[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9556-9561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4828]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Request for Applications Under the Office of Community Services' 
Fiscal Year 1998 Combined Program Announcement

AGENCY: Office of Community Services, ACF, DHHS

ACTION: Announcement of availability of funds and request for 
applications under the Office of Community Services' Combined Program 
Announcement for FY 1998.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Community Services (OCS) invites eligible 
entities to submit applications for FY 1998 funding of competitive 
grants serving low income persons and families under the following OCS 
programs:

(1) Urban and Rural Community Economic Development
(2) Community Food and Nutrition
(3) Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals
(4) Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Option (REACH) Program
(5) CSBG/Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
(6) Family Violence Prevention and Services

    Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this 
Combined Program Announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome 
of the competition and the availability of funds. There is no limit on 
the number of applications that can be submitted under a specific 
Program/Priority Area as long as each application contains a proposal 
for a different project. However, an applicant can receive only one 
grant in each Program/Priority Area. Also, applicants that receive more 
than one grant for a common budget/project period must be mindful that 
salaries and wages claimed for the same persons cannot collectively 
exceed 100% of total annual salary.

ADDRESSES: Prior to submitting an application, potential applicants 
must obtain a copy of the Application Kit, containing additional 
program information, forms, and instructions. Application Kits are 
available by writing or calling the Office of Community Services at 5th 
Floor West, Aerospace Building, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 
Washington DC 20447.
    To obtain a copy of the applicable Application Kit, call: (202) 
401-9354 and 401-9345 for Community Economic Development, (202) 401-
9354 and 401-9345 for Community Food and Nutrition Kit, (202) 401-1195 
for REACH and/or JOLI Kit (202) 401-4787 for CSBG/T&TA and/or Family 
Violence Kit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for program-specific 
technical information should be directed to the Program Contact Person 
identified for each program covered by this Combined Program 
Announcement.
    A copy of the Federal Register containing this Combined Program 
Announcement is available for reproduction at most local libraries and 
Congressional District Offices. It is also available on the Internet 
through GPO Access at the following web address: http://www.access.gpo/
su__docs/aces/aces140.html
    If this Combined Program Announcement is not available at these 
sources, it may be obtained by writing to the office listed under 
ADDRESSES above.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: The closing dates for submission of applications 
are provided in the Supplementary Information section of this Combined 
Program Announcement. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing 
date will be classified as late. Refer to application submission below 
for other details.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Program Announcements

    Individual Program Announcements for FY 1998 will not be published 
in the Federal Register. Rather, OCS is publishing this Combined 
Program Announcement in the Federal Register. Where applicable, this 
Combined Program Announcement contains the following information for 
each of the above-listed programs: Legislative Authority; Eligible 
Applicants and Availability of Funds; Eligible Activities; Review 
Criteria; Project Period and Budget Period; Type of Awards; Matching 
Requirement; Date of Application Kit; Application Due Date; and Program 
Contact Person. Detailed information on how to obtain Application Kits 
containing additional

[[Page 9557]]

program information, forms, and instructions for preparing and 
submitting applications can be found in the next paragraph.

B. General Instructions

    In order to be considered for a grant under this Combined Program 
Announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied 
and in the manner prescribed by OCS. Detailed descriptions of 
evaluation criteria which will be used to determine award selection is 
contained in the Application Kit. When requesting an Application Kit, 
the applicant must specify the particular Program for which detailed 
information is desired. This is to ensure receipt of all necessary 
forms and information, including any program-specific evaluation 
criteria. Applications Kits for each program include all necessary 
forms and instructions; they are available for reading and downloading 
from the Internet at the OCS Website at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/
programs/ocs

C. Application Submission

    Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are either received on or before the deadline date or 
sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for the 
independent review to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary 
Grants and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 
6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447; with the note ``Attention: [insert Name 
of Program or CFDA #]''. Mailed applications for the REACH program 
should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, 
Division of Community Demonstration Programs, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, 
S.W., 5th Floor West, Washington, D.C. 20447; Attention: Application 
for REACH Program.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial 
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark 
from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the 
commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package 
was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant. 
Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely 
mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.)
    Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant 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., EST, at the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution, 
ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding 
Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/ package 
containing the application with the note ``Attention: [insert Program 
Name or CFDA #]''. (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 transmitted to ACF electronically 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 application deadlines when circumstances such as 
acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are 
widespread disruptions of the mail service. Determinations to extend or 
waive deadline requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management 
Officer.

