[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17045-17053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8430]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Notice No. ACF/ACYF/RHYP 2003-01]


Notice of Availability of Financial Assistance and Request for 
Applications for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Grants

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of financial assistance 
and request for applications for the FY 2003 Basic Center Program for 
Runaway and Homeless Youth (BCP), FY 2003 Street Outreach Program 
(SOP), FY 2003 Positive Youth Development State and Local Collaboration 
Demonstration Projects (SLCDP) and FY 2004 Transitional Living Program 
(TLP).
    The full official Program Announcement must be used to apply for 
grant funding under the competitive grant areas and is available by 
calling or writing the ACYF Operations Center at the address below: 
Educational Services, Inc., Attention: ACYF Operations Center, 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293, Email: [email protected]; or by downloading the 
announcement from the FYSB Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.

DATES: The deadline date for mailed or hand delivered applications for 
all four grants under this announcement is: June 9, 2003.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Number 93.623, Basic 
Center Program and State and Local Collaboration Demonstration Project; 
Number 93.550, Transitional Living Program; and Number 93.557, Street 
Outreach Program.
    Application Mailing and Delivery Instructions: Applications must be 
in hard copy, one signed original and two copies must be submitted. 
Mailed applications will be considered as meeting the announced 
deadline if they are postmarked on or before the published deadline 
date. Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
or any other method of hand delivery shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline date if they are received on or before the published 
deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., e.d.t., 
Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays), at the following 
address: Educational Services, Inc., Attention: ACYF Operations Center, 
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, 
telephone: 1-800-351-2293, Email: [email protected].
    This address must appear on the envelope/package containing the 
applications.
    Applicants are responsible for mailing and delivering applications 
well in advance of deadlines to ensure that the applications are 
received on time. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
service does not always deliver as agreed.
    The Administration for Children and Families will not accept 
applications delivered by fax or e-mail regardless of date or time of 
submission and receipt.
    Late Applications. Applications which do not meet the criteria 
stated above or are not received or postmarked by the deadline date are 
considered late applications. The Administration for Children and 
Families will notify each late applicant that its application will not 
be considered in the current competition.
    Extension of Deadline. The Administration for Children and Families 
may extend an application deadline when circumstances such as acts of 
God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; or when there are widespread 
disruptions of the mail service, or in other rare cases. A 
determination to waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the 
Chief Grants Management Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACYF Operations Center at the address 
and telephone number above, or for program information contact: Dorothy 
Pittard, Youth Services Program Specialist, Administration for Children 
and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447. (202)205-8102.

Background on Runaway and Homeless Youth and Positive Youth Development

    The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), within the 
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), administers programs 
that provide services to an adolescent population of runaway, homeless, 
and street youth. This population is estimated at 1.5 million youth. 
Many of these youth have left home to escape abusive situations or 
because they were not provided with their basic needs for food, 
shelter, and a safe, supportive environment. Many live on the streets 
or away from home without parental supervision and are highly 
vulnerable. They may be exploited by dealers of illegal drugs, or 
become victims of street violence or members of gangs which provide 
protection and a sense of extended family. They may be drawn into 
shoplifting, survival sex or dealing drugs in order to earn money for 
food, shelter, clothing and other daily expenses. They often drop out 
of school, forfeiting their opportunities to learn and to become 
independent, self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
    On the street, these youth may try to survive with little or no 
contact with medical professionals, the result being that health 
problems may go untreated and worsen. Without the support of family, 
schools and other community institutions, they may not acquire the 
personal values and work skills that will enable them to enter or 
advance in the world of work. Furthermore, while on the streets, 
unsheltered youth may create challenges for law enforcement and put 
themselves in danger. This situation calls for a community-based 
positive youth development approach to

[[Page 17046]]

