[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 12 (Friday, January 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2886-2889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1272]
[[Page 2885]]
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Part VI
Ounce of Prevention Council
Department of Justice
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
_______________________________________________________________________
The President's Crime Prevention Council; Ounce of Prevention Grant
Program; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 12 / Friday, January 17, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 2886]]
OUNCE OF PREVENTION COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
[OJP(OJJDP) No. 1111]
[ZRIN No. 1121-ZA58]
The President's Crime Prevention Council; Ounce of Prevention
Grant Program: Notice of Funding Availability for Youth Substance Use
Prevention Program and Notice of Evaluation
AGENCIES: Ounce of Prevention Council (The President's Crime Prevention
Council) and the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice
Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
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SUMMARY: The President's Crime Prevention Council (``Council'') and the
United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (``OJJDP'') are announcing that the Fiscal Year
1996 grant program has up to $1 million available to assist community-
based, youth-led, and grassroots organizations that sponsor activities
designed to combat youth drug and alcohol use.
DATES: The application period for funding under this grant program is
60 days and runs from January 17, 1997 through March 18, 1997. The
deadline date for submission of an application is on or before 5:00 pm,
Eastern Standard Time, on March 18, 1997.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
(1) To have the Application Kit or a copy of this Notice of Funding
Availability (NOFA) faxed or mailed to you, CALL OJJDP's Juvenile
Justice Clearinghouse at 800-638-8736.
(2) If you have questions about the grant program or need
assistance in completing the Application Kit, you may CALL the
Department of Justice Response Center at 800-421-6770.
(3) All required forms and documentation must be submitted by the
application deadline to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, c/o Juvenile Justice Resource Center, 1600 Research
Boulevard, Mail Stop 2K, Rockville, MD 20850. No faxes accepted.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Letter From the Vice President
Dear Friend:
As Chair of the President's Crime Prevention Council, I am pleased
to announce the Fiscal Year 1996 Ounce of Prevention Grant Program. You
are being notified, along with others, because of your commitment to
the prevention of youth drug and alcohol use.
As you know, drug and alcohol use is a significant problem among
youth today. Traditional, adult-managed substance use prevention
programs do not always address youth-specific problems. Youth may
respond more favorably to substance use prevention programs, however,
if other young people from the same community play substantial and
meaningful roles in such programs. Based on this belief, the Ounce of
Prevention Grant Program targets youth-led organizations. Specifically,
the program requires that young people between the ages of 12 and 21
hold significant policy or management positions within the proposed
projects. More youth leadership and participation may yield better
program results--with a goal of preventing the nation's young people
from turning to drugs and alcohol.
The members of the President's Crime Prevention Council and I hope
you will consider applying for a grant under this competition. It was
created--with you and your colleagues in mind--to provide assistance to
those organizations involved with drug and alcohol prevention
initiatives. Please share this information with others who may be
interested. For additional announcements and applications, call toll-
free at 800-638-8736.
Thank you for your commitment to our nation's youth. Together we
can continue to help communities and families fight drug and alcohol
use by our young people.
Sincerely,
Al Gore.
II. Overview of the Ounce of Prevention Grants
A. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are organizations that
(1) have at least 50 percent of their management or policy positions
staffed by youth (between the ages of 12 and 21); (2) have been in
operation for at least three years: (3) show that they do not expect to
expend more than 15 percent of their total budget on administrative
costs; (4) fund, on their own, 25 percent of the cost of the proposed
activities; (5) are located in an economically distressed area; and (6)
meet other eligibility requirements.
B. Award Amount: The Council and OJJDP may award up to $1 million
in grant funds. Up to $100,000 per program is available for this
program.
The Council and OJJDP retain the right to award more or less than
$1 million and to continue this grant program beyond the prescribed
award period set forth below, based upon the quality of the
applications, grantee performance, and the availability of funds.
C. Award Period: The grant awards will be for a 12-month period.
III. Background
A. Drug and alcohol use is a significant problem among youth today.
Traditional, adult-managed substance use prevention programs do not
always address youth-specific problems. The Ounce of Prevention Grant
Program is in response to this concern and supports the
Administration's strong commitment to reverse the tide of youth
substance use.
The Council believes that youth may respond more favorably to
substance use prevention programs if other young people from the same
community play substantial and meaningful roles in the management and
operation of such programs. In light of these factors, this grant
program targets organizations that are led by or involve in a
substantial way young people between the ages of 12 and 21.
B. Goal: To enhance or expand existing youth-led activities that
prevent substance use among youth. Such activities should seek to meet
the following prevention goals:
(1) increase collaboration between community-based, youth-serving
and youth-led groups and law enforcement, schools, houses of worship,
health-care providers, cultural organizations, and government;
(2) assist and empower youth to help solve problems that affect
them; and
(3) promote personal growth and social responsibility among our
young people.
