[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 218 (Thursday, November 9, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67377-67385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28798]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB 2001-01]


Native Hawaiian and Nonprofit American Indian Organization; Child 
Care Grants

AGENCY: Administration on Children and Families (ACYF), Administration 
for Children and Families, (ACF).

ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial 
assistance for Native Hawaiian and Nonprofit American Indian 
Organization Child Care Grants.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this program announcement is to announce the 
availability of fiscal year 2001 Discretionary Funds, authorized under 
the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act (the Act), as 
amended, for child care grants to:
    (1) A Native Hawaiian organization; and
    (2) A private nonprofit organization established for the purpose of 
serving youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians.

DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is January 8, 
2001.
    Mailing and Delivery Instructions: Mailed applications and 
applications hand delivered by applicants, applicant couriers, 
overnight/express mail couriers or any other method of hand delivery 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline, at the: ACYF Operations Center, 
1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293.
    Applications may be hand delivered to the above address between the 
hours

[[Page 67378]]

of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EDT), Monday through Friday (excluding 
Federal Holidays).
    Applicants are responsible for mailing and delivering applications 
well in advance of deadlines to ensure that the applications are 
received on time. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on the 
deadline date will be classified as late. Postmarks and other similar 
documents do not establish receipt of an application.
    ACF will not accept applications delivered by fax, regardless of 
date or time of submission and receipt.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
stated above and are not received by the deadline date and time are 
considered late applications. The Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) will notify each late applicant that its application 
will not be considered in the current competition.
    Extension of deadline: 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.
    Notice of Intent to Submit Application: If you intend to submit an 
application, please contact ACYF's Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293 
with the following information: the number and title of this 
announcement; your organization's name and address; and your contact 
person's name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. The 
information will be used to determine the number of expert reviewers 
needed to evaluate applications and to update the mailing list for 
program announcements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginny Gorman, Administration for 
Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, Room 2046, Mary E. Switzer 
Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Phone: 202-401-7260, 
Fax: 202-690-5600, or E-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ACF Uniform Discretionary Grant 
Application Form covering all ACF announcements, contained in the 
Application Kit, and this Supplementary Information section contain all 
the forms and instructions needed to apply for a grant under this 
announcement. No additional application materials are needed.
    The Supplementary Information section consists of seven parts. Part 
I provides general information about funding requirements, and 
application procedures for child care grants under this program 
announcement. Part II provides background information on ACYF, the 
Child Care Bureau, and funding to Indian Tribes and tribal 
organizations under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), and 
CCDF definitions used in this announcement. Part III describes child 
care goals and priorities related to this announcement. Part IV 
provides instructions for the Uniform Project Description. Part V 
describes the evaluation criteria and selection process. Part VI 
describes the application process. Part VII provides information on the 
content of the application and submission instructions. The contents 
are outlined below:

Table of Contents

Part I. General Information

    A. Purpose
    B. Citations
    C. Number of Awards
    D. Project Duration
    E. Funding Levels and Budget Periods
    F. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs
    G. Eligibility

Part II. Background and Context

    A. The Child Care Bureau
    B. Grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal Consortia
    C. Grants to ``Other Organizations''
    D. Definitions

Part III. Native Hawaiian and Nonprofit American Indian Organization 
Child Care Grants--Goals and Priorities

    A. Regulatory and Statutory Requirements
    B. Eligibility for Services
    C. Coordination
    D. Public Notice
    E. Parental Choice
    F. Quality Activities
    G. Construction or Renovation of Child Care Facilities

Part IV. General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description

    A. Introduction
    B. Project Summary/Abstract
    C. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    D. Results or Benefits Expected
    E. Approach
    F. Geographic Location
    G. Additional Information

Part V. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

    A. Evaluation Criteria
    B. The Selection Process
    C. Funding Date

Part VI. Application Process

    A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees
    B. Application Requirements
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372
    E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials
    F. Application Consideration

Part VII. Application Content and Submission Instructions

    A. Application Content
    B. Application Submission

Part I. General Information

A. Purpose

    The purpose of this program announcement is to provide funding for 
two child care programs: one serving Native Hawaiian youths; and one 
serving Indian and/or Native Hawaiian youths.

B. Citations

1. Sponsorship
    Grants being awarded under this announcement are sponsored by the 
Child Care Bureau (the Bureau) of the Administration on Children, Youth 
and Families (ACYF) in the Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Bureau 
will manage the projects.
2. Funding Authority
    Funding is being provided by ACF under Sec. 658B of the Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9858).
3. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.575.

C. Number of Awards

    Two projects will be funded in fiscal year 2001 (beginning October 
1, 2000), subject to the availability of funds and results of the 
evaluation process.