address the needs of runaway, homeless and street youth.
    The Family and Youth Services Bureau has worked to promote a 
positive youth development framework for all FYSB activities. This 
approach, which is asset-based rather than problem-focused, is intended 
for policy and program developers, program managers, youth services 
professionals, and others who care about young people. It intends to 
enhance capacity to develop service models and approaches that direct 
youth toward positive pathways of development. The positive youth 
development approach is predicated on the understanding that all young 
people need support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a 
time of rapid growth and change. With this support, they can develop 
self-assurance and create a healthy, successful life.
    Key elements of positive youth development are:
    [sbull] Healthy messages to adolescents about their bodies, their 
behaviors and their interactions;
    [sbull] Safe and structured places for teens to study, recreate, 
and socialize;
    [sbull] Strengthened relationships with adult role models, such as 
parents, mentors, coaches or community leaders;
    [sbull] Skill development in literacy, competence, work readiness 
and social skills; and
    [sbull] Opportunities to serve others and build self-esteem.
    If these factors are being addressed, young people can become not 
just ``problem free'' but ``fully-prepared'' and engaged constructively 
in their communities and society.
    Positive developmental opportunities should be available to all 
young people during adolescence. Adolescents need opportunities to 
fulfill their developmental needs--intellectually, psychologically, 
socially, morally and ethically. Youth benefit from experiential 
learning and they need to belong to a group while maintaining their 
individuality. At the same time they want and need support and interest 
from caring adults. They also need opportunities to express opinions, 
challenge adult assumptions, develop the ability to make appropriate 
choices, and learn to use new skills, including leadership.
    These key elements result in the following outcomes:
    [sbull] Increased opportunities and avenues for the positive use of 
time;
    [sbull] Increased opportunities for positive self-expression;
    [sbull] Increased opportunities for youth participation and civic 
engagement.
    It is FYSB's hope and expectation that awareness of this positive 
youth development approach and its importance for serving youth will 
increase. The FYSB publications, Understanding Youth Development: 
Promoting Positive Pathways of Growth, The National Youth Summit: 
Summit Themes and A Strategy for Action and Reconnecting Youth and 
Community: A Youth Development Approach, are widely distributed as 
source documents for positive youth development concepts and 
applications. Both are currently available from the National 
Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY) at http://www.ncfy.com (301-
608-8098). Additionally, a recent Statement of Principles for Positive 
Youth Development, endorsed by a broad range of agencies, institutions 
and organizations, may be found in the brochure: Toward A Blueprint For 
Youth: Making Positive Youth Development A National Priority. Multiple 
copies of this resource are available from NCFY or it can be found 
online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.
    Applicants must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation 
efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and 
to submit the required Annual Report to the Secretary of DHHS on 
program activities and accomplishments with statistical summaries and 
other required program and financial reports, as instructed by FYSB.
    Legislative Authority: Grants for Runaway and Homeless Youth 
programs are authorized by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (title 
III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974), as 
amended by the Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act 
of 1999, (Pub. L. 106-71). Text of this statute may be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.
    Project and Budget Periods. This announcement is inviting 
applications for project periods up to three to five years. Awards, on 
a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although 
project periods may be for three to five years. Applications for 
continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year 
budget period but within the three- to 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Grant awards for FY 2003 funds will be made 
by September 30, 2003, for the Basic Center Program, Street Outreach 
Program and Positive Youth Development State and Local Collaboration 
Demonstration Projects. Transitional Living Program grant awards for FY 
2004 will be made after September 30, 2003.
    The estimated funds available for new starts and the approximate 
number of new grants that may be awarded under this program 
announcement are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Competitive grant area            New start grants funds available    Estimated Number  of new grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BCP...................................  Up to $12,300,000................  Up to 100.
B. TLP...................................  Up to $7,900,000.................  Up to 42.
C. SOP...................................  Up to $4,600,000.................  uup to 46.
D. SLCDP.................................  Up to $1,500,000.................  Up to 13.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Grant area                 Noncompetitive continuation funds           Number of grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BCP...................................  Up to $31,400,000................  Up to 265.
B. TLP...................................  Up to $27,800,000................  Up to 149.
C. SOP...................................  Up to $8,900,000.................  Up to 91.

[[Page 17047]]

 
D. SLCDP.................................   $ -0-...........................  0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part I. Commpetitive Grant Areas and Summaries of Evaluation Criteria

