Department of Health & Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Program Office: Administration on Children, Youth, and
Families, Children's Bureau
Funding Opportunity National Resource Center for Child Welfare
Title: Legal and Judicial Issues
Announcement Type: Initial
Funding Opportunity HHS-2009-ACF-ACYF-CZ-0067
Number:
CFDA Number: 93.670
Due Date for 05/11/2009
Applications:
Executive Summary:
The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to establish
by cooperative agreement a National Resource Center for Child
Welfare Legal and Judicial Issues (NRCLJI). The NRCLJI will serve as a
member of the Children's Bureau's Child Welfare Training and
Technical Assistance Network (T/TA Network), which is designed to
improve child welfare systems and to support States and Tribes in
achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety,
permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families. The
primary mission of the NRCLJI is to improve legal representation and
judicial decision-making in juvenile and family courts. Particular
emphasis will be placed on supporting and enhancing activities carried
out under the State Court Improvement Program (CIP), and increasing
legal and court involvement in the development and implementation of
Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) in response to the Child and Family
Services Reviews (CFSRs).
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
Statutory Authority
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The statutory authority for this funding opportunity announcement is
Section 105 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, as
amended (42 U.S.C. ยง 5106).
Description
Background
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the Federal
Government's principal agency for protecting the health of all
Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those
who are least able to help themselves. Within HHS, the Administration
for Children and Families (ACF) is the agency responsible for Federal
programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families,
children, individuals, and communities. The Administration on
Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) administers national programs for
children and youth; works with States, Tribes, and local communities
to develop services that support and strengthen family life; seeks joint
ventures with the private sector to enhance the lives of children and
their families; and provides information and other assistance to
parents. Many of the programs administered by ACYF focus on children
from low-income families; abused and neglected children; children and
youth in need of foster care, independent living, adoption or other
child welfare services; preschool children; children with disabilities;
runaway and homeless youth; and children from Native American and
migrant families.
Within ACYF, the Children's Bureau (CB) plans, manages, coordinates,
and supports child abuse and neglect prevention and child welfare
services programs. The CB is the agency within the Federal
Government that is responsible for assisting child welfare systems by
promoting continuous improvement in the delivery of child welfare
services. CB programs are designed to promote the safety,
permanency, and well-being of all children, including those in foster
care, available for adoption, recently adopted, abused, neglected,
dependent, disabled, or homeless, and to prevent the neglect, abuse,
and exploitation of children.
The purpose of the CB's programs is to promote strengthening of the
family unit in order to help prevent the unnecessary separation of
children from their families and encourage reunifying families, when
possible, if separation has occurred. State and Tribal child welfare
systems are designed to deliver direct services that protect children
who have suffered maltreatment, who are at risk for maltreatment, or
who are under the care and placement responsibility of the State
and/or Tribe because their families are unable to care for them. These
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systems also focus on securing permanent legal placement with
families, such as reunification, guardianship, and adoption for children
and youth who are unable to return home. (For more information
about CB's programs, visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb.)
Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network
CB's Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network (T/TA
Network) is designed to improve child welfare systems and to support
States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that
results in greater safety, permanency, and well-being for children,
youth, and families. The T/TA Network is currently comprised of a
group of training and technical assistance (T/TA) providers funded
entirely or partially by the CB through grants, contracts, and
interagency agreements. For over a decade, the CB has provided
funding for a growing network of National Resource Centers (NRCs),
Child Welfare Information Gateway, and other child welfare T/TA
providers.
T/TA Network members serve a variety of systems, agencies,
organizations, and institutions and perform a diverse range of services.
Despite being authorized by different statutes and charged with
diverse tasks and objectives, members of the T/TA Network are
collectively charged with the successful promotion of systems change
that will ultimately improve outcomes for children, youth, and families
in the United States and its territories. T/TA Network members hold
program-specific topical expertise in multiple aspects of child welfare
systems and across the continuum of child welfare practice and as
such, they are expected to provide States and Tribes with the
necessary information, T/TA, and consultation to build capacity within
their child welfare systems. Together, T/TA Network members are
expected to facilitate positive change in service delivery, and in some
cases comprehensive cross-system reforms, that collectively build
systemic capacity and result in more effective and promising practice.
Knowledge development and transfer, leadership development,
information management, and dissemination of effective and
promising practices have all been key objectives of the T/TA Network.
While network members have overlapping responsibilities in several of
these areas, their roles are also complementary. National Quality
Improvement Centers (NQICs) develop knowledge by demonstrating
and evaluating innovative practices. National Resource Centers (NRCs)
transfer knowledge to State, Tribal, and local systems and identify
evidence-based approaches, while serving as repositories of national
expertise in topical areas of child welfare. Child Welfare Information
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Gateway houses, manages, produces and disseminates child welfare
information and resources. The Workforce Institute delivers training
and cultivates leadership among professionals in child welfare. The
Technical Assistance Implementation Centers provide resources and
in-depth, long-term technical assistance to implement multi-year State
and Tribal projects for systemic change. Other members of the T/TA
Network support similar activities intended to build capacity, improve
systems, and improve policy and practice in child welfare. (More
information about T/TA Network members can be found at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/tta/index.htm.)
The CB National Resource Centers (NRCs) are important members of
the CB T/TA Network. The following table lists the CB NRC funding
opportunities that are being announced in FY 2009.
FY09 CB NRC Funding Opportunity Announcements
HHS-2009-ACF- Offers T/TA, teleconferences, and publications to
ACYF-CZ-0016 assist States and Tribes with strategic planning,
National Resource quality improvement, evaluating outcomes,
Center for Child facilitating stakeholder involvement, and
Welfare improving training and workforce development.
Organizational
Improvement
HHS-2009-ACF- Provides expert consultation and T/TA in all areas
ACYF-CZ-0015 of CPS, including intake, assessment, case
National Resource planning, and ongoing services. It will assist
Center for Child States and Tribes with system and practice issues
Protective Services that help improve the prevention, reporting,
assessment, and treatment of child abuse and
neglect, and it will provide resources and support
to State Liaison Officers (SLO) and Children's
Justice Act (CJA) grantees.
HHS-2009-ACF- Provides T/TA and information services to build
ACYF-CZ-0061 the capacity of State, local, and Tribal foster care
National Resource programs. Areas of T/TA will include collaboration
Center for and engagement with parents, relatives,
Permanency and stakeholders and resource families to address
children's safety, permanency, and well-being
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Family Connections needs and effectively address the issues causing
children and youth to be placed in out-of-home
care.
HHS-2009-ACF- Provides a broad range of T/TA on data and
ACYF-CZ-0054 information systems issues to improve the quality
National Resource of data that is collected, build the capacity to use
Center for Child the information for decision making in daily
Welfare Data and practice, and develop or improve case
Technology management and data collection systems.
HHS-2009-ACF- Lends its expertise to State and Tribal agencies
ACYF-CZ-0067 and courts on legal and judicial aspects of child
National Resource welfare practice. Areas of focus include
Center for Child permanency decision-making, adherence to ASFA
Welfare Legal and and other Federal laws, the court's role in the
Judicial Issues CFSRs and child welfare reform, high quality legal
representation for all parties, judicial and attorney
workloads, quality assurance for courts and legal
offices, effective forensic performance by
agencies, the impact of ASFA on youth in the
juvenile justice system, education needs of
children and youth in foster care, legal ethics, and
the interplay of domestic violence and child
welfare.
HHS-2009-ACF- Works with States, Tribes, and agencies to
ACYF-CZ-0065 increase their capacity in adoption and improve
National Resource the effectiveness and quality of adoption and post-
Center for Adoption adoption services provided to children, youth and
their families.
HHS-2009-ACF- Lends its expertise and provides T/TA in areas
ACYF-CZ-0066 including youth development, youth engagement
National Resource and service collaboration in child welfare policy,
Center for Youth planning, program development, and information
Development services promoting stakeholder involvement and
youth engagement in the CFSR processes, and
effectively implementing the Chafee Foster Care
Independence and the Education and Training
Voucher programs.
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HHS-2009-ACF- Provides T/TA regarding effective and promising
ACYF-CZ-0068 alternatives to out-of-home care and will build the
National Resource capacity of State, local, and Tribal systems to
Center for In-Home provide services that will ensure the safety and
Services well-being of children and youth in their homes
while preserving, supporting, and stabilizing
families.
HHS-2009-ACF- Functions as a case manager in receiving T/TA
ACYF-CZ-0058 requests from Tribes and coordinates with the
National Resource T/TA Network to provide coordinated and
Center for Tribes culturally competent T/TA. Provides coordinated
and culturally competent T/TA to Tribes. The
center is intended to successfully engage Tribes,
to enhance their access to and utilization of the
T/TA Network, to facilitate peer-to-peer
consultation between Tribes regarding child
welfare issues, and to increase cultural
competence and sensitivity to Tribal voices in the
T/TA Network.
HHS-2009-ACF- Builds the capacity of CBCAP lead agencies and
ACYF-CZ-0056 their partners to effectively implement the
National Resource requirements of the program and support
Center for evidence-informed and evidence-based child
Community-Based maltreatment prevention programs and activities.
Child Abuse It will facilitate State, local, Tribal, public, and
Prevention private agency efforts in the interagency, inter-
disciplinary, coordinated planning and
development of a network of community-based
programs and activities designed to strengthen
and support families to prevent child abuse and
neglect and promote stronger linkages with the
child welfare system.
One T/TA Network
The CB expects for its T/TA providers to function as "one T/TA
Network." Members are expected to function as a seamless entity in
their provision of T/TA service delivery to States and Tribes. They are
expected to individually provide topical expertise as a part of the
whole T/TA Network; each member of the Network is expected to:
collaborate; coordinate their T/TA; perform project activities that
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complement one another; subscribe to common principles; cross refer
to the appropriate T/TA Network member as needed to be responsive
to the needs of States and Tribes; and participate fully in common
messaging that clearly identifies each provider with the T/TA Network.
Whenever a T/TA Network member performs activities and provides
T/TA that are either entirely or partially supported by the CB, these
services must be clearly identified with the T/TA Network and
perceived by the individual provider's client to be a service of the CB.
States and Tribes should be made aware of any existing T/TA Network
efforts related to their child welfare systems. All T/TA Network
members are expected to inform their clients about the full array of
relevant T/TA Network resources when addressing requests for T/TA.
Integrated service delivery must be pursued when beneficial to the
client and collaboration shall take precedence over concerns about an
individual T/TA provider's scope of responsibility. A T/TA Network
member is expected to consult and partner with its Network peers at
the request of a client or if additional support or expertise is
appropriate, when such collaboration would increase the likelihood of
successfully achieving the objectives of the T/TA, and/or when it is
appropriate to do so in order to effectively address the T/TA needs of
the client.
Coordination
For several years, the CB has worked closely with the T/TA Network to
continuously develop a more coordinated strategy and approach to
working with States and Tribes. This was a progression from the
previous work and mission of the NRCs, which historically worked
independently of one another in the provision of T/TA. Collaboration,
communication, and coordination among T/TA Network members have
greatly increased as a result of this evolution. Membership in the T/TA
Network has been expanded in response to the important contributions
that these CB initiatives collectively offer in building capacity for
systemic change. T/TA Network members have developed into a
community of resources and centers of topical expertise that are
flexible, responsive, collaborative, and coordinated in responding to
changing Federal priorities and emerging challenges from the field. To
this end, the CB is committed to continuing to plan, implement, and
foster a stronger, formalized, coordinated, and seamless T/TA strategy
across the network of T/TA providers to support State and Tribal child
welfare systems in their change efforts.