D. Project Duration

    The total project period will be 36 months.

E. Funding Levels and Budget Periods

    Initial awards will be for a one-year budget period. Individual 
projects will receive between $500,000 and $1,000,000 for the first 
budget period of 12 months, with a possibility of between $500,000 and 
$1,000,000 per year in continuation funding to be awarded in each of 
fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The estimated total Federal funding for a 
three-year project is between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000.
    Applications for continuation of grants funded under this 
announcement will be entertained in subsequent years on a non-
competitive basis. The award of continuation funding beyond each one-
year budget period (but within the three-year project period) will be 
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the 
grantee, and a

[[Page 67379]]

determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of 
the government.

F. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs

    While the applicant is not required to provide a match to receive 
funding under this program announcement, it is strongly encouraged to 
leverage funds from other sources for their project.

G. Eligibility

    The following organizations are eligible to apply for funding under 
this program announcement:
    A private nonprofit organization that serves the interests of 
Native Hawaiians and is recognized by the Governor of Hawaii for the 
purpose of planning, conducting, or administering programs (or parts of 
programs) for the benefit of Native Hawaiians; and
    A private nonprofit organization established for the purpose of 
serving youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians.
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit 
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a 
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 
501(c)(3) of the IRS code or by providing a copy of the currently valid 
IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles 
of incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation 
or association is domiciled.
    At least 90 percent of the individuals serving on a non-profit 
applicant's board must fall into one or more of the following 
categories: (1) Must be a current or past member of the community to be 
served; (2) be a prospective participant in or beneficiary of the 
project to be funded; or (3) have a cultural relationship with the 
community to be served.
    ``Community'' is defined as a group with common interests and a 
common identify, such as an Indian Tribe, Alaska Native Village, or a 
group of Native Hawaiians living in a given geographic area, and all 
those residing or participating in a predominantly Native Hawaiian 
community.
    If an Indian organization is already receiving Child Care and 
Development Fund (CCDF) funding, it is not eligible to apply for 
Discretionary Funds under this program announcement. Only one 
application will be accepted from each eligible applicant.

Part II. Background and Context

A. The Child Care Bureau

    The Child Care Bureau was established in 1994 to provide leadership 
to efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply of child 
care available for all families. The Child Care Bureau administers the 
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a $3.5 billion child care 
program that includes funding for child care subsidies and activities 
to improve the quality and availability of child care. CCDF was created 
after amendments to ACF child care programs by Title VI of the Personal 
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 
consolidated four Federal child care funding streams including the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant, AFDC/JOBS Child Care, 
Transitional Child Care, and At-Risk Child Care.
    The Bureau works closely with ACF Regions, States, Territories and 
Tribes to assist with, oversee, and document implementation of new 
policies and programs in support of State, local and private sector 
administration of child care services and systems. In addition, the 
Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices throughout the 
Federal government to promote integrated, family-focused services and 
coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these activities, 
the Bureau seeks to enhance the quality, availability, and 
affordability of child care services, support children's healthy growth 
and development in safe child care environments, enhance parental 
choice and involvement in their children's care, and facilitate the 
linkage of child care with other community services.

B. Grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal Consortia

    The CCDF is comprised of two funding sources for Tribes and tribal 
consortia:
    Discretionary Funds--funding that is provided under the Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act, as amended; and
    Tribal Mandatory Funds--funding that is provided to eligible tribal 
organizations under Section 418 of the Social Security Act.
    Currently, 257 Indian Tribes and tribal consortia receive CCDF 
funds. Through consortia arrangements, these grantees serve over 500 
Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. In FY 
2000, Tribes and tribal organizations received approximately $71 
million in CCDF funds.
    A Tribe is eligible to receive CCDF funds if it is Federally 
recognized and the tribal population includes at least 50 children 
under 13 years of age (or such similar age, as determined by the 
Secretary from the best available data). A Tribe with fewer than 50 
children under age 13 may participate in a consortium of eligible 
tribes.
    In order to receive CCDF funds, eligible Tribes and tribal 
consortia develop a plan for child care services. The plan is an 
agreement between the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 
and the Tribal agency responsible for administering the CCDF funds. The 
plan provides assurances that the funds will be administered in 
conformance with the Act, pertinent Federal regulations, and other 
applicable instructions or guidelines issued by ACF.

