[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22829-22838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9548]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2004 Street Outreach Program (SOP)

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, HHS.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-YO-0016.
    CFDA Number: 93.557.
    Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications 
is June 11, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration 
on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services 
Bureau (FYSB) invites eligible applicants to submit competitive grant 
applications under the Street Outreach program. FYSB awards grants to 
private, nonprofit agencies to conduct outreach designed to build 
relationships between grantee staff and street youth. The goal of these 
efforts is to help young people leave the streets. The local grantees 
provide a range of services directly or through collaboration with 
other agencies, specifically those working to protect and treat young 
people who have been, or who are at risk of being, subjected to sexual 
abuse or exploitation. These services include the following: Street-
based education and outreach, access to emergency shelter, survival 
aid, individual assessments, treatment and counseling, prevention and 
education activities, information and referrals, crisis intervention, 
and follow up support. The program purpose is to provide education and 
prevention services to runaway, homeless and street youth, up to age 
21, 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 objectives are 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, 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.
     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.

A. Background on Runaway and Homeless Youth and Positive Youth 
Development

    It is estimated that 1.5 million youth are runaway, homeless, or 
street youth in the United States. 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 young people living on the streets or away from home without 
parental supervision are highly vulnerable. They may be exploited by 
dealers of illegal drugs, become victims of street violence, or members 
of gangs

[[Page 22830]]

that 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 address the needs of runaway, 
homeless and street youth.
    The array of social, emotional and health problems faced by youth 
on the street are 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 trusting relationships with 
caring and responsible adults as the first step to successfully 
encouraging them to leave the streets.
    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.

B. What Is Positive Youth 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.
    The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) have 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.
    1. Key elements of positive youth development are:
    (a) Healthy messages to adolescents about their bodies, their 
behaviors and their interactions;
    (b) Safe and structured places for teens to study, recreate, and 
socialize;
    (c) Strengthened relationships with adult role models, such as 
parents, mentors, coaches or community leaders;
    (d) Skill development in literacy, competence, work readiness and 
social skills; and
    (e) 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 (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.
    2. These key elements result in the following outcomes:
    (a) Increased opportunities and avenues for the positive use of 
time;
    (b) Increased opportunities for positive self-expression; and
    (c) Increased opportunities for youth participation and civic 
engagement.

C. Legislative Authority

    Grants for the Street Outreach Program are authorized by 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, as amended by the Runaway, Homeless, and 
Missing Children Protection Act of 2003, (Public Law 108-96). Text of 
this statute may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.

D. Program Requirements

     Complete and submit a grant application 
following the instructions below.
     Statistical Reporting-By submitting an 
application, the applicant is agreeing to keep adequate statistical 
records profiling the youth and families serviced under this Federal 
grant and to gather and submit program data required by FYSB. This 
information is required by the RHY program legislation and defined in 
the user-friendly Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information 
Systems (RHYMIS-LITE).
     Research and Evaluation-By submitting an 
application, the applicant is agreeing to cooperate with any research 
or evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and 
Families.
     Other Reports-By submitting an application, the 
applicant is agreeing to submit other required program and financial 
reports as instructed by FYSB

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $8.8 million in FY2004.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 44 to 88 awards.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $200,000 per budget period.
    An application that exceeds $200,000 will be considered ``non-
responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without further review.
    Floor of Individual Award Amounts: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $100,000 per budget period.
    Project Periods for Awards: This announcement is inviting 
applications for project periods up to three years. Awards, on a 
competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although 
project periods may be for three years. Applications for continuation 
grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year budget period but 
within the three 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.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

     Nonprofits organizations having a 501 (c) (3) 
status with the Internal

[[Page 22831]]

Revenue Service, other than institutions of higher education
     Faith-based and Community-based Organizations
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    Any non-profit organization submitting an application must include 
proof of its nonprofit status in its application at the time of 
submission. The nonprofit agency can accomplish this by providing any 
one of the following:
    a. A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS code.
    b. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certification.
    c. A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or 
other appropriate State official certify that the applicant 
organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
    d. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly established non-profit 
status.
    e. Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a 
State or nation parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching Required: Yes.
    Grantees must provide at least 10% of the total approved cost of 
the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the 
ACF share and the non-Federal share. 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, 
in order to meet the match requirements, a project requesting $200,000, 
must provide a match of at least $20,000. Grantees will be held 
accountable for commitments of non-Federal resources even if over the 
amount of the required match.
    Applications that fail to include the required amount of the cost 
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for 
funding under this announcement.

