[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20523-20533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10105]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2002-01]


Early Learning Opportunities Act Discretionary Grants

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

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of competitive grants to local 
councils.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this program announcement is to announce the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2002 Discretionary Funds, authorized by 
Congress under the FY 2002 Consolidated Appropriations Act, for Early 
Learning Opportunities Act competitive discretionary grants to local 
councils.

DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is June 24, 
2002. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late, and therefore will not be eligible for competition.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date, 
or sent on or before the deadline date and received by ACF in time for 
the independent review. Applications must be sent to: Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau, Program Announcement 
No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2002-01, Child Care Bureau Conference Management 
Center, c/o MasiMax Resources, Inc., 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 203, 
Rockville, MD 20850, Telephone: 1-240-632-5632.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial 
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable as proof of a timely mailing, a 
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of 
the commercial mail service company, and must reflect the date the 
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the 
applicant. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EDT, Monday through 
Friday (excluding Federal holidays) at the above address. (Applicants 
are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always 
deliver as agreed.)
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media, regardless of date or time of 
submission and receipt. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF 
electronically will not be accepted.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria 
stated above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each 
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the 
current competition.
    Extension of Deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline for 
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, when 
there is widespread disruption of mail service, or for other 
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the 
public at large. A determination to extend or waive deadline 
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
    Notice of Intent To Submit an Application: If you intend to submit 
an application, you are strongly encouraged to notify the Child Care 
Bureau by fax at 202-690-5600 at least four weeks prior to the 
submission deadline date. Your fax should include 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 future program 
announcements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this Program Announcement 
and the necessary application forms can be obtained by contacting 1-
800-351-2293. Copies of this Program Announcement can also be 
downloaded from the Child Care Bureau's Web site at http://www.adf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb and all necessary application forms can 
be downloaded at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms/htm#apps. 
Call 1-800-351-2293 if you have questions about the application 
process. The Federal Project Officer for the Early Learning 
Opportunities Act program is Carol de Barba, who can be reached at 202-
690-6243 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The contents of the ACF Uniform 
Discretionary Grant Application for this program as well as preparation 
instructions are contained in the program announcement. This 
Supplementary Information section contains all the instructions needed 
to apply for a grant under this announcement.
    The Supplementary Information section consists of six parts and one 
appendix. Part I includes background information on the Child Care 
Bureau, general information about the Early Learning Opportunities Act 
program, a description of the goals and priorities related to this 
announcement, and relevant definitions. Part II contains key program 
information such as project duration, funding requirements, and 
eligibility. Part III contains the requirements and instructions for 
preparing the Uniform Project Description. Part IV contains the 
evaluation criteria upon which applications will be reviewed and 
evaluated. Part V describes the application and selection process. Part 
VI provides the required contents of the application as well as 
instructions for submission. Appendix A is a list of the current ELOA 
grantees (FY 01) and the geographic areas they serve.
    The contents of the Supplementary Information section are outlined 
below:

Table of Contents

Part I. General Information
    A. The Child Care Bureau
    B. The Early Learning Opportunities Act
    C. Early Learning Opportunities Act Grants--Goals and Priorities
    D. Definitions
Part II. Key Program Information and Requirements
    A. Purposes
    B. Citations
    C. Number of Awards
    D. Project Duration and Budget Period
    E. Funding Levels and Reservations
    F. Allowable Early Learning Activities
    G. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs
    H. Other Financial Requirements
    I. Eligibility
    J. Protections
Part III. General Instructions for Preparing the Uniform Project 
Description
    A. Project Summary/Abstract/Geographic Location
    B. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    C. Results or Benefits Expected
    D. Approach/Evaluation
    E. Additional Information
    F. Budget and Budget Justification
Part IV. Evaluation Criteria
    Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Criterion 2. Results and Benefits Expected
    Criterion 3. Approach/Evaluation
    Criterion 4. Additional Information
    Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification
Part V. Application and Selection Process
    A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees
    B. Application Requirements

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    C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Notification under Executive Order 12372
    E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials
    F. Application Consideration and Selection
Part VI.
Part VI. Submission Instructions
    A. Contents of Application
    B. Submission of Application
    Appendix A. List of Current ELOA Grantees (FY 01) and Geographic 
Service Areas

Part I. General Information

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. The Child Care Bureau administers the Child Care and Development 
Fund (CCDF), a $4.8 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. With related State and Federal funding, CCDF provides close to 
$11 billion a year to States, Territories, and Tribes to help low-
income working families access child care services.
    The Bureau works closely with ACF Regional Offices, 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. The Early Learning Opportunities Act

    The Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) was passed by Congress 
to award grants to States to enable them to increase, support, expand 
and better coordinate early learning opportunities for children and 
their families through local community organizations. The purposes of 
the Act are to: (1) Increase the availability of voluntary programs, 
services, and activities that support early childhood development, 
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of 
young children so that young children enter school ready to learn; (2) 
support parents, child care providers, and caregivers who want to 
incorporate early learning activities into the daily lives of young 
children; (3) remove barriers to the provision of an accessible system 
of early childhood learning programs in communities throughout the 
United States; (4) increase the availability and affordability of 
professional development activities and compensation for caregivers and 
child care providers; and (5) facilitate the development of community-
based systems of collaborative service delivery models characterized by 
resource sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local 
planning for services.
    The Act provides that if the amount appropriated for this program 
in any fiscal year is less than $150 million, the Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS) shall award grants on a competitive basis 
directly to Local Councils. DHHS is administering the program under 
this special provision in FY 2002.

