[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8024-8029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4122]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Notice No. ACF/ACYF/RHYP 2002-02]
Notice of Availability of Financial Assistance and Request for
Applications for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration on Children,
Youth and Families, ACF, HHS.
ACTION: This Notice announces the availability of financial assistance
and request for applications for the FY 2002 Basic Center Program for
Runaway and Homeless Youth (BCP), FY 2002 and 2003 Transitional Living
Program (TLP) and FY 2002 Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA)
Cooperative Agreements.
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This Notice announces the availability of the full official Program
Announcement for Fiscal Year 2002 Basic Center Program for Runaway and
Homeless Youth (BCP), FY 2002 and 2003 Transitional Living Program
(TLP) and FY 2002 Training and Technical (T&TA) Assistance Cooperative
Agreements. The full official announcement must be used to apply for
grant funding under the competitive grant areas and is available by
calling or writing the ACYF Operations Center (address below) or by
downloading the announcement from the FYSB website at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb.
Legislative Authority: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHY
Act) as amended by PL 106-71 authorizes grants for Runaway and
Homeless Youth programs.
Deadlines: The deadline for RECEIPT of applications for a new grant
under this announcement is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFDA# Programs Deadline dates Deadline times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.623.............. Basic Center May 3, 2002 4:30 p.m.
Program. (EDT)
93.623.............. Training and May 3, 2002 4:30 p.m.
Technical (EDT)
Assistance
Cooperative
Agreements.
93.550.............. Transitional May 10, 2002 4:30 p.m.
Living Program (EDT)
(Fiscal Year 2002
Funding).
93.550.............. Transitional May 10, 2002 4:30 p.m.
Living Program (EDT)
(Fiscal Year 2003
Funding).
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Mailing and Delivery Instructions: Applications must be in hard
copy. Mailed applications and applications hand delivered (by
applicants, applicant couriers, overnight/express mail couriers or any
other method of hand delivery) shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline, at
the following address: ACYF Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer
Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Telephone: 1-800-351-2293,
Email: [email protected].
Applications may be hand delivered to the above address between the
hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EDT), Monday through Friday (excluding
Federal Holidays).
Applicants are responsible for mailing and delivering applications
well in advance of deadlines to ensure that the applications are
received on time. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on the
deadline date will be classified as late. Postmarks and other similar
documents do not establish receipt of an application.
ACF will not accept applications delivered by fax or e-mail
regardless of date or time of submission and receipt.
Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
stated above and are not received by the deadline date and time are
considered late applications. The Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) will notify each late applicant that its application
will not be considered in the current competition.
Extension of Deadline. ACF may extend an application deadline for
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, or
when there is widespread disruption of the mail service, or for other
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the
public at large. A determination to waive or extend deadline
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Grant awards for FY 2002 funds will be made
by September 30, 2002 for the Basic Center Program and Training and
Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement and Transitional Living
Program. Transitional Living Program Fiscal Year 2003 grant awards will
be made after September 30, 2002.
The estimated funds available for new starts and the approximate
number of new grants that may be awarded under this program
announcement are as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New start Estimated
Competitive grant area funds number of new
available grants
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A. BCP.................................. $9,700,000 100
*B. TLP................................. 19,000,000 (FY 100
2002)
TLP..................................... 11,200,000 (FY 60
2003)
[[Page 8025]]
C. T&TA................................. 2,000,000 10
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* All information stated in the full official program announcement under
Transitional Living Program, CFDA #93.550, Competitive Area B, is
applicable to grant applications submitted for TLP Fiscal Year 2002
funds and TLP Fiscal Year 2003 funds.
In addition to the new start grants, the Administration for
Children and Families has provided for noncompetitive continuation
funds to current grantees in the following programs:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncompetitive
Grant areas continuation Number of
funds grants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BCP.................................. $32,105,587 270
B. TLP.................................. 7,405,040 37
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Part I. Competitive Grant Areas and Summaries of Evaluation
Criteria
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the official Program Announcement in
order to adequately prepare their applications.
A. Basic Center Program, CFDA#93.623 (Competitive Grant Area A)
Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The purpose of Part A of the
RHY Act is to establish or strengthen locally-controlled, community-
based programs that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless
youth and their families. Services must be delivered outside of the law
enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems.