The CB does not expect any individual T/TA provider to have
comprehensive expertise across all aspects of child welfare practice in
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a child welfare system. Therefore, NRCs are expected to regularly
engage with their peers in joint consultation, training, and other T/TA
activities when collaboration or partnership is necessary to most
effectively serve clients' T/TA needs. NRCs will collaborate and work
closely with Federal staff in CB Central and Regional Offices when
States and Tribes submit requests for on-site T/TA and other
substantial services. Each NRC will follow all approval and coordination
procedures for T/TA requests and will work cooperatively with the
entity designated by the CB to coordinate T/TA delivery. Each NRC will
be prepared to serve, if necessary, as a facilitator of collaborative
consultation and training in response to T/TA requests related to its
area of focus and topical expertise. NRCs will refer requests to other
T/TA Network members when appropriate and collaborate when the
expertise of more than one provider is necessary to achieve the
objectives of a T/TA request or need. The CB expects T/TA Network
members to operate collectively as a single, integrated T/TA service
delivery system, providing coordinated and timely implementation
delivery of T/TA that avoids delays or duplication of effort.
Child Welfare Monitoring and Technical Assistance
The CB employs several monitoring tools, including the Child and
Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility
Review, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
(AFCARS) Assessment Review, and the Statewide Automated Child
Welfare Information System (SACWIS) Assessment Review, to ensure
conformity with Federal child welfare requirements and to help States
achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for children. (For more
information about child welfare monitoring, see
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/index.htm.)
Section 1123A of the Social Security Act requires that technical
assistance be made available to States, to the extent feasible, to
enable them to develop and implement corrective action plans that
address those areas needing improvement. Program Improvement
Plans (PIPs) have become an important tool for planning corrective
action and pursuing strategies for change. PIPs are expected to build
on child welfare systems' strengths and address areas needing
improvement which were identified during Federal monitoring reviews.
PIPs emphasize building capacity and implementing changes that will
improve child welfare outcomes.
While the work of several T/TA Network members focuses on
improving State and Tribal compliance with Federal requirements,
helping jurisdictions apply the knowledge gained from Federal child
8
welfare monitoring reviews, and assisting with the development and
implementation of PIPs, the ultimate purpose of the T/TA Network is to
improve child welfare systems, build capacity, and to support States
and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that yields better
outcomes for children, youth, and families. The CB has learned that
systemic reform requires a proactive approach to T/TA as well as a
commitment to strategic, focused, and sustained planning and
implementation.
Specific strategies adopted by a State or Tribe to improve a particular
outcome or an area of practice must be part of a larger, cohesive, and
comprehensive vision for change that permeates the child welfare
system at all levels of responsibility and leadership. The principles that
drive the change effort need to inform and infuse each step of the
reform process and to be supported before, during, and after
implementation.
Systems of Care Framework and CFSR Guiding Principles
T/TA Network members who provide services directly to child welfare
agencies and courts are expected to subscribe to a common set of
guiding principles. The Systems of Care (SOC) framework and CFSR
principles have become the foundation for an evolving model of
practice that guides the manner in which the T/TA Network entities
supports States and Tribes in their pursuit of necessary systemic
change. The CB expects T/TA Network members to operate collectively
as a single, integrated T/TA service delivery system.
Adopted from its application in the mental health field, SOC refers to a
conceptual framework and set of principles that directs child welfare
agencies and systems to pursue individualized, coordinated, and
holistic approaches to working with children, youth, and families. In
child welfare, SOC is characterized by shared, cross-cutting principles
and a continuum of integrated services from prevention to
permanency support that span programs, agencies, and institutions. A
SOC approach is community-based, child-centered, family-focused,
strengths-based, culturally competent, and comprehensive. It
addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social, educational, and
developmental needs of children, youth and their families while taking
into account the individual, family, community, and broader systemic
risk and protective factors that contribute to a child's safety and well-
being. (More information regarding SOC can be found at
http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/service/soc/.)
The guiding principles of the CFSR are consistent with this SOC
framework. Child safety, permanency, and well-being are closely tied
9
to principles of service delivery for effective practice including:
prevention services; family-focused and community-based services;
flexible, accessible, and coordinated services; culturally appropriate
services; and strengths-based and individualized services. Services
should be organized along a continuum and linked to a wide service
array to meet the multiple service needs of children, youth, and
families. The principles of the CFSR are more commonly described to
be:
๏ท Family-centered practice;
๏ท Community-based services;
๏ท Individualizing services; and
๏ท Strengthening the capacity of families.
In the context of T/TA service delivery, subscribing to SOC and CFSR
principles means that NRCs are expected to collaborate with other
T/TA Network members and the CB and to collectively offer client-
centered, individualized, and strengths-based services to States and
Tribes. The NRCs will occupy a critical niche in an array of T/TA service
providers who address multiple legislative and child welfare service
priorities and address practice areas across the continuum of child
welfare service delivery. The NRC's T/TA will be proactive,
collaborative, coordinated, accessible, and culturally competent.
Together, members of the T/TA Network will build relationships and
engage child welfare systems. Frequently, they will conduct joint
assessments, provide collaborative consultation, and produce shared
products, particularly in programmatic areas where T/TA entities share
responsibility for practice issues. Network members will accept
individual and shared accountability for the quality of their consultation
and products and their ability to facilitate sustainable systemic
change. Furthermore, the NRCs are responsible for ensuring that the
consumers of its T/TA, State and Tribal child welfare systems and
ultimately the children, youth, and families they serve, have a voice in
decision-making regarding the quality and content of service provision.
T/TA Network members will work with States and Tribes to consider
how system change activities will support a seamless experience of
service delivery for children, youth and families. (Further information
about implementing SOC principles in child welfare can be found in
Primer Hands On Child Welfare, Improving Child Welfare Outcomes
through Systems of Care: Building the Infrastructure, and other
publications at
http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/service/soc/build/soctoolkit.c
fm. More information about changing systems can be found at
10
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwmonitoring/changing_culture.
htm.)
While its approach to service delivery must be aligned with the SOC
framework and CFSR principles, the substance of the NRC's T/TA
activities will be guided by them as well. Whether assessing systemic
problems, constructing strategic plans, facilitating dialogue, or
designing T/TA with its State and Tribal consumers, NRCs will observe
and critically examine management and practice issues through the
lens of the CFSR and SOC principles. While these principles are central
to the T/TA Network's operation and vision for change, the CB does
not expect the NRCs to uniformly advise States and Tribes to adopt
the SOC framework or to articulate their principles in the same way.
States and Tribes will differ significantly in their strengths and
challenges, organizational cultures, visions for the future, and
strategies for change. The CB intends for SOC and CFSR principles to
guide the NRC's service delivery approach rather than become
prescribed content that is uniformly disseminated to States and Tribes.
The NRCs are expected to tailor their T/TA to each of its clients and to
consider the impact of service delivery as children, youth and families
are transitioned to different programs within the child welfare agency.
Once a State or Tribe has identified a particular need, barrier, or issue
that requires attention, an NRC is expected to partner with its T/TA
peers, the CB, and the client to comprehensively assess and mutually
define the problem in the context of broader systemic conditions.
Rather than assuming that a problem is isolated, the NRCs will
approach identified problems as opportunities for further investigation,
broad systems thinking, and change that will result in sustainable
improvement.
Working with CB Research and Demonstration Grantees
The CB awards discretionary research and demonstration grants for
projects that test innovative approaches to addressing a variety of
child welfare issues. The NRCs will be expected to consider the
knowledge being developed by these projects as a potential resource.
Throughout the life of their cooperative agreements, NRCs will work
with their Federal Project Officers (FPOs) and others to identify
topically relevant discretionary grant activities, to determine areas of
knowledge being developed by these grantees that could be utilized by
the NRC as it provides T/TA, and to make the most of potential
connections between the CB's knowledge development and knowledge
transfer initiatives. Information about CB Research and Demonstration
grants is available through the Discretionary Grants Library. This is an
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online tool that allows users to search for and view CB program
announcements and other information related to specific CB grant
projects.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/programs_fund/index.htm# disc
National Resource Center for Child Welfare Legal and Judicial
Issues
T/TA by the NRCLJI will assist State, local, tribal, and other publicly
administered or publicly supported child welfare agencies and courts
to:
๏ท Institutionalize a safety-focused, family-centered, and
community-based approach to meet the multiple and complex
needs of children, youth and families when out-of-home
placement is required for children's safety;
๏ท Collaborate with community members and other related
disciplines to develop coordinated plans for family support and
child safety; and
๏ท Implement the Federal legislation administered by CB and
achieve the goals of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA),
Title IV-B, the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) and the Indian
Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
The NRCLJI will be expected to be creative and innovative in
responding to questions and requests from State agencies and courts,
as well as in developing new materials on cutting edge issues as they
emerge from legal decisions, Federal and State legislation, new
regulations and other developments in the child welfare field. Critical
to the work of the NRCLJI will be the ability to stimulate effective and
lasting collaboration between State and Tribal agencies and courts,
and provide strong support for court improvements to build and
sustain that collaboration. The NRCLJI must form partnerships with
national legal and judicial organizations as well as independent
consultants in the field, thus maximizing the breadth and substance of
the T/TA it provides. The NRCLJI will be expected to forge strong links
with the full range of CB's T/TA Network, resulting in joint T/TA and
collaborative development of resources.
Expected outcomes will be the increased capacity of juvenile and
family courts to expedite permanency through more informed and
timely decision making, strong Court Improvement Programs
nationwide implementing needed court reforms, and better integration
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of courts and legal representatives into the implementation of PIPs
resulting from CFSRs.
From the funds appropriated for the Promoting Safe and Stable
Families Program (PSSF), $10 million is reserved each year for grants
to State court systems (see Section 438 of the Social Security Act (the
Act). These funds, plus 3.3 percent of discretionary funds appropriated
under PSSF, are awarded to enable the courts to conduct assessments
of their foster care and adoption laws and judicial processes and to
develop and implement plans for system improvement. These
improvements must provide for the safety, well-being, and
permanence of children and youth in foster care, and assist in the
implementation of PIPs developed by State child welfare agencies as a
result of the CFSRs and Title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews. The
Court Improvement Program grants (the basic CIP grants) were first
enacted in 1993, and have been reauthorized in 1997, 2001 and 2006.
During 2006 two laws amended the Act regarding the basic CIP grant.
Under the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act,
Public Law (P.L.) 109-239, State courts that receive the basic CIP
grant now must assess their role, responsibilities and effectiveness in
the interstate placement of children, and must implement
improvements to develop the best strategy to use to expedite these
placements. Under the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of
2006 (P.L. 109-288) the basic CIP grant was reauthorized without
change through FY 2011.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) (DRA) authorized two
new CIP grants, the data collection and analysis grant and the training
grant, at a funding level of $10 million each for Federal FYs 2006
through 2010. The DRA also established a collaboration requirement
for both State courts and child welfare agencies. Highest State court
applicants must, as part of their applications for CIP grants,
demonstrate that they will have "meaningful, ongoing collaboration"
among the courts in the State, the State agency (or any other agency
with which the State contracts to administer Titles IV-B or IV-E) and,
where applicable, Indian Tribes.
Through a grant by the Pew Charitable Trusts to the Georgetown
University Public Policy Institute, the Pew Commission on Children in
Foster Care was created to improve outcomes for children in foster
care. One of the Commission's targeted areas was improving court
oversight of child welfare cases to facilitate better, and more timely,
decisions affecting children's safety, permanency and well-being.
