples of officials that
may be authorized to sign the Letter of Designation on behalf of the
local government entity(ies) include but are not limited to: mayors,
city managers, city councils, county boards of supervisors, county
boards of commissioners, county administrators, Tribal Councils, boards
of municipal officers, etc.
B. Composition of a Local Council
To receive an award, the membership of the Local Council must be
composed of the following:
a. Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this
announcement;
b. Parents;
c. Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services; and
d. Other key community leaders.
C. Designation of a Fiscal Agent by the Local Council
A Local Council may enter into an agreement with an entity that is
affected by, or concerned with early learning issues, and that has a
demonstrated capacity for administering grants, to serve as Fiscal
Agent for the
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administration of grant funds received by the Local Council under this
program. This may include faith-based organizations or a State.
While the Fiscal Agent will be identified as the recipient
organization of the funds under this announcement (see Application for
Federal Assistance, SF-424, Item 5), the Local Council, if selected to
receive a grant, will be the Grantee and responsible for ensuring
compliance with all activities and terms of the grant. Identifying
information for the Fiscal Agent is entered in Item 5 (i.e., ``Legal
Name of Fiscal Agent applying on behalf of the Name of the Local
Council'') and the Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the Fiscal
Agent is entered in Item 6 on the Application for Federal Assistance
(SF-424).
If a Local Council uses a Fiscal Agent, the Fiscal Agent's name and
Employer Identification Number (EIN) must also be included in the
``Letter of Designation'' (see Appendix B).
D. Geographic Location and Locality(ies) To Be Served
At the beginning of the project descriptions, applicants must
describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area
to be served including the following: the State, county(ies), and
specific locality(ies) (e.g., city, town, township, borough, parish, or
area served by another general purpose unit of local government, Indian
Tribe, Alaska Native Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity).
In general, Local Councils in each of the 50 States of the United
States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
are eligible to apply under this announcement.
However, since one of the ELOA statutory purposes is ``to
facilitate the development of community-based systems of collaborative
service delivery and resource sharing,'' only one application per
geographic area will be considered. This is to avoid situations in
which Local Councils serve overlapping areas. Specifically:
a. Applications received from competing applicants (Local Councils)
that are proposing to serve the same or overlapping geographic areas
will be disqualified and not competed for an award. For example, if a
Local Council proposing to serve all of County X applies, and a Local
Council proposing to serve only Community A, which is within County X,
also applies, both applications will be excluded from the review and
not competed for an award.
b. Further, applicants proposing to serve all or part of a
geographic area currently being served by an ELOA grantee whose grant
is expected to be in effect on September 30, 2004, will be excluded and
not competed for an award (see Appendices D and E).
E. Council Designation and Other Provisions
a. Local Councils may include faith-based organizations in their
membership, provided that the other eligibility criteria are met.
b. ``Letter(s) of Support'' for the Local Council from a local
government entity(ies) will not be considered as meeting the
eligibility requirement for a ``Letter of Designation.''
c. Applications from Indian Tribes and Regional Corporations must
include a tribal resolution from the governing body of the Tribe(s) or
Regional Corporation(s), designating a Local Council for the purpose of
the ELOA grant. The Tribal Council would not be considered a Local
Council for ELOA unless its membership also meets the composition
requirements (see Composition of Local Council).
d. ``State'' governments do not meet the definition of ``Local
Government'' (see Part I (D)). Therefore, a Letter(s) of Designation
from an entity(ies) of State Government will not be considered as
meeting these eligibility requirements.
e. Local Councils that were formed prior to the date of enactment
of the ELOA and that meet the membership requirements below will be
considered eligible for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant if a
Letter(s) of Designation from an appropriate entity(ies) of local
government is submitted as part of the application. In localities where
a Local Council does not exist, one may be formed and designated for
the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant.
f. FY 2002 ELOA grantees whose grant project period ends on or
before September 29, 2004 are eligible to apply for an FY 2004 grant
under this program announcement. Note: The project period for all
grantees is noted in Block 9 of their ``Financial Assistance Award''
document.
g. To be considered eligible for a new award, current ELOA grantees
may not have a pending request to extend their existing ELOA grant
project period beyond September 29, 2004.
h. The 43 Local Councils (and the localities served by those Local
Councils) that received FY 2003 ELOA grants will not be considered for
FY 2004 awards under this announcement (see Appendix E).
i. Only Local Councils, not individuals or individual
organizations/agencies, are eligible to apply under this announcement.
j. Applicants proposing to use ELOA funds for construction purposes
or for the purchase of real property will be disqualified and not
competed for an award.
k. Nonprofit organizations submitting an application must submit
proof of their nonprofit status at the time of their submission. This
can be accomplished by providing: (1) A copy of the applicant's listing
in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt
organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code; (2) a
copy of the currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (3) a copy
of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of the State; (4) a
statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other
appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization
has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any
private shareholders or individuals; (5) a certified copy of the
organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that
clearly establishes non-profit status; or (6) any of the items in the
subparagraphs immediately above for a State or national parent
organization and a statement singed by the parent organization that the
applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
F. Set Aside
The Act (section 809) provides that the Secretary shall reserve a
portion of each year's total ELOA appropriation for Indian Tribes,
Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian entities. ACF anticipates
competitively awarding funds to at least one Local Council designated
by an Indian Tribe and one Local Council designated by an Alaska Native
Regional Corporation or Native Hawaiian entity, subject to receipt of
applications meeting the requirements of the Act as reflected in this
announcement. ACF is setting aside no less than one percent of the FY
2004 ELOA appropriation for these purposes.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000. An application that exceeds $1,000,000 will be considered
non-responsive and be returned to the applicant without further review.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Yes.
Grantees must provide at least 15 percent of the total approved
project cost. The total approved project cost is the sum of the ACF
share and the non-federal share. The non-federal share may be met by
cash or in-kind
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contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match
requirements through cash contributions. For example, in order to meet
the match requirements, a project with a total approved cost of
$500,000, requesting in ACF funds, must provide a non-federal share of
at least $88,235 (15 percent of the total approved project cost). To
compute the non-Federal share: Divide the Federal share by .85 and
subtract the Federal share from that amount. For example: $500,000 /
.85 = $588,235 minus $500,000 = $88,235. The total approved project
cost in this example is $588,235. Grantees will be held accountable for
commitments of non-federal resources even if over the amount of the
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in
disallowance of Federal funds.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered as non-responsive and will not be eligible
for funding under this announcement.
3. Other
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in
the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal
grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to
provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or
after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an
applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-
wide electronic portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be
required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation
of an award, including applications or plans under formula,
entitlement, and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1,
2003.
Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
Applications exceeding the $1,000,000 threshold will be returned
without review.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of cost-
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to request an application package: ACYF Operations
Center, c/o The Dixon Center, Inc., ELOA/CCB, 118 Q Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20002-2132, 1-866-796-1591, CCB@dixongroup.com.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: To be considered for
funding, the applicant must submit one signed original and two copies
of the application, including all attachments, to the application
receipt point specified above. The original copy of the application
must have original signatures, signed in blue ink. The original must be
stapled (back and front) in the upper left corner. Rubber bands may be
used to secure the pages of the two copies. The original application
and the two copies must be submitted in a single package. Applicants
have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the
original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in
the application budget.
Each application will be duplicated, therefore, please do not use
or include colored paper, colored ink, separate covers, binders, clips,
tabs, plastic inserts, over-sized paper, videotapes, or any other items
that cannot be easily duplicated on a photocopy machine with an
automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way
separate subsections of the application, including the supporting
documentation. Applicants are advised that a copy (not the original) of
the application as submitted will be reproduced by the Federal
government for review by the panel of evaluators.
Letters of Intent: Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify Ms.
Taryonka Reid at the Child Care Bureau by fax (202-690-5600) at least
three weeks prior to the deadline. Your fax should include the
following information: number and title of this announcement
(required); the name and address of the Local Council (required) and
Fiscal Agent (if known); and your contact person's name, phone number,
fax number, and email address. This information will be used to
determine the number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate
applications and to update the mailing list for future program
announcements. Do not include a description of your proposed project.
