[Federal Register: April 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 22829-22838]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27ap04-72]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2004 Street Outreach Program (SOP)
AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, Administration on
Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, HHS.
Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-YO-0016.
CFDA Number: 93.557.
Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications
is June 11, 2004.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration
on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services
Bureau (FYSB) invites eligible applicants to submit competitive grant
applications under the Street Outreach program. FYSB awards grants to
private, nonprofit agencies to conduct outreach designed to build
relationships between grantee staff and street youth. The goal of these
efforts is to help young people leave the streets. The local grantees
provide a range of services directly or through collaboration with
other agencies, specifically those working to protect and treat young
people who have been, or who are at risk of being, subjected to sexual
abuse or exploitation. These services include the following: Street-
based education and outreach, access to emergency shelter, survival
aid, individual assessments, treatment and counseling, prevention and
education activities, information and referrals, crisis intervention,
and follow up support. The program purpose is to provide education and
prevention services to runaway, homeless and street youth, up to age
21, who have been subjected to or are at risk of sexual exploitation or
abuse. The goal of the program is to establish and build relationships
between street youth and program outreach staff in order to help youth
leave the streets. The objectives are to provide support services that
will assist the youth in moving and adjusting to a safe and appropriate
alternative living arrangement.
These services include, at a minimum, treatment,
counseling, provision of information and referral services.
Street outreach programs must have access to
local emergency shelter space that is an appropriate placement for
young people and that can be made available for youth willing to come
in off the streets.
Street outreach staff must have access to the
shelter in order to maintain interaction with the youth during the time
they are in the shelter.
A. Background on Runaway and Homeless Youth and Positive Youth
Development
It is estimated that 1.5 million youth are runaway, homeless, or
street youth in the United States. Many of these youth have left home
to escape abusive situations or because they were not provided with
their basic needs for food, shelter, and a safe, supportive
environment.
Many young people living on the streets or away from home without
parental supervision are highly vulnerable. They may be exploited by
dealers of illegal drugs, become victims of street violence, or members
of gangs
[[Page 22830]]
that provide protection and a sense of extended family. They may be
drawn into shoplifting, survival sex or dealing drugs in order to earn
money for food, shelter, clothing and other daily expenses. They often
drop out of school, forfeiting their opportunities to learn and to
become independent, self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
On the street, these youth may try to survive with little or no
contact with medical professionals, the result being that health
problems may go untreated and worsen. Without the support of family,
schools and other community institutions, they may not acquire the
personal values and work skills that will enable them to enter or
advance in the world of work. Furthermore, while on the streets,
unsheltered youth may create challenges for law enforcement and put
themselves in danger. This situation calls for a community-based
positive youth development approach to address the needs of runaway,
homeless and street youth.
The array of social, emotional and health problems faced by youth
on the street are dramatically compounded by the incidence of sexual
exploitation and/or abuse. Street youth are victimized by strangers as
well as by individuals known to the youth, and a significant number of
homeless youth are exploited as they participate in survival sex to
meet their basic needs for food and shelter. Because of these issues,
sexually exploited youth often need more intensive services. Youth must
be afforded the opportunity to slowly build trusting relationships with
caring and responsible adults as the first step to successfully
encouraging them to leave the streets.
In response to the needs of street youth who are subjected to or at
risk of sexual exploitation or abuse, Congress amended the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act by authorizing the Education and Prevention Services
to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth Program
under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. This
program is referred to as the Street Outreach Program (SOP) for
Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth.
B. What Is Positive Youth Development?
The positive youth development approach is predicated on the
understanding that all young people need support, guidance, and
opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change.
With this support, they can develop self-assurance and create a
healthy, successful life.
The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) have worked to promote
a positive youth development framework for all FYSB activities. This
approach, which is asset-based rather than problem-focused, is intended
for policy and program developers, program managers, youth services
professionals, and others who care about young people. It intends to
enhance capacity to develop service models and approaches that direct
youth toward positive pathways of development.
1. Key elements of positive youth development are:
(a) Healthy messages to adolescents about their bodies, their
behaviors and their interactions;
(b) Safe and structured places for teens to study, recreate, and
socialize;
(c) Strengthened relationships with adult role models, such as
parents, mentors, coaches or community leaders;
(d) Skill development in literacy, competence, work readiness and
social skills; and
(e) Opportunities to serve others and build self-esteem.
If these factors are being addressed, young people can become not
just ``problem-free'' but ``fully prepared'' and engaged constructively
in their communities and society.
