[Federal Register: February 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 35)]
[Notices]
[Page 8201-8209]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe04-77]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services
Bureau
Notice of a Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: Mentoring Children of Prisoners.
Announcement Type: Competitive Grant--Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-CU-0001.
CFDA Number: 93.616.
DATES: April 23, 2004.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) within the
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces the
[[Page 8202]]
availability of financial assistance and the request for applications
for the FY 2004 Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program activities
under section 439, Title IV-B, subpart 2 of the Social Security Act, as
amended. The purpose of this program is to make competitive grants to
applicants in urban, suburban, rural, and tribal populations with
substantial numbers of children of incarcerated parents and to support
the establishment or expansion of programs using a network of public
and private entities to provide mentoring services to these children.
Background on Mentoring Children of Prisoners
Across our Nation, many Americans are responding to the call to
service by mentoring a child in need. By offering love, guidance,
and encouragement, mentors put hope in children's hearts, and help
ensure that young people realize their full potential.
President George W. Bush, January 2003.
Witnessing and living with the arrest and incarceration of a parent
is devastating for children and families. The living conditions, family
configurations, and problems faced by the parents make it likely that
significant numbers of children of prisoners will suffer emotional and
behavioral difficulties. Economic, social, and emotional burdens are
often placed on families and caretakers, especially children. Family
relationships are strained and any existing stability is compromised.
As a result, the majority of these children experience multiple changes
of caregivers and/or living arrangements.
What Are the Effects of Incarceration on the Child?
Research has found that long term physical absence of a parent has
profound effects on child development. Children of incarcerated parents
are seven times more likely to become involved in the juvenile and
adult criminal justice systems. Parental arrest and confinement often
lead to stress, trauma, stigmatization, and separation problems which
may be compounded by existing poverty, violence, substance abuse, high-
crime environments, child abuse and neglect, multiple caregivers, and/
or prior separations. These children are more likely to develop
attachment disorders and often exhibit broad varieties of behavioral,
emotional, health, and educational problems. Many children of
incarcerated parents are angry and lash out at others leading to
confrontations with law enforcement. Lacking the support of families,
schools, and other community institutions, they often do not develop
values and social skills leading to the formation of successful
relationships.
Who Are the Children?
Between 1991 and 1999, the number of children with a parent in a
Federal or State correctional facility increased by more than 100
percent, from approximately 900,000 to approximately 2,000,000. Like
their parents, children of criminal offenders reflect the racial
differences of the incarcerated populations. Seven percent of African
American children have an incarcerated parent; almost three percent of
Hispanic children have an incarcerated parent, while less than one
percent of white children have an incarcerated parent.
Who Are the Parents?
According to the 2001 national data from the Bureau of Justice
Statistics, 3.5 million parents were supervised by the correctional
system. Prior to incarceration, 64 percent of female prisoners and 44
percent of male prisoners in State facilities lived with their
children. During incarceration nearly 90 percent of children of
incarcerated fathers lived with their mothers and 79 percent of
children of incarcerated mothers lived with a grandparent or other
relative. Although research has indicated that parents and children
should visit one another, less than 50 percent of prisoners receive
visits from their children. In a number of cases, the caregiver may not
allow the child to visit the inmate and prisons are often located far
away from the urban areas where most children of prisoners live.
According to the Bureau of Prisons, there is evidence to suggest that
inmates who are connected to their children and families are more
likely to avoid negative incidents and have reduced sentences.
Who Are the Mentors?
Mentors are recruited from a variety of sources including
congregations, religious non-profit organizations, community-based
organizations, service organizations, Senior Corps, and the business
community. Research has shown that the health and productivity of
mentors is enhanced by their connection to a child in need.
How Can Mentoring Help?
It has been demonstrated that mentoring is a potent force for
improving youth outcomes. Mentoring increases the likelihood of regular
school attendance and academic achievement. It also decreases the
chances of engaging in self-destructive or violent behavior. A trusting
relationship with a caring adult will provide stability and often have
a profound, life-changing effect on the child. Mentoring provides the
incarcerated parent with the assurance that somebody is there to look
after the best interests of their child.