A complete application consists of the following items in the order
listed:
1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, Rev. 9-
2003)--Follow the instructions on the back of the form. In Item 5 on
the SF-424, enter the name of the applicant [Local Council]. However,
if the Local Council is not incorporated or does not have an Employer
Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the
name of its fiscal agent must be entered followed by ``on behalf of the
[name of Local Council].'' For example: Caring County Community
Services on behalf of the Early Childhood Alliance Local Council. Enter
the EIN of the Local Council, or if applicable, its Fiscal Agent, in
Item 6. The EIN entered in Item 6 must be the number assigned to the
entity identified in Item 5. In Item 8 on the SF-424, check ``New.'' In
Item 10, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
program title and number (i.e., Early Learning Opportunities Act,
93.577). A signature on the application constitutes an assurance that
the applicant will comply with the relevant Departmental regulations
contained in 45 CFR Part 74 or Part 92.
2. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form
424A). Follow the instructions on the back of the form.
3. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B). A
duly authorized representative of the applicant organization must
certify that the applicant is in compliance with the Pro-Children Act
of 1994 (Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke).
4. Certification Regarding Lobbying--Applicants must include an
executed Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to receiving an award
in excess of $100,000.
5. Cover Letter--Applicants must include a Cover Letter that
includes the program announcement number and contact information for
the applicant. The letter must be signed by an individual authorized to
act for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility for the
obligations imposed by terms and conditions of the grant award.
6. Required Letter of Designation for the Local Council--Applicants
must include a signed Letter(s) of Designation for the Local Council
from a local government entity(ies) that explains its authority to make
such a designation and includes the required information on the
membership composition of the Local Council. NOTE: ``Letter(s) of
Support'' for the Local Council from a local government entity(ies)
will not be considered as meeting the requirements for a Letter of
Designation.
7. Membership Composition of the Local Council (see Appendix C).
8. Tribal Resolution, if applicable.
9. Table of Contents.
[[Page 33187]]
10. A Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum)--Clearly mark
this page with the applicant's name as shown in Item 5 on the SF-424
(e.g., Caring County Community Services on behalf of the Early
Childhood Alliance Local Council), identify the title of the proposed
project as shown in Item 11 (e.g., Building Resources for Early
Learning Opportunities in Caring County), and the service area as shown
in Item 12 of the SF-424 (e.g., Caring County). The Project Description
Summary/Abstract must not exceed 300 words. The first paragraph must
describe the precise location of the project and the boundaries of the
area to be served including the following: The State, county(ies),
specific locality(ies) (e.g., city, county, borough, township, parish,
etc.) and/or region(s). Care should be taken to produce a Summary/
Abstract that accurately and concisely reflects the proposed project.
It should briefly describe the objectives of the project, the approach
to be used, and the results and benefits expected. The Project Summary/
Abstract must also clearly state which of the eight allowable ELOA
activities are included in the project. Note: All applicants are
required to include activities for ``enhancing early childhood
literacy'' in their projects.
11. The Project Narrative--The applicant is strongly encouraged to
use the evaluation criteria to organize its response. Specific
information should be provided that addresses all components of each
criterion. Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall
ensure that programs, services, and activities assisted under this
program, which customarily require a payment for such programs,
services, or activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services,
and activities provided to the individual or the individual's child
based on the individual's ability to pay. It is in the applicant's best
interest to ensure that the project description is easy to read,
logically developed in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and
adheres to recommended page limitations. In addition, the applicant
should be mindful of the importance of preparing and submitting
applications using language, terms, concepts, and descriptions that are
generally known to the field of early learning as defined under this
announcement. The pages of the project description must be double-
spaced, printed in black only, printed on only one side, with no less
than one-inch margins, and numbered. Applicants are strongly encouraged
to limit this portion of their application to no more than 100 pages.
12. Appendices--The recommended maximum number of pages for
supporting documentation is 50 numbered pages. These documents might
include excerpts from the needs and resources assessment, resumes/job
descriptions, photocopies of news clippings, documents related to the
involvement and participation of the Local Council, and evidence of its
efforts to coordinate early care and education services at the local
level including letters of support and/or third-party agreements.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms,'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant
Applicants.'' The forms are located on the web at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing time and date for submission of applications is July
27, 2004. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be
classified as late.
Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced
deadline if they are post-marked on or before the deadline date and
received by ACF in time for the independent review. All applications
must be sent to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, ELOA/CCB,
118 Q Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-2132, Telephone: 1-866-796-1591.
Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the
application(s). To be acceptable as a proof of timely mailing, a
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of
the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the
applicant. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of
timely mailing. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in
advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications
are postmarked before the closing date OR received before the receipt
deadline time of 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the closing
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday
through Friday (excluding Federal holidays) at the above address. The
address must appear on the envelope/package containing the application
with the note ``Attention: ACYF Operations Center, ELOA/CCB''.
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed.)
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each late
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current
competition.
Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service. Determinations
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants
Management Officer.
Receipt of Application: Applicants will be sent a postcard
acknowledging receipt of their application.
Technical Assistance to Prospective Applicants: Applicants should
direct questions about the application process to the ACYF Operations
Center at 1-866-796-1591 or by e-mail at ccb@dixongroup.com and refer
to the Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-LO-XXXX.
Required Forms and Due Date for Applications:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required form or
What to submit Required content format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard Application for Federal Per required form... May be found at By application due date.
Assistance (forms SF 424, 424A, http://www. acf.
and 424B). hhs. gov/ programs
/ ofs / forms. htm.
[[Page 33188]]
Certification regarding Lobbying Per required form... May be found at By application due date.
and associated Disclosure of http://www. acf.
Lobbying Activities (SF LLL). hhs. gov/ programs
/ ofs / forms. htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Per required form... May be found at By application due date.
Certification. http://www. acf.
hhs. gov/ programs
/ ofs / forms. htm.
Proof of Non-Profit Status (if See Section May be found at By application due date.
applicable). III.3.F.k. http://www. acf.
hhs. gov/ programs/
ofs/ forms. htm.
Cover Letter..................... Include the program No required format. By application due date.
announcement number
and contact
information for the
applicant. The
letter must be
signed by an
individual
authorized to act
for the applicant
agency and to
assume
responsibility for
the obligations
imposed by terms
and conditions of
the grant award.
Letter of Designation for the See Appendices A & B Appendix A must be By application due date.
Local Council (and Fiscal Agent, used by Local
if appropriate) from an Councils not using
entity(ies) of local government. a Fiscal Agent.
Appendix B must be
used by Local
Councils that will
be using a Fiscal
agent.
Composition of Local Council..... See Appendix C...... Name of each member By application due date.
of the Local
Council, their
title, role (see
Legend below), and
agency.
Legend:............
A = Representatives
of local agencies
that will be
directly affected
by early learning
programs assisted
under the ELOA and
this announcement.
B = Parents........
C = Other
individuals
concerned with
early learning
issues in the
locality, such as
representatives of
entities providing
elementary
education, child
care resource and
referral services,
early learning
opportunities,
child care, and
health services.
D = Other key
community leaders.
Tribal Resolution, if applicable. Language designating Fully-executed By application due date.
the Local Council Tribal Resolution
for the purpose of including:
applying for an resolution number,
ELOA grant. date, voting
information, and
authorized
signatures.
Table of Contents................ List of application None............... By application due date.
contents with page
numbers or Appendix
information.
[[Page 33189]]
Project Summary/Abstract......... See Sections V.1.A.. Clearly mark this By application due date.
page with the
applicant's name
as shown in Item 5
on the SF-424
(e.g., Caring
County Community
Services on behalf
of the Early
Childhood Alliance
Local Council),
identify the title
of the proposed
project as shown
in Item 11 (e.g.,
Building Resources
for Early Learning
Opportunities in
Caring County),
and the service
area as shown in
Item 12 of the SF-
424 (e.g., Caring
County). The
Project Summary/
Abstract must not
exceed 300 words.
The first
paragraph must
describe the
precise location
of the project and
the boundaries of
the area to be
served including
the following: the
State,
county(ies),
specific
locality(ies)
(e.g., city,
county, borough,
township, parish,
etc.) and/or
region(s). Care
should be taken to
produce a Summary/
Abstract that
accurately and
concisely reflects
the proposed
project. It should
briefly describe
the objectives of
the project, the
approach to be
used, and the
results and
benefits expected.