Positive developmental opportunities should be available to all
young people during adolescence (intellectually, psychologically,
socially, morally and ethically). Youth benefit from experiential
learning, and they need to belong to a group while maintaining their
individuality. At the same time, they want and need support and
interest from caring adults. They also need opportunities to express
opinions, challenge adult assumptions, develop the ability to make
appropriate choices, and learn to use new skills, including leadership.
2. These key elements result in the following outcomes:
(a) Increased opportunities and avenues for the positive use of
time;
(b) Increased opportunities for positive self-expression; and
(c) Increased opportunities for youth participation and civic
engagement.
C. Legislative Authority
Grants for the Street Outreach Program are authorized by the
Education and Prevention Services to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway,
Homeless and Street Youth Program under the Violent Crime Control and
Law Enforcement Act of 1994, as amended by the Runaway, Homeless, and
Missing Children Protection Act of 2003, (Public Law 108-96). Text of
this statute may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.
D. Program Requirements
Complete and submit a grant application
following the instructions below.
Statistical Reporting-By submitting an
application, the applicant is agreeing to keep adequate statistical
records profiling the youth and families serviced under this Federal
grant and to gather and submit program data required by FYSB. This
information is required by the RHY program legislation and defined in
the user-friendly Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information
Systems (RHYMIS-LITE).
Research and Evaluation-By submitting an
application, the applicant is agreeing to cooperate with any research
or evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and
Families.
Other Reports-By submitting an application, the
applicant is agreeing to submit other required program and financial
reports as instructed by FYSB
II. Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $8.8 million in FY2004.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 44 to 88 awards.
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $200,000 per budget period.
An application that exceeds $200,000 will be considered ``non-
responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without further review.
Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
Average Projected Award Amount: $100,000 per budget period.
Project Periods for Awards: This announcement is inviting
applications for project periods up to three years. Awards, on a
competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although
project periods may be for three years. Applications for continuation
grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period but
within the three year project period will be entertained in subsequent
years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds,
satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that continued
funding would be in the best interest of the Government.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Nonprofits organizations having a 501 (c) (3)
status with the Internal
[[Page 22831]]
Revenue Service, other than institutions of higher education
Faith-based and Community-based Organizations
Additional Information on Eligibility:
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must include
proof of its nonprofit status in its application at the time of
submission. The nonprofit agency can accomplish this by providing 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 certification.
c. A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or
other appropriate State official certify 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 established non-profit
status.
e. Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a
State or nation parent organization and a statement signed by the
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching Required: Yes.
Grantees must provide at least 10% of the total approved cost of
the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the
ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met
by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to
meet their match requirements, through cash contributions. For example,
in order to meet the match requirements, a project requesting $200,000,
must provide a match of at least $20,000. Grantees will be held
accountable for commitments of non-Federal resources even if over the
amount of the required match.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of the cost
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
3. Other
All Applicants must have Dun & Bradstreet Number. 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 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 at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
Applicants should enter the assigned DUNS number in the upper right
corner of the standard 424 form in the applicant identifier box.
Applications that fail to include the required amount of the cost
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for
funding under this announcement.
An application that exceeds $200,000 will be considered ``non-
responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without further review.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. To Request an application package, write, e-mail, or call: ACYF
Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., SOP-FYSB Funding, 118 Q
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-2132, FYSB@dixongroup.com, (866) 796-
1591.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: An original and two
copies of the complete application are required. The original copy must
include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices,
be signed by an authorized representative, have original signature, and
be submitted unbound. The two additional copies of the complete
application must include all required forms, certifications,
assurances, and appendices and must also 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.
The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare an
application.
A. Forms and Certifications
Complete the Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B and the certification
forms: Lobbying, Disclosure of Lobbying, Drug-Free Workplace,
Debarment, Tobacco Smoke.
Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and
Forms entitled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction
project must sign and return Standard Form 424 B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
Applicants must provide a Certification Regarding Lobbying. Prior
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign
and return the certification with their application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
B. Project Summary/Abstract
Submit a one page summary of the project description with reference
to the funding request.
C. Project Description
Describe the project clearly in 40 pages or less responding to the
evaluation criteria, described in Section V.1. Criteria.
(1) The pages of the project description must be numbered and are
limited to 40 typed pages starting on page 1 of ``Objectives and Need
for Assistance''.
(2) The description must be double-spaced; single-sided, with at
least 1/2 inch margins using not less than a 12 pitch size font.
(3) Each section should be titled with the corresponding evaluation
criteria categories (Objectives and Need, Results and Benefits,
Approach, Staff and Position Data, Organizational Profile, Budget
Justification)
(4) Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the
[[Page 22832]]
application being deemed ineligible for review.
(5) Pages over the limit will be removed from the competition and
will not be reviewed.
