[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43126-43133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18167]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF/HS-2003-17]


Fiscal Year 2003 Discretionary Grant Announcement for Head Start 
Partnerships With Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and 
Universities; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

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

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of funds and request for

[[Page 43127]]

applications for professional development and training grants Tribally 
Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities (TCU) in partnership 
with Head Start and Early Head Start programs to improve services to 
American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families.

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    The catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.600.
SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), announces the 
availability of up to $1,500,000 in funds for Tribally Controlled Land 
Grant Colleges and Universities (TCU) in partnership with Head Start 
and Early Head Start programs. The purpose is to improve the quality 
and long-term effectiveness of Head Start and Early Head Start program 
services to American Indian and Alaska Native children and their 
families by developing academic and other training models and forming 
partnerships between the TCUs and Head Start and Early Head Start 
programs.

CLOSING DATE: The closing time and date for receipt of application is 
4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 20, 2003. Applications received 
after the closing date and time will be classified as late.

ADDRESSES: Mailed and hand-carried applications will be received at the 
following address: ACYF Operations Center, Head Start Partnerships with 
Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities (TCUs), 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293, e-mail: [email protected].
    Hand delivered, courier or overnight delivery applications are 
accepted during the normal working hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, on or prior to the established closing date. All 
packages should be clearly labeled as follows: Application for Head 
Start Partnerships with Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/
Universities (TCUs).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Head Start Discretionary Grant 
Support Team (1-800-351-2293) is available to answer questions 
concerning application requirements and to refer you to the appropriate 
contact person in ACYF for programmatic questions. You may e-mail your 
questions to: e-mail: [email protected]. When contacting ACYF directly 
with programmatic questions send to William Wilson, Grants Officer, 330 
C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, 202-205-8913, [email protected].
    If you are interested in submitting an application, please send a 
post card or call at least four weeks prior to the submission deadline 
with the following information: The name, address, telephone and fax 
numbers, and e-mail address of the principal investigator and the name 
of the institution. This information will be used to determine the 
number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications. Send the 
declaration of interest information to: ACYF Operations Center, 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293, e-mail: [email protected].
    Copies of the program announcement, necessary application forms and 
appendices can be obtained by contacting the above address, and/or 
visiting the ACYF Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/grant/fundingopportunities/fundopport.htm.

Fiscal Year 2003 Discretionary Announcement for Head Start Partnerships 
With Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities (TCUs)

Part I. Purpose and Background

A. Purpose

    This announcement of financial assistance, to be competitively 
awarded to Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities 
(TCUs), is to utilize the capabilities of these institutions of higher 
education to improve the quality and long-term effectiveness of Head 
Start and Early Head Start programs. This will be achieved by providing 
academic training and forming partnerships between the TCUs and Head 
Start grantees and delegate agencies funded through the American Indian 
and Alaskan Native Programs Branch (AIANPB) of the Head Start Bureau. 
The institutions of higher education that will be funded under this 
announcement, together with those TCUs currently funded under this 
initiative, will form a consortium to share methods, approaches, 
experiences, and lessons learned. The consortium is a partner of the 
Head Start National Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) network in 
providing assistance to AIANPB Head Start grantees.
    Throughout this announcement, the term Head Start program or Head 
Start agency refers to both AIANPB funded Head Start and Early Head 
Start grantees or delegate agencies unless otherwise specifically 
noted.