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The Pew Commission's recommendations in its 2004 report called for:
(1) the adoption of court performance measures by every dependency
court; (2) incentives and requirements for effective collaboration
between courts and child welfare agencies; (3) a strong voice for
children and parents in court and effective representation by better
trained attorneys and volunteer advocates; and (4) leadership from
Chief Justices and State court leaders in organizing court systems to
better serve children, train judges, and promote more effective
standards for all court personnel. Through its amendments to the
Court Improvement Program in 2005, the DRA provided funding to
State courts regarding training and the adoption of court performance
measures, and established a statutory mandate for meaningful and
ongoing collaboration between child welfare agencies and the courts.
The Chief Justices responded to the Commission's recommendation for
leadership by convening a series of national judicial summits bringing
together teams from each State representing the child welfare agency
and the courts. The first of these national summits was held in
Minneapolis in 2005, the second held in New York in 2007 and
planning for a third national summit in 2009 is underway. The State
court improvement programs have responded to the leadership
challenge by convening their own State summits to bring together
agencies and courts to work together on strategic planning for
improving outcomes for children, youth and their families.
As CB completed the initial round of CFSRs in all States and moved to
a greater focus on the PIP phase of the CFSR process, findings of the
initial 52 CFSRs were compiled, some of which emphasize the need for
active court involvement in developing and implementing the PIP. (See
the CB website at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb for information on
the compiled findings of the CFSRs.) The findings highlight that no
State has yet achieved substantial conformity on Permanency
Outcome 1 (children have permanency and stability in their living
situations), and that among the seven systemic factors evaluated in
the CFSR, fewer States have achieved substantial conformity on Case
Review System than on any of the remaining systemic factors. Given
the expertise and involvement of the courts in both of these areas,
these findings underscore the importance of court participation in the
CFSR and PIP processes, if States are to make measurable
improvements in achieving timely permanency for children and youth
in foster care and create the systemic changes in their programs
needed to sustain the improvements.
Throughout the implementation of the CFSR, CB has made numerous
efforts to promote the active participation of State court
14
representatives in all phases of the CFSR. These efforts include issuing
written guidance through the CFSR Procedures Manual, leading
discussions with each State concerning external consultation with the
courts in the series of Federal-State conference calls that precede the
on-site CFSR, and meeting periodically with national organizations
concerned with judicial issues in order to increase awareness of the
CFSR process and the opportunities for consultation. NRCLJI has
developed written materials for the courts and State child welfare
agencies, and provided other forms of T/TA designed to increase the
involvement of court representatives in the CFSR.
Reflecting the same desire for more participation of the courts in the
CFSR, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
(NCJFCJ), the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), and the Conference
of State Court Administrators (COSCA) passed resolutions at their
annual meetings in 2004 urging more involvement by the courts in the
CFSR and PIP processes. The resolutions of these organizations
underscore the need for courts and judges to be involved closely in the
CFSR/PIP process.
In response to these concerns, in Round 2 of the CFSRs, CB has taken
the steps listed below in order to promote the involvement of the
courts in all parts of the CFSR process.
๏ท ACF Regional Offices will notify in writing Secretaries and
Commissioners of the Departments in which child welfare
agencies are located, State directors of child welfare, the State's
Chief Justice, the presiding juvenile or family court judge in the
State's largest metropolitan subdivision, the State's Court
Administrator and the State's CIP Coordinator of the initiation of
the Statewide Assessment and the projected date of the on-site
review. In the notification, ACF Regional Offices will set forth
CB's expectation that State court representatives be afforded the
opportunity to consult with the State agency, and will encourage
court participation in all phases of the CFSR and PIP processes.
๏ท In the series of Federal-State conference calls leading up to the
on-site CFSR, CB will ask for specific plans from the States as to
how they are including the courts in all phases of the CFSR.
Regional ACF offices will provide the States with information
and/or technical assistance to help address any barriers to
judicial participation in the CFSR process.
๏ท The NRCLJI has engaged several recently retired judges who
will, in consultation with the CB Central and Regional Offices and
15
the State, make site visits to States prior to a State beginning its
Statewide Assessment. These site visits will include a visit with
the State's Chief Justice and child welfare administrator and the
presiding juvenile or family court judge in the State's largest
metropolitan subdivision, and will be designed to promote the
Chiefs' support of the CFSR. The retired judges will visit States
again at the beginning of the PIP development process for the
same purpose, and will also be available for interim technical
assistance in promoting court involvement in the CFSR and PIP
processes, as needed.
๏ท In the PIP training that is conducted by the National Resource
Center on Organizational Improvement following the on-site
review, CB will further emphasize with States the importance of
inviting and including court representatives in the training, and
CB will ensure that portions of the training focus on issues in the
PIP that require court and agency consultation and collaboration.
๏ท In reviewing future PIPs for approval, CB will review specifically
for consultation involving the courts and for improvement
strategies that reflect the courts' involvement, including
integration of CFSR issues into the CIP strategic plan. In
reviewing progress reports on currently approved PIPs, CB will
also review for the level of the courts' involvement and role in
implementing provisions of the PIP. Similarly, in reviewing CIP
strategic plans for approval, CB will review specifically for
strategies to facilitate legal and judicial participation in the CFSR
process, collaboration with the child welfare agency on the
review, and activities targeted to bring the State into compliance
in accordance with its CFSR PIP.
In June 2005 CB issued an information memorandum to State
agencies and courts describing this background and clarifying the
requirements and expectations regarding the engagement and
involvement of State court representatives in the CSFR and PIP
processes. See
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/im/2005/im
0505.htm
In 2006, through the NRCLJI, CB established the National Court and
Child Welfare Collaborative: Focus on System Reform to bring together
as partners the American Bar Association Center on Children and the
Law, the National Center for State Courts and the National Council of
Juvenile and Family Court Judges. The goals of the Collaborative are to
assist courts in their efforts to keep children safe, ensure child well-
16
being, and reach timely permanency. Each of the organizations has a
long history of providing support and technical assistance to judges,
courts, and court systems across the country. By forming the
Collaborative the members believe that their combined efforts will
result in even better outcomes for children, youth and families who
find themselves involved with both courts and the child welfare
system. Members of the Collaborative are working closely with States
as they develop their PIPs resulting from the CFSR and providing
support and T/TA to State Court Improvement Programs.
Expectations
The NRCLJI will support the delivery of child welfare services in
modalities which strengthen parental capacity and reflect approaches
that are family-centered, community-based, and individually focused.
Enhancement of service delivery models which strengthen such
practices will be viewed as a relevant consideration in development of
T/TA activities. NRCLJI will support the following practices:
๏ท Family-centered practice designed to strengthen and empower
families to protect and nurture their children; safely preserve
family relationships and connections when appropriate;
recognize the strong influence social systems have on individual
behavior; enhance family autonomy; respect the rights, values
and cultures of families; and focus on an entire family rather
than selected individuals within a family.
๏ท Community-based practice designed to support the needs of
children and youth within the context of their families and
communities; emphasize prevention-oriented services and
support; and provide local communities a role in identifying,
designing, implementing and overseeing services within the
community.
๏ท Individualized services designed to tailor interventions to meet
the specific needs of children, youth, and families served;
recognize that children, youth and families are affected by both
individual and environmental factors; recognize that children,
youth, families and the environments in which they operate are
unique; and offer children, youth and families opportunities to
provide input into their strengths, needs, and goals and the
means to achieve those goals.
๏ท Strengthening parental capacity is achieved through practices
that enhance services and support for both mothers and fathers
17
and recognize the value of involving both parents in care of their
children, promote parents' strengths and self-esteem by
emphasizing partnership with service providers, and balance
parental need for autonomy in decision-making with the need for
ongoing support.
The NRCLJI is also expected to:
๏ท Subscribe to a Systems of Care (SOC) framework and CFSR
principles in the coordination, administration, and delivery of
T/TA;
๏ท Support and facilitate regional peer-to-peer mentoring and
networking between State and Tribal child welfare systems;
๏ท Perform outreach that will engage States and Tribes and prompt
their participation in networking activities and utilization of
available T/TA and resources;
๏ท Build the capacity of State and Tribal child welfare systems to
achieve systemic change and improve outcomes for children,
youth and families;
๏ท Demonstrate a commitment to meaningful stakeholder
involvement by building State and Tribal capacity to consistently
involve courts, youth, families, Tribes and other relevant
stakeholders in program planning, implementation and
evaluation and other systems change initiatives;
๏ท Partner closely with CB, other members of the T/TA Network,
States, Tribes, and other regional and national stakeholders;
๏ท Provide proactive T/TA that supports the implementation of
State and Tribal strategies for improved child welfare practice;
๏ท Utilize the experience and expertise of the CB Regional Offices,
T/TA Network, stakeholders, and other resources - making
referrals when appropriate;
๏ท Provide coordinated and individualized T/TA that supports
existing services and resources available to States and Tribes;
๏ท Participate fully in any national evaluation activities, if
applicable;
18
๏ท Develop, conduct and use the results of self-evaluation for
continuous improvement;
๏ท Present self-evaluation findings to CB and the T/TA Network; and
๏ท Consider the knowledge being developed by CB discretionary
research and demonstration projects as a potential resource in
the T/TA they provide, as described in the background section of
this program announcement.
Roles and Responsibilities
Within the CB T/TA Network, the NRCs develop knowledge, identify
emerging trends, transfer knowledge of effective and promising
practices, and provide T/TA to support systemic change nationwide.
The primary goal of NRCLJI is to provide this T/TA to States and Tribes
nationwide on legal and judicial issues related to child welfare and
child protection. NRCLJI provides extensive off-site and on-site T/TA
nationwide, including State-specific work as well as participation in
regional and national conferences. Activities to be conducted by
NRCLJI will include, but are not limited to:
๏ท Providing on-site and off-site T/TA and consultation to State and
Tribal child welfare agencies and juvenile and family courts on
Adoption And Safe Families Act implementation, and to State
courts on implementation of their Court Improvement
Programs;
๏ท Supporting States and localities in integrating courts, and those
who represent children and youth, parents and agencies in
courts, into the CFSR process, in particular through the use of
consultant judges to reach out to State courts and agencies;
๏ท Working with States, in collaboration with Regional Offices and
other T/TA Network members, in the development and
implementation of PIPs resulting from Federal monitoring
reviews;
๏ท Leading and supporting the State courts' implementation of the
Court Improvement Program, developing new T/TA strategies
and materials, as needed, in response to emerging issues and
both State and Federal legislative developments, and working to
increase the capacity of CIP programs nationwide;
19
๏ท Supporting Tribal courts in their work on child welfare issues, in
particular in relation to the Indian Child Welfare Act;
๏ท Supporting and strengthening the T/TA work of the National
Court Child Welfare Collaborative;
๏ท Cultivating strong working relationships with other national legal
and judicial organizations;
๏ท Identifying and disseminating information about innovative and
evidence-based or evidence-informed practices in the legal and
judicial areas of child welfare. These are to include court
improvement; agency and court collaboration; timely decisions
on termination of parental rights; non-adversarial case
resolution; reasonable efforts requirements; legal representation
of children and youth, parents and child welfare agencies; court
performance measurement, permanent guardianship;
confidentiality; legal ethics for child welfare attorneys; action
planning for courts and agency representatives; the interplay of
domestic violence and child welfare; expediting dependency
appeals; interjurisdictional issues; case tracking systems;
judicial performance and workload issues; and other emerging
child welfare legal and judicial issues;
๏ท Conducting a range of special initiatives based on evolving needs
such as improving strategic planning, strategies for conducting
and analyzing the results of regular CIP assessments, attorney
and judicial training curricula, implementation of judicial
excellence standards, child welfare privacy and confidentiality,
safety decision making, trial skills for attorneys and caseworkers,
and legal and judicial ethics;
๏ท Supporting States in their work under the CIP data collection and
analysis grant through in-depth cooperative work with courts on
development of data systems and data exchange with their
respective child welfare agencies;
๏ท Developing publications and curriculum materials, responding to
requests for information, and providing resource information to
child welfare professionals, lawyers, judges, child welfare and
judicial educators, appellate courts, court administrators and
individuals nationwide;
20
๏ท Maintaining a website as well as appropriate listservs to
disseminate information to lawyers, judges and court
improvement coordinators;
๏ท Conducting regular and ongoing assessment of the legal and
judicial needs of agencies and courts, identifying new unmet
needs and developing a national T/TA strategy for the next five
years;
๏ท Coordinating with CB Central and Regional Offices and State and
Tribal agencies in the development of T/TA strategies;
๏ท Participating in twice-a-year team meetings of CB's T/TA
Network;
๏ท Collaborating with other ACYF Resource Centers, other members
of the CB T/TA Network, CB Central and Regional Offices, other
agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services and
other agents of CB to strengthen T/TA efforts, avoid duplication
and manage resources effectively;
๏ท Providing information and cooperation needed by CB as it
manages, maintains and updates to improve functionality, the
web-based tracking system which enables CB to track NRC's
responses to T/TA requests; and
๏ท Providing data needed by CB to evaluate the results and benefits
of the T/TA provided by the NRCLJI.