C. Grants to ``Other Organizations''

    The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
of 1996 (PRWORA) amended the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
(CCDBG), to add the following definition to the term ``tribal 
organization,'' to indicate other organizations that are potentially 
eligible for Discretionary Funding:
    ``Other organizations--Such term includes a Native Hawaiian 
Organization, as defined in section 4009(4) of the Augustus F. Hawkins-
Robert T. Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement 
Amendments of 1988 and a private nonprofit organization established for 
the purpose of serving youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians.''
    Section 4009(4) of the Augustus F. Hawkins-Robert T. Stafford 
Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Amendments of 1988 defines 
a Native Hawaiian Organization as:
    ``A private nonprofit organization that serves the interests of 
Native Hawaiians, and is recognized by the Governor of Hawaii for the 
purpose of planning, conducting, or administering programs (or parts of 
programs) for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.''
    The applicant is eligible to apply only for Discretionary Funds 
under this announcement. Native Hawaiian organizations and private 
nonprofit organizations established for the purpose of serving youth 
who are Indians or Native Hawaiians are not eligible to apply for 
Tribal Mandatory Funds.

D. Definitions

    This program announcement is based on the following definitions:
    Categories of Care--center-based child care, group home child care, 
family child care and in home care.

[[Page 67380]]

    Center-Based Child Care Provider--a provider licensed or otherwise 
authorized to provide child care services for fewer than 24 hours per 
day per child in a non-residential setting, unless care in excess of 24 
hours is due to the nature of the parent(s)' work.
    Child Care Certificate--a certificate (that may be a check, or 
other disbursement) that is issued by a grantee directly to a parent 
who may use such certificate only as payment for child care services or 
as a deposit for child care services if such a deposit is required of 
other children being cared for by the provider, pursuant to 45 CFR 
98.30. Nothing in this part shall preclude the use of such certificate 
for sectarian child care services if freely chosen by the parent. For 
the purposes of this part, a child care certificate is assistance to 
the parent, not assistance to the provider.
    Construction--the erection of a facility that does not currently 
exist.
    Discretionary Funds--the funds authorized under section 658B of the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. The Discretionary funds 
were formerly referred to as the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant.
    Eligible Child Care Provider--(1) A center-based child care 
provider, a group home child care provider, a family child care 
provider, an in-home child care provider, or other provider of child 
care services for compensation that is licensed, regulated, or 
registered under applicable State or local law as described in 45 CFR 
98.40; and satisfies State and local requirements, including those 
referred to in 45 CFR 98.41 applicable to the child care services it 
provides; or (2) a child care provider who is 18 years of age or older 
who provides child care services only to eligible children who are, by 
marriage, blood relationship, or court decree, the grandchild, great 
grandchild, sibling (if such provider lives in separate residence), 
niece, or nephew of such provider, and complies with any applicable 
requirements that govern child care provided by the relative involved.
    Family Child Care Provider--one individual who provides child care 
services for fewer than 24 hours per day per child, as the sole 
caregiver, in a private residence other than the child's residence, 
unless care in excess of 24 hours is due to the nature of the 
parent(s)' work.
    Group Home Child Care Provider--two or more individuals who provide 
child care services for fewer than 24 hours per day per child, in a 
private residence other than the child's residence, unless care in 
excess of 24 hours is due to the nature of the parent(s)' work.
    Indian Tribe--any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized 
group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or 
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. section 1601 et seq.) that is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    In-Home Child Care Provider--an individual who provides child care 
services in the child's own home.
    Licensing or Regulatory Requirements--requirements necessary for a 
provider to legally provide child care services in a State or locality, 
including registration requirements established under State, local or 
Tribal law.
    Other Tribal Organizations--such term includes a Native Hawaiian 
Organization, as defined in section 4009(4) of the Augustus F. Hawkins-
Robert T. Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement 
Amendments of 1988 and a private nonprofit organization established for 
the purpose of serving youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians.
    Parent--a parent by blood, marriage or adoption and also means a 
legal guardian, or other person standing in loco parentis.
    Provider--the entity providing child care services.
    Sliding Fee Scale--a system of cost sharing by a family based on 
income and size of the family, in accordance with 45 CFR 98.42.
    Tribal Mandatory Funds--the child care funds set aside at section 
418(a)(4) of the Social Security Act. The funds consist of between one 
and two percent of the aggregate Mandatory and Matching child care 
funds reserved by the Secretary in each fiscal year for payments to 
Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
    Types of Providers--the different classes of providers under each 
category of care. For the purposes of the CCDF, types of providers 
include non-profit providers, for-profit providers, sectarian providers 
and relatives who provide care.

