[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17696-17700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8754]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF/CB-2002-01]


Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and 
Request for Applications To Support Adoption Opportunities 
Demonstration Projects, the Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource 
Center, Migrant and Tribal Community-Based Family Resource and Support 
Programs, and a Community-Based Family Resource and Support Resource 
Center

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

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 17697]]

Statutory Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
(CFDA) Numbers

    Adoption Opportunities: Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, as amended, [42 USC 5111] 
CFDA: 93.652.
    Children's Health Act of 2002: Section 330G Subpart I of part D of 
title III of the Public Health Service Act, as amended [42 USC 254c-7] 
CFDA: 93.254.
    Abandoned Infants: Section 101 of the Abandoned Infants Assistance 
Act, as amended [42 USC 670 note] CFDA: 93.551.
    Community-Based Family Resource and Support: Title II, Sec. 201 of 
the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended [42 USC 5116 
et seq.] CFDA: 93.590.
SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau (CB) within the Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 
funds for competing new Adoption Opportunities Program and Abandoned 
Infants Assistance. Funds from the Adoption Opportunities Program are 
designed to provide support for demonstration projects that facilitate 
the elimination of barriers to adoption and provide permanent loving 
homes for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly 
children with special needs. Funds from the Adoption Opportunities 
Program and the Children's Health Act of 2002 support the National 
Adoption Internet Photolisting Service Information Exhcange and Special 
Needs Adoption Recruitment and Adoptive Family Support Project. Funds 
from section 101 of the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, as amended 
[42 USC 670 note] support the National Resource Center for Programs 
Serving Abandoned Infants and Infants at Risk of Abandonment and Their 
Families. The Center provides State and local, private, non-profit 
agencies and organizations with access to information, methods, 
techniques and strategies for establishing an effective, coordinated 
range of comprehensive social and health care services to infants and 
young children and their families impacted by substance abuse and/or 
HIV infection. Funds from Title II, Sec. 201 of the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) support the Community-Based Family 
Resource and Support resource center and programs.

DATES: The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 
p.m. (Eastern time Zone) on May 30, 2002. Mailed or hand-carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late.

    Note: The complete program announcement, including all necessary 
forms, can be downloaded and printed from the Children's Bureau web 
site at www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb. Hard copies of the complete 
program announcement may be requested by calling the National 
Adoption Information Clearinghouse at 
1-888-251-0075. The complete program announcement is necessary for 
any potential applicant.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally Flanzer, Children's Bureau, 202-
205-8914.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Priority Areas

2001A. Adoption Opportunities

2002A.1  Developing Models for Increasing Adoptive Placement of 
Minority Children

    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, college and 
universities, public or private non-profit licensed child welfare or 
adoption agencies, licensed child care or respite care providers, and 
incorporated adoptive parent groups with experience working with 
adoptive populations may apply. Faith-based organizations are eligible 
to apply for these grants. Groups of faith-based and smaller community-
based organizations should consider collaborating with existing 
coalitions or to form new coalitions to work together in conducting 
projects; however, each coalition must identify a primary applicant 
responsible for administering the grant. Faith-based, community-based 
and primary applicants in consortia must be otherwise eligible to apply 
for these grants. Colleges, universities and for-profit agencies may be 
included in an application, as a subcontractor or affiliate, but must 
waive their profit in order to receive Federal funds even under 
subgrant or subcontract arrangements, with eligible non-profit agencies 
and organizations.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
three years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the three year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: Grant amounts will vary and may 
range from $50,000 to $300,000 per budget period for each of three 
years. The dollar amount requested must be fully justified and 
documented.
    Matching Requirements: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-
Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $900,000 of Federal 
funds (based on an award of $300,000 per budget period) must provide a 
match of at least $99,999 (10 percent of the total project cost). 
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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
four projects will be funded.

2002.A2  Developing Models for Post-Legal Adoption Services

    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, college and 
universities, public or private non-profit licensed child welfare or 
adoption agencies, licensed child care or respite care providers, and 
incorporated adoptive parent groups with experience working with 
adoptive populations may apply. Faith-based organizations are eligible 
to apply for these grants. Groups of faith-based and smaller community-
based organizations should consider collaborating with existing 
coalitions or to form new coalitions to work together in conducting 
projects; however, each coalition must identify a primary applicant 
responsible for administering the grant. Faith-based, community-based 
and primary applicants in consortia must be otherwise eligible to apply 
for these grants. Colleges, universities and for-profit agencies may be 
included in an application as subcontractors or affiliates, but must 
waive their profit in order to receive Federal funds even under 
subgrant or subcontract arrangements, with eligible non-profit agencies 
and organizations.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year

[[Page 17698]]

budget period, although project periods may be for three years. 
Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond 
the one-year budget period but within the three year project period 
will be entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, 
subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee 
and a determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: Grant amounts will vary and may 
range from $50,000 to $300,000 per budget period for each of the three 
years. The dollar amount requested must be justified as appropriate to 
the activities proposed.
    Matching Requirements: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-
Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $900,000 of Federal 
funds (based on an award of $300,000 per budget period) must provide a 
match of at least $99,999 (10 percent of the total project cost). 
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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
four projects will be funded.