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

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The purpose of part A of the 
RHY Act is to establish or strengthen locally-controlled, community-
based programs that address the immediate needs of runaway and homeless 
youth and their families. Services must be delivered outside of the law 
enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. 
The program goals and objectives of the Basic Center Program of part A 
of the RHY Act are to:
    [sbull] Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth;
    [sbull] Reunite youth with their families and encourage the 
resolution of intra-family problems through counseling and other 
services;
    [sbull] Strengthen family relationships and encourage stable living 
conditions for youth; and
    [sbull] Help youth decide upon constructive courses of action.
    Background: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974 was a 
response to widespread concern regarding the alarming number of youth 
who were leaving home without parental permission, crossing State lines 
and who, while away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other 
dangers of street life.
    Each Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to 
runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen (15) 
days; food; clothing; individual, group and family counseling; 
aftercare and referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs are 
required to provide their services in residential settings for at least 
four (4) youth and no more than twenty (20) youth. Some programs also 
provide some or all of their shelter services through host homes 
(usually private homes under contract to the centers), with counseling 
and referrals being provided from a central location. Basic Center 
programs shelter youth at risk of separation from the family who are 
less than 18 years of age, and who have a history of running away from 
the family. Basic Centers must provide age appropriate services or 
referrals for homeless youth ages 18-21.
    The primary presenting problems of youth who receive shelter and 
non-shelter services through FYSB-funded Basic Centers include: (1) 
Family conflicts; (2) physical, sexual and emotional abuse; (3) 
divorce, death, or sudden loss of income; and (4) personal problems 
such as drug use, problems with peers, school attendance and truancy, 
bad grades, inability to get along with teachers and learning 
disabilities.
    Eligible Applicants
    [sbull] Public agencies--any State, unit of local government, 
Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and/or combinations of such 
units;
    [sbull] Private nonprofit agencies; and
    [sbull] Community-based and faith-based organizations.
    Current Basic Center grantees with project periods ending on or 
before September 29, 2003, and all other eligible applicants not 
currently receiving Basic Center funds may apply for a new competitive 
Basic Center grant under this announcement.
    Current Basic Center Program grantees (including subgrantees) with 
one or two years remaining on their current grant and the expectation 
of continuation funding in FY 2003 may not apply for a new Basic Center 
grant for the community they currently serve. These grantees will 
receive instructions from their respective ACF Runaway and Homeless 
Youth (RHY) Regional Office contacts on the procedures for applying for 
noncompetitive continuation grants. Current grantees that have 
questions regarding their eligibility to apply for new funds, should 
consult with the appropriate Regional Office Youth Contact, listed in 
part V, Appendix B, of the full official Program Announcement to 
determine if they are eligible to apply for a new grant award.
    Funding: Depending on the availability of funds, the Family and 
Youth Services Bureau expects to award up to $12,300,000 for up to 100 
new competitive Basic Center Program grants. In accordance with the RHY 
Act, the funds will be divided among the States in proportion to their 
respective populations under the age of 18, according to the latest 
census data. A minimum of $100,000 will be awarded to each State, the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. A minimum of $45,000 will be 
awarded to each of the four insular areas: Guam, American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and the Virgin Islands.
    The funds available for continuations and new starts in each State 
and insular area are listed in the Table of Allocations by State (part 
V, Appendix D) located in the full official program announcement. In 
this Table, the amounts shown in the column labeled ``New Starts'' are 
the amounts available for competition under this announcement. The 
number of new awards made within each State depends upon the amount of 
the State's total allotment less the amount required for non-competing 
continuations, as well as on the number of acceptable applications. 
Therefore, where the amount required for noncompeting continuations in 
any State equals or exceeds the State's total allotment, it is possible 
that no new awards will be made. However, agencies in the States where 
zero funding is reflected on the BCP Table of Allocation are highly 
encouraged to apply for grant funding in the event that additional 
funding becomes available.
    All applicants under this competitive grant area will compete with 
other eligible applicants in the State in which they propose to deliver 
services. In the event that there are insufficient numbers of 
applications approved for funding in any State or jurisdiction, the 
Commissioner of ACYF will reallocate the unused funds to other Basic 
Center Program applicants.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to 
$200,000 per year which equals a maximum of $600,000 for a 3-year 
project period.
    Applicant Share of Project Costs: The applicant must provide a non-
Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of the Federal 
funds awarded. (There may be certain exceptions for Tribes with ``638'' 
funding pursuant to Public Law 93-638, under which certain Federal 
grants may qualify as matching funds for other Federal grant programs, 
e.g., those which contribute to the purposes for which grants under 
section 638 were made.) The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-
kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their 
match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a three-year 
project costing $600,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
$200,000 per 12-month budget period) must provide a match of at least 
$60,000 ($20,000 per budget period). Grantees will be held accountable 
for commitments of required non-Federal

[[Page 17048]]

funds. Failure to provide the required match will result in a 
disallowance of Federal funds.
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Basic Center programs of up to three years duration (36-month project 
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for noncompetitive 
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 
36-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years, 
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the 
grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interest of the government.

