Federal Register, Volume 70 Issue 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34775-34788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11754]

[[Page 34775]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care
Bureau; Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) Discretionary Grants

Announcement Type: Initial.
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-LO-0028.
CFDA Number: 93.577.
Due Date For Letter of Intent or Preapplications: Letters of Intent
are due June 30, 2005.
Due Date for Applications: Applications are due July 15, 2005.
Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau (CCB)
announces the availability of funds and request for applications for
its FY 2005 Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) grants. Funds will
be awarded to eligible Local Councils that have been designated as the
Local Council for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant, as
evidenced in a letter of designation, signed by an entity of local
government, an Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian
entity.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Priority Area 1

Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) Discretionary Grants
1. Description: The Administration for Children and Families,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau (CCB)
announces the availability of funds and request for applications for
its FY 2005 Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) grants. Grants will
be awarded to Local Councils that have been designated as the Local
Council for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant, as evidenced in
a letter of designation, signed by an entity of local government, an
Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity.
Local Councils, whose membership must represent a cross-section of
early learning programs, and those affected by early learning programs,
must develop a coordinated plan for addressing early learning and
related needs identified through a local needs and resources
assessment. The activities funded augment and coordinate with the
services already in the community including child care, health,
welfare, and early intervention. To ensure the effectiveness of
activities supported with ELOA funds, Local Councils must establish
outcome measures and evaluation methods for each proposed ELOA
activity.
Since ELOA funds are intended to support Local Councils in
exploring new ways communities can come together for a common purpose
with the intent of building self-sustaining partnerships, ELOA may not
be used to replace Federal, State, or local funds. Applicants must
demonstrate how the activities supported through ELOA will be sustained
once the grant ends. Similarly, eligible prior year ELOA grantees that
apply, must show how a new grant, if received, would build on and not
simply continue the activities funded through an earlier ELOA grant.
ELOA funds may only be used for young children from birth to the
age of mandatory school attendance in the State where the child
resides. Information on the mandatory school age in each State is
available at http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d03/tables/dt151.asp.

A. The Child Care Bureau

The Child Care Bureau (CCB) was established in 1995 to provide
leadership to efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply
of child care. The CCB administers the Child Care and Development Fund
(CCDF), a $4.8 billion child care program that includes funding for
child care subsidies and activities to improve the quality and
availability of child care. CCDF was created after amendments to
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) child care programs by
Title VI of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 consolidated four Federal child care funding
streams including the Child Care and Development Block Grant, AFDC/JOBS
Child Care, Transitional Child Care, and At-Risk Child Care. With
related State and Federal funding, CCDF provides more than $11 billion
a year to States, Territories, and Tribes to help low-income working
families access child care services.
The Bureau works closely with ACF Regional Offices, States,
Territories, and Tribes to assist with, oversee, and document
implementation of new policies and programs in support of State, local,
and private sector administration of child care services and systems.
In addition, the Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices
throughout the Federal government to promote integrated, family-focused
services, and coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these
activities, the Bureau seeks to enhance the quality, availability, and
affordability of child care services, support children's healthy growth
and development in safe child care environments, enhance parental
choice and involvement in their children's care, and facilitate the
linkage of child care with other community services.

B. The Early Learning Opportunities Act (Pub. L. 106-554, 20 U.S.C.
9401, et seq.)

The Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) was passed by Congress
to award grants to States* to enable them to increase, support, expand,
and better coordinate early learning opportunities for children and
their families through local community organizations. The purposes of
the Act are:
To increase the availability of voluntary programs,
services, and activities that support early childhood development,
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of
young children so that they enter school ready to learn; To support
parents, child care providers, and caregivers who want to incorporate
early learning activities into the daily lives of young children;
To remove barriers to the provision of an accessible
system of early childhood learning programs in communities throughout
the United States;
To increase the availability and affordability of
professional development activities and compensation for caregivers and
child care providers; and
To facilitate the development of community-based systems
of collaborative service delivery models characterized by resource
sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local planning for
services.

*The Act provides that if the amount appropriated for this program
in any fiscal year is less than $150 million, the Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS) shall award grants on a competitive
basis directly to Local Councils. DHHS is administering the program
under this special provision in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005.

C. Allowable Early Learning Activities and Preferred Action

In general, Local Councils may use ELOA funds to pay for
developing, operating, or enhancing voluntary early learning programs
that are likely to produce sustained gains in early learning. The
President has identified the enhancement of early childhood literacy as
a priority for this administration. Therefore, for FY 2005

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grants, the Child Care Bureau will only consider for funding those
Local Councils that include in their applications activities for
``Enhancing Early Childhood Literacy'' (see Item 1 below), AND two or
more of the other allowable activities listed below (i.e., Items 2
through 8):
1. Enhancing early childhood literacy;
2. Helping parents, caregivers, child care providers, and educators
increase their capacity to facilitate the development of cognitive,
language comprehension, expressive language, social-emotional, and
motor skills and promote learning readiness in young children;
3. Promoting effective parenting;
4. Developing linkages among early learning programs within a
community and between early learning programs and health care services
for young children;
5. Increasing access to early learning opportunities for young
children with special needs including developmental delays, by
facilitating coordination with other programs serving such young
children;
6. Increasing access to existing early learning programs by
expanding the days or times that the young children are served, by
expanding the number of young children served, or by improving the
affordability of the programs for low-income families;
7. Improving the quality of early learning programs through
professional development and training activities, increased
compensation, and recruitment and retention incentives for early
learning providers;
8. Removing ancillary barriers to early learning, including
transportation difficulties and absence of programs during
nontraditional work times.
Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable
activities or expenditures under this program

D. Definitions

Administrative Costs--means costs related to the overall management
of the program, which do not directly relate to the provision of
program services. These costs can be in both the personnel and non-
personnel budget categories and include, but are not limited to:
salaries of managerial and administrative staff, indirect costs, and
other costs associated with administrative functions such as
accounting, payroll services, or auditing.

Note: Not more than three percent of the total Federal share
received by the Local Council through this announcement shall be
used to pay for the ``administrative costs'' of the Local Council,
including administrative costs of any sub-grantees and third parties
in carrying out activities funded under the grant.