Collaboration
The NRCLJI will lead collaborative efforts in its area of topical expertise
and will partner with other T/TA Network members to address
important systemic and practice issues related to organizational
improvement but for which NRCLJI will not have principal
responsibility. In addition, the NRCLJI will provide consultation to CB's
Implementation Centers and participate in collaborative assessment
activities and preparation that will support the execution of their
implementation projects. The NRCLJI will work with Child Welfare
Information Gateway to ensure that products and resources are easily
accessible and effectively disseminated, and it will partner with the
National Resource Center for Tribes to support the provision of
effective, culturally competent, in-home service in Tribal communities.
The NRCLJI will also explore opportunities to collaborate with other
T/TA Network members. For example, it will work with the National
21
Child Welfare Workforce Institute to consider training content related
to organizational improvement and the National Quality Improvement
Centers to understand new findings related to engaging nonresident
fathers, establishing public-private child welfare partnerships,
implementing differential response, and preventing maltreatment of
young children.
The NRCLJI is expected to build relationships with other Federal T/TA
providers external to CB's T/TA Network. The NRCLJI will work with CB
to identify and pursue T/TA partnerships across Federal bureaus,
offices, and agencies when appropriate.
Structure
The structure of the NRCLJI will allow sufficient flexibility to address
varying levels of T/TA requests by States and Tribes. The structure of
the NRCLJI will provide for the inclusion of new areas of expertise as
required by State and Tribal child welfare agency requests. Flexibility
in the structure will support a variety of T/TA modalities such as on-
site and off-site T/TA, policy review, information dissemination,
curriculum or framework development, peer-to-peer T/TA, conference
presentations, regional meetings and collaborative activities with CB's
Implementation Centers and other T/TA Network members.
Dissemination
The NRCLJI will be a repository for information and resources and a
vehicle for dissemination for products that address a broad range of
issues related to its topical areas of responsibility in the T/TA Network.
The NRCLJI is also expected to play a critical role in the dissemination
of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices.
Evidence-based practices are approaches to prevention or treatment
that are validated by some form of documented scientific evidence.
This could be findings established through scientific research, such as
controlled clinical studies, but other methods of establishing evidence
are valid as well.
Evidence-informed practices use the best available research and
practice knowledge to guide program design and implementation
within context. This informed practice allows for innovation and
incorporates the lessons learned from the existing research literature.
CB expects theNRCLJI to be point of contact for easily accessible, well-
organized, and user-friendly resources for States and Tribes. In
addition to storing and organizing information, the NRCLJI will be
responsible for assessing the quality of its resources and for being
22
knowledgeable about their content. The NRCLJI will make general
information about itself, the T/TA Network, applicable programs and
services, as well as specific training curricula, research, reports, tools,
or other resources widely available. The NRCLJI is expected to consult
with Child Welfare Information Gateway and other T/TA Network
members to capitalize on opportunities to link useful information and
facilitate easy navigation by website users without unnecessarily
duplicating effort.
National cross-site evaluation
The NRCLJI must allocate funds and devote sufficient resources to
participate fully in a national cross-site evaluation and to conduct its
own center-specific evaluation activities.
The NRCLJI will participate fully in CB's National Cross-site Evaluation
of the T/TA Network. The cross-site evaluation employs a participatory
and utilization-focused approach to 1) evaluate the activities,
processes, and approaches of the CB T/TA Network members in their
efforts to successfully achieve systems change, and 2) examine the
degree to which networking, collaboration, information sharing,
adherence to common principles, and common messaging occurs
across the T/TA Network. The National Cross-site Evaluation of the
T/TA Network began its design phase in Federal fiscal year 2009.
The NRCLJI will have regular contact with the cross-site evaluation
contractor and participate as an important stakeholder in the
evaluation. The NRCLJI will be actively involved in the execution of the
cross-site evaluation, participating as necessary in the development of
evaluation instruments, collection of qualitative and quantitative
information, interpretation of data, and utilization of findings. The
NRCLJI will be required to enter information into the T/TA Network's
automated data collection system within the timeframes set by CB and
the cross-site evaluation. CB expects regular and timely reporting of
on-site T/TA and other activities into the web-based tracking system
currently known as the Technical Assistance Tracking Internet System
(TATIS). The NRCLJI will be responsible for including a quality
assurance component in its evaluation plan that tracks timely and
accurate reporting into the system.
Center-specific evaluation
In addition to performing evaluation activities that meet the
requirements of the cross-site evaluation, the NRCLJI will conduct its
own center-specific evaluation activities. CB expects the NRCLJI to
regularly evaluate its performance and to use this information to
23
improve its processes and services. The NRCLJI will design and
conduct an evaluation using multiple measures, employing both
qualitative and quantitative methods as necessary. Center-specific
evaluation activities must complement the NRCLJI's participation in the
cross-site evaluation and avoid unnecessary duplication.
In its center-specific evaluation activities, the NRCLJI will build on the
components of the national cross-site evaluation, addressing more
nuanced questions or examining different evaluation questions that are
likely to yield practical information and promote the improvement of
its T/TA modalities. Center-specific evaluation findings are expected to
be substantive, highlighting both project strengths and challenges.
During the course of the project period, the NRCLJI will facilitate
communication for the purpose of T/TA improvement ("feedback
loops"), ensuring that its findings are shared with other members of
the T/TA Network and CB's Central and Regional Offices.
A list of potential "domains" and examples of questions for center-
specific evaluation can be found in Section IV.2 PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: APPROACH.
Upon award of the cooperative agreements, the NRCLJI will share its
preliminary center-specific evaluation plans with other members of the
T/TA Network and the cross-site evaluation contractor. The NRCs may
choose to include common evaluation components (i.e., methods,
collection tools, processes, outputs, and/or outcomes) in their center-
specific designs, particularly when evaluating joint activities and
collaborative T/TA that is provided to a State or Tribal child welfare
system by multiple T/TA Network members.
All evaluation plans must be approved by the Federal project officer.
Prior to beginning its evaluation activities, the NRCLJI will review and
revise its center-specific evaluation design in partnership with CB.
The NRCLJI will regularly update its Federal project officer about
ongoing evaluation activities and findings in required progress
reporting and provide CB with a written report at the end of the
project. The NRCs will collaborate with each other, their State and
Tribal partners, CB, the national evaluation contractor, and other
members of the T/TA Network when necessary to produce a
comprehensive evaluation report at the conclusion of the project
period and present findings to CB, the T/TA Network, and other
stakeholders.
Specific tasks to be performed- Planning Phase
24
Each applicant is required to submit a narrative (with accompanying
Gantt chart and logic model) that clearly and concisely describes its
strategy for a six-month Planning Phase (Phase I) followed by a 54-
month Implementation Phase (Phase II).
During the Planning Phase, the NRCLJI will:
๏ท Meet with the CB Federal Project Officer (FPO) and other
representatives of CB to discuss the scope of work of the NRCLJI
in the context of the current environment;
๏ท Work with the CB FPO to transition all materials and other
resources from the previous NRCLJI grantee, as appropriate and
needed;
๏ท Identify the roles and responsibilities of other members of the
CB T/TA Network to determine the relationship of these entities
to the work of the NRCLJI;
๏ท Build and strengthen relationships with CB, other members of
the T/TA Network, and other key stakeholders;
๏ท Develop a work plan for the National Court Child Welfare
Collaborative;
๏ท Initiate needs assessment of relevant constituents;
๏ท Prepare final marketing plan, based on draft submitted in
application, including materials and other resources to engage
and inform constituency of the NRCLJ services and resources;
๏ท Review the work plan submitted as part of the application
process to determine areas that need to be revised or
strengthened based on new information obtained;
๏ท Work with the CB FPO, CB ROs, and others as required to
identify and implement the plan for coordinating with the ROs
and the other members of CB'S T/TA Network in the provision of
T/TA;
Work with CB FPOs, CB ROs and other members of CB's T/TA Network
to identify any changes in process for receiving, reviewing and
approving T/TA requests from States and Tribes;
25
๏ท Assess the NRCLJI self-evaluation plan in relation to the
requirements of CB's plan for a National Cross Site Evaluation of
the CB T/TA Network;
๏ท Work with the FPO for CIP grants to design the plan for
supporting grantees through materials development,
teleconferences, meetings, web pages, and other identified
resources and media;
๏ท Obtain approval from the CB FPO for revised plans; and
๏ท Respond to T/TA requests from States and Tribes.
Specific tasks to be performed- Implementation Phase
During the Implementation Phase, the NRCLJI will:
๏ท Implement revised work plan;
๏ท Implement marketing and outreach plan to engage States and
Tribes;
๏ท Continue assessment and analysis of needs and strengths of
States and Tribes;
๏ท Respond to T/TA requests and provide coordinated and
individualized T/TA that supports the implementation of
strategies for systems change;
๏ท Collaborate and regularly consult with CB FPO, CB ROs, and
other members of the T/TA Network;
๏ท Collaborate with other members of the CB T/TA Network to
develop individualized strategies which address the specific
needs of State and Tribal child welfare systems and courts;
๏ท Support the CIP grantees through various communication and
knowledge development strategies;
๏ท Support the CIP grantees in the development and
implementation of their grantee meetings in Washington, DC
(up to 2 days in length each), convene and direct the planning
committees in the identification of specific needs, issues, trends,
speakers, and knowledge development related to court
improvement;
26
๏ท Assist States and Tribes in disseminating knowledge and
promising practices though peer-to-peer T/TA and conference
presentations;
๏ท Actively participate in knowledge development, dissemination
and implementation initiatives;
๏ท Annually review work plan incorporating the information gained
from T/TA and evaluation activities as well as findings from the
CFSRs;
๏ท Collect evaluation data and coordinate data collection with
National Cross Site Evaluator; and
๏ท Complete required reporting and distribute evaluation findings.