The Project
Summary/Abstract
must also clearly
state which of the
eight allowable
ELOA activities
are included in
the project. NOTE:
All applicants are
required to
include activities
for ``enhancing
early childhood
literacy'' in
their projects.
[[Page 33190]]
Project Narrative................ See Section V.A and The applicant is By application due date.
V.B. strongly
encouraged to use
the evaluation
criteria to
organize its
response. Specific
information should
be provided that
addresses all
components of each
criterion. Local
Councils receiving
assistance under
the ELOA shall
ensure that
programs,
services, and
activities
assisted under
this program,
which customarily
require a payment
for such programs,
services, or
activities, adjust
the cost of such
programs,
services, and
activities
provided to the
individual or the
individual's child
based on the
individual's
ability to pay. It
is in applicant's
best interest to
ensure that the
project narrative
is easy to read,
logically
developed in
accordance with
the evaluation
criteria, and
adheres to
recommended page
limitations. In
addition, the
applicant should
be mindful of the
importance of
preparing and
submitting
applications using
language, terms,
concepts, and
descriptions that
are generally
known to the field
of early learning
as defined under
this announcement.
The pages of the
project narrative
must be double-
spaced, printed in
black only,
printed on only
one side, with no
less than one-inch
margins, and the
numbered.
Applicants are
strongly
encouraged to
limit this portion
of their
application to no
more than 100
pages.
Appendices....................... As needed........... The recommended By application due date.
maximum number of
pages for
supporting
documentation is
50 numbered pages.
These documents
might include
excerpts from the
needs and
resources
assessment,
resumes/job
descriptions,
photocopies of
news clippings,
documents related
to the involvement
and participation
of the Local
Council, and
evidence of its
efforts to
coordinate early
care and education
services at the
local level
including letters
of support and/or
third-party
agreements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Forms:
Additional forms: Private-non-profit organizations are encouraged
to submit with their applications the additional survey located under
``Grant Related Documents and Forms'' entitled ``Survey for Private,
Non-Profit Grant Applicants.''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Per required form..... May be found on http:// By application due
Grant Applicants. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Intergovernmental Review
State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
This program is not covered under Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100,
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Programs and Activities.''
5. Funding Restrictions
(a) Since one of the ELOA statutory purposes is ``to facilitate the
development of community-based systems of collaborative service
delivery and resource sharing,'' only one application per geographic
area will be considered. This is to avoid situations in which Local
Councils serve overlapping areas. Specifically:
[[Page 33191]]
(i) Applications received from competing applicants (Local
Councils) that are proposing to serve the same or overlapping
geographic areas will be disqualified and not competed for an award.
For example, if a Local Council proposing to serve all of County X
applies, and a Local Council proposing to serve only Community A, which
is within County X, also applies, both applications will be excluded
from the review and not competed for an award; and
(ii) Applicants proposing to serve all or part of a geographic area
currently being served by an ELOA grantee whose grant is expected to be
in effect on September 30, 2004 will be excluded and not competed for
an award (see Appendices D and E).
(b) Set Aside: The Act (section 809) provides that the Secretary
shall reserve a portion of each year's total ELOA appropriation for
Indian Tribes, Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian entities. ACF
anticipates competitively awarding funds to at least one Local Council
designated by an Indian Tribe and one Local Council designated by an
Alaska Native Regional Corporation or Native Hawaiian entity, subject
to receipt of applications meeting the requirements of the Act as
reflected in this announcement. ACF is setting aside no less than one
percent of the FY 2004 ELOA appropriation for these purposes.
(c) Pre-award costs are not allowable.
(d) The required 15 percent non-Federal share may be contributed in
cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or
services, which may be provided from State or local public sources, or
through donations from private entities. For the purposes of this
paragraph, the term ``facilities'' includes the use of facilities, but,
the term ``equipment'' means donated equipment and not the use of
equipment.
(e) Applicants are discouraged from providing non-Federal share
resources in excess of the required 15 percent. Applicants that provide
more than the required 15 percent will not receive any additional
credit or points under the evaluation criteria. Grantees will be held
accountable on the grant award commitments of the non-Federal share
even if the approved amount exceeds the required 15 percent.
(f) Funds received by grantees shall be used to supplement and not
supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to
promote early learning. No funds provided shall be used to carry-out an
activity funded under another provision of law providing for Federal
child care or early learning programs, unless an expansion of such
activity is identified in the local needs assessment and performance
goals.
(g) Not more than three percent of the total Federal share received
by the Local Council through this announcement shall be used to pay for
the administrative costs of the Local Council, including the
administrative costs of any of its sub-grantees and third parties, in
carrying-out activities funded under the grant.
(h) Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall ensure
that programs, services, and activities assisted under this program,
which customarily require a payment for such programs, services, or
activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services, and activities
provided to the individual or the individual's child based on the
individual's ability to pay.
(i) Applications proposing to use ELOA funds for construction
purposes or for the purchase of real property will not be considered
for funding.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as
meeting an announced deadline if they are post-marked on or before the
deadline date and received by ACF in time for the independent review.
All applications must be sent to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon
Group, ELOA/CCB, 118 Q Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-2132, Telephone:
1-866-796-1591.
Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the
application(s). To be acceptable as a proof of timely mailing, a
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of
the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the
applicant. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of
timely mailing. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.
Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in
advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the applications
are postmarked before the closing date OR received before the receipt
deadline time of 4:30 PM (Eastern Time).
Hand Delivery: Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant
couriers, or by other representatives of the applicant shall be
considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or
before the closing date, between the hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM (Eastern
Time), Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays) at the above
address. The address must appear on the envelope/package containing the
application with the note ``Attention: ACYF Operations Center, ELOA/
CCB''. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services
do not always deliver as agreed.)
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
The Project Description--Overview
The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the
``Project Summary/Abstract'' and ``Full Project Description'' sections
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD). Public Reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to average 25 hours per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection information.
The project description is approved under OMB Control Number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
An agency may nor conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Purpose: The project description provides a major means by which an
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation
criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important,
therefore, that this information be included in the application.
General Instructions: ACF is particularly interested in specific
factual information and statements of measurable goals in quantitative
terms. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance,
not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing
should be used rather than
[[Page 33192]]
repetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not
be directly funded by the grant or information that does not directly
pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be
placed in an appendix.
Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included
for easy reference.
A. Project Summary/Abstract: Provide a summary of the project
description (one page or less) with reference to the funding request.
B. Objectives and Need for Assistance: Clearly identify the
physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other
problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be
demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the
project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as
letters of support from concerned parties other than the applicant, may
be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be
included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate
demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In
developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be
requested to provide information on the total range of projects
currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of
which may be outside the scope of the program announcement.
C. Approach: Outline a plan of action, which describes the scope
and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for
all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite
factors, which might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your
reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe
any unusual features of the project such as design or technological
innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and
community involvement.
Local Councils are encouraged to promote the involvement of faith-
based providers in their projects. In developing the local plans and
activities, ACF encourages Local Councils to incorporate strategies and
activities that involve fathers and strengthen families.
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. For example, for any project that will include informal
caregivers, including friends, family and in-home child care providers,
or caregivers who are somewhat isolated, such as child care providers
who operate alone or in rural areas, please describe the means by which
training and technical assistance will be made available to such
informal and/or isolated caregivers and quality child care will be
supported/assured. The Child Care Bureau is interested in encouraging
the appropriate use of innovative approaches, especially including
distance learning techniques and other uses of technology, to meeting
the needs of child care providers and parents. If distance learning
techniques, such as use of public television, satellite downlinks, or
Internet-based instruction, will be used for this purpose, please
describe those techniques. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by
activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the
schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearances may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of
information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
D. Results and Benefits Expected: Identify the results and benefits
to be derived. For example, explain how your proposed project will
achieve the specific goals and objectives you have set; specify the
number of children and families to be served, and how the services to
be provided will be funded consistent with the local needs assessment.
Or, explain how the expected results will benefit the population to be
served in meeting its needs for early learning services and activities.
What benefits will families derive from these services? How will the
services help them? What lessons will be learned which might help other
agencies and organizations that are addressing the needs of a similar
client population?
