[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 125 (Tuesday, June 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35598-35601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17265]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. OCSE 98TIP-1]


Child Support Enforcement Demonstration and Special Projects; 
Federal/Tribal Grant (Cooperative Agreement) to Plan Tribal Child 
Support Programs

AGENCY: Office of Child Support Enforcement, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The OCSE invites eligible entities to submit competitive grant 
applications to assist them in planning and preparing to run their own 
child support program. Applications will be screened and evaluated as 
indicated in this program announcement. Awards will be contingent on 
the outcome of the competition and the availability of funds.

DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is August 31, 
1998. See Part IV of this announcement for more information on 
submitting applications.

ADDRESSES: Application kits containing the necessary forms and 
instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement are 
available from: Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Child Support Enforcement, Office of Automation and Special Projects 
(OCSE/OASP), 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 4th Floor, West Wing, 
Washington, DC 20447, Attention: Jay Adams, (202) 401-9240, 401-5539 
(FAX), [email protected], www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/oa/form.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF), OCSE/OASP, Lucille Dawson at (202) 401-5437 or Lawrence 
A. Dunmore, III at (202) 205-4554, for specific program concerns 
regarding the announcement. Lois Hodge, Grants Officer/Team 1, (202) 
401-2344.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of four 
parts:
    Part I: Background--program purpose, program objectives, 
legislative authority, funding availability, and Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number.
    Part II: Applicant and Project Eligibility--eligible applicants, 
priorities and preferences, and project and budget periods.
    Part III: The Review Process--intergovernmental review, initial ACF 
screening, competitive review and evaluation criteria, funding 
reconsideration.
    Part IV: The Application--application development, application 
submission.
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13): Public reporting 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 
hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection 
of information.
    The following information collections within this Program 
Announcement are approved under the following currently valid OMB 
control numbers: 424 (0348-0043); 424A (0348-0044); 424B (0348-0040); 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (0348-0046); Uniform Project 
Description (0970-0139 Expiration date 10/31/00).
    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.

[[Page 35599]]

Part I. Background

A. Child Support Enforcement Program History

    The mission of the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program, which 
was established in 1975 under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, is 
to ensure that children receive financial and emotional support from 
both their parents. The program locates non-custodial parents, 
establishes legal paternity, and establishes and enforces child support 
orders. The Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) 
administers the program in cooperation with the State and local 
agencies designated under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The 
OCSE provides direction, guidance and oversight to the States. The 
Federal government reimburses the bulk of the State agencies' 
administrative costs in the conduct of their responsibilities for the 
program.

B. Program Purpose

    The CSE program is a Federal matching program where Federal funding 
is available for State expenditures eligible for reimbursement. A 
number of Tribes have been involved in CSE by way of agreements with 
States. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation 
Act of 1996 (PRWORA), as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, 
provides a number of new opportunities for Tribes and tribal 
organizations to become more involved in child support enforcement.
    The first of these opportunities involves changes to the Federal 
law that allow funding of tribal activities carried out under 
cooperative agreements with States. Prior to enactment of PRWORA, 
Federal funding under title IV-D of the Act was available, through the 
State, for eligible expenditures of tribes pursuant to a cooperative 
agreement with the State under which the State delegated any functions 
of the IV-D program to the tribal entity and the tribal entity complied 
with all requirements of title IV-D applicable to the function or 
functions delegated to the tribe. The amended Act authorizes State/
Tribal cooperative agreements under which Tribes no longer need to 
satisfy all applicable IV-D requirements as specified in 45 CFR 
303.107(c). Federal Financial Participation (FFP) continues to be 
available for expenditures under State/Tribal cooperative agreements if 
such expenditures are otherwise eligible for reimbursement under title 
IV-D of the Act and 45 CFR part 304.

C. Direct Tribal Funding

    The second of these opportunities, direct funding from the Federal 
government, is the subject of this program announcement. New section 
455(f) of the Social Security Act allows the Secretary to make direct 
payments to an Indian tribe or tribal organization that demonstrates to 
the Secretary's satisfaction that it has the capacity to operate a 
child support enforcement program meeting the following objectives of 
Part IV-D of the Social Security Act.
     Establishment of paternity;
     Establishment, modification, and enforcement of support 
orders;
     Location of absent parents.
    The Law requires the Secretary to issue regulations establishing 
the requirements which must be met by an Indian tribe or tribal 
organization in order for it to be eligible for direct funding under 
subsection 455(f).