C. Early Learning Opportunities Act Grants--Goals and Priorities

    In FY 2002, grants will be awarded, on a competitive basis, 
directly to those Local Councils that can best assess their community 
needs and create a plan to facilitate the development of community-
based systems and collaborative service delivery models.
    ELOA grants will be available to Local Councils that have been so 
designated by a local government entity, Indian Tribe, Regional 
Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity. Local Councils will be required 
to submit the results of a current needs and resources assessment, 
documenting the needs of the young children and families in their 
locality, as well as a local plan that addresses the most significant 
needs. To receive an ELOA grant, the plan must include activities for 
``Enhancing Early Childhood Literacy,'' AND two or more of the other 
allowable ELOA activities specified in Part II, F.
    In developing local plans and applications under this announcement, 
ACF encourages Local Councils to incorporate strategies to promote the 
involvement of faith-based providers, father involvement, healthy 
marriage, ELOA services in rural communities, and support to families 
transitioning-off welfare. The implementation plan must describe the 
outcome measures for each proposed activity.

D. Definitions

    Administrative Costs--eans costs related to the overall management 
of the program, which do not directly relate to the provision of 
program services. These costs can be in both the personnel and non-
personnel budget categories and include, but are not limited to: 
salaries of managerial and administrative staff, indirect costs, and 
other costs associated with administrative functions such as 
accounting, payroll services, or auditing. Note: Not more than three 
percent of the total Federal share received by the Local Council 
through this announcement shall be used to pay for the ``administrative 
costs'' of the Local Council, including administrative costs of any 
sub-grantees and third parties in carrying out activities funded under 
the grant.
    Budget Period--for the purposes of this announcement, budget period 
means the period of time for which ELOA funds are made available to a 
particular grantee (i.e., beginning on September 30, 2002 and ending on 
February 28, 2004).
    Caregiver--means an individual, including a relative, neighbor, or 
family friend, who regularly or frequently provides care, with or 
without compensation, for a child for whom the individual is not the 
parent.
    Child Care Provider--means a provider of non-residential child care 
services (including center-based, family-based, and in-home child care 
services) for compensation who or that is legally operating under State 
law, and in compliance with applicable State and local requirements for 
the provision of child care services.
    Early Learning--when used with respect to a program or activity, 
means learning designed to facilitate the development of cognitive, 
language, motor, and social-emotional skills for, and to promote 
learning readiness in, young children (see definition of young child).
    Early Learning Program--means a program of services or activities 
that helps parents, caregivers, and child care providers to incorporate 
early learning into the daily lives of young children; or a program 
that directly provides early learning to young children.
    Indian Tribe--has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-

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Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
    Local Council--means a Local Council established or designated by a 
local government, Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native 
Hawaiian entity to serve as applicant under this announcement serving 
one or more localities.
    Local Government--means a county, municipality, city, town, 
township, borough, parish, select board, council of local governments 
(whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State 
law), intra-state district, a general purpose unit of local government, 
and any other interstate or regional unit of local government. ``Local 
Government'' does not mean any of the 50 States, or any agency or 
instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments.
    Locality--means a city, county, borough, township, or area served 
by another general purpose unit of local government, an Indian Tribe, a 
Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian entity.
    Native Hawaiian Entity--means a private non-profit 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.
    Non-Federal Share--means that portion of project costs not borne by 
the Federal government. Under ELOA, the minimum required Non-Federal 
Share is 15 percent of the total Federal cost of the approved project.
    Parent--means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, a 
stepparent, a foster parent, or a legal guardian of, or a person 
standing in loco parentis to a child.
    Program Income--means gross income earned by the grantee or 
subgrantee that is directly generated by a grant supported activity, or 
earned only as a result of the award. 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 include 
similar types of earned revenue, which qualify as program income. These 
include but are not limited to income from fees for services performed 
and the use of rental property.
    Project Period--for the purposes of this announcement, project 
period means a starting date of September 30, 2002 and an ending date 
of February 28, 2004.
    Real Property--means land, including land improvements, structures 
and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment.
    Regional Corporation--means a Native Alaska Regional Corporation; 
an entity listed in section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 619(4)(B)).
    Training--means instruction in early learning that--(a) Is required 
for certification under State and local laws, regulations, and 
policies; (b) Is required to receive a nationally or State recognized 
credential or its equivalent; (c) is received in a postsecondary 
education program focused on early learning or early childhood 
development in which the individual is enrolled; or (d) is provided, 
certified, or sponsored by an organization that is recognized for its 
expertise in promoting early learning or early childhood development.
    Young Child--for purposes of this program, means any child from 
birth to the age of mandatory school attendance in the State where the 
child resides.