D. Programs Included in This Combined Program Announcement

    Pertinent information of concern for potential applicants for each 
of the above-listed programs is set forth below:

1. Urban and Rural Community Economic Development (CFDA # 93.570)

    Deadline Date: May 15, 1998.
    (A) Legislative Authority: Section 681(a) and 681(b)
    (2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act, as amended.
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is 
authorized to make funds available to support program activities of 
national or regional significance to alleviate the causes of poverty in 
distressed communities with special emphasis on community and economic 
development activities:

(1) Operational Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.1)

    Funds are awarded for the purpose of providing employment and 
ownership opportunities for low-income people through business, 
physical or commercial development. Eligible applicants are private, 
locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations 
(CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the 
community and business and civic leaders which has as a principal 
purpose planning, developing, or managing low income housing or 
community development projects.
    Funds Available: $17,000,000. Approximately 25 grants will be 
awarded competitively.

(2) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Sub-Priority Area 
1.2)

    Funds are awarded to CDCs in conjunction with HBCUs for the 
purposes stated above. The CDC must partner with an HBCU and the HBCU 
must play a significant role in the project. Maximum grant award will 
not exceed $350,000. Funds Available: $2,100,000. Approximately 6 
grants will be awarded competitively.

(3) Pre-Development Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.3)

    Funds are provided to recently established CDCs which need funds 
for evaluating the feasibility of potential projects which address 
identified needs in low income communities, develop a business plan 
related to one of those projects, and mobilize resources to be 
contributed to one of those projects. Eligible applicants are private, 
locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations 
(CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the 
community and business and civic leaders. In addition, the CDCs must 
not have received prior OCS funding; have been in existence for no more 
than 3 years or have been in existence longer than 3 years, but have no 
record of participating in economic development-type projects. Maximum 
grant award will not exceed $75,000. Funds Available: $750,000. 
Approximately 10 grants will be awarded competitively.

(4) Developmental Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.4)

    Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a 
competitive process to provide employment and community

[[Page 9558]]

development opportunities for low income individuals through business, 
physical or commercial development. Maximum grant award will not exceed 
$250,000. Eligible applicants are organizations which received pre-
development grants from OCS in FY 1995 and FY 1996.
    Funds Available: $2,500,000. Approximately 10 grants will be 
awarded competitively.

(5) Administration and Management Expertise (Sub-Priority Area 1.5)

    Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a 
competitive process to provide administrative and management expertise 
to OCS funded grantees who have less experience in dealing with the 
day-to-day issues and challenges presented in promoting community 
economic development as well as to those grantees who have encountered 
difficulties in operationalizing their work program. Eligible 
applicants are OCS funded grantees that have completed several 
successful projects.
    Funds Available: $500,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded 
competitively.

(6) Training and Technical Assistance (Sub-Priority Area 1.6)

    Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a 
competitive process to develop instructional programs, national 
conferences, seminars, and other activities to assist community 
development corporations (CDCs). Eligible applicants are private non-
profit organizations. Applicants must operate on a national basis and 
have significant and relevant experience in working with CDCs. Funds 
Available: $210,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded 
competitively.
Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 
1.1, 1.2, and 1.4
    (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and 
Staff Responsibilities.
    (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-15 points).
    (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).
    (c) Criterion III: Project Implementation (Maximum: 25 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact.
    (i) Significant and Beneficial Impact (0-5 points).
    (ii) Community Empowerment Consideration and Partnership with Child 
Support Enforcement Agency (0-5 points).
    (iii) Cost-per-Job (0-5 points).
    (iv) Career Development Opportunities (0-5 points).
    (e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships.
    (i) Mobilization of resources: (15 points).
    (ii) Integration/coordination of services: (5 points).
    (f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness 
(Maximum: 5 points).
Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.3
    (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 15 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Organizational Capability and Capacity.
    (i) Organizational experience in program area (5 points).
    (ii) Management capacity (5 points).
    (iii) Staffing (5 points).
    (iv) Staffing responsibilities (5 points).
    (c) Criterion III: Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation.
    (i) Project implementation component (25 points).
    (ii) Evaluation component (5 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25 
Points).
    (e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness 
(Maximum: 10 points).
Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.5
    (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and 
Staff Responsibilities.
    (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-10 points).
    (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points).
    (c) Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 30 
points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Public Private Partnerships (15 Points).
    (e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness 
(Maximum: 5 points).
Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 1.6
    (a) Criterion I: Need for Assistance (Maximum: 10 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and 
Staff Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points).
    (i) Organizational Experience.
    (ii) Staff Skills.
    (c) Criterion III: Work Plan (Maximum 35 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25 
points).
    (e) Criterion V: Budget Reasonableness (Maximum: 10 points).