C. Program Strategy: This grant program will help fund youth-led
activities devoted to helping youth combat substance use. If your
organization has more than one mission, the component of your
organization that focuses on youth substance use--or the entire
organization--is eligible to apply for this grant. Proposed activities
shall consist of specific, concrete services, including, but not
limited to, peer-to-peer mentoring; counseling; parent involvement; and
leadership development. These activities must include a specific plan
to meet the substance use prevention goals identified above. For
example, an applicant's goal might be to increase enrollment in its
substance use prevention classes by 30 percent.
[[Page 2887]]
D. Eligibility Requirements: Applications will be accepted only if
they meet all of the following five criteria:
(1) Youth-Led/Youth-Involved Organizations and Activities. The
applicant must have at least 50 percent of their management or policy
positions staffed by youth (between the ages of 12 and 21) for the
proposed program. Such organizations include, but are not limited to
school clubs, community groups, and programs administered through
houses of worship, local agencies, and private non-profits.
(2) Partnership with a Local Unit of Government or Established
Entity. The applicant must be a legally constituted non-profit
organization or must jointly apply with a legal entity (i.e., Indian
tribal government, city, county, or other municipality; a school board;
a college or university; a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; or
a consortium of the aforementioned entities). Where the youth-led
organization is not a legally constituted non-profit organization, the
co-applicant shall be designated as the grant recipient and
administering entity. The youth-led organization may be affiliated with
or be part of a larger network of community organizations or
foundations, but may not pay dues to or receive a majority of its
funding from or through a national organization unless it is the sole
provider for a large geographical area.
(3) Required Length of Existence. The applicant must have been
continuously operational for at least three years.
(4) Substance Use Prevention Experience. The applicant must have
engaged in activities related to substance use prevention activities
for at least one year.
(5) Geographic Location. The applicant must be located within one
of the following areas:
(a) a census tract with a poverty rate of 25 percent or more;
(b) a census tract that (a) has a population under 2,000 or is
zoned for at least 75 percent industrial or commercial use and (b) is
located next to a census tract with a poverty rate of at least 25
percent; or
(c) a locale designated as a Federal Empowerment Zone, Supplemental
Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community or Enhanced Enterprise
Community.
Applicants may determine whether they are located in one of these
geographic areas by calling 800-998-9999 and giving their address and
zip code, or by accessing the electronic locator map on the World Wide
Web at http://www.caliper.com/hud (then type in your street address and
zip code).
E. Criteria for Review and Selection of Grant Applicant: The
application review and evaluation process consists of three levels.
First, all applications will be screened to determine if they meet the
eligibility requirements. Second, those applications that meet the
eligibility requirements will be evaluated and rated by a peer review
panel consisting of experts in the field of youth drug and alcohol use.
Third, the Council's review panel will evaluate the applications rated
most highly by the peer review panel and will make final
recommendations to the Council and OJJDP based on the criteria and
geographic distribution factors.
Applications will be judged on a 100-point scale based on the
following criteria:
(1) Problems to be Addressed (5 points). Applicants must concisely
describe the nature and extent of the specific drug and alcohol
problems in their community and provide a discussion of the possible
causes of these problems. For example, applicants might state that lack
of adult supervision and adequate recreational opportunities contribute
to underage drinking.
(2) Goals and Objectives (10 points). Applicants must provide a
clear discussion of the project goals and objectives as they relate to
the stated problems. In developing the project goals and objectives,
applicants should consider, ``If this program is successful, what will
be different about the stated problems (project goals), and what will
need to be done (project objectives) to make these changes occur?''
Applicants must provide clearly stated goals and objectives that
logically address the problems described in section (1). For example,
one of your project objectives may be to expand your mentoring or peer
counseling program to service an additional 100 youth to address the
lack of adult supervision.
(3) Program Design (25 points). Applicants must provide a detailed
description of the proposed project activities and how these activities
will achieve the goals and objectives specified in section (2).
The proposed activities should be practical and achievable.
Applicants must present a plan that lays out how the proposed project
activities will lead to achieving the goals and objectives and how work
requirements will be met. This activity plan should demonstrate
creativity in your approaches for engaging young people and combating
substance use. For example, if you intend to expand your outreach
services to seven additional youth recreation centers, you should
describe exactly how you will go about expanding those services to
achieve that project objective.
In addition, the Program Design must specifically describe how you
will monitor progress toward achieving your goals and objectives,
including the types of information you will collect and how you will
collect it, so that you know the program is on track and working. For
example, in order to measure whether you actually expanded your
outreach services as described, you will need to compare the number of
recreation centers involved before and after the project.