Part II. Key Program Information and Requirements

A. Purposes

    The purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) are--
     To increase the availability of voluntary programs, 
services, and activities that support early childhood development, 
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of 
young children so that young children enter school ready to learn;
     To support parents, child care providers, and caregivers 
who want to incorporate early learning activities into the daily lives 
of young children;
     To remove barriers to the provision of an accessible 
system of early childhood learning programs in communities throughout 
the United States;
     To increase the availability and affordability of 
professional development activities and compensation for caregivers and 
child care providers; and
     To facilitate the development of community-based systems 
of collaborative service delivery models characterized by resource 
sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local planning for 
services.

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 grants.
    2. Funding Authority. Funding is provided by ACF under the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2002 (Pub. L. 107-116) and Pub. L. 
106-554, the Early Learning Opportunities Act.
    3. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance Number is 93.577.

C. Number of Awards

    The Bureau estimates that between 25 and 35 grants will be awarded 
in FY 2002, subject to the availability of funds and the results of the 
review process.

D. Project Duration and Budget Period

    The project period for all ELOA grants will be 17 months and will 
begin on September 30, 2002 and end on February 28, 2004.

E. Funding Levels and Reservations

    Individual awards will be between $250,000 and $1,000,000 depending 
on the size of the population to be served as well as geographic area 
to be served and the reasonableness of the budget in relationship to 
the services to be provided. While this will vary depending on the 
scope of the applications submitted, awards are expected to average 
$700,000.
    The Act (section 809) provides that the Secretary shall reserve a 
portion of each year's total ELOA appropriation for Indian Tribes, 
Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian entities. ACF anticipates 
competitively awarding funds to at least one Local Council designated 
by an Indian Tribe and one Local Council designated by an Alaska Native 
Regional Corporation or Native Hawaiian entity, subject to receipt of 
applications meeting the requirements of the Act as reflected in this 
announcement. ACF intends to award no less than one percent of the FY 
2002 ELOA appropriation in grants to Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and 
Native Hawaiians.

F. Allowable Early Learning Activities

    In general, Local Councils may use ELOA funds to pay for 
developing, operating, or enhancing voluntary early learning programs 
that are likely to produce sustained gains in early learning. The 
President has identified the enhancement of early childhood literacy as 
a priority for this administration. Therefore, for FY 2002 grants, the 
Child Care Bureau will only consider for funding those Local Councils 
that include in their applications activities for ``Enhancing Early 
Childhood Literacy'' (see Item a. below), and two or more of the other 
allowable activities listed below (i.e., Items b. through g.).
    The Project Summary/Abstract must contain statements that clearly 
identify

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which of the following allowable early learning activities are included 
in the project.
    (a) Enhancing early childhood literacy AND two or more of the 
following allowable activities:
    (b) Helping parents, caregivers, child care providers, and 
educators increase their capacity to facilitate the development of 
cognitive, language comprehension, expressive language, social 
emotional, and motor skills, and promote learning readiness;
    (c) Promoting effective parenting;
    (d) Developing linkages among early learning programs within a 
community and between early learning programs and health care services 
for young children;
    (e) Increasing access to early learning opportunities for young 
children with special needs including developmental delays, by 
facilitating coordination with other programs serving such young 
children;
    (f) Increasing access to existing early learning programs by 
expanding the days or times that the young children are served, by 
expanding the number of young children served, or by improving the 
affordability of the programs for low-income families;
    (g) Improving the quality of early learning programs through 
professional development and training activities, increased 
compensation, and recruitment and retention incentives, for early 
learning providers;
    (h) Removing ancillary barriers to early learning, including 
transportation difficulties and absence of programs during 
nontraditional work times.

G. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs

    Grantees must provide at least 15 percent of the total approved 
project cost. The total approved project cost is the sum of the Federal 
share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a project requesting 
$500,000 in Federal funds must include a match of at least $88,235 (15 
percent of the total approved project cost). To compute the non-Federal 
share divide the Federal share by .85 and subtract the Federal share 
from that amount. For example: $500,000  .85 = $588,235 minus 
$500,000 = $88,235. The total approved project cost in this example is 
$588,235.
    The non-Federal share may be contributed in cash or in-kind, fairly 
evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services, which may be 
provided from State or local public sources, or through donations from 
private entities. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term 
``facilities'' includes the use of facilities, but the term 
``equipment'' means donated equipment and not the use of equipment. 
Grantees will be held accountable on the grant award for commitments of 
non-Federal resources even if the approved amount exceeds the minimum 
match required. Failure to provide the amount specified on the grant 
award can result in a disallowance of Federal funds.

H. Other Financial Requirements

    1. Amounts received shall be used to supplement and not supplant 
other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to promote early 
learning. No funds provided shall be used to carry-out an activity 
funded under another provision of law providing for Federal child care 
or early learning programs, unless an expansion of such activity is 
identified in the local needs assessment and performance goals.
    2. Not more than three percent of the total Federal share received 
by the Local Council through this announcement shall be used to pay for 
the administrative costs (as defined in Part I, D.) of the Local 
Council, including the administrative costs of any of its sub-grantees 
and third parties, in carrying-out activities funded under the grant.
    3. Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall ensure 
that programs, services, and activities assisted under this program, 
which customarily require a payment for such programs, services, or 
activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services, and activities 
provided to the individual or the individual's child based on the 
individual's ability to pay.
    4. Applications proposing to use ELOA funds for construction 
purposes or for the purchase of real property will not be considered 
for funding.