E. Evaluation: Provide a narrative addressing how the results of
the project and the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In
addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the
extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives, and the
extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to
the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and
explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs
identified and discussed are being met, and if the project results and
benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the
project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the
project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan
presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities on
the project's effectiveness.
F. Geographic Location: Describe the precise geographic location of
the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed
project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached.
G. Organizational Profiles: Provide information on the applicant
organizations(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational
charts, financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/
Licensed Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of
bond carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, child care
licenses and other documentation of professional accreditation,
information on compliance with Federal/State/local government
standards, documentation of experience in the program area, and other
pertinent information. Any non-profit organization submitting an
application must submit proof of its non-profit status in its
application at the time of submission.
1. Non-Profit Status: This can be accomplished by providing: (1) A
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS)
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section
501(c)(3) of the IRS code; (2) a copy of the currently valid IRS tax
exemption certificate; (3) a copy of the articles of incorporation
bearing the seal of the State; (4) a statement from a State taxing
body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official
certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit status and
that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or
individuals; (5) a certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status; or (6) any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above
for a State or national parent organization and a statement singed by
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
2. Staff and Position Data: Provide a biographical sketch for each
key person appointed and a job description for each vacant key
position. A biographical sketch will also be required for new key staff
as appointed.
[[Page 33193]]
3. Third-Party Agreements: Include written agreements between
grantees and sub-grantees or subcontractors or other cooperating
entities. These agreements must detail the scope of work to be
performed, work schedules, remuneration, and other terms and conditions
that structure or define the relationship.
4. Letters of Support: Provide statements from the community,
public and commercial leaders that support the project proposed for
funding. All documents must be included in the application at the time
of submission.
5. Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support: Provide a
plan for securing resources and continuing project activities after
Federal assistance has ceased.
H. Budget and Budget Justification: Provide line item detail and
detailed calculations for each budget object class identified in the
Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must include estimation
methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. The detailed budget
must also include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block
15 of the SF-424.
Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocability of the proposed costs.
Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies
(not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers, if
otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary
salary information.
General: The following are guidelines for preparing the budget and
budget justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be
detailed and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For
purposes of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying.
Non Federal resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources.
It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a
columnar format: First column, object class categories; second column,
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column,
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities,
unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the
calculation to be duplicated. The applicant should specify the costs
for the entire 17-month ELOA project period, not separate costs into a
12-month and five-month budgets. For example: To compute salary costs
for a full-time employee who will be employed for the entire 17-months
of the ELOA project, divide the annual salary by 12 and then multiply
by 17. To compute the costs for a full-time employee who will be paid
by the hour for the entire 17-month project, multiply 2,947 hours by
the hourly wage. The full-time equivalent for a 12-month position is
2,080 hours.
Personnel
Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary,
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops must be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable,
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired.
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular
written accounting practices.)
Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the
equipment definition.
Supplies
Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than
that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information, which supports
the amount requested.
Contractual
Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Third party evaluation contracts (if
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations,
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free
competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States that are
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C.
403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to
make available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such
as request for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost
estimates, etc. Regulatory procurement standards for grantees can be
found in 45 CFR 74.40-48; 74.43 addresses the need for competition.
Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency
title, along with the
[[Page 33194]]
required supporting information referred to in these instructions.
Other
Description: Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where
applicable and appropriate, may include but are not limited to
insurance, food, medical and dental costs (non-contractual),
professional services costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and
publication, computer use, training costs, such as tuition and
stipends, staff development costs, and administrative.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has a current negotiated
indirect cost rate approved by the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency.
Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant.
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
generated from this project.
Justification: Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application,
which contain this information.
Non-Federal Resources
Description: Amounts of non Federal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for
each funding source.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs
[Self-explanatory]
Evaluation Criteria
Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance (25 Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for
assistance including identification and discussion of its needs and
resources assessment concerning early learning services and the
relevancy of the results as the basis for determining its objectives
and need for assistance for early learning services. Relevant data from
the needs and resources assessment should be included. Participant and
beneficiary information must also be included.
2. The extent to which the applicant describes the context of the
proposed project, including the characteristics of the community,
magnitude, and severity of the problem, and the needs to be addressed.
3. The extent to which the applicant presents a vision of the
project it anticipates developing; defines its goals and specific
measurable objectives of the project; describes how its goals and
objectives are linked together; and explains how implementation will
fulfill the purposes of the ELOA. The extent to which the applicant
demonstrates an understanding that goals are end products of a project,
while objectives are measurable steps toward attainment of the goals.
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a thorough understanding
of the importance of early learning services and activities that help
parents, caregivers, and child care providers incorporate early
learning into the daily lives of young children, as well as programs
that directly provide early learning to young children.
4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how it will
support activities/projects that maximize the use of resources through
collaboration with other early learning programs, provide continuity of
services for young children across the age spectrum, and help parents
and other caregivers promote early learning with their young children.
5. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has
worked with local education agencies to identify cognitive, social, and
emotional, and motor developmental abilities which are necessary to
support children's readiness for school; that the programs, services,
and activities assisted under this title will represent developmentally
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities; and, that
the programs, services, and activities assisted provide benefits for
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the
care of others.
Criterion 2. Approach (25 Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant describes its project design,
services, product development and dissemination. The extent to which
the applicant presents an approach that: (a) Reflects an understanding
of the characteristics, needs, and services currently available to the
target population; (b) is based on current theory, research, and/or
best practices; (c) is appropriate and feasible; (d) can be reliably
evaluated; (e) could be replicated, if successful; and (f) can be
sustained after Federal funding has ceased.
2. The extent to which the applicant includes a detailed plan that
identifies goals and objectives, relates those goals and objectives to
the findings of its needs and resources assessment, and provides a work
plan identifying specific activities necessary to accomplish the stated
goals and objectives. The extent to which the plan demonstrates that
each of the project objectives and activities supports the current
needs and resource assessment and can be accomplished with the
available or expected resources during the proposed project period.
3. The extent to which the plan: (a) Describes the sequence and
timing of the major activities, tasks and subtasks, important
milestones, and reports, and indicates when each will be accomplished
(a timeline is recommended). The extent to which the applicant's plan
provides quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, the extent to which the accomplishment are listed in
chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and target
dates.
4. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Specifies who will
conduct the activities under each objective; (b) describes how
subcontractors will be
[[Page 33195]]
chosen and held accountable for carrying out activities in compliance
with this application, and grant terms and conditions; (c) describes
how actual and perceived conflict of interest will be avoided if the
Local Council is also a direct service provider; and (d) indicates how
programs, services, and activities will be provided based on the
family's ability to pay (for those services that customarily require a
payment).
5. The extent to which the applicant describes how the project will
form collaborations among local early learning, youth, social service,
educational providers (including faith-based organizations) and, as
appropriate, organizations that can facilitate distance learning, to
maximize resources and concentrate efforts on areas of greatest need.
6. The extent to which the applicant describes its work with local
educational agencies to identify cognitive, social, emotional, and
motor developmental abilities, which are necessary to support
children's readiness for school.
7. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and
activities assisted under ELOA will represent developmentally
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities.
8. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and
activities assisted under this announcement provide benefits for
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the
care of others.
9. The extent to which the applicant's plan: (a) Describes how the
project will be structured and managed; (b) defines the procedures to
be used to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner
consistent with the work plan; (c) lists organizations, cooperating
entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the
project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or
contribution to the project; (d) discusses the impact of the project's
various activities on the project's effectiveness including factors
that may affect project implementation or outcomes and presents
realistic strategies for resolution of these difficulties; (e)
describes how timeliness of activities will be ensured, how quality
control will be maintained, and how costs will be controlled; and (f)
describes how unanticipated problems will be resolved to ensure that
the project will be completed on time and with a high degree of
quality.
10. If the project includes the use of any distance learning
techniques in support of informal or isolated child care providers, the
extent to which the purposes of distance learning are clearly described
and appropriate objectives are identified for specific types of child
care providers. (If distance learning is not an element of the project,
this sub-criterion does not apply.)
Criterion 3. Results and Benefits Expected (15 Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant specifies the number of
children and families to be served and how the services to be provided
will be funded consistent with the results of the needs assessment.