The program goals and objectives of the Basic Center Program of Part A
of the RHY Act are to:
Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth;
Reunite youth with their families and encourage the
resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other
services;
Strengthen family relationships and encourage stable
living conditions for youth; and
Help youth decide upon constructive courses of action.
Background: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974 was a
response to widespread concern regarding the alarming number of youth
who were leaving home without parental permission, crossing State lines
and who, while away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other
dangers of street life.
Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to
runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15)
days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling;
aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs provide
services in residential settings for at least four (4) youth and no
more than twenty (20). Some programs also provide some or all of their
shelter services through host homes (usually private homes under
contract to the centers), with counseling and referrals being provided
from a central location. Basic Center programs shelter youth at risk of
separation from the family who are less than 18 years of age and who
have a history of running away from the family and runaway and homeless
youth under the age of 18. Basic Centers must provide age-appropriate
services or referrals for homeless youth ages 18-21.
The primary presenting problems of youth who receive shelter and
non shelter services through FYSB-funded Basic Centers include: (1)
Conflict with parents or other adults, including physical, sexual and
emotional abuse; (2) other family crises such as divorce, death, or
sudden loss of income; and (3) personal problems such as drug use,
problems with peers, school attendance and truancy, bad grades,
inability to get along with teachers and learning disabilities.
Eligible Applicants: Any State, unit of local government, (and
combination of such units) are eligible to apply for Basic Center
Program funding. Any private nonprofit agency, organization or
institution is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized
Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for Basic Center grants. Indian
Tribes that are not federally recognized and urban Indian organizations
are also eligible to apply for grants as private, nonprofit agencies.
Faith-based organizations and small community-based organizations are
eligible to apply for Basic Center grants.
Current Basic Center grantees with project periods ending on or
before September 30, 2002, and all other eligible applicants not
currently receiving Basic Center funds may apply for a new competitive
Basic Center grant under this announcement.
Current Basic Center Program grantees (including subgrantees) with
one or two years remaining on their current grant and the expectation
of continuation funding in FY 2002 may not apply for a new Basic Center
grant for the community they currently serve. These grantees will
receive instructions from their respective ACF Runaway and Homeless
Youth Regional Office contacts on the procedures for applying for
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees, who have
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Youth Contact, listed in
Part V, Appendix B of the full official program announcement, to
determine if they are eligible to apply for a new grant award.
Funding: The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award
approximately $9,700,000 for approximately 100 new competitive Basic
Center Program grants. In accordance with the RHY Act, the funds will
be divided among the States in proportion to their respective
populations under the age of 18, according to the latest census data. A
minimum of $100,000 will be awarded to each State, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico. A minimum of $45,000 will be awarded to each
of the four insular areas: Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.
All applicants under this competitive grant area will compete with
other eligible applicants in the State in which they propose to deliver
services. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of
applications approved for funding in any State or jurisdiction, the
Commissioner of ACYF will reallocate the unused funds.
Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share for a 3-
year project period is $600,000.
Applicant Share of Project Costs: Basic Center grantees must
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of
the Federal funds awarded. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or
in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their
match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a three-year
project costing $600,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of
$200,000 per 12-month budget period) must provide a match of at least
$60,000 ($20,000 per budget period). Grantees will be held accountable
for commitments of non-Federal resources even if over the amount of the
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in
disallowance of Federal match.
Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for
Basic Center programs of up to three years duration (36-month project
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for noncompetitive
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the
36-month project periods, will be entertained in
[[Page 8026]]
subsequent years, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would
be in the best interest of the government.
B. Transitional Living Program, CFDA#93.550 (Competitive Grant Area B)
Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The overall purpose of TLP
for homeless youth is to establish and operate transitional living
projects for homeless youth. This program is structured to help older,
homeless youth achieve self-sufficiency and avoid long-term dependency
on social services. Transitional living projects provide shelter,
skills training, and support services to homeless youth ages 16 through
21 for a continuous period not exceeding 18 months. Transitional Living
Program funds are to be used for the purpose of enhancing the
capacities of youth-serving agencies in local communities to
effectively address the service needs of homeless, older adolescents
and young adults, including pregnant and parenting homeless youth.
