[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36424-36449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17284]



[[Page 36423]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part II





Department of Health and Human Services





_______________________________________________________________________



Administration for Children and Families



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Adoption Opportunities Program: Availability of Financial Assistance 
and Request for Applications; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 10, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 36424]]



DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. ACYF/CB/AO-96-1]


Adoption Opportunities Program; Announcement of Availability of 
Financial Assistance and Request for Applications

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), 
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and 
Request for Applications to Conduct Demonstration Projects Funded Under 
the Adoption Opportunities Program in the Children's Bureau, 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau (CB) within the Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 
funds from the Adoption Opportunities Program for demonstration grants 
to State child welfare agencies, public or private nonprofit child 
welfare and adoption agencies, organizations and adoptive parents' 
groups for projects aimed at: (a) Increasing the placements in adoptive 
families of children, especially minority children, who are in foster 
care and have the goal of adoption; (b) fostering model collaboration 
for the adoption of children with developmental disabilities; (c) 
increasing practice options to secure permanency for children; (d) 
developing resource materials assisting transcultural and transracial 
adoptions; and (e) allowing leaders in the adoption field to propose 
innovative endeavors.
    This announcement contains forms and instructions for submitting an 
application.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), the Department is required to submit to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval any 
reporting and record keeping requirements or program announcements. 
This program announcement meets all information collection requirements 
approved for ACF grant applications under OMB Control Number 0970-0139.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of three 
parts. Part I provides information on the Children's Bureau and general 
information on the application procedures. Part II describes the review 
process, additional requirements for the grant applications, the 
criteria for the review and evaluation of applications, and the 
programmatic priorities for which applications are being solicited. 
Part III provides information and instructions for the development and 
submission of applications.
    The forms to be used for submitting an application follow Part III. 
Please copy as single-sided forms and use in submitting an application 
under this announcement. No additional application materials are 
available or needed to submit an application.
    Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program 
announcement are subject to the availability of funds.

Part I--General Information

A. Background

    The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) 
administers national programs for children and youth, works with States 
and local communities to develop services which support and strengthen 
family life, seeks out joint ventures with the private sector to 
enhance the lives of children and their families, and provides 
information and other assistance to parents.
    The concerns of ACYF extend to all children from birth through 
adolescence. Many of the programs administered by the agency focus on 
children from low-income families; children and youth in need of foster 
care, adoption or other child welfare services; preschool children; 
children with disabilities; abused and neglected children; runaway and 
homeless youth; and children from American Indian and migrant families.
    Within ACYF, the Children's Bureau plans, manages, coordinates and 
supports child welfare services programs. It administers the Foster 
Care and Adoption Assistance Program, the Child Welfare Services State 
Grants Program, the Child Welfare Services Research, Demonstration and 
Training Programs, the Independent Living Initiatives Program, the 
Adoption Opportunities Program, the Temporary Child Care for Children 
With Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Program, the Abandoned Infants 
Assistance Program, and the Family Preservation and Support Services 
Program.
    The federal statutory, regulatory, policy and program framework for 
adoption has emphasized overcoming numerous complexities in order to 
facilitate the completion of adoptions, creating financial incentives 
for the adoption of certain children for whom it would be difficult to 
secure an adoptive placement, requiring each State to establish a pool 
of adoptive families reflecting the ethnic and racial diversity of 
children for whom adoptive homes are needed, and promoting a vision of 
and guidance for permanence by forging a National Adoption Strategic 
Plan and stimulating communication and collaboration among foster care, 
adoption and court professionals.
    The Adoption Opportunities Program, originally enacted in title II 
of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 
1978, Public Law 95-266, and most recently amended by the Child Abuse, 
Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992, Public 
Law 102-295, works to eliminate barriers to adoption and provide 
permanent homes for children who would benefit from adoption. The 
Adoption Opportunities Program facilitates the elimination of barriers 
to adoption by: (1) promoting adoption legislation and procedures in 
the States and territories of the United States in order to eliminate 
jurisdictional and legal obstacles to adoption; (2) promoting quality 
standards for adoption services, pre-placement, post-placement, and 
post-legal adoption counseling, and standards to protect the rights of 
the children in need of adoption; and (3) demonstrating expeditious 
ways to free children for adoption for whom it has been determined that 
adoption is the appropriate plan. This discretionary program awards 
grants and contracts to public and private non-profit agencies.
    The passage of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 
1980, Public Law 96-272, resulted in the establishment of the title IV-
E adoption assistance program. This entitlement provides funds to 
States to assist in paying costs associated with the adoption of 
children who are AFDC or SSI eligible and have special needs, such as 
being older or disabled. The adoption assistance program encourages and 
supports permanence for children with special needs in adoptive homes, 
thereby preventing their inappropriate and excessive stays in foster 
care.
    Another major legislative initiative in the area of adoptions, the 
Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA), was passed in 1994. The purposes of 
MEPA are to decrease the length of time that children wait to be 
adopted; to prevent discrimination in the placement of children on the 
basis of race, color, or

[[Page 36425]]

national origin; and to increase the identification and recruitment of 
foster and adoptive parents who can meet the children's needs. MEPA 
does three things:
     prohibits an agency or entity that receives Federal 
financial assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care 
placements from delaying or denying the placement of a child based 
solely on the race, color or national origin of the foster or adoptive 
parent or the child involved;
     allows for the consideration of race, color, or national 
origin, along with other factors, in making a placement decision only 
when a child placement agency has made a narrowly tailored, 
individualized determination that the consideration of such factors is 
in the best interests of a particular child; and
     requires that agencies engage in diligent recruitment 
efforts to develop a pool of foster and adoptive families who reflect 
the racial, ethnic or national origin of the children in care, and/or 
who can meet the needs of the children.
    In response to MEPA, States have been required to devise 
comprehensive recruitment plans and to enlist potential foster and 
adoptive families who reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the 
children for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed. These 
recruitment plans must be included in each State's title IV-B child and 
family services plan.
    The Children's Bureau has provided policy and program guidance to 
the adoption field by fostering the development of the National 
Adoption Strategic Plan in December 1995, based on recommendations from 
the Adoption Program Network. The Strategic Plan specifies goals and 
objectives and defines measures of success. It identifies what should 
be accomplished, while affording States the flexibility to determine 
how to accomplish the goals and objectives. The Children's Bureau has 
also sanctioned collaboration among child welfare professionals by 
convening a Permanency Partnership Forum in March 1996 which brought 
together State adoption, foster care, and court professionals from 
around the country to share and gain knowledge and ideas on a variety 
of key cross-cutting issues that impact on permanence for children.
    This FY 1996 Adoption Opportunities Program Announcement maintains 
the emphasis on permanence and collaboration and encourages 
demonstration and innovation efforts which target various groups of 
children and specific types of activities.

B. Statutory Authority Covering This Announcement Title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
Law 95-266, as amended

Availability and Allocation of Funds
    The Administration for Children, Youth and Families proposes to 
award appropriately 15 new grants in fiscal year 1996 in varying 
amounts. The total combined funding for the Priority Areas 1.01, 1.02, 
1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and 1.06 for fiscal year 1996 competitive grants is 
approximately $2.1 million.

Part II. The Review Process and Priority Areas

A. Eligible Applicants

    Each priority area description contains information about the types 
of agencies and organizations which are eligible to apply under that 
priority area. Because eligibility varies depending on statutory 
provisions, it is critical that the ``Eligible Applicants'' section of 
each priority area be reviewed carefully.
    Before review, each application will be screened for applicant 
organization eligibility as specified under the selected priority area. 
Applicants from ineligible organizations will not be considered or 
reviewed in the competition, and the applicants will be so informed.
    Only agencies and organizations, not individuals, are eligible to 
apply under this Announcement. All applications developed jointly by 
more than one agency or organization, must identify only one lead 
organization and official applicant. Participating agencies and 
organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees or 
subcontractors. For-profit organizations are eligible to participate as 
subgrantees or subcontractors with eligible non-profit organizations 
under all priority areas.
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code or by providing a copy of the currently valid 
IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles 
of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation 
or association is domiciled.

B. Review Process and Funding Decisions

    The closing time and date for the receipt of the applications is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on August 26, 1996. Applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. will be classified as late. Timely applications 
received by the deadline date which are from eligible applicants will 
be reviewed and scored competitively. Experts in the field, generally 
persons outside the Federal government, will use the appropriate 
evaluation criteria listed later in this section to review and score 
the applications. The results of this review are a primary factor in 
making funding decisions.
    The ACYF reserves the option of discussing applications with, or 
referring them to, other Federal or non-Federal funding sources when 
this is in the best interest of the Federal government or the 
applicants. ACYF may also solicit comments from ACF Regional Office 
staff, other Federal agencies, interested foundations, national 
organizations, specialists, experts, States and the general public. 
These comments, along with those of the expert reviewers, will be 
considered by ACYF in making funding decisions.
    In making decisions on awards, ACYF may give preference to 
applications which focus on or feature: overrepresented populations; a 
substantially innovative strategy with the potential to improve theory 
or practice in the field of human services; a model practice or set of 
procedures that holds the potential for replication by organizations 
that administer or deliver human services; substantial involvement of 
volunteers; substantial involvement (either financial or programmatic) 
of the private sector; a favorable balance between Federal and non-
Federal funds available for the proposed project; the potential for 
high benefit for low Federal investment; a programmatic focus on those 
most in need; and/or substantial involvement in the proposed project by 
national or community foundations.
    To the greatest extent possible, efforts will be made to ensure 
that funding decisions reflect an equitable distribution of assistance 
among the States and geographical regions of the country, rural and 
urban areas, and ethnic populations. In making these decisions, ACYF 
may also take into account the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of 
effort.