I. Eligibility

Designation of Local Council by Local Government Entity
    An eligible applicant for FY 2002 ELOA grants must be designated by 
a local government entity (or Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or 
Native Hawaiian entity) as a ``Local Council'' to serve one or more 
localities. The applicant must include a letter in its application from 
an appropriate local government entity specifically designating it as 
the Local Council. The local government entity making the designation 
must also clearly explain in its letter the source/nature of its 
authority to make such a designation. Applicants from Indian Tribes and 
Regional Corporations must include a tribal resolution from the 
governing body of the Tribe(s) or Regional Corporation(s), which 
designates the Local Council for the purpose of the ELOA.
Composition of a Local Council
    To receive an award, the membership of the Local Council must be 
composed of:
    (a) Representatives of local agencies that will be directly 
affected by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this 
announcement;
    (b) Parents;
    (c) Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the 
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary 
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning 
opportunities, child care, and health services; and
    (d) Other key community leaders.
    In addition, Local Councils may be faith-based organizations or may 
include faith-based organizations in their membership, provided all 
eligibility criteria outlined above are met. Local Councils that were 
formed prior to the date of enactment of the ELOA and that meet the 
membership requirements above will be considered eligible. Local 
Councils and their Fiscal Agents must also be able to demonstrate 
organizational and fiscal capabilities.
Local Council as Applicant and Designation of Fiscal Agent
    A Local Council may enter into an agreement with an entity that has 
a demonstrated capacity for administering grants that is affected by, 
or concerned with, early learning issues, including the State, to serve 
as fiscal agent for the administration of grant funds received by the 
Local Council under this program. This may include faith-based 
organizations. The Local Council, however, must be the applicant under 
this announcement, and if selected to receive a grant, must be 
responsible for ensuring compliance with the activities and terms of 
the grant. If the Local Council is not incorporated or does not have an 
employer identification number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue 
Service), it may designate its fiscal agent as the applicant applying 
``On Behalf of the Local Council'' (see Items 5 and 6 on the SF-424).
Non-Profit Status
    Non-profit organizations submitting an application must submit 
proof of their non-profit status in their applications at the time of 
submission. This can be accomplished 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

[[Page 20527]]

currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy 
of the articles of incorporation as a not-for-profit organization, 
bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or association 
is domiciled.
Geographic Location and Locality(ies) To Be Served
    Applicants must describe the precise location of the project and 
boundaries of the area to be served at the beginning of the Project 
Description Summary/Abstract (see Part III, A. below) including the 
following: the State, county(ies), specific locality(ies) (e.g., city, 
town, township, borough, parish, or area served by another general 
purpose of local government, Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation 
(Alaska), or native Hawaiian entity).

    Note: Applications received from multiple applicants proposing 
to serve the same or overlapping geographic areas will not be 
considered for award. Applicants that propose to serve all or part 
of a geographic area, which is currently being served by an ELOA 
grantee (See Appendix A) also will not be considered for award.

Other Eligibility Information
    Local Councils in each of the 50 States of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible 
to apply under this announcement. Only Local Councils, not individuals, 
are eligible to apply under this announcement. Local Councils (and the 
localities served by those Local Councils) that received FY 2001 ELOA 
grants will not be considered for FY 2002 awards under this 
announcement.

J. Protections

    1. No person, including a parent, shall be required to participate 
in any program of early childhood education, early learning, parent 
education, or developmental screening pursuant to the provisions of the 
Early Learning Opportunities Act.
    2. Nothing in the Early Learning Opportunities Act shall be 
construed to affect the rights of parents otherwise established in 
Federal, State, or local law.
    3. No entity that receives funds under the Early Learning 
Opportunities Act shall be required to provide services under this 
announcement through a particular instructional method or in a 
particular instructional setting to comply with the ELOA.

Part III. General Instructions for Preparing the Uniform Project 
Description

General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project Description

    ACF is particularly interested in specific factual information and 
statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used 
rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities 
that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does 
not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity 
should be placed in an appendix.

The Project Description Overview

Purpose
    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project 
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation 
criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other 
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application.
    Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included 
for easy reference.

A. Project Summary/Abstract/Geographic Location

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

B. 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.

C. Results or Benefits Expected

    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example: 
Specify the number of children and families to be served and how the 
services to be provided will be funded consistent with the local needs 
assessment. Or, explain how the expected results will benefit the 
population to be served in meeting its needs for early learning 
services and activities.

D. Approach/Evaluation

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 people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``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.
Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and 
the

[[Page 20528]]

conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the evaluation 
of results, state how you will determine the extent to which the 
project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which the 
accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. Discuss 
the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.

E. Additional Information

    The following are requests for additional information that need to 
be included in the application:
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.
Plan for Continuance Beyond Grant Support
    Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ceased.
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.
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.
Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application OR by application deadline.