D. Supplemental Documentation
1. Applicants May Include a Maximum of An Additional 10 Pages of
Supplemental Documentation
a. This may include brief resumes, position descriptions, proof of
non-profit status (if applicable), maps, organization charts, etc.
b. Supplemental pages must be numbered starting with S-1.
c. Supplemental documentation over the 10-page limit will not be
reviewed.
2. Letters of Support
Applicants may include a maximum of 10 letters of support or in
reference to the project description. The letters of support are not
counted against the project description or supplemental documentation
page limits.
3. Letters of Agreement Summaries
Applicants are required to include a summary of the Letter of
Agreement between the applicant agency and other agencies for services
or referrals that directly affect the operation of the proposed
project. Letters of Agreement are not counted against the project
description or supplemental documentation page limits.
4. Sub-Contract Agreements Summaries
Applicants are required to submit a summary of the proposed sub-
contract agreement if the applicant is proposing to provide a portion
or all of the federal funds to another agency (sub-grantee) to support
or complement street outreach services. The summary must describe which
services will be carried out by the sub-contractor or sub-grantee. Sub-
contract agreements are not counted against the project description or
supplemental documentation page limits.
E. Electronic Copy Submission
You may submit your application to us in either 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 electronic format, nor will
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically,
including all information typically included on the SF 424 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 (identified on the first page of this
announcement).
3. Submission Dates and Times:
The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 11, 2004. Mailed or hand-carried
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be
classified as late.
Checklist for a Complete Application
The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application
package has been properly prepared. Complete application packages
should include one original, signed and dated application plus two
copies of all items listed below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narrative............................ Described in Section I Format described in By application due
of this Announcement. Section 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/ date.
programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Lobbying and Per required form...... May be found at http: // By application due
associated Disclosure of Lobbying http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
Activities (SF LLL). programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Per required form...... May be found at http: // By application due
Certification. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Project Summary Abstract............. Summary of application One page limit......... By application due
request. date.
Detailed Budget Narrative............ Calculations, itemized Categories must reflect By application due
budget content. categories on 424a. date.
Project Description.................. Responsiveness to Format described in By application due
evaluation criteria. Review and Selection date.
section. Limit 40
pages. Size 12 font,
\1/2\'' margins.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Per required form...... May be found at http: // By application due
Certification. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
program/ofs/forms.htm.
[[Page 22833]]
Supplemental Documentation........... Optional............... In Content and Form of By application due
Application Submission date.
Section. Limit 10
pages. Page numbers
must start with S-1.
Letters of Support................... Optional............... In Content and Form of By application due
Application Submission date.
Section. Limit 10
letters.
Letters of agreement................. Optional............... In Content and Form of By application due
Application Submission date.
Section.
Sub-contract agreements.............. Optional............... In Content and Form of By application due
Application Submission date.
Section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Forms:
Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and
Forms entitled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Per required form...... May be found on http:// By application due
Applicants. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ date.
programs/ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Intergovernmental Review: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC),
Notification under Executive Order 12372.
This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 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 January, 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, 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: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
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 of 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.
When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447. The
official list, including addresses, of the jurisdiction selected to
participate in E.O. 12372 can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html
.
A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory
is included with the application materials in this announcement.
5. Funding Restrictions:
A. Ineligible Applicants--State Government, local units of
government, and for profit organizations.
B. Sterile Needles/Syringes--Federal Funds for this project may not
be used for distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic
injection of any illegal drugs.
C. Religious Activities--No organization may 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, to support inherently religious activities, such as
worship, religious instruction, or prayer. In addition, any
participation in these activities by beneficiaries must be voluntary.
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
ACYF Operations Center; c/o The Dixon Group Inc., ATTN: SOP-FYSB
Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132 by 4:30 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on or before the closing date.
Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced
[[Page 22834]]
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date
at the ACYF Operations Center.
Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers
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., EST, at the ACYF Operations Center at the address above
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This address
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application.
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed.
Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
stated above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the
current competition.
Extension of Deadline: ACF may extend an application deadline when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there is widespread disruptions of the mail service, or in other
rare cases. A determination to waive or extend deadline requirements
rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Applicants will receive a confirmation postcard upon receipt of an
application.
V. Application Review Information:
1. Criteria
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 in regulations including program announcements. This
program announcement does not contain information collection
requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant applications under the
ProgramNarrative Statement by OMB No. 0970-0139.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 20 hours per overall response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and reviewing the collection of information.
The following information collections are included in the program
announcement: The Uniform Project Description is approved under OMB
control number 0970-0139, which expires 03/31/2004.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
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 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.