D. Program Objectives

    OCSE has undertaken a consultation process to obtain ideas, 
suggestions, and concerns from Tribes and tribal organizations 
regarding the regulations it must prepare before issuing direct grants 
to Tribes. OCSE (has or is in the process of) holding three major 
regional consultation meetings. In addition, OCSE sent packages of 
information on child support to all tribes and all major tribal 
organizations. An ``800'' number, (1-800-433-1434), has been 
established so that tribes can phone in comments pertaining to 
information on child support. The OCSE has also established a location 
on its internet site to receive comments. The internet address is 
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/fdback.htm OCSE thinks that 
another way to get information to help shape the Native American CSE 
program is to issue a small number of grants to Tribes and Tribal 
organizations to assist them in planning and preparing to run their own 
child support program. While our consultation meetings are good forums 
for discussion about child support enforcement and a good way for us to 
hear tribal ideas and concerns, we think that additional useful 
information can be gained by working with a few tribes in actually 
taking the first steps towards running their own child support 
enforcement programs.

E. Legislative Authority

    Section 452(j) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.652(j), 
provides Federal funds for technical assistance, information 
dissemination and training of Federal and State staff, research and 
demonstration programs and special projects of regional or national 
significance relating to the operation of State child support 
enforcement programs.

F. Availability of Funds

    $100,000 is available for FY 1998. We envision issuing 2 to 4 
grants. A non-Federal match is not required. OCSE is also providing 
grants under a separate program announcement, Federal Register: May 8, 
1998 (Volume 63, Number 89) pages 25490-25493, to a wide variety of 
public and private agencies. The purpose of these grants is to further 
the national child support mission, vision and goals as outlined in the 
CSE Strategic Plan with Outcome Measures for Fiscal Years 1995-1999. A 
copy of the CSE Strategic Plan may be obtained upon request (See 
ADDRESSES of this announcement).

G. CFDA NUMBER: 93.601--Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and 
Special Projects

Part II. Applicant and Project Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for these Tribal child support program grants 
are Tribes and Tribal Organizations. We will be selecting Tribes from 
two categories:
    (1) Tribes or tribal organizations with some experience with the 
child support program, e.g., through cooperative agreements with States 
and (2) tribes and tribal organizations with no direct experience with 
child support enforcement.

B. Federal Participation

    OCSE anticipates substantial Federal involvement in these projects. 
OCSE will offer successful grantees considerable technical assistance 
and support. OCSE will be available to help grantees review their laws, 
look at how other Tribes have approached child support issues. This 
assistance will be provided by a combination of teleconferences and on-
site visits.

C. Project Priorities and Preferences

    OCSE plans to issue these grants mainly to Tribal governments or 
consortia of Tribal governments. While other tribal organizations may 
apply for grants under this announcement, they should be aware that 
OCSE will give preference to tribal governments or consortia, as noted 
in

Part III: Review Process, Competitive Review and Evaluation 
Criteria in this Announcement

    Our expectation is that these grants will result in Tribes with 
previous CSE experience being capable at the end of

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the grant to receive either direct funding under section 455(f) or a 
follow-up demonstration grant. For Tribes with no previous CSE 
experience, we expect that by the end of the grant period, the Tribe 
will have in place a detailed plan to guide the Tribe in its efforts to 
qualify for direct Federal funding under section 455(f).

D. Project and Budgets Periods

    Generally, project and budget periods for these projects will be up 
to 17 months. However, OCSE will consider projects up to 36 months, if 
unique circumstances warrant. If OCSE approves a project for a time 
period longer than 17 months, OCSE will provide funding in discrete 12-
month increments, or ``budget periods.'' Applications for continuation 
grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period but 
within the three year project period will be entertained in subsequent 
years on a non-competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, 
satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the Government.

Part III: The Review Process

A. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not 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.''

B. Initial ACF Screening

    Each application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding.

C. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria

    Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated 
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific 
evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess 
the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of 
its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are 
considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. 
Points are awarded only to applications which are responsive to the 
evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement. 
Applications will be evaluated according to the following four 
criteria. Applications can receive a maximum of 90 points on these four 
criteria. Up to an additional 10 points will be awarded based on 
whether the applicant is a tribal government or consortia of Tribal 
governments and on the extent of the applicant's contribution to 
project costs.
(1) Criterion I: Understanding and Project Structure (Maximum: 20 
points)
    The application should describe the extent to which the project 
will contribute to OCSE's knowledge regarding how to structure the 
Native American CSE program and prototype. In evaluating this criteria, 
OCSE will look at the extent to which lessons learned from the 
applicant's project could be applied to a range of other Tribes and 
Tribal organizations.
(2) Criterion II: Design and Project Goals (Maximum: 20 Points)
    The application should include a sound project design to achieve 
the project's stated goals. The main concern in this criterion is that 
the applicant should demonstrate a clear idea of the project's goals, 
objectives, and tasks to be accomplished. The plan to accomplish the 
goals and tasks should be set forth in a logical framework.
(3) Criterion III: Project Contribution and Effectiveness (Maximum: 30 
Points)
    The applicant should identify the extent to which the grant project 
will contribute to the Tribe's or organization's ability to run a 
successful CSE program.
(4) Criterion IV: Reasonable Costs (Maximum: 20 Points)
    The project costs are reasonable in relation to the identified 
tasks.
(5) Additional Points: Tribal Contributions and Tribal Governments/
Consortia (Maximum: 10 Points)
    OCSE will award 1 point for contributions amounting to less than 
10% of the total project budget; 3 points for contributions between 10% 
and 25%; and 5 points for contributions over 25%.
    OCSE will give preference to Tribal governments or consortia of 
Tribal governments by adding 5 points to the scores of applications 
from such organizations.

D. Funding Reconsideration

    After Federal funds are exhausted for this grant competition, 
applications which have been independently reviewed and ranked but have 
no final disposition (neither approved nor disapproved for funding) may 
again be considered for funding. Reconsideration may occur at any time 
funds become available within twelve (12) months following ranking. ACF 
does not select from multiple ranking lists for a program. Therefore, 
should a new competition be scheduled and applications remain ranked 
without final disposition, applicants are informed of their opportunity 
to reapply for the new competition, to the extent practical.

Part IV. The Application

A. Application Development

    In order to be considered for a grant under this program 
announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied 
and in the manner prescribed by ACF. Application materials including 
forms and instructions are available from the contact named under the 
ADDRESSES section in the preamble of this announcement. The length of 
the application, not including the application forms and all 
attachments, i.e., Certifications, Disclosures, and Assurances, should 
not exceed 20 pages. The narrative should be typed double-spaced on a 
single-side of an 8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins 
on all sides. Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, maps, 
brochures or other printed material along with their application as 
these are difficult to photocopy. These materials, if submitted, will 
not be included in the review process. Each page of the application 
will be counted to determine the total length. If applications exceed 
20 double-spaced pages, the other pages will be removed from the 
application and not considered by the reviewers. Each applicant should 
submit one signed original and two additional copies of the 
application.
    Applications must contain the following elements:
    (1) Project Description: The application must spell out how the 
project will be carried out, i.e., what specific activities will be 
funded through the grant and who will carry them out.
    (2) Project Goals and Objectives: The application must state what 
the project is intended to accomplish.
    (3) Budget: The application must provide a proposed budget. If the 
applicant plans to contribute funds or other resources to the project, 
these should be described in the application.

B. Application Submission

    1. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified

[[Page 35601]]

as late and will not be considered in the competition.
    2. Deadline. 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, Attention: Lois Hodge/Tribal Child Support, 
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447.
    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 will 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, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor 
(near loading dock), Aerospace Building, 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: Lois Hodge/Tribal Child 
Support.'' 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Extension of deadlines. ACF may extend an application deadline 
for applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, 
or when there is widespread disruption of the mails. A determination to 
waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.

    Dated: June 19, 1998.
David Gray Ross,
Commissioner, Office of Child Support Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 98-17265 Filed 6-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P