F. 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 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.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.

[[Page 20529]]

Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information, which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 USC 403(11) 
(currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to make 
available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such as 
request for proposals or invitations for bids, independent cost 
estimates, etc.

    Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the 
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed 
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency 
title, along with the required supporting information referred to in 
these instructions.

Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application, 
which contain this information.
Non-Federal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

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

    1. The extent to which the applicant specifies the goals and 
objectives of the project and describes how implementation will fulfill 
the purposes of the ELOA. The applicant must demonstrate a thorough 
understanding of the importance of early learning services and 
activities that help parents, caregivers, and child care providers 
incorporate early learning into the daily lives of young children, as 
well as programs that directly provide early learning to young 
children.
    2. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for 
assistance including identification and discussion of its needs and 
resources assessment concerning early learning services. Relevant data 
from the assessment should be included. Participant and beneficiary 
information must also be included.
    3. The extent to which the applicant describes its resources 
assessment and the relevancy of the results as the basis for 
determining its objectives and need for assistance.
    4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how it will give 
preference to supporting activities/projects that maximize the use of 
resources through collaboration with other early learning programs, 
provide continuity of services for young children across the age 
spectrum, and help parents and other caregivers promote early learning 
with their young children. The applicant must provide information about 
how decisions will be made about who will provide each early learning 
service and/or activity funded through this grant.
    5. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has 
worked with local education agencies to identify cognitive, social, and 
emotional, and motor developmental abilities which are necessary to 
support children's readiness for school; that the programs, services, 
and activities assisted under this title will represent developmentally 
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities; and, that 
the programs, services, and activities assisted provide benefits for 
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the 
care of others.

Criterion 2. Results and Benefits Expected (15 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant specifies the number of 
children and families to be served and how the services to be provided 
will be funded consistent with the assessment.
    2. The extent to which the applicant explains how the expected 
results will benefit the population to be served in meeting its needs 
for early learning services and activities.
    3. The extent to which the applicant describes how it will assess 
the effects that services provided under this grant have had in 
addressing the needs identified under its needs and resources 
assessment. Particular attention must be paid to discussing how the 
effectiveness of the activities included in their implementation plan 
(approach) will be assessed.
    4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that completion 
of the proposed objectives will result in specific, measurable results. 
The specific information provided in the narrative and plan on expected 
results or benefits for each objective is the standard upon which its 
achievement can be evaluated at the end of the project period (i.e., 17 
months).

Criterion 3. Approach/Evaluation (35 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant includes a detailed plan that 
identifies goals and objectives, relates those goals and objectives to 
the findings of its needs and resources assessment, and provides a work 
plan identifying specific activities necessary to accomplish the stated 
goals and objectives. The plan must demonstrate that each of the 
project objectives and activities supports the current needs and 
resource assessment and can be accomplished with the available or 
expected resources during the proposed project period.
    In addition, the plan must:
    a. Indicate when the objective and major activities under each 
objective will be accomplished (a timeline is recommended);
    b. Specify who will conduct the activities under each objective;
    c. Describe how subcontractors will be chosen and held accountable 
for

[[Page 20530]]

carrying out activities in compliance with this application, and grant 
terms and conditions;
    d. Describe how actual and perceived conflict of interest will be 
avoided if the Local Council is also a direct service provider; and
    e. Indicate how programs, services, and activities are provided 
based on the family's ability to pay (for services that customarily 
require a payment).
    2. The extent to which the applicant proposes to implement 
activities consistent with ACF priorities as supported by the community 
needs and resources assessment. (ACF priorities include enhancing early 
literacy, involving faith-based providers, involving fathers, and 
strengthening marriage, as well as supports to rural communities, and 
families transitioning-off welfare.)
    3. The extent to which the applicant describes how the project will 
form collaborations among local early learning, youth, social service, 
educational providers (including faith-based organizations) to maximize 
resources and concentrate efforts on areas of greatest need.
    4. The extent to which the applicant describes its work with local 
educational agencies to identify cognitive, social, emotional, and 
motor developmental abilities, which are necessary to support 
children's readiness for school.
    5. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and 
activities assisted under ELOA will represent developmentally 
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities.
    6. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and 
activities assisted under this announcement provide benefits for 
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the 
care of others.
    7. The extent to which the applicant's plan describes how 
unanticipated problems will be resolved to ensure that the project will 
be completed on time and with a high degree of quality.
    8. The extent to which the applicant includes a feasible plan for 
securing resources and continuing early learning activities after 
Federal assistance has ended.