C. Evaluation Criteria

    A panel of reviewers (primarily experts from outside the Federal

[[Page 36426]]

government) will review the applications. To facilitate this review, 
applicants should ensure that they address each minimum requirement in 
the priority area description under the appropriate section of the 
Program Narrative Statement.
    The reviewers will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each 
application using the evaluation criteria listed below, provide 
comments and assign numerical scores. The point value following each 
criterion heading indicates the maximum numerical weight.
    All applications will be evaluated against the following criteria.
    (1) Objective and Need for Assistance (20 points). The extent to 
which the application pinpoints any relevant physical, economic, 
social, financial, institutional or other problems requiring a 
solution; demonstrates the need for the assistance; states the 
principal and subordinate objectives of the project; provides 
supporting documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests 
other than the applicant; and includes and/or footnotes relevant data 
based on the results of planning studies. The application must identify 
the precise location of the project and area to be served by the 
proposed project. Maps and other graphic aids may be attached.
    (2) Approach (35 points). The extent to which the application 
outlines a sound and workable plan of action pertaining to the scope of 
the project, and details how the proposed work will be accomplished; 
cites factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work, giving 
acceptable reasons for taking this approach as opposed to others; 
describes and supports any unusual features of the project, such as 
design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or 
extraordinary social and community involvements; and provides for 
projections of the accomplishments to be achieved. The Approach section 
should include a listing of the activities to be carried out in 
chronological order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments 
and target dates.
    The extent to which, when appropriate, the application identifies 
the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, and discusses the 
criteria to be used to evaluate the results and successes of the 
project. The extent to which the application describes the evaluation 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the results and benefits identified are 
being achieved. The application also lists each organization, agency, 
consultant, or other key individuals or groups who will work on the 
project, along with a description of the activities and nature of their 
effort or contribution.
    (3) Results or Benefits Expected (20 points). The extent to which 
the application identifies the results and benefits to be derived, the 
extent to which they are consistent with the objectives of the 
application, and the extent to which the application indicates the 
anticipated contributions to policy, practice, theory and/or research. 
The extent to which the proposed project costs are reasonable in view 
of the expected results.
    (4) Staff Background and Organization Experience (25 points). The 
application identifies the background of the project director/principal 
investigator and key project staff (including name, address, training, 
educational background and other qualifying experience) and the 
experience of the organization to demonstrate the applicant's ability 
to effectively and efficiently administer the project. The application 
describes the relationships between the proposed project and other work 
planned, anticipated or underway by the applicant with Federal 
assistance.

D. Structure of Priority Area Descriptions

    Each priority area description is composed of the following 
sections:
    Eligible Applicants: This section specifies the type of 
organization eligible to apply under the particular priority area. 
Specific restrictions are also noted, where applicable.
    Purpose: This section presents the basic focus and/or broad goal(s) 
of the priority area.
    Background Information: This section briefly discusses the 
legislative background as well as the current state-of-the-art and/or 
current state-of-practice that supports the need for the particular 
priority area activity. Relevant information on projects previously 
funded by ACYF and/or others, and State models are noted, where 
applicable.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: This section presents the 
basic set of issues that must be addressed in the application. 
Typically, they relate to project design, evaluation, and community 
involvement. This section also asks for specific information on the 
proposed project. Inclusion and discussion of these items is important, 
since they will be used by the reviewers in evaluating the applications 
against the evaluation criteria. Project products, continuation of the 
project effort after the Federal support ceases, and dissemination/
utilization activities, if appropriate, are also addressed.
    Project Duration: This section specifies the maximum allowable 
length of time for the project period and refers to the amount of time 
for which Federal funding is available.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: This section specifies the maximum 
amount of Federal support for the project for the first budget period.
    Matching Requirement: This section specifies the minimum non-
Federal contribution, either through cash or in-kind match, required in 
relation to the maximum Federal funds requested for the project. 
Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of the total cost of the 
project. The total cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and 
the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-
kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet the 
match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a project 
requesting $150,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of $150,000 per 
budget period) must include a match of at least $16,667 (10 percent of 
total project cost).
    Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: This section specifies 
the number of projects that ACYF anticipates it will fund under the 
priority area.
    Please note that applications that do not comply with the specific 
priority area requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' 
will not be reviewed. Applicants should also note that non-
responsiveness to the section ``Minimum Requirements for the Project 
Design'' will result in a low evaluation score by the reviewers. 
Applicants must clearly identify the specific priority area under which 
they wish to have their applications considered, and tailor their 
applications accordingly. Previous experience has shown that an 
application which is broader and more general in concept than outlined 
in the priority area description scores lower than one more clearly 
focused on, and directly responsive to, that specific priority area.

E. Available Funds

    The ACYF intends to award new grants resulting from this 
announcement during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1996, subject to 
the availability of funds.
    Each priority area description includes information on the maximum 
Federal share of the project costs and the anticipated number of 
projects to be funded.
    The term ``budget period'' refers to the interval of time (usually 
12 months) into which a multi-year period of assistance (project 
period) is divided for budgetary

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and funding purposes. The term ``project period'' refers to the total 
time a project is approved for support, including any extensions.
    Where appropriate, applicants may propose project periods which are 
shorter than the maximums specified in the various priority areas. Non-
Federal share contributions may exceed the minimums specified in the 
various priority areas when the applicant is able to do so. However, if 
the proposed match exceeds the minimum requirement, the grantee must 
maintain its proposed level of match support throughout the entire 
project period unless a waiver is approved to reduce it. Applicants 
should propose only that non-Federal share they can realistically 
provide, since any unmatched Federal funds will be disallowed by ACF.
    For multi-year projects, continued Federal funding beyond the first 
budget period is dependent upon satisfactory performance by the 
grantee, availability of funds from future appropriations and a 
determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the 
Government.

F. Grantee Share of Project Costs

    Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may 
be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Therefore, a project requesting $150,000 in Federal funds (based on an 
award of $150,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least 
$16,667 (10 percent of the total project cost). If approved for 
funding, the grantee will be held accountable for commitments of non-
Federal resources, and failure to provide the required amount will 
result in a disallowance of unmatched Federal funds.

G. Priority Areas Included in This Announcement

1.01  Achieving Increased Adoptive Placement of Children in Foster 
Care
1.02  Innovations Increasing Adoptive Placements of Minority 
Children
1.03  Strategic Collaboration for Completing and Sustaining 
Adoptions of Children with Developmental Disabilities
1.04  Expanding Options for Permanency
1.05  Developing Resource Materials to Assess and Prepare Foster and 
Adoptive Parents to meet the Needs of Children of a Different Race, 
Color, or National Origin
1.06  Operation of a National Adoption Information Exchange System

H. Priority Area Descriptions and Requirements

1.01  Achieving Increased Adoptive Placement of Children in Foster Care
    Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to State social service 
agencies.
    Purpose: To develop demonstration projects to increase the 
placement of children, who are in foster care and are legally free for 
adoption, with adoptive families.
    Background Information: Children in foster care who are free for 
adoption, especially young people with special needs, often have 
difficulty attaining permanence through placement with an adoptive 
family. There are multiple reasons for this. Increasingly, children 
entering foster care have more complex problems which require more 
intensive services. Permanent families must be continuously recruited 
and prepared to parent the growing population of children who cannot 
return to their birth families. Supportive services must be added or 
improved so that the children in foster care who are legally free for 
adoption can move into an adoptive placement in a timely manner. This 
requires collaborative efforts with the court system to terminate 
parental rights. In addition, agencies must commit resources for the 
ongoing support of adoptive families from recruitment through the post-
legal phase.
    The Adoption Opportunities Program has provided demonstration 
grants to States to improve adoption services for the placement of 
children with special needs who are legally free for adoption. States 
have received awards to make systemic changes in their adoption 
programs in areas such as: acquiring computer hardware, software and 
membership in the National Adoption Exchange's Network; developing a 
consortium of nine States with large numbers of children in care in 
order to share knowledge to improve and enhance their special needs 
adoption programs; and forming a seven State national consortium on 
post-legal adoption services to develop and share model programs and 
promising practices of post legal adoption services for the adoption 
community.
    These projects have demonstrated that improvements in placing 
children with adoptive families are achieved when permanent plans are 
made and carried out very early in the placement; when there are 
sufficiently trained and experienced staff; and when there are 
available resources and administrative commitments to adoption and to 
coordinated community-based efforts.
    Even though more than half of the States have received grants to 
improve adoption services, only a small number have been able to 
sustain these efforts because of limited funds, staffing problems, and 
because adoption services are often not viewed as a priority.
    This priority area is designed to provide incentives for States to 
craft innovative initiatives to secure and sustain permanence for 
children who are free for adoption.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
    Identify and verify the number of children in foster care to be 
served by the project who are legally free and waiting for adoptive 
placement.
    Provide and verify the proportion of placement of children in 
foster care placed in adoption in the year preceding the application 
(the proportion of placement is the number of children placed divided 
by the number of children waiting for adoption).
    Describe the measurable improvements to be achieved during the 
period of the grant and the methods to be employed to increase the 
proportion of placement of legally-free children in foster care with 
adoptive families. Improvements should be specified as goals and 
objectives which are measurable and represent an increase over previous 
years.
    Describe how the proposed improvements, if successful, would be 
continued beyond the period of Federal support under this grant as part 
of the agency's ongoing program and describe the specific steps which 
would be taken to accomplish this.
    Propose and describe an evaluation plan which will focus on the 
innovations used to improve the placement of children who are legally 
free for adoption and which is capable of identifying the successes and 
failures of the initiative.
    The evaluation plan should include the collection and analysis of 
data to determine placement rates and the types of clients served 
(e.g., waiting children, prospective adoptive families). Statistics 
should be collected to determine the availability of adoptive families 
during the program period. The evaluation should also include 
descriptive information on the processes and procedures used in 
implementing the project.
    Discuss plans for disseminating information on the strategies 
utilized and the outcomes achieved. Identify audiences who will benefit 
from receiving the information and specify

