[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 72 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19904-19910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9150]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/CB FY 2000-01]


Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and 
Request for Applications To Support Adoption Opportunities 
Demonstration Projects, Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary 
Activities, Child Welfare Training Projects, and Abandoned Infants 
Assistance Awards

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

ACTION: Notice.

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Statutory Authority Covering Programs in This Announcement With 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers

    Adoption Opportunities: Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 5111) 
CFDA: 93.652.
    Child Welfare Training: Section 426 of title IV-B, Subpart 1, of 
the Social Security Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 626) CFDA: 93.648.
    Promoting Safe and Stable Families: Section 430 of title IV-B, 
Subpart 2, of the Social Security Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 629) 
CFDA: 93.556.
    Child Abuse and Neglect: Section 104 of the Child Abuse Prevention 
and Treatment Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) CFDA: 93.670.
    Abandoned Infants: Section 101 of the Abandoned Infants Assistance 
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 670 note) CFDA: 93.551.
SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau (CB) within the Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000 
funds for competing new Aodption Opportunities Program, Child Abuse and 
Neglect Discretionary Activities, Child Welfare Training Projects, and 
Abandoned Infants Assistance projects. Funds from the Adoption 
Opportunities

[[Page 19905]]

Program are designed to provide support for demonstration projects that 
facilitate the elimination of barriers to adoption and provide 
permanent loving homes for children who would benefit from adoption, 
particularly children with special needs. Discretionary funds from the 
Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program support research, training 
and technical assistance and evaluation efforts to preserve families. 
Funds from the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act support 
knowledge-building research and service demonstration projects designed 
to assist and enhance national, State and community efforts to prevent, 
assess, identify and treat child abuse and neglect. Funds from section 
101 of the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 670 
note) are to establish a program of comprehensive service demonstration 
projects to prevent the abandonment in hospitals of infants and young 
children, particularly those exposed to a dangerous drug and those with 
the human immunodeficiency virus or who have been perinatally exposed 
to the virus. The Child Welfare Training Program funds support 
discretionary awards to public or other non-profit institutions of 
higher learning for special projects for training personnel for work in 
the field of child welfare, including traineeships with such stipends 
and allowances as may be permitted by the Department of health and 
Human Services (DHHS).

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is 4:30 P.M. EDT 
June 12, 2000.

    Note: Applications should be submitted to the ACYF Operations 
Center at: 1815 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 
22209. However, prior to preparing and submitting an application, in 
order to satisfactorily compete under this announcement it will be 
necessary for potential applicants to read the full announcement 
which is available through the addresses listed below.


ADDRESSES: Applications, including all necessary forms can be 
downloaded from the Children's Bureau web site at www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb. Hard copies of the application may be obtained by writing 
or calling the Operations Center (see phone number and address below) 
or sending an email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N. 
Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 or 1-800-351-
2293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

Priority Areas

2000A. Adoption Opportunities

2000A.1  Implementation of Collaborative Planning To Increase Inter-
Jurisdictional Adoptions
    Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to the five grantees 
currently funded under Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 priority 99A.4 (Program 
Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/CB-99-05): the Central Council of Tlingit and 
Haida Tribes of Alaska, Juneau, AK; the Colorado Department of Human 
Services, Denver, CO; the Independent Adoption Center, Pleasant Hill, 
CA; the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Columbia, SC and 
the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Austin, TX.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $250,000 per budget year.
    Matching Requirements: The applicant must provide at least 10 
percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved 
cost is the sum of the ACF share and non-Federal share. Therefore, a 
project requesting $250,000 of Federal funds must include a match of at 
least $27,778 (10 percent of the total project cost of $277,778). Cash 
or in-kind contributions may meet the non-Federal share, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match through cash 
contributions. If approved for funding, grantees will be held 
accountable for the commitment of non-Federal resources and failure to 
provide the required amount will result in a disallowance of unmatched 
Federal funds.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
5 projects will be funded.
2000A.2  Operation of a National Adoption Information Exchange System
    Eligible Applicants: Any national, State, or local government 
entity, public or private non-profit agency, organization or university 
with demonstrated expertise in adoption and the ability to maintain a 
National Adoption Information Exchange System.
    Project Duration: The operation of a National Adoption Information 
Exchange system will be awarded for a project period of 36 months. The 
initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award of 
continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget period will be subject 
to the availability to funds, satisfactory progress on the part to the 
grantee, the status of the Internet-based photo listing system, and a 
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of 
the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $500,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $500,000 per budget period must 
include a match of at least $55,556 per budget period. The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
1 project will be funded.
2000A.3  Innovations Increasing Adoptive Placements of Hispanic/Latino 
Children
    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, public or 
private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies and 
adoption exchanges.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is not to exceed $250,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $250,000 in Federal funds (based 
on an award of $250,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
least $27,778 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are