2002A.3  Developing Models of Respite Care as a Service for Families 
Who Adopt Children With Special Needs

    Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, college and 
universities, public or private non-profit licensed child welfare or 
adoption agencies, licensed child care or respite care providers, and 
incorporated adoptive parent groups with experience working with 
adoptive populations may apply. Faith-based organizations are eligible 
to apply for these grants. Groups of faith-based and smaller community-
based organizations should consider collaborating with existing 
coalitions or to form new coalitions to work together in conducting 
projects; however, each coalition must identify a primary applicant 
responsible for administering the grant. Faith-based, community-based 
and primary applicants in consortia must be otherwise eligible to apply 
for these grants. Colleges, universities and for-profit agencies may be 
included in an application as subcontractors or affiliates, but must 
waive their profit in order to receive Federal finds even under 
subgrant or subcontract arrangements, with eligible non-profit agencies 
and organizations.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
three years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the three year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Grant amounts will vary and may 
range from $50,000 to $300,000 per budget-year for each of the three 
years.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantee must provide at least 
10 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-
Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind 
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match 
requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a project 
requesting $900,000 of Federal funds (based on an award of $300,000 per 
budget period) must provide a match of at least $99,999 (10 percent of 
the total project cost). 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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
four projects will be funded.

2002A.4  National Adoption Internet Photolisting Service-AdoptUSKids, 
the National Adoption Information Exchange System, and Special Needs 
Adoption Recruitment and Adoptive Family Support Project

    Eligible Applicants: Any national, State, or local government 
entity, public or private non-profit agency, organization or university 
with demonstrated experience in adoption and the ability to maintain a 
National Adoption Internet Photolisting Service-AdoptUSKids, the 
National Adoption Information Exchange System, and mount a special 
needs adoption recruitment and adoptive family support activity. Faith-
based organizations are eligible to apply for this grant but also must 
be otherwise eligible. The Children's Bureau will accept applications 
that represent partnerships with private non-profit agencies, 
organizations, universities, and foundations with experience in 
adoption and child welfare issues and subcontracts with firms 
specializing in these tasks. Applications representing multiple 
entities must identify a primary applicant responsible for 
administering the grant.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to five years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
five years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the five year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $4,439,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: This project is being funded 
under both the Adoptions Opportunity program, which as no match 
requirement, and the Children's Health Act, which has a 25 percent 
match requirement. Therefore, grantees must provide at least 25 percent 
of only $2,839,000 of the total approved cost of the project. The non-
Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting any amount more than 
$14,195,000 of Federal funds (based on an award of more than $2,839,000 
per budget period) must provide a match of at least $4,731,667 (25 
percent of $14,195,000 of the total project cost). 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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.

2002A.5  Addressing Barriers to Cross-Jurisdictional Placement

    Eligible Applicants: State child welfare agencies, State courts, 
licensed child welfare or adoption agencies, advocacy groups, 
associations that

[[Page 17699]]

support cross-jurisdictional adoption activities, public or private 
faith and community-based non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption 
agencies, and coalitions or collaborations of those groups are eligible 
to apply but must identify a principal applicant. Faith-based 
organizations are eligible to apply for these grants. Faith-based, 
community-based and primary applicants in collaborations or coalitions 
must be otherwise eligible to apply for these grants.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to five years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
five years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the five year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $300,000 per budget year.
    Matching Requirements: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-
Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $1,500,000 of Federal 
funds (based on an award of $300,000 per budget period) must provide a 
match of at least $166,667 (10 percent of the total project cost). 
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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.

2002B.1  National Resource Center for Programs Serving Abandoned 
Infants and Infants at Risk of Abandonment and Their Families

    Eligible Applicants: Public or private non-profit agencies, 
organizations, and institutions of higher learning may apply. Faith-
based organizations are eligible to apply for these grants.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to four years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
four years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the four year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The Federal share of the project is 
$700,000 per 12-month budget period.
    Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-
Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although 
applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash 
contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $2,800,000 of Federal 
funds (based on an award of $700,000 per budget period) must provide a 
match of at least $311,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). 
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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.

