[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



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The President's Crime Prevention Council; Ounce of Prevention Grant 
Program; Notice

  Federal Register  /  Vol. 62, No. 12  /  Friday, January 17, 1997  /  
Notices  

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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.

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    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.

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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