Part III. Native Hawaiian and Nonprofit American Indian 
Organization Child Care Grants--Goals and Priorities

    In designing a project under this announcement, the applicant 
should consider the following goals of the amended CCDBG Act, provided 
at 45 CFR 98.1(a):
    1. Allow each State maximum flexibility in developing child care 
programs and policies that best suit the needs of children and parents 
within the State;
    2. Promote parental choice to empower working parents to make their 
own decisions on the child care needs that best suits their family's 
needs;
    3. Encourage States to provide consumer education information to 
help parents make informed choices about child care;
    4. Assist States to provide child care to parents trying to achieve 
independence from public assistance; and
     5. Assist States in implementing the health, safety, licensing and 
registration standards established in State regulations.
    Grants awarded under this announcement are to increase the 
availability, affordability and quality of child care services by 
establishing child care programs in areas that have been previously 
underserved and/or have unmet needs.
    Eligible applicants are reminded that under 45 CFR 98.80(d) of the 
CCDF Final Rule, Indian children continue to have dual eligibility to 
receive services funded by CCDF. Indian children and Native Hawaiian 
children will continue to be eligible for services provided under this 
announcement and from the State in which the applicant organization is 
located. Therefore, through the two grants awarded under this 
announcement, additional child care services (from the Discretionary 
Fund) are available to children who are currently eligible to be served 
under a State CCDF program.

A. Regulatory and Statutory Requirements

    To meet the purposes of the Act, the applicant is required to meet 
most of the same requirements as grantees receiving tribal formula 
grants under the CCDF program. Thus, the majority of the information 
requested under Part IV, General Instructions for the Uniform Project 
Description, of this program announcement is required by the current 
regulations at 45 CFR parts 98 and 99 and the CCDBG Act, as amended. 
Unless otherwise indicated, the regulations at 45 CFR part 98 will 
apply to grants awarded under this program announcement. As discussed 
in Part II., B. Grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal Consortia, this 
information is requested in the CCDF plan for Tribes and tribal 
consortia. Since the CCDF plan is not appropriate for grants under this 
announcement, it is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate how

[[Page 67381]]

their project meets these regulatory and statutory requirements. The 
applicant must also include a statement that it will comply with the 
applicable list of assurances found in 45 CFR 98.15 of the CCDF final 
rule.

B. Eligibility for Services

    All eligible children must be under the age of 13 and reside with a 
family whose income does not exceed 85% of the grantee median income 
for a family of the same size and whose parent(s) are working or 
attending a job training or educational program or who receive or need 
to receive protective services. Grantee median income may be defined 
as: (1) Tribal median income for a family of the same size residing in 
the area served by the applicant; or (2) State median income for a 
family of the same size.
    The applicant must indicate which income eligibility definition it 
plans to use in establishing a child care program under this 
announcement. In addition, an applicant must define the following 
terms, as used in their application: (1) Attending (a job training or 
educational program); (2) in loco parentis; (3) job training and 
educational program; (4) physical or mental incapacity; (5) protective 
services; (6) residing with; and (7) special needs child. Instructions 
on defining these terms are included in the Application Kit's 
``Supplemental Guide.'' The applicant may elect to establish additional 
eligibility criteria. For example, the applicant may establish 
different income limits for part of the population to be served. Any 
additional eligibility criteria need to be clearly identified and 
defined by the applicant. The applicant may also elect to waive, on a 
case-by-case basis, the fee and income eligibility requirements for 
cases in which children receive or need to receive protective services.
    The applicant may provide child care for children age 13 and older 
who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care, but must 
define these terms in their application. The applicant may also provide 
child care for children age 13 and older who are under court 
supervision. If care is to be provided in either circumstance, the 
applicant must specify the age of the children to be served, up to age 
19.
    In designing a child care program, the applicant is encouraged to 
address the before- and after-school care needs of eligible children to 
be served under this program announcement.

C. Coordination

    The applicant must describe how it will coordinate the delivery of 
CCDF-funded child care services with other Federal, State, and local 
child care, early childhood development programs, and before- and 
after-school care services, if applicable.
    Child care is an integral part of a community's self-sufficiency 
and workforce development efforts. In addition, the quality of child 
care benefits greatly from close coordination with the public health 
and education communities. Therefore, the applicant must include the 
results of its coordination activities with agencies responsible for 
health (including the agency responsible for immunizations), education, 
employment services or workforce development, and the agency 
responsible for providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
(TANF).

D. Public Notice

    The applicant is encouraged to engage in a planning process that 
includes parents, providers, and other relevant stakeholders in the 
community to be served. As part of the planning process, the applicant 
must notify those families eligible to be served under this program 
announcement of the provision of child care services proposed under 
this project and provide an opportunity for members to comment on the 
proposed plan through a public hearing. Public notice of the hearing 
must be made available across the proposed service area at least 20 
days prior to the hearing.