Introduction
Applicants required to submit a full project description shall
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The
instructions give a broad overview of what your project description
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more
program-specific information that is needed.
Project Summary/Abstract
Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
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.
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from 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.
[[Page 22835]]
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.
Organizational Profiles
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Applicants are encouraged to use job titles and not specific names in
developing the application budget. However, the specific salary rates
or amounts for staff positions identified must be included in the
application budget.
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 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
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 which 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
[[Page 22836]]
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. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has an 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
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
A. Approach (35 Points)
1. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the
program's positive youth development philosophy and approach indicate
how it underlies and integrates all proposed activities, including
provision of services to runaway and homeless youth and involvement of
the youth's parents or legal guardians. Specific information must be
provided on how youth will be involved in the design, operation and
evaluation of the program, as well as community involvement.
2. Applications will be evaluated based on the plan for proposed
street outreach effort, including hours of operation, staffing pattern
and staff safety plans.
3. Applications will be evaluated based on the plan for services
designed to deal with sexual abuse and exploitation.
4. Applications will be evaluated on the range of services that
will be offered to street youth and how those services will be
provided. At a minimum, plans should be provided for street-based
outreach and education, survival aid, individual assessment,
counseling, prevention and education activities, information and
referral services, crisis intervention and follow-up support.
Applicant's description of services that will be provided by other
agencies and appropriate letters of agreement must be included in the
application.
5. If a Drop-In Center is proposed, applications will be evaluated
on the plan designed to operate a drop-in center. The expected or
estimated ratio of staff to youth, (hours of operation) and explain how
it will be sufficient to ensure adequate supervision and treatment.
6. Applications will be evaluated on the plan designed to provide
street-based outreach services where street youth congregate and the
hours when youth will most likely avail themselves of those services
(late afternoon, evenings, nights and weekends). The plan must clearly
state what will be accomplished during these service hours.
7. Applications will be evaluated on the detailed plan designed to
ensure guaranteed access to age appropriate emergency shelter services
that can be made available to street youth. When emergency shelter is
provided by an entity other than the applicant, a signed letter of
agreement with the shelter provider must be included in the
application. The agreement must stipulate that the applicant's street
outreach workers will have guaranteed access to the street youth that
are taking advantage of the shelter's services.
8. Applications will be evaluated on the current or anticipated
barriers to effective delivery of services and the actions the program
will take to overcome these barriers to serving this population,
including persons with low English proficiency.
9. Applications will be evaluated on the resources that will be
coordinated with other social service, law enforcement, educational,
housing, vocational, welfare, legal service, drug treatment, health
care and other relevant service agencies in order to ensure appropriate
service referrals and form service linkages for the project clients.
10. Applications will be evaluated on the current efforts or plans
to work with organizations that serve victims of domestic violence and
sexual assault in order to tap into their expertise and to coordinate
services.
11. Applications will be evaluated on the detailed plan of
procedures for maintaining confidentiality of records on the youth and
families served. Procedures must insure that no information on the
youth and families is disclosed without the consent of the individual
youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures without consent can be
made to another agency compiling statistical records if individual
identities are not provided or to a government agency involved in the
disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway, homeless
or street youth.
12. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for activities
implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once
Federal funding for the project has ended.
13. Applications will be evaluated on the specific plans for
accomplishing program phase-out in the event the applicant cannot
obtain new operating funds at the end of the 36-month project period.
[[Page 22837]]
B. Results and Benefits (20 Points)
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
1. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the
goals, objectives and outcomes to be achieved are measurable and
identify the number and frequency of youth served annually.
2. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the
outcomes will have an impact for the street youth and to the community
being served.
3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which
improvements in individual, family and community functioning will occur
as a consequence of services provided.
4. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the
methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit
periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes.
C. Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which goals and
objectives of the project will fulfill the purposes of the legislation
identified above.
2. Applications will be evaluated on the conditions and needs of
youth and families in the geographic area to be served and the
estimated number and characteristics of runaway and homeless youth and
their families, including their social needs and health problems. The
discussion should include matters of family functioning and the health,
education, employment and social conditions of the youth, including at-
risk conditions or behaviors such as drug use, school failure and
delinquency.
3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent of services
currently available for runaway, homeless and street youth in the
geographic areas to be served. Service gaps must be addressed and
considered in developing program objectives.
4. Applications will be evaluated on the characteristics of the
specific local environments frequented by runaway, homeless and street
youth and demonstrate that program services will be located in or
easily accessible to the area which is frequented by these street
youth. Maps or other graphic aids may be included as part of the
supplementary documentation's 10-page limit.
D. Staff and Position Data (10 Points)
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
1. Applications will be evaluated on the staff experience in
working with runaway, homeless, and street youth populations.