2. The extent to which the applicant explains how the expected
results will benefit the population to be served in meeting its needs
for early learning services and activities.
3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that completion
of the proposed objectives will result in specific, measurable results.
Criterion 4. Evaluation (15 Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant appropriately links its needs
and resources assessment, proposed activities, and anticipated results
and benefits, and describes how the proposed evaluation will
demonstrate the effectiveness of its activities and services in
addressing the needs identified under its needs and resources
assessment. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how the
results or benefits identified for each objective will serve as
standards for evaluating the achievement of objectives at the end of
the project period (i.e., 17 months).
2. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan includes a
process component that describes the activities of the project, how the
project will operate, how well the design was followed, and the extent
to which it produced the expected results. The extent to which the
applicant's should contain an outcome component with output and outcome
measures. For example, in addition to numbers of families and children
served, what benefits did families derive from these services?
3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the relationships
among the needs identified in the needs and resources assessment, the
activities/interventions proposed, and anticipated results and benefits
(e.g., a diagram (logic model) for demonstration purposes).
4. The extent to which the design and implementation of its
evaluation plan is methodologically sound, appropriate to the
activities/interventions implemented, and demonstrates the extent to
which program goals/objectives will be achieved.
5. The extent to which the applicant has allocated sufficient funds
in the project budget to implement the proposed evaluation activities.
6. The extent to which the evaluation plan reflects sensitivity to
technical, logistical, cultural, and ethical issues that may arise and
includes realistic strategies for the resolution of difficulties.
7. The extent to which the evaluation plan adequately protects
human subjects, confidentiality of data, and consent procedures, as
appropriate.
8. If any distance learning technique is to be employed, the extent
to which it is related to specific desired results for specified
providers and there is a means by which to test for these results or
contrast the results of distance learning with other techniques for
providing information and assistance and supporting quality among child
care providers. (If distance learning is not an element of the project,
this sub-criterion does not apply.)
Criterion 5. Staff and Position Data/Organizational Profiles (10
Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant (Local Council) provides
information and evidence of its management and administrative structure
including its organizational capacity, and if applicable, that of its
Fiscal Agent. Organizational capacity includes: (a) The extent to which
the ability to manage a project of the proposed size and scope is
demonstrated; (b) the extent to which successful experience with the
target population is demonstrated; (c) the extent to which a Local
Council (and/or designated individuals) is qualified and experienced to
manage the project is demonstrated; (d) the extent to which a
commitment to develop and sustain working relationships among key
stakeholders is demonstrated; (e) the extent to which experience and
commitment of any third parties including consultants is demonstrated;
and (f) the extent to which an appropriate organizational structure,
including the management information system, to implement the project
is demonstrated.
2. The extent to which the applicant (Local Council) demonstrates
its staff and organizational experience particularly in areas of
facilitating needs and resources assessments and collaborative
activities as they relate to early learning services. The extent to
which the applicant documents its experience in facilitating such
activities and the length of time the applicant has been involved in
these activities. The extent to which the applicant clearly
[[Page 33196]]
shows the successful management of projects of similar scope by the
organization, and/or by the individuals designated to manage the
project.
3. The extent to which the applicant provides position descriptions
and/or resumes of key personnel, including those of consultants, which
clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the ELOA
project objectives and the proposed budget. The extent to which the
position descriptions and resumes clearly describe the qualifications,
any specialized skills, and duties for each position necessary for
overall quality implementation of the project. The extent to which
resumes are provided for individuals who have been identified for
positions in the project. The extent to which the applicant lists
organizations and consultants who will participate in the project along
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
4. The extent to which the applicant describes its agency including
the types, quantities, and costs of services it provides. The extent to
which the applicant discusses the role of other organizations that will
be involved in providing direct services to children and families
through this grant.
5. If the Local Council plans to work with a fiscal agent, that
entity, its qualifications, and its relationship to the Council must be
described. The extent to which the applicant and/or its fiscal agent
demonstrates that it has sufficient fiscal and accounting capacity to
ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of
funds.
6. The extent to which the applicant provides organizational charts
for the Local Council, its members, and any third-party, including a
list of all sites, addresses, phone numbers, and staff contacts and
titles.
7. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates active
participation of the entire Local Council in the development of its
application and the project, including a description of the ongoing
role of the Local Council in the implementation of the project, and
methods for documenting its participation (e.g., minutes of council
meetings, council resolutions, newspaper articles, and community
surveys).
8. The extent to which the applicant includes third-party
agreements with cooperating entities, which detail the scope of work to
be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and any other terms and
conditions that structure or define the relationship. Information about
new agreements that will be executed with subgrantees, contractors, or
other cooperating entities should also be included. If no written
agreements exist, sample/draft agreements may be submitted.
9. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates support for the
project from parents, the community at-large, and other key leaders and
stakeholders.
10. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a feasible plan
for securing resources and continuing project activities, if
applicable, after Federal assistance has ceased. The extent to which
the applicant demonstrates its understanding that ACF is interested in
funding projects that will be completed, self-sustaining, or financed
by other than ELOA funds at the end of the project period.
Criterion 6. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the funds
requested will be used for early learning services that are allowed
under this announcement. The extent to which the discussion refers to
(1) the budget information presented on Standard Forms 424 and 424A and
the applicant's budget justification and (2) the results or benefits
identified under Criterion 3 above.
2. The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable in view
of the activities to be carried out, that the funds are appropriately
allocated across component areas, and that the budget is sufficient to
accomplish the objectives.
3. The extent to which the applicant's narrative budget
justification provides detailed calculations that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. The extent to which the applicant's
detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the
calculation to be duplicated. The extent to which the applicant
specifies the costs for the entire 17-month ELOA project period, not
separate costs into 12-month and five-month budgets.
4. The extent to which the applicant provides sufficient funds in
the project budget to implement the proposed evaluation activities.
5. If there is a distance learning component of the project, and
that component includes evaluation of the efficacy of any distance
learning technique(s) for child care providers, the extent to which the
costs of that evaluation are adequately considered and provided for in
the budget.
6. The extent to which funds are allocated to allow two
representatives from the Local Council to attend one two-day grantee
meeting in Washington, DC.
7. The extent to which the applicant provides Letter(s) of
Commitment from the State, local, public and private organizations/
agencies, and any other source that will be contributing toward the
applicant's non-Federal share of project costs. The extent to which the
Letter(s) of Commitment state the amount to be contributed and the form
of the contribution (i.e., cash or in-kind).
Note: Letter(s) of Commitment are not to be confused with
Letter(s) of Support or with the Local Council's Letter of
Designation by an Entity of Local Government.
2. Review and Selection Process
A. Initial Screening for Eligibility and Conformance
Each application will undergo an eligibility and conformance review
by Federal Child Care Bureau staff. Applications that pass the
eligibility and conformance review will be evaluated on a competitive
basis according to the specified evaluation criteria.
B. Competitive Review Process
The competitive review will be conducted in the Washington, DC
metropolitan area by panels of Federal and non-Federal experts
knowledgeable in the areas of literacy, early learning, child care,
early childhood education, and other relevant program areas.
Application review panels will assign a score to each application
and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
C. Application Consideration and Selection
The Child Care Bureau will conduct an administrative review of the
applications and results of the competitive review panels and make
recommendations for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF.
Subject to the recommendation of the Child Care Bureau's Associate
Commissioner, the Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final selection of
the applications to be funded. An application may be funded in whole or
in part depending on: (1) The ranked order of applicants resulting from
the competitive review; (2) staff review and consultations; (3) the
combination of projects that best meets the Bureau's objectives; (4)
the funds available; (5) the statutory requirement that reserves funds
for Indian Tribes, and Alaska Native Regional Corporations, and Native
Hawaiian entities; and (6) other relevant considerations. The
Commissioner may also elect not to fund any applicants with known
management, fiscal, reporting, program, or other problems, which make
it
[[Page 33197]]
unlikely that they would be able to provide effective services.