[[Page 36428]]

mechanisms and forums which will be used to convey the information and 
support replication by other interested agencies.
    Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
welfare issues.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 12 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is not to exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based 
upon an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
two projects will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment Adoption Reform Act of 1978 Public Law, 
95-266, as amended.
1.02  Innovations Increasing Adoptive Placements of Minority Children
    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
recognized Indian Tribes and Indian Tribal Organizations, public or 
private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies, and 
adoption exchanges with experience in working with minority 
populations.
    Purpose: To implement innovative programs designed to increase the 
adoptive placement of minority children who are in foster care and have 
the goal of adoption, with an emphasis on the recruitment, retention 
and utilization of minority families and adoptive placements for 
minority children who are over the age of ten and/or a part of sibling 
groups.
    Background Information: According to the Voluntary Cooperative 
Information System administered by the American Public Welfare 
Association (VCIS/APWA), in 1993 almost 1,200 children in the U.S. were 
separated from their biological parents every day and placed in an 
unfamiliar setting. VCIS/APWA also estimates the number of ``waiting'' 
children in the U.S. at approximately 86,000, and concludes that 
adoptive families for roughly 21,000 of these children are still 
actively being sought. These are children for whom it is difficult to 
find an adoptive placement because they are not the young people 
families generally seek. It is estimated that approximately 44% of the 
21,000 children seeking an adoptive placement are 10 years and older, 
and approximately 55% are members of a minority group.
    There continues to be an insufficient pool of adoptive families, 
especially for older minority children and sibling groups for whom 
adoption has been deemed the preferred means of accomplishing 
permanence. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption 
Reform Act of 1978, Public Law 95-266, places an emphasis upon the 
recruitment of minority families and provides funds for demonstration 
projects emphasizing the recruitment of families to adopt waiting 
minority children. The purpose of this priority area is to be 
responsive to this legislative intent.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
    Identify and describe existing barriers to minority adoption in the 
locale where the project would be implemented; the number of families 
who would be recruited; and the number of children who would be placed.
    Describe the innovative methods that would be employed to recruit, 
retain and prepare minority families for adoption, making sure to 
include individuals who are single.
    Provide assurances that the project would not require the payment 
of fees by families for the adoption process.
    Describe how training in cultural competence would be provided to 
all relevant staff to increase their effectiveness in serving minority 
children and families.
    Present an evaluation plan for assessing the project's 
effectiveness in achieving its stated goals and objectives, and its 
ability to provide services to prospective adoptive families through 
the completion of the adoption.
    Document how the project would be continued beyond Federal funding 
as part of the agency's ongoing program and describe the specific steps 
which would be taken to accomplish this.
    If the applicant is a private non-profit adoption agency, it must 
provide evidence of licensure by submitting a copy of its license with 
the application.
    Discuss plans for disseminating information on the innovations 
utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving the 
information and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
convey the information and support replication by other interested 
agencies.
    Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
welfare issues.
    Provide assurances and document that the project would be staffed 
and implemented within 90 days of the notification of the grant award.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 24 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is not to exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based 
on an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
four projects will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
Law 95-266, as amended.
1.03  Strategic Collaboration for Completing and Sustaining Adoptions 
of Children with Developmental Disabilities
    Eligible Applicants: Agencies administering any of the following 
public programs: Child Welfare; Developmental Disability Councils;

[[Page 36429]]

Protection and Advocacy Systems; or University Affiliated Programs. 
Joint applications may be developed by consortiums at the regional, 
State, Tribal, or local level which bring complementary expertise to 
bear on the adoption of children with developmental disabilities. All 
applications, even those developed by two or more organizations, must 
identify a single lead agency to be the primary administrator of the 
grant and the official recipient of the award.
    Purpose: To increase and successfully maintain the number of 
adoptions of children with developmental disabilities through the 
creation of effective collaboration strategies and models for the 
provision of adoption services to developmentally disabled children and 
their families in the public child welfare system.
    Background Information: Children with special needs constitute the 
overwhelming percentage of young people waiting for an adoptive 
placement, residing in non-finalized adoptive homes, or benefiting from 
finalized adoptions. According to VCIS/APWA 1993, almost 82% of the 
children waiting for an adoptive placement in 12 States, had one or 
more special needs. Moreover, data from the same 12 States on finalized 
adoptions, showed that approximately 82% of the children also had one 
or more special needs. In addition, VCIS/APWA data illustrates that in 
11 States, almost 76% had one or more special needs. Not all of the 
children identified above as having one or more special needs are 
actually developmentally disabled, because in the adoption field, 
special needs can also include such characteristics as being older or 
membership in a minority or sibling group. However, the sheer magnitude 
of the special needs percentages suggests there are significant numbers 
of young people in the adoption stream who have a developmental 
disability.
    Relevant public agencies have a responsibility to facilitate 
adoptions, and provide support and resources to families formed by 
adoption. In terms of responding to the needs of children with 
developmental disabilities and families who are motivated to and/or 
actually adopt them, interagency work is especially vital. While there 
are examples of effective cooperation between Child Welfare Agencies 
(CW), Developmental Disabilities Councils (DDC), Protection and 
Advocacy Systems or University Affiliated Programs (UAP), very little 
has been done in the way of establishing exemplary collaborative 
strategies and models. In States with an ``umbrella agency,'' wherein 
CW and DDC are part of the same Statewide department, there is a need 
for delineating and implementing collaborative procedures to facilitate 
work with children with developmental disabilities in need of adoption 
and families adopting these children. In States with separate 
departments, there is even greater need to develop such procedures.
    This priority area provides the field with the opportunity to 
develop collaboration strategies and models to increase the number of 
adoptees with developmental disabilities and to provide services to 
strengthen families who have adopted children with disabilities.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the application should:
    Demonstrate knowledge of current issues in public agency adoption 
and other issues related to children with developmental disabilities in 
the child welfare system.
    Describe the process that will be use to identify the needs of 
children and families to be served by the project. Discuss how 
individuals with disabilities and potential and actual adoptive 
families will be involved in the process.
    Describe the current system the applicant is addressing at the 
State, regional or local level. Identify, policy, program and 
interagency issues which either serve to support or hinder/prevent the 
adoption of children with developmental disabilities.
    Describe the measurable goals and objectives to be achieved that 
will lead to increasing and successfully maintaining the adoptions of 
children with developmental disabilities.
    Describe the development and plans for the institutionalization of 
the proposed collaborative strategies or model on either a statewide, 
regional or local basis that will increase and sustain adoptions of 
children with developmental disabilities.
    Document that the staff to be involved in the project are 
knowledgeable of relevant policies, federal regulations, laws and 
cultural issues that impact children with developmental disabilities 
and their adoptive families.
    Present an evaluation plan for assessing the project's 
effectiveness in achieving its stated goals and objectives, and its 
ability to provide services to adoptive families through the completion 
of the adoption.
    Provide a plan for how individuals with disabilities and potential 
and actual adoptive families will be involved in the evaluation 
process.
    Provide specific written commitments from collaborating agencies 
conveying their role and the work they will perform.
    Discuss plans for disseminating essential information on the 
strategies and/or model utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit 
from receiving the information and specify mechanisms and forums which 
will be used to convey the information and support replication by other 
interested collaborative groups of agencies.
    Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
welfare issues.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to 
exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantee must provide at least 
10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. 
Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds must include 
a total match of at least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project 
cost). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind contributions, 
although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements 
through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
two projects will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
Law 95-266, as amended.
1.04  Expanding Options for Permanency
    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
recognized Indian Tribes and Indian Tribal Organizations, public or 
private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies that 
currently serve children in the public child welfare system.
    Purpose: To develop a system reform project that incorporates or 
strengthens the practice of one or more of the following non-
adversarial options for permanency: voluntary relinquishment, 
concurrent planning and/or mediation.

[[Page 36430]]

    Background Information: The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare 
Act of 1980, Public Law 96-272, mandates securing a safe, permanent 
home for every child. The child welfare system continues to struggle 
with meeting this goal in a timely fashion. The practice base for 
achieving permanency for children is too often based on adversarial or 
involuntary methods. The major practice is to seek involuntary 
termination of parental rights (TPR) for children for whom adoption is 
considered the best permanency plan. Involuntary termination of 
parental rights can be a lengthy and expensive process which may 
involve court appeals. The procedure can also be emotionally stressful 
for birth, foster and prospective adoptive parents and the child. 
Frequently this practice is insensitive to the need of some children to 
maintain connections with their birth families. Although necessary in 
some cases, TPR and other practices of a similar tone, have failed to 
significantly reduce the large number of children in the foster care 
system waiting to be freed for adoption, to be adopted, or for other 
permanent arrangements.
    Alternatively, the child welfare system is encouraged to focus on 
approaches which set a different tone and emphasize non-adversarial 
front-end practices and procedures and strengthen the agency's capacity 
to achieve earlier and better outcomes for children and their families. 
Expanding options for permanency, which encourage cooperative processes 
and early decision making among all parties involved, are essential to 
achieving child, family, and system well-being.
    The demonstration projects funded under this priority area should 
be designed to inform the field about the efficacy of these non-
adversarial approaches in achieving permanency earlier, more quickly 
and more sensitively for these children. Permanency is broadly 
conceptualized to include adoption, guardianship to a relative or non-
relative and parental consent to relative or non-relative adoption. One 
or a combination of the following approaches can be included in the 
demonstration: voluntary relinquishment, mediation or concurrent 
planning.
    Mediation is the voluntary, non-coercive process of negotiation 
with the assistance of a neutral, impartial third party. The aim of 
mediation in child welfare and permanency is to encourage birth 
parents, extended relatives and foster and/or adoptive parents to 
cooperate in making decisions that reflect the best interest of the 
child.
    Concurrent Planning is the process of workers' developing 
alternative permanent plans for children during their initial contact 
with the child welfare system. Concurrent planning involves enacting a 
plan for family preservation or reunification with the child's birth 
family, while simultaneously engaging in planning for alternative 
permanency placements such as adoption and kinship care.
    Relinquishment is a voluntary process of transferring parental 
rights to an authorized child welfare agency. It is often utilized at 
the request of the parent and can be provided at any point along the 
child welfare service continuum. In recent years it has been 
underutilized by child welfare workers, and the professional skills 
associated with counseling parents on the issues of voluntary 
relinquishment have eroded.
    This priority area encourages child welfare system reform by 
incorporating and/or strengthening non-adversarial approaches into 
practice to achieve permanency for children in the child welfare 
system.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
    Demonstrate knowledge of current issues in adoption and permanency 
for children in the public child welfare field.
    Describe the project and explain why a particular system reform 
approach or set of approaches is being selected. Demonstrate knowledge 
and understanding of the reform approach or approaches selected. If 
more than one approach is selected, describe how they are linked.
    Describe how the approach(es) to be used in this demonstration 
differ from current agency practice and how this project's reform 
approaches will be institutionalized.
    Describe the measurable goals and objectives of the project to be 
used to determine if the approach selected led to an increase in 
achieving permanency earlier.
    Describe the process and criteria that will be used to identify 
children and families in need of these services.
    Describe how the birth families and extended families will be 
involved in the permanency planning process.
    Provide assurances that project staff are knowledgeable of 
policies, federal regulations, laws and cultural issues that impact on 
permanency for children.
    Describe the training/staff development components of the project 
which will be implemented.
    If the project involves coordination with other agencies, present a 
plan clarifying how these agencies will work with the applicant to 
accomplish project goals and objectives.
    Describe an evaluation plan which will focus on the reform 
approaches and which is capable of identifying the successes and 
failures of the approaches.
    The evaluation plan should be outcome oriented and include the 
collection and analysis of data to ascertain the effectiveness of the 
non-adversarial options for permanency. The evaluation should also 
include descriptive information on the processes and procedures used in 
implementing the project.
    Discuss strategies for disseminating information on the reform 
approaches utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving 
the information and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
convey the information and support replication by other interested 
agencies.
    If the applicant is a non-profit private agency, it must provide 
assurance that the children to be served through this demonstration are 
public agency children.
    Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
program grantees to exchange information and address current child 
welfare issues.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. 
Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based upon 
an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
two projects will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants : title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment

[[Page 36431]]

and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public Law 95-266, as amended.
1.05  Developing Resource Materials for Foster and Adoptive Parents To 
Meet the Needs of Children of a Different Race, Color, or National 
Origin
    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, public and 
private non-profit licensed child welfare and adoption agencies, 
adoption organizations, university-based institutes and incorporated 
adoptive parents' groups with materials development expertise.
    Purpose: To develop resource materials capable of assisting foster 
and adoptive parents in meeting the needs of children of a racial and 
ethnic group different from their own.
    Background: Many children in foster care are currently being cared 
for by parents of a different race, color or national origin, and if 
adopted, are more than likely to be adopted by their foster parents. 
With the passage of MEPA barriers to transracial and transcultural 
placements are being eliminated. At times, parents in these 
circumstances have received little or no assistance in looking at how 
these differences can affect themselves, their own family and the 
child(ren). Additionally, they may not have been prepared to deal with 
the racism and bias their foster or adoptive child(ren) and their newly 
formed family may encounter.
    To meet the needs of all waiting children both minority foster and 
adoptive parents and transracial and transcultural families will be 
formed. Agencies involved in foster or adoptive parent recruitment, 
parent preparation and/or child placement may need assistance in 
appropriately assessing the capacity of those applicants to deal with 
the differences, and providing them with suitable training and 
education. How parents value, respect, appreciate and educate the child 
regarding his or her racial and/or ethnic background are among the most 
critical factors in the child's healthy development.
    The Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) Guidance published in April 
1995 identifies the following factors as being among those that 
agencies need to consider in assessing a prospective parent's 
suitability to care for a particular child. They are:
     the ability to form relationships and to bond with the 
specific child;
     the ability to help the child integrate into the family;
     the ability to accept the child's background and to help 
the child cope with his/her past;
     the ability to accept the behavior and personality of the 
specific child;
     the ability to validate the child's cultural, racial and 
ethnic background; and
     the ability to meet the child's particular educational, 
developmental or psychological needs.
    To facilitate the implementation of MEPA, child placement agencies 
have been looking for new resource materials to use in assessing and 
preparing families to provide permanence for children who are 
culturally, ethnically, and racially different. This priority area 
promotes the development of resources responsive to this need.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
    Describe applicant's understanding of the placement of public 
sector children in foster care and adoption, as well as an 
understanding of issues in assessing and preparing prospective foster 
and adoptive parents for children who have been in foster care.
    Demonstrate knowledge of all factors to be considered in 
determining a child's placement needs and of factors to be considered 
in helping a family make a decision to parent or not to parent a child 
of a different race, color or national origin.
    Demonstrate knowledge of the role that culture and ethnicity play 
in the development of a child's self esteem.
    Demonstrate knowledge of the current issues in transracial/
transcultural placements.
    Identify resource deficiencies that currently exist and demonstrate 
how the proposed resource materials respond to the deficiencies 
identified.
    Develop a Panel of Advisors from diverse backgrounds and 
disciplines, to assist in the content development and design of the 
resource materials.
    Demonstrate that staff to be utilized in the project are culturally 
competent and have experience working with families and children from 
diverse backgrounds and racial and ethnic groups.
    Provide assurance that draft and final content of the resource 
materials will be submitted for review by federal staff to confirm 
legal and policy accuracy.
    Describe how the resource materials developed will be field-tested 
and evaluated prior to submission as a final product.
    Discuss strategies for disseminating and/or marketing the resource 
materials. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving the 
materials and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
convey information about the materials and support utilization by other 
child welfare agencies.
    Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
welfare issues.
    Project Duration: The length of the project should not exceed 24 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is not to exceed $75,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching Requirements: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total cost of the project. The total cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a project 
requesting $75,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of $75,000 per 
budget period) must include a match of at least $8,333 (10 percent of 
total project cost). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind 
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match 
requirement through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: It is anticipated that 
two projects will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grant: title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
Law 95-266, as amended.
1.06 Operation of a National Adoption Information Exchange System
    Eligible Applicants: State or local governments, public or private 
non-profit agencies, organizations or universities with expertise in 
adoption and the ability to maintain a National Adoption Information 
Exchange System.
    Purpose: To maintain a National Adoption Information Exchange 
System to bring together children who would benefit from adoption and 
qualified prospective adoptive parents who are seeking such children, 
and conduct national recruitment efforts in order to reach prospective 
parents for children waiting to be adopted.
    Background information: The Adoption Opportunities statute spells 
out the intent of the Congress to facilitate the elimination of 
barriers to adoption and to provide permanent and loving home 
environments for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly 
children with special needs, including disabled infants with life 
threatening conditions.

[[Page 36432]]

    The statute requires the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families (ACYF) to conduct directly or by grant or contract with public 
or private non-profit agencies or organizations, ongoing, extensive 
recruitment efforts on a national level, to develop national public 
awareness efforts to unite children in need of adoption with 
appropriate adoptive parents, and to establish a coordinated referral 
system of recruited families with appropriate State or Regional 
adoption resources to ensure that families are served in a timely 
fashion.
    In 1979, the North American Center on Adoption, a unit of the Child 
Welfare League of America, Inc. was awarded a three year contract by 
the Children Bureau for the National Adoption Information Exchange 
System project. This project focused on three areas: Designing, 
developing and operating a National Adoption Exchange system; providing 
and coordinating training and technical assistance to the State and 
Regional exchanges to enhance their ability to participate in the 
national exchange system; and publishing a significant quantity of 
materials needed to facilitate the adoption of waiting children. The 
contract was replaced with a competitive grant awarded to the Adoption 
Center of Delaware Valley in 1983, to operate the National Adoption 
Information Exchange System for two years. The grant was to provide six 
major services: information and referral, computerized listing of 
children and families, match/referral, recruitment and public 
education, training and technical consultation and development of the 
national adoption network. During the second year of the grant, there 
was an increased emphasis on telecommunications as a result of input 
provided by members of the Corporate Advisory Board and Child Welfare 
Advisory Board.
    In September 1986 ACYF funded 44 States, including Puerto Rico and 
the District of Columbia, with small grants so that they could purchase 
hardware and software to join the national adoption telecommunications 
network, and to communicate with each other around concerns in the 
field of adoption. In 1985, the National Adoption Center (NAC), 
formerly the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley, received a grant to 
continue the development and implementation of the national adoption 
telecommunication network and to provide coordination and support 
services to manage the network and to provide technical consultation to 
States to continue building and implementing the network. The 
membership of the network includes public and private agencies, and 
other child welfare organizations, parent groups, independent or non-
affiliated social workers and researchers.
    In 1990, a new five year grant was competitively awarded to the NAC 
to continue the National Adoption Information Exchange System. The NAC 
increased usage of the system by providing training and technical 
assistance to its members and by providing national outreach and public 
education to recruit adoptive families for children who wait. In 
September 1995 an additional short-term grant was awarded to the 
National Adoption Center.
    During its years of operation under various auspices, the National 
Adoption Information Exchange System, also known as the NAE has 
increased the visibility of waiting children and enabled approved 
families to register and gain maximum access to children waiting for 
adoptive families. The new computer system put into effect in July 1992 
has considerably improved the ability of NAE members to access and 
utilize the information on the exchange. NAE members use the exchange 
to list children in the child database and to search for adoptive 
parents for the children whom they list.
    However, there continues to be an insufficient number of families 
listed on the NAE to meet the needs of these children. State and local 
agencies are reluctant to list families on the NAE whom they believe 
are potential resources for children in their own States. The agency's 
preference to find families for children within the State or within 
close proximity to the State has prompted the development of State and 
Regional exchanges.
    We have reached a critical point in the development of the National 
Adoption Information Exchange System. Previously, the NAE focused on 
the following areas: (1) Registration of waiting children and waiting 
families; (2) the development of a computer database which made this 
information available to members of the exchange electronically; (3) 
the number of matches made on behalf of listed waiting children; and 
(4) the development of national recruitment activities aimed at finding 
potential adoptive families interested in adoption of special needs 
children.
    In order to remain effective, the NAE must refocus its priorities 
to emphasize assisting States and localities to build the capacity 
within their own jurisdictions to meet the needs of waiting children. 
This priority is based on the premise that only in unusual 
circumstances should a national search for an adoptive family be 
undertaken and that the activity is most effective when carried out at 
the local, State and regional levels. The NAE should be viewed as an 
extension of State and Regional exchanges, not as their competitor.
    The NAE should be able to develop linkages with a variety of 
national media organizations in order to educate large segments of the 
population about the needs of waiting children and on how to access the 
adoption system. The NAE should be in the position to: (1) Provide 
training and technical assistance in the development and management of 
State and Regional exchanges and to provide consultation to exchanges 
on recruitment strategies for potential adoptive families; (2) 
facilitate the development of a network of exchanges that connect 
urban, rural, small and large child welfare service providers in their 
efforts to bring families and children together; (3) serve as the 
central receiver of all adoption inquiries generated during national 
and other recruitment campaigns and disseminate these resources to the 
Regional and State exchanges; (4) collaborate with organizations such 
as the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC), the 
Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA), and 
other relevant agencies to assist with the identification of, and the 
possible removal of barriers that prevent ``necessary'' interstate 
placements which serve the best interest of the child.
    The Federal government is in the process of redefining its 
relationship with States and other child welfare agencies. A new 
partnership is being forged based upon a vision wherein all concerned 
agencies will collaborate and cooperate to provide a continuum of 
services to meet the needs of children. In light of the current 
opportunity to revitalize child welfare, the role and responsibilities 
of NAE must be focused on assisting States to improve their ability to 
meet the needs of the rising numbers of children waiting for permanent 
families.
    Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
    Demonstrate knowledge of adoption and the current challenges faced 
by the field.
    Demonstrate knowledge of the issues and problems related to the 
maintenance of a national adoption information exchange system and 
provide documentation of the applicant's plan to address them.