(7) Rural Community Development Activities (Sub-Priority 2.0)

    Funds are provided to help low income rural communities develop the 
capability and expertise to establish and/or maintain affordable, 
adequate and safe water and waste water treatment facilities. Eligible 
applicants are multi-state, regional private non-profit organizations 
that can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural 
communities in meeting their community facility needs. Funds Available: 
$3,500,000. Approximately 8 grants will be awarded competitively.
Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 2.0
    (a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and 
Staff Responsibilities.
    (i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-5 points).
    (ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).
    (c) Criterion III: Project Implementation (Maximum: 25 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 30 
points).
    (e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 20 points).
    (f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness 
(Maximum: 5 points).
    (C) Project Periods and Budget Periods: Refer to Application Kit 
for details.
    (D) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (E) Date of Application Kit: March 16, 1998.
    (F) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May 
15, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in 
the Application Kit.
    (G) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

2. Community Food and Nutrition (CFN) (CFDA # 93.571)

    Deadline Date: May 1, 1998.
    (A) Legislative Authority: Section 681A of the CSBG Act; Section 
681A is also known as Community Food and Nutrition, the Community 
Services Block Grant Act, as amended.
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible 
applicants are States and public and private non-profit agencies/

[[Page 9559]]

organizations with a demonstrated ability to successfully develop and 
implement such programs and activities. Funds Available: $1,600,000. 
Approximately 33 grants will be awarded competitively.
    (C) Eligible Activities: The OCS is authorized to make funds 
available for the purpose of coordinating existing private and public 
food assistance resources, whenever such coordination is determined to 
be inadequate, to better serve low income populations; assisting low 
income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition 
programs and to initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas; 
and developing innovative approaches to meet the nutrition needs of low 
income people. Funds are provided to improve the health and nutrition 
status of low income persons through improved access to healthy 
nutritious foods or by other means.
    (D) Review Criteria for CFN Applications CRITERION I--Analysis of 
Needs/Priorities.
    (1) Target area and population to be served (0-4 points).
    (2) Nature and extent of problem(s) and/or need(s) to be addressed 
(0-6 points).
    Criterion II--Adequacy of Work Program.
    (1) Realistic quarterly time targets (0-10 points).
    (2) Activities are adequately described and appear reasonably (0-15 
points).
    Criterion III--Significant and Beneficial Impact.
    (a) Applicant proposes to significantly improve or increase 
nutrition services to low-income people and such improvements or 
increases are quantified (0-15 points).
    (b) Project incorporates promotional health and social services 
activities for low-income people, along with nutritional services (0-5 
points).
    (c) Project will significantly leverage or mobilize other community 
resources and such resources are detailed and quantified (0-5 points).
    (d) Project addresses problem(s) which can be resolved by one-time 
OCS funding or demonstrates that non-Federal funding is available to 
continue the project without federal support (0-5 points).
    Criterion IV--Coordination/Services Integration.
    (a) Project shows evidence of coordinated community-based planning 
in its development. (0-10 points).
    (b) Community Empowerment Consideration (0-5 points).
    Criterion V--Organization Experience in Program.
    Area and Staff Responsibilities (Maximum 15 points).
    (a) Organizational experiences in program area. (0-5 points).
    (b) Management History (0-5 points).
    (c) Staffing Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-5 points).
    Criterion VI--Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points).
    (E) Project Period and Budget Period: For most projects, OCS will 
grant funds for 1 year. However, in rare instances, depending on the 
characteristics of any individual project and on the justification 
presented by the applicant in its application, a grant may be made for 
up to 17 months..
    (F) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.
    (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May 1, 
1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the 
Application Kit.
    (I) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

3. Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) (CFDA # 93-593)