B. Transitional Living Program (Competitive Grant Area B, 
CFDA93.550)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The overall purpose of the 
Transitional Living Program (TLP) for homeless youth is to establish 
and operate transitional living programs for homeless youth. This 
program is structured to help older, homeless youth achieve self-
sufficiency and avoid long-term dependency on social services. 
Transitional living programs provide shelter, skills training, and 
support services to homeless youth ages 16 through 21 for a continuous 
period not exceeding 18 months.
    Transitional Living Programs are required to provide services in 
residential settings for at least four (4) youth and no more than 
twenty (20) youth. Transitional Living Program funds are to be used for 
the purpose of enhancing the capacities of youth-serving agencies in 
local communities to effectively address the service needs of homeless, 
older adolescents and young adults, including pregnant and parenting 
homeless youth. Goals, objectives and activities that may be 
maintained, improved and/or expanded through a TLP grant must include, 
but are not necessarily limited to:
    [sbull] Providing stable, safe living accommodations while a 
homeless youth is a program participant;
    [sbull] Providing the services necessary to assist homeless youth 
in developing both the skills and personal characteristics needed to 
enable them to live independently;
    [sbull] Providing education, information and counseling aimed at 
preventing, treating and reducing substance abuse among homeless youth;
    [sbull] Providing homeless youth with appropriate referrals and 
access to medical and mental health treatment;
    [sbull] Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
youth in preparing for and obtaining employment;
    [sbull] Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
youth in preparing for and obtaining secondary, and where feasible, 
post-secondary education and/or vocational training; and
    [sbull] Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist 
pregnant and parenting homeless youth with the skills and knowledge 
necessary to become a more effective parent and lead productive and 
independent lives.
    Background: It is estimated that about one-fourth of the youth 
served by all runaway and homeless youth programs are homeless. This 
means that the youth cannot return home or to another safe living 
arrangement with a relative. Other homeless youth have ``aged out'' of 
the child welfare system and are no longer eligible for foster care.
    These young people are often homeless through no fault of their 
own. The families they can no longer live with are often physically and 
sexually abusive and involved in drug and alcohol abuse. They cannot 
meet the youth's basic human needs (shelter, food, clothing), let alone 
provide the supportive and safe environment needed for the healthy 
development of self-image and the skills and personal characteristics 
which would enable them to mature into a self-sufficient adult.
    Homeless youth, lacking a stable family environment and without 
social and economic supports, are also at high risk of being involved 
in dangerous lifestyles and problematic or delinquent behaviors. More 
than two-thirds of homeless youth served by ACF-funded programs report 
using drugs or alcohol and many participate in survival sex and 
prostitution to meet their basic needs.
    Homeless youth are in need of a support system that will assist 
them in making the transition to adulthood and independent living. 
While all adolescents are faced with adjustment issues as they approach 
adulthood, homeless youth experience more severe problems and are at 
greater risk in terms of their ability to successfully make the 
transition to self-sufficiency and to become a productive member of 
society.
    Pregnant and parenting homeless youth are likely to face poverty, 
low levels of educational attainment, and long-term dependence on 
public assistance. Research indicates that children of teenage mothers 
are more likely to be born prematurely and to be of low birth weight 
than children born to women who are older. Compared to children born to 
older women, children of adolescent mothers, in general, do not do as 
well in school, have higher reported incidences of abuse and neglect, 
have higher rates of foster care placement, and are more apt to run 
away from home. As these children get older, the boys are 2.7 times 
more likely to be involved in criminal behavior, and the girls are 33 
percent more likely to become teenage mothers themselves, increasing 
the likelihood that they will rely on public assistance.
    The Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth specifically 
targets services to homeless youth and affords youth service agencies 
with an opportunity to serve homeless youth in a manner which is 
comprehensive and geared towards ensuring a successful transition to 
self-sufficiency. The TLP also improves the availability of 
comprehensive, integrated services for homeless youth, which reduces 
the risks of exploitation and danger to which these youth are exposed 
while living on the streets without positive economic or social 
supports.

Eligible Applicant

    [sbull] Public agencies--any State, unit of local government, 
Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and/or combinations of such 
units;
    [sbull] Private nonprofit agencies; and
    [sbull] Community-based and faith-based organizations.
    Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with project periods 
ending on or after September 30, 2003, and all other eligible 
applicants not currently receiving TLP funds may apply for a new 
competitive TLP grant under this announcement for awards in FY 2004.
    Current TLP grantees (including subgrantees) with one or two years 
remaining on their current awards and the expectation of continuation 
funding in Fiscal Year 2003 may not apply for a new TLP grant under 
this announcement. These grantees will receive instructions from their 
respective Administration on Children and Families (ACF) Regional 
Office Youth Contact on the procedures for applying for non-competitive 
continuation grants. Current grantees, which have questions regarding 
their eligibility to apply for new funds, should consult with the 
appropriate Regional Office Runaway and Homeless Youth Contact, listed 
in part V, appendix B, of the full official Program Announcement to 
determine if they are eligible to apply for a new grant award.
    Funding: Depending on the availability of funds, the Family and 
Youth Services Bureau expects to award up to $7,900,000 for up to 42 
new

[[Page 17049]]

competitive Transitional Living Program grants for fiscal year 2004. 
The funding is to provide shelter, skill training and support services 
to assist homeless youth, including pregnant and parenting youth, in 
making a smooth transition to self-sufficiency and to prevent long-term 
dependency on social services.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to 
$200,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $1,000,000 for a 5-year 
project period.
    Applicant Share of Project Cost: Transitional Living grantees must 
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of 
the Federal funds awarded. (There may be certain exceptions for Tribes 
with ``638'' funding pursuant to Public Law 93-638, under which certain 
Federal grants funds may qualify as matching funds for other Federal 
grant programs, e.g., those which contribute to the same purposes for 
which grants under section 638 are made.) The non-Federal share may be 
met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Therefore, a five-year project costing $1,000,000 in Federal funds 
(based on an award of $200,000 per 12-month budget period) must include 
a match of at least $100,000 ($20,000 per budget period). Grantees will 
be held accountable for commitments of required non-Federal funds. 
Failure to provide the required match will result in a disallowance of 
Federal funds.
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Transitional Living projects of up to five years (60-month project 
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for noncompeting 
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 
60-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years, 
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the 
grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best 
interest of the government.