[[Page 36433]]

    Describe a plan for establishing a 24 hour, 7 day a week, toll-free 
national adoption exchange telephone number which can be used for 
national recruitment initiatives, local recruitment initiatives and 
incoming adoption inquiries generated by these recruitment initiatives.
    Develop performance measures that can be used to assess the 
strengths, weaknesses and successes of the NAE as well as State and 
Regional exchanges.
    Describe a plan for providing training and technical assistance to 
States and Regions in the following areas: (1) Development of a State 
or Regional exchange, (2) development of State or Regional recruitment 
strategies, and (3) use of NAE's telecommunications resources.
    Describe a strategy for the development of a network of exchanges 
which includes linkages between Regional exchanges, State Exchanges, 
and the NAE in order to maximize the placement options for children.
    Describe a plan for enhancing, maintaining and continuing 
technological and telecommunications access to the national listing of 
waiting children and waiting families for exchange members.
    Demonstrate knowledge of current technologies/programs such as the 
Internet and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System 
(SACWIS) which could be used to access information on children in the 
child welfare system.
    Provide documentation of the commitment to assist States in 
incorporating the exchange system into their computer systems as these 
systems are fully developed and implemented at the State level.
    Describe a plan for periodic national recruitment activities, using 
a range of media sources, on behalf of waiting children on an annual 
basis (a minimum of 4 separate events per year, including National 
Adoption Month Activities).
    Develop a media strategy which includes partnerships with State and 
local agencies in planning, implementing and the follow-up of 
recruitment activities.
    Describe a plan for the production and dissemination of materials 
for general recruitment activities.
    Provide assurances that the staff is knowledgeable of policies, 
regulations, laws and racial and cultural issues that impact the 
children who are waiting for an adoptive placement.
    Describe a strategy for facilitating linkages and partnerships 
among (at a minimum) the State adoption specialists, the Interstate 
Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Administrators, the 
Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) 
Administrators and the NAE to address the issues and problems of 
interstate placement.
    Describe the efforts that will be made to coordinate with the 
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC) and the National 
Resource Center for Special Needs Adoption (NRCSNA) to assure effective 
utilization of resources and to avoid duplication of effort and provide 
assurance that funds from this grant will not be used to support 
activities that are being conducted by NAIC and NRCSNA.
    Describe how the proposed budget reflects the priorities for 
activities for the NAE described in this program announcement.
    Describe a plan for developing a national network of State 
professionals in the field to serve as an advisory group on the 
operation of the exchange to address the needs of States.
    Provide an assurance that at least one key person from the project 
will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau.
    Provide assurances that at least one key staff member will attend 
annually four, one to two day meetings convened by the Children's 
Bureau in Washington, D.C.
    Provide an assurance that key staff will meet with their Federal 
project officer and other Children's Bureau staff in Washington, D.C. 
within sixty days of receiving the award.
    Agree to enter into a Cooperative Agreement which will require the 
grantee to submit to the Children's Bureau for review and approval: 
Work plans, including as appropriate, activities involving Headquarters 
and Regional Office staff; lists of topics to be covered in technical 
assistance resources, syntheses, summaries and literature reviews; 
topics, times and places for conferences; topics for any collection of 
original data; and draft reports, conference agendas and other 
materials prior to their finalization and dissemination by the grantee. 
(A cooperative agreement is Federal assistance in which substantial 
Federal involvement is anticipated. The respective responsibilities of 
Federal staff and the awardee are negotiated prior to award.) The 
grantee shall also cooperate, to the extent that its budget will allow, 
with the Children's Bureau in meetings, briefings, or other forums to 
disseminate knowledge gained from its work with States and local 
communities around adoption issues.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $500,000 per budget period.
    Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 25 percent of 
the total approved project. The total approved cost of the project is 
the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a 
project requesting $500,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
$500,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least $166,666 
(25 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal share may be 
cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to 
meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
1 project will be funded.
    CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
Law 95-266, as amended.

Part III. Instructions for the Development and Submission of 
Applications

    This part contains information and instructions for submitting 
applications in response to this announcement. Application forms are 
provided, along with a checklist, for assembling an application 
package. Please copy and use these forms in submitting an application.
    Potential applicants should read this section carefully in 
conjunction with the information contained within the specific priority 
area under which the application is to be submitted. The priority area 
descriptions are in Part II.

A. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact The 
Adoption Opportunities Program is not covered under Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade SW, 6th Floor East, OFM/DDG, Washington, D.C. 20047.

B. Deadline for Submission of Applications

    The closing time and date for the receipt of applications is 4:30 
p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on August 26, 1996. Applications received 
after 4:30 p.m. will be classified as late.

[[Page 36434]]

    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
and date at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary 
Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, Washington, DC 20447, (Reference 
Announcement Number and Priority Area). Applicants are responsible for 
mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to 
ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
time and date. Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant 
couriers, or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor 
Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 
20024 between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal Holidays). 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications faxed to ACF 
will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time 
of receipt.
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    Extension of Deadlines: ACF may extend the deadline for all 
applicants because of acts of God such as floods, hurricanes, etc., or 
when there is a widespread disruption of the mails. However, if the 
granting agency does not extend the deadline for all applicants, it may 
not waive or extend the deadline for any applicants.

C. Instructions for Preparing the Application and Completing 
Application Forms.

    The SF 424, 424A, 424B, and certifications have been reprinted for 
your convenience in preparing the application. See Appendix A. You 
should reproduce single-sided copies of these forms from the reprinted 
forms in the announcement, typing your information onto the copies. 
Please do not use forms directly from the Federal Register 
announcement, as they are printed on both sides of the page.
    Please prepare your application in accordance with the following 
instructions:
    1. SF 424 Page 1, Application Cover Sheet. Please read the 
following instructions before completing the application cover sheet. 
An explanation of each item is included. Complete only the items 
specified.
    Top of Page. Enter the single priority area number under which the 
application is being submitted under only one priority area.
    Item 1. Type of submission--Preprinted on the form.
    Item 2. Date Submitted and Applicant Identifier--Date application 
is submitted to ACYF and applicant's own internal control number, if 
applicable.
    Item 3. Date Received By State--State use only (if applicable).
    Item 4. Date Received by Federal Agency--Leave blank.
    Item 5. Applicant Information Legal Name--Enter the legal name of 
the applicant organization. For applications developed jointly, enter 
the name of the lead organization only. There must be a single 
applicant for each application.
    Organizational Unit--Enter the name of the primary unit within the 
applicant organization which will actually carry out the project 
activity. Do not use the name of an individual as the applicant. If 
this is the same as the applicant organization, leave the 
organizational unit blank.
    Address--Enter the complete address that the organization actually 
uses to receive mail, since this is the address to which all 
correspondence will be sent. Do not include both street address and 
P.O. box number unless both must be used in mailing.
    Name and telephone number of the person to be contacted on matters 
involving this application (give area code)--Enter the full name 
(including academic degree, if applicable) and telephone number of a 
person who can respond to questions about the application. This person 
should be accessible at the address given here and will receive all 
correspondence regarding the application.
    Item 6. Employer Identification Number (EIN)--Enter the employer 
identification number of the applicant organization, only provide the 
prefix and suffix assigned by the DHHS Central Registry System.
    Item 7. Type of Applicant--Self-explanatory.
    Item 8. Type of Application--Preprinted on the form.
    Item 9. Name of Federal Agency--Preprinted on the form.
    Item 10. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and Title--
Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number assigned 
to the program under which assistance is requested and its title, as 
indicated in the relevant priority area description.
    Item 11. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project--Enter the 
project title. The title is generally short and is descriptive of the 
project, not the priority area title. Place the priority area number in 
parenthesis after the main program title.
    Item 12. Areas Affected by Project--Enter the governmental unit 
where significant and meaningful impact could be observed. List only 
the largest unit or units affected, such as State, county, or city. If 
an entire unit is affected, list it rather than subunits.
    Item 13. Proposed Project--Enter the desired start date for the 
project and projected completion date.
    Item 14. Congressional District of Applicant/Project--Enter the 
number of the Congressional District where the applicant's principal 
office is located and the number of the Congressional district(s) where 
the project will be located. If statewide, a multi-State effort, or 
nationwide, enter 00.
    Items 15. Estimated Funding Levels: In completing 15a through 15f, 
the dollar amounts entered should reflect, for a 12 month budget 
period, the total amount requested. If the proposed project period 
exceeds 17 months, enter only those dollar amounts needed for the first 
12 months of the proposed project.
    Item 15a. Enter the amount of ACF funds requested in accordance 
with the preceding paragraph. This amount should be no greater than the 
maximum amount specified in the priority area description.
    Item 15b-e. Enter the amount(s) of funds from non-Federal sources 
that will be contributed to the proposed project. Items b-e are 
considered cost-sharing or matching funds. The value of third party in-
kind contributions should be included on appropriate lines as 
applicable.
    Items 15f. Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected 
to be generated from the proposed project. Do not add or subtract this 
amount from the total project amount entered under item 15g. Describe 
the nature, source and anticipated use of this income in the Project 
Narrative Statement.
    Item 15g. Enter the sum of items 15a-15e.
    Item 16a. Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive Order 
12372 Process? Yes. --Enter the date the applicant contacted the SPOC 
regarding this application. Select the appropriate SPOC from the 
listing provided at the

[[Page 36435]]