E. Parental Choice

    One of the goals of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
is ``to promote parental choice to empower working parents to make 
their own decisions on the child care that best suits their family's 
needs.'' In support of this goal, the applicant is expected to design 
and implement a certificate program since it promotes parental choice 
in selecting CCDF-funded child care providers. However, while 
certificates ensure parental choice, contracted slots also play an 
important role in meeting the child care needs of families, 
particularly in rural areas, for infant-care, or for children with 
special needs.
    Therefore, it is incumbent for the applicant to design a child care 
program that will adequately address the needs and unique circumstances 
of the population it intends to serve. If the applicant is unable to 
operate a certificate program, or chooses to provide child care 
services through grants and contracts exclusively, it must justify this 
approach in its program narrative and assure how the alternative 
approach will promote parental choice.

F. Quality Activities

    The applicant must spend no less than four percent of its grant 
award on activities to improve the availability and quality of child 
care. Examples of activities undertaken by CCDF-funded tribal child 
care programs include: (1) Resource and referral programs; (2) grants 
or loans to providers to assist in meeting standards; (3) monitoring of 
compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements; (4) training and 
technical assistance; (5) compensation for child care providers; and 
(6) comprehensive consumer education. The applicant may select 
activities from this list of examples, or design other quality 
activities that are better suited to the population to be served.

G. Construction or Renovation of Child Care Facilities

    Title VI of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-193) amended the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act to permit Tribal grantees to use CCDF funds 
for construction or renovation of child care facilities. Therefore, in 
its grant application the applicant should describe any anticipated 
construction and renovation projects that will be funded with CCDF 
funds, and estimate the amount of funds that will be used for these 
projects.
    However, grant funds cannot be spent for construction or renovation 
until a grantee has applied for and received approval, through a 
separate application process, from the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS). A grantee may submit a request to spend part of its 
grant for construction or renovation through this separate application 
process once it has been awarded a CCDF grant under this announcement.
    As part of the separate application process, a grantee must show 
that adequate facilities are not otherwise available to carry out child 
care programs, and that the lack of facilities will inhibit the 
operation of such programs in the future. The amount of funds that a 
grantee may request for construction or renovation through the separate 
application process is limited to the amount estimated in the grantee's 
original CCDF application under this announcement.
    Furthermore, statutory language at section 6580(c)(6) of the 
revised CCDBG Act indicates that Congress does not intend for 
construction and renovation projects to unnecessarily divert resources 
from the provision of child care services. Because grants under this 
announcement are designed to establish child care programs in areas 
with unmet

[[Page 67382]]

need, a grantee should reserve adequate funds for direct child care 
services. While some construction and renovation activity is allowable 
under this program announcement, in accordance with Part V., A. 
Criterion 5. Budget, the applicant will have to demonstrate that funds 
will be used for direct child care services and the funds requested are 
reasonable in regard to the number of eligible children to be served.

Part IV. General Instructions for the Uniform Project Description

    The following ACF Uniform Project Description has been approved 
under OMB Control Number 0970-0139. This format is to be used to submit 
an application under this announcement.

A. Introduction

    The applicant is required to submit a full project description 
shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions. The pages of the project description must be 
numbered and are limited to 40 typed pages, double spaced, printed on 
only one side, with at least \1/2\-inch margins. Pages over the limit 
will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed. In 
addition, please note that previous attempts by applicants to 
circumvent space limitations or to exceed page limits by using small 
print have resulted in negative responses from reviewers because of the 
difficulty in reviewing the application.
    The applicant should use the evaluation criteria listed in Part V 
as a way to organize the uniform project description, providing 
specific information that addresses all components of each criterion.
    It is in the applicant's best interest to ensure that the project 
description is easy to read, logically developed in accordance with 
evaluation criteria and adhere to page limitations. In addition, the 
applicant should be mindful of the importance of preparing and 
submitting applications using language, terms, concepts and 
descriptions that are generally known to the child care and early 
childhood fields.

B. Project Summary/Abstract

    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.

C. Objectives and Need for Assistance

    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated); some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.

D. Results or Benefits Expected

    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
describe who will receive child care services, where and how these 
services will be provided, the anticipated numbers of children and 
families to be served, and how the services will benefit the children, 
families and community to be served.

E. Approach

    Outline a plan of action, which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of youth to be served and the results of those 
services. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    Identify the kinds of data to be collected, maintained, and/or 
disseminated. Note that clearance from the U.S. Office of Management 
and Budget might be needed prior to a ``collection of information'' 
that is ``conducted or sponsored'' by ACF. List organizations, 
cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will 
work on the project along with a short description of the nature of 
their effort or contribution.