C. Street Outreach Program (Competitive Grant Area C, CFDA 
93.557)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The overall purpose of SOP 
is to provide education and prevention services to runaway, homeless 
and street youth who have been subjected to or are at risk of sexual 
exploitation or abuse. The goal of the program is to establish and 
build relationships between street youth and program outreach staff in 
order to help youth leave the streets. The objective of the program is 
to provide support services that will assist the youth in moving and 
adjusting to a safe and appropriate alternative living arrangement. 
These services include, at a minimum, treatment, counseling, and 
provision of information and referral services. Street outreach 
programs must have access to local emergency shelter space that is an 
appropriate placement for young people and that can be made available 
for youth willing to come in off the streets. In addition, street 
outreach staff must have access to the shelter in order to maintain 
interaction with the youth during the time they are in the shelter.
    Background: In response to the needs of street youth who are 
subjected to or at risk of sexual exploitation or abuse, Congress 
amended the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act by authorizing the Education 
and Prevention Services to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless and 
Street Youth Program under the Violent Crime Control and Law 
Enforcement Act of 1994. This program is referred to as the Street 
Outreach Program (SOP) for Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth.
    The array of social, emotional and health problems faced by youth 
on the street is dramatically compounded by the incidence of sexual 
exploitation and/or abuse. Street youth are victimized by strangers as 
well as by individuals known to the youth, and a significant number of 
homeless youth are exploited as they participate in survival sex to 
meet their basic needs for food and shelter. Because of these issues, 
sexually exploited youth often need more intensive services. Youth must 
be afforded the opportunity to slowly build trust relationships with 
caring and responsible adults as the first step to successfully 
encouraging them to leave the streets.

Eligible Applicants

    [sbull] Private nonprofit agencies; and
    [sbull] Community-based and faith-based organizations.

    Note: Public agencies are NOT eligible to apply for these funds.

    Current Street Outreach Program grantees with project periods 
ending on or before September 29, 2003, and all other eligible 
applicants not currently receiving SOP funds may apply for a new 
competitive SOP grant under this announcement.
    Current Street Outreach Program grantees (including subgrantees) 
with one or two years remaining on their current grant and the 
expectation of continuation funding in FY 2003 may not apply for a new 
Street Outreach grant for the community they currently serve. These 
grantees will receive instructions from their respective ACF Regional 
Offices on the procedures for applying for continuation grants. Current 
grantees, which have questions regarding their eligibility to apply for 
new funds, should consult with the appropriate Regional Office Youth 
Contact, listed in part V, appendix B, located in the full official 
program announcement to determine if they are eligible to apply for a 
new grant award.
    Funding: Depending on the availability of funds the Family and 
Youth Services Bureau expects to award up to $4,600,000 for up to 46 
new competitive Street Outreach Program grants for street-based 
outreach and education.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for up to 
$200,000 in Federal support each year, a maximum of $600,000 for a 3-
year project period. The maximum Federal share of project costs is 
$200,000 for 12 months.
    Applicant Share of Project Cost: Street Outreach grantees must 
provide a non-Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of 
the Federal funds awarded. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or 
in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their 
match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a three-year 
project costing $600,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
$200,000 per 12-month budget period) must provide a match of at least 
$60,000 ($20,000 per budget period). Grantees will be held accountable 
for commitments of required non-Federal funds. Failure to provide the 
required match will result in a disallowance of Federal funds.
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Street Outreach Program projects of up to three years (36-month project 
periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be 
for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for noncompeting 
continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 
36-month project periods, will be considered subject to the 
availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and 
determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of 
the government.

[[Page 17050]]

D. Positive Youth Development State and Local Collabortion 
Demonstration Projects (Competitive Grant Area D, CFDA 93.623)