Goals, objectives and activities that may be maintained, improved and/
or expanded through a TLP grant must include, but are not necessarily
limited to:
Providing stable, safe living accommodations while a
homeless youth is a program participant;
Providing the services necessary to assist homeless youth
in developing both the skills and personal characteristics needed to
enable them to live independently;
Providing education, information and counseling aimed at
preventing, treating and reducing substance abuse among homeless youth;
Providing homeless youth with appropriate referrals and
access to medical and mental health treatment;
Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist
youth in preparing for and obtaining employment; and
Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist
youth in preparing for and obtaining secondary, and where feasible,
post-secondary education and/or vocational training.
Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist
pregnant and parenting homeless youth with the skills and knowledge
necessary to become a more effective parent and lead productive and
independent lives.
Background: It is estimated that about one-fourth of the youth
served by all runaway and homeless youth programs are homeless. This
means that the youth cannot return home or to another safe living
arrangement with a relative. Other homeless youth have ``aged out'' of
the child welfare system and are no longer eligible for foster care.
These young people are often homeless through no fault of their
own. The families they can no longer live with are often physically and
sexually abusive and involved in drug and alcohol abuse. They cannot
meet the youth's basic human needs (shelter, food, clothing), let alone
provide the supportive and safe environment needed for the healthy
development of self-image and the skills and personal characteristics
which would enable them to mature into a self-sufficient adult.
Homeless youth, lacking a stable family environment and without
social and economic supports, are also at high risk of being involved
in dangerous lifestyles and problematic or delinquent behaviors. More
than two-thirds of homeless youth served by ACF-funded programs report
using drugs or alcohol and many participate in survival sex and
prostitution to meet their basic needs.
Homeless youth are in need of a support system that will assist
them in making the transition to adulthood and independent living.
While all adolescents are faced with adjustment issues as they approach
adulthood, homeless youth experience more severe problems and are at
greater risk in terms of their ability to successfully make the
transition to self-sufficiency and to become a productive member of
society.
Pregnant and parenting homeless youth are likely to face poverty,
low levels of educational attainment, and long-term dependence on
public assistance. Research indicates that children of teenage mothers
are more likely to be born prematurely and to be of low birth weight
than children born to women who are older. Compared to children born to
older women, children of adolescent mothers, in general, do not do as
well in school, have higher reported incidences of abuse and neglect,
have higher rates of foster care placement, and are more apt to run
away from home. As these children get older, the boys are 2.7 times
more likely to be involved in criminal behavior, and the girls are 33
percent more likely to become teenage mothers themselves, increasing
the likelihood that they will rely on public assistance.
The Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth specifically
targets services to homeless youth and affords youth service agencies
with an opportunity to serve homeless youth in a manner which is
comprehensive and geared towards ensuring a successful transition to
self-sufficiency. The TLP also improves the availability of
comprehensive, integrated services for homeless youth, which reduces
the risks of exploitation and danger to which these youth are exposed
while living on the streets without positive economic or social
supports.
Eligible Applicants: Any State, unit of local government, (and
combination of such units) are eligible to apply for Transitional
Living Program funding. Any private nonprofit agency, organization or
institution is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized
Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for Transitional Living Programs
grants. Indian Tribes that are not federally recognized and urban
Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private,
nonprofit agencies. Faith-based organizations and small community-based
organizations are eligible to apply for Transitional Living Program
grants.
Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with project periods
ending on or after September 30, 2002, are not eligible to apply for
Transitional Living Program fiscal year 2002 program funding to serve
the same area. All other eligible applicants not currently receiving
TLP funds may apply for a new competitive TLP grant under this
announcement for awards in FY 2002 and/or 2003.
(Note: An applicant applying for both FY 2002 and FY 2003
funding must submit a separate application for each fiscal year.)
Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with one or two years
remaining on their current awards and the expectation of continuation
funding in Fiscal year 2003 may not apply for a new TLP grant under
this announcement. These grantees will receive instructions from their
respective ACF Regional Offices on the procedures for applying for
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees, who have
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Runaway and Homeless Youth
Contact, listed in Part V, Appendix B of the full official Program
Announcement, to determine if they are eligible to apply for a new
grant award.