end of Part III. The review of the application is at the discretion of 
the SPOC. The SPOC will verify the date noted on the application. If 
there is a discrepancy in dates, the SPOC may request that the Federal 
agency delay any proposed funding.
    Item 16b. Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive Order 
12372 process? No. --Check the appropriate box if the application is 
not covered by E.O. 12372 or if the program has not been selected by 
the State for review.
    Item 17. Is the Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? --Check 
the appropriate box. This question applies to the applicant 
organization, not the person who signs as the authorized 
representative. Categories of debt include audit disallowances, loans 
and taxes.
    Item 18. To the best of my knowledge and belief, all data in this 
application/preapplication are true and correct. The document has been 
duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and the 
applicant will comply with the attached assurances if the assistance is 
awarded. --To be signed by the authorized representative of the 
applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for signature 
of this application by this individual as the official representative 
must be on file in the applicant's office, and may be requested from 
the applicant.
    Item 18a-c. Typed Name of Authorized Representative, Title, 
Telephone Number--Enter the name, title and telephone number of the 
authorized representative of the applicant organization.
    Item 18d. Signature of Authorized Representative--Signature of the 
authorized representative named in Item 18a. At least one copy of the 
application must have an original signature. Use colored ink (not 
black) so that the original signature is easily identified.
    Item 18e. Date Signed--Enter the date the application was signed by 
the authorized representative.
    2. SF 424A--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs. This is 
a form used by many Federal agencies. For this application, Sections A, 
B, C, E and F are to be completed. Section D does not need to be 
completed.
    Sections A and B should include the Federal as well as the non-
Federal funding for the proposed project covering the first year budget 
period.
    Section A--Budget Summary. This section includes a summary of the 
budget. On line 5, enter total Federal costs in column (e) and total 
non-Federal costs, including third party in-kind contributions, but not 
program income, in column (f). Enter the total of (e) and (f) in column 
(g).
    Section B--Budget Categories. This budget, which includes the 
Federal as well as non-Federal funding for the proposed project, covers 
the first year budget period if the proposed project period exceeds 12 
months. It should relate to item 15g, total funding, on the SF 424. 
Under column (5), enter the total requirements for funds (Federal and 
non-Federal) by object class category.
    A separate itemized budget justification for each line item is 
required. The types of information to be included in the justification 
are indicated under each category. For multiple year projects, it is 
desirable to provide this information for each year of the project. The 
SF 424A.
    Personnel--Line 6a. Enter the total costs of salaries and wages of 
applicant/grantee staff. Do not include the costs of consultants, which 
should be included on line 6h, Other.
    Justification: Identify the principal investigator or project 
director, if known. Specify by title or name the percentage of time 
allocated to the project, the individual annual salaries, and the cost 
to the project (both Federal and non-Federal) of the organization's 
staff who will be working on the project.
    Fringe Benefits--Line 6b. Enter the total cost of fringe benefits, 
unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a break-down of amounts and percentages that 
comprise fringe benefit costs, such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, etc.
    Travel--6c. Enter total costs of out-of-town travel (travel 
requiring per diem) for staff of the project. Do not enter costs for 
consultant's travel or local transportation, which should be included 
on Line 6h, Other.
    Justification: Include the name(s) of traveler(s), total number of 
trips, destinations, length of stay, transportation costs and 
subsistence allowances.
    Equipment--Line 6d. Enter the total costs of all equipment to be 
acquired by the project. Equipment means an article as non-expendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000.
    Justification: Equipment to be purchased with Federal funds must be 
justified. The equipment must be required to conduct the project, and 
the applicant organization or its subgrantees must not have the 
equipment or a reasonable facsimile available to the project. The 
justification also must contain plans for future use or disposal of the 
equipment after the project ends.
    Supplies--Line 6e. Enter the total costs of all tangible expendable 
personal property (supplies) other than those included on Line 6d.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs.
    Contractual--Line 6f. Enter the total costs of all contracts, 
including (1) Procurement contracts (except those which belong on other 
lines such as equipment, supplies, etc.) and (2) contracts with 
secondary recipient organizations, including delegate agencies. Also 
include any contracts with organizations for the provision of technical 
assistance. Do not include payments to individuals on this line. If the 
name of the contractor, scope of work, and estimated total costs are 
not available or have not been negotiated, include on Line 6h, other.
    Justification: Attach a list of contractors, indicating the names 
of the organizations, the purposes of the contracts, and the estimated 
dollar amounts of the awards as part of the budget justification. 
Whenever the applicant/grantee intends to delegate part or all of the 
program to another agency, the applicant/grantee must complete this 
section (Section B, Budget Categories) for each delegate agency by 
agency title, along with the supporting information. The total cost of 
all such agencies will be part of the amount shown on Line 6f. Provide 
backup documentation identifying the name of contractor, purpose of 
contract, and major cost elements. Applicants who anticipate 
procurement that will exceed $5,000 (non-governmental entities) or 
$25,000 (governmental entities) and are requesting an award without 
competition should include a sole source justification in the proposal 
which at a minimum should include the basis for contractor's selection, 
justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or offers 
are not obtained and basis for award cost or price.

    Note: Previous or past experience with a contractor is not 
sufficient justification for sole source.)

    Construction--Line 6g. Not applicable. New construction is not 
allowable.
    Other--Line 6h. Enter the total of all other costs. Where 
applicable, such costs may include, but are not limited to: Insurance; 
medical and dental costs; noncontractual fees and travel paid directly 
to individual consultants; local

[[Page 36436]]

transportation (all travel which does not require per diem is 
considered local travel); space and equipment rentals; printing and 
publication; computer use; training costs, including tuition and 
stipends; training service costs, including wage payments to 
individuals and supportive service payments; and staff development 
costs. Note that costs identified as miscellaneous and honoraria are 
not allowable.
    Justification: Specify the costs included.
    Total Direct Charge--Line 6i. Enter the total of Lines 6a through 
6h.
    Indirect Charges--6j. Enter the total amount of indirect charges 
(costs). If no indirect costs are requested, enter none. Generally, 
this line should be used when the applicant has a current indirect cost 
rate agreement approved by the Department of Health and Human Services 
or another Federal agency.
    Local and State governments should enter the amount of indirect 
costs determined in accordance with DHHS requirements. When an indirect 
cost rate is requested, these costs are included in the indirect cost 
pool and should not be charged again as direct costs to the grant.
    Justification: Enclose a copy of the indirect cost rate agreement.
    Total--Line 6k. Enter the total amounts of lines 6i and 6j.
    Program Income--Line 7. Enter the estimated amount, if any, 
expected to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this 
amount from the total project amount.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of 
program income in the Program Narrative Statement.
    Section C--Non-Federal Resources. This section summarizes the 
amounts of non-Federal resources that will be applied to the grant. 
Enter this information on line 12, entitled ``Totals''. In-kind 
contributions are defined in 45 CFR, Part 74.51 and 45 CFR Part 92.3, 
as property or services which benefit a grant-supported project or 
program and which are contributed by non-Federal third parties without 
charge to the grantee, the subgrantee, or a cost-type contractor under 
the grant or subgrant.
    Justification: Describe third party in-kind contributions, if 
included.
    Section D--Forecasted Cash Needs, Not applicable.
    Section E--Budget Estimate of Federal Funds Needed For Balance of 
the Project. This section should only be completed if the total project 
period exceeds 12 months.
    Totals--Line 20. For projects that will have more than one budget 
period, enter the estimated required Federal funds for the second 
budget period (months 13 through 24) under column (b) ``First''. If a 
third budget period will be necessary, enter the Federal funds needed 
for months 25 through 36 under (c) ``Second''. Columns (d) would be 
used in the case of a 48 month project period. Column (e) would not 
apply.
    Section F--Other Budget Information
    Direct Charges--Line 21, Not applicable.
    Indirect Charges--Line 22, Enter the type of indirect rate 
(provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect 
during the funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which 
the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.
    Remarks--Line 23. If the total project period exceeds 12 months, 
you must enter your proposed non-Federal share of the project budget 
for each of the remaining years of the project.
    3. Project Summary Description. Clearly mark this separate page 
with the applicant name as shown in item 5 of the SF 424, the priority 
area number as shown at the top of the SF 424, and the title of the 
project as shown in item 11 of the SF 424. The summary description 
should not exceed 300 words. These 300 words become part of the 
computer database on each project.
    Care should be taken to produce a summary description which 
accurately and concisely reflects the application. It should describe 
the objectives of the project, the approaches to be used and the 
outcomes expected. The description should also include a list of major 
products that will result from the proposed project, such as software 
packages, materials, management procedures, data collection 
instruments, training packages, or videos (please note that 
audiovisuals should be closed captioned). The project summary 
description, together with the information on the SF 424, will 
constitute the project abstract. It is the major source of information 
about the proposed project and is usually the first part of the 
application that the reviewers read in evaluating the application.
    At the bottom of the page, following the summary description, type 
up to 10 key words which best describe the proposed project, the 
service(s) involved and the target population(s) to be covered. These 
key words will be used for computerized information retrieval for 
specific types of funded projects.
    4. Program Narrative Statement. The Program Narrative Statement is 
a very important part of an application. It should be clear, concise, 
and address the specific requirements mentioned under the priority area 
description in Part II.
    The narrative should provide information concerning how the 
application meets the evaluation criteria using the following headings:
    (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance;
    (b) Results and Benefits Expected;
    (c) Approach; and
    (d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience.
    The narrative should be typed double-spaced on a single-side of an 
8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. All 
pages of the narrative (including charts, references/footnotes, tables, 
maps, exhibits, etc.) must be sequentially numbered, beginning with 
``Objectives and Need for Assistance'', as page number one. Applicants 
should not submit reproductions of larger size paper, reduced to meet 
the size requirement.
    A page is a single side of an 8\1/2\'' X 11'' sheet of paper. 
Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures or other 
printed material along with their application as these pose xeroxing 
difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in 
the review process if they exceed the page limit criteria. Each page of 
the application will be counted to determine the total length.
    5. Organizational Capability Statement. The Organizational 
Capability Statement should consist of a brief (two to three pages) 
background description of how the applicant organization (or the unit 
within the organization that will have responsibility for the project) 
is organized, the types and quantity of services it provides, and/or 
the research and management capabilities it possesses. This description 
should cover capabilities not included in the Program Narrative 
Statement. It may include descriptions of any current or previous 
relevant experience, or describe the competence of the project team and 
its demonstrated ability to produce a final product that is readily 
comprehensible and usable. An organization chart showing the 
relationship of the project to the current organization should be 
included.
    6. Part IV--Assurances/Certifications. Applicants requesting 
financial assistance for a non-construction project must file the 
Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.'' 
Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their 
applications.
    Applicants must provide a certification concerning Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of

[[Page 36437]]

$100,000, applicants shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying 
certificate with their applications. Applicants must sign and return 
the certification with their applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and 
submitting the applications, applicants are providing the certification 
and need not mail back the certification with the applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
applications.
    Copies of the certification and assurances are located at the end 
of this announcement.

D. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is for your use to ensure that your application 
package has been properly prepared.
--One original, signed and dated application, plus two copies. 
Applications for different priority areas are packaged separately;
--Application is from an organization which is eligible under the 
eligibility requirements defined in the priority area description 
(screening requirement);
--Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV 4-88);
--Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A, REV 4-88);
--Budget justification for Section B-Budget Categories;
--Table of Contents;
--Letter from the Internal Revenue Service to prove non-profit status, 
if necessary;
--Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement, if 
appropriate;
--Project summary description and listing of key words;
--Program Narrative Statement (See Part III, Section C);
--Organizational capability statement, including an organization chart;
--Any appendices/attachments;
--Assurances-Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 4-88);
--Certification Regarding Lobbying; and
--Certification of Protection of Human Subjects, if necessary;
--Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.