F. Geographic Location

    Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the 
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be attached.

G. Additional Information

    1. Staff and position data: Provide a biographical sketch for each 
key person appointed and a job description for each vacant key 
position. A biographical sketch will also be required for new key staff 
as appointed.
    2. Plan for project continuance beyond grant support: Provide a 
plan for securing resources and continuing project activities after 
Federal assistance has ceased.
    3. Organizational profiles: Provide information on the applicant 
organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, 
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed 
Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond 
carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses 
and other documentation of professional accreditation, information on 
compliance with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation 
of experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission. The 
non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of the 
applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent 
list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the 
IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of 
incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled.
    4. Third-party agreements: Include written agreements between 
grantees and subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating 
entities. These agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, 
work schedules, remuneration, and other terms and conditions that 
structure or define the relationship.
    5. Letters of support: Provide statements from community, public 
and commercial leaders that support the project proposed for funding.
    6. Budget and budget justification: Provide line item detail and 
detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the 
Budget Information form. Detailed calculations must

[[Page 67383]]

include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar 
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. 
The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the funding sources 
identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget 
justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. 
Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs.

Part V. Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

    The five evaluation criteria that follow will be used to review and 
evaluate each application. Each of the criteria should be addressed in 
the project description section of the application. The point values 
indicate the maximum numerical weight each criterion will be accorded 
in the review process. Note that the highest possible score an 
application can receive is 100 points.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)

    1. The applicant must specify the goals and objectives of the 
project and how implementation will fulfill the purposes of the amended 
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. The applicant must 
demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Child Care and Development 
Fund, and the Federal regulations that apply to CCDF grants 
administered by the Child Care Bureau.
    2. The applicant must state the need for assistance by identifying 
and discussing the critical child care issues affecting Native Hawaiian 
and or low-income Indian families and the challenges they face as they 
move toward economic self-sufficiency. Participant and beneficiary 
information must also be included.
    3. The applicant must describe how it will coordinate the delivery 
of CCDF-funded child care services with other Federal, State and local 
child care, early childhood development programs, and before- and 
after-school care services. Supporting documentation of need from other 
community groups may be included.
    4. The applicant must describe the area to be served, indicate the 
precise locations of program services and demonstrate that the services 
will be located in an area which is accessible to children and 
families. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached.

Criterion 2. Results and Benefits Expected (10 Points)

    1. The applicant must specify the number of children and families 
to be served, the array of child care settings available, and the types 
of other services to be provided (such as quality activities).
    2. The applicant must explain how the expected results will benefit 
the population to be served in meeting its child care needs.
    3. The applicant must describe the criteria to be used to evaluate 
the results and success of the program.

Criterion 3. Approach (40 Points)

    1. The applicant must include a detailed plan that identifies goals 
and objectives and provides a work plan identifying specific activities 
necessary to accomplish the stated goals and objectives.
    2. The applicant must describe how the project will coordinate the 
delivery of CCDF funded child care services with other Federal, State 
and local child care, early childhood development programs, and before- 
and after-school care services. Coordination activities with agencies 
responsible for health, education, employment services or workforce 
development and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families must also be 
addressed.
    3. The applicant must describe how it will develop and implement a 
certificate program that allows parents to choose from a variety of 
child care categories, including center-based care, group home care, 
family child care and in-home care (including a description of the 
certificate payment system). The applicant must also discuss the use of 
grants or contracts for child care slots, if applicable, and any 
reasons for limiting the use of in-home care.
    4. The applicant must demonstrate that payment rates are adequate 
to ensure equal access to comparable child care services provided to 
children whose parents are not eligible to receive child care 
assistance under the CCDF and other governmental programs based on the 
results of a required market rate survey. The applicant may base its 
market rate survey on the State's survey rather than conducting its own 
survey if the applicant's service area is included in the State's 
market rate survey. A copy of the required market rate survey must be 
included.
    5. The applicant must explain its eligibility criteria and 
requirements, including how the applicant will give priority for child 
care services to children with special needs, and include a copy of the 
sliding fee scale that will be used to determine each family's 
contribution to the cost of care (including whether families below the 
poverty level would be exempted from the fee). An explanation of the 
use of the sliding fee scale must also be provided.
    6. The applicant must describe how it will develop and implement 
processes with parents including: informing parents about child care 
services and options, making applications, and eligibility 
determinations; making available information on parental complaints; 
and affording parents unlimited access to their children receiving 
CCDF-funded child care services.
    7. The applicant must describe the activities it will develop and 
implement to improve the availability and quality of child care.
    8. The applicant will discuss how it will meet the required health 
and safety standards by type of provider, particularly in regard to the 
newly issued guidance on the Minimum Tribal Child Care Standards.
    9. The applicant must describe how it will collect data on children 
and families receiving CCDF-funded child care services.
    10. The applicant must describe how the activities implemented 
under this project will be continued by the agency once Federal funding 
for the project has ended and must describe specific plans for 
accomplishing program phase-out in the event the applicant cannot 
obtain new operating funds at the end of the 36-month project period.