What Are Possible Outcomes?
Research confirms the societal benefits of mentoring efforts with
children. Specifically, data indicates that mentoring programs have
reduced first time drug use by almost 50 percent and first-time alcohol
use by 33 percent. Also, caregiver and peer relationships are shown to
improve. In addition, mentored youth displayed greater confidence in
their schoolwork and improved their academic performance.
How Are Matches Initiated and Monitored?
Parents, incarcerated parents, caretakers, schools, courts, social
service organizations, or congregations will identify children in need
of a mentor and initiate the referral to a mentoring organization. The
mentoring organization will facilitate and monitor the match by
allowing parents and other stakeholders opportunities to provide
feedback on the match. The mentoring organization will develop and
distribute status reports to appropriate interested parties.
What Happens When Parents Return Home From Prison?
Mentors are not meant to be ``replacement parents.'' In situations
where incarcerated parents were actively engaged in the mentoring
process, through visits, phone conversations or letters, reunification
is a natural process with realistic expectations. Mentors can help
facilitate a smooth reentry by helping parents reconnect with their
child and are often invited to continue to be a supportive resource
well after the return of the parent.
What Is the Family and Youth Services Bureau?
For over 30 years, the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)
within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has provided
grants at the local level to Community and Faith-based organizations
serving a population of vulnerable youth, including runaway, homeless,
and street youth.
Definitions
Children of Prisoners: Children, where one or both parents are
incarcerated in a Federal, State or local correctional facility, on
parole or on
[[Page 8203]]
probation. A child whose parent is on parole or probation is eligible
to participate in the mentoring program if the linkage is made while
the parent is still incarcerated. Children of persons incarcerated in
local facilities become eligible for the mentoring program only in the
unfortunate instance that the parent is remanded to custody or the
State department of corrections. Children must be 4 years to 14 years
of age when they begin to receive services.
Mentoring: A structured, managed program in which children are
appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers for
one-to-one relationships. This involves meetings and activities on a
regular basis between the mentors and children to support a child's
need for a caring and supportive adult in his life.
Prisoner: Adult who is incarcerated in a Federal or State
correctional facility or is being held in a local facility but is
remanded to the custody of a State department of corrections.
Caretaker: The parent or legal guardian charged with the
responsibility of caring for a child while the parent is incarcerated.
Mentoring Organization: The community or faith-based organization
that coordinates local entities participating in the provision of
mentoring services and the mentoring support network. Mentoring
organizations will be responsible for the application and performance
of the grant. They also will be responsible for providing the cash or
in-kind contribution.
Mentoring Services: Those services and activities that support a
structured, managed program of mentoring, including the management by
trained personnel of outreach to and screening of eligible children;
outreach to, education, and training of and liaison with sponsoring
local organizations; screening and training of adult volunteers;
matching of children with suitable adult volunteer mentors; support and
oversight of the mentoring relationship; and establishment of goals and
evaluation of outcomes for mentored children.
Projects Funded Under This Program Must Do the Following Things
(a) Link children with mentors who have:
Received training and support in mentoring;
Completed screening and reference checks,
including child and domestic abuse records checks and criminal
background checks; and
Expressed an interest in working with children
in disadvantaged situations.
(b) Incorporate the elements of Positive Youth Development by
providing youth with:
Safe and trusting relationships;
Healthy messages about life and social behavior;
Guidance from a positive adult role model;
Increased and enhanced participation in
education for positive outcomes;
Participation in civic service and community
activities.
(c) Coordinate with partnering groups to develop a plan for the
whole family:
Connect the child with the imprisoned parent
with permission from the other spouse or guardian;
Coordinate support services to siblings and
families;
Support caregivers with training and help
navigating the services provided by the mentoring network.
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated total Priority Area Funding: $50,000,000.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 150-200.
Ceiling on amount of individual Awards: $ 1,000,000.
Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
Average projected Award Amount: $100,000 to $1,000,000; Funds are
pending appropriation action by the Congress.
