[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51292-51293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21785]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[CFDA 93.676]


Office of Refugee Resettlement Grant to Southwest Initiative 
Group for the Unaccompanied Alien Children's Program

AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement, HHS.

ACTION: Grant award announcement.

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SUMMARY: This notice is hereby given that a urgent grant award is being 
made to Southwest Initiatives Group, Nixon, TX in the amount of 
$797,152 in FY03, to provide shelter care and child welfare services to 
alien minors transferred into the custody of the Office of Refugee 
Resettlement (ORR) from the Department of Homeland Security by reason 
of their immigration status. The programs providing such services shall 
hereafter be referred to as the Unaccompanied Alien Children's Program 
(UAC).
    The specific goal of the program is to provide residential shelter 
care and other related child welfare services to male and female alien 
children under 18 years of age who are in the custody of the ORR. The 
provision of services will include: a structured, safe and productive 
environment which meets or exceeds respective state guidelines and ORR 
minimum standards for services designed to serve minors in UAC care and 
custody. This announcement provides for the delivery of services to a 
population of at least 16 children. The program is licensed for up to 
36 children. This grant is being made to Southwest Initiatives Group 
due to its strategic location in a major apprehension area, ability to 
expeditiously meet state licensing and ORR requirements to accommodate 
the current need for shelter care, emergency influx expansion potential 
and high quality of care.
    Shelter care services will be provided for the interim period 
beginning when

[[Page 51293]]

the minor is placed into the UAC, and ending when the minor is released 
from federal custody or when a final disposition of the minor's 
immigration proceedings occurs.
    Grant and Cooperative Agreement Program Authority for this activity 
is contained in the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Title V, 
Section 501(c) Pub. L. 94 Stat.1799, 1809-1810, the Immigration and 
Naturalization Act and Section 462 of the Homeland Security Act.
    Per the Flores v. Reno settlement agreement, no child apprehended 
by the Department of Homeland Security can remain in a secure detention 
setting for longer than 72 hours, unless warranted. Given the recent 
influx of apprehensions along the southwest border, ORR has the urgent 
need to increase the number of shelter beds to ensure that no child is 
placed in secure detention unless warranted.
    The Recipient will provide assistance and services for each minor 
including, but not limited to:

1. Family Reunification Services;
2. Initial Program Orientation;
3. Individual Counseling;
4. Group Counseling;
5. Acculturation/Adaptation;
6. Education;
7. Access to Legal Services.

    Other services that are necessary and appropriate for these minors 
may be provided if ORR determines in advance that the service is 
reasonable and necessary for a particular minor.
    The Recipient will be expected to develop and implement an 
appropriate individualized service plan for the care and maintenance of 
each minor in accordance with his/her needs as determined in an intake 
assessment after initial placement. In addition, the Recipient is 
required to implement and administer a case management system which 
tracks and monitors each minor's progress to ensure that services are 
appropriate and to each minor's individual needs.
    Services comply with State child welfare statutes and generally 
accepted child welfare standards, practices, principles, and 
procedures. Services offered provide for the safety and security of 
each child. The service will be provided in an age appropriate, 
culturally acceptable manner that meets the needs of each individual 
minor.
    After the appropriate reviews, it has been determined that the need 
for additional shelter care beds and services in the southwest United 
States is compelling. The project period is July 1, 2003 through 
September 30, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Tota, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant 
Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, telephone (202) 205-3590.

    Dated: July 31, 2003.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 03-21785 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P