[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15847-15851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8559]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No: CB-98-02]


Fiscal Year 1998 Discretionary Announcement and Request for 
Applications for Two National Technical Assistance Resource Centers, 
and Community-Based Family Resource Grants to Tribal and Migrant 
Populations

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Fiscal Year 1998 discretionary announcement and request for 
applications for two national technical assistance resource centers, 
and community-based family resource grants to tribal and migrant 
populations

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SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and 
Neglect announce the availability of fiscal year 1998 funding and 
request for applications to support a National Resource Center for 
Programs Serving Abandoned Infants and Infants At Risk of Abandonment 
and Their Families (as authorized by Pub. L. 104-235, the Abandoned 
Infants Assistance Act of 1988, as amended); a National Resource Center 
for Community-Based Family Resource and Support Programs; and Grants to 
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Migrant Programs for Community-Based 
Family Resource and Support Programs (as authorized by the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended by Pub. L. 104-235 [1996]).

    Note: Pursuant to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
(CAPTA) Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L.104-235), the Department of 
Health and Human Services announced in the December 8, 1997, Federal 
Register, the elimination of the National Center on Child Abuse and 
Neglect (NCCAN) and the consolidation of child abuse and neglect 
functions within the Children's Bureau.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY COVERED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Children's 
Bureau solicits applications under the authority of Pub. L. 104-235: 
the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
670) (CFDA: 93.551); and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
(CAPTA), as amended in 1996 (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) (CFDA: 93.590).

DATES: The closing date for the receipt of applications under this 
announcement June 1, 1998. In order to be eligible for competition, 
mailed applications must be POSTMARKED on or before this date, and hand 
delivered applications must be RECEIVED on or before this date.

ADDRESSES: Intent to Apply: If you are going to submit an application, 
call in the following information within two weeks of the receipt of 
this announcement: The name, address, and telephone number of the 
contact person; the name of the organization; and the priority area(s) 
in which you may submit an application or send a postcard with the 
information to: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) 
Operations Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA 
22202. The telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. This information will be 
used to determine the number of expert reviewers needed and to update 
the mailing list of persons to whom future program announcements will 
be sent.
    Mailed Applications and Overnight/Express Mail Service: Mailed 
applications and applications delivered by overnight/express mail 
services shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they 
are POSTMARKED on or before the deadline date and sent to the 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Operations 
Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA 22202. The 
telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. Any application POSTMARKED after 
the deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Hand Delivered Applications, Applicant Couriers: Applications hand 
delivered by applicants or applicant couriers shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are RECEIVED on or before the 
deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Operations 
Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA 22202. The 
telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. Any application received after 4:30 
p.m. on the deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Electronic Transmissions: ACF cannot accommodate transmission of 
applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore, 
applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted

[[Page 15848]]

regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Review Process: A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily 
experts from outside the Federal government) will review the 
applications. To facilitate this review, applicants should address each 
requirement under the Project Design, Results and Benefits, and Staff 
Background sections in detail. The reviewers will (1) determine the 
strengths and weaknesses of each application, using the evaluation 
criteria listed below; (2) provide verbal and written comments; and (3) 
assign numerical scores to each application. The point value following 
each criterion heading is the maximum score for that criterion.
    Summary of Priority Areas and Funds Availability: The Children's 
Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and Neglect are accepting 
applications in the following three Priority Areas:

Priority Area 1.01  National Resource Center for Programs Serving 
Abandoned Infants and Infants at Risk of Abandonment and Their 
Families

    It is anticipated that one project will be funded as a coopertive 
agreement. Up to $675,000 in Federal funds are available for the first 
12 month budget year or $2,700,000 for the four years of the project. 
Awards for subsequent budget periods, after the first year of the 
project, may exceed $675,000 if such funds become available.
    Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies, 
organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply.
    Purpose: To provide training and technical assistance that will 
assist in the development, enhancement and coordination of services, 
exchange of information and the continuing development, expansion and 
strengthening and improvement in the quality and effectiveness of 
programs described in Pub. L. 104-235, the Abandoned Infants Assistance 
Act of 1988, as amended whether or not the service providers receive 
funds authorized under the Act. The Act provides financial support for 
demonstration projects to prevent the abandonment of infants and young 
children, particularly those with the human immunodeficiency virus 
(HIV) or who have been perinatally exposed to the virus or who have 
been perinatally exposed to a dangerous drug; to identify and address 
the needs of those infants and young children who are, or might be 
abandoned; to develop a program of comprehensive services for those 
children and their families which will strengthen family functioning 
and prevent abandonment, including family foster care, case management, 
family support, parenting skills, in-home support services, respite and 
crisis intervention, counseling and group residential care services; to 
recruit and train health and social services personnel, foster care 
families and residential providers to meet the needs of infants and 
young children who are at risk of abandonment; and to develop 
permanency options for children who cannot return home.

Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
     Demonstrates the need for providing training and technical 
assistance to public and private agencies delivering services to drug 
and/or HIV-exposed children and families;
     Addresses the goals of the legislative mandate to meet the 
service needs of infants who have been exposed to a dangerous drug or 
who have been perinatally exposed to HIV/AIDS and who may be at risk of 
abandonment;
     Identifies the training and technical assistance goals 
that address the social service support needs of women impacted by 
substance-abuse and/or HIV/AIDS and for whom those supports will 
enhance family stability and functioning.
     Describes the objectives, goals and needs for training and 
technical assistance that address program/community/state needs on 
programming for the targeted families.

(b) Results and Benefits Expected (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
     Identifies the results and benefits to be derived from the 
project and links these to the stated objectives;
     Describes how the lessons learned from the project will 
benefit policy, practice, theory and/or research in addressing the 
social service needs of substance-abusing or HIV/AIDS women and their 
families.

(c) Approach (40 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
     Outlines a workable plan of action which relates to the 
stated objectives and scope of the project and reflects the intent of 
the legislative mandates;
     Details how the proposed work will be accomplished 
including a discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate 
the work;
     Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological 
order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target 
dates;
     Describes any unusual features of the project, such as 
design or technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;
     Describes a plan for providing technical assistance to AIA 
grantees on the required third-party evaluation efforts;
     Describes the kinds of third-party data to be collected 
from AIA-funded projects and describes a method of analysis for 
capturing the outcome indicators across the sites that reflect the 
achievements of the AIA-funded projects;
     Describes strategies that will assist the project in 
improving services to ensure permanency for infants and young children 
who are abandoned or are in danger of abandonment and in providing 
technical assistance regarding standby guardianships and testamentary 
planning; and
     Identifies each organization, agency, consultant or other 
key individuals or groups who will work on the project along with a 
description of the activities each will undertake and the nature of 
their effort or contribution.

(d) Staff and Position Data (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
     Demonstrates that the proposed project director and key 
project staff, including evaluators, have the ability and experience to 
administer effectively and efficiently a project of this size, scope 
and complexity, including their experience and background in working 
with public and private programs providing social services and their 
familiarity with child welfare issues;

(e) Organization Profiles (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant:
     Details the organization's experience in addressing the 
training and technical assistance needs of programs that serve women 
and families impacted by substance-abuse and/or HIV/AIDS; and
     Describes the adequacy of the applicant's management plan 
to ensure its capacity and efficiency to accomplish the goals of the 
project.

(e) Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

    The extent to which the applicant justifies the following:
     Costs are reasonable in view of the activities to be 
conducted and the expected results and benefits;
     Salaries and fringe benefits reflect the level of 
compensation appropriate for the proposed staff responsibilities; and
     The non-Federal contribution of the total project costs.

[[Page 15849]]

Priority Area 1.02:  National Resource Center for Community-Based 
Family Resource and Support Programs

    It is anticipated that one project will be funded as a coopertive 
agreement. The maximum Federal share of this project is not to exceed 
$300,000 for each 12-month budget period. The length of this project 
will be for 12 months, with non-competitive renewable funding at the 
same level for three additional 12-month periods, assuming satisfactory 
completion of the terms of the Cooperative Agreement on a year-by-year 
basis, and assuming the continued availability of funds for this 
program.
    Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies, 
organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply. 
Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.
    Purpose: The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide 
financial support for training and technical assistance to promote the 
purposes of the Community-Based Family Resource and Support (CBFRS) 
Grants program. This training and technical assistance is intended to 
build the capacity of CBFRS lead agencies to: (1) foster an 
understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in 
order to be effective in preventing and treating child abuse and 
neglect; (2) facilitate and assist efforts of State, local, Tribal, 
public, and private agencies in the interagency, inter-disciplinary, 
coordinated planning and development of a Statewide Network of 
community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support 
programs; (3) encourage public and private partnerships, including 
parents who are consumers, in the establishment and expansion of family 
resource and support programs; and (4) promote the development and 
implementation of lead agency program evaluation processes that include 
a peer review component.
    Expected outcomes include the enhanced capacity of each State lead 
agency to engage in: (1) Developing and maintaining a Statewide Network 
of family support services; (2) conducting interagency needs 
assessments of required services; (3) facilitating CBFRS program and 
policy development; (4) coordinating the delivery of family resource 
services; and (5) conducting program evaluations that include a peer 
review component.
    This project is expected to train and assist State lead agencies to 
establish effective interagency cooperation and collaboration that 
involves all stakeholders, including families, and promotes public-
private partnerships in the establishment and expansion of family 
resource and support programs. Training and technical assistance needs 
will be identified by State CBFRS lead agency staff in collaboration 
with ACYF Central and Regional Office personnel, and coordinated with 
other ongoing national training and technical assistance efforts. 
Training outcomes should be achieved through a combination of 
strategies, including on-site training, on and off-site technical 
assistance, and consultation with all appropriate stakeholder groups.
    Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 
points). The application identifies the training and technical 
assistance objectives of the project which address: The plan for 
building the capacity of State, and local public and private agencies 
to create Statewide Networks of community-based, prevention-focused, 
family resource and support programs; and the training to enable CBFRS 
lead agencies to facilitate the development and implementation of 
evaluation processes that will determine the efficacy and impact of 
these networks and programs. Objectives must address each of the 
Project Design requirements of this priority area as described below. 
The applicant describes the need for providing training and technical 
assistance to public and private agencies linked to the CBFRS program, 
and demonstrates an understanding of the goals of the legislative 
mandate.
    (b) Approach (35 points). The application outlines a workable plan 
of action which relates to the stated objectives and scope of the 
project and reflects the intent of the legislative mandates, which:

--Details how the proposed work will be accomplished including a 
discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work;
--Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing 
a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates;
--Describes any unusual features of the project, such as design or 
technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;
--Describes a plan for providing technical assistance to CBFRS grantees 
on the development and implementation of evaluation processes that will 
determine the efficacy and impact of these networks and programs;
--Describes strategies for building the capacity of State, and local 
public and private agencies to create Statewide Networks of community-
based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs; and 
for providing technical assistance to CBFRS lead agencies in this area;
--Provides a plan for promoting: (1) Interagency collaboration and 
implementation of new procedures for blending funding streams; (2) 
collaborative long-range planning of family support services and 
service delivery options; and (3) management improvement strategies 
that facilitate interagency coordination;
--Describes a plan to establish an advisory board that will provide 
overall program direction and guidance to the activities of the Center, 
and strategies for efficiently and effectively utilizing their 
expertise;
--Provides a plan to help lead agencies develop a child-focused, 
family-centered approach to the delivery of family support services, 
that reinforces and complements the State's efforts to provide services 
to preserve and support families, and emphasizes the prevention of 
child abuse and neglect;
--Provides a plan for coordinating activities with other National 
Resource Centers and Clearinghouses funded by the Children's Bureau and 
other sources;
--Describes a plan for ensuring that the Resource Center's services, 
program activities, and materials developed are provided in a manner 
that is racially and culturally sensitive to the population being 
served;

    (c) Results or Benefits Expected (20 points). The application 
identifies the results, benefits, and level of customer satisfaction to 
be derived by lead agencies for the CBFRS program and their State and 
local constituents, and proposes measurement procedures for each; the 
extent to which the results and benefits are consistent with the stated 
objectives; the extent to which results and benefits contribute to lead 
agency policy and practice; and the extent to which the training and 
technical assistance project costs are reasonable in view of the 
expected results.
    (d) Evaluation (10 points). The applicant provides an evaluation 
plan which:

--Includes methods and criteria to evaluate the results and benefits of 
the technical assistance project in terms of its stated objectives;
--Addresses both process and outcome evaluation;
--States goals and objectives in specific measurable form to document 
change, improvement, or effectiveness;

[[Page 15850]]

--Identifies the kinds of data to be collected.

    (e) Staff and Position Data (10 points). The application identifies 
the educational and professional background of the project director and 
key project staff to demonstrate the applicant's ability to administer 
and implement the project effectively and efficiently. The role of the 
author(s) of the proposal, including ongoing involvement in the 
implementation and/or administrative structure is explicitly 
identified.
    (f) Organization Profiles (10 points). The application identifies 
the experience of the organization which most clearly demonstrates the 
applicant's ability to administer and implement the project effectively 
and efficiently; and provides documentation of the applicant agency's 
experience in: (1) Identifying the training and technical assistance 
needs of an agency or organization; (2) developing or participating in 
the development of a plan to meet those needs; (3) recruiting, 
assigning, and deploying staff with appropriate experience in the 
delivery of training and technical assistance; and (4) designing, 
developing, delivering and evaluating training materials.