Approved but Unfunded Applications: Should more FY 2004 ELOA
applications be approved for funding than ACYF can fund with available
ELOA monies, the Grants Officer shall fund applications in their order
of approval until the available funds are expended. When this occurs,
ACYF has the option of carrying-over the approved applications to FY
2005 for funding consideration in that ELOA grant competition. These
applications need not be reviewed nor scored again as long as the ELOA
program's evaluation criteria do not change from FY 2004 to FY 2005.
However, the approved but not funded applications must be placed in the
proper rank order with the new FY 2005 ELOA applications.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of
a Financial Assistance Award document, which sets forth the amount of
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant award, the
effective date of the award, and the budget period for which support is
given, the no-federal share to be provided, and the total project
period for which support is provided. The Financial Assistance Award
will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirement
45 CFR Parts 16, 30, 46, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 84, 86, 91, 92, 93,
and 100.
37 CFR Part 401.
3. Reporting Requirements
Programmatic Reports: Semi-annually and a final report is due 90
days after the end of the grant period.
Financial Reports: Semi-annually and a final report is due 90 days
after the end of the grant period.
Original reports and one copy should be mailed to: William Wilson,
Grants Officer, 330 C Street SW, Room 2070, Washington, DC 20447.
Audits: Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines
established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-123, ``Audits of States,
Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,'' and implemented in 7
CFR Part 3052. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-
133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial
assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or
a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from
Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular
A-133. Additional audits may be necessary.
Records: Grantees must maintain separate records for each grant to
ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which the grant was
awarded. All matching contributions must be verifiable in the grantee
organization's records. Records are subject to inspection during the
life of the grant and for three years thereafter.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Program Office Contact
Carol L. Gage, ELOA Program Area Manager, 330 C Street SW., Room
2330/2046, Washington, DC 20447, 202-690-6243, cgage@acf.hhs.gov.
B. Grants Management Office Contact
William Wilson, Grants Officer, 330 C Street SW., Room 2070,
Washington, DC 20447, 202-205-8913, wwilson@acf.hhs.gov.
C. General
Technical Assistance to Prospective Applicants about the
application process or problems linking to the full announcement
contact the ACYF Operations Center and refer to the ELOA Funding
Opportunity Number: Toll free: 1-866-796-1591, CCB@dixongroup.com.
VIII. Other Information
Electronic Link to Announcement: Copies of this Program
Announcement may be downloaded approximately 5 days after publication
in the Federal Register from the Child Care Bureau's Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/
.
Dated: June 4, 2004.
Frank Fuentes,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
Appendix A.--Sample 1--Letter of Designation of the Local Council by an
Entity of Local Government
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
Under the authority granted by the (Specify Source of Authority
to Act on behalf of the Entity of Local Government), I/We hereby
designate the (Insert Name of Local Council) as the eligible Local
Council for the (Insert the name(s) of localities to be served by
the Local Council (e.g., city(ies), county(ies), borough(s), etc.))
for the purposes of applying for a discretionary grant under the
Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) program. I/We also authorize
the (Insert Name of Local Council) to develop and submit an
application to the Administration on Children, Youth and Families,
Child Care Bureau in response to the ELOA Funding Opportunity
Number: HHS-ACF-CCB-ELOA-04-01, and to administer the implementation
of the project if funded.
As required under the statute governing ELOA, the (Insert Name of
Local Council) includes: (1) Representatives of local agencies that
will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted under
the ELOA and this announcement; (2) parents; (3) other individuals
concerned with early learning issues in the locality, such as
representatives of entities providing elementary education, child
care resource and referral services, early learning opportunities,
child care, and health services; and (4) other key community
leaders.
The Insert Name of Local Council was responsible for preparing
and submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary
grant program.
Sincerely,
Signed and dated by an individual with authority to represent the
entity of local government (e.g., mayor, city/county manager, city/
county executive, city/county council, board of supervisors, select
board, etc.)
Appendix B.--Sample 2--Letter of Designation of the Local Council and
Identification of the Fiscal Agent by an Entity of Local Government
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
Under the authority granted by the (Specify Source of Authority to
Act on behalf of the Entity of Local Government), I/We hereby
designate the (Insert Name of Local Council) as the eligible Local
Council for the (Insert the name(s) of localities to be served by
the Local Council (e.g., city(ies), county(ies), borough(s), etc.))
for the purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA)
discretionary grant program. I/We also authorize the (Insert Name of
Local Council) to develop and submit an application to the
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau in
response to the ELOA Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-ACF-CCB-ELOA-
04-01, and to administer the implementation of the project if
funded.
I/We hereby authorize the (Insert Name of Fiscal Agent) to serve
as the Fiscal Agent on behalf of the (Insert Name of Local Council)
and the Fiscal Agent's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is: ----
------ and this EIN has been entered in Item 6 on the Application
for Federal Assistance (SF-424).
As required under the statute governing ELOA, the (Insert Name
of Local Council) includes: (1) Representatives of local agencies
that will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted
under the ELOA and this announcement; (2) parents; (3) other
individuals concerned with early
[[Page 33198]]
learning issues in the locality, such as representatives of entities
providing elementary education, child care resource and referral
services, early learning opportunities, child care, and health
services; and (4) other key community leaders.
The (Insert Name of Local Council) was responsible for preparing
and submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary
grant program.
Sincerely,
Signed and dated by an individual with authority to represent
the entity of local government (e.g., mayor, city/county manager,
city/county executive, city/county council, board of supervisors,
select board, etc.)
Appendix C.--Sample Format for Providing Information on the Composition
of the Local Council
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member's name Title Role Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L. M. Peterson........................ Superintendent........... C Emerald City Public
Schools.
Rev. P. Nelson........................ Director, Child & Family A, D Holy Trinity Church.
Services.
Patricia Lawson....................... Director................. A Happy Days Child Care.
Fr. Michael Bates..................... Child & Family Program A, D Catholic Charities.
Manager.
Michele Dixon......................... Director................. C Child Care Resource &
Referral.
Angela Bauer.......................... Director................. B St. James Head Start.
Monica Presley........................ Director................. C Emerald County Health
Dept.
Marsha Severn......................... Chair.................... D Emerald City Chamber of
Commerce.
Peggy Davis........................... Family Child Care C
Provider.
Sarah Curtis.......................... Autism Consultant........ A Emerald City Public
Schools.
Susan Meyers.......................... Parent of Young Child.... B
Susan LaPierre........................ President................ A Emerald County Community
College.
Alberta Collins....................... Vice President........... D Emerald City United Way
Services.
Frank Jimenez......................... County Manager........... D Emerald County.
Sean Red Cloud........................ Consultant............... D Lakota Community
Services.
Christopher Potter.................... Parent of Young Child.... B
Harriet Huggins....................... Director................. C Emerald County Social
Services Dept.
Isabella Flores....................... Director................. D La Puerta Fundacion.
T. Rex Reid........................... President................ D Emerald City Bank.
Lionel Mejias......................... Director................. A Early Childhood
Services, Inc.
Ameila Quigley........................ Program Parent........... B Parents and Teachers.
Amy Takmamura......................... Director................. A Emerald City Child Care
Consortium.
Juana Garcia.......................... Director, Special A Emerald City Public
Education. Schools.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legend:
A = Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this
announcement.
B = Parents.
C = Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services.
D = Other key community leaders.
Appendix D.--FY 2002 Early Learning Opportunity Act Grantees and
Geographic Service Areas
Thirty-one Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grants were
awarded in FY 2002. Listed below is the name of each grantee, the
title of its project, and its geographic service area. These 31
grants were all awarded a 17-month project period (i.e., September
30, 2002-February 28, 2004). However, many of the grantees are
likely to request and be approved a no cost extension to their
February 28, 2004 project period end date. The length of an
extension will vary from grantee-to-grantee, with the minimum
extension being one month and the maximum being 12 months.
FY 2004 applicants proposing to serve all or part of a
geographic area currently being served by an ELOA grantee whose
grant is expected to be in effect on September 30, 2004 will be
excluded and not competed for an award. To learn whether or not the
project period for any of the FY 2002 ELOA grantees listed below has
been extended, you may contact Carol L. Gage, the ELOA Program Area
Manager, at 202-690-6243 or cgage@acf.hhs.gov.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grantee's fiscal Local council Geographic service
State agent (ELOA grantee) Project title area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona (Chandler).............. n/a............... Mayor's Literacy Chandler Steps to City of Chandler.
