[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 8816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4544]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of the Assistant Secretary; Compassion Capital Fund

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of 
Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Solicitation of public comments.

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

SUMMARY: ACF is preparing guidelines to award funds in fiscal year 
2002, as allowed by the newly funded Compassion Capital Fund. In order 
to obtain a wide range of views and comments, ACF is soliciting 
comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the important 
issues that ACF should consider in developing such guidelines.

DATES: In order to be considered, comments must be received by ACF on 
or before March 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments sent by mail should be addressed to: Mr. Bobby 
Polito, Administration for Children and Families, 6th Floor--West, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Comments may be sent by 
email to: [email protected], or faxed to Bobby Polito at 202-401-5770.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bobby Polito, Administration for 
Children and Families, 6th Floor--West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447 or phone: 202-690-6241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In fiscal year 2002, the Congress funded the 
establishment of a Compassion Capital Fund. This new program is part of 
the Administration's Faith-Based Initiative. Funds will be used to 
support public/private partnerships to help small faith- and community-
based organizations replicate or expand model social service programs 
and conduct evaluations of ``best practices'' among charitable 
organizations so that successful models can be emulated and expanded by 
others.
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the 
Department of Health and Human Services has been given administrative 
responsibility for implementing this program. ACF is inviting public 
comment to help make informed deliberations about the parameters for 
this new program, as well as ways to support and promote rigorous 
evaluations on the ``best practices'' among charitable organizations.

Request for Comments

    ACF is seeking public comment on the following topics and other 
topics that responders choose to address. Among things we are 
considering are: (1) Providing technical assistance for faith- and 
community-based organizations, such as--(A) grant writing and grant 
management assistance, which may include assistance provided through 
workshops and other guidance; (B) legal assistance with incorporation 
and with obtaining tax-exempt status; and (C) information on, and 
referrals to, other non-governmental organizations that provide 
expertise in accounting, legal issues, tax issues, program development, 
and on a variety of other organizational topics; (2) providing 
information and assistance for faith- and community-based organizations 
on capacity building; (3) providing for faith- and community-based 
organizations information on and assistance in identifying and using 
best practices for delivering assistance to persons, families, and 
communities in need; (4) providing information on, and assistance in, 
utilizing regional intermediary organizations to increase and 
strengthen the capabilities of nonprofit faith- and community-based 
organizations; (5) assisting faith- and community-based organizations 
in replicating social programs of demonstrated effectiveness; and (6) 
encouraging research on the best practices of social service 
organizations.

    Dated: February 20, 2002.
Robert J. Polito,
Special Assistant for Faith-Based Initiatives Office of the Assistant 
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-4544 Filed 2-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M