    Program Purpose, Goals and Objectives: This demonstration 
represents a continuation of the investment FYSB has made to sponsor 
collaborative approaches to positive youth development in the 13 States 
over the past several years. Under the Youth Development State 
Collaboration Demonstration projects the focus was on establishing 
partnerships and collaborative efforts particularly among State-level 
agencies and actors. Projects solicited in this announcement are 
specifically aimed at moving the earlier State-level successes to the 
level of local community jurisdictions (and/or tribes). Specifically, 
these project grants are intended to support collaboration between 
State governments and local community jurisdictions or tribes. States 
may propose a program of joint cooperation between a tribe and another 
local jurisdiction.
    At least one operating RHY program must be in the local community 
jurisdiction or Tribe selected by the State government for the joint 
collaboration demonstration project in order to:
    [sbull] Continue the earlier FYSB-funded efforts to promote the 
positive development of youth, and
    [sbull] Pilot test an effort to extend that work down to the level 
of local communities.
    As such, the goals of the Positive Youth Development State and 
Local Collaboration Demonstration Projects are: (1) To encourage 
collaboration among the State and Local (or Tribal) agencies and 
communities that will increase opportunities for positive youth 
development for young people in local communities and neighborhoods; 
(2) to promote and facilitate communication and cooperation between the 
State, local communities and youth serving agencies, including FYSB RHY 
Program grantees, in addressing the needs and issues of adolescents and 
young adults; (3) to encourage an ongoing community presence and 
participation in the planning and execution of strategies aimed at the 
positive development of their young people; (4) and to energize local 
constituencies including residents, community and faith-based 
organizations and service providers around a positive youth development 
agenda.
    The overarching aim of these pilot efforts will be to help States 
to explore new collaborative relationships with local communities that 
will prove effective in increasing the number and array of positive 
development opportunities available to young people. Beginning a 
dialogue with the participating local community or Tribe, and 
sustaining their ongoing involvement and participation in this 
collaboration, will be viewed as critical to effectiveness of the 
demonstration's collaboration and to its efforts to pursue the 
programmatic objectives (see below) outlined for this demonstration. As 
such, this community involvement is stressed throughout this 
announcement.
    The SLCDP Demonstration Project is focused on increasing 
opportunities for positive youth development in local jurisdictions and 
communities. Funded projects in this demonstration will be based on 
collaborative program designs that emphasize each of the following 
three major programmatic objectives for fostering positive youth 
development and positive youth outcomes.
    [sbull] Increased opportunities and avenues for the positive use of 
time including: Recreational activities, organized sports, educational 
and personal enrichment, volunteerism and/or age-appropriate 
employment. (Safe places with structured activities during non-school 
hours; marketable skills through effective education; ongoing 
relationships with caring adults-parents, mentors, tutors, or coaches.)
    [sbull] Increased opportunities for positive self-expression: 
Higher emphasis on helping young people identify and develop their 
strengths and talents and to exercise them in positive ways where they 
can be recognized and celebrated by the larger community of young 
people and adults. (Healthy start and future.)
    [sbull] Increased opportunities for youth participation and civic 
engagement: Efforts to provide youth with opportunities to participate 
in school and community affairs and to be represented among the actors 
and within the institutions that constitute the political, social and 
economic infrastructure of their school, community, city and region. 
(Opportunities to give back through community service.)
    These project grants will serve as the basis for exploring new 
partnerships among the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), States, 
local jurisdictions and/or Tribes, and community and faith-based, youth 
serving organizations in order to establish and support these 
programmatic objectives at the State and local community levels.
    The demonstration will be conducted in two phases:
    [sbull] Phase I, the Planning Phase will begin on September 30, 
2003, through September 29, 2004, and will consist of the first 12 
months of the grant.
    [sbull] Phase II, the Implementation Phase will begin September 30, 
2004, and will continue for the remaining four years ending on 
September 29, 2008.
    The Planning Phase: The demonstration will begin with a one-year 
planning phase. State grantees will use this phase to accomplish three 
specific formative goals that will shape the 4-year implementation 
effort: (1) Identify and secure commitment(s) from the local 
jurisdiction and/or Tribe, and the RHY Programs that will be the 
collaborating partners during the implementation phase; (2) conduct a 
collaborative planning process focusing on strategies for pursuing the 
three programmatic objectives set forth (above) for the demonstration; 
and (3) review and finalize the proposed plans for implementation with 
FYSB:
    [sbull] Select the Local Partner: The first three months (1-3) of 
the planning phase will be used to identify a local jurisdiction (or 
Tribe)--city, community or neighborhood--that is willing and able to 
assume the role of local partner in this demonstration. The product of 
this first three-month period will be a Memorandum of Understanding 
(MOU) between the applicant and the organization/entity assuming the 
lead role, as the local collaboration partner, committing each of the 
parties to participate in the 5-year FYSB funded SLCDP Demonstration 
Project.
    [sbull] Draft the Plan: The next six months (4-9) of the planning 
phase will be used to conduct the outreach, convene the meetings, and 
engage the deliberations that are necessary to produce a plan outlining 
proposed directions for pursuing each of the three youth development 
programmatic objectives outlined above.
    [sbull] Finalize the Plan: The final three months (10-12) will be a 
period of dialogue and negotiations with FYSB representatives to refine 
and further develop these plans and preliminary directions into an 
approved plan and budget for implementing the 4-year implementation 
collaborative effort.
    The Implementation Phase: FYSB plans to fund four years of State/
local operation under the approved plan. Continuation funding will be 
based on availability of funds and satisfactory progress made during 
the first year Planning Phase. It is expected that operations under the 
grant will feature adherence to the three youth development 
programmatic objectives outlined above as well as the following:

[[Page 17051]]

