[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8024-8029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4122]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Notice No. ACF/ACYF/RHYP 2002-02]


Notice of Availability of Financial Assistance and Request for 
Applications for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration on Children, 
Youth and Families, ACF, HHS.

ACTION: This Notice announces the availability of financial assistance 
and request for applications for the FY 2002 Basic Center Program for 
Runaway and Homeless Youth (BCP), FY 2002 and 2003 Transitional Living 
Program (TLP) and FY 2002 Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) 
Cooperative Agreements.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    This Notice announces the availability of the full official Program 
Announcement for Fiscal Year 2002 Basic Center Program for Runaway and 
Homeless Youth (BCP), FY 2002 and 2003 Transitional Living Program 
(TLP) and FY 2002 Training and Technical (T&TA) Assistance Cooperative 
Agreements. The full official announcement must be used to apply for 
grant funding under the competitive grant areas and is available by 
calling or writing the ACYF Operations Center (address below) or by 
downloading the announcement from the FYSB website at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb.


    Legislative Authority: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHY 
Act) as amended by PL 106-71 authorizes grants for Runaway and 
Homeless Youth programs.

    Deadlines: The deadline for RECEIPT of applications for a new grant 
under this announcement is:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        CFDA#              Programs       Deadline dates  Deadline times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.623..............  Basic Center           May 3, 2002       4:30 p.m.
                       Program.                                    (EDT)
93.623..............  Training and           May 3, 2002       4:30 p.m.
                       Technical                                   (EDT)
                       Assistance
                       Cooperative
                       Agreements.
93.550..............  Transitional          May 10, 2002       4:30 p.m.
                       Living Program                              (EDT)
                       (Fiscal Year 2002
                       Funding).
93.550..............  Transitional          May 10, 2002       4:30 p.m.
                       Living Program                              (EDT)
                       (Fiscal Year 2003
                       Funding).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mailing and Delivery Instructions: Applications must be in hard 
copy. 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 following address: ACYF Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer 
Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, Telephone: 1-800-351-2293, 
Email: [email protected].
    Applications may be hand delivered to the above address between the 
hours of 8 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 or e-mail 
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 mail service, or for other 
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the 
public at large. A determination to waive or extend deadline 
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Grant awards for FY 2002 funds will be made 
by September 30, 2002 for the Basic Center Program and Training and 
Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement and Transitional Living 
Program. Transitional Living Program Fiscal Year 2003 grant awards will 
be made after September 30, 2002.
    The estimated funds available for new starts and the approximate 
number of new grants that may be awarded under this program 
announcement are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             New start       Estimated
         Competitive grant area                funds       number of new
                                             available        grants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BCP..................................      $9,700,000             100
*B. TLP.................................  19,000,000 (FY             100
                                                   2002)
TLP.....................................  11,200,000 (FY              60
                                                   2003)

[[Page 8025]]

 
C. T&TA.................................       2,000,000             10
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All information stated in the full official program announcement under
  Transitional Living Program, CFDA #93.550, Competitive Area B, is
  applicable to grant applications submitted for TLP Fiscal Year 2002
  funds and TLP Fiscal Year 2003 funds.

    In addition to the new start grants, the Administration for 
Children and Families has provided for noncompetitive continuation 
funds to current grantees in the following programs:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Noncompetitive
               Grant areas                 continuation      Number of
                                               funds          grants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BCP..................................     $32,105,587             270
B. TLP..................................       7,405,040              37
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part I. Competitive Grant Areas and Summaries of Evaluation 
Criteria

    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the official Program Announcement in 
order to adequately prepare their applications.