B. Background

    The overall goal of Head Start is to ensure that children of low-
income families nearing the end of the preschool period and entering 
school are ready for school success. In order to accomplish this goal, 
Head Start provides comprehensive services to the children and their 
families. Head Start enhances children's physical, intellectual, 
social, and emotional development. It supports parents in their efforts 
to fulfill their parental roles and provides for their involvement in 
implementing the Head Start program. Another goal of Head Start is to 
strengthen community supports for families with young children while 
they are working towards employment and self-sufficiency.
    In an attempt to ensure quality services to children and their low-
income families Head Start has conducted many demonstration projects, 
provided grantees with training and technical assistance, and given 
grantees funds to implement their own training efforts. For example, 
Head Start supported the creation of the Child Development Associate 
(CDA) credential designed for early childhood development teaching 
staff and implemented the Head Start Teaching Centers and other 
innovative projects.
    The Head Start-Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/Universities 
Partnerships are closely aligned with the Head Start tradition of 
creating innovative programs and working with low-income children and 
their families. From 1999 to 2001, ACF awarded grants to 16 TCUs to 
form partnerships with Head Start programs funded through AIANPB and to 
provide training and education to Head Start staff members. A list of 
these 16 institutions can be found in Appendix A. This announcement 
will fund additional partnerships between AIANPB Head Start programs 
and TCUs.
    In the 1998 reauthorization of the Head Start Act, a key priority 
of Congress was to continue to improve Head Start program quality and 
accountability. A number of provisions were included in the new law to 
achieve these goals, including new education performance standards and 
measures, expansion of program monitoring to incorporate evidence of 
progress on outcomes-based measures, expanded funding to upgrade 
program quality and staff compensation, and higher education standards 
for Head Start teachers. Among these provisions is the requirement 
that, by September 30, 2003, at least half of all Head Start teachers 
in center-based programs must have an AA, BA, or advanced degree in 
Early Childhood Education (ECE) or in a related field with preschool 
teaching experience. A degree in a field related to early childhood 
education means a program of study that includes six or

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more courses in early childhood education and/or child development. 
Teachers who have degrees in related fields must also have experience 
teaching pre-school children. The Head Start Bureau is providing 
various forms of assistance to local Head Start programs to implement 
this teacher qualification legislative mandate. For example, to enhance 
the numbers of teachers with degrees in early childhood education, 
grantees have received $43,000,000 in funding in 1999 and an additional 
$43,000,000 in 2000 to increase teacher salaries and expand access to 
higher education courses and degree programs. Head Start-State 
Collaboration Offices and training and technical assistance providers 
currently help Head Start programs work with higher education 
institutions on challenges such as linking training obtained in 
conjunction with the CDA credential with academic credit and courses 
leading to AA and BA degrees in early childhood education.
    In January 2001, the President signed into law the ``No Child Left 
Behind Act'' to make the education of every child in America one of the 
country's top priorities. The Act seeks to ensure that public schools 
teach children what they need to know to be successful in life and that 
they also set high education standards in the classroom. In his 2002 
State of the Union address, the President indicated the need to prepare 
our children to read and succeed in school, including the improvement 
of Head Start and early childhood development programs. In response to 
these goals, the White House has developed an early childhood 
initiative, which is built on raising the bar for Head Start Education 
through researched methods that create a better learning environment 
and improved outcomes for children. In his announcement of the Good 
Start, Grow Smart Early Childhood Initiative in April 2002, the 
President identified children's early literacy as a key focus for Head 
Start program improvement. In this initiative, the President presented 
three areas of focus for Head Start: (1) Strengthening Head Start 
programs; (2) partnering with states to improve early childhood 
education, and (3) providing information to teachers, caregivers, and 
parents. The Head Start Bureau quickly responded to the President's 
mandate by developing the Strategic Teacher Education Project (STEP) in 
June 2002. The purpose of Project STEP is to ensure that all Head Start 
teachers engage in research-based strategies to support children's 
early literacy and positive social and emotional development, which, in 
turn, will lead to positive child outcomes and school readiness.
    Under this announcement, TCUs must form a partnership with one or 
more AIANPB Head Start grantees, to develop curriculums and provide 
education and/or training to Head Start teachers. The partnership 
agreements must be beneficial to both the TCUs and the participating 
Head Start grantees.
    Partnership agreements must provide academic training and credit 
hours for a specified number of Head Start teachers. Partnership 
agreements must provide culturally appropriate education for Head Start 
teachers that would lead to academic degrees. These agreements must 
help Head Start teachers to provide courses on how to enhance early 
literacy, how to assess outcomes of Head Start children, and/or how to 
involve fathers in the lives of their children.
    All project applications must address one of the following priority 
areas:
    1. Partnerships to increase the number of center-based teachers 
with two-year degrees in early childhood education, and
    2. Partnerships to increase the competency of Head Start in 
building quality Head Start programs, particularly in enhancing 
language development, early literacy and socio-emotional development, 
as well as assessing child outcomes.