In its application, each applicant must describe how it will complete its
required and proposed activities within the planning and
implementation phases of the project. After the award of the
cooperative agreements and prior to implementation, plans may be
revised to accommodate coordination of activities with other grantees.
The applicant's plans will be subject to review, revision, and final
approval by CB.
Logic Model
The applicant is required to submit in its application a logic model for
its planning and implementation. The logic model also must
accompany all subsequent submissions of plans related to this
announcement to CB.
Travel for Meetings, Conferences, and Presentations
Approximately six weeks after the award of the cooperative
agreement, the NRCLJI project director, the project evaluator, and
representatives of other key partners and/or subcontractors involved
in the execution of the award, if applicable, will be required to attend a
one-day meeting with the Federal project officer and other Federal
staff in Washington, D.C. The purpose of this meeting is to review and
approve activities and planning timelines in year one of the award and
to clarify expectations for the project.
Within six months of the award of the cooperative agreements, the
NRCLJI project director, project evaluator, and representatives of other
key partners and/or subcontractors involved in the execution of the
award, if applicable, must make an oral presentation to CB staff in
27
Washington, D.C., describing and supporting its implementation plans
for each of the major areas of activity. The applicant's budget for the
first 12-month budget period should include anticipated costs for these
two meetings.
In addition, the NRCLJI project director and another designated
representative will attend T/TA Network meetings held twice annually
in the Washington, D.C. metro area over the duration of the five-year
project period. Two key staff persons shall also attend at least two of
CB's meetings or conferences annually, as identified with the FPO. All
expenses related to attendance at these meetings also should be
included in the applicant's proposed budget.
Project Requirements
The acceptance of funds for projects responsive to this announcement
will signify the applicant's assurance that it will comply with the
following requirements:
1) Have the project fully functioning within 90 days following the
notification of the grant award.
2) Participate in any national evaluation or technical assistance
contract that relates to this program announcement.
3) Submit all performance indicator data, program, evaluation, and
financial reports in a timely manner in the required formats (see
Section VI.). CB prefers and will accept the interim and final reports
on disk or electronically using a standard word-processing program,
however grantees are required to provide the original and two
copies of performance progress and final reports.
4) Submit an original and two copies of the final report, the final
evaluation report, and any program products to CB within 90 days
of the project end date.
5) Allocate sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the project
director, the evaluator, and other key partners to attend the
meetings described in this program announcement.
6) Propose and justify a percentage of the project budget to be
allocated to program evaluation.
28
II. AWARD INFORMATION
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,150,000
Expected Number of Awards: 1
Ceiling on Amount of Individual $1,150,000 per budget period
Awards:
Floor on Amount of Individual None
Awards:
Average Projected Award Amount: $1,150,000 per budget period
Length of Project Periods: 60-month project with five 12-month
budget periods
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability
of funds.
Additional Information on Awards:
The cooperative agreement awarded will be for a project period of 60
months. The initial award will be for a 12-month budget period. The
award of continuation beyond each 12-month budget period will be
subject to satisfactory progress on the part of the awardee and a
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of
the Federal Government.
Description of Anticipated Substantial Involvement under the
Cooperative Agreement:
A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding Federal
assistance in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. A
cooperative agreement clearly defines the respective responsibilities of
CB and the grantee prior to the award. CB anticipates that agency
involvement will produce programmatic benefits to the recipient
otherwise unavailable to them for carrying out the project. The
involvement and collaboration includes:
๏ท CB review and approval of planning stages of the activities
before implementation phases may begin;
29
๏ท CB and recipient joint collaboration in the performance of key
programmatic activities (i.e., strategic planning, implementation,
information technology enhancements, T/TA, publications or
products, and evaluation);
๏ท Close monitoring by CB of the requirements stated in this
announcement that limit the grantee's discretion with respect to
scope of services offered, organizational structure, and
management processes; and
๏ท Close monitoring by CB during performance which may, in order
to ensure compliance with the intent of this funding, exceed
those Federal stewardship responsibilities customary for grant
activities.
Please see Section IV.5 for any restrictions on the use of funds for
awards made under this announcement.
III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
1. Eligible Applicants
๏ท State governments
๏ท County governments
๏ท City or township governments
๏ท Special district governments
๏ท Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
๏ท Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than
institutions of higher education
๏ท Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than
institutions of higher education
๏ท Private institutions of higher education
๏ท For profit organizations other than small businesses
๏ท Small businesses
Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches are acceptable.
Applications from collaborations must identify a primary applicant
responsible for administering the cooperative agreement.
Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.
Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under
this announcement.
30
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None
3. Other:
Disqualification Factors
Applications with requests that exceed the ceiling on the amount of
individual awards referenced in Section II. Award Information will be
deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under
this announcement.
Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements
referenced in Section IV.3., Submission Dates and Times, will be
deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under
this announcement.
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
1. Address to Request Application Package:
ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Phone: 866-796-1591
Phone 2: or TTY 711
Email: cb@dixongroup.com
For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay
Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American
Standard Code For Information Interchange)).
2. Content and Form of Application Submission:
This section provides information on the required form and content of
application submissions. Applicants are required to submit one original
and two copies of all application materials if applying in hard-copy. The
original signature of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)
is required only on the original. Information on the required format,
Standard Forms (SFs) and other forms, D-U-N-S Requirement, Project
Description, Certifications, Assurances, Electronic Submission of
applications, and Hard Copy submission of applications is available in
this section. A Checklist of required application elements is available
for applicants' use in Section VIII of this announcement.
31
Each application must contain the following items in the order listed:
Application for Federal Assistance. (Standard Form (SF) 424, SF-
424A and SF-424-B). Follow the instructions that accompany the forms
and those in Section V, Application Review Information.
Certifications/Assurances. See Forms, Assurances, and
Certifications, below.
Table of Contents. List the major sections of the application, and
show the page that each section begins on.
Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum, double spaced).
See Section VI.2 Project Description. Clearly mark this page with the
applicant name as shown on SF-424, identify the program
announcement and the title of the proposed project as shown on SF-
424 and the service area as shown on SF-424. The summary
description should not exceed 300 words.
Care should be taken to produce a summary/abstract that accurately
and concisely reflects the proposed project.
The Project Description. Applicants should organize their project
description in this sequence: 1) Objectives and Need for Assistance; 2)
Approach; 3) Evaluation; 4) Organizational Profiles; and 5) Budget and
Budget Justification.
Budget and Budget Justification. Include information on the
required cost item of Travel for Meetings and Presentations (see
Section I).
Indirect Charges. If claiming indirect costs, provide documentation
that the applicant currently has an indirect cost-rate approved by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or another
cognizant Federal agency.
Third-Party Agreements. If applicable, include a letter of
commitment or Memorandum of Understanding from each partner
and/or contractor describing their role, detailing specific project tasks
to be performed, and expressing commitment to participate if the
proposed project is funded. Note: General letters of support not
expressing specific commitments are not required and will not be
considered by reviewers under the evaluation criteria.
Staff and Position Data. Include job descriptions and curriculum
vitae/ resumes for proposed project staff.
32
Page Limit. The length of the entire application package may be less
than but must not exceed 110 pages. This includes but is not limited
to the required Federal Standard Forms and certifications (SF-424, SF-
424A, SF-424B, and Certification Regarding Lobbying), table of
contents, project summary, project description, logic model, Gantt
chart, budget/budget justification, supplemental documentation, proof
of non-profit status, summaries of sub-grants and contracts, letters of
agreement, resumes, CVs and any other pages included in the
application package. All pages of the application package must be
sequentially numbered, beginning with page one. All pages of each
application will be counted to determine total length. All pages
exceeding the 110 page limit will be removed and will not be
considered in the reviewing process. A cover letter and general letters
of support are not required. Applicants are reminded that if a cover
letter and general letters of support are submitted, they will count
towards the 110-page limit.
Each applicant must organize its application in the order listed in this
section and number all application pages. Pages will be counted in the
order they are submitted in hard copy and numbered when received
electronically. All pages that exceed the page limit will be removed and
will not be reviewed.
General Content and Form Information. To be considered for
funding, each application must be submitted with the Standard Federal
Forms and must follow the guidance provided. The application must be
signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and
to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by the terms and
conditions of the award.
The project description must be typed and double-spaced on a single
side of 8 1/2 x 11 inch plain white paper with a least one inch margins
on all sides, using black print with 12-point size Times New Roman
font.
For charts, budget tables, supplemental letters and documents,
applicants may use a different point size and font, but no less than 10-
point size and single spaced.
All copies of an application must be submitted in a single package. A
separate package must be submitted for each funding opportunity. The
package must be clearly labeled for the specific funding opportunity it
is addressing.
Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, brochures,
33
or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a photocopy
machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in
any way separate subsections of the application, including supporting
documentation. Use a clip (not a staple) to securely bind the
application together. Applicants are advised that the copies of the
application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the
Federal Government for review.
Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application. It is essential that
applicants read the entire announcement package carefully before
preparing an application and include all of the required application
forms and attachments. The application must reflect a thorough
understanding of and support the purpose and objectives of the
applicable legislation. Reviewers expect applicants to understand the
goals of the legislation and the Children's Bureau's interest in each
topic. A "responsive application" is one that addresses and follows all
of the evaluation criteria in ways that demonstrate this understanding.
Applications that are considered to be "unresponsive" or do not clearly
address the evaluation criteria or program requirements generally
receive very low scores and are rarely funded.
CB's website (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb) provides a wide
range of information and links to other relevant websites. Before
preparing an application, applicants can learn more about CB's mission
and programs by exploring the website.
Organizing the Application. Reviewers will use the specific
evaluation criteria in Section V of this funding announcement to review
and evaluate each application. The applicant should address each of
these specific evaluation criteria in the project description. Applicants
should organize their project description in this sequence: 1)
Objectives and Need for Assistance; 2) Approach; 3) Evaluation; 4)
Organizational Profiles; and 5) Budget and Budget Justification. The
applicant must use the same headings as these criteria, so that
reviewers can readily find information that directly addresses each of
the specific review criteria.
Logic Model. A logic model is a tool that presents the conceptual
framework for a proposed project and explains the linkages among
program elements. While there are many versions of the logic model,
they generally summarize the logical connections among the needs
that are the focus of the project, project goals and objectives, the
target population, project inputs (resources), the proposed
activities/processes/outputs directed toward the target population, the
expected short- and long-term outcomes the initiative is designed to
34
achieve, and the evaluation plan for measuring the extent to which
proposed processes and outcomes actually occur. Information on the
development of logic models is available on the Internet at
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/developing/toolkit/.
Evaluation. Project evaluations are very important. If the applicant
does not have the in-house capacity to conduct an objective,
comprehensive evaluation of the project, then CB advises that the
applicant contract with a third-party evaluator specializing in social
science or evaluation, or a university or college, to conduct the
evaluation. In either case, it is important that the evaluator has the
necessary independence from the project to assure objectivity. A
skilled evaluator can help develop a logic model and assist in designing
an evaluation strategy that is rigorous and appropriate given the goals
and objectives of the proposed project. Additional assistance may be
found in a document titled "Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation."
A copy of this document can be accessed at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/other_resrch/pm_guide_eval/r
eports/pmguide/pmguide_toc.html.
Protection of Human Subjects. See "Certifications" later in this
section.. General information about the HHS Protection of Human
Subjects regulations can be obtained at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/.