[[Page 19906]]

encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to ten projects will be funded.
2000A.4  Leadership Development: Parent Support Groups
    Eligible Applicants: Private non-profit organizations or 
universities (including university affiliated programs) with expertise 
in child welfare and the ability to create and establish a network of 
parent support groups for (1) foster parents (2) adoptive parents of 
children with developmental disabilities and/or special needs, and/or 
(3) relatives caring for kin in foster care. The Children's Bureau 
anticipates making three awards, one to focus on each target group. 
That is, one to develop a network for foster parents; one to develop a 
network for adoptive parents of children with developmental 
disabilities and/or special needs; and one to develop a network for 
relatives caring for kin in foster care, pending successful review. 
Eligible applicants must have the ability to (1) provide (or broker the 
provision of) training and technical assistance for parent groups and 
(2) to solicit, review, and fund a limited number of mini-grants 
directly to parent groups.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.]
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $300,000 per budget year per grantee.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal share. A 
project requesting $300,000 per budget period must include a match of 
at least $33,333 per budget period. The non-Federal share may be in 
cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to 
meet their match requirement through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
three projects will be funded--one for each target population ((1) 
foster parents, or (2) adoptive parents of children with developmental 
disabilities and/or special needs, or (3) relatives caring for kin in 
foster care).
2000A.5  Innovations To Increase Permanency Options for Children Using 
Kinship Care
    Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to States, local social 
services agencies and federally recognized Indian Tribes and Indian 
Tribal Organizations. The Children's Bureau encourages partnerships 
with private non-profit agencies, universities, and foundations.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $300,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-budget period must 
include a match of at least $33,000 per budget period. The non-Federal 
share may be in cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Project to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
5 projects will be funded.
2000A.6  Knowledge Development for Concurrent Planning
    Eligible Applicants: State or local governments alone or in 
collaboration with Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations 
or with private non-profit licensed child placement or adoption 
agencies with expertise in permanency planning.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $300,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost is the sum of the ACYF share and non-Federal share. A 
project requesting $300,000 per budget period must include a match of 
at least $33,333 per budget period. The non-Federal share may be in 
cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to 
meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
five projects will be funded.
2000A.7  Collaborations Between Child Welfare Agencies and Court 
Systems to Facilitate Timely Adoptions
    Eligible Applicants: State and local government or nonprofit 
organizations engaged in adoption services or child welfare activities, 
courts, and federally recognized Indian Tribes and Indian Tribal 
Organizations. Current grantees receiving funds from the Children's 
Bureau for collaborative efforts for this purpose are not eligible.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $200,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, 
a project requesting $200,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
$200,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least $22,222 
(10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal share may be 
cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to 
meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to 10 projects will be funded.
2000A.8  Innovative Approaches To Expediting Permanence and 
Implementing ASFA
    Eligible Applicants: States and local government entities, public 
or private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies, 
local social services agencies and Federally recognized Indian Tribes 
and Indian Tribal Organizations. The Children's Bureau encourages 
partnerships with private

[[Page 19907]]

non-profit agencies, universities, and foundations, if appropriate.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a period of 36 
months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. 
The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget period 
will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on 
the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $300,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
cost is the sum of the ACYF share and non-Federal share. A project 
requesting $300,000 per budget period must include a match of at least 
$33,333 per budget period. The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind 
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match 
requirements through cash contributions.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to ten projects will be funded.