Part II. Program Information

A. Statutory Authority

    The Head Start Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities are those 
institutions cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land 
Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution 
that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Community 
College Assistance Act of 1978, (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Navajo 
Community College, Authorized in the Navajo Community College 
Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-471, title II (25 U.S.C. 640a 
note). Those TCUs that are not accredited are not eligible to apply 
under this announcement. TCUs that received the Head Start Partnerships 
with TCUs grant in 2001 are not eligible to compete under this 
announcement. These institutions are listed in Appendix A.

C. Project Duration

    The length of the project period must not exceed 60 months. This 
announcement is soliciting applications for project periods up to five 
years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget 
period, although project periods may be for five years. Applications 
for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year 
budget period but within the five-year project period will be reviewed 
in subsequent years on a non-competitive 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.

D. Federal Share of Project Costs

    It is anticipated that up to $1,500,000 in ACF funds will be made 
available annually. The maximum share for each project is not to exceed 
$150,000 per year per project.

E. Number of Projects To Be Funded

    It is anticipated that up to 10 projects will be funded.

F. Matching Requirement

    There are no matching requirements, however applicants are 
encouraged to provide non-Federal contributions to the project.

Part III. Application Requirements

    The following Uniform Project Description (UPD) has been approved 
by OMB under control number 0970-0139.

A. 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.

B. General Instructions

    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. Supporting information concerning 
activities that will not be

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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. Pages are to be numbered and included in a table 
of contents for easy reference.
Introduction
    Applicants are required to submit a full project description and 
shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The 
instructions give a broad overview while the evaluation criteria expand 
and clarify more program-specific information that is needed.
a. Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page) with 
reference to the funding request.
b. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and or 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, using 
a comprehensive review of the current literature, justify how the 
research questions and the findings will add new knowledge to the field 
or how it will improve services for children and families.
d. Approach
    Outline a plan of action that 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 that 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 proportion of data collection expected to be completed. 
When activity or function cannot quantify accomplishments, list them in 
chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their 
target dates.
    If any data are 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.

C. Additional Information

    Following is a description of additional information that should be 
placed in the appendix to the application:
    a. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a job description for each key position and a biographical 
sketch for each key person appointed. A biographical sketch with 
acceptable credentials will also be required for new key staff as 
appointed.
    b. 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 or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled or a statement from a State taxing body, State 
attorney general, or other appropriate State official certifying the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and none of the net 
earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals or any of 
the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a State or 
national organization and a statement signed by the parent organization 
that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate. Faith-
based institutions are encouraged to submit with their application the 
optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals and Forms'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    c. Dissemination Plan
    Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs 
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of 
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.
    d. 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.

D. General Budget Information

    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.
    a. Personnel

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    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.
    b. 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.
    c. 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 conferences should be detailed in the budget.
    d. Equipment
    Description: Costs of tangible, non-expendable, personal property, 
having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of 
$5,000 or more per unit. However, an applicant may use its own 
definition of equipment provided that such equipment would at least 
include all equipment defined above.
    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.
    e. 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 that supports 
the amount requested.
    f. 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 (non-contractual), 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.
    g. Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
    h. Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project 
Costs
    Self explanatory.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria and Review Process