Budget Period--for the purposes of this announcement, budget period
means the 17-month period of time for which ELOA funds are made
available to a particular grantee (i.e., beginning on September 30,
2005, and ending on February 28, 2007).
Caregiver--means an individual, including a relative, neighbor, or
family friend, who regularly or frequently provides care, with or
without compensation, for a child for whom the individual is not the
parent.
Child Care Provider--means a provider of non-residential child care
services (including center-based, family-based, and in-home child care
services) for compensation who or that is legally operating under State
law, and in compliance with applicable State and local requirements for
the provision of child care services.
Early Learning--when used with respect to a program or activity,
means learning designed to facilitate the development of cognitive,
language, motor and social-emotional skills for, and to promote
learning readiness in, young children (see definition of Young Child
below).
Early Learning Program--means a program of services or activities
that helps parents, caregivers, and child care providers to incorporate
early learning into the daily lives of young children; or a program
that directly provides early learning to young children.
Indian Tribe--has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
Local Council--means a Local Council established or designated by a
local government, Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native
Hawaiian entity to serve as applicant under this announcement serving
one or more localities.
Local Government--means a county, municipality, city, town,
township, borough, parish, select board, council of local governments
(whether or not incorporated as a non-profit corporation under State
law), intra-state district, a general purpose unit of local government,
and any other interstate or regional unit of local government. ``Local
Government'' does not mean any of the 50 States, or any agency or
instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments.
Locality--means a city, county, borough, township, or area served
by another general purpose unit of local government, an Indian Tribe, a
Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian entity.
Native Hawaiian Entity--means a private non-profit organization
that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians, and is recognized by the
Governor of Hawaii for the purpose of planning, conducting, or
administering programs (or parts of programs) for the benefit of Native
Hawaiians.
Non-Federal Share--means that portion of project costs not borne by
the Federal government. Under ELOA, the minimum required Non-Federal
Share is 15 percent of the total cost of the approved project.
Parent--means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, a
stepparent, a foster parent, or a legal guardian of, or a person
standing in loco parentis to, a child.
Program Income--means gross income earned by the grantee or
subgrantee that is directly generated by a grant supported activity, or
earned only as a result of the award. 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92 include
similar types of earned revenue, which qualify as program income. These
include but are not limited to income from fees for services performed
and the use of rental property.
Project Period--for the purposes of this announcement, project
period means the 17-month period starting on September 30, 2005, and
ending on February 28, 2007.
Real Property--means land, including land improvements, structures
and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment.
Regional Corporation--means a Native Alaska Regional Corporation;
an entity listed in section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 619(4)(B)).
Training--means instruction in early learning that: (a) Is required
for certification under State and local laws, regulations, and
policies; (b) is required to receive a nationally or State recognized
credential or its equivalent; (c) is received in a postsecondary
education program focused on early learning or early childhood
development in which the individual is enrolled; or (d) is provided,
certified, or sponsored by an organization that is recognized for its
expertise in promoting early learning or early childhood development.
Young Child--for purposes of this program, means any child from
birth to the age of mandatory school attendance in the State where the
child resides. Information on the compulsory school age in each State
is available at http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d03/tables/dt151.asp.

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E. Protections

Participation Not Required: No person, including a parent,
shall be required to participate in any program of early childhood
education, early learning, parent education, or developmental screening
pursuant to the provisions of the Early Learning Opportunities Act.
Rights of Parents: Nothing in the Early Learning
Opportunities Act shall be construed to affect the rights of parents
otherwise established in Federal, State, or local law.
Particular Methods or Settings: No entity that receives
funds under the Early Learning Opportunities Act shall be required to
provide services under this announcement through a particular
instructional method or in a particular instructional setting to comply
with the ELOA.
Nonduplication: No funds provided under this title shall
be used to carry out an activity funded under another provision of law
providing for Federal child care or early learning programs, unless an
expansion of such activity is identified in the local needs assessment
and performance goals under this announcement.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $35,712,000.
Anticipated Number of Awards: 30 to 55.
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards per project period:
$1,000,000.
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards per project period: $250,000.
Average Projected Award Amount: $700,000.
Length of Project Periods: 17 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Others (See Additional Information on Eligibility below.)
Additional Information on Eligibility
Required Letter(s) of Designation (Designation of Local Council by
Local Government Entity)
An eligible applicant for an FY 2005 ELOA grant must be a Local
Council designated, in writing, by a local government entity(ies) (or
Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity) as the
``Local Council'' to serve one or more localities for the purpose of
applying for an ELOA discretionary grant. The applicant must include a
``Letter of Designation'' in its application from an appropriate local
government entity(ies) specifically designating it as the Local Council
for the purpose of applying for an ELOA discretionary grant.
Because the structure and authority of local governments differ
greatly across the nation, and even within a State, it is the
responsibility of the applicant to determine and identify the
appropriate entity(ies) of local government to designate them as the
Local Council for an ELOA grant application. The local government
entity(ies) making the designation must also clearly explain in its
letter the source/nature of its authority to make such a designation on
behalf of the locality(ies) it represents. Examples of officials that
may be authorized to sign the Letter of Designation on behalf of the
local government entity(ies) include but are not limited to: mayors,
city managers, city councils, county boards of supervisors, county
boards of commissioners, county administrators, Tribal Councils, boards
of municipal officers, etc.
Appendices A and B are sample Letters of Designation that meet this
purpose. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize the exact
language and format provided in the sample Letters of Designation in
order to meet this statutory eligibility requirement. Appendix A is a
sample Letter of Designation for a Local Council when the services of a
Fiscal Agent will not be used. Appendix B is a sample Letter of
Designation for a Local Council that will use a Fiscal Agent.
In addition, applicants (i.e., Local Councils) serving multiple
localities (e.g., cities, townships, boroughs, counties) are strongly
encouraged to obtain a Letter of Designation from an appropriate entity
of local government in each of the localities to be served.
Any applicant that fails to provide the required Letter(s) of
Designation (Designation of Local Council by Local Government
Entity(ies)) in its application will be considered non-responsive and
will not be considered for funding under this announcement.
Required Statutory Membership Composition of a Local Council
To be eligible to receive a grant award, Local Councils must
provide clear evidence in their application that their membership meets
all of the following statutory composition requirements:
A. Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA;
B. Parents;
C. Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services; and
D. Other key community leaders, such as representatives of the
local Chamber of Commerce or service organizations.
Local Councils must assign each of their members to one of the four
categories above. For the purposes of Local Council membership, a
single individual may not represent more than one category.
Applications from Local Councils whose membership does not meet the
above statutory composition requirements will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this
announcement. Local Councils are encouraged to include representatives
from a diversity of perspectives including the involvement of faith-
based and community organizations and providers.