Applicants may also contact OHRP by email (ohrp@csophs.dhhs.gov),
by phone (240-453-6900) or by Toll-Free Telephone within the U.S.
(866) 447-4777.
Electronic Submission
Applicants that submit their application electronically are advised to be
sure that they secure and retain their service ticket number for
reference whenever they have any interaction with the Grants.gov
Contact Center.
Non-Federal Reviewers
Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process,
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 as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise
required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary
information.
If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will
omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for
use during the review and selection process.
35
Forms
Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must
file the appropriate Standard Forms (SFs) as described in this
section. All applicants must submit an SF-424, Application for Federal
Assistance. For non-construction programs, applicants must also
submit an SF-424A, Budget Information and an SF-424B,
Assurances. For construction programs, applicants must also submit
SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D, Assurances. All required
Standard Forms are available at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
Non-profit private organizations (not including private universities) are
encouraged to submit the "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for
Applicants" with their applications. Applicants using a hard copy
application, place the completed survey in an envelope labeled
"Applicant Survey." Seal the envelope and include it along with your
application package. Applicants applying electronically, please submit
this survey along with your application. The Survey may be found at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
D-U-N-S Requirement
All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-
U-N-S) number. A D-U-N-S number is required whether an applicant
is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide
electronic portal, Grants.gov. A D-U-N-S number is 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. A D-U-N-S number may be acquired at no cost by
calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-
705-5711 or you may request a number online at
http://www.dnb.com.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Part I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW
PURPOSE
The project description provides the majority of information by which
an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other
applications for available assistance. The project description should be
concise and complete. It 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 the project description, information that is responsive to
36
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 EXPECTATIONS AND 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.
Part II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT
DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION
Applicants that are 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 the project
description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List the contents of the application including corresponding page
numbers.
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Provide a summary of the project description (one 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.
37
Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information,
as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may
volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of
projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated),
some of which may be outside the scope of the program
announcement.
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.
To illustrate project schedules, applicants may include charts, such as
a Gantt chart, or a bar chart or other chart. In describing their center-
specific evaluation plans, applicants may choose to address the
following questions for center-specific evaluation (the domains these
questions would address are in parentheses): To what extent was T/TA
individualized or tailored to the needs of the State or Tribe that was
served? (Fit) How comprehensive is NRC's knowledge and resources in
its area(s) of topical child welfare expertise? Is the scope of resources
sufficient to serve its clients' needs? (Scope- Topical Service Array)
How effectively did NRC's T/TA meet the need(s) identified by the
State or Tribe? (Effectiveness) What was the quality of the T/TA
provided? What was the quality of the consultation provided by
individual NRC employees and contracted consultants? What was the
quality of the products created by each NRC? (Quality Assurance) How
effective was NRC in collecting and disseminating information about
evidence-based and promising practice in its areas of child welfare
expertise? (Evidence-Based Practice) How well did NRC assess the
needs of its client? Were other T/TA Network members or other
resources involved, as necessary? (Comprehensive assessment and
responsiveness) How effectively did NRC share information about the
process and the results of providing T/TA? Did feedback help inform
future decisions about T/TA? (Communication) How effectively did NRC
collaborate with other T/TA Network members in its provision of T/TA?
How well did NRCs collaborate across their evaluation activities,
particularly when a State or Tribe is served by multiple T/TA Network
providers? (Collaboration) How effective was NRC in helping States
and Tribes implement steps in their plans for corrective action and
systemic change? How effective was NRC in helping systems improve
38
their performance in response to federal requirements such as CFSR,
IV-E, SACWIS and AFCARS? (Implementation and improvement) To
what degree did NRC adhere to SOC and CFSR principles? (Principles)
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of
activities accomplished.
When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function,
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.
If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated,
clearance may be required from OMB. This clearance pertains to any
"collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF."
Provide a list of 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 that address the
project's effectiveness.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The following are requests for additional information that must be
included in the application:
ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION
Applicants must provide the following as certification of their
eligibility under this program announcement. Please provide:
Proof of Non-Profit Status
39
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:
๏ท A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the
IRS's most recent list of tax-exempt organizations
described in the IRS Code.
๏ท A copy of a currently valid IRS tax-exemption certificate.
๏ท A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney
general, or other appropriate State official certifying that
the applicant organization has non-profit status and that
none of the net earnings accrue to any private
shareholders or individuals.
๏ท A certified copy of the organization's certificate of
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes
non-profit status.
๏ท Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above
for a State or national parent organization and a statement
signed by the parent organization that the applicant
organization is a local non-profit affiliate.
When applying electronically, proof of non-profit status may be
submitted as an attachment; however, proof of non-profit status
must be submitted prior to award.
LOGIC MODEL
Applicants are expected to use a model for designing and
managing their project. A logic model is a tool that presents the
conceptual framework for a proposed project and explains the
linkages among program elements. While there are many
versions of the logic model, they generally summarize the logical
connections among the needs that are the focus of the project,
project goals and objectives, the target population, project
inputs (resources), the proposed activities/processes/outputs
directed toward the target population, the expected short- and
long-term outcomes the initiative is designed to achieve, and the
evaluation plan for measuring the extent to which proposed
processes and outcomes actually occur.
STAFF AND POSITION DATA
Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key
person appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position
40
should be included as well. As new key staff is appointed,
biographical sketches will also be required.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES
Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and
cooperating partners, such as: organizational charts; financial
statements; audit reports or statements from Certified Public
Accountants/Licensed Public Accountants; Employer
Identification Number(s); contact persons and telephone
numbers; names of bond carriers; child care licenses and other
documentation of professional accreditation; information on
compliance with Federal/State/local government standards;
documentation of experience in the program area; and, other
pertinent information.
DISSEMINATION PLAN
Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs
to colleagues and to the public. Applicants must provide a
description of the method, volume, and timing of distribution.
THIRD-PARTY AGREEMENTS
Provide written and signed agreements between grantees and
subgrantees, or subcontractors, or other cooperating entities.
These agreements must detail the scope of work to be
performed, work schedules, remuneration, and other terms and
conditions that structure or define the relationship.
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
(SF-424A or SF-424C). Detailed calculations must include estimation
methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail
sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching is a
requirement, 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 allocation of the proposed costs.
GENERAL
Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources (when
required) shall be detailed and justified in the budget and budget
narrative justification. "Federal resources" refers only to the
41
ACF grant funds for which you are applying. "Non-Federal
resources" are all other non-ACF 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 in a narrative form.
PERSONNEL
Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known at the time of application. 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, personnel costs of
delegate agencies, or of specific project(s) and/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. (This item 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. If
appropriate for this project, 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 that equals or exceeds the lesser
of: (a) the capitalization level established by the organization
for the financial statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note:
42
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 and/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, that
includes the equipment definition.
SUPPLIES
Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than
that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information that
supports the amount requested.
CONTRACTUAL
Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Include third-party evaluation
contracts, if applicable, and contracts with secondary recipient
organizations, including delegate agencies and specific project(s)
and/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 45 CFR
Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated procurement
action that is expected to be awarded without competition and
exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 USC
403(11), currently set at $100,000.
Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award
review and procurement documents, such as requests for
proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates,
etc.
43
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 be charged as direct costs to the grant. Also, if the
applicant is requesting a rate that 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.
44
Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the
application that contain this information.
NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES
Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used
to support the project as identified in Block 18 of the SF-424.
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be
documented and submitted with the application so that the
applicant is given credit in the review process. A detailed budget
must be prepared for each funding source.
(As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, P.L. 104-
13, the public reporting burden for the Project Description is estimated
to average 40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
reviewing the collection information. The Project Description
information collection is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139, which expires 4/30/2010. 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.)
Certifications
Applicants must furnish, prior to award, an executed copy of the
Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the
certification with their application. If any funds have been paid or will
be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in
connection with this commitment providing for the United States to
insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit
Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in
accordance with its instructions. The Certification Regarding Lobbying
may be found at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
When required for programs that involve human subjects, the
Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB
Certification/Declaration of Exemption form must be submitted. All
forms may be reproduced for use in submitting
applications. Applicants must sign and return the appropriate standard
forms with their application. The Protection of Human Subjects
Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption
45
(Common Rule) form may be found at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
Assurances
By signing and submitting the application, applicants are making the
appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes
relating to nondiscrimination.
The Pro-Children Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. 7183, imposes restrictions on
smoking in facilities where federally funded children's services are
provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements only if they
meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that smoking is
prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or contracted for)
used for the routine or regular provision of kindergarten, elementary,
or secondary education or library services to children under the age of
18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility or portion
of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted for) used for the routine or
regular provision of federally funded health care, day care, or early
childhood development, including Head Start services to children under
the age of 18. The statutory prohibition also applies if such facilities
are constructed, operated, or maintained with Federal funds. The
statute does not apply to children's services provided in private
residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds,
portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or
facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with the
provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil monetary
penalty of up to $1,000 per violation and/or the imposition of an
administrative compliance order on the responsible entity. Additional
information may be found in the HHS Grants Policy Statement at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html.
Electronic Submission
Applicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or
paper (hard copy) format. To submit an application electronically,
applicants must use the http://www.Grants.gov site. ACF will not
accept applications via facsimile or email.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before submitting an application electronically,
applicants must complete the organization registration process as well
as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Applicants also must
be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). CCR
registration must be updated annually. Applicants will not be
able to upload an application to Grants.gov without current CCR
46
registration and electronic signature credentials for the
AOR. This process may take more than five business days, so it
is important to start this process early, well in advance of the
application deadline.
Be sure to complete all Grants.gov registration processes listed
on the Organization Registration Checklist
at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html.
Applicants 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.
If planning to submit an application electronically via
http://www.Grants.gov:
๏ท It is strongly recommended that applicants do not wait
until the application due date to begin the application
process through Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to
submit their applications well before the closing date and time so
that, if difficulties are encountered, there will still be sufficient
time to submit a hard copy via express mail.
๏ท In order to address any difficulties that may be
encountered during the submission process, it may be to
an applicant's advantage to submit their applications 24
hours ahead of the closing date and time.
๏ท Applicants are encouraged to check the Grants.gov webpage for
announcements concerning system issues and updates that may
affect the submission of applications.
๏ท Checklists and registration brochures are maintained at the
Grants.gov website to assist applicants in the registration
process and may be found at:
http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp
๏ท If any difficulties are encountered in using Grants.gov, contact
the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1-800-518-4726, or by email
at support@grants.gov, to report the problem and obtain
assistance. Remember to retain your service ticket number
for reference whenever you have any interaction with the
Grants.gov Contact Center.
๏ท Electronic submission is voluntary, but strongly
encouraged. Applicants will not receive additional point value for
47
submitting an application in electronic format, nor will ACF
penalize any applicant that submits an application in hard copy.
๏ท Applicants may access the electronic application and
downloadable application package for this program
announcement by using the FIND function at
http://www.Grants.gov.
๏ท Applicants may submit all required documents electronically,
including all information typically included on the SF-424s,
narratives, charts, etc.
๏ท Electronic formats for the application attachments, such as
narratives, charts, etc., should use standard software formats,
e.g., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF,
JPEG, and GIF, etc..
๏ท Though applying electronically, the application must still comply
with any page limitation requirements described in this program
announcement.
๏ท When submitting an application via Grants.gov, applicants must
comply with all due dates AND times referenced in Section
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times of this program
announcement.