Task Force. Learning Project:
A Community-based
Early Learning
and Parent
Assistance
Program.
Colorado (Denver)............... The Clayton City of Denver and Early Learning City & County of
Foundation on Denver Public Opportunities Denver.
behalf of the Schools Joint Project.
Council on Early
Childhood Care
and Education.
Connecticut (Manchester)........ Town of Manchester Manchester School Manchester Early Town of
on behalf of the Readiness Council. Learning Manchester.
Opportunities
Project.
District of Columbia............ DC Department of Mayor's Advisory DC Early Learning Wards 1, 7, & 8 in
Human Services on Committee on Opportunities the District of
behalf of the Early Childhood Program. Columbia.
Development.
Florida (Miami)................. n/a............... Miami-Dade School Early Authors Miami-Dade County.
Readiness Program.
Coalition.
Georgia (Atlanta)............... n/a............... Family Connection South Georgia Coffee, Crisp,
Partnership. EXCEL (Excellence Mitchell, &
in Childcare and Turner Counties.
Learning).
[[Page 33199]]
Hawaii (Honolulu)............... Good Beginnings Good Beginnings Expanding Oahu's The island of Oahu
Alliance on Oahu Council. Early Learning with special
behalf of the Opportunities. attention in the
Waianae,
Waimanalo, &
Kalihi
communities.
Idaho (Pocatello)............... United Way of Success By 6...... Bannock County Bannock County.
Southeastern Ready to Learn
Idaho on behalf Project.
of the
Maine (Wilton).................. Western Maine Western Maine Western Maine Androscoggin,
Centers for Alliance for ACCESS Early Franklin, &
Children on Children's Care, Learning Oxford Counties.
behalf of the Education, and Opportunity Grant.
Support (ACCESS).
Massachusetts (Boston).......... Economic 0-8 Coalition..... Boston Learns: An City of Boston
Development and Early Literacy including the
Industrial Collaborative for neighborhoods of
Corporation on Children, Mattapan,
behalf of the Families, and Roslindale, &
Educators. Hyde Park.
Massachusetts (Cambridge)....... Cambridge Public Cambridge 0-8 Accelerating City of Cambridge.
Schools on behalf Council. Language and
of the Literacy for
Children,
Families, and
Providers.
Massachusetts (Lowell).......... Lowell Public Lowell Community Lowell Community City of Lowell.
Schools District Partnership for Partnerships for
on behalf of the Children. Children Early
Learning
Opportunities
Initiative.
Michigan (Grand Rapids)......... Heart of West Kent County Family Connections For Kent County.
Michigan United and Children's Children.
Way on behalf of Coordinating
the Council.
Minnesota (Minneapolis)......... n/a............... Minneapolis Youth Minneapolis Youth City of
Coordinating Coordinating Minneapolis.
Board. Board Readiness
Initiative.
New Hampshire (Manchester)...... Easter Seals New Early Learning Links to Early Rockingham &
Hampshire on Lasts a Lifetime Learning. Strafford
behalf of the Local Council of Counties.
Southeastern New
Hampshire.
New York (Binghampton).......... Broome Community Broome County Building Brighter Broome County.
College on behalf Early Childhood Futures For
of the Coalition. Broome.
North Carolina (Lenoir)......... Communities In Local Council for Early Learning Caldwell County.
Schools of Early Childhood Opportunities
Caldwell County Development. Movement.
Inc. on behalf of
the
Oklahoma (Pawhuska)............. Osage Tribe of Osage Tribal Osage Nation Early Osage Indian
Indians of Council. Learning Center. Tribal
Oklahoma on Reservation in
behalf of the Osage County.
Rhode Island (Providence)....... The Providence Ready to Learn Ready to Learn City of
Plan on behalf of Providence Local Providence. Providence.
the Council.
South Carolina (Lancaster)...... n/a............... Lancaster County Lancaster County Lancaster County.
First Steps. First Steps.
South Carolina (Beaufort)....... Beaufort County Beaufort County Beaufort County Beaufort County.
Council on behalf Early Childhood Early Childhood
of the Coalition. Coalition.
Texas (El Paso)................. El Paso Community Strong Families, Using a Promotor El Paso County.
College on behalf Strong Future de Salud to
of the Council. Promote Early
Learning in At-
Risk Populations
along the US-
Mexico Border.
Texas (Levelland)............... South Plains South Plains Early On the Road with Counties of
Community Action Childhood Council. Literacy. Bailey, Cochran,
Association, Inc. Crosby, Dickens,
on behalf of the Garza, Hale,
Hockley, Lamb,
Floyd, Lynn,
Lubbock, Terry,
King, Motely, &
Yoakum.
Vermont (Swanton)............... Franklin Northwest Franklin County Franklin County Franklin County.
Supervisory Union Early Childhood Early Learning
on behalf of the Advisory Council. Opportunities
Project.
Virginia (Fairfax).............. Fairfax County Childcare Advisory Fairfax Fairfax County
Board of Council. Collaborative. including the
Supervisors on cities of Falls
behalf of the Church & Fairfax.
Virginia (Harrisonburg)......... United Way of United Way Success The Reading Road Rockingham County
Harrisonburg & By 6 Coalition. Show Early & the City of
Rockingham Literacy Harrisonburg.
County, Inc. on Initiative.
behalf of the
[[Page 33200]]
Virginia (Norfolk).............. n/a............... Hampton Roads Square One School Region known as
Partnership Readiness Hampton Roads
Square One. Initiative. including 17
localities:
Cities of
Chesapeake,
Franklin,
Hampton, Newport
News, Norfolk,
Poquoson,
Portsmouth,
Smithfield,
Suffolk, Virginia
Beach, &
Williamsburg &
the Counties of
Gloucester, Isle
of Wight, James
City,
Southampton,
Surry, & York.
Washington (Spokane)............ Health Improvement Spokane Regional Strengthening Spokane County.
Partnership of Child Care Early Learning in
Spokane County on Initiative. Spokane County.
behalf of the
Washington (Vancouver).......... Educational Support Early Every Moment Clark County.
Service District Learning and Counts: Achieving
112 on behalf of Families Local School Readiness
the Council. in Clark County.
West Virginia (Huntington)...... Huntington West Cabell-Wayne Early ERASE (Education, Cabell & Wayne
Virginia Housing Childhood Council. Rurality, Counties.
Authority on Accessibility,
behalf of the Service, and
Economic)
Barriers Project.
West Virginia (Webster Springs). Webster County Early Care and More by Four-- Webster County.
Board of Education Ready by Five.
Education on Consortium.
behalf of the
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix E.--FY 2003 Early Learning Opportunity Act Grantees and
Geographic Service Areas
Forty-three Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grants were
awarded in FY 2003. Listed below is the name of each grantee, the
title of its project, and its geographic service area. The 17-month
project period for these grants is September 30, 2003--February 28,
2005. The ELOA Program Area Manager is Carol L. Gage, who can be
reached at 202-690-6243 or cgage@acf.hhs.gov.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grantee's fiscal Local council Geographic service
State agent (ELOA grantee) Project title area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama (Huntsville)............ National Children's Policy Building Blocks Huntsville City &
Children's Council for Project. Madison County.
Advocacy Center Huntsville City
on behalf of the and Madison
County.
Alaska (Barrow)................. Ilisagvik College Community Child Earlying Learning North Slope
on behalf of the Care Council of Enhancement for Borough.
the Arctic Slope the North Slope
Native Borough of Alaska.
Association.
Arizona (Nogales)............... Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz County.
Schools Office on Schools Early Learning-
behalf of the Consortium. Learning Together/
Aprendiendo
Temprano--Aprendi
endo Juntos
Program.
California (Merced)............. Merced County Merced County CELO--Coalition Merced County.
Office of Local Childcare for Early
Education on Planning Council. Learning
behalf of the Opportunity.
Califronia (NAPA)............... Napa County Office Napa County Child The EARLY II Napa County.
of Education on Care Planning Project
behalf of the Council. (Enhancing
Accessibility and
Readiness for
Learning by Young
children).
California (Oroville)........... Butte County Butte County Local Beginning Early Butte County.