E. The Application Package

    Each application package must include an original and two copies of 
the complete application. Each copy should be stapled securely (front 
and back if necessary) in the upper left-hand corner. All pages of the 
narrative (including charts, tables, maps, exhibits, etc.) must be 
sequentially numbered, beginning with page one. In order to facilitate 
handling, please do not use covers, binders or tabs. Do not include 
extraneous materials as attachments, such as agency promotion 
brochures, slides, tapes, film clips, minutes of meetings, survey 
instruments or articles of incorporation.
    Do not include a self-addressed, stamped acknowledgement card. All 
applicants will be notified automatically about the receipt of their 
application. If acknowledgement of receipt of your application is not 
received within eight weeks after the deadlines date, please notify the 
ACYF Operations Center by telephone at 1-800-351-2293.

    Dated: June 26, 1996.
Olivia A. Golden,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

[[Page 36438]]

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BILLING CODE 4184-01-C

[[Page 36439]]

Instructions for the SF 424

    This is a standard form used by applicants as a required 
facesheet for preapplications and applications submitted for Federal 
assistance. It will be used by Federal agencies to obtain applicant 
certification that States which have established a review and 
comment procedure in response to Executive Order 12372 and have 
selected the program to be included in their process, have been 
given an opportunity to review the applicant's submission.

Item and Entry

    1. Self-explanatory.
    2. Date application submitted to Federal agency (or State if 
applicable) & applicant's control number (if applicable).
    3. State use only (if applicable).
    4. If this application is to continue or revise an existing 
award, enter present Federal identifier number. If for a new 
project, leave blank.
    5. Legal name of applicant, name of primary organizational unit 
which will undertake the assistance activity, complete address of 
the applicant, and name and telephone number of the person to 
contact on matters related to this application.
    6. Enter Employee Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the 
Internal Revenue Service.
    7. Enter the appropriate letter in the space provided.
    8. Check appropriate box and enter appropriate letter(s) in the 
space(s) provided:

--``New'' means a new assistance award.
--``Continuation'' means an extension for an additional funding/
budget period for a project with a projected completion date.
--``Revision'' means any change in the Federal Government's 
financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing 
obligation.

    9. Name of Federal agency from which assistance is being 
requested with this application.
    10. Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and 
title of the program under which assistance is requested.
    11. Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If more than 
one program is involved, you should append an explanation on a 
separate sheet. If appropriate (e.g., construction or real property 
projects), attach a map showing project location. For 
preapplications, use a separate sheet to provide a summary 
description of this project.
    12. List only the largest political entities affected (e.g., 
State, counties, cities).
    13. Self-explanatory.
    14. List the applicant's Congressional District and any 
District(s) affected by the program or project.
    15. Amount requested or to be contributed during the first 
funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind 
contributions should be included on appropriate lines as applicable. 
If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award, 
indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the 
amounts in parentheses. If both basic and supplemental amounts are 
included, show breakdown on an attached sheet. For multiple program 
funding, use totals and show breakdown using same categories as item 
15.
    16. Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the 
application is subject to the State intergovernmental review 
process.
    17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the 
person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of 
debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.
    18. To be signed by the authorized representative of the 
applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for you to 
sign this application as official representative must be on file in 
the applicant's office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that 
this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

[[Page 36440]]

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[[Page 36441]]

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[[Page 36442]]


BILLING CODE 4184-01-C

Instructions for the SF-424A

General Instructions

    This form is designed so that application can be made for funds 
from one or more grant programs. In preparing the budget, adhere to 
any existing Federal grantor agency guidelines which prescribe how 
and whether budgeted amounts should be separately shown for 
different functions or activities within the program. For some 
programs, grantor agencies may require budgets to be separately 
shown by function or activity. For other programs, grantor agencies 
may require a breakdown by function or activity. Sections A, B, C, 
and D should include budget estimates for the whole project except 
when applying for assistance which requires Federal authorization in 
annual or other funding period increments. In the latter case, 
Sections A, B, C, and D should provide the budget for the first 
budget period (usually a year) and Section E should present the need 
for Federal assistance in the subsequent budget periods. All 
applications should contain a breakdown by the object class 
categories shown in Lines a-k of Section B.

Section A. Budget Summary

Lines 1-4, Columns (a) and (b)

    For applications pertaining to a single Federal grant program 
(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog number) and not requiring a 
functional or activity breakdown, enter on Line 1 under Column (a) 
the catalog program title and the catalog number in Column (b).
    For applications pertaining to a single program requiring budget 
amounts by multiple functions or activities, enter the name of each 
activity or function on each line in Column (a), and enter the 
catalog number in Column (b). For applications pertaining to 
multiple programs where none of the programs require a breakdown by 
function or activity, enter the catalog program title on each line 
in Column (a) and the respective catalog number on each line in 
Column (b).
    For applications pertaining to multiple programs where one or 
more programs require a breakdown by function or activity, prepare a 
separate sheet for each program requiring the breakdown. Additional 
sheets should be used when one form does not provide adequate space 
for all breakdown of data required. However, when more than one 
sheet is used, the first page should provide the summary totals by 
programs.

Lines 1-4, Columns (c) through (g)

    For new applications, leave Columns (c) and (d) blank. For each 
line entry in Columns (a) and (b), enter in Columns (e), (f), and 
(g) the appropriate amounts of funds needed to support the project 
for the first funding period (usually a year).
    For continuing grant program applications, submit these forms 
before the end of each funding period as required by the grantor 
agency. Enter in Columns (c) and (d) the estimated amounts of funds 
which will remain unobligated at the end of the grant funding period 
only if the Federal grantor agency instructions provide for this. 
Otherwise, leave these columns blank. Enter in columns (e) and (f) 
the amounts of funds needed for the upcoming period. The amount(s) 
in Column (g) should be the sum of amounts in Columns (e) and (f).
    For supplemental grants and changes to existing grants, do not 
use Columns (c) and (d). Enter in Column (e) the amount of the 
increase or decrease of Federal funds and enter in Column (f) the 
amount of the increase or decrease of non-Federal funds. In Column 
(g) enter the new total budgeted amount (Federal and non-Federal) 
which includes the total previous authorized budgeted amounts plus 
or minus, as appropriate, the amounts shown in Columns (e) and (f). 
The amount(s) in Column (g) should not equal the sum of amounts in 
Columns (e) and (f).
    Line 5--Show the totals for all columns used.

Section B. Budget Categories

    In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles of the 
same programs, functions, and activities shown on Lines 1-4, Column 
(a), Section A. When additional sheets are prepared for Section A, 
provide similar column headings on each sheet. For each program, 
function, or activity, fill in the total requirements for funds 
(both Federal and non-Federal) by object class categories.
    Lines 6a-i--Show the totals of Lines 6a to 6h in each column.
    Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost.
    Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j. For all 
applications for new grants and continuation grants the total amount 
in column (5), Line 6k, should be the same as the total amount shown 
in Section A, Column (g), Line 5. For supplemental grants and 
changes to grants, the total amount of the increase or decrease as 
shown in Columns (1)-(4), Line 6k should be the same as the sum of 
the amounts in Section A, Columns (e) and (f) on Line 5.
    Line 7--Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected 
to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this 
amount from the total project amount. Show under the program 
narrative statement the nature and source of income. The estimated 
amount of program income may be considered by the federal grantor 
agency in determining the total amount of the grant.

Section C. Non-Federal-Resources

    Line 8-11--Enter amounts of non-Federal resources that will be 
used on the grant. If in-kind contributions are included, provide a 
brief explanation on a separate sheet.
    Column (a)--Enter the program titles identical to Column (a) 
Section A. A breakdown by functions or activity is not necessary.
    Column (b)--Enter the contribution to be made by the applicant.
    Column (c)--Enter the amount of the State's cash and in-kind 
contribution if the applicant is not a State or State agency. 
Applicants which are a State or State agencies should leave this 
column blank.
    Column (d)--Enter the amount of cash and in kind contributions 
to be made from all other sources.
    Column (e)--Enter totals of Columns (b), (c), and (d).
    Line 12--Enter the total for each of Columns (b)-(e). The amount 
in Column (e) should be equal to the amount of Line 5, Column (f), 
Section A.

Section D. Forecasted Cash Needs

    Line 13--Enter the amount of cash needed by quarter from the 
grantor agency during the first year.
    Line 14--Enter the amount of cash from all other sources needed 
by quarter during the first year.
    Line 15--Enter the totals of amounts on Lines 13 and 14.

Section E. Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of 
the Project

    Line 16-19--Enter in Column (a) the same grant program titles 
shown in Column (a), Section A. A breakdown by function or activity 
is not necessary. For new applications and continuation grant 
applications, enter in the proper columns amounts of Federal funds 
which will be needed to complete the program or project over the 
succeeding funding periods (usually in years). This section need not 
be completed for revisions (amendments, changes, or supplements) to 
funds for the current year of existing grants.
    If more than four lines are needed to list the program titles, 
submit additional schedules as necessary.
    Line 20--Enter the total for each of the Columns (b)-(e). When 
additional schedules are prepared for this Section, annotate 
accordingly and show the overall totals on this line.

Section F. Other Budget Information

    Line 21--Use this space to explain amounts for individual direct 
object-class cost categories that may appear to be out of the 
ordinary or to explain the details as required by the Federal 
grantor agency.
    Line 22--Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional, 
predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect during the 
funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which the rate 
is applied, and the total indirect expense.
    Line 23--Provide any other explanations or comments deemed 
necessary.

Assurances--Non-Construction Programs

    Note: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your 
project or program. If you have questions, please contact the 
awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may 
require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is 
the case, you will be notified.