Criterion 4. Staff and Position Data and Organizational Profiles 
(20 Points)

    1. The applicant must discuss staff and organizational experience 
in working with children and families, particularly in early childhood 
education and/or child care. The applicant must also document the 
services it provides to this specific population and the length of time 
the applicant has been involved in the provision of these services.
    2. The applicant must include information on the skills, knowledge 
and experience of the project director and key project staff. Brief 
resumes of current and proposed staff, as well as job descriptions, 
should be included. Resumes must indicate what position the individual 
will fill and position descriptions must specifically describe the job 
as it relates to the proposed project. The applicant must also list 
organizations and consultants who will work on the program along with a 
short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. The 
applicant must provide information on plans for training project staff 
as well as staff of cooperating organizations and individuals.

[[Page 67384]]

    3. The applicant must demonstrate the ability of the organization 
to effectively manage the program.
    4. The applicant must provide a short description of the applicant 
agency's organization; the types, quantities and costs of services it 
provides and must identify and discuss the role of other organizations 
or multiple sites of the agency that will be involved in direct 
services to children and families through this grant. List all these 
sites, including addresses, phone numbers and staff contact names if 
different than those on the SF 424. If the agency is a recipient of 
funds from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families for 
services to children and families for programs other than that applied 
for in this application (e.g., Head Start, Child Welfare Services), 
show how the services supported by these funds are or will be 
integrated with the existing services. Organizational charts may be 
provided.
    5. The applicant must provide an annotated listing of its funding 
sources and contractual agreements and other relationships which 
support or complement the provision of child care services to low-
income Native Hawaiian and/or Indian children and families.

Criterion 5. Budget (10 Points)

    1. The applicant must show the extent to which the funds requested 
will be used for direct child care services to families through 
certificates and/or contracted programs for child care slots and are 
reasonable and justified in regard to the number of eligible children 
that will receive CCDF-funded child care services under this 
announcement. Discussion should refer to (1) the budget information 
presented on Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the applicant's budget 
justification and (2) the results or benefits identified under 
Criterion 2 above.
    2. The applicant must describe the fiscal control and accounting 
procedures used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement and accurate 
accounting of funds.

B. The Selection Process

    The Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final selection of the 
applicants to be funded. Applications may be funded in whole or in part 
depending on: (1) the ranked order of applicants resulting from the 
competitive review; (2) staff review and consultations; (3) the 
combination of projects that best meets the Bureau's objectives; (4) 
the funds available; and (5) other relevant considerations.
    Selected applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award that sets forth the amount of funds granted, 
the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the 
award, the budget period for which support is given, and the total 
project period for which support is provided.

C. Funding Date

    It is anticipated that successful applications will be funded in 
the second quarter of FY 2001.

Part VI. Application Process

A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees

    Potential grantees can direct questions about application forms to 
the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau 
Program Announcement, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, 
VA. 22209; Telephone: 1-800-351-2293; electronic mail: [email protected]. 
Questions about program requirements may be directed to Ginny Gorman, 
Child Care Bureau; Telephone 202-401-7260; electronic mail: 
[email protected] or John Coakley, ACF Region IX, San Francisco; 
Telephone 415-437-8554; Electronic Mail [email protected].

B. Application Requirements

    To be considered for a grant, each application must be submitted on 
the forms provided in the Application Kit and in accordance with the 
guidance provided below. The application must be signed by an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume 
responsibility for the obligations imposed by terms and conditions of 
the grant award. If more than one agency is involved in submitting a 
single application, one entity must be identified as the applicant 
organization that will have legal responsibility for the grant.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13)

    The Uniform Project Description information collection within this 
Program Announcement is approved under Uniform Project Description 
(0970-0139).
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 10 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
reviewing the collection of information. 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.

D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372

    This program announcement 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 Program and Activities.''