2000B: Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary Activities

2000B.1   Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment 
Projects (LONGSCAN)
    Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to current grantee and 
subgrantee members of the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies: The 
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; San Diego State University 
Foundation, San Diego; the Juvenile Protective Association, Chicago; 
the Department of Social and Health Services, Olympia, Washington; and 
the University of Maryland at Baltimore.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 60 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of each 
of the five Satellite Sites is not to exceed $250,000 per 12-month 
budget period. The maximum Federal share of the coordinating center is 
not to exceed $500,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one Coordinating Center and five Satellite Sites will be funded up to 
the maximum funding level.
2000B.2  National Data Archive for Child Abuse and Neglect
    Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies, 
organizations, and institutions of higher learning.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 60 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress 
on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is not to exceed $500,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.
2000B.3  University-Based Doctoral Candidates in Human Services, 
Medical, or Law Student and Faculty Fellowships for Investigator-
Initiated Research in Child Abuse and Neglect
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher learning, including law 
schools and medical schools, teaching hospitals on behalf of qualified 
doctoral candidates in human service disciplines, law students, medical 
students, residents (medical, surgical, pediatric, or others), house 
officers (medical), or fellows (medical) enrolled in the institution 
and faculty employed by the institution. To be eligible to administer 
such a grant, the institution must be fully accredited by one of the 
regional institutional accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. 
Secretary of Education and the Council on Post-Secretary Accreditation, 
or, as appropriate, the Association for American Law Schools or the 
American Bar Association; the Accreditation Council for Graduate 
Medical Education, American Association of Medical Colleges, or the 
Liaison Committee for Medical Education, as applicable. While an 
individual is considered to be the beneficiary of the grant support, 
awards will be made only to eligible institutions on behalf of their 
qualified candidates.
    Project Duration: The length of the projects may not exceed 17 
months.
    Federal Share of the Project costs: The maximum Federal share of 
the project is not to exceed $100,000 per university or institution, at 
$18,750 per student with a maximum of four student-candidates and 
$25,000 for the faculty candidate.
    Matching Requirement: There is no matching requirement.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to five sites will be funded.
2000B.4  Pilot Test Sites for a Child Abuse and Neglect Research Data 
Collection Instrument
    Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies, 
organizations, and institutions of higher learning, alone or in 
partnerships. If partnerships are created, one agency must be 
identified as the applicant organization and will have legal 
responsibility for the grant.
    Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 17 
months.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of each 
site is $50,000.
    Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to five sites will be funded.
2000B.5  National Network of Mutual Support/Self-Help Programs in 
Partnership With Communities
    Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies or 
organizations who have the capacity to operate a national organization 
as well as assist in the creation of local support groups.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 48 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $500,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 10% of the total cost of the project. The total approved cost is 
the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal share. A project 
requesting $500,000 per budget period must include a match of at least 
$55,555 per budget period. The non-federal share may be in cash or in-
kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their 
match requirement through cash contributions.

[[Page 19908]]

    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.

2000C: Child Welfare Training Discretionary Grants

2000C.1  Training of Child Welfare Practitioners To Work Effectively 
With Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care Through the Federal 
Independent Living Program
    Eligible Applicants: Public or non-profit institutions of higher 
education with accredited social work education programs, or other 
accredited bachelor or graduate level programs leading to a degree 
relevant to work in child welfare.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $200,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 25 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 per budget period must 
include a match of at least $66,667 per budget period. The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for these projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match title IV-E training funds.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
approximately ten projects will be funded.
2000C.2  Training for Managers and Supervisors To Enhance Their 
Capability To Understand and To Implement the Adoption and Safe 
Families Act of 1997
    Eligible Applicants: Public or non-profit institutions of higher 
education with accredited social work education programs, or other 
accredited bachelor or graduate level programs leading to a degree 
relevant to work in child welfare.
    Project Duration: The length of the project may not exceed 36 
months. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $200,000.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 25 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 per budget period must 
include a match of at least $66,667 per budget period. The non-Federal 
share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for these projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match the title IV-E training funds. If approved for funding, grantees 
will be held accountable for the commitment of non-Federal resources 
and failure to provide the required amount will result in a 
disallowance of unmatched Federal funds.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
up to ten projects will be funded.
2000C.3  Training of Child Welfare Agency Supervisors
    Eligible Applicants: Public or non-profit institutions of higher 
education with accredited social work education programs, or other 
accredited bachelor or graduate level programs leading to a degree 
relevant to work in child welfare.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to 
exceed $200,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: The grantee must provide at 
least 25 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal 
share. Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 per budget period must 
include a match of at least $66,667 per budget period. The non-Federal 
share may be case or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for their projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match title IV-E training funds. If approved for funding, grantees will 
be held accountable for the commitment of non-Federal resources and 
failure to provide the required amount will result in a disallowable of 
unmatched Federal funds.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
a total of approximately five projects will be funded.
2000C.4  Professional Education for Current and Prospective Public 
Child Welfare