2. Applications will be evaluated on the quality of skills,
knowledge and experience of the project director and project staff.
Biographical sketches or brief resumes of current and proposed staff,
or job descriptions, should be included. Resumes must indicate what
position the individual will fill and position descriptions must
specifically describe the job as it relates to the proposed project.
Such documents count against the 10-page supplemental documentation
limit.
3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the staff
and volunteers are culturally competent and relate to the youth being
served, e.g., gender, ethnicity and life experiences.
4. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for street-based
outreach supervision for street outreach staff and volunteers.
5. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for training efforts
of project staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations and
individuals. This plan must include training on agency policies;
boundaries regarding job responsibilities; contact with and
responsibilities to young people; policies on maintaining appropriate
boundaries; safety planning; youth development; sexual abuse; and other
relevant street life topics.
E. Organizational Profile (10 Points)
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent of the
organization's experience in working with RHY populations.
2. Applications will be evaluated on the characteristics of the
applicant agency's organization; the types, quantities and costs of
services it provides; any funding and contractual relationships with
juvenile justice, probation and/or welfare agencies; and must identify
and discuss the role of other organizations or multiple sites of the
agency that will be involved in direct services to runaway and homeless
youth through this grant. A list the 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. Include address, phone number and staff contact for each
entity if the contact is different from the individual on the SF 424.
3. If the agency is a recipient of funds from the Administration
for Children and Families for services to runaway and homeless youth
for programs other than that applied for in this application,
applications will be evaluated on the plan for how services supported
by these funds are or will be integrated with the existing services. An
organizational chart may be provided.
F. Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
Note: Applicant should refer to the above UPD Requirement in the
Application Review Section for guidance when preparing the budget
and narrative budget justification. The Line Item Budgets do not
count against any page limitation, but budget justifications and
description of fiscal control will count against the project
description page limitation.
In determining the quality of the project design, the following
factors are considered:
1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the
proposed line item budget and a budget justification calculates the
types and quantities of activities to be implemented and how the costs
are related and directly linked to the project description.
a. The line items reflects the same Budget Categories listed on
standard form 424A, Section B, i.e., personnel, fringe benefits,
travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, other, total direct charges,
indirect charges, and total budget.
b. Non-Federal share reflects the same Budget Categories where
appropriate.
2. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which computer
equipment is available to ensure compatibility with the RHYMIS-LITE
software. Applicants lacking the computer equipment for RHYMIS-LITE
data collection must include an estimated cost for such equipment in
their proposed budget. If the applicant already has such equipment,
this fact must be noted. (Please note that the RHYMIS-LITE software
operates best with hardware in general use from 1999 to present.)
3. Applications will be evaluated on the anticipated cost per child
for the total services.
4. Applications will be evaluated on the identification of fiscal
controls that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement
and accurate accounting of funds received, as well as the accounting of
cash and in-kind for non-federal match.
2. Review and Selection Process:
[[Page 22838]]
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 competitive grant evaluation
criteria. This review will be conducted in Washington, D.C., by panels
of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas of runaway and
homeless youth, youth development and human services. The overall panel
review process is managed by Federal staff.
Application review panels will assign a score (maximum score of
100) to each application, identifying its strengths and weaknesses
based on the application's responsiveness to the evaluation criteria.
Central and Regional Office staff will conduct administrative reviews
of those applications within funding range. After all reviews have been
completed, FYSB staff will recommend the applications for funding to
the Commissioner, ACYF.
In cases where more applications are approved for funding that ACF
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund
application in their order of approval until funds run out. In this
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved application up
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if
the program's evaluation criteria has not changed. However, they must
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in later
competition.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
All awards will be made on or before September 30, 2004.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
A. Successful Applicants:
Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a
Financial Assistance Award document, signed by an authorized Grants
Officer, 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. Awards will be made on or before September 30, 2004.
B. Unsuccessful Applicants
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing by the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families by September 30, 2004.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR Part 74
Public Law 108-96
3. Reporting Requirements
A. Programmatic Reports: semi-annually with final report due 90
days after the project end date.
B. Financial Reports: semi-annually with final report due 90 days
after the project end date.
VII. Agency Contacts
Program Office Contact: Kelli Matson-Geist, Email:
FYSB@dixongroup.com, Telephone number: (866) 796-1591.
Grants Management Office Contact: William Wilson, ACF Office of
Grants Management, 330 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20447, Email:
wwilson@acf.hhs.gov, Telephone: 202-205-8913.
VIII. Other Information
None
Dated: April 20, 2004.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-9548 Filed 4-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P