Note: Appendix C is a sample roster for a Local Council. Please
note that each member is clearly labeled with a letter, A--D. These
four letters correspond with the four required statutory categories.
To be considered eligible, Local Councils must include
representatives of each of the four categories listed above (i.e.,
``A,'' ``B,'' ``C,'' and ``D'') at the time of submission of the
application. Members of Local Councils that are identified with
categories other than the four above will not be considered as
meeting the statutory eligibility requirements for the composition
of the Local Council.

Designation of a Fiscal Agent by the Local Council
A Local Council may enter into an agreement with an entity
(including a faith-based or community organization) that has a
demonstrated capacity for administering grants that is affected by, or
concerned with, early learning issues, including the State, to serve as
fiscal agent for the administration of grant funds received by the
Local Council under ELOA. However, the Local Council, if selected to
receive a grant, must be responsible for ensuring compliance with the
activities and terms of the grant. Local Councils (and their Fiscal
Agents) must be able to demonstrate organizational and fiscal
capabilities to manage the grant.
If a Local Council uses a Fiscal Agent, the Fiscal Agent's name and
Employer Identification Number (EIN) must also be included in the
``Letter of Designation'' (see Appendix B)
Geographic Location and Locality(ies) To Be Served
At the beginning of the project descriptions, applicants must
describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area
to be served

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including the following: the State, county(ies), and specific
locality(ies) (e.g., city, town, township, borough, parish, or area
served by another general purpose unit of local government, Indian
Tribe, Alaska Native Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity).
In general, Local Councils in each of the 50 States of the United
States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
are eligible to apply under this announcement.
Set-Aside
The Act (Pub. L. 106-554, Section 809) provides that the Secretary
shall reserve a portion of each year's total ELOA appropriation for
Indian Tribes, Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian entities. ACF
anticipates competitively awarding funds to at least one Local Council
designated by an Indian Tribe and one Local Council designated by an
Alaska Native Regional Corporation or Native Hawaiian entity, subject
to receipt of applications meeting the requirements of the Act as
reflected in this announcement. ACF is setting aside no less than one
percent of the FY 2005 ELOA appropriation for these purposes.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

Yes.
Grantees are required to meet a non-Federal share of the project
costs, in accordance with Pub. L. 106-554, Section 807 (b)(2). Grantees
must provide at least 15 percent 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 with a total
approved cost of $823,529, requesting $700,000 in ACF funds, must
provide a non-Federal share of at least $123,529 (15 percent of total
approved project cost of $823,529). Grantees will be held accountable
for commitments of non-federal resources even if over the amount of the
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in
disallowance of Federal funds. Lack of supporting documentation at the
time of application will not impact the responsiveness of the
application for competitive review.
Applicants are discouraged from providing non-Federal share
resources in excess of the required 15 percent. Applicants that provide
more than the required 15 percent will not receive any additional
credit or points under the evaluation criteria.
The required 15 percent non-Federal share may be contributed in
cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or
services, which may be provided from State or local public sources, or
through donations from private entities. For the purposes of this
paragraph, the term ``facilities'' includes the use of facilities, but,
the term ``equipment'' means donated equipment and not the use of
equipment.
Cost sharing/Matching is not an evaluation and/or preference
criterion.
Please refer to Section IV for any pre-award requirements.

3. Other

All applicants are required to include activities for
``enhancing early childhood literacy'' in their projects.
``Letter(s) of Support'' for the Local Council from a
local government entity(ies) will not be considered as meeting the
eligibility requirement for a ``Letter of Designation.''
Applications from Indian Tribes and Regional Corporations
must include a tribal resolution from the governing body of the
Tribe(s) or Regional Corporation(s), designating a Local Council for
the purpose of the ELOA grant. Note: The Tribal Council would not be
considered a Local Council for ELOA unless its membership also meets
the composition requirements (see Composition of Local Council.
``State'' governments do not meet the definition of
``Local Government'' (see Section I. D). Therefore, a Letter(s) of
Designation from an entity(ies) of State Government will not be
considered as meeting these eligibility requirements.
Local Councils that were formed prior to the date of
enactment of the ELOA and that meet the membership requirements below
will be considered eligible for the purposes of applying for an ELOA
grant if a Letter(s) of Designation from an appropriate entity(ies) of
local government is submitted as part of the application. In localities
where a Local Council does not exist, one may be formed and designated
for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant.
FY 2003 ELOA grantees whose grant project period ends on
or before September 29, 2005 are eligible to apply for a FY 2005 grant
under this program announcement. Note: The project period for all
grantees is noted in Block 9 of their ``Financial Assistance Award''
document.
To be considered eligible for a new award, current ELOA
grantees may not have a pending request to extend their existing ELOA
grant project period beyond September 29, 2005.
The 40 Local Councils (and the localities served by those
Local Councils) that received FY 2004 ELOA grants will not be
considered for FY 2005 awards under this announcement.
Only Local Councils, not individuals or individual
organizations/agencies, are eligible to apply under this announcement.
All applicants must have a 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 & 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 (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.
Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to
submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is
any one of the following:
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.
A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
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
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit
status.
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

[[Page 34779]]

organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,''
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors: Applications that exceed the $1,000,000
ceiling amount will be considered non-responsive and will not be
eligible for funding under this announcement.
Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will
not be considered for funding under this announcement.
Any applicant that fails to provide the required Letter(s) of
Designation (Designation of Local Council by Local Government
Entity(ies)) in its application will be considered non-responsive and
will not be considered for funding under this announcement. (See
Section III.1. Additional Information on Eligibility and Appendices A
and B).
Applications from Local Councils whose membership do not meet the
statutory composition requirements will be considered non-responsive
and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. (See
Section III.1. Additional Information on Eligibility and Appendix C).

