[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21786]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[CFDA : 93.676]


Office of Refugee Resettlement Grant to United States Conference 
of Catholic Bishops 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 an award is being made to The 
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), 3211 4th Street, 
NE, Washington, DC, 20017 in the amount of $349,967 in FY03 due to 
urgent and compelling circumstances. The award will be used to assess 
and develop a capacity plan for unaccompanied 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 program providing such services shall hereafter be referred to as 
the Unaccompanied Alien Children's Program (UAC).
    The specific goal of the program is to facilitate the provision of 
family reunification and/or long-term foster care services to 
unaccompanied alien minors referred to USCCB by ORR and currently held 
in the legal custody of the ORR. The provisions of services will 
include child welfare related services, including family reunification 
and foster care placement, to alien unaccompanied minors who have been 
approved for such services by the appropriate entities. USCCB has 
extensive experience in this area drawing from the Unaccompanied 
Refugee Minors Program. In addition, they have one of the largest 
affiliate networks, allowing them to easily facilitate capacity 
development and establish a much needed presence in major apprehension 
centers.
    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 and southern border, 
ORR has the urgent need to assess and develop a capacity plan for the 
program.
    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.
    The Recipient will:
    1. Assess and develop a capacity plan;
    2. Identify agencies and sites for reception and assessment centers 
in major apprehension locations throughout the United States;
    3. Develop residential, therapeutic and foster care programs;
    4. Assist with developing a long-term care program;
    5. Develop a system for family reunification assessment including 
support systems;
    6. Participate in the development of a universal assessment 
placement plan under the direction of ORR;
    7. Coordinate placement plan recommendations; and
    8. Develop an assessment training manual of protocols and 
procedures
    Other services for these minors may be provided if ORR determines 
in advance that the service is reasonable and necessary for a 
particular minor.
    USCCB will ensure services comply with State child welfare statutes 
and generally accepted child welfare standards, practices, principles, 
and procedures, and the Flores v. Reno settlement agreement. Services 
offered provide for the safety and security of each child.
    After the appropriate reviews, it has been determined that the need 
to assess and develop a capacity plan is urgent and compelling. The 
project period is July 1, 2003 to 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) 401-4858.

    Dated: August 20, 2003.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 03-21786 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P