Project Periods for Awards: 36 month project periods with 12 month
budget periods.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
County governments, City or township governments, Special district
governments, Independent school districts, State controlled
institutions of higher education, Native American tribal
governments(Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian
housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than
Federally recognized tribal governments), Non-profits having a 501(C)3
status, and Non-profits that do not have 501(C)3 status.
Additional Information on Eligibility: Those eligible to apply for
funding under this grant competition include faith and community-based
organizations, tribal governments or consortia, and State and local
governments where substantial numbers of children of prisoners live as
compared to the national average. Applicants must apply to establish
new programs or to expand existing programs utilizing a network of
public and private community entities to provide mentoring services for
children of prisoners. Collaboration among eligible entities is
strongly encouraged. All eligible organizations, including faith-based
organizations, are eligible to compete on equal footing for Federal
financial assistance used to support social services programs. No
organizations can be discriminated against on the basis of religion in
the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance
under social service programs. Faith-based organizations are eligible
to compete for Federal financial assistance while retaining their
identity, mission, religious references, and governance. However,
faith-based organizations that receive funding may not use Federal
financial assistance, including funds, to meet any cost-sharing
requirements or to support inherently religious activities, such as
worship, religious instruction, or prayer.
Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
(a) A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt
organizations described in the IRS code.
(b) A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
(c) 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.
(d) A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status.
(e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000. 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.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
For the first and second years of the grant, grantees must provide
at least 25
[[Page 8204]]
percent of the total Federal funds awarded. In the third year of the
grant, the grantee must account for at least 50 percent of the total
project budget. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of
the Federal share and the non-Federal share. If the total project cost
is $200,000, then the applicant must demonstrate a commitment of at
least a $50,000 match and request funding of $150,000 from the Federal
government. The Federal share may be matched by cash or in-kind
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their
requirement through cash contributions. In determining the amount of
the non-Federal share, the fair market value will be attributed to
goods, services (excluding mentoring time and services) and facilities
contributed from non-Federal sources. Mentoring time and services are
not allowable as in-kind costs. Grantees will be held accountable for
commitments of non-Federal resources even if they are over the amount
of the required match. The failure to provide the amount required will
result in disallowance of Federal share.
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.
3. Other (if Applicable)
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.
Program Guidance: To be eligible for funding, a project must
propose mentoring programs and activities to serve the children of
prisoners in areas with a comparative severity of need for mentoring
services, taking into consideration data on the numbers of children
(particularly of low-income children) with an incarcerated parent (or
parents/family) from the service delivery area.
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
ACYF Operations, The Dixon Group, ATTN: Sylvia Johnson, 118 Q
Street, NE., Washington DC 20002-2132; Telephone: (866) 796-1591. E-
mail address: FYSB@dixongroup.com.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
An original and two copies of the complete application are
required. The original and 2 copies must include all required forms,
certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized
representative, have original signatures, and be submitted unbound.
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.
You may submit your application to us either in electronic or paper
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.Gov
apply site. If you use Grants.Gov you will be able to
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.Gov site. You may
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.Gov.
Electronic submission is voluntary
When you enter the Grants.Gov site, you will
find information about submitting an application electronically through
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process through Grants.Gov.
To use Grants.Gov, you, as the applicant, must
have a DUNS Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry
(CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR
registration.
You will not receive additional point value
because you submit a grant application in paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically,
including all information typically included on the SF424 and all
necessary assurances and certifications.
Your application must comply with any page
limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
After you electronically submit your
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from
Grants.Gov that contains a Grants.Gov tracking number. The
Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application
from Grants.Gov.
We may request that you provide original
signatures on forms at a later date.
You may access the electronic application for
this program on http://www.Grants.Gov. You must search for the
downloadable application package by the CFDA number.
Application Requirements: Each application must be submitted in
accordance with the guidance provided below.
(a) The application 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.
(b) If more than one agency is involved in submitting a single
application, one entity must be identified as the applicant
organization that will have legal responsibility for the grant.