Criterion 4. Additional Information (20 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates its staff and 
organizational experience particularly in areas of facilitating needs 
and resources assessments and collaborative activities as they relate 
to early learning services. The applicant must also document its 
experience in facilitating such activities and the length of time the 
applicant has been involved in these activities. Evidence of the 
applicant's ability to manage a project of the proposed scope is 
demonstrated. The application clearly shows the successful management 
of projects of similar scope by the organization, and/or by the 
individuals designated to manage the project.
    2. The extent to which the applicant provides position descriptions 
and/or resumes of key personnel, including those of consultants, which 
clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the 
project objectives and the proposed budget. The position descriptions 
and resumes must clearly describe the qualifications, any specialized 
skills, and duties for each position necessary for overall quality of 
the project. Resumes must be included if individuals have been 
identified for positions in the application. The applicant must also 
list organizations and consultants who will participate in the project 
along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution.
    3. The extent to which the applicant describes its agency including 
the types, quantities, and costs of services it provides. The applicant 
must discuss the role of other organizations that will be involved in 
providing direct services to children and families through this grant.
    4. If the Local Council plans to work with a fiscal agent, that 
entity, its qualifications, and its relationship to the Council must be 
described.
    5. The extent to which the applicant provides organizational charts 
for the Local Council and its members, and any third-parties. List all 
sites, including addresses, phone numbers and staff contacts.
    6. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates active 
participation of the Local Council in the development of its 
application and the project, if funded. Such evidence includes but is 
not limited to minutes of council meetings, resolutions, newspaper 
articles, and letters of commitment/support.
    7. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a feasible plan 
for securing resources and continuing project activities after Federal 
assistance has ceased.
    8. The extent to which the applicant includes third-party 
agreements with cooperating entities, which detail the scope of work to 
be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and any other terms and 
conditions that structure or define the relationship. Information about 
new agreements that will be executed with subgrantees, contractors, or 
other cooperating entities should also be included.
    9. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates support for the 
project from parents, the community at-large, and other key leaders and 
stakeholders.

Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the funds 
requested will be used for early learning services that are allowed 
under this announcement. The discussion must 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. Funds must be designated to allow 
two representatives from the Local Council to attend one two-day 
grantee meeting in Washington, DC.
    2. The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable in view 
of the activities to be carried out, that the funds are appropriately 
allocated across component areas, and that the budget is sufficient to 
accomplish the objectives.
    3. The extent to which the applicant and/or its fiscal agent 
demonstrates that it has sufficient fiscal and accounting capacity to 
ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of 
funds.

Part V. Application and Selection 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 at 1-800-351-2293. Questions about the ELOA 
program requirements may be directed to the Federal Project Officer at 
202-690-6243. .

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 in Parts V and VI below.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    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.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139, which expires December 31, 2003.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to

[[Page 20531]]

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 standard forms that must be submitted as part of an 
application and instructions for completing the application are 
provided in the Application Kit. These standard forms can also be 
downloaded and printed at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. Additional copies of this announcement may be obtained by 
calling 1-800-351-2293.

F. Application Consideration and Selection

    Each application will undergo an eligibility and conformance review 
by Federal Child Care Bureau staff. Applications that pass the 
eligibility and conformance review will be evaluated on a competitive 
basis according to the evaluation criteria in Part IV of this program 
announcement. This review will be conducted in Washington, DC by panels 
of Federal and non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas of early 
learning, child care, early childhood education, and other relevant 
program areas.
    Application review panels will assign a score to each application 
and identify its strengths and weaknesses. The Child Care Bureau will 
conduct an administrative review of the applications and results of the 
competitive review panels and make recommendations for funding to the 
Commissioner, ACYF.
    Subject to the recommendation of the Child Care Bureau's Associate 
Commissioner, the Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final selection of 
the applications 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; (5) the statutory requirement that reserves funds 
for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Corporations, and Native 
Hawaiian entities; and (6) other relevant considerations. The 
Commissioner may also elect not to fund any applicants with 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 that sets forth the amount of funds granted, 
the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the 
award, and the budget period for which support is given, and the total 
project period for which support is provided. Organizations whose 
applications will not be funded will be notified in writing by the 
Commissioner, ACYF. Every effort will be made to notify all 
unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions are 
made.

Part VI. Submission Instructions

A. Contents of Application

    A complete application consists of the following items in the order 
listed:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-
92). Follow the instructions on the back of the form. In Item 5 on the 
SF-424, enter the name of the applicant [Local Council]. However, if 
the Local Council is not incorporated or does not have an EIN issued by 
the IRS, the name of its fiscal agent must be entered followed by ``On 
Behalf of the [name of Local Council]. For example: Caring County 
Community Services On Behalf of the Early Childhood Alliance Local 
Council. Enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in Item 6. The 
EIN must be the number assigned to the entity identified in Item 5. In 
Item 8 on the SF-424, check ``New.'' In Item 10, clearly identify the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program title and number (i.e., 
Early Learning Opportunities Act, 93.577). A signature on the 
application constitutes an assurance that the applicant will comply 
with the relevant Departmental regulations contained in 45 CFR part 74 
or part 92.
    2. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 
424A). Follow the instructions on the back of the form.
    3. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B). A 
duly authorized representative of the applicant organization must 
certify that the applicant is in compliance with these assurances and 
certifications. The applicant must certify its compliance with: (1) 
Drug-free workplace requirements; (2) debarment and other 
responsibilities; (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.
    4. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must include an 
executed Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to receiving an award 
in excess of $100,000.
    5. Cover Letter that includes the announcement number and contact 
information for the applicant. The letter 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.
    6. A signed Letter of Designation for the Local Council from a 
local government entity that explains its authority to make such a 
designation.
    7. A Tribal Resolution, if applicable.
    8. A Table of Contents.
    9. A Project Description Summary/Abstract (one page maximum)--
Clearly mark this page with the applicant's name as shown in Item 5 on 
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 Project 
Description Summary/Abstract must not exceed 300 words. The first 
paragraph must describe the precise location of the project and the 
boundaries of the area to be served including the following: the State, 
county(ies), specific locality(ies) (e.g., city, county, borough, 
township, parish, etc.) and/or region(s). Care should be taken to 
produce a Summary/Abstract that accurately and concisely reflects the 
proposed project. It should briefly describe the objectives of the 
project, the approach to be used, and the results and benefits 
expected.
    10. The Project Narrative. The applicant is strongly encouraged to 
use the evaluation criteria in Part IV to organize its response to Part 
III, the Uniform Project Description. Specific information should be 
provided 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 the evaluation 
criteria, and adheres to recommended 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 field of early learning as 
defined under this announcement.
    The pages of the project description must be double-spaced, printed 
on only