    As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I 
certify that the applicant:
    1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and 
the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including 
funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to 
ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project 
described in this application.
    2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the 
United States, and if appropriate, the State, through any

[[Page 36443]]

authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all 
records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will 
establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting standards or agency directives.
    3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using 
their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the 
appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or 
personal gain.
    4. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable 
time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.
    5. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 
(42 U.S.C. Secs. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for 
merit systems for programs funded under one of the nineteen statutes 
or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for Merit 
System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).
    6. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to 
nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits 
discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) 
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 
Secs. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on 
the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), which prohibits discrimination on 
the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. Secs. 6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination 
on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 
1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended relating to nondiscrimination on the 
basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and 
Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 
(P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the 
basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) Secs. 523 and 527 of the 
Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. 290 dd-3 and 290 ee-3), 
as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse 
patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 
U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination 
in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other 
nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which 
application for Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the 
requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may 
apply to the application.
    7. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements 
of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real 
Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which 
provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or 
whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or federally 
assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real 
property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal 
participation in purchases.
    8. Will comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 
Secs. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities 
of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in 
whole or in part with Federal funds.
    9. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-
Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Secs. 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 
U.S.C. Sec. 276c and 18 U.S.C. Secs. 874), and the Contract Work 
Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. Secs. 327-333), regarding 
labor standards for federally assisted construction subagreements.
    10. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase 
requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act 
of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood 
hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood 
insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and 
acquisition is $10,000 or more.
    11. Will comply with environmental standards which may be 
prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of 
environmental quality control measures under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order 
(EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 
11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) 
evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 
11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State 
management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of 
Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under 
Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
Sec. 7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of 
drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as 
amended, (P.L. 93-523); and (h) protection of endangered species 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93-205).
    12. Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 
U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1271 et seq.), related to protecting components or 
potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.
    13. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of 
historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic 
Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.).
    14. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of 
human subjects involved in research, development, and related 
activities supported by this award assistance.
    15. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 
(P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the 
care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for 
research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of 
assistance.
    16. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention 
Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of 
lead based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence 
structures.
    17. Will cause to be performed the required financial and 
compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 1984.
    18. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other 
Federal laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing 
this program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of Authorized Certifying Official

Title------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicant Organization-------------------------------------------------
Date Submitted---------------------------------------------------------

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

[[Page 36444]]

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[[Page 36445]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10JY96.004



BILLING CODE 4184-01-C

[[Page 36446]]

Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions

    By signing and submitting this proposal, the applicant, defined 
as the primary participant in accordance with 45 CFR Part 76, 
certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its 
principals:
    (a) are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for 
debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered 
transactions by any Federal Department or agency;
    (b) have not within a 3-year period preceding this proposal been 
convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for 
obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, 
State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; 
violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of 
embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction 
of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.
    (c) are not presently indicted or otherwise criminally or 
civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State or local) 
with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph 
(1)(b) of this certification; and
    (d) have not within a 3-year period preceding this application/
proposal had one or more public transactions (Federal, State or 
local) terminated for cause or default.
    The inability of a person to provide the certification required 
above will not necessarily result in denial of participation in this 
covered transaction. If necessary, the prospective participant shall 
submit an explanation of why it cannot provide the certification. 
The certification or explanation will be considered in connection 
with the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) 
determination whether to enter into this transaction. However, 
failure of the prospective primary participant to furnish a 
certification or an explanation shall disqualify such person from 
participation in this transaction.
    The prospective primary participant agrees that by submitting 
this proposal, it will include the clause entitled ``Certification 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary 
Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions'' provided below without 
modification in all lower tier covered transactions and in all 
solicitations for lower tier covered transactions.

Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions

(To Be Supplied to Lower Tier Participants)

    By signing and submitting this lower tier proposal, the 
prospective lower tier participant, as defined in 45 CFR Part 76, 
certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its 
principals:
    (a) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for 
debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from 
participation in this transaction by any federal department or 
agency.
    (b) Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to 
certify to any of the above, such prospective participant shall 
attach an explanation to this proposal.
    The prospective lower tier participant further agrees by 
submitting this proposal that it will include this clause entitled 
``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and 
Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions'' without 
modification in all lower tier covered transactions and in all 
solicitations for lower tier covered transactions.

Certification Regarding Lobbying--Certification for Contracts, 
Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

    The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge 
and belief, that:
    (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be 
paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, 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 the awarding 
of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making 
of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, 
and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated 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 Federal contract, grant, 
loan or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and 
submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in 
accordance with its instructions.
    (3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
certification be included in the award documents for all subawards 
at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all 
subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.
    This certification is a material representation of fact upon 
which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered 
into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making 
or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not 
more than $100,000 for each such failure.

State for Loan Guarantee and Loan Insurance

    The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    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 undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL 
``Disclosure Form To Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its 
instructions.
    Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the require statement shall 
be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more 
than $100,000 for each such failure.

Signature--------------------------------------------------------------
Title------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization-----------------------------------------------------------
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

[[Page 36447]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10JY96.005



BILLING CODE 4184-01-C

[[Page 36448]]

Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke

    Public Law 103-227, Part C--Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also 
known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Act), requires that smoking 
not be permitted in any portion of any indoor facility owned or 
leased or contracted for by an entity and used routinely or 
regularly for the provision of health, day care, education, or 
library services to children under the age of 18, if the services 
are funded by Federal programs either directly or through State or 
local governments, by Federal grant, contract, loan, or loan 
guarantee. The law does not apply to children's services provided in 
private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid 
funds, and portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol 
treatment. 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 day and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order 
on the responsible entity.
    By signing and submitting this application the applicant/grantee 
certifies that it will comply with the requirements of the Act. The 
applicant/grantee further agrees that it will require the language 
of this certification be included in any subawards which contain 
provisions for children's services and that all subgrantees shall 
certify accordingly.

OMB State Single Point of Contact Listing

Arizona

Joni Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue, 
Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone (602) 280-1315, 
FAX: (602) 280-1305

Arkansas

Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of 
Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 1515 W. 7th St., Room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 
72203, Telephone: (501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206

Alabama

Jon C. Strickland, Alabama Department of Economic and Community 
Affairs, Planning and Economic Development Division, 401 Adams 
Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690, Telephone: (205) 242-5483, 
FAX: (205) 242-5515

California

Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning & Research, 1400 Tenth 
Street, Room 121, Sacrameto, California 95814, Telephone (916) 323-
7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018

Delaware

Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact Executive Department, 
Thomas Collins Building, P.O. Box 1401, Dover, Delaware 19903, 
Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661

District of Columbia

Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants 
Mgmt. & Dev., 717 14th Street, N.W.--Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 
20005, Telephone (202) 727-6554, FAX: (202) 727-1617

Florida

Florida State Clearinghouse, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 
Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, Telephone: (904) 
922-5438, FAX: (904) 487-2899

Georgia

Tom L. Reid, III, Administrator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 254 
Washington Street, S.W.--Room 401J, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334, 
Telephone: (404) 656-3855 or (404) 656-3829, FAX: (404) 656-7938

Illinois

Barbara Beard, State Single Point of Contact, Department of Commerce 
and Community Affairs, 620 East Adams, Springfield, Illinois 62701, 
Telephone (217) 782-1671, FAX: (217) 534-1627

Indiana

Amy Brewer, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, Indianapolis, 
Indiana 46204, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: (317) 233-3323

Iowa

Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department 
of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 
50309, Telephone (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4859

Kentucky

Ronald W. Cook, Office of the Governor, Department of Local 
Government, 1024 Capitol Center Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-
8204, Telephone: (502) 573-2382, FAX: (502) 573-2512

Maine

Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, State House Station #38, 
Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: (207) 287-6489

Maryland

William G. Carroll, Manager, State Clearinghouse for 
Intergovernmental Assistance, Maryland Office of Planning, 301 W. 
Preston Street--Room 1104, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2365, Staff 
Contact: Linda Janey, Telephone (410) 225-4490, FAX: (410) 225-4480

Michigan

Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 1900 
Edison Plaza, 660 Plaza Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: 
(313) 961-4266

Mississippi

Cathy Malette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202-
3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX: (601) 359-6764

Missouri

Lois Pohl, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office of 
Administration, P.O. Box 809, Room 760, Truman Building, Jefferson 
City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (314) 751-4834, FAX: (314) 751-7819

Nevada

Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse, Capitol Complex, 
Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-4065, FAX: (702) 
687-3983

New Hampshire

Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning, 
Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process, Mike Blake, 2\1/2\ Beacon 
Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, Telephone: (603) 271-2155, 
FAX: (603) 271-1728

New Jersey

Gregory W. Adkins, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department of 
Community Affairs, Please direct all correspondence and questions 
about intergovernmental review to: Andrew J. Jaskolka, State Review 
Process, Intergovernmental Review Unit CN 800, Room 813A,Trenton, 
New Jersey 08625-0800, Telephone: (609) 292-9025, FAX: (609) 633-
2132

New Mexico

Robert Peters, State Budget Division, Room 190 Bataan Memorial 
Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-3640

New York

New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget, State Capitol, 
Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605,

North Carolina

Chrys Baggett, Director, N.C. State Clearinghouse, Office of the 
Secretary of Admin., 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 
27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX: (919) 733-9571

North Dakota

North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of Intergovernmental 
Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-
0170, Telephone: (701) 224-2094, FAX: (701) 224-2308

Ohio

Larry Weaver, State Single Point of Contact, State Clearinghouse, 
Office of Budget and Management, 30 East Broad Street, 34th Floor, 
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0411. Please direct correspondence and 
questions about intergovernmental review to: Linda Wise, Telephone: 
(614) 466-0698, FAX: (614) 466-5400

Rhode Island

Daniel W. Varin, Associate Director, Department of Administration/
Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th Floor, Providence, Rhode 
Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 277-2656, FAX: (401) 277-2083; 
Please direct correspondence and questions to: Review Coordinator, 
Office of Strategic Planning

South Carolina

Omeagia Burgess, State Single Point of Contact, Grant Services, 
Office of the Governor, 1205 Pendleton Street--Room 477, Columbia, 
South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803) 734-0385

[[Page 36449]]

Texas

Tom Adams, Governor's Office, Director, Intergovernmental 
Coordination, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711, Telephone: (512) 
463-1771, FAX: (512) 463-1880

Utah

Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and 
Budget, Room 116, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, 
Telephone: (801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547

Vermont

Nancy McAvoy, State Single Point of Contact, Pavilion Office 
Building, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609, Telephone: 
(802) 828-3326, FAX: (802) 828-3339

West Virginia

Fred Cutlip, Director, Community Development Division, W. Virginia 
Development Office, Building #6, Room 553, Charleston, West Virginia 
25305, Telephone: (304) 558-4010, FAX: (304) 558-3248

Wisconsin

Martha Kerner, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin 
Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street--6th Floor, 
P.O. Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-2125, 
FAX: (608) 267-6931

Wyoming

Sheryl Jeffries, State Single Point of Contact, Herschler Building 
4th Floor, East Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, Telephone: (307) 777-
7574, FAX: (307) 638-8967

Territories

Guam

Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and 
Management Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, 
Guam 96910, Telephone: 011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825

Puerto Rico

Norma Burgos/Jose E. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning 
Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center, 
P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 
727-4444, (809) 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270, (809) 724-3103

North Mariana Islands

State Single Point of Contact, Planning and Budget Office, Office of 
the Governor, Saipan, CM, Northern Mariana Islands 96950

Virgin Islands

Jose George, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 
Norregade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, 
Virgin Islands 00802, Please direct all questions and correspondence 
about intergovernmental review to: Linda Clarke, Telephone: (809) 
774-0750, FAX: (809) 776-0069

[FR Doc. 96-17284 Filed 7-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P