A. Basic Center Program, CFDA#93.623 (Competitive Grant Area A)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The purpose of Part A of the 
RHY Act is to establish or strengthen locally-controlled, community-
based programs that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless 
youth and their families. Services must be delivered outside of the law 
enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. 
The program goals and objectives of the Basic Center Program of Part A 
of the RHY Act are to:
     Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth;
     Reunite youth with their families and encourage the 
resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other 
services;
     Strengthen family relationships and encourage stable 
living conditions for youth; and
     Help youth decide upon constructive courses of action.
    Background: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974 was a 
response to widespread concern regarding the alarming number of youth 
who were leaving home without parental permission, crossing State lines 
and who, while away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other 
dangers of street life.
    Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to 
runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15) 
days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; 
aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs provide 
services in residential settings for at least four (4) youth and no 
more than twenty (20). Some programs also provide some or all of their 
shelter services through host homes (usually private homes under 
contract to the centers), with counseling and referrals being provided 
from a central location. Basic Center programs shelter youth at risk of 
separation from the family who are less than 18 years of age and who 
have a history of running away from the family and runaway and homeless 
youth under the age of 18. Basic Centers must provide age-appropriate 
services or referrals for homeless youth ages 18-21.
    The primary presenting problems of youth who receive shelter and 
non shelter services through FYSB-funded Basic Centers include: (1) 
Conflict with parents or other adults, including physical, sexual and 
emotional abuse; (2) other family crises such as divorce, death, or 
sudden loss of income; and (3) personal problems such as drug use, 
problems with peers, school attendance and truancy, bad grades, 
inability to get along with teachers and learning disabilities.
    Eligible Applicants: Any State, unit of local government, (and 
combination of such units) are eligible to apply for Basic Center 
Program funding. Any private nonprofit agency, organization or 
institution is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized 
Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for Basic Center grants. Indian 
Tribes that are not federally recognized and urban Indian organizations 
are also eligible to apply for grants as private, nonprofit agencies. 
Faith-based organizations and small community-based organizations are 
eligible to apply for Basic Center grants.
    Current Basic Center grantees with project periods ending on or 
before September 30, 2002, and all other eligible applicants not 
currently receiving Basic Center funds may apply for a new competitive 
Basic Center grant under this announcement.
    Current Basic Center Program grantees (including subgrantees) with 
one or two years remaining on their current grant and the expectation 
of continuation funding in FY 2002 may not apply for a new Basic Center 
grant for the community they currently serve. These grantees will 
receive instructions from their respective ACF Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Regional Office contacts on the procedures for applying for 
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees, who have 
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should 
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Youth Contact, listed in 
Part V, Appendix B of the full official program announcement, to 
determine if they are eligible to apply for a new grant award.
    Funding: The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award 
approximately $9,700,000 for approximately 100 new competitive Basic 
Center Program grants. In accordance with the RHY Act, the funds will 
be divided among the States in proportion to their respective 
populations under the age of 18, according to the latest census data. A 
minimum of $100,000 will be awarded to each State, the District of 
Columbia and Puerto Rico. A minimum of $45,000 will be awarded to each 
of the four insular areas: Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.
    All applicants under this competitive grant area will compete with 
other eligible applicants in the State in which they propose to deliver 
services. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of 
applications approved for funding in any State or jurisdiction, the 
Commissioner of ACYF will reallocate the unused funds.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share for a 3-
year project period is $600,000.
    Applicant Share of Project Costs: Basic Center grantees must 
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of 
the Federal funds awarded. 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 three-year 
project costing $600,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
$200,000 per 12-month budget period) must provide a match of at least 
$60,000 ($20,000 per budget period). Grantees will be held accountable 
for commitments of non-Federal resources even if over the amount of the 
required match. Failure to provide the amount will result in 
disallowance of Federal match.
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Basic Center programs of up to three years duration (36-month project 
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for noncompetitive 
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 
36-month project periods, will be entertained in

[[Page 8026]]

subsequent years, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would 
be in the best interest of the government.