Forms and Certifications: The project description should include
all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation
criteria outlined in the program announcement under Part V. In addition
to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all the
standard forms required for making applications for awards under this
announcement. Applicants requesting financial assistance for non-
construction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances:
Non-Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the
Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must provide a
certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award in excess
of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the certification with
their applications. Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the
Standard Form LLL when applying for
[[Page 8205]]
an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal
funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance
under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if
applicable, with their applications. The forms (Forms 424, 424A-B) and
Certifications may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
under new announcements. Fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A
and the associated certifications and assurances based on the
instructions on the forms.
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
.
Project Summary Abstract: Provide a one page (or less) summary of
the project description with reference to the funding request.
Full Project Description Requirements: Describe the project clearly
in 30 pages or less (not counting supplemental documentation, letters
of support or agreements) using the following outline and guidelines.
Applicants are required to submit a Full Project Description and must
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the
following instructions. The pages of the project description must be
numbered and are limited to 30 typed pages starting on page 1 of
``Objectives and Need of Assistance''. The description must be doubled-
spaced, printed on only one side, with at least \1/2\ inch margins.
Pages over the limit will be removed from the competition and will not
be reviewed.
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 page limitations. In addition,
applicants should be mindful of the importance of preparing and
submitting applications using language, terms, concepts and
descriptions that are generally known by both the targeted youth and
the broader youth services field. The maximum number of pages for
supplemental documentation is 10 pages. The supplemental documentation,
subject to the 10-page limit, must be numbered and might include brief
resumes, position descriptions, proof of non-profit status (if
applicable), news clippings, press releases, etc. Supplemental
documentation over the 10-page limit will not be reviewed.
Applicants must include letters of support or agreement, if
appropriate or applicable, in reference to the project description.
Letters of support are not counted as part of the 30-page project
description limit or the 10-page supplemental documentation limit.
(Note: Applicable agreements are those between grantees and sub-
grantees or sub-contractors or other cooperating entities which support
or complement the provision of mandated services to children of
prisoners.)
Application Assurances: In addition to the standard assurances of
safety, applicants must provide the following assurances:
Mentors will not be assigned more children than
can be served without undermining the mentor's ability to be effective.
Grantees will recruit mentors who are committed
to spending at least one hour per week with assigned children for a
period of at least one year.
The mentoring program will provide children with
emotional and academic support as well as exposure to a variety of
experiences that they might not otherwise encounter.
The program will be monitored to ensure that
each child benefits from the match. If the match is not found to be
beneficial to the child a new mentor will be assigned.
The program will cooperate with any research or
evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and
Families.
The program will submit quarterly program
reports and annual financial reports, as instructed by FYSB.
The program will set aside funding for travel to
inform FYSB and meet with other grantees at an annual sharing and
technical assistance meeting.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The closing date for submission of applications is April 23, 2004.
Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be
classified as late.
Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are postmarked on or before April 23, 2004
or sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for
the independent review. Applications must be mailed to the following
address: ACYF Operations, The Dixon Group, ATTN: Sylvia Johnson, 118 Q
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
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 proof of a 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 shall not be acceptable as proof
of timely mailing. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.
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 deadline
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., e.s.t., at ACYF
Operations, The Dixon Group, ATTN: Sylvia Johnson, 118 Q Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20002-2132, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal
holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package containing
the application with the note ``ATTN: Sylvia Johnson''. Applicants are
cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as
agreed.
Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ACF shall 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 mails service. Determinations
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants
Management Officer.
Required Forms:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narrative.......................... Described in Section I Format described in Section By application due
of this Announcement. V. date.
SF 424, SF 424A, and SF 424B....... Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/forms.htm.
[[Page 8206]]
Certification regarding Lobbying Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
and associated Disclosure of http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
Lobbying Activities (SF LLL). ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Per required form..... May be found at http:// By application due
Certification. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Forms: Private-non-profit organizations may submit with
their applications the additional survey located under ``Grant Related
Documents and Forms'' titled ``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 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.'' Under the Order, States may design their own
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance
under covered programs. As of June 20, 2001, the following
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects
administered by federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action
in regard to E.O. 12372:
All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming have elected to participate in the
Executive Order process and have established Single Point of Contacts
(SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-five jurisdictions need take no
action regarding Executive Order 12372.
Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State,
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them about the
prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the
award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if
any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date
of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
Comments should be submitted directly to Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC
20447. A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and
Territory is included with the application materials for this
announcement.
5. Funding Restrictions
Applicants are cautioned that the ceiling for individual awards is
$1,000,000. Applications exceeding the $1,000,000 threshold will be
returned without review.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Submission by Mail: An Applicant must provide an original
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized
representative and two copies. The Application must be received at the
address below by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on or before the closing
date. Applications should be mailed to:
ACYF Operations, The Dixon Group, ATTN: Sylvia Johnson, 118 Q
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
For Hand Delivery: Applicant must provide an original application
with all attachments, signed by an authorized representative and two
copies. The Application must be received at the address below by 4:30
p.m. eastern standard time on or before the closing date. Applications
that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be delivered to:
ACYF Operations, The Dixon Group, ATTN: Sylvia Johnson, 118 Q Street,
NE.,Washington, DC 20002-2132. It is strongly recommended that
applicants obtain documentation that the application was hand delivered
on or before the closing date. Applicants are cautioned that express/
overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Instructions: ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD)
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). The UPD was approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Control Number 0970-0139,
expiration date 03/31/04. The generic UPD requirement is followed by
the evaluation criterion specific to the Promoting Safe and Stable
Families Act.
[[Page 8207]]
Objectives and Need for Assistance
Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, when
applying for a grant to serve children of incarcerated parents,
describe who will receive services, where and how the services will be
provided, and how the services will benefit the youth, their families
and the community.
Approach
Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
Provide quarterly reports of accomplishments achieved for each
function or activity such as the number of people served and the number
of activities achieved. When activity or function cannot quantify
accomplishments, list them in chronological order to show the schedule
of accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from 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.
Staff and Position Data and Organizational Profile
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.
Provide information on the applicant organization(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
nonprofit organization submitting an application must submit proof of
its application at the time of submission. The nonprofit agency can
accomplish this by providing 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, or by
providing a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of
the State in which the corporation or association is domiciled.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on 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.
General
The following guidelines are 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.
Personnel
Description: Costs of new 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 should 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
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
[[Page 8208]]
accordance with 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, 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 that 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 sub recipients, 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.
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 required supporting information referred to in
these instructions.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. The Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency
should use this category only when the applicant currently has an
indirect cost rate approval.
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
that contain this information.
Non-Federal Resources
Description: Amounts on 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.
Assurance of Non-Construction
Application requesting financial assistance for non-construction
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the Standard
Form 424B with their applications.
Approach in determining the quality of the project design or
approach the following factors are considered: (30 points)
The detailed plan designed to identify, screen,
and recruit mentors. The description of detailed volunteer screening
procedures to ensure that the mentor poses no safety risk to the child
and has the necessary skills to participate in a mentoring
relationship. (10 points)
The resources that will be coordinated to
support the needs of caretakers and other children in the family
setting. Also, when appropriate, the extent that the program proposes
to partner with identified programs supporting incarcerated parents and
addresses their re-entry. (5 points)
The training process for mentors based on best
practices which will ensure their ability to successfully mentor this
special population. (5 points)
The quality of the mechanism that will be used
to match children with mentors, demonstrating sensitivity to the
diverse needs of the children and the support provided for mentors in
order to sustain long-term mentoring relationships. (5 points)
The level of supervision, oversight, and
monitoring of the child and mentor relationships and activities. The
description of the expected ratio of staff to mentors. The detailed
plan for collecting, on a monthly basis, data documenting meetings and
activities by trained volunteer coordinators to ensure personal
oversight and safety of the children and their mentors. (5 points)
Results and benefits expected in determining the quality of
expected benefits the following factors are considered: (20 points)
The extent to which goals, objectives, and
outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified
and measurable. (10 points)
The extent to which the methods of evaluation
will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of
progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (5 points)
The extent to which outcomes reflect gains in
positive social behaviors, youth engagement, and asset acquisition. (5
points)
Staff and position data and organizational profile in reviewing the
required staff and position data and the organizational profile, the
following factors are considered: (20 points)
A demonstrated history of providing services to
youth and families in disadvantaged situations, along with the ability
to partner and build coalitions at the community level along with
specific definition of the area where services are to be delivered.