2002C.1  National Resource Center for Community-Based Family Resource 
and Support Programs

    Eligible Applicants: Public or private non-profit agencies, 
including faith-based agencies, organizations, and institutions of 
higher education may apply. Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary 
approaches are encouraged. Faith-based organizations are eligible to 
apply. Applications from collaborations must identify a primary 
applicant responsible for administering the grants.
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for a 
project period up to two years. The award, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although the project period may be for 
two years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period will be entertained in 
subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of 
funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and a determination that 
continued funding would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is $1,075,000 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
least 10 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total 
approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-
Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind 
contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match 
requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a project 
requesting $2,150,000 of Federal funds (based on an award of $1,075,000 
per budget period) must provide a match of at least $238,889 (10 
percent of the total project cost). 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.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
one project will be funded.

2002C.2  Grants to Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Migrant Programs 
for Community-Based Family Resource and Support Programs

    It is anticipated that three grants (one each to a tribe, a tribal 
organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this 
announcement for $109,450 per grantee for FY 2002. This amount reflects 
the maximum Federal share of this project not exceeding one-third (1/3) 
of one percent (1%) of the Federal appropriation for Title II for each 
12-month budget period.
    Eligible Applicants: Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and 
migrant programs with the capacity to establish and maintain family 
resource services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and 
linkages with the State Network of Community-Based Family Resource and 
Support Programs may apply. Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary 
approaches are encouraged. Applicants must specify if they are applying 
as a ``Tribe'' or ``Tribal Organization'' or ``Migrant Program.''
    Project Duration: This announcement is inviting applications for 
project periods up to three years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will 
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 
three years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these 
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the three-year 
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory

[[Page 17700]]

progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
project is projected to be $109,450 per budget year.
    Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: There is no match required.
    Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: It is anticipated that 
three projects will be funded, one in each area.

Evaluation Criteria

    Reviewers will consider the following factors when scoring 
applications. Applicants, in order to adequately prepare their 
applications, must refer to the full program announcement for the 
specific evaluation criteria for each priority area. The points awarded 
for each criterion vary, depending on the specific area.
    Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance. Applications will 
be judged on the extent to which they clearly specify the purposes and/
or strategies of the proposed project and their relationship to 
legislative authority and child welfare outcomes, as appropriate; the 
quality of their statement regarding the need for the project; and 
evidence that the applicant understands current issues and recent 
developments in the field that may have relevance to the implementation 
of the project. Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation 
criteria for each priority area contained in the full Program 
Announcement in order to adequately prepare their applicants. The 
points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on the specific 
priority area.
    Criterion 2: Approach. Applicants will be judged on the clarity, 
feasibility, and thoroughness of their description of the approach that 
they intend to use in implementing proposed projects. The approach 
sections will be expected to include, as appropriate, information on 
barriers to implementation and proposed solutions to those barriers; 
necessary collaborations with other organizations and agencies and 
their respective roles; evaluation plans; reporting requirements; and 
staffing plans. Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation 
criteria for each priority area contained in the full Program 
Announcement in order to adequately prepare their applications. The 
points awarded for this criterion vary, depending on the specific 
priority area.
    Criterion 3: Organizational Profiles. Applicants will be judged on 
the experience and demonstrated competence of staff who are proposed to 
implement the project and, as appropriate, the experience of the 
organization in implementing related projects. Applicants must refer to 
the specific evaluation criteria for each priority area contained in 
the full Program Announcement in order to adequately prepare their 
applications. The points awarded for this criteria vary, depending on 
the specific priority area.
    Criterion 4: Budget and Budget Justification. Applicants will be 
judged on the adequacy, reasonableness, and completeness of their 
budget requests to support their proposed projects, including their 
management plans to control and account for expenditure of project 
funds. Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for 
each priority area contained in the full Program Announcement in order 
to adequately prepare their applicants. The points awarded for their 
criterion vary, depending on the specific priority area.

Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact

    Most portions of this program are covered under Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, and 45 CFR part 
100, Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human 
Services Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design 
their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal 
assistance under covered programs.
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, 
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, 
Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming have elected to participate 
in the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of 
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these jurisdictions need take no 
action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be administered 
by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from the 
requirements of E.O. 12372. Applicants to the Adoption Opportunities 
program are also exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, 
applicants should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them 
of the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions. 
Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as 
possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments 
as part of the award process. It is imperative that the applicant 
submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the 
date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a.
    Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. 
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the 
accommodate or explain rule. A list of the Single Points of Contact for 
each State and Territory can be found on line at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

    Dated: April 4, 2002.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 02-8754 Filed 4-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M