B. Transitional Living Program, CFDA#93.550 (Competitive Grant Area B)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The overall purpose of TLP 
for homeless youth is to establish and operate transitional living 
projects for homeless youth. This program is structured to help older, 
homeless youth achieve self-sufficiency and avoid long-term dependency 
on social services. Transitional living projects provide shelter, 
skills training, and support services to homeless youth ages 16 through 
21 for a continuous period not exceeding 18 months. Transitional Living 
Program funds are to be used for the purpose of enhancing the 
capacities of youth-serving agencies in local communities to 
effectively address the service needs of homeless, older adolescents 
and young adults, including pregnant and parenting homeless youth. 
Goals, objectives and activities that may be maintained, improved and/
or expanded through a TLP grant must include, but are not necessarily 
limited to:
     Providing stable, safe living accommodations while a 
homeless youth is a program participant;
     Providing the services necessary to assist homeless youth 
in developing both the skills and personal characteristics needed to 
enable them to live independently;
     Providing education, information and counseling aimed at 
preventing, treating and reducing substance abuse among homeless youth;
     Providing homeless youth with appropriate referrals and 
access to medical and mental health treatment;
     Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
youth in preparing for and obtaining employment; and
     Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
youth in preparing for and obtaining secondary, and where feasible, 
post-secondary education and/or vocational training.
     Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
pregnant and parenting homeless youth with the skills and knowledge 
necessary to become a more effective parent and lead productive and 
independent lives.
    Background: It is estimated that about one-fourth of the youth 
served by all runaway and homeless youth programs are homeless. This 
means that the youth cannot return home or to another safe living 
arrangement with a relative. Other homeless youth have ``aged out'' of 
the child welfare system and are no longer eligible for foster care.
    These young people are often homeless through no fault of their 
own. The families they can no longer live with are often physically and 
sexually abusive and involved in drug and alcohol abuse. They cannot 
meet the youth's basic human needs (shelter, food, clothing), let alone 
provide the supportive and safe environment needed for the healthy 
development of self-image and the skills and personal characteristics 
which would enable them to mature into a self-sufficient adult.
    Homeless youth, lacking a stable family environment and without 
social and economic supports, are also at high risk of being involved 
in dangerous lifestyles and problematic or delinquent behaviors. More 
than two-thirds of homeless youth served by ACF-funded programs report 
using drugs or alcohol and many participate in survival sex and 
prostitution to meet their basic needs.
    Homeless youth are in need of a support system that will assist 
them in making the transition to adulthood and independent living. 
While all adolescents are faced with adjustment issues as they approach 
adulthood, homeless youth experience more severe problems and are at 
greater risk in terms of their ability to successfully make the 
transition to self-sufficiency and to become a productive member of 
society.
    Pregnant and parenting homeless youth are likely to face poverty, 
low levels of educational attainment, and long-term dependence on 
public assistance. Research indicates that children of teenage mothers 
are more likely to be born prematurely and to be of low birth weight 
than children born to women who are older. Compared to children born to 
older women, children of adolescent mothers, in general, do not do as 
well in school, have higher reported incidences of abuse and neglect, 
have higher rates of foster care placement, and are more apt to run 
away from home. As these children get older, the boys are 2.7 times 
more likely to be involved in criminal behavior, and the girls are 33 
percent more likely to become teenage mothers themselves, increasing 
the likelihood that they will rely on public assistance.
    The Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth specifically 
targets services to homeless youth and affords youth service agencies 
with an opportunity to serve homeless youth in a manner which is 
comprehensive and geared towards ensuring a successful transition to 
self-sufficiency. The TLP also improves the availability of 
comprehensive, integrated services for homeless youth, which reduces 
the risks of exploitation and danger to which these youth are exposed 
while living on the streets without positive economic or social 
supports.
    Eligible Applicants: Any State, unit of local government, (and 
combination of such units) are eligible to apply for Transitional 
Living Program funding. Any private nonprofit agency, organization or 
institution is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized 
Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for Transitional Living Programs 
grants. Indian Tribes that are not federally recognized and urban 
Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, 
nonprofit agencies. Faith-based organizations and small community-based 
organizations are eligible to apply for Transitional Living Program 
grants.
    Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with project periods 
ending on or after September 30, 2002, are not eligible to apply for 
Transitional Living Program fiscal year 2002 program funding to serve 
the same area. All other eligible applicants not currently receiving 
TLP funds may apply for a new competitive TLP grant under this 
announcement for awards in FY 2002 and/or 2003.

    (Note: An applicant applying for both FY 2002 and FY 2003 
funding must submit a separate application for each fiscal year.)

    Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with one or two years 
remaining on their current awards and the expectation of continuation 
funding in Fiscal year 2003 may not apply for a new TLP grant under 
this announcement. These grantees will receive instructions from their 
respective ACF Regional Offices on the procedures for applying for 
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees, who have 
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should 
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Runaway and Homeless Youth 
Contact, listed in Part V, Appendix B of the full official Program 
Announcement, to determine if they are eligible to apply for a new 
grant award.
    Funding: The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award 
approximately $19,000,000 for approximately 100 new competitive 
Transitional Living Program grants for fiscal year 2002. The funding is 
to provide shelter, skill training and support services to assist 
homeless youth, including pregnant and parenting youth, in making a 
smooth transition to

[[Page 8027]]

self-sufficiency and to prevent long-term dependence on social 
services.
    The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award approximately 
$11,200,000 for approximately 60 new competitive Transitional Living 
Program grants for fiscal year 2003. The funding is to provide shelter, 
skill training and support services to assist homeless youth, including 
pregnant and parenting youth, in making a smooth transition to self-
sufficiency and to prevent long-term dependency on social services.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to 
$200,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $1,000,000 for a 5-year 
project period.
    Applicant Share of Project Cost: Transitional Living grantees must 
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of 
the Federal funds awarded. (There are certain exceptions for Tribes 
with ``638'' funding pursuant to Public Law 93-638, under which certain 
Federal grant funds may qualify as matching funds for other Federal 
grant programs, e.g., those which contribute to the purposes for which 
grants under section 638 were made.) 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 
five-year project costing $1,000,000 in Federal funds (based on an 
award of $200,000 per 12-month budget period) must include a match of 
at least $100,000 ($20,000 per budget period).
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Transitional Living projects of up to five years (60-month project 
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for non competing 
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 
60-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years, 
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the 
grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interest of the government.

C. Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements, 
CFDA#93.550 (Competitive Grant Area C)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The Family Youth Services 
Bureau supports a national T&TA effort designed to enhance and promote 
the continuous quality improvement of the services available to 
runaway, homeless and street youth and their families. The Bureau 
expects to award approximately $2 million to fund up to ten (10) 
cooperative agreements to enhance the programmatic and administrative 
capacities of public and private agencies to provide services to the 
targeted populations. Applications to provide such assistance may cover 
one or more of the ten ACF Federal Regions and may include subcontracts 
to cover specific regional or multi-State areas. Applications must 
provide assurance that staff will be accessible to the Central and 
Regional offices. Applicants covering a region should coordinate with 
other RHY providers in the region. Applicants must show how they intend 
to provide service to all customers in their service area regardless of 
geographic location.
Core Elements
    The successful applicants are expected to provide the following 
services and activities as core elements:
    1. Immediate Training and Technical Assistance: Provide intensive, 
skill-based training and technical assistance to newly funded and 
inexperienced RHY grantees, when requested by the grantee and/or the 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Regional Contact as a direct outcome of on-
site monitoring and/or analysis of Management Information System data.
    Provide training and technical assistance to Transitional Living 
Program grantees on the programmatic modifications required to address 
the unique needs of pregnant and parenting youth and the various 
sources of funding available for residential services to this 
population.
    2. Consultation: Provide program specific technical assistance 
through consultation. Consultation may be on-site, via telephone or any 
combination of strategies, which address and/or correct programmatic 
and administrative concerns. Technical assistance designed and/or 
provided to grantees for this purpose must be accessible and 
individualized, must provide concrete information and skill building 
and must include follow-up efforts. The TA delivered will be based upon 
the specific needs of the grantee(s) requesting the assistance. 
However, the TA must conform to the intent of the law.
    3. Staff Training: Provide staff training focused on quality skill 
development that: (a) Provides opportunities for hands-on 
participation, direct observation, practices and expert feedback; (b) 
analyzes, integrates and transmits knowledge obtained from research 
findings, curricula, and models of greatest interest to grantees; and 
(c) recognizes new and emerging youth issues and provides intensive 
skills training in these areas.
    4. Reports Utilization: Use monitoring reports, Management 
Information System data and corrective action reports for the purpose 
of providing technical assistance to address the grantees program 
specific needs. Delivery of T/A will be made in consultation with the 
Central and Regional Offices and approved by the Federal Project 
Officer.
    5. Information Sharing: Provide a mechanism such as, but not 
limited to a newsletter, listserve and/or electronic bulletin board for 
sharing information for the purpose of improving and increasing 
resources and information available to RHY grantees and, for sharing 
new and emerging information concerning service provision issues and 
best practices obtained through interaction with grantees and other 
youth serving agencies through workshops, conferences and other 
activities associated with the provision of T&TA.
Cooperative Agreement Provisions
    The award of these cooperative agreements (see definition section) 
will include a delineation of the responsibilities of the successful 
applicants and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. The 
responsibilities contained in each cooperative agreement may be geared 
toward the unique needs of the RHY programs in the geographic area(s) 
to be served with a description of the uniqueness of the program, as 
well as incorporating the core elements, described above, consistent to 
all RHY programs regardless of geographic area.
Federal Officials Minimum Responsibilities
    1. Promote cooperative relationships among training and technical 
assistance providers, the National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth 
, and other FYSB support contractors for the exchange of information 
regarding identified technical assistance and training needs, emerging 
youth issues, research findings, curricula and model programs.
    2. Provide consultation in the development of workplans; review and 
approval of workplans; coordination and sharing of monitoring data, as 
appropriate; identification of technical assistance needs; and 
sponsorship of a national meeting of T&TA providers.
    3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the services and activities 
provided by the T&TA providers to runaway and homeless youth grantees 
no later than the fourth year of the grants' project periods or year 
four.