(4) Management and Organizational Capability (25 points).
Applicants must indicate how long their organization has been in
existence and demonstrate that their management, staffing, and
experience are adequate and appropriate to implement and complete the
project successfully, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Applicants
must show that youth (individuals between the ages of 12 and 21) hold
at least 50 percent of the management or policy positions in the
operation of the component that will manage this project. In order to
determine the extent of youth involvement, applicants must provide the
job descriptions and current background information, including age
information, for all key staff members.
(5) Collaboration (15 points). Preference shall be given to
applicants that have a history of collaboration and are part of a
coalition of a broad spectrum of community-based and social service
organizations. Applications must show a coordinated approach to
reducing the effects of substance use and providing alternatives for
at-risk youth. Applicants must show how such collaboration and
participation have enhanced their youth drug or alcohol prevention
activities. For example, applicants might describe their collaboration
with local law enforcement officials on a particular activity.
(6) Budget (20 points). Applicants must submit a detailed,
reasonable, and cost-effective budget for the proposed program and
evaluation activities. In addition, applicants must submit a budget
narrative that describes and justifies proposed program and evaluation
activities and costs. Administrative costs (defined as costs for non-
program items, such as salaries, operation of space and property, and
office supplies unrelated to the program) must not exceed 15 percent of
the applicant's total budget.
Grant award amounts may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of
an applicant's activities for the 12-month
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grant term. To meet this requirement, applicants must demonstrate that
they will provide, from a source other than the grant program, 25
percent of their total cost in-kind (non-cash equivalent) for the
proposed activities for this 12-month period.
The Council and OJJDP retain the right to waive the 15 percent
minimum administrative budget requirement and/or the 25 percent non-
federal share requirement upon demonstration of compelling financial
hardship or need. Documentation may include financial statements about
your organization's need for the waiver, including a supporting written
report.
IV. Application Requirements
A. Page Limitation and Format: The narrative portion of the
application, exclusive of appendices and exhibits, is strictly limited
to 25 double-spaced pages in length, and must be submitted on 8\1/2\-
by 11-inch paper, double-spaced on one side of the paper in a standard
10- or 12-point font.
Appendices shall be limited to the following three items:
Appendix A: Listing of individuals, their affiliations, signatures, and
contact information for the persons participating in the development of
this proposal.
Appendix B: Legislation, executive orders, memoranda of understanding,
and other formal commitments of bona fide partnerships (e.g., combined
funding or procedures for service coordination). Documentation should
be provided.
Appendix C: Staff background information and position descriptions.
B. Application Instructions and Contact Information: To apply for
this program, you must complete an Application Kit which includes
detailed instructions, forms, checklists, worksheets, and application
forms. To have the Application Kit or a copy of this Notice of Funding
Availability (NOFA) faxed to you, CALL OJJDP's Juvenile Justice
Clearinghouse at 800-638-8736, select option #1 for automated ordering
services, then select option #2 for fax on demand, then select document
#9023 for the Application Kit and/or document #9021 for the NOFA. Note:
When you call, you will be asked to give a customer number. If you do
not have one, be prepared to answer a few survey questions.
To have a copy of this NOFA and/or an Application Kit mailed to
you, CALL 800-638-8736, select option #2 for publication ordering, then
request publication #SL 000188 for the Application Kit and/or
publication #SL 000186 for the NOFA.
If you have questions about the grant program or need assistance in
completing the Application Kit, you may CALL the Department of Justice
Response Center at the toll free number, 800-421-6770, Monday through
Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
C. Application Submission and Deadline: All required forms and
documentation must be submitted by the application deadline to the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, c/o Juvenile
Justice Resource Center, 1600 Research Boulevard, Mail Stop 2K,
Rockville, MD 20850. (The following telephone number is to be used only
for sending an express package: 301-251-5535). Note: In the lower left-
hand corner of the envelope, you must clearly write ``Substance Use
Prevention Program.'' All applications must be received, not
postmarked, by the submission deadline.
The application period for funding under this grant program is 60
days and runs from January 17, 1997 through March 18, 1997. The
deadline date for submission of an application is on or before 5:00 pm,
Eastern Standard Time, on March 18, 1997. Applicants are responsible
for ensuring that the original and five copies of the application
package are received at the OJJDP address by that deadline date. No
faxes are allowed.
V. Report and Evaluation Requirements
A. Report Requirement: After awards have been made, grant
recipients will be required to submit, in a form prescribed by OJJDP
grant guidelines and the Council, two reports that describe the
specific use of the grant funds, the activities conducted and the
results and benefits achieved. The reports must be submitted 6 months
and 12 months after the grant recipient receives funding.