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

ACYF Operations, The Dixon Center, Inc, ELOA/CCB, 118 Q Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20002-2132, Phone: 866-796-1591, E-mail:
[email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applicants must submit one signed original and two copies of the
application, including all attachments, to the application receipt
point specified above. The original copy of the application must have
original signatures, signed in blue ink. The original must be stapled
(back and front) in the upper left corner. Rubber bands may be used to
secure the pages of the two copies. The original application and the
two copies must be submitted in a single package. Applicants have the
option of omitting from the application copies (not the original)
specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the
application budget.
Each application will be duplicated, therefore, please do not use
or include colored paper, colored ink, separate covers, binders, clips,
tabs, plastic inserts, over-sized paper, videotapes, or any other items
that cannot be easily duplicated on a photocopy machine with an
automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way
separate subsections of the application, including the supporting
documentation. Applicants are advised that a copy (not the original) of
the application as submitted will be reproduced by the Federal
government for review by the panel of evaluators.
Letters of Intent: Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify Ms.
Taryonka Reid at the Child Care Bureau by fax (202-690-5600) by June
30, 2005. Your fax should include the following information: number and
title of this announcement (required); the name and address of the
Local Council (required) and Fiscal Agent (if known); and your contact
person's name, phone number, fax number, and email address.
Letter of Intent information will be used to determine the number
of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications and to update the
mailing list for future program announcements. Do not include a
description of your proposed project. Failure to submit a Letter of
Intent will not impact eligibility to submit an application and will
not disqualify an application from competitive review based on non-
responsiveness.
A complete application consists of the following items in the order
listed:
Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, Rev. 9-
2003). Follow the instructions on the back of the form. In Item 5 on
the SF-424, enter the name of the applicant [Local Council]. However,
if the Local Council is not incorporated or does not have an Employer
Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the
name of its fiscal agent must be entered followed by ``on behalf of the
[name of Local Council]''. For example: Caring County Community
Services on behalf of the Early Childhood Alliance Local Council. Enter
the EIN of the Local Council, or if applicable, its Fiscal Agent, in
Item 6. The EIN entered in Item 6 must be the number assigned to the
entity identified in Item 5. In Item 8 on the SF-424, check ``New.'' In
Item 10, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
program title and number (i.e., Early Learning Opportunities Act,
93.577). A signature on the application constitutes an assurance that
the applicant will comply with the relevant Departmental regulations
contained in 45 CFR Part 74 or Part 92. The SF-424 must be signed by an
individual authorized to act for the Local Council (i.e., Chair of the
Local Council) and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed
by terms and conditions of the grant award.
Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424A).
Follow the instructions on the back of the form.
Assurances Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B). Form
must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the applicant
Local Council.
Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke. By signing and
submitting the application, applicants are providing this certification
and need not mail back the certification with the application.
Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must include an
executed Certification Regarding Lobbying when applying for an award in
excess of $100,000.
Cover Letter. Applicants must include a Cover Letter that includes
the program announcement number and contact information for the
applicant. The letter must be signed by the Chair of the Local Council
to acknowledge responsibility for the obligations imposed by terms and
conditions of the grant award.
Required Letter of Designation for the Local Council. Applicants
must include a signed Letter(s) of Designation for the Local Council
from a local government entity(ies) that explains its authority to make
such a designation and includes the required information on the
membership composition of the Local Council. (See Section III.1.
Additional Information on Eligibility and Appendices A and B)

Note: ``Letter(s) of Support'' for the Local Council from a
local government entity(ies) will not be considered as meeting the
requirements for a Letter of Designation. (See Section I.D.)

Required Statutory Composition of the Local Council. Please see
Section III.1. and Appendix C, which is a sample roster of a Local
Council with each member's role identified only as A, B, C, or D; no
other codes meet the statutory composition requirements.
Tribal Resolution (if applicable). Fully-executed Tribal Resolution
including: resolution number, date, voting information, and authorized
signatures.
Table of Contents
A Project Description Summary/Abstract (one page maximum). Clearly
identify this page with the applicant's

[[Page 34780]]

name (Local Council) as shown in Item 5 on the SF-424 (e.g., Caring
County Community Services on behalf of the Early Childhood Alliance
Local Council), identify the title of the proposed project as shown in
Item 11 (e.g., Building Resources for Early Learning Opportunities in
Caring County), and the service area as shown in Item 12 of the SF-424
(e.g., Caring County). The Project Description Summary/Abstract must
not exceed 300 words. The first paragraph must describe the precise
location of the project and the boundaries of the area to be served
including the following: The State, county(ies), specific locality(ies)
(e.g., city, county, borough, township, parish, etc.), and/or
region(s). Care should be taken to produce a Project Summary/Abstract
that accurately and concisely reflects the proposed project. It should
briefly describe the objectives of the project, the approach to be
used, and the results and benefits expected. The Project Summary/
Abstract must also clearly state which of the eight allowable ELOA
activities are included in the project.

Note: All applicants are required to include activities for
``enhancing early childhood literacy'' in their projects.