A. Evaluation Criteria

    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Criterion 1. Approach: (45 points)
    The extent to which the application, having met the minimum 
requirements, designs an acceptable plan of action pertaining to the 
scope of the project which details how the proposed work will be 
accomplished. Include a timeline; lists of each organization, 
consultants, including key individuals who will work on the project 
along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution. Assure the adequacy of time devoted to the project by key 
staff. The key staff should be qualified and knowledgeable of Head 
Start. The applicant must fully describe the approach and/or 
methodology and delineate the relationship of each task to the 
accomplishment of the proposed objectives. There should be evidence 
that the planned approach reflects sufficient input from and 
partnership with AIANPB funded Head Start programs.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following 
aspects of the approach:
    1. Describe the planning the applicant will conduct during the 
start-up period to prepare for implementation of the program. Provide 
assurance that no more than six months will be devoted to planning 
activities.
    2. Indicate how staff will be recruited and selected to participate 
in the program. Clearly describe how the training and/or coursework 
will be contextually and culturally relevant to the Head Start and 
Early Head Start environment and how it will contribute to enhancing 
the effectiveness of teachers, program quality and outcomes for Head 
Start children and families.
    3. Describe efforts by the TCU and Head Start partners to make 
training and/or coursework accessible to Head Start participants and to 
support their successful completion of courses, training, and degrees. 
Include discussion of issues such as timing, scheduling, and location 
of classes or training; support to enhance the literacy and study 
skills of participants, and approaches to integrate training in the 
working environment of the Head Start program. Provide assurance that 
training/courses are offered at no cost to trainees.
    4. Describe efforts to complement the Federal funds requested in 
this proposal with other sources to maximize the benefits to the TCU. 
Include any efforts or plans to assist Head Start staff in accessing 
sources of financial assistance or to make use of other funding for 
training and career development of early childhood program staff.
    5. Document that the TCU currently offers training and/or credit 
courses, and proposes to offer credit courses in the priority areas.
    6. In case of academic training, describe how the staff's CDA 
training and certification as well as previous

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coursework and credits will be linked to academic credits and course 
sequences leading to academic degrees. Applicant should indicate how 
many Head Start and Early Head Start staff members will be included in 
this effort.
    7. Describe the organizational structure that will support the 
project objectives. Indicate how joint planning and assessment with the 
AIANPB Head Start and Early Head Start grantees will be implemented 
with timelines and clear lines of responsibility. Indicate how project 
staff positions are assigned and describe their major functions and 
responsibilities.
    8. Describe the role the institution will play in the TCU 
consortium funded under this initiative, and as a partner in the 
national training and technical assistance network.
    9. Describe the activities that will continue after the completion 
of this project that will ensure that the TCU will continue to 
participate in providing educational opportunities for AIANPB Head 
Start and Early Head Start staff.
Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected: (20 points)
    The extent to which the application identifies the results and 
benefits to be derived; describes the anticipated contribution to 
policy, practice, theory and/or research; specific benefits should be 
described for both the TCU and AIANPB Head Start program.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following:
    1. Based on the stated program objectives, identify the results and 
benefits to be derived. Identify the specific results or benefits that 
could be expected for the Head Start grantees and the TCU. Describe how 
Head Start children will benefit from the project.
    2. Identify both qualitative and quantitative data the program will 
collect to measure progress towards the stated results or benefits. 
Identify how the program will determine the extent to which it has 
achieved its stated objectives.
    3. To propose academic training leading to a college degree, 
provide a projection of the estimated number of teachers that will earn 
degrees over the duration of the project based on an analysis of the 
current levels of credits/courses earned by participants and a proposed 
sequence of courses.
Criterion 3. Budget and Budget Justification: (15 Points)
    The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable in view of 
the activities to be carried out and the anticipated outcomes.

Applicable Administrative Regulations

    Applicable administrative regulations include 45 CFR part 74, 
Administration of Grants, for profit agencies and 45CFR part 92, 
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and local Governments.