๏ท Applicants that must demonstrate proof of non-profit status may
submit proof at the time of application by attaching the
documentation to the electronic application, if they wish to do
so. Proof of non-profit status, and any other required
documentation, may be scanned and attached as an "Other
Attachment." Assurances, certifications, and/or proof of non-
profit status that are not submitted electronically at the time of
application, are required to be submitted to ACF by the time of
award and in hard copy. Acceptable types of proof of non-profit
status are stated earlier in this section of the program
announcement under "Eligibility Certification."
๏ท It is strongly recommended that the applicant retain a printed
hard copy of the application in case a hard copy must be
submitted to ACF.
After the application is submitted electronically, the applicant will
receive two emails from Grants.gov:
48
๏ท An automatic acknowledgement of the application's submission
that will provide a Grants.gov tracking number.
๏ท An acknowledgement that the submitted application package has
passed or failed a series of checks and validations.
ACF will retrieve the electronically submitted application from
Grants.gov. Applicants will receive an email notification from ACF
acknowledging that ACF has received the application.
ACF may request that the applicant provide original signatures on
forms at a later date.
The Grants.gov website complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. Grants.gov webpages are designed to work with
assistive technologies such as screen readers. If an applicant uses
assistive technology and is unable to access any material on the site,
contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov for
assistance.
Hard Copy Submission of Applications
Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format should
submit one original and two copies of the complete application with all
attachments, unless directed otherwise. The original and each of the
two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances,
and appendices, be signed by the Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR), and be unbound. The original copy of the
application must have original signature(s). See Section IV.6 of this
announcement for address information for application submissions.
Please refer to Section VIII for a checklist of application requirements,
their location and due dates that applicants may use in developing and
organizing application materials.
Please refer to Section IV.3 for details concerning acknowledgement of
received applications.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Due Date for Applications: 05/11/2009
Explanation of Due Dates
The due date for receipt of applications is referenced
above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the
49
due date will be classified as late and will not be considered in the
current competition.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed or
hand-delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the
application due date and time.
Mail
Applications that are submitted by mail must be received no later than
4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above at the
address listed in Section IV.6.
Hand Delivery
Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers
must be received on or before the due date referenced above, between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address
referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding
Federal holidays).
Electronic Submission
Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted
no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced
above.
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile or
email.
Late Applications
Applications that do not meet the requirements above are considered
late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its
application will not be considered in the current competition.
ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER 4:30 P.M., EASTERN TIME,
ON THE DUE DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR
COMPETITION.
Extension of Deadlines
ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as
acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; when there are
widespread disruptions of mail service; or in other rare cases. A
determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the
Chief Grants Management Officer.
50
Acknowledgement of Received Application
ACF will not provide acknowledgement of receipt of hard copy
application packages submitted via mail, courier services, or by hand
delivery. Applicants who submit their application packages
electronically via http://www.Grants.gov will receive two email
acknowledgements from that website:
๏ท An automatic acknowledgement of the application's submission
that will provide a Grants.gov tracking number.
๏ท An acknowledgement that the submitted application package has
passed or failed a series of checks and validations.
4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs:
State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," and 45 CFR Part
100, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human
Services Programs and Activities". Under the Executive Order, States
may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on
proposed Federal assistance under covered programs.
Applicants should go to the following URL for the official list of the
jurisdictions that have elected to participate in E.O. 12372
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/.
Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOC,
as soon as possible, to alert them of their prospective applications and
to receive instructions on their jurisdiction's procedures. Applicants
must submit all required application materials to the SPOC and
indicate the date of submission on the Standard Form (SF) 424 at item
19.
Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
due date to comment on proposed new awards.
SPOC comments may be submitted directly to ACF to: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary
Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor East, Washington, DC
20447.
Entities that meet the eligibility requirements of this announcement
are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory or
51
Commonwealth, etc., does not have a SPOC or has chosen not to
participate in the process. Applicants from non-participating
jurisdictions need take no action with regard to E.O.
12372. Applications from Federally-recognized Indian Tribal
governments are not subject to E.O. 12372.
5. Funding Restrictions:
Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns,
endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar
expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are
unallowable under this grant award
Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this
grant award.
Purchase of real property is not an allowable activity or expenditure
under this grant award.
6. Other Submission Requirements:
Submit applications to one of the following addresses:
Submission by Mail
ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Hand Delivery
ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Electronic Submission
See Section IV.2 for application requirements and for guidance when
submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov.
For all submissions, see Section IV.3 for information on due dates.
52
V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
1. CRITERIA:
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 - 20 points
In reviewing the objectives and need for assistance, reviewers will
consider the extent to which:
1. The application demonstrates a clear understanding of the need
for coordinated training and technical assistance for child welfare
agencies, courts and tribes, and demonstrates a clear
understanding of the goals of the applicable legislative
mandates.
2. The applicant demonstrates a strong understanding of 1) the
Systems of Care framework, systems thinking, and the Child and
Family Service Review principles that will guide the project's
activities, and 2) the structure and purpose of the T/TA Network,
including the role and purpose of the NRCLJI.
3. The applicant demonstrates a thorough knowledge and
understanding of multiple capacity building, systemic
intervention, and change management methods and strategies
in child welfare systems and the barriers that prevent systemic
change from occurring in agencies, courts and tribes.
4. The applicant presents a clear, concise, and appropriate vision
for the proposed project. The extent to which the overall vision
for the training and technical assistance approach will effectively
enable Court Improvement Programs nationwide to fulfill the
requirements of the program.
5. The T/TA objectives of the project will effectively build the
capacity of State agencies, courts and tribes to achieve better
safety, permanence and well-being outcomes for abused and
neglected children through improved laws and judicial decision-
making.
53
6. The applicant provides a clear description of the activities and
services to be provided to the child welfare agencies, courts and
tribes. The activities and services are linked to a reasonable
statement of the goals (the intended end products of an effective
project) and objectives (measurable steps for reaching these
goals) of the proposed project.
APPROACH - 40 points
In reviewing the approach, reviewers will consider the extent to which:
1. The applicant clearly demonstrates that it would function as a
member of "one T/TA Network" as described in the Background
section of this funding opportunity announcement. The
application includes a detailed description of how it would
collaborate, coordinate its T/TA, perform project activities that
complement the work of its CB T/TA Network partners, subscribe
to common principles, and participate fully in common
messaging that would clearly identify itself with the T/TA
Network.
2. The application contains a reasonable timeline (e.g., charts such
as a Gantt chart, bar chart or other chart that illustrates project
schedules) for implementing the proposed project, including the
activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing a
reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates and
the factors that may accelerate or decelerate the work.
3. The application provides a workable plan of action. The plan
relates to the stated objectives and scope of the project and
reflects the intent of the legislative mandates.
4. The application presents a sound and feasible Planning Phase
and Implementation Phase that is consistent with the
expectations described in this announcement.
5. The application describes sound strategies for effectively
providing technical assistance and building the capacity of State
Court Improvement Programs to create and support excellent
networks of coordinated resources and activities designed to
improve the proceedings for handling cases of child abuse and
neglect.
6. The applicant details how its TA will be highly accessible,
coordinated, and individualized. The applicant explains how T/TA
54
Network members and stakeholders will be engaged and
facilitated to support the Court Improvement Programs and how
the duplication of efforts and services will be avoided. The
applicant's approach to TA is client-directed and includes sound
plans for supporting child welfare agencies, courts and Tribes
with expert consultation in self-assessment, strategic planning,
and implementation that is likely to result in systemic change.
7. The applicant provides a convincing plan for delivering intensive
TA to its State and/or Tribal partners. The applicant describes
the types of TA that it expects to provide and the frequency and
intensity of services that will be available. The applicant
demonstrates an understanding of the specific challenges of
working with Tribes.
8. The project promotes: (1) meaningful and ongoing
collaboration among State and local courts, State and local child
welfare agencies, and Tribes; (2) development of comprehensive
computerized management information systems for courts,
including automated data exchange with agencies for cases
involving child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption and
legal guardianship of children in foster care; (3) implementation
of court performance measures to allow court systems to
analyze their performance regarding child safety, permanency,
procedural fairness, timeliness, and, if practical, other aspects of
child well-being; (4) identification and correction of State law
and policy barriers to data collection and analysis, particularly to
data exchange; and (5) T/TA jointly planned and executed with
courts and State and local agencies that includes cross-system,
multidisciplinary initiatives on topics of mutual interest to
different participants in the system, such as mental health,
substance abuse, education of children in foster care, the role of
caseworkers in court, and the preparation and use of court
reports.
9. The application demonstrates a strong commitment to the T/TA
work of the National Court Child Welfare Collaborative and
presents a sound plan to support and strengthen it.
10. The applicant would assist Court Improvement Programs
to become more active participants in various systems change
efforts such as the Child and Family Services Reviews, Program
Improvement Planning processes, Child and Family Services
Plan, and other related Federal and State initiatives.
55
11. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to developing
protocols and other joint efforts for coordinated T/TA to States
and Tribes with other members of the T/TA Network.
12. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to follow all
approval and coordination procedures for T/TA requests and
work collaboratively with any national T/TA coordinating entity
that CB chooses to establish during the course of the project
period.
13. The applicant presents a sound plan for promoting,
strengthening, and formalizing peer-to-peer consultation and
problem-solving across State Court Improvement Programs. The
applicant should propose networking activities that are likely to
increase peer-to-peer learning and transfer of knowledge and
communication between State Court Improvement Programs.
14. The applicant's networking plan demonstrates a
sophisticated understanding of the barriers to successful
consultation and partnership across jurisdictions. The applicant
proposes feasible approaches or steps to building a collaborative
network that take these barriers into consideration.
15. The applicant will effectively coordinate activities with
other members of the Training and Technical Assistance Network
funded by the Children's Bureau.
16. The Resource Center's services, program activities, and
materials will be developed and provided in a manner that is
racially and culturally sensitive to the population being served.
17. The applicant describes how it will utilize the knowledge
being developed by CB discretionary research and demonstration
projects and other related research in its T/TA activities.
EVALUATION - 15 points
In reviewing the plan for the center-specific evaluation, reviewers will
consider the extent to which:
1. The applicant's logic model effectively illustrates the project's
approach and guides its evaluation plan. The evaluation
strategy addresses both process and outcomes. The plan
includes methods and criteria to evaluate the results and
benefits of the technical assistance project in terms of its stated
56
objectives. The goals and objectives are stated in specific
measurable form and will document change, improvement, and
effectiveness. The project proposes relevant measure(s) for each
goal, objective, result or benefit.
2. The applicant presents a reasonable preliminary evaluation plan
that can be expected to provide regular, meaningful feedback for
project improvement. The applicant identifies specific evaluation
questions for investigation, appropriate methods (e.g., written
surveys, questionnaires, conference calls, focus groups, and
unstructured telephone or in-person interviews), and realistic
timeframes. Its proposed methods and quantitative and
qualitative measures are appropriate for the objectives of the
evaluation.
3. The center-specific evaluation plan is likely to yield substantive
and useful information in the domains listed in Section VI.2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION- APPROACH. The plan clearly identifies
the domains in which evaluation findings will be pursued and
provides sound rationale for these selections.
4. The applicant proposes a sound process for making certain that
evaluation findings are shared with the TTA Network. The
proposed measures are aligned with the principles of the SOC
framework and CFSR principles, and the evaluation design is
likely to support a coherent vision for TA with the T/TA Network.
5. The applicant demonstrates sufficient in-house capacity to
conduct an objective evaluation of the project, or provides a
sound plan for contracting with a third-party evaluator
specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or
college to conduct the evaluation.