[[Page 8028]]

Applicant Minimum Responsibilities
    1. Provide the services and activities listed as core elements 
above under ``Program, Purpose, Goals and Objectives'' to runaway and 
homeless youth grantees.
    2. Establishment of an advisory board with representation at a 
minimum from the regional office or HUB, a representative sample of 
each type of FYSB program in the regional area, the Executive Director 
of the organization funded under this competitive grant, the Project 
Director(s) of the State Collaboration Grantees (where applicable) and 
other State and local youth service providers.
    3. Development and implementation of a work-plan (including TA 
capacity inventory forms, procedures, evaluation strategies/forms, 
site-visit plans, schedules, etc.), provision of training and technical 
assistance to grantees, and coordination with other grantee support 
efforts and T&TA providers.
    Background: Since 1975, many State and local agencies and 
community-based programs have been established and/or strengthened to 
provide needed short and long-term services to runaway, homeless and 
street youth. These agencies are both public and private, profit making 
and nonprofit. Some focus on a single concern, such as crisis 
intervention or substance abuse prevention, while others are 
comprehensive or all-purpose agencies, with specific components that 
deal with the physical health, mental health, family reunification and 
functioning, employment, education and transitional living needs of 
these young people.
    Notwithstanding the significant numbers of effective agencies and 
competent professional staff dedicated to assisting runaway, homeless 
and street youth across the country, services in some geographic areas 
are inadequate or non-existent. In other cases, existing programs lack 
staff resources with the full range of skills required to carry out the 
ever changing responsibilities with which the individual programs are 
charged. Also, many of the developed and tested curricula and models 
are little known or understood, even among programs and staff where 
they could be of the greatest use. Further, as a positive youth 
development approach has gradually emerged that focuses on a young 
person's competence, connection to community, altruism, control, 
autonomy and identity as an alternative to adolescent health and 
behavioral risks, there is a need to partner with states, local, 
government, foundations, and community based organizations to establish 
and support effective long range youth development strategies, funding 
and policy information. In addition, as new issues emerge, even 
experienced staff and agency leadership need to enhance their existing 
skills and develop new ones.
    To address these issues, Section 342 of the Runaway and Homeless 
Youth Act, administered by the Youth and Family Services Bureau, 
authorizes support to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of 
providing training and technical assistance (T&TA) to runaway, homeless 
and street youth service providers.
    To effectively provide such assistance, extensive interaction with 
grantees, integration and sharing of knowledge, coordination with other 
components supporting the runaway and homeless service system such as 
RHYMIS and program monitoring, and a cooperative relationship among 
training and technical assistance providers is needed.
    FYSB is supporting a national T&TA effort designed to support the 
continuous improvement of all RHY grantees as they work to deliver high 
quality and effective services to youth, young adults and their 
families. Our T&TA system reflects a national commitment to quality 
improvement and capacity-building at the local and Regional Hub level.
    Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations and combinations of 
such organizations with demonstrated capacity to provide services to 
runaway and homeless youth service providers on a Statewide or regional 
basis. Colleges, universities and faith-based organizations are 
eligible to apply for the T&TA grants.
    Funding: The anticipated Federal funding for the first 12-month 
budget period will range from $150,000-$250,000 per grant, contingent 
on the identified service area.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to 
$250,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $1,250,000 for a 5-year 
project period.
    Applicant Share of Project Costs: Training and Technical Assistance 
grantees must provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten 
percent (10%) of the Federal funds awarded. 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 five-year project costing $1,250,000 in Federal funds 
(based on an award of $250,000 per 12-month budget period) must include 
a match of at least $125,000 ($25,000 per budget period).
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Training and Technical Assistance grants up to five years (60 month 
project periods). Grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for a one year (12-month) budget period. Applications for continuation 
grants beyond the one-year budget period, but within the 60 month 
project period, will be considered in subsequent years on a non-
competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would 
be in the best interest of the government.