    [sbull] Continued and ongoing high level collaboration among a 
consistent group of State, local and RHY program representatives of the 
project.
    [sbull] Involvement of parents, guardians, other caring adults and 
youth in all phases of development and implementation of the youth 
development strategies.
    [sbull] Ongoing dialogue, communications and participation with and 
among residents from the neighborhoods and communities targeted by the 
effort.
    Background: For a number of years, FYSB has been promoting a youth 
development philosophy and has produced a framework for implementing a 
positive youth development approach. The framework can be used by 
program developers, program managers and youth service professionals in 
developing and implementing service models and approaches that will 
redirect youth in high risk situations toward positive pathways of 
development. We have identified four key principles that are important 
in the development of young people as they move toward a successful and 
productive adulthood: (1) A sense of industry and competency, (2) a 
feeling of connectedness to others (particularly to caring adults, 
especially parents), and to society, (3) a belief in their control over 
their fate in life, and (4) a stable identity.
    FYSB supports the youth development approach and believes it is 
crucial that positive developmental opportunities be made available to 
all young people during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. 
Adolescents need opportunities to fulfill their developmental needs; 
intellectually, psychologically, socially, morally and ethically. Youth 
benefit from experiential learning and they need to belong to a group 
while maintaining their individuality. At the same time, they want and 
need adult support and interest. They also need to express opinions, 
challenge adult assumptions, develop the ability to make appropriate 
choices and learn to use new skills.
    When young people are not given positive outlets for growth, they 
may find potentially damaging alternatives. Gang membership, for 
example, may address an adolescent's need for safety and ``belonging 
to'' a group, close friendships and opportunities for exercising 
decision-making skills and responsibility. However, it also places 
young people at high risk for drug use and exposure to violence and 
crime. In contrast, positive developmental opportunities meet 
adolescent needs while decreasing their exposure to destructive 
influences and reducing their involvement in risky behaviors.
    A rapidly changing society and a decreasing sense of community have 
reduced or eliminated many of the traditional ways that young people 
receive the support they need to move toward maturity and self-
sufficiency. Additionally, increasing violence and hopelessness in many 
neighborhoods threaten young people's welfare and make developmental 
opportunities scarce in some communities. In such environments, a 
commitment by a community to creating programs and services that meet 
young people's developmental needs is critical.
    Programs with a youth development focus offer young people the 
skills, knowledge and community support they need to function 
effectively. The youth development approach is designed to focus on the 
positive outcomes desired by young people, not the negative outcomes 
that adults hope to prevent. The distinction may appear subtle, but it 
is a significant shift in policy and practice. Youth development moves 
the dialogue from one that focuses on youth with problems to one in 
which youth are seen as resources. In addition, youth development 
envisions a community effort to determine and provide, in concert with 
youth, the assistance and support youth need to grow into healthy 
adults. With all of these principles in mind FYSB began to invest 
resources in helping States make a difference in the lives of their 
young people.
    Beginning in 1999, the nine State agencies listed below were 
awarded grants by FYSB, under the Youth Development State Collaboration 
Demonstration Project, to establish collaboration efforts around youth 
development at the State level.

[sbull] Department of Economic Security, State of Arizona
[sbull] Department of Human Services, State of Colorado
[sbull] Office of Policy and Management, State of Connecticut
[sbull] Department of Human Rights, State of Iowa
[sbull] Department of Human Resources, State of Maryland
[sbull] Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts
[sbull] Health and Human Services, State of Nebraska
[sbull] Office of Children and Family Services, State of New York
[sbull] Commission on Children and Families, State of Oregon

    In 2001, a second cohort of four States agencies was also funded to 
pursue the goals of this demonstration as follows:

[sbull] Bureau of Youth Services and Delinquency Prevention, State of 
Illinois
[sbull] Indiana Human Resources Investment Council, State of Indiana
[sbull] Louisiana Workforce Commission, State of Louisiana
[sbull] University of Kentucky, Cooperative Extension 4H Program, State 
of Kentucky

    In the ensuing years, these States' activities have included: 
Assessing existing statewide policies and procedures to determine how 
best to integrate youth development principles into current approaches; 
providing training on the youth development approach; involving young 
people in program and policy development; organizing region, State, or 
community-wide conferences and forums; making subgrants that promote 
youth development activities; creating new outlets for sharing 
information on youth development such as home pages on the Internet's 
World Wide Web; developing and supporting statewide coalitions of 
agencies serving runaway and homeless youth; and identifying data to 
measure positive outcomes.
    The limited competition among the same 13 State organizations with 
demonstration projects solicited in this competitive area seeks to 
build on their prior work accomplishments to create new and stronger 
partnerships between the State agencies listed above and one local 
jurisdiction or Tribe, as a potential model for identifying effective 
practices that can guide future State and local intergovernmental 
partnerships and collaborative efforts to promote the positive 
development of young people.
    Eligible Applicants: This competition is limited to the 13 State 
organizations that are currently participating in the Youth Development 
State Collaboration Demonstration Project funded by FYSB. They are: 
Arizona (AZ), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Iowa (IA), Illinois 
(IL), Indiana (IN), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Massachusetts (MA), 
Maryland (MD), Nebraska (NE), New York (NY), and Oregon (OR).
    Funding: Depending on the availability of funds the Family and 
Youth Services Bureau expects to make up to 13 awards to support State 
and local collaborations according to the following schedule:
    [sbull] Year 1 Planning Phase Grant: FYSB expects to award up to 
$120,000 to each grantee to support the 12-month Planning Phase.
    [sbull] Years 2-5 Implementation Phase Grants: Over the next four 
years, FYSB expects to award up to $1,000,000 ($250,000/yr) to each 
grantee to support