The Project Narrative. The applicant is strongly encouraged to use
the evaluation criteria to organize its response. Specific information
should be provided that addresses all components of each criterion.
Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall ensure that
programs, services, and activities assisted under this program, which
customarily require a payment for such programs, services, or
activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services, and activities
provided to the individual or the individual's child based on the
individual's ability to pay.
It is in the applicant's best interest to ensure that the project
description is easy to read, logically developed in accordance with the
evaluation criteria, and adheres to recommended page limitations. In
addition, the applicant should be mindful of the importance of
preparing and submitting applications using language, terms, concepts,
and descriptions that are generally known to the field of early
learning as defined under this announcement. The pages of the project
description must be double-spaced, printed in black only, printed on
only one side, with no less than one-inch margins, and numbered.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit this portion of their
application to no more than 100 pages.
Appendices. The recommended maximum number of pages for supporting
documentation is 50 numbered pages. These documents might include
excerpts from the needs and resources assessment, resumes/job
descriptions, photocopies of news clippings, documents related to the
involvement and participation of the Local Council, and evidence of its
efforts to coordinate early care and education services at the local
level including letters of support and/or third-party agreements.
You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the
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. ACF
will not accept grant applications via email or facsimile transmission.
Please note the following if you plan to submit your application
electronically via Grants.gov:
Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly
encouraged.
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.
We recommend you visit Grants.gov at least 30 days prior
to filing your application to fully understand the process and
requirements. We encourage applicants who submit electronically to
submit well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties
are encountered an applicant can still send in a hard copy overnight.
If you encounter difficulties, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk
at 1-800-518-4276 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the
system.
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 www.Grants.gov
You must search for the downloadable application package
by the CFDA number.
Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application.
The original and each of the two copies must include all required
forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an
authorized representative, have original signatures, and be submitted
unbound.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,''
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at:
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Standard Forms and Certifications: The project description should
include all the information requirements described in the specific
evaluation criteria outlined in the program announcement under Section
V Application Review Information. 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 seeking financial assistance under this announcement
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and
return the standard forms with their application.
Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for
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

[[Page 34781]]

disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications. Applicants
must sign and return the certification with their application.
Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for
the smoking prohibition included within P.L. 103-227, Title XII
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking
prohibition is included with the forms. By signing and submitting the
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not
mail back the certification with the application.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the
certification and need not mail back the certification form. Complete
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications
may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the
full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Letters of Intent Due Date: June 30, 2005.
Application Due Date: July 15, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates: The closing date for submission of
applications is referenced above. 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 either received on or before the
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by
ACF in time for the independent review referenced in Section IV.6.
Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the
application(s). To be acceptable as a proof of timely mailing, a
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of
the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the
applicant. Private Metered postmarks 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 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, at the address
referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding
Federal holidays). Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail
services do not always deliver as agreed.
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ACF 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 mail service, or in other rare
cases. Determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will be provided
to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier services, or
by hand delivery. However, applicants will receive an electronic
acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via http://www.Grants.gov.
Other: For the purposes of this announcement, please note that all
references to ``Letters of Intent due dates'' and ``Application due
dates'' refer to a postmark deadline.
Checklist: You may use the checklist below as a guide when
preparing your application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Required form or format When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter of Intent................... See Section IV.2...... Found in Section IV.2...... June 30, 2005.
Table of Contents.................. See Section IV.2...... Found in Section IV.2...... By application due
date.
Project Abstract................... See Sections IV.2 and Found in Sections IV.2 and By application due
V. V. date.
Project Narrative.................. See Sections IV.2 and Found in Sections IV.2 and By application due
V. V. date.
SF-424............................. See Section IV.2...... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due
programs/ofs/forms.htm. date.
SF-424A............................ See Section IV.2...... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due
programs/ofs/forms.htm. date.
Assurances......................... See Section IV.2...... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By application due
programs/ofs/forms.htm. date.
Support Letters.................... See Section V......... Found in Section V......... By application due
date.
Non-Federal Commitment Letters..... See Section V......... Found in Section V......... By application due
date.
Proof of Non-Profit Status......... See Section III.3..... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By date of award.
programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Letter of Designation for the Local See Section III.1. and Appendix A must be used by By application due
Council (and Fiscal Agent, if Appendices A & B. Local Councils NOT using a date.
appropriate) from an entity(ies) Fiscal Agent.
of local government. Appendix B must be used by
Local Councils using a
Fiscal Agent.
Composition of Local Council....... See Section III.1. and Found in Section III.1. for By application due
Appendix C. eligibility requirements date.
and Appendix C for
appropriate format.
Tribal Resolution, if applicable... See Section IV.2...... Found in Section IV........ By application due
date.
SF-LLL Certification Regarding See Section IV.2...... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By date of award.
Lobbying. programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding See Section IV.2...... See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/ By date of award.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke. programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 34782]]

Additional Forms: Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged
to submit with their applications the survey located under ``Grant
Related Documents and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant
Applicants,'' titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for
Applicants,'' at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to submit Required content Location When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit See form.............. May be found on http:// By application due
Grant Applicants. www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ date.
ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Intergovernmental Review

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' or 45 CFR part 100,
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Programs and Activities.

5. Funding Restrictions

Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable activities
or expenditures under this program.
Not more than three percent of the total Federal share received by
the Local Council through this announcement shall be used to pay for
the administrative costs of the Local Council, including the
administrative costs of any of its sub-grantees and third parties, in
carrying out activities funded under the grant.
Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall ensure
that programs, services, and activities assisted under this program,
which customarily require a payment for such programs, services, or
activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services, and activities
provided to the individual or the individual's child based on the
individual's ability to pay.

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 postmarked to
the address below on or before the closing date. Applications should be
mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ELOA/CCB,
118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
Hand Delivery: 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 4:30
p.m. eastern 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. eastern time, Monday through Friday. Applications should be
delivered to: c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ELOA/CCB, 118 Q Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20002-2132, Attention: ACYF Operations Center.
Electronic Submission: http://www.Grants.gov. Please see section
IV. 2 Content and Form of Application Submission, for guidelines and
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and
reviewing the collection information.
The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007.
An agency may 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.
1. Criteria
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, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation
criteria must 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 in a
manner that is clear and complete.
General Instructions
ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of
substance and measurable outcomes, 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 while being aware of the specified evaluation
criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what your project
description should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
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

[[Page 34783]]

outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
For example, explain how your proposed project will achieve the
specific goals and objectives you have set; specify the number of
children and families to be served, and how the services to be provided
will be funded consistent with the local needs and resources
assessment. Or, explain how the expected results will benefit the
population to be served in meeting its needs for early learning
services and activities. What benefits will the families, children, and
child care providers derive from these services? How will the services
help them? What lessons will be learned which might help other agencies
and organizations that are addressing the needs of a similar client
population?
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 quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. For example, for any project that will include informal
caregivers, including friends, family and in-home child care providers,
or caregivers who are somewhat isolated, such as child care providers
who operate alone or in rural areas, please describe the means by which
training and technical assistance will be made available to such
informal and/or isolated caregivers and quality child care will be
supported/assured. The Child Care Bureau is interested in: Promoting
the involvement of faith-based and community-based providers in their
projects; incorporating strategies and activities that involve fathers
and strengthen families; and encouraging the appropriate use of
innovative approaches, learning techniques, and other uses of
technology, to meet the needs of young children, child care providers,
and parents.
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.
Evaluation
Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and
the results 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.
Geographic Location
Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids
may be attached.
Additional Information
Following are requests for additional information that need to be
included in the application:
Staff and Position Data
Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key
person appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position should
be included as well. As new key staff is appointed, biographical
sketches will also be required.
Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support
Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project
activities after Federal assistance has ended.
Third-Party Agreements
Provide written and signed agreements between grantees and
subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules,
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define
the relationship.
Letters of Support
Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide a budget with 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. 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
Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. ``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 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

[[Page 34784]]

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 that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Include 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.
Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical,
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than
States that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000).
Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

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.