Summary of Evaluation Criteria for Competitive Areas A, B and C (BCP, 
TLP and T&TA)

Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)
    Applications will be judged on how clearly they 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. Applications will need to specify the 
goals and objectives of the project and how implementation will fulfill 
the purposes of the program. Applications should describe the 
conditions of youth and families in the area to be served; the 
incidence and characteristics of runaway, homeless or street youth and 
their families; the existing support systems for at-risk youth and 
families in the area, including other agencies providing services to 
runaway and homeless youth in the area.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 2: Results or Benefits Expected (20 points)
    Applications will be judged on how clearly they identify the 
results and benefits to be derived, specify services to be provided, 
who will receive services, where and how these services will be 
provided, and how the services will benefit the youth families and the 
community to be served.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 3: Approach (35 points)
    Applications will be judged on how clearly they outline a plan of 
action

[[Page 8029]]

which: describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be 
accomplished; accounts for all functions or activities identified in 
the application; cites factors which might accelerate or decelerate the 
work and reasons for taking the proposed approach rather than others. 
Applications are encouraged to describe any unusual features of the 
project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost 
or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Applicants must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation 
efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and 
to submit the required Annual Report to the Secretary of HHS on program 
activities and accomplishments with statistical summaries and other 
required program and financial reports, as instructed by FYSB.
    Applications will be judged on the extent to which they describe 
the program's youth development approach or philosophy and indicate how 
it underlies and integrates all proposed activities. Applicants will be 
expected to 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; describe 
formal service linkages and plans for coordination with other agencies; 
describe plans for conducting outreach and encouraging awareness of and 
sensitivity to the diverse needs of runaway and homeless youth who 
represent particular ethnic and racial backgrounds and sexual 
orientations. Applicants are encouraged to describe the type, capacity 
and staff supervision of the shelter that will be available for youth.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 4: Staff and Position Data (10 points)
    Applicants will be judged on whether they provide a resume and 
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. Applicants will be expected to 
list organizations and consultants who will work on the program along 
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
    Applicants will be expected to provide information on plans for 
training project staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations 
and individuals and state the expected or estimated ratio of staff to 
youth.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 5: Organizational Profile (10 points)
    Applicants will be expected to 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. Any non-profit organization submitting an 
application must submit proof of its non-profit status in its 
application at the time of submission.
    Applicants will be expected to provide a plan for project 
continuance beyond grant support, including a plan for securing 
resources and continuing project activities after Federal assistance 
has ceased and an annotated listing of applicant's funding sources. 
Such plans should include written agreements, if applicable, between 
grantees and subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating and 
letters of support and statements from community, public and commercial 
leaders that support the project proposed for funding.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.
Criterion 6: Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
    Applicants will be expected to provide a detailed line item budget 
and a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical 
costs are derived. Applicants will be judged on how clearly they 
discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs and how clearly they describe the fiscal control and accounting 
procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement 
and accurate accounting of funds received.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Part II. Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact

    This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' The Order was issued with the desire to 
foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by 
relying on State and local processes for the coordination and review of 
proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. 
Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing 
and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs 
and designate an entity to perform this function. The official list of 
those entities can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html or by calling the ACYF Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293.
    Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as early 
as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC 
comments as part of the award process. The applicant must submit all 
required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this 
submittal (or 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 date to comment on proposed new 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 they intend to trigger the ``accommodate 
or explain'' rule. When comments are submitted directly to ACYF, they 
must be addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 330 C Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20447, Attention: Grants Officer.

    Dated: February 14, 2002.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 02-4122 Filed 2-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P