[[Page 17052]]

the implementation of programs and activities proposed in their 
proposed plans and approved by FYSB.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: Applicants may apply for support in 
accordance with the schedule outlined above for a total of $1,120,000 
over the 5-year demonstration period ($120,000 in year 1; and 
$1,000,000 over the four years--2 through 5).
    Applicant Share of Project Costs: The applicant must provide a non-
Federal share or match of at least ten percent (10%) of the Federal 
funds awarded. (There may be certain exceptions for Tribes with ``638'' 
funding pursuant to Public Law 93-638, under which certain Federal 
grants may qualify as matching funds for other Federal grant programs, 
e.g., those which contribute to the purposes for which grants under 
section 638 were made.) The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-
kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their 
match requirements through cash contributions. For example, an 
applicant requesting $120,000 must match the federal funds with a non-
Federal share of at least $12,000. It is expected that these matching 
resources will be budgeted for and made available in the same 12-month 
program period in which federal resources are provided. Grantees will 
be held accountable for commitments of required non-Federal funds. 
Failure to provide the required match will result in a disallowance of 
Federal funds.
    Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for 
Positive Youth Development State and Local Collaboration Demonstration 
Projects of up to five years (60-month project period) beginning 
September 30, 2003 through September 29, 2008. Grant awards will be for 
a one-year (12-month) budget period. Applications for continuation 
grants beyond the one-year budget period, but within the longer term 
project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on a 
noncompetitive or competitive basis, subject to the availability of 
funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and determination that 
continued funding would be in the interest of the government.

Summary of Evaluation Criteria for Competitive Areas A, B, C and D 
(BCP, TLP, SOP and SLCDP)

Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)

    Applications will be judged on how clearly they identify the 
physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other 
problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be 
demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the 
project must be clearly Stated. Applications will need to specify the 
goals and objectives of the project and how implementation will fulfill 
the purposes of the program. Applications should describe the 
conditions of youth and families in the area to be served; the 
incidence and characteristics of runaway, homeless or street youth and 
their families; the existing support systems for at-risk youth and 
families in the area, including other agencies providing services to 
runaway and homeless youth in the area.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Criterion 2: Results or Benefits Expected (20 points)

    Applications will be judged on how clearly they identify the 
results and benefits to be derived, specify services to be provided, 
who will receive services, where and how these services will be 
provided, and how the services will benefit the youth families and the 
community to be served.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Criterion 3: Approach (35 points)

    Applications will be judged on how clearly they outline a plan of 
action which: Describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work 
will be accomplished; accounts for all functions or activities 
identified in the application; cites factors which might accelerate or 
decelerate the work and reasons for taking the proposed approach rather 
than others. Applications are encouraged to describe any unusual 
features of the project such as design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community 
involvement.
    Applications will be judged on the extent to which they describe 
the program's youth development approach or philosophy and indicate how 
it underlies and integrates all proposed activities. Applicants will be 
expected to list organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or 
other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short 
description of the nature of their effort or contribution; describe 
formal service linkages and plans for coordination with other agencies; 
describe plans for conducting outreach and encouraging awareness of and 
sensitivity to the diverse needs of runaway and homeless youth who 
represent particular ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds and 
sexual orientations. Applicants are encouraged to describe the type, 
capacity and staff supervision of the shelter that will be available 
for youth.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Criterion 4: Staff and Position Data (10 points)

    Applicants will be judged on whether they provide a resume and 
biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a job description 
for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch will also be 
required for new key staff as appointed. Applicants will be expected to 
list organizations and consultants who will work on the program along 
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution.
    Applicants will be expected to provide information on plans for 
training project staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations 
and individuals and State the expected or estimated ratio of staff to 
youth.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Criterion 5: Organizational Profile (10 points)

    Applicants will be expected to provide information on the applicant 
organization(s) and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, 
financial Statements, audit reports or Statements from CPAs/Licensed 
Public Accountants. Any non-profit organization submitting an 
application must submit proof of its non-profit status in its 
application at the time of submission.
    Applicants will be expected to provide a plan for project 
continuance beyond grant support, including a plan for securing 
resources and continuing project activities after Federal assistance 
has ceased and an annotated listing of applicant's funding sources. 
Such plans should include written agreements, if applicable, between 
grantees and subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating 
entities and letters of support and statements from community, public 
and commercial leaders that support the project proposed for funding.

[[Page 17053]]

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

Criterion 6: Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)

    Applicants will be expected to provide a detailed line item budget 
and a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical 
costs are derived. Applicants will be judged on how clearly they 
discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs and how clearly they describe the fiscal control and accounting 
procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement 
and accurate accounting of funds received.
    Applicants must refer to the specific evaluation criteria for each 
competitive area contained in the full Program Announcement in order to 
adequately prepare their applications.

Part II. Notification Under Executive Order 12372--State Single Point 
of Contact (SPOC)

    This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'', and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities''. Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs. (Note: State/territory participation in the 
intergovernmental review process does not signify applicant eligibility 
for financial assistance under a program. A potential applicant must 
meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is 
applying prior to submitting an application to its SPOC, if applicable, 
or to ACF.)
    As of January 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, the following 
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order 
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects 
administered by Federally-recognized Indian tribes need take no action 
in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, 
Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, 
Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, 
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and 
Washington.
    Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in 
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of 
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining 
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have 
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should 
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the 
prospective applications and receive 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. The applicant must 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.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit 
Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, 
DC 20447. The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

    Note: Inquiries about obtaining a Federal grant should not be 
sent to OMB.


    Dated: April 2, 2003.
Frank Fuentes,
Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 03-8430 Filed 4-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P