    Deadline Date: May 18, 1998.
    (A) Legislative Authority: Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 
1988, Public Law 100-485, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of DHHS 
to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations (including 
community development corporations) for the purpose of conducting 
projects designed to create employment and business opportunities for 
certain low income individuals. The Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, 
reauthorized Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988 with certain 
amendments effective July 1, l997.
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Applicants 
eligible to apply for grants under the JOLI program must be not-for-
profit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or 
(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants are encouraged to mobilize 
resources. Funds Available: $5,500,000. Approximately 5 to 10 grants 
will be awarded. JOLI grant awards are approved for up to 5 year 
project periods and are funded for up to a maximum of $500,000 for the 
full project period.
    (C) Eligible Activities: Projects funded under the JOLI Program are 
for the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities, through 
micro-business/ self-employment, the start-up of a new business, or the 
expansion of an existing business. Project activities may include 
training, technical assistance, and support of participants to enable 
them successfully to fill such jobs; but proposed projects for the 
training and placement of low income individuals in already existing 
jobs or jobs expected to be available independent of any job creation 
activity of the proposed project, will not be considered for funding.
    (D) Review Criteria for JOLI Applications.
    (1) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and 
Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points).
    (2) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30 
points).
    (3) Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 20 
points).
    (4) Criterion IV: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 15 points).
    (5) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 10 points).
    (6) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness 
(Maximum: 5 points).
    (E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: Refer to Application Kit 
for details.
    (F) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.
    (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 
18, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in 
the Application Kit.
    (I) Program Contact Person: Nolan Lewis (202) 401-5282 or Richard 
Saul (202) 401-9341.

4. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (REACH) Option Program (CFDA 
# 93.568) Deadline Date: May 25, 1998.

    (A) Legislative Authority: Section 2607B of the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Act, Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as amended [42 U.S.C. 8626b].
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible 
applicants are States, Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations 
(including Alaskan Native Villages), and Insular Areas that receive 
direct grants from the Department of HHS under LIHEAP which are 
expended for implementing a LIHEAP program. Funds are awarded to LIHEAP 
grantees on the basis of a competitive application process. Funds 
available: $6,250,000. Up to 10 grants will be awarded competitively to 
States under Priority Area 1.0. Approximately 4 to 12 grants will be 
awarded competitively to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations under 
Priority Area 2.0.

[[Page 9560]]

    (C) Eligible Activities: The OCS is authorized to provide 
competitive grants to LIHEAP grantees that develop innovative programs, 
administered by community-based organizations, to reduce the energy 
vulnerability of LIHEAP-eligible households.
    (D) Program Priority Areas: Under Priority Area 1.0, funds will be 
awarded to States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for REACH 
projects administered by non-profit Community Based Organizations, with 
a priority given to Community Action Agencies and other eligible 
entities under Section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act 
[42 U.S.C. 9902(1)]. Under Priority Area 2.0, funds will be awarded to 
Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations and other Insular Areas.
    (E) Review Criteria for REACH Plans.
    Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans 
under Priority Area 1.0 (States, District of Columbia, and Puerto 
Rico).
    (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum: 
20 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30 
points).
    (c) Criterion III: Holistic Program Strategies, Mobilization of 
Resources, and Project Innovations (Maximum: 10 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points).
    (e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10 
points).
    (f) Criterion VI: Community Empowerment Consideration (Maximum: 5 
points).
    (g) Criterion VII: Management and Organization of Project (Maximum: 
5 points).
    (h) Criterion VIII: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points).
    Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans 
under Priority Area 2.0 (Tribes and Insular Areas other than Puerto 
Rico).
    (a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum: 
10 points).
    (b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 50 
points).
    (c) Criterion III: Management and Organization of Project (Maximum: 
10 points).
    (d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points).
    (e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10 
points).
    (f) Criterion VI: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points).
    (F) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (G) Date of Application Kit: February 23, 1998.
    (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 
25, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in 
the Application Kit.
    (I) Program Contact Person: Anna Guidery (202) 401-5318 or Richard 
Saul (202) 401-9341.