B. Evaluation Requirement: Evaluation is a powerful tool that
supports program planning, management, and our understanding of ``what
works'' to prevent youth from using alcohol and drugs. By submitting an
application for the Youth Substance Use Prevention Program, applicants
agree to cooperate fully with the national evaluation that the Council
and OJJDP will conduct (described below). At a minimum, grantees will
be expected to maintain records on how the program is operating and the
extent to which program objectives are being attained, as described in
their Program Design. In addition, grantees will be expected to work
with the national evaluator to develop an evaluation strategy, tailored
to each grantee's program design, and to work with the national
evaluator to collect key program information that will help assess the
extent to which programs are meeting their objectives and achieving
their goals. The types of information collected might include, but are
not limited to: meeting agendas and minutes; attendance lists; client
rosters; chronology of program events; numbers of clients served;
number of contacts made; duration and frequency of prevention
activities, for example, one hour per week for six weeks; etcetera.
VI. National Evaluation NOFA
OJJDP and the Council are ensuring that a thorough national
evaluation of the Ounce of Prevention's Youth Substance Use Prevention
Grant Program is conducted by an outside evaluator. OJJDP and the
Council are announcing the availability of funding for a national
evaluation of the Grant Program and will publish the Notice of Funding
Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register at a later date. The
purpose of this evaluation will be to document and analyze the process
of the youth-involvement collaboration and substance use prevention
activities that have taken place during the course of the program.
The Council and OJJDP will invite applications from public and
private agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals who can
demonstrate that they have experience in the design and implementation
of this type of evaluation. Joint applications from two or more
eligible applicants are welcome provided one is designated primary
applicant and the other a co-applicant. Applicants will be asked to
demonstrate their technical knowledge of evaluation methods and tools;
their practical knowledge of substance use prevention among juveniles;
and their skills for assisting those who must develop and make
decisions about program directions. To have the Application Kit or the
Evaluation Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) faxed to you, call
OJJDP's Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse at 800-638-8736, select option
#1 for automated ordering services, then select option #2 for fax on
demand, then select document #9023 for the Application Kit and/or
document #9022 for the Evaluation NOFA.
To have the Application Kit or the Evaluation NOFA mailed to you,
call 800-638-8736, select option #2 for publication ordering, then
request publication #SL 000188 for the Application Kit and/or
publication #SL 000187 for the Evaluation NOFA.
[[Page 2889]]
VII. Additional Information
A. Statutory Authority: Sections 30101 and 30102 of the Violent
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13741)
(``Act'') authorize the Council's ``Ounce of Prevention Grant
Program.'' Pursuant to Section 30101(a)(3) of the Act, the Council has
delegated to OJJDP the authority to administer certain aspects of this
program in consultation with the Council. Authority for OJJDP to
administer this program is found in the Economy Act of 1932, as
amended.
B. Appropriate Use of Grant Funds: The grant funds may not be used
to replace program or administrative services funded by the state,
local, or federal government.
Dated: January 14, 1997.
Nancy Hatamiya,
Chief of Staff, President's Crime Prevention Council.
Shay Bilchik,
Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
References
The following publications may assist in preparing your
application and implementing your program. They are available from
the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse, by calling 800-638-8736, select
option #2 for publication ordering, then reference the NCJ #
associated with each title you want to order.
Delinquency Prevention Works. 1995 (May). Washington, D.C.:
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S.
Department of Justice. NCJ 155006.
Evaluation of Boys and Girls Clubs in Public Housing. 1995
(November). Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S.
Department of Justice. FS 000100.
Howell, J.C., ed. 1995 (May). Guide for Implementing the
Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile
Offenders. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 153681.
Huizinga, D. et al. 1995 (August). Urban Delinquency and
Substance Abuse. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 143454.
Harrell, A. 1996 (April). Intervening with High-Risk Youth,
Preliminary Findings from the Children-at-Risk Program. Washington,
D.C.: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. FS
000140.
Office of National Drug Control Policy. 1996 (February).
National Drug Control Strategy: 1996. Washington, D.C.: Office of
the President. NCJ 160086.
Partnerships To Prevent Youth Violence. 1994 (August).
Washington, D.C.: National Crime Prevention Council and the Bureau
of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 148459.
Preventing Crime and Promoting Responsibility: 50 Programs That
Help Communities Help Their Youth. 1995 (September). Washington,
D.C.: President's Crime Prevention Council. NCJ 158622.
Rosenbaum, D.P. et al. 1994. Community Responses to Drug Abuse:
A Program Evaluation. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of
Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 145945.
Working as Partners With Community Groups. 1994 (September).
Washington, D.C.: National Crime Prevention Council and the Bureau
of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 148458.
[FR Doc. 97-1272 Filed 1-16-97; 9:06 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-18-P