Funding: The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award
approximately $19,000,000 for approximately 100 new competitive
Transitional Living Program grants for fiscal year 2002. The funding is
to provide shelter, skill training and support services to assist
homeless youth, including pregnant and parenting youth, in making a
smooth transition to
[[Page 8027]]
self-sufficiency and to prevent long-term dependence on social
services.
The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award approximately
$11,200,000 for approximately 60 new competitive Transitional Living
Program grants for fiscal year 2003. The funding is to provide shelter,
skill training and support services to assist homeless youth, including
pregnant and parenting youth, in making a smooth transition to self-
sufficiency and to prevent long-term dependency on social services.
Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to
$200,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $1,000,000 for a 5-year
project period.
Applicant Share of Project Cost: Transitional Living grantees must
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of
the Federal funds awarded. (There are certain exceptions for Tribes
with ``638'' funding pursuant to Public Law 93-638, under which certain
Federal grant funds may qualify as matching funds for other Federal
grant programs, e.g., those which contribute to the purposes for which
grants under section 638 were made.) The non-Federal share may be met
by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to
meet their match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a
five-year project costing $1,000,000 in Federal funds (based on an
award of $200,000 per 12-month budget period) must include a match of
at least $100,000 ($20,000 per budget period).
Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for
Transitional Living projects of up to five years (60-month project
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for non competing
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the
60-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years,
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the
grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best
interest of the government.
C. Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements,
CFDA#93.550 (Competitive Grant Area C)
Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The Family Youth Services
Bureau supports a national T&TA effort designed to enhance and promote
the continuous quality improvement of the services available to
runaway, homeless and street youth and their families. The Bureau
expects to award approximately $2 million to fund up to ten (10)
cooperative agreements to enhance the programmatic and administrative
capacities of public and private agencies to provide services to the
targeted populations. Applications to provide such assistance may cover
one or more of the ten ACF Federal Regions and may include subcontracts
to cover specific regional or multi-State areas. Applications must
provide assurance that staff will be accessible to the Central and
Regional offices. Applicants covering a region should coordinate with
other RHY providers in the region. Applicants must show how they intend
to provide service to all customers in their service area regardless of
geographic location.
Core Elements
The successful applicants are expected to provide the following
services and activities as core elements:
1. Immediate Training and Technical Assistance: Provide intensive,
skill-based training and technical assistance to newly funded and
inexperienced RHY grantees, when requested by the grantee and/or the
Runaway and Homeless Youth Regional Contact as a direct outcome of on-
site monitoring and/or analysis of Management Information System data.
Provide training and technical assistance to Transitional Living
Program grantees on the programmatic modifications required to address
the unique needs of pregnant and parenting youth and the various
sources of funding available for residential services to this
population.
2. Consultation: Provide program specific technical assistance
through consultation. Consultation may be on-site, via telephone or any
combination of strategies, which address and/or correct programmatic
and administrative concerns. Technical assistance designed and/or
provided to grantees for this purpose must be accessible and
individualized, must provide concrete information and skill building
and must include follow-up efforts. The TA delivered will be based upon
the specific needs of the grantee(s) requesting the assistance.
However, the TA must conform to the intent of the law.
3. Staff Training: Provide staff training focused on quality skill
development that: (a) Provides opportunities for hands-on
participation, direct observation, practices and expert feedback; (b)
analyzes, integrates and transmits knowledge obtained from research
findings, curricula, and models of greatest interest to grantees; and
(c) recognizes new and emerging youth issues and provides intensive
skills training in these areas.
4. Reports Utilization: Use monitoring reports, Management
Information System data and corrective action reports for the purpose
of providing technical assistance to address the grantees program
specific needs. Delivery of T/A will be made in consultation with the
Central and Regional Offices and approved by the Federal Project
Officer.
5. Information Sharing: Provide a mechanism such as, but not
limited to a newsletter, listserve and/or electronic bulletin board for
sharing information for the purpose of improving and increasing
resources and information available to RHY grantees and, for sharing
new and emerging information concerning service provision issues and
best practices obtained through interaction with grantees and other
youth serving agencies through workshops, conferences and other
activities associated with the provision of T&TA.