Practitioners Leading to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degrees

    Eligible Applicants: Public or non-profit institutions of higher 
education with accredited social work education programs.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to 
exceed $75,000 for the 12-month budget period. A traineeship must not 
exceed $7,500 per student per budget year. A minimum of three-fourths 
of the total project funds must be used for traineeships. The 
subsequent year funding of the project will depend on the availability 
of funds.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: No matching funds are 
required for the portion of the budget which pays for traineeships. 
However, grantees must provide at least 25 percent of the total cost of 
grant activities other than traineeships. The total approved cost of 
these activities is the sum of the ACYF 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 
requirements through a cash contribution. Therefore, a project 
requesting $18,750 in Federal funds for non-traineeship activities over 
the 12 month time span of the budget (based on $56,250 traineeship 
activities per budget period) must include a match of

[[Page 19909]]

at least $6,250 (25 percent of the total cost for their activities). 
Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for these projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match title IV-E training funds.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
approximately ten projects will be funded.

2000D: Abandoned Infants Program Service Demonstration Projects

2000D.1  Previous Service Demonstration Projects
    Eligible Applicants: Comprehensive service demonstration projects 
initially funded in FY 1996. Current grantees applying under this 
priority area should be advised that this is a competitive funding 
process and that applications approved for funding will be given a new 
grant number. Existing award activities cannot overlap with the new 
grant's project period and funds from the currently existing grants 
cannot be expended for new grant activities.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 48 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share Of Project Costs: Grant amounts will vary and range 
up to $450,000 per budget year for each of the four years.
    Matching Requirement: The grantee must provide at least 10 percent 
of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of 
the project is the sum of the federal 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 requirements 
through cash contributions. Therefore, a project requesting a total of 
$1,800,000 in Federal funds for all four project years (based on an 
award of $450,000 per budget year), must include a match of at least 
$200,000 (10 percent of total approved project costs, i.e., $50,000 per 
budget period).
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
three to six projects will be funded under this priority area.
2000D.2  New Start Comprehensive Service Demonstration Projects
    Eligible Applicants: Any State, local public or nonprofit agency or 
organization including accredited colleges and universities. Applicants 
who can apply under this priority area include: (1) Applicants in 
jurisdictions in which there currently does not exist a program funded 
under the Abandonment Infants Assistance Program (call the National 
Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center at 510-643-8390 for a list 
of current programs); (2) applicants who have previously received 
funding under the Abandoned Infants Assistance Program but are not 
currently grantees; and (3) applicants that are currently funded by the 
Abandoned Infants Assistance Program but are establishing a program in 
a separate locality serving a different target population, e.g., an 
agency establishing a program in a different city or establishing a 
second program in a city with a population over 1,000,000.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 48 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant amounts will vary and range 
up to $450,000 per budget year for each of the four years.
    Matching Requirement: The grantees must provide at least 10 percent 
of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved 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 requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting a total of $1,800,000 in 
Federal funds for all four project years (based on an award of $450,000 
per budget year), must include a match of at least $200,000 (10 percent 
of total approved project costs, i.e., $50,000 per budget period).
    Anticipated Number Of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
three to six projects will be funded.
2000D.3  Family Support Services for Grandparents and Other Relatives 
Providing Care for Children and Substance Abusing and HIV-Positive 
Women
    Eligible Applicants: Public agencies and private, non-profit 
organizations and institutions of higher education are eligible to 
apply.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a period of 48 
months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. 
The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget period 
will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on 
the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Grants amounts will not exceed 
$100,000 per budget year for each of the four years. The dollar amount 
requested must be fully justified and documented.
    Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the federal 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 requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting a total of $400,000 in 
Federal funds for all four project years (based on an award of $100,000 
per budget year), must include a match of at least $44,444 (10 percent 
of total approved project costs, i.e., $11,111 per budget period).
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
three projects will be funded.
2000D.4  Recreational Services for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS
    Eligible Applicants: Public agencies and private, non-profit 
organizations and institutions of higher education are eligible to 
apply.
    Project Duration: The projects will be awarded for a project period 
of 48 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget 
period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-month budget 
period will be subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress on the part to the grantee, and a determination that continued 
funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant amounts will vary from 
$50,000 to $100,000 per budget year for each of the four years. The 
dollar amount requested must be fully justified and documented.
    Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the federal 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 matching requirements through 
cash contributions. Therefore, a project requesting a total of $400,000 
in