Post-Award Reporting Requirements

    Post-Award Reporting Requirements include submission of quarterly 
programmatic and budget reports. Program reports must clearly outline 
status on the accomplishment of stated goals and objectives. Financial 
reports must provide status of budget expenditures, as well as 
identifying any projected savings or shortages.

Criterion 4. Objectives and Need for Assistance: (10 Points)

    The extent to which the application identifies relevant physical, 
economic, social, financial, institutional or other problems requiring 
a grant; demonstrates the need for assistance; states the principal and 
subordinate objectives of the project; provides supporting 
documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests other than 
the applicant.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following:
    1. State the objectives for the program. Indicate how these 
objectives are based on an assessment of community needs and how they 
relate to Head Start goals. Describe the process used to assess the 
need for the proposed program including the total number of staff 
needing training, including preschool and infant/toddler teachers. If 
an assessment already exists, the applicant should describe the process 
used and explain any additional consultation as it relates to the 
development of the proposed program.
    2. Specifically identify the population to be served. Indicate the 
AIANPB Head Start and Early Head Start grantees that are proposed as 
participating partners, the numbers and types of staff to be trained 
and the proposed areas of training, courses, and/or degrees to be 
awarded, as appropriate.
    3. Describe the development of institution's agreement with Head 
Start partnerships and any other consultation related to the 
development of the proposed initiative. Describe any efforts to frame 
the proposed initiative within broader state or community efforts to 
enhance professional and career development for staff in all forms of 
early childhood and child care programs. Include support letters that 
document consultation and support from the proposed grantee or delegate 
agency partners, the Regional Head Start Quality Improvement Center 
(QICs), the Head Start State Collaboration Office, and any existing 
state early care and education initiatives.
Criterion 5. Geographic Location: (10 Points)
    The extent to which the application gives a precise location of the 
project and area to be served, including the location of the AIANPB 
Head Start and Early Head Start grantees.

B. Review Process

    Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored 
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the 
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in part III 
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results 
of this review are a primary factor in making funding decisions. ACYF 
may also solicit comments from ACF Regional Office staff and other 
Federal agencies.

Part V. Instructions For Submitting Applications

A. Required Forms

    Eligible applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a 
complete application including the required forms included at the end 
of this program announcement. In order to be considered for a grant 
under this announcement, an application must be submitted on the 
Standard Form 424 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
under Control Number 0348-0043). A copy has been provided. Each 
application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by 
the terms and conditions of the grant award. Applicants requesting 
financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the 
Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs (approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0040). 
Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their 
application. Applicants must provide a certification concerning 
lobbying. Prior to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants 
shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying certification (approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). 
Applicants must sign and return the certification with their 
application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with

[[Page 43132]]

the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and submitting the 
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application.
    Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable 
for the smoking prohibition included within Pub. L. 103-227, part C 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as The Pro-Children's Act of 
1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice that implements the 
smoking prohibition is included with the forms. By signing and 
submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification 
and need not mail back the certification with the application.
    All applicants for research projects must provide a Protection of 
Human Subjects Assurance as specified in the policy described on the 
HHS Form 596 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 
control number 0925-0418). If there is a question regarding the 
applicability of this assurance, contact the Office for Protection from 
Research Risks of the National Institutes of Health at (301)-496-7041. 
Those applying for or currently conducting research projects are 
further advised of the availability of a Certificate of Confidentiality 
through the National Institute of Mental Health of the Department of 
Health and Human Services. To obtain more information and to apply for 
a Certificate of Confidentiality, contact the Division of Extramural 
Activities of the National Institute of Mental Health at (301) 443-
4673.