Other
Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food,
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs,
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use,
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs,
and administrative costs.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has 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, upon notification that an award will be made, it
should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with
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. 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 so the applicant is given
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria: The following evaluation criteria appear in
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion,
however applicants need not develop their applications precisely
according to the order presented. Application components may be
organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and
logical flow of information, i.e., from a broad overview of the project
to more detailed information about how it will be conducted.
In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following
criteria:
Objectives and Need for Assistance 25 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

[[Page 34785]]

1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates: (a) The need for
assistance for early learning opportunities including identification
and discussion of its needs and resources assessment concerning early
learning services; and (b) the relevancy of the results as the basis
for determining its objectives and need for assistance.
2. The extent to which the applicant describes: (a) The context of
the project, including the characteristics of the community, magnitude
and severity of the problem; (b) the needs to be addressed; and (c)
includes relevant data from the needs and resources assessment.
3. The extent to which the applicant: (a) defines the project's
goals and specific measurable objectives; (b) describes how its goals
and objectives are linked together; and (c) explains how implementation
will fulfill the purposes of the ELOA.
4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a thorough
understanding of the importance of early learning services and
activities that help parents, caregivers, and child care providers
incorporate early learning into the daily lives of young children, as
well as programs that directly provide early learning to young
children.
5. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the project:
(a) Expands and enhances activities; maximizes the use of resources
through collaboration with other early learning programs; (b) provides
continuity of services for young children across the age spectrum; and
(c) helps parents and other caregivers promote early learning with
their young children.
6. For eligible prior year ELOA grantees, the extent to which the
applicant demonstrates that the project builds on, and does not simply
continue the activities funded through an earlier ELOA grant.
Approach 20 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant presents an approach that: (a)
Reflects an understanding of the characteristics, needs, and services
currently available to the target population; (b) is based on current
theory, research, and/or best practices; (c) is appropriate and
feasible; (d) can be reliably evaluated; (e) could be replicated, if
successful; and (f) does not use ELOA funds to replace Federal, State,
or local funds.
2. The extent to which the applicant includes: (a) A detailed plan
that describes the sequence and timing of the major activities, tasks
and subtasks, important milestones, and reports; and (b) projections
for the accomplishment of each function or activity, including the
number of people to be served. When accomplishments cannot be
quantified by activity or function, the extent to which the
accomplishments are listed in chronological order to show the schedule
of accomplishments and target dates.
3. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Specifies who will
conduct the activities under each objective; and (b) describes how
subcontractors will be chosen and held accountable for carrying out
activities in compliance with this application and the terms and
conditions of the grant.
4. The extent to which the applicant describes how actual and
perceived conflict of interest will be avoided if members of the Local
Council are also direct service providers and potential recipients of
ELOA funds.
5. The extent to which the applicant describes how programs,
services, and activities will be provided based on the family's ability
to pay (for those services that customarily require a payment).
6. The extent to which the applicant describes how the project will
form collaborations among local early learning, social service,
educational providers (including faith-based and community
organizations) to maximize resources and concentrate efforts on areas
of greatest need.
7. The extent to which the applicant describes its work with local
educational agencies to identify cognitive, social-emotional, and motor
developmental abilities, which are necessary to support children's
readiness for school.
8. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and
activities assisted under ELOA will represent developmentally
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities.
9. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and
activities assisted under ELOA provide benefits for children cared for
in their own homes as well as children placed in the care of others.
10. The extent to which the applicant's plan: (a) Describes how the
project will be structured and managed including how Local Council
members will be actively involved in ongoing management; (b) defines
the procedures to be used to determine whether the project is being
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan; (c) lists
organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution to the project; (d)
discusses the impact of the project's various activities on the
project's effectiveness including factors that may affect project
implementation or outcomes and presents realistic strategies for
resolution of these difficulties; and (e) describes how unanticipated
problems will be resolved to ensure that the project will be completed
on time and with a high degree of quality.
Results or Benefits Expected 15 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Specifies the number of
children and families to be served; and (b) how the services to be
provided and funded are consistent with the results of the needs and
resources assessment.
2. The extent to which the applicant explains how the expected
results will benefit the population to be served in meeting its needs
for early learning services and activities.
3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the completion of
the proposed objectives will result in specific, measurable results.
Staff and Position Data 10 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant provides information and
evidence of its management and administrative structure.
2. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Demonstrates its staff
and organizational experience particularly in areas of facilitating
needs and resources assessments and collaborative activities as they
relate to early childhood services; (b) documents its experience in
facilitating such activities and the length of time the applicant has
been involved in these activities; and (c) clearly shows the successful
management of projects of similar scope by the organization, and/or by
the individuals designated to manage the project.
3. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Provides position
descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel, including those of
consultants, which clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to
achieve the ELOA project objectives and the proposed budget; and (b)
provides position descriptions and resumes that clearly describe the
qualifications, any specialized skills, and duties for each position
necessary for overall quality implementation of the project.
4. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Describes its agency
including the types, quantities, and costs of services it