6. The applicant presents a sound plan for documenting project
activities and results, including the development of a data
collection infrastructure that is sufficient to support a
methodologically sound evaluation. Appropriate data sources are
identified and relevant data would be collected. There is a sound
plan for collecting and analyzing these data, securing informed
consent and implementing an Institutional Review Board (IRB)
review and Tribal review, board, if applicable.
7. The applicant describes plans for coordinating their center-
specific evaluation with CB's National Cross Site Evaluation of
T/TA.
57
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 20 points
In reviewing the organizational profiles, reviewers will consider the
extent to which:
1. The applicant organization and its staff document experience and
expertise in successful collaboration with a variety of partners in
the provision of T/TA. The applicant makes a strong case that it
has the capacity and the commitment to function as a member
of "one T/TA Network" as described in the Background section of
this funding opportunity announcement.
2. The applicant (and its partners and subcontractors, if applicable)
demonstrates sufficient and relevant experience and expertise in
administration, development, implementation, management, and
evaluation of similar projects. The applicant has sufficient
experience, expertise and understanding in child welfare/child
protection systems, courts, family centered practice, family
engagement, and risk and safety issues to provide high quality
TTA. The applicant possesses sufficient knowledge about State
and Tribal child welfare/child protection systems and populations
to develop sound State and Tribal child welfare/child protection
agency and court focused, culturally competent outreach and
networking activities.
3. The proposal clearly demonstrates the applicant's ability to
administer and implement the project effectively and efficiently.
The applicant and any partnering organizations collectively have
sufficient experience and expertise in: (1) identifying the training
and technical assistance needs of an agency, court or other
organization; (2) developing or participating in the development
of a plan to meet those needs; (3) designing, developing
delivering, and evaluating training and technical assistance
activities, 4) recruiting, assigning, and deploying staff with
appropriate experience; and (5) designing, developing,
delivering and evaluating training materials. If the project
involves partnerships with additional organizations or
subcontractors, each partnering organization has the ability and
organizational capacity to fulfill its roles and functions.
4. The roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of proposed
key project staff, including consultants, subcontractors and/or
partnering agencies, courts or organizations, are clearly defined
and appropriate for the successful implementation of the
proposed project. The applicant has secured commitments from
its key partners, if applicable. The application includes
appropriate Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) or letters
58
of commitment from key partnering organization(s) as
appropriate.
5. The proposed project director and key project staff possess
sufficient relevant knowledge, experience and capabilities to
implement and manage a project of this topic, size, scope and
complexity effectively. The roles, responsibilities and time
commitments of each proposed project staff position, including
consultants, subcontractors and/or partners, are clearly defined
and appropriate to the successful implementation of the
proposed project. Resumes/CVs are provided to demonstrate
staff/consultant/subcontractor skills and experience along with
identification of their availability for work on this project and
time commitments on other projects.
6. There is a sound management plan for achieving the objectives
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including
clearly defined responsibilities, timelines and milestones for
accomplishing project tasks and ensuring quality. The plan
clearly defines the role and responsibilities of the lead
organization and describes how the applicant will effectively
manage and coordinate all activities, including those carried out
by any partners, subcontractors and consultants (if appropriate).
Applicant identifies any mutually beneficial relationships between
the proposed project and other work planned, anticipated or
underway with Federal assistance by the applicant.
7. The applicant possesses the organizational capability to
successfully perform the activities described in this
announcement and to fulfill its assigned role and function within
the larger T/TA Network.
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - 5 points
In reviewing the budget and budget justification, reviewers will
consider the extent to which:
1. The applicant has provided a detailed line item budget and
narrative clearly identifying all costs related to the project. The
costs of the proposed project are reasonable, in view of the
activities to be conducted and expected results and benefits.
2. The applicant's fiscal controls and accounting procedures would
ensure prudent use, proper and timely disbursement and
accurate accounting of funds received under this program
announcement.
59
2. Review and Selection Process:
No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of
an incomplete application.
Initial ACF Screening: Each application will be screened to determine
whether it was received by the closing date and time and whether the
requested amount exceeds the stated ceiling. Late applications or
those exceeding the funding limit will be returned to the applicants
with a notation that they were unacceptable and will not be reviewed.
A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily experts from outside the
Federal Government) will use the evaluation criteria described in this
announcement to evaluate each application. The reviewers will
determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide
comments about the strengths and weaknesses, and give each
application a numerical score.
The results of the competitive review are a primary factor in making
funding decisions. In addition, Federal staff conducts administrative
reviews of the applications and, in light of the results of the
competitive review, will recommend applications for funding to the
ACYF Commissioner. ACYF may also solicit and consider comments
from ACF Regional Office staff in making funding decisions. ACYF may
take into consideration the programmatic involvement of private
sector, national, or State or community organizations or the potential
for high benefit from low Federal investment. ACYF may elect not to
fund any applicants having known management, fiscal, reporting,
programmatic, or other problems that make it unlikely that they would
be able to provide effective services or effectively complete the
proposed activity.
With the results of the peer review and the information from Federal
staff, the Commissioner of ACYF makes the final funding decisions. The
Commissioner may give special consideration to applications proposing
services of special interest to the Federal Government and to achieve
geographic distributions of grant awards. Applications of special
interest may include, but are not limited to, applications focusing on
underserved or inadequately served clients or service areas and
programs addressing diverse ethnic populations.
Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the process,
applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in
the application budget and Social Security Numbers, if otherwise
60
required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary
information.
Approved but Unfunded Applications
Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for
funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, for
a period not to exceed one year.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
Applications will be reviewed during the Summer 2009. Grant awards
will have a start date no later than September 30, 2009.
VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
1. Award Notices:
Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Notice
of Award (NoA) document that 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 NoA will be signed by
the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail.
Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose
applications will not be funded will be notified by letter, signed by the
Program Office head.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:
Grantees are subject to the administrative requirements in 45 CFR Part
74 (for non-governmental entities) or 45 CFR Part 92 (for
governmental entities).
Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this ACF
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
61
funding of inherently religious activities, can be found at the HHS web
site at: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.
A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its
independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and
expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based
organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular programs
or services funded with Federal funds without removing religious art,
icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a faith-based
organization that receives Federal funds retains its authority over its
internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its
organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis,
and include religious references in its organization's mission
statements and other governing documents in accordance with all
program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements
governing the conduct of HHS funded activities.
Additional information on "Understanding the Regulations Related to
the Faith-Based and Community Initiative" can be found at:
http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/regulations/index.html.
HHS Grants Policy Statement
The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health
and Human Services new single policy guide for discretionary grants
and cooperative agreements. Unlike previous HHS policy documents,
the GPS is intended to be shared with and used by grantees. It
became effective October 1, 2006 and is applicable to all Operating
Divisions (OPDIVS), such as the Administration for Children and
Families (ACF), except the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The GPS
covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions, and
points of contact, as well as important OPDIV-specific requirements.
Appendices include a glossary of terms and a list of standard
abbreviations for ease of reference. The GPS may be accessed at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_related.html.
3. Reporting Requirements:
Grantees will be required to submit performance progress and financial
reports periodically throughout the project period. Frequency of
reporting is listed later in this section.
Beginning with FY 2009 awards, most ACF grantees will begin using
the a Standard Form (SF) for required performance progress reporting
(PPR). The SF-PPR is a standard government-wide performance
62
progress reporting format consisting of a series of forms implemented
by Federal agencies to collect performance information from award
recipients. Most ACF grantees will begin using the standard format
implemented through ACF's Office of Grants Management (OGM),
entitled the "ACF-OGM-SF-PPR." Use of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR will
begin for new awards and continuation awards made by ACF in FY
2009. At a minimum, grantees will be required to submit the ACF-
OGM-SF-PPR, which consists of the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR Coversheet and
the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR Appendix B Program Indicators.
ACF Programs that utilize other SF-PPR reporting formats, or other
reporting forms or formats that differ from the new ACF-OGM-SF-PPR,
have listed those forms or formats below. Grant award documents will
inform grantees of the appropriate performance progress report form
or format to use beginning in FY 2009.
Grantees will continue to use the Financial Status Report (FSR) SF-269
(long form) for required financial reporting.
The SF-269 (long form) and the ACF-OGM-SF-PPR may be found at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Grantees
should consult their award documents to determine the appropriate
performance progress report format required under their award.
Performance progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the
end of the reporting period. Final program performance and financial
reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period.
Final reports may be submitted in hard copy to the Grants
Management Office Contact listed in Section VII. of this
announcement.
Program Progress Reports: Semi-Annually
Financial Reports: Semi-Annually
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS
Program Office Contact:
Emily Cooke
Children's Bureau
Portals Office Building, 8th Floor
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
63
Phone: 202-205-8709
Email: emily.cooke@acf.hhs.gov
For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay
Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American
Standard Code For Information Interchange)).
Grants Management Office Contact:
Ben Sharp, Grants Officer
Division of Discretionary Grants
ACYF/ Operations Center
c/o Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Phone: 866-796-1591
Phone 2: or TTY 711
Email: cb@dixongroup.com
For hearing or speech impaired callers, contact the Federal Relay
Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY (Text Telephone) / ASCII (American
Standard Code For Information Interchange)).
VIII. OTHER INFORMATION
Additional information about this program and its purpose can be
located on the following website:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/
For general information regarding this announcement please contact:
ACYF Operations Center
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc.
ATTN: Children's Bureau
118 Q St., NE.
Washington, DC 20002-2132
Phone: 866-796-1591 or TTY 711
Email: cb@dixongroup.com
Checklist
You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your
application package.
64
When to
What to Submit Where Found Submit
SF-424 Referenced in Section IV.2 under "Forms" and found By
at application
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
SF-424A Referenced in Section IV.2 under "Forms" and found By
at application
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
SF-424B Referenced in Section IV.2 under "Forms" and found By
at application
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
SF-LLL "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying" is referenced in By
Section IV.2 under "Certifications" and found at application
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html due date
Submission of this form is required if any funds have found in
been paid, or will be paid, to any person for Overview
influencing, or attempting to influence, an officer or and
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an Section
officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a IV.3.
Member of Congress in connection with this
commitment providing for the United States to insure
or guarantee a loan.
Certification Regarding Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement By date of
Lobbying under "Certifications" and found at award.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html
Table of Contents Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement. By
application
due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
65
Project Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement. By
Summary/Abstract application
due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
Project Description Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement. By
application
due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
Budget and Budget Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement. By
Justification application
due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
Third-Party Agreements Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement By
under "Project Description." application
due date
found in
Overview
and
Section
IV.3.
Proof of Non-Profit Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement By date of
Status under "Eligibility Certification." award.
Protection of Human Referenced in Section IV.2 of the announcement By date of
Subjects Assurance under "Certifications" and found at award.
Identification/IRB http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html
Certification/Declaration
of Exemption Form
This program is covered Applicants should go to the following URL for the By
under E.O. 12372, official list of the jurisdictions that have elected to application
"Intergovernmental participate in E.O. 12372 due date
Review of Federal http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html as found in
Programs," and 45 CFR indicated in Section IV.4 of this announcement. Overview
Part 100, and
"Intergovernmental Section
Review of Department IV.3.
of Health and Human
66
Services Programs and
activities". Applicants
must submit all
required application
materials to the State
Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) and indicate the
date of submission on
the Standard Form (SF)
424 at item 19.
Date: 02/25/2009 Maiso Bryant
Acting Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
67