B. Application Limits

    The narrative of the application should be double-spaced and 
single-sided on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on 
all sides. Use only a standard size font no smaller than 12 pitch 
throughout the proposal. All pages of the narrative of the application 
(including appendices, resumes, charts, references/footnotes, tables, 
maps and exhibits) must be sequentially numbered, beginning on the 
first page after the budget justification, the principal investigator 
contact information and the Table of Contents. The length of the 
application, including the narrative, and excluding the appendices and 
resumes must not exceed 65 pages. Anything over 65 pages will be 
removed and not considered by the reviewers. The project summary should 
not be counted in the 65 pages. Applicants are requested not to send 
pamphlets, brochures, or other printed material along with their 
applications as these pose copying difficulties. These materials, if 
submitted, will not be included in the review process. In addition, 
applicants must not submit any additional letters of endorsement beyond 
any that may be required. Applicants may omit from the application 
copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals specified in the application budget and social security 
numbers if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include 
summary salary information.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae using 
``Biographical Sketch'' forms used by some government agencies.
    Please note that applicants that do not comply with the 
requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be 
included in the review process.

C. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.

--One original, signed and dated application plus two copies.
--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation such as resumes, and letters of agreement/
support.

    Front Matter:
    [sbull] Cover Letter
    [sbull] Table of Contents
    [sbull] Project Abstract
    (1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV. 4-92);
    (2) Budget information-Non-Construction Programs (SF424A&B REV.4-
92);
    (3) Budget Justification, including subcontract agency budgets;
    (4) Letter from the AIANPB Head Start program certifying that the 
program is a partner of the TCU;
    (5) Application Narrative, excluding Appendices and resumes (not to 
exceed 65 pages);
    (6) Proof that the organization is a TCU.
    (7) Assurances Non-Construction Programs;
    (8) Certification Regarding Lobbying;
    (9) Where appropriate, a completed SPOC certification with the date 
of SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF 424, REV.4-92;
    (10) Certification of Protection of Human Subjects.

D. Due Date for the Receipt of Applications

    Deadlines: The closing date for the submission of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (EDT) on August 20, 2003. Applications received after the 
closing date will be classified as late and not considered for funding. 
Applications should be mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293.
    Application for Head Start Discretionary Grants: Head Start 
Partnerships with Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and 
Universities (TCUs). Applications received after the closing date and 
time will be classified as late.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, courier services, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting the 
announced deadline only if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the ACYF Operations 
Center, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). (Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as 
agreed.)
    ACYF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to 
ACYF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of 
submission and time of receipt.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline for 
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods, hurricanes, or when 
there is widespread disruption of the mail, or when it is anticipated 
that many applications will come from rural or remote areas. A 
determination to waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the 
Chief Grants Management Officer.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any 
reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including 
program announcements. All information collections within this program 
announcement are approved under the following current valid OMB control 
numbers 0970-0139 which expires 12/31/2003.

[[Page 43133]]

    Public reporting burden for this collection 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.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

F. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact

    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, and 45 CFR part 100, 
Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, 
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, 
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, and Palau have elected to participate in 
the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of 
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-six jurisdictions need 
take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be 
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from 
the requirements of E.O. 12372.
    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. The 
applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and 
indicate the date of the 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. Applicants 
must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so 
that the Federal program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as 
part of the award process. A listing of the SPOC for each participating 
state and territory with contact and address information is available 
at http://whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    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: William Wilson, ACYF/Office of Grants Management, 330 C 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20447, Attn: Head Start Partnerships with 
Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and Universities. A list of the 
Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory can be found on 
the Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.


Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance 93.600.

    Dated: July 10, 2003.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A--List of Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges/
Universities

1999 Institutions (Expiring FY 2003)

1. College of Menominee Nation
2. Fort Peck Community College
3. Leech Lake Community College
4. Northwest Community College
5. Sitting Bull College
6. Stone Child Community College

2000 Institutions (Expiring FY 2003)

1. Bay Mills Community College
2. Blackfeet Community College
3. Dull Knife College
4. Ft. Belknap
5. Little Big Horn College
6. Oglala Lakota
7. SIPI College

2001 Institutions (Expiring FY 2006)

1. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
2. Salish Kootenai College
3. Sinte Glaska University

[FR Doc. 03-18167 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P