Cooperative Agreement Provisions
The award of these cooperative agreements (see definition section)
will include a delineation of the responsibilities of the successful
applicants and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. The
responsibilities contained in each cooperative agreement may be geared
toward the unique needs of the RHY programs in the geographic area(s)
to be served with a description of the uniqueness of the program, as
well as incorporating the core elements, described above, consistent to
all RHY programs regardless of geographic area.
Federal Officials Minimum Responsibilities
1. Promote cooperative relationships among training and technical
assistance providers, the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth
, and other FYSB support contractors for the exchange of information
regarding identified technical assistance and training needs, emerging
youth issues, research findings, curricula and model programs.
2. Provide consultation in the development of workplans; review and
approval of workplans; coordination and sharing of monitoring data, as
appropriate; identification of technical assistance needs; and
sponsorship of a national meeting of T&TA providers.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the services and activities
provided by the T&TA providers to runaway and homeless youth grantees
no later than the fourth year of the grants' project periods or year
four.
[[Page 8028]]
Applicant Minimum Responsibilities
1. Provide the services and activities listed as core elements
above under ``Program, Purpose, Goals and Objectives'' to runaway and
homeless youth grantees.
2. Establishment of an advisory board with representation at a
minimum from the regional office or HUB, a representative sample of
each type of FYSB program in the regional area, the Executive Director
of the organization funded under this competitive grant, the Project
Director(s) of the State Collaboration Grantees (where applicable) and
other State and local youth service providers.
3. Development and implementation of a work-plan (including TA
capacity inventory forms, procedures, evaluation strategies/forms,
site-visit plans, schedules, etc.), provision of training and technical
assistance to grantees, and coordination with other grantee support
efforts and T&TA providers.
Background: Since 1975, many State and local agencies and
community-based programs have been established and/or strengthened to
provide needed short and long-term services to runaway, homeless and
street youth. These agencies are both public and private, profit making
and nonprofit. Some focus on a single concern, such as crisis
intervention or substance abuse prevention, while others are
comprehensive or all-purpose agencies, with specific components that
deal with the physical health, mental health, family reunification and
functioning, employment, education and transitional living needs of
these young people.
Notwithstanding the significant numbers of effective agencies and
competent professional staff dedicated to assisting runaway, homeless
and street youth across the country, services in some geographic areas
are inadequate or non-existent. In other cases, existing programs lack
staff resources with the full range of skills required to carry out the
ever changing responsibilities with which the individual programs are
charged. Also, many of the developed and tested curricula and models
are little known or understood, even among programs and staff where
they could be of the greatest use. Further, as a positive youth
development approach has gradually emerged that focuses on a young
person's competence, connection to community, altruism, control,
autonomy and identity as an alternative to adolescent health and
behavioral risks, there is a need to partner with states, local,
government, foundations, and community based organizations to establish
and support effective long range youth development strategies, funding
and policy information. In addition, as new issues emerge, even
experienced staff and agency leadership need to enhance their existing
skills and develop new ones.
To address these issues, Section 342 of the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act, administered by the Youth and Family Services Bureau,
authorizes support to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of
providing training and technical assistance (T&TA) to runaway, homeless
and street youth service providers.
To effectively provide such assistance, extensive interaction with
grantees, integration and sharing of knowledge, coordination with other
components supporting the runaway and homeless service system such as
RHYMIS and program monitoring, and a cooperative relationship among
training and technical assistance providers is needed.
FYSB is supporting a national T&TA effort designed to support the
continuous improvement of all RHY grantees as they work to deliver high
quality and effective services to youth, young adults and their
families. Our T&TA system reflects a national commitment to quality
improvement and capacity-building at the local and Regional Hub level.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations and combinations of
such organizations with demonstrated capacity to provide services to
runaway and homeless youth service providers on a Statewide or regional
basis. Colleges, universities and faith-based organizations are
eligible to apply for the T&TA grants.
Funding: The anticipated Federal funding for the first 12-month
budget period will range from $150,000-$250,000 per grant, contingent
on the identified service area.
Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to
$250,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $1,250,000 for a 5-year
project period.