[[Page 19910]]

Federal funds for all four project years (based on an award of $100,000 
per budget year), must include a match of at least $44,444 (10 percent 
of total approved project costs, i.e., $11,111 per budget period).
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
two to three projects will be funded.

Evaluation Criteria

    Reviewers will consider the following factors when scoring 
applications. However, in order to adequately prepare their 
applications, applicants must refer to the full program announcement 
for the specific evaluation criteria for each priority area. The points 
awarded for each criterion vary, depending on the specific priority 
area.

Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance

    Applications will be judged on the extent to which they clearly 
specify the purposes and/or strategies of the proposed project and 
their relationship to legislative authority and child welfare outcomes, 
as appropriate; the quality of their statement regarding the need for 
the project; and evidence that the applicant understands current issues 
and recent developments in the field that may have relevance to the 
implementation of the project. Applicants must refer to the specific 
evaluation criteria for each priority area contained in the full 
Program Announcement in order to adequately prepare their applications. 
The points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on the specific 
priority area.

Criterion 2: Results or Benefits Expected

    Applications will be judged on the extent to which they define both 
interim and final results and benefits that they will seek to achieve 
through implementation of their proposed projects, how these results/
benefits will contribute to the overall improvement of the field, and, 
where appropriate, the innovative aspects of the proposed project. 
Applicants are encouraged to define clear, objective measures by which 
their results/benefits will be determined. Applicants must refer to the 
specific evaluation criteria for each priority area contained in the 
full Program Announcement in order to adequately prepare their 
applications. The points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on 
the specific priority area.

Criterion 3: Approach

    Applicants will be judged on the clarity, feasibility, and 
thoroughness of their description of the approach that they intend to 
use in implementing proposed projects. The approach sections will be 
expected to include, as appropriate, information on barriers to 
implementation and proposed solutions to those barriers; necessary 
collaborations with other organizations and agencies and their 
respective roles; evaluation plans; reporting requirements; and 
staffing plans. Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation 
criteria for each priority area contained in the full Program 
Announcement in order to adequately prepare their applications. The 
points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on the specific 
priority area.

Criterion 4: Organization Profile

    Applicants will be judged on the experience and demonstrated 
competence of staff who are proposed to implement the project and, as 
appropriate, the experience of the organization in implementing related 
projects. Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for 
each priority area contained in the full Program Announcement in order 
to adequately prepare their applications. The points awarded for this 
criterion vary, depending on the specific priority area.

Criterion 5: Budget and Budget Justification

    Applicants will be judged on the adequacy, reasonableness, and 
completeness of their budget requests to support their proposed 
projects, including their management plans to control and account for 
expenditure of project funds. Applicants must refer to the specific 
evaluation criteria for each priority area contained in the full 
Program Announcement in order to adequately prepare their applications. 
The points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on the specific 
priority area.

Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact

    Most portions of this program 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 Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design 
their own process for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal 
assistance under covered programs.
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, and American Samoa have elected to participate in 
the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of 
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-three jurisdictions need 
take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be 
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from 
the requirements of E.O. 12372. Applicants to the Adoption 
Opportunities program are also exempt from the requirements of E.O. 
12372. Otherwise, applicants should contact their SPOCs as soon as 
possible to alert them of the prospective applications and receive any 
necessary 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. It is imperative 
that the applicant 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. A list of the Single 
Points of Contact for each State and Territory can be found on the web 
site http://www.dhhs.gov/progorg/grantsnet/laws-reg/spoq0695.htm.

    Dated: April 7, 2000.
Patricia Montoya,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 00-9150 Filed 4-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M