[[Page 34786]]

provides; and (b) discusses the role of other organizations that will
be involved in providing direct services to children and families
through this grant.
5. The extent to which the applicant provides information about
itself and the fiscal agent, if applicable, including: (a) Its
management and administrative structure; (b) its qualifications; (c)
its relationship to the Local Council; and (d) demonstrates that it has
sufficient fiscal and accounting capacity to ensure prudent use, proper
disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds.
6. The extent to which the applicant provides organizational charts
for the Local Council, its members, and any third party, including a
list of all sites, addresses, phone numbers, and staff contacts and
titles. Note: These organizational charts are not to be confused with
the information required for applicants to provide regarding the
statutory membership composition of the Local Council. (See Section
III.1. Eligibility and Appendix C).
7. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates active
participation of the entire Local Council in the development of its
application and the project, including a description of the ongoing
role of the Local Council in the implementation of the project, and
methods for documenting its participation (e.g., minutes of council
meetings, council resolutions, newspaper articles, and community
surveys).
8. The extent to which the applicant includes third-party
agreements with cooperating entities, which: (a) Detail the scope of
work to be performed; (b) work schedules, remuneration; and (c) any
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
Information about new agreements that will be executed with
subgrantees, contractors, or other cooperating entities should also be
included. If no written agreements exist, sample/draft agreements may
be submitted.
9. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates support for the
project from: (a) Parents; (b) the community at-large; and (c) other
key leaders and stakeholders.
Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support 10 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant describes a feasible plan for
securing resources and continuing project activities, if applicable,
after Federal assistance has ceased.
2. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates its understanding
that ACF is interested in funding projects that will be completed,
self-sustaining, or financed by other than ELOA funds at the end of the
project period.
Budget and Budget Justification 10 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that: (a) The
funds requested will be used for early learning services that are
allowed under this announcement; and (b) the discussion refers to:
(1) The budget information presented on Standard Forms 424 and 424A
and the applicant's budget justification and
(2) The results or benefits identified under the Results or
Benefits Expected criterion above.
2. The extent to which the project's costs are: (a) Reasonable in
view of the activities to be carried out; (b) the funds are
appropriately allocated across component areas; and (c) that the budget
is sufficient to accomplish the objectives.
3. The extent to which the applicant's budget narrative provides:
(a) Detailed calculations that describe how the categorical costs are
derived; (b) detailed calculations including estimation methods,
quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated; and (c) costs are
specified for the entire 17-month ELOA project period, not separated
into 12-month and five-month budget periods.
4. The extent to which the applicant has allocated sufficient funds
in the project budget to implement the proposed evaluation activities.
5. The extent to which funds are allocated to allow two
representatives from the Local Council to attend one two-day grantee
meeting in Washington, DC.
6. The extent to which the applicant provides: (a) Letter(s) of
commitment from the State, local public and private organizations/
agencies, and any other source that will be contributing toward the
applicant's non-Federal share of project costs; and (b) letter(s) of
commitment stating the amount to be contributed and the form of the
contribution (i.e., cash or in-kind). Note: Letter(s) of Commitment
(encouraged) are not to be confused with Letter(s) of Support
(encouraged) or with the Local Council's Letter of Designation
(required) by an Entity of Local Government.
Evaluation 10 Points

Note: Applicant means the Local Council.

1. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Describes how the
evaluation plan will demonstrate the effectiveness of its activities
and services in addressing the needs identified under its needs and
resources assessment; (b) demonstrates how the results or benefits
identified for each objective will serve as standards for evaluating
the achievement of objectives at the end of the project period (i.e.,
17 months).
2. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan includes:
(a) A process component that describes the activities of the project;
(b) how the project will operate; (c) how well the design was followed;
and (d) the extent to which it produced the expected results.
3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates: (a) The
relationships among the needs identified in the needs and resources
assessment; (b) the activities/interventions proposed; and (c)
anticipated results and benefits (e.g., a diagram (logic model) for
demonstration purposes).
4. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan is: (a)
Sound and appropriate to the activities/interventions implemented; and
(b) demonstrates the extent to which program goals/objectives will be
achieved.
5. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan reflects
sensitivity to technical, logistical, cultural, and ethical issues that
may arise and includes realistic strategies for the resolution of
difficulties.
6. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan adequately
protects human subjects, confidentiality of data, and consent
procedures, as appropriate.

2. Review and Selection Process

A. Competitive Review Process
Each application will undergo an eligibility and conformance review
by the Federal staff. Applications that pass the eligibility and
conformance review will be evaluated on a competitive basis according
to the specified evaluation criteria.
The competitive review will be conducted in the Washington, DC
metropolitan area by panels of Federal and non-Federal experts
knowledgeable in the areas of literacy, early learning, child care,
early childhood education, and other relevant program areas.
Application review panels will assign a score to each application
and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
B. Application Consideration and Selection
The Child Care Bureau will conduct an administrative review of the

[[Page 34787]]

applications and the results of the competitive review panels and make
recommendations for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF.
Subject to the recommendation of the Child Care Bureau's Associate
Commissioner, the Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final selection of
the applications to be funded. An application may be funded in whole or
in part depending on: (1) The ranked order of applicants resulting from
the competitive review; (2) staff review and consultations; (3) the
combination of projects that best meets the Bureau's objectives; (4)
the funds available; (5) the statutory requirement that reserves funds
for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Corporations, and Native
Hawaiian entities; and (6) other relevant considerations. The
Commissioner may also elect not to fund any applicants with known
management, fiscal, reporting, program, or other problems, which make
it unlikely that they would be able to provide effective services.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be
given, the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the
total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial
Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted
via postal mail.
Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR part 92 (governmental).
In addition, ELOA grantees are subject to the requirements in 45
CFR parts 16, 30, 46, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 84, 86, 91, 92, 93, and 100
and 37 CFR part 401.
Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this
Family Support Initiative 2005 program shall not be used to support
inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship,
or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to
separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities
from the services funded under this Program. Regulations pertaining to
the Equal Treatment For Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the
prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities,
can be found at either 45 CFR 87.1 or the HHS Web site at: http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.

3. Reporting Requirements

Programmatic Reports: Semi-Annually.
Financial Reports: Semi-Annually.
Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial
reports (SF 269) throughout the project period. Program progress and
financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. In
addition, final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days
after the close of the project period. The SF-269 can be found at the
following URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

Carol L. Gage, ELOA Project Officer, CCB/ACYF, 330 C Street, SW.,
Switzer Building, Room 2046, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-690-6243.
Fax: 202-690-5600. E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

Peter Thompson, Grants Officer, ACF, 330 C Street, SW., Room 2070,
Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4608. E-mail:
[email protected].