Office of Child Care Learning and
Education on Planning Council. Literacy Success.
behalf of the
California (Pleasant Hill)...... Contra Costa Contra Costa Contra Costa Contra Costs
County Office of County Local County Early County.
Education on Planning Council. Learning Project.
behalf of the
California (Redwood City)....... San Mateo County San Mateo County The San Mateo San Mateo County.
Superintendent of Child Care County Early
Schools on behalf Partnership Learning Project.
of the Council.
California (San Diego).......... San Diego County San Diego County Project MENTOR North San Diego
Superintendent of Child Care and (Meeting County:
Schools on behalf Development Educational Needs Escondido, Vista,
of the Planning Council. Through Outreach). Oceanside, &
Poway.
[[Page 33201]]
California (Shingle Springs).... n/a............... First 5 El Dorado Early Learning El Dorado County.
Children and Matters.
Families
Commission.
Colorado (Dillon)............... n/a............... Summit County Summit County Summit County.
Child Care Reading Early
Resource & Always Learning
Referral Agency. (R.E.A.L.)
Project.
Delaware (Wilmington)........... City of Wilmington Wilmington Early Wilmington Cares.. City of
on behalf of the Care and Wilmington.
Education Council.
Florida (Orlando)............... Orange County Mayor's Education Orlando's Ore-K City of Orlando.
School readiness Action Council. Enrichment
Coalition on Project.
behalf of the
Florida (Pineallas Park)........ Juvenile Welfare Pinellas County Pinellas Early Pinellas County.
Board of Pinellas School Readiness Literacy Learning
County on behalf Coalition, Inc. Community Program.
of the
Georgia (Atlanta)............... United Way of Central DeKalb Lighting the SPARK DeKalb County.
Metropolitan SPARK Partnership.
Atlanta on behalf
of the
Iowa (Webster City)............. Hamilton County Building Families. Early Childhood Hamilton,
Auditor on behalf Enhancement Humbodlt, &
of the Institute. Wright Counties.
Kansas (Topeka)................. United Way of Topeka Area Child Topeka Links to Shawnee County.
Greater Topeka on Care Advisory Learning.
behalf of the Council.
Louisiana (Monroe).............. n/a............... Children's Ouachita Parish Cities of Monore &
Coalition for Right Start West Monroe.
Northeast Program.
Louisiana.
Maine (Waterville).............. Kennebec Valley Kennebec/Somerset Project PLUS...... Kennebec &
Community Action Alliance for Somerset
Program on behalf Children's Care, Counties.
of the Education, and
Support Services
(ACCESS).
Maine (Wiscasset)............... Coastal Coastal Alliance Coastal Early Care Northern
Enterprises, Inc. for Children's and Education Cumberland,
on behalf of the Care, Education, Project. Sagadahoc,
and Support Lincoln, Waldo, &
(ACCESS). Know Counties.
Maryland (Baltimore)............ n/a............... Family Support Baltimore's Early 4 Communities in
Strategy Literacy for East/West
Committee of the Families (ELF) Baltimore City:
Family League of Project. Druid Heights,
Baltimore City, Reservoir Hill,
Inc. Upton; historic
East Baltimore;
Sandtown,
Winchester,
Harlem Park; &
South-west
Baltimore
Consortium.
Maryland (Centreville).......... Queen Anne's Queen Anne's Families First Queen Anne County.
County Office of County Community Play to Learn
Finance on behalf Partnerships for Center.
of the Children.
Maryland (Charlotte Hall)....... n/a............... Southern Maryland Southern Maryland Calvert, Charles,
Child Care Early Literacy & St. Mary's
Resource Center. Project. Counties.
Massachusetts (Northampton)..... Hampshire Eastern and South Early Learning Web 5 rural
Educational Hadley Community Project. communities in
Collaborative on Partnership for western
behalf of the Children. Massachusetts;
Belchertown,
South Hadley, &
Ware (Hampshire
County) & Monson
& Palmer (Hampden
County).
MIchigan (Adrian)............... Lenawee Lenawee's CHILD Lenawee's CHILD: Lenawee County.
Intermediate Advisory Council. Communities
School District Helping to
of behalf of the Increase Learning
and Development.
Michigan (Detroit).............. Southwest Family Support New Steps-- Wayne County.
Counseling and Team of Southwest Organizing the
Development Detroit. Community for New
Services on Steps to Early
behalf of the Learning.
Minnesota (W. St. Paul)......... Dakota County Dakota Healthy Dakota Healthy Dakota County.
Public Health Families Steering Families Early
Department on Team. Learning Project.
behalf of the
Missouri & Kansas (Kansas City, Mid-America Metropolitan Kansas City Early Kansas: Johnston,
MO). Regional Council Council on Child Childhood Leavenworth, &
on behalf of the Care. Excellence Wyandotte
Project Phase II. Counties;
Missouri: Cass,
Clay, Jackson,
Platte, & Ray
Counties.
New Jersey (Galloway)........... AlantiCare United Way of Parents As Atlantic County.
Foundation on Atlantic County Teachers.
behalf of the Success by 6
Initiative.
New Jersey (Hillside)........... Community Union County Union County Early Union County.
Coordinated Child Association of Learning
Care on behalf of Child Care Opportunities
the Providers. Project.
[[Page 33202]]
North Carolina (Morgantown)..... n/a............... Burke County Asset-Based Burke & Catawba
Partnership for Literacy and Counties.
Children. Learning
Initiative (ABBL).
New Mexico (Santa Fe)........... United Way of Success by 6 Success By 6 Early Santa Fe County.
Santa Fe County Council. Literacy Project.
on behalf of the
Pennsylvania (Wilkes-Barre)..... United Way of Children's Healthy Families Luzerne County.
Wyoming Valley on Alliance of of Luzerne County.
behalf of the Luzerne County.
South Carolina (Greenville)..... United Way of United Way of STEPS (Staff- Greenville County.
Greenville County Greenville County Training-
of behalf of the Success By 6 Environments-
Child Care Parenting-
Initiative. Scholarships).
Texas (Austin).................. The Austin Project Austin Child Care Ticket to Learn-- 4 contiguous zip
on behalf of the Council. Early Learning codes within the
Opportunities City of Austin,
Initiative. Travis County:
78723, 78752,
78753, & 78758.
Texas (Corpus Christi).......... United Way of the Success by 6 Local Coastal Bend Early 12-county Coastal
Coastal Bend on Council. Learning Bend region of
behalf of the Opportunities South TX:
Project. Arkansas, Bee,
Brooks, Duval,
Jim Wells,
Kennedy, Kleberg,
Live Oak
McMullen, Nueces,
Refugio, & San
Patricio.
Texas (Houston)................. Initiatives for Greater Houston HELP (Harris Harris County.
Children on Collaborative for County Early
behalf of the Children Learning Program
Governing for Kids).
Committee.
Virginia (Richmond)............. United Ways Greater Richmond Project EXCEL: City of Richmond &
Services Success Early Child EXcellence for the Counties of
by Six on behalf Development Children and Chesterfield &
of the Coalition. Eearly Learning. Henrico.
Washington (Oakville)........... Confederated South Puget Tribal Early Chehalis Indian
Tribes of the Council Tribal Learning Reservation &
Chehalis Local Council. Opportunities Skokomish
Reservation on Project. Reservation.
behalf of the
Washington & Idaho (Pullman).... Palouse Early Childhood Young Children and Latah County,
Industries, Inc. Service Council Family Programs Idaho & Whitman
on behalf of the for Latah County, on the Palouse. County,
ID and Whitman Washington, an
County, WA. area
geographically
known as the
``Palouse''.
West Virginia (Elkins).......... Youth Health Randolph & Barbour Appalachian Randolph & Barbour
Service, Inc. on County Early Readers. Counties.
behalf of the Childhood
Collaboratives.
Wisconsin (Appleton)............ Child Care Healthy Infant and Quality Early Calumet,
Resource and Child Alliance, Literacy Outagamie, &
Referral, Inc. on Inc. Environments. Waupaca Counties.
behalf of the
Wisconsin (Eau Claire).......... Eau Claire County Connect for Connect for Eau Claire County.
Department of Children Council. Children Early
Human Services on Learning Project.
behalf of the
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[FR Doc. 04-13079 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P