E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials

    A copy of the forms that must be submitted as part of an 
application and instructions for completing the application are 
provided in the Application Kit. Legislation referenced in Part I, 
section B.2 of this announcement and the CCDF Final Rule (45 CFR parts 
98 and 99) may be found in major public libraries and on the Child Care 
Bureau's website at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb/policy1/index.htm. Additional copies of this announcement may be obtained by 
calling 1-800-351-2293. Many standard forms can also be downloaded and 
printed from the following ACF webpage: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/oa/form.htm.
    An Application Kit containing the necessary forms and a 
``Supplemental Guide to Develop a Funding Application for Native 
Hawaiian and Nonprofit American Indian Organization Child Care Grants'' 
may be obtained from: Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, Room 2046, 
Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, 
Attention: ACYF-PA-CCB-2001-01, Telephone: (202) 401-7260.

F. Application Consideration

    All applications that are complete and conform to the requirements 
of this program announcement will be subject to a competitive review 
and evaluation against the specific competitive grant area criteria 
outlined in Part V of this announcement. This review will be conducted 
in Washington, D.C., by panels of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in 
the areas of tribal child care, early childhood education and other 
relevant areas.
    Application review panels will assign a score to each application, 
identifying its strengths and weaknesses. Both Central and Regional Hub 
office staff will conduct administrative reviews of the applications 
and the results of the competitive review panels and will recommend 
applications for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF. The Commissioner 
will make the final

[[Page 67385]]

selection of the applications to be funded. The Commissioner may also 
elect not to fund any applicants having known management, fiscal, 
reporting, program, or other problems which make it unlikely that they 
would be able to provide effective services.
    Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award which will set forth the amount of funds 
granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of 
the grant, and the budget period for which initial support will be 
given.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Commissioner of the Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families. Every effort will be made to notify all 
unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions are 
made.

Part VII. Application Content and Submission Instructions

A. Application Content

    Each application must contain the following items in the order 
listed:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-
92). Follow the instructions in the Application Kit. In Item 8 of Form 
424, check ``New.'' In Item 10 of the 424, clearly identify the Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program title and number: Child 
Care and Development Block Grant, 93.575.
    2. Budget and Budget Justification (Standard Form 424A, REV 4-92). 
Follow the instructions in the Application Kit. The budget 
justification should be typed on standard size plain white paper, 
provide breakdowns for major budget categories and justify significant 
costs. List amounts and sources of all funds, both Federal and non-
Federal, to be used for this project.
    3. Project Summary/Abstract (one page maximum). Clearly mark this 
page with the applicant name as shown on item 5 of the SF 424, identify 
the title of the proposed project as shown in item 11 and the service 
area as shown in item 12 of the SF 424. The summary description should 
not exceed 300 words.
    Care should be taken to produce a summary which accurately and 
concisely reflects the proposed project. It should describe the 
objectives of the project, the approach to be used and the results and 
benefits expected.
    4. Assurances/Certifications. The applicant must sign and return a 
SF 424B, Assurances--non-Construction Programs form and the 
Certification Regarding Lobbying form and return them with the 
application. A duly authorized representative of the applicant 
organization must certify that the applicant is in compliance with 
these assurances and certifications. Note: Although construction is an 
allowable cost if approved by ACF (see Part III, G), the non-
construction assurances are required for purposes of this application. 
All requirements related to construction will be addressed through the 
separate application process for construction and renovation.
    In addition, the applicant must certify its compliance with: (1) 
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; (2) Debarment and Other 
Responsibilities; and (3) Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Certification 
Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke). A signature on the SF 424 
indicates compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Requirements, 
Debarment and Other Responsibilities and Environmental Tobacco Smoke 
Certifications. A signature on the application constitutes an assurance 
that the applicant will comply with the pertinent Departmental 
regulations contained in 45 CFR Part 74.
    5. Documents of Support. The maximum number of pages for supporting 
documentation is 10 pages, double-spaced, exclusive of letters of 
support or agreement. These documents must be numbered and might 
include resumes, photocopies of news clippings, evidence of the 
program's efforts to coordinate child care services at the local level, 
etc. Documentation over the ten-page limit will not be reviewed. The 
applicant may, however, include as many letters of support or agreement 
as are appropriate.

B. Application Submission

    To be considered for funding, the applicant must submit one signed 
original and two additional copies of the application, including all 
attachments, to the application receipt point specified above. The 
original copy of the application must have original signatures, signed 
in black ink. Each copy must be stapled (back and front) in the upper 
left corner. All copies of an application must be submitted in a single 
package.
    Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include 
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, brochures 
or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a photocopy 
machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in 
any way separate subsections of the application, including supporting 
documentation. Applicants are advised that the copies of the 
application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the 
Federal government for review.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Child Care and Development 
Block Grant, 93.575)
    Dated: November 3, 2000.
James A. Harrell,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 00-28798 Filed 11-08-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P