(Maps and graphic aids may be attached
[[Page 8209]]
as part of the supplementary documentation.) (10 points)
The extent to which community stakeholders,
including parents, incarcerated parents, local community organizations,
schools, government, caretakers and children, have participated in the
project design. The list and description of how these partners will
contribute to the mentoring network. (5 points)
The quality of skills, knowledge, and experience
of the project director and project staff. This includes job
descriptions, as well as a description of staff training and specific
cultural diversity training related to mentoring the target population.
(5 points)
Objectives and need for assistance in determining the need of
assistance for the proposed project, the following factors are
considered: (15 points)
The conditions and characteristics of youth and
families affected by incarceration in the service delivery area. The
description must demonstrate an awareness of the special needs of this
population, including service delivery gaps and the magnitude of the
problem within the service delivery area. (5 points)
The calculation of the number of children with
parents in prison and projection of the number of mentor-child matches
proposed to be established and maintained annually under the program.
(5 points)
The extent to which there are existing support
services for this population of youth, with specific references to
coordination of courts, health and mental health care, social services,
school, and child welfare. It must be clear that the mentoring program
will complement and enhance, not duplicate available services and that
the mentoring program will work in conjunction with these services to
produce better outcomes for children and families. (5 points)
Budget and budget justification in determining the soundness of the
budget and budget justification, the following factors are considered:
(15 points)
The extent to which costs of the proposed
program are reasonable and justified in terms of numbers of children of
prisoners, types and quantities of services to be provided, and the
anticipated results and benefits. Discussion should refer to the budget
information presented on Standard Form 424 and 424A and the applicant's
budget justification. (10 points)
Identification of fiscal control and accounting
procedures that will be used to ensure the prudent use, proper
disbursement, and accurate accounting of federal funds received, as
well as the accounting of cash and in-kind for the non-federal match.
(5 points)
2. Review and Selection Process
All applications which are complete and conform to the requirements
of this program announcement will be subject to a competitive review
and evaluation against the specific grant program criteria outlined in
this announcement. This review will be conducted in Washington, DC, by
panels of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas related to
children of prisoners, child development and human services. The
overall panel review is managed by Federal staff.
Application review panels will assign a score to each application,
identifying its strengths and weaknesses. Central office staff will
conduct administrative reviews of those applications within funding
range. After all reviews have been completed, FYSB staff will recommend
the application for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF. The Commissioner
will make the final selection of the applications to be funded.
Please note that here will be a 5 percent set aside specifically
for tribes and tribal consortia.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of
a Financial Assistance Award document which will set forth the amount
of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be
given, the non-Federal share to be provided and the total project
period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance
Award will be signed by the Grants Officer.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing by the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13): Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Department is
required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval any reporting and record keeping requirements or
regulations including program announcements. This program announcement
does not contain information collection requirements beyond those
approved for ACF grant applications under the Program Narrative
Statement by OMB (Approval Number 0980-0204).
3. Reporting
Programatic Reports: Quarterly.
Financial Reports: Semi-Annually.
Reporting Requirements: All grantees are required to submit
quarterly program reports; grantees are also required to submit semi-
annual expenditure reports using the required financial standard form
(SF-269) which is located on the Internet at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/sf/SF-269.pdf.
A suggested format for the program report will be
sent to all grantees after the awards are made.
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contact: Linda V. Barnett, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., Washington, DC 20447, (202) 401-9358, lbarnett@acf.hhs.gov.
Grants Management Office Contact: Sylvia Johnson, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, (202) 401-2344,
SYJohnson@acf.hhs.gov.
General: The Dixon Group, ACYF Operations Center, 118 Q Street,
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, Telephone: (800) 351-2293 or (202) 245-
9111 ext. 201.
VIII. Other Information
Additional information about this program and its purpose can be
located on the following websites: http://www.ncfy.com, http://www.manynet.org, http://www.dhhs.gov/fbci.
Dated: February 18, 2004.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-3844 Filed 2-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P