5. CSBG Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (CSBG/
T&TA) (CFDA # 93.570) Deadline Date: May 22, 1998.

    (A) Legislative Authority: Section 674(a)(1) of the CSBG Act.
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is 
authorized to make grants and award contracts to eligible entities, 
organizations whose membership is composed of CSBG-eligible entities or 
agencies that administer programs for CSBG-eligible entities.
    Funds available: Approximately $3.6 million. Approximately 35 
grants will be awarded competitively.
    (C) Program Priority Areas: Refer to Application Kit for details.
    (D) Review Criteria for CSBG/T&TA Applications Criterion I: Need 
for Assistance (Maximum: 20 points).
    Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points).
    Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 15 
points).
    Criterion IV: Evidence of Significant.
    Collaborations (Maximum: 10 points).
    Criterion V: Ability of Applicant to Perform (Maximum: 20 points).
    Criterion VI: Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points).
    (E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: This announcement is 
inviting applications for project periods up to 1 year. Awards, on a 
competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although 
project periods may be for up to 17 months.
    Refer to Application Kit for further details.
    (F) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (G) Date of Application Kit: March 23, 1998.
    (H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 
22, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in 
the Application Kit.
    (I) Program Contact Person: Margaret Washnitzer (202-401-2333)

6. Family Violence Prevention Program (CFDA # 93.592)

    Deadline Date: May 2, 1998.
    (A) Legislative Authority: The Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Act (FVPSA) was enacted as Title III of the Child Abuse 
Amendments of 1984, P.L. 98-457. It was reauthorized and amended for FY 
1995 through FY 2000 by Public Law 103-322, the Violent Crime Control 
and Law Empowerment Act of 1994 (The Crime Bill). The reauthorization 
of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act on October 3, 1996 
contained a technical amendment affecting funding levels under the 
FVPSA.
    (B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Grants are 
awarded to assist States in supporting the establishment, maintenance, 
and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family 
violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance for 
victims of family violence and their dependents. There are no income 
eligibility requirements.
    Funds Available: $1.5 million. Approximately 16 grants will be 
awarded competitively.
    (C) Priority Areas for FY 1998
    #1--Developing and Enhancing Services for Immigrant, Migrant and 
Refugee Battered Women.
    #2--Training Grant Stipends in Domestic Violence for Historically 
Black, Hispanic-Serving and Tribal Colleges and Universities.
    #3--Public Information Community Awareness Campaign Projects for 
the Prevention of Family Violence.
    (D) Review Criteria for Family Violence Prevention Program 
Competitive Discretionary Grants
    Criterion I: Need for the Project (Maximum: 10 points).
    Criterion II: Goals and Objectives (Maximum: 10 points).
    Criterion III: Approach (Maximum: 30 points).
    Criterion IV: Results and Benefits (Maximum: 20 points).
    Criterion V: Level of Effort (Maximum: 30 points).
    (E) Project Periods and Budget Period.
    Priority Area #1--Project period not to exceed 17 months.
    Priority Area #2--Project period is 36 months (12 month budget 
periods).
    Priority Area #3--Project period not to exceed 12 months.
    (F) Type of Awards: Grants.
    (G) Matching Requirement: Successful grantees must provide at least 
25 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 their match requirement through cash 
contributions. 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 $25,000 (25% of total project

[[Page 9561]]

cost). Therefore, a total project cost of $100,000 would be comprised 
of $75,000 Federal funds and $25,000 non-Federal funds. If approved for 
funding, grantees 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. This Matching 
Requirement applies to all 3 Priority Areas.
    (H) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.
    (I) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 4, 
1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the 
Application Kit.
    (J) Program Contact Persons: William Riley (202) 401-5529; James 
Gray (202) 401-5705; Gertrude Knight (202) 401-4787.

Additional Requirement

    Applicants for grants must also meet the following requirement:

A. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 #0970-0062

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements in regulations, including 
Program Announcements. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. This Combined 
Program Announcement does not contain information collection 
requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant announcements/
applications under OMB Control Number 0970-0062.

B. Intergovernmental Review

    The programs discussed in this Combined Program Announcement are 
covered under Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR Part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.'' 
Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing 
and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. 
NOTE: State/Territory participation in the Intergovernmental Review 
process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance 
under a program. A potential applicant must meet the eligibility 
requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to 
submitting an application to its SPOC, if applicable, or to ACF.
    As of September 1997, a number of jurisdictions have elected not to 
participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these 
jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally recognized 
Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372.
    A list of these non-participating jurisdictions can be found in the 
Application Kit.
    Although the non-participating jurisdictions no longer participate 
in the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining 
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should 
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive instructions.
    Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon 
as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC 
comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all 
required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this 
submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the 
Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 
days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or 
competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the 
submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations.
    Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between 
mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations 
which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule. 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 and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447.

    Dated: February 19, 1998.
Donald Sykes,
Director, Office of Community Services.
[FR Doc. 98-4828 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P