[[Page 20532]]

one side, with no less than one-inch margins, and numbered. Applicants 
are strongly encouraged to limit this portion of their application to 
no more than 100 pages.
    11. Appendices. The recommended maximum number of pages for 
supporting documentation is 50 numbered pages. These documents might 
include excerpts from the needs and resources assessment, resumes/job 
descriptions, photocopies of news clippings, documents related to the 
involvement and participation of the Local Council, and evidence of its 
efforts to coordinate child care services at the local level including 
letters of support and/or third-party agreements.

B. Submission of Application

    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 blue 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.
    Each application will be duplicated, therefore, please do not use 
or include colored paper, colored ink, separate covers, binders, clips, 
tabs, plastic inserts, over-sized paper, videotapes, or any other items 
that cannot be easily duplicated on a photocopy machine with an 
automatic feed.
    Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way separate 
subsections of the application, including the supporting documentation. 
Applicants are advised that a copy (not the original) of the 
application as submitted will be reproduced by the Federal government 
for review.

    Dated: April 19, 2002.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A.--FY 2001 Early Learning Opportunity Act Grantees

    Twenty-six Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grants were 
awarded in FY 2001. Listed below is the name of each grantee, the 
title of its project, and its geographic service area. The Federal 
Project Officer for these ELOA grants is Carol de Barba, who can be 
reached at 202-690-6243.

 Alameda County Children and Families Commission, San Leandro, 
CA 94577

    Hand-in-Hand: The Alameda County Early Learning Partnership.
    Alameda County is located on the eastside of San Francisco Bay 
and extends from the cities of Berkeley and Albany in the north to 
Fremont in the south. Alameda County is bounded on the north by 
Contra Costa County, on the south by Santa Clara County, on the 
southeast corner by Stanislaus County, on the east by San Joaquin 
County, and on the west by the San Francisco Bay.

 Bristol Bay Native Association, Dillingham, AK 99576

    Bristol Bay Native Association Early Learning Opportunities 
Program.
    The Bristol Bay region is located in Southwest Alaska. Its 
regional boundaries under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
extend about 350 miles North to South, and about 230 miles East to 
West. The region consists of 32 communities, 29 of which are 
federally recognized tribes. There are three separate census 
divisions: Bristol Bay Borough Census Area (three communities), the 
Dillingham Census Area (12 communities), and the Lake and Peninsula 
Borough Census Area (17 communities).

 Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, 
Juneau, AK 99801

    Encircled in a Blanket of Wellness: Children's Early Learning 
Mental Health Project.
    This project serves the geographic area known as ``Southeast 
Alaska'' including the three large communities of Juneau, Sitka, and 
Ketchikan, and approximately 20 other communities. Southeast Alaska 
is a 600-mile long island archipelago and coastal strip also 
referred to as the ``panhandle'' of the state. The panhandle 
stretches from the Tsimpshian Native Village of Metlakatla in the 
South, to the Tlingit Native Village of Yakutat in the North.

 Community Connections, Inc., Bluefield, WV 24701

    Mercer County Early Learning Project.
    This is a county-wide project. Mercer County is located in the 
most southern part of West Virginia. The largest population base is 
located in the city of Bluefield; the County seat is Princeton.

 Community Coordinated Child Care, Hillside, NJ 24701

    Union County Early Learning Opportunities Project
    Union County is at the center of the New York--New Jersey 
Metropolitan Region, along the Boston--Washington Corridor. It is 
bounded by Essex County to the north, Morris and Somerset Counties 
to the west, and Middlesex County to the south. The Arthur Kill 
waterway separates the County from Staten Island, New York to the 
east. The County seat is Elizabeth.

 Durham's Partnership for Children, Durham, NC 27707

    The Literacy and School Readiness Enhancement Pilot Project
    This project serves Durham and Orange Counties. These counties 
are contiguous counties that are located in the Research Triangle 
area of central North Carolina.

 Early Childhood Care and Education Council of Multnomah 
County, Portland, OR 97204

    Multnomah County Components of Early Learning.
    The service area is Multnomah County, which includes the City of 
Portland.