Priority Area 1.03:  Grants to Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and 
Migrant Programs for Community-Based Family Resource and Support 
Programs

    It is anticipated that three grants (one each to a tribe, a tribal 
organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this 
announcement. The Federal share of this project will be $109,450 per 
grantee for fiscal year 1998. The maximum Federal share of this project 
is not to exceed one-third (\1/3\) of one percent (1%) of the Federal 
appropriation for Title II for each 12-month budget period. It is 
anticipated that three grants of $109,450 (one each to a tribe, a 
tribal organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this 
announcement. Applicants must specify if they are applying as a 
``Tribe'' or ``Tribal Organization'' or ``Migrant Program''.
    Eligible Applicants: Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and 
migrant programs with the capacity to establish and maintain family 
resource services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and 
linkages with the State Network of Community-Based Family Resource and 
Support Programs may apply. Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary 
approaches are encouraged.
    Purpose: The primary purpose of this priority area is to provide 
financial support to selected tribes, tribal organizations, and migrant 
programs to develop linkages with the Community-based Family Resource 
and Support (CBFRS) State Network funded under Title II of CAPTA, and/
or to provide services otherwise consistent with the purposes of the 
CBFRS. These funds must support more effective and comprehensive child 
abuse prevention activities and family support services that will 
enhance the lives and ensure the safety and well-being of migrant and 
Native American children and their families.
    The purpose of the CBFRS program is to support State efforts to: 
(1) Develop, operate, expand, and enhance a network of community-based, 
prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that 
coordinate resources among a range of existing public and private 
organizations, and (2) foster an understanding, appreciation, and 
knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing 
and treating child abuse and neglect.
    Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 
points). The application identifies the training and technical 
assistance objectives of the project which address: The plan of the 
tribe, tribal organization or migrant program submitting the 
application to create linkages with the Statewide network of community-
based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs; and/or 
the provision of direct services that will increase the availability of 
child abuse prevention activities and family support services for the 
children and families served by the applicant agency. Objectives 
address each of the Project Design requirements of this priority area 
as described below. The applicant describes the need for providing 
family resource and support services, and demonstrates an understanding 
of the goals of the legislative mandate.
    (b) Approach (35 points). The application outlines a workable plan 
of action which relates to the stated objectives and scope of the 
project, reflects the intent of the legislation, and which:

--Details how the proposed work will be accomplished including a 
discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work;
--Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing 
a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates;
--Describes any unusual features of the project, such as design or 
technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;
--Provides a method to promote the applicant agency's communication and 
coordination with other State and community agencies, that will ensure 
maximum utilization of a full continuum of community-based family 
resource and support programs, and ensure ease of access for the 
children, families, and professional staff served by the applicant 
agency.
--Provides a plan for assisting the State network of CBFRS lead 
agencies to improve their cultural competence, including promoting the 
ability of all participating agencies to serve all families 
effectively, make culturally appropriate placements, recruit and employ 
minority staff, deliver culturally relevant support services, and 
develop strategies to improve outcomes for minority families and 
children.

    (c) Results or Benefits Expected (30 points). The application 
identifies the results, benefits, and level of customer satisfaction to 
be derived by the applicant agency's State and local constituents, and 
procedures to measure or evaluate each; the extent to which the results 
and benefits are consistent with the stated objectives; the potential 
impact of the results on agency policy and practice; and the extent to 
which the project costs are reasonable in view of the expected results.
    (d) Evaluation (10 points). The application provides an evaluation 
plan which:

--Includes the methods and criteria to be used to evaluate the results 
and benefits of the project in terms of its stated objectives;
--Provides either a process or outcome evaluation;
--States goals and objectives in specific measurable form to document 
change, improvement, or effectiveness
--Identifies the kinds of data to be collected.

    (e) Staff and Position Data (10 points). The application identifies 
the educational and professional background of the project director and 
key project staff to demonstrate the applicant's ability to administer 
and implement the project effectively and efficiently. The role of the 
author(s) of the proposal, including ongoing involvement in the 
implementation and/or administrative structure is explicitly 
identified.
    (f) Organization Profiles (10 points). The application identifies 
the experience of the organization which most clearly demonstrates the 
applicant's ability to administer and implement the project effectively 
and efficiently; and provides documentation of the applicant agency's 
experience in:

[[Page 15851]]

(1) Provide direct services and coordinate with existing services that 
will prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of child abuse and neglect; 
(2) provide direct or referral services that will support the safety 
and well-being of families; and (3) recruit, assign, and deploy staff 
with appropriate experience in the delivery of such services.
    Application Guidelines, Forms and Assurances: To obtain a complete 
application package (including application guidelines, forms, and 
assurances) contact the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and 
Neglect Information at (800) 394-3366 or <[email protected]>. This 
application package consists of three parts. Part I provides 
information on the Children's Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and 
Neglect and general information on the application procedures. Part II 
describes the review process, details regarding 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 are included in the application package. 
Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program 
announcement are subject to the availability of funds.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The ACYF Operations Center Technical 
Assistance Team at (800) 351-2293 is available to answer questions 
regarding application requirements and to refer you to the contact 
person in the Children's Bureau for programmatic questions.

    Dated: March 23, 1998.
James Harrell,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 98-8559 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P