VIII. Other Information

Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of
received applications.
Electronic Link to Announcement: Copies of this Program
Announcement may be downloaded from the Child Care Bureau's Web site at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/ approximately five days after its
publication in the Federal Register.
Notice: Beginning with FY 2006, the Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) will no longer publish grant announcements in the
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005, applicants will be able to
find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply electronically
for opportunities via: http://www.Grants.gov. Applicants will also be
able to find the complete text of all ACF grant announcements on the
ACF Web site located at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.
The FY 2006 President's Budget does not include or propose funding
for the Child Care Bureau's Early Learning Opportunities Act
discretionary grant program. However, because we are announcing the
availability of one-time 17-month grants to be funded with already
appropriated FY 2005 discretionary funds, the FY 2006 President's
Budget proposal does not affect the availability of grant awards under
this announcement.

Dated: June 8, 2005.
Susan Orr,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A--Sample Letter of Designation of the Local Council by an
Entity of Local Government

Date

To Whom It May Concern:

Under the authority granted by the (Specify Source of Authority
to Act on behalf of the Entity of Local Government), I/We hereby
designate the (Insert Name of Local Council) as the eligible Local
Council for the (Insert the name(s) of localities to be served by
the Local Council (e.g., city(ies), county(ies), borough(s), etc.))
for the purposes of applying for a discretionary grant under the
Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) program. I/We also authorize
the (Insert Name of Local Council) to develop and submit an
application to the Administration on Children, Youth and Families,
Child Care Bureau in response to the ELOA Funding Opportunity
Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-LO-0028, and to administer the
implementation of the project if funded.
As required under the statute governing ELOA, the (Insert Name
of Local Council) includes: (A) representatives of local agencies
that will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted
under the ELOA and this announcement; (B) parents; (C) other
individuals concerned with early learning issues in the locality,
such as representatives of entities providing elementary education,
child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services; and (D) other key
community leaders.

The (Insert Name of Local Council) was responsible for preparing and
submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary grant
program.

Sincerely,

Signed and dated by an individual with authority to represent
the entity of local government (e.g., mayor, city/county manager,
city/county executive, city/county council, board of supervisors,
select board, etc.)

Appendix B--Sample Letter of Designation of the Local Council and
Identification of the Fiscal Agent by an Entity of Local Government

Date

To Whom It May Concern:

[[Page 34788]]

borough(s), etc.)) for the purposes of the Early Learning
Opportunities Act (ELOA) discretionary grant program. I/We also
authorize the (Insert Name of Local Council) to develop and submit
an application to the Administration on Children, Youth and
Families, Child Care Bureau in response to the ELOA Funding
Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-LO-0028, and to administer the
implementation of the project if funded.
I/We hereby authorize the (Insert Name of Fiscal Agent) to serve
as the Fiscal Agent on behalf of the (Insert Name of Local Council)
and the Fiscal Agent's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is: ----
---- and this EIN has been entered in Item 6 on the Application for
Federal Assistance (SF-424).
As required under the statute governing ELOA, the (Insert Name
of Local Council) includes: (A) Representatives of local agencies
that will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted
under the ELOA and this announcement; (B) parents; (C) other
individuals concerned with early learning issues in the locality,
such as representatives of entities providing elementary education,
child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services; and (D) other key
community leaders.
The (Insert Name of Local Council) was responsible for preparing
and submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary
grant program.
Sincerely,

Appendix C--Sample Format for Providing Information on the Composition
of the Local Council

Emerald County Local Council

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members name Title Role Agency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marsha Severn................ Chair of Local D Emerald City
Council. Chamber of
Commerce.
Michele Dixon................ Director........ C Child Care
Resource &
Referral.
Mike Andrews................. Foster Parent of B
a Young Child.
Rev. P. Nelson............... Director, Child A Holy Trinity
& Family Church.
Services.
Patricia Lawson.............. Director........ A Happy Days
Child Care
Center.
Fr. Michael Bates............ Child & Family D Catholic
Program Manager. Charities.
Angela Bauer................. Director........ A St. James Head
Start.
M. J. Anderson............... Director........ A ABC Child Care
Center.
Monica Presley............... Director........ C Emerald County
Health Dept.
L. M. Peterson............... Superintendent.. C Emerald City
Public
Schools.
Peggy Davis.................. Family Child C
Care Provider.
Sarah Curtis................. Autism C Emerald City
Consultant. Public
Schools.
Susan Meyers................. Parent of Young B
Child.
Susan LaPierre............... President....... A Emerald County
Community
College.
Alberta Collins.............. Vice President.. D Emerald City
United Way
Services.
Frank Jimenez................ County Manager.. D Emerald County.
Sean Red Cloud............... Consultant...... D Lakota
Community
Services.
Christopher Potter........... Parent of Young B
Child.
Harriet Huggins.............. Director........ C Emerald County
Social
Services.
Isabella Flores.............. Director........ D La Puerta
Fundacion.
T. Rex Reid.................. President....... D Emerald City
Bank.
Lionel Mejias................ Director........ A Early Childhood
Services, Inc.
Ameila Quigley............... Program Parent.. B Parents as
Teachers.
Amy Takmamura................ Director........ A Emerald City
Child Care
Consortium.
Juana Garcia................. Director, A Emerald City
Special Public
Education. Schools.
Casey Brown.................. Parent of a B
Young Child.
Margaret James............... Managing A Community Child
Director. Care Center.
Stephen Cho.................. Parent of a B
Young Child.
C. L. Madsen, M.D............ Pediatrician.... C Emerald City
Primary Care
Associates.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Legend

(Also see Section III. Additional Information on Eligibility.)

A = Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this
announcement.
B = Parents.
C = Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
opportunities, child care, and health services.
D = Other key community leaders.

Note: Members of Local Councils that are identified with
categories other than the four categories above will not be
considered as meeting the statutory eligibility requirements for the
composition of the Local Council.

[FR Doc. 05-11754 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P