 Early Learning Foundation, Seattle, WA 98115

    Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities in King County 
Communities
    This is a county-wide project serving King County including the 
City of Seattle.

 Fairbanks North Star Borough Early Childhood Development 
Commission (FNSB), Fairbanks, AK 99707

    For all Families, A Community Model: Providing Early Childhood 
Education for Families and Communities and Promoting Excellence in 
Child Care in the FNSB.
    The Borough is located in the central eastern half of Alaska and 
includes Fairbanks, Alaska and many surrounding small communities 
and rural areas covering 7,361 square miles.

 Family Central, Inc. On Behalf of Broward School Readiness 
Coalition, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

    Broward Investment in Quality Care for Kids (BrIQCK).
    Broward County is bounded by Miami-Dade County on the south, the 
Everglades and Collier County on the West, Palm Beach County on the 
north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Major cities include Fort 
Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach.

 Gritman Medical Center On Behalf of the Early Childhood 
Service Council, Moscow, ID 83843

    Early Learning Collaborative Project In A Rural Region of 
Northern Idaho.
    This is a county-wide project in Latah County, which is located 
in North Central Idaho.

 Lenawee Intermediate School District, Adrian, MI 49221

    Lenawee's Child (Helping to Increase Learning and Development).
    Lenawee County is located in South Central Michigan along the 
Ohio border.

 Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas City, MO 64105

    Early Childhood Excellence Project.
    MARC serves as the association of city and county governments 
and the metropolitan planning organization for the bi-state Kansas 
City region. MARC serves an eight county area that includes Cass, 
Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray Counties in Missouri and Johnson, 
Leavenworth, and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.

 Mid Coast Access to Child Care, Nobleboro, ME 04555

    Enhancing Quality of Early Care.
    The boundaries of the service area include the Counties of 
Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc County. It also includes the 
communities of Brunswick and Harpswell

[[Page 20533]]

located within the northernmost part of Cumberland County.

 Mono County Office of Education On Behalf of the Mono County 
Child Care Council, Mono, CA 93546

    Eastern Sierra Early Learning Collaborative.
    The service area includes Alpine and Mono Counties in the 
eastern part of California.

 Napa County Office of Education On Behalf of the Napa County 
Child Care Planning Council, Napa, CA 97558

    The E.A.R.L.Y. Project: Enhancing Accessibility and Readiness 
for Learning by Young Children.
    Napa County is located in the Northern San Francisco Bay area, 
southwest of Sacramento, north of Oakland/Berkeley, and northeast of 
San Francisco.

 New Haven Public Schools, New Haven, CT 06519

    New Haven Early Learning Opportunities Program.
    The geographic location of the targeted service area is the City 
of New Haven. New Haven consists of 20 different neighborhoods and a 
federally-designated Empowerment Zone.

 People's Regional Opportunity Program, Portland, ME 04101

    Cumberland County ACCESS/CITE Partnership for Child Care.
    The geographic area covered by this partnership is the cities 
and towns in Cumberland County with the exception of Brunswick, 
Harpswell, and South Harpswell.

 San Bernardino County Human Services System, San Bernardino, 
CA 92415

    San Bernardino Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    This is a county-wide project in San Bernardino County, which is 
located in the center of Southern California. It is bounded by the 
States of Arizona and Nevada, and the Counties of Riverside, Los 
Angeles, Inyo, and Orange.

 San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools On Behalf of the 
San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council, Redwood City, CA 94065

    San Mateo County Early Learning Project.
    San Mateo County is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, 
the San Francisco Bay to the east, San Francisco to the north, and 
the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara to the south. It 
includes the cities of Redwood City, San Mateo, Daly City, East Palo 
Alto, Menlo Park, and South San Francisco.

 Southern Iowa Economic Development Association On Behalf of 
the Mahaska-Wapello Empowerment Area, Ottumwa, IA 52501

    Parents As Teachers Expansion Program
    The Mahaska-Wapello Empowerment Area includes the six Counties 
of Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, and Wapello. These 
Counties are located in the lower three tiers of Southern Iowa.

 United Way of Greater Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85754

    First Focus on Kids: Coordinating Early Learning Opportunities 
for Children and Their Families.
    This project serves the following zip codes in and around the 
City of Tucson: 85705-06, 85710, 85711-13, 85716, 85719, 85730, and 
85745-46.

 United Way of New York City, New York, NY 10016

    New York City Early Learning Project.
    This project serves the five Boroughs of New York City including 
Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

 United Way Services, Richmond, VA 23241

    Greater Richmond Early Development Coalition
    The geographic area served by this Coalition includes the City 
of Richmond, and the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.

 United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 
19103

    Children Ready: Invest in Success.
    The project boundary is the City of Philadelphia.

 Youth Health Service, Inc., Elkins, WV 26241

    Quality Care: Improving the Quality of Early Learning Services 
in Two Impoverished Rural Counties.
    The target communities of this project are in Barbour and 
Randolph Counties in the north and west central parts of West 
Virginia.

[FR Doc. 02-10105 Filed 4-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P