Applicant Share of Project Costs: Training and Technical Assistance
grantees must provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten
percent (10%) of the Federal funds awarded. The non-Federal share may
be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
Therefore, a five-year project costing $1,250,000 in Federal funds
(based on an award of $250,000 per 12-month budget period) must include
a match of at least $125,000 ($25,000 per budget period).
Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for
Training and Technical Assistance grants up to five years (60 month
project periods). Grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be
for a one year (12-month) budget period. Applications for continuation
grants beyond the one-year budget period, but within the 60 month
project period, will be considered in subsequent years on a non-
competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would
be in the best interest of the government.
Summary of Evaluation Criteria for Competitive Areas A, B and C (BCP,
TLP and T&TA)
Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)
Applications will be judged on how clearly they 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. Applications will need to specify the
goals and objectives of the project and how implementation will fulfill
the purposes of the program. Applications should describe the
conditions of youth and families in the area to be served; the
incidence and characteristics of runaway, homeless or street youth and
their families; the existing support systems for at-risk youth and
families in the area, including other agencies providing services to
runaway and homeless youth in the area.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 2: Results or Benefits Expected (20 points)
Applications will be judged on how clearly they identify the
results and benefits to be derived, specify services to be provided,
who will receive services, where and how these services will be
provided, and how the services will benefit the youth families and the
community to be served.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 3: Approach (35 points)
Applications will be judged on how clearly they outline a plan of
action
[[Page 8029]]
which: describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be
accomplished; accounts for all functions or activities identified in
the application; cites factors which might accelerate or decelerate the
work and reasons for taking the proposed approach rather than others.
Applications are encouraged to describe any unusual features of the
project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost
or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
Applicants must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation
efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and
to submit the required Annual Report to the Secretary of HHS on program
activities and accomplishments with statistical summaries and other
required program and financial reports, as instructed by FYSB.
Applications will be judged on the extent to which they describe
the program's youth development approach or philosophy and indicate how
it underlies and integrates all proposed activities. Applicants will be
expected to list organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or
other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short
description of the nature of their effort or contribution; describe
formal service linkages and plans for coordination with other agencies;
describe plans for conducting outreach and encouraging awareness of and
sensitivity to the diverse needs of runaway and homeless youth who
represent particular ethnic and racial backgrounds and sexual
orientations. Applicants are encouraged to describe the type, capacity
and staff supervision of the shelter that will be available for youth.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 4: Staff and Position Data (10 points)
Applicants will be judged on whether they provide a resume and
biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a job description
for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch will also be
required for new key staff as appointed. Applicants will be expected to
list organizations and consultants who will work on the program along
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Applicants will be expected to provide information on plans for
training project staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations
and individuals and state the expected or estimated ratio of staff to
youth.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 5: Organizational Profile (10 points)
Applicants will be expected to provide information on the applicant
organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts,
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed
Public Accountants. Any non-profit organization submitting an
application must submit proof of its non-profit status in its
application at the time of submission.
Applicants will be expected to provide a plan for project
continuance beyond grant support, including a plan for securing
resources and continuing project activities after Federal assistance
has ceased and an annotated listing of applicant's funding sources.
Such plans should include written agreements, if applicable, between
grantees and subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating and
letters of support and statements from community, public and commercial
leaders that support the project proposed for funding.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 6: Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
Applicants will be expected to provide a detailed line item budget
and a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical
costs are derived. Applicants will be judged on how clearly they
discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed
costs and how clearly they describe the fiscal control and accounting
procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement
and accurate accounting of funds received.
Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to
adequately prepare their applications.
Part II. Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact
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.'' The Order was issued with the desire to
foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by
relying on State and local processes for the coordination and review of
proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development.
Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing
and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs
and designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of
those entities can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html or by calling the ACYF Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293.
Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as early
as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC
comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all
required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this
submittal (or date of contact if no submittal is required) on the
Standard Form 424, item 16a.
Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline date to comment on proposed new awards. SPOCs are encouraged
to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official
recommendations. Additionally, SPOCS are requested to clearly
differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State
process recommendations which they intend to trigger the ``accommodate
or explain'' rule. When comments are submitted directly to ACYF, they
must be addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 330 C Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20447, Attention: Grants Officer.
Dated: February 14, 2002.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 02-4122 Filed 2-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P