3. Other

    All Applicants must have Dun & Bradstreet Number. On June 27, 2003, 
the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal Register a 
new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The 
policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying 
for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 
2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is 
submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic 
portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be required for 
every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, 
including applications or plans under formula, entitlement and block 
grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Applicants should enter the assigned DUNS number in the upper right 
corner of the standard 424 form in the applicant identifier box.
    Applications that fail to include the required amount of the cost 
sharing will be considered non-responsive and will not be eligible for 
funding under this announcement.
    An application that exceeds $200,000 will be considered ``non-
responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without further review.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. To Request an application package, write, e-mail, or call: ACYF 
Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., SOP-FYSB Funding, 118 Q 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-2132, [email protected], (866) 796-
1591.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: An original and two 
copies of the complete application are required. The original copy must 
include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, 
be signed by an authorized representative, have original signature, and 
be submitted unbound. The two additional copies of the complete 
application must include all required forms, certifications, 
assurances, and appendices and must also be submitted unbound. 
Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not 
the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget.
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare an 
application.

A. Forms and Certifications

    Complete the Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B and the certification 
forms: Lobbying, Disclosure of Lobbying, Drug-Free Workplace, 
Debarment, Tobacco Smoke.
    Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and 
Forms entitled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-construction 
project must sign and return Standard Form 424 B, Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs with their applications.
    Applicants must provide a Certification Regarding Lobbying. Prior 
to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants shall furnish 
an executed copy of the lobbying certification. Applicants must sign 
and return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back a certification form.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
compliance with the requirements of the Pro-Children Act of 1994 as 
outlined in Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.

B. Project Summary/Abstract

    Submit a one page summary of the project description with reference 
to the funding request.

C. Project Description

    Describe the project clearly in 40 pages or less responding to the 
evaluation criteria, described in Section V.1. Criteria.
    (1) The pages of the project description must be numbered and are 
limited to 40 typed pages starting on page 1 of ``Objectives and Need 
for Assistance''.
    (2) The description must be double-spaced; single-sided, with at 
least 1/2 inch margins using not less than a 12 pitch size font.
    (3) Each section should be titled with the corresponding evaluation 
criteria categories (Objectives and Need, Results and Benefits, 
Approach, Staff and Position Data, Organizational Profile, Budget 
Justification)
    (4) Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the

[[Page 22832]]

application being deemed ineligible for review.
    (5) Pages over the limit will be removed from the competition and 
will not be reviewed.

D. Supplemental Documentation

1. Applicants May Include a Maximum of An Additional 10 Pages of 
Supplemental Documentation
    a. This may include brief resumes, position descriptions, proof of 
non-profit status (if applicable), maps, organization charts, etc.
    b. Supplemental pages must be numbered starting with S-1.
    c. Supplemental documentation over the 10-page limit will not be 
reviewed.
2. Letters of Support
    Applicants may include a maximum of 10 letters of support or in 
reference to the project description. The letters of support are not 
counted against the project description or supplemental documentation 
page limits.
3. Letters of Agreement Summaries
    Applicants are required to include a summary of the Letter of 
Agreement between the applicant agency and other agencies for services 
or referrals that directly affect the operation of the proposed 
project. Letters of Agreement are not counted against the project 
description or supplemental documentation page limits.
4. Sub-Contract Agreements Summaries
    Applicants are required to submit a summary of the proposed sub-
contract agreement if the applicant is proposing to provide a portion 
or all of the federal funds to another agency (sub-grantee) to support 
or complement street outreach services. The summary must describe which 
services will be carried out by the sub-contractor or sub-grantee. Sub-
contract agreements are not counted against the project description or 
supplemental documentation page limits.

E. Electronic Copy Submission

    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. You may 
not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov.
     Electronic submission is voluntary
     When you enter the Grants.Gov site, you will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site, as well as the hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.Gov
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must 
have a DUNS Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR). You should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR 
registration.
     You will not receive additional point value 
because you submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will 
we penalize you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF 424 and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page 
limitation requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your 
application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The 
Administration for Children and Families will retrieve your application 
from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original 
signatures on forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for 
this program on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application 
package by the CFDA number (identified on the first page of this 
announcement).
3. Submission Dates and Times:
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 11, 2004. Mailed or hand-carried 
applications received after 4:30 p.m. on the closing date will be 
classified as late.
Checklist for a Complete Application
    The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared. Complete application packages 
should include one original, signed and dated application plus two 
copies of all items listed below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            What to submit                 Required content     Required form or format       When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narrative............................  Described in Section I   Format described in      By application due
                                        of this Announcement.    Section V.               date.
SF 424, SF 424A and SF 424B..........  Per required form......  May be found at http: // By application due
                                                                 www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification regarding Lobbying and   Per required form......  May be found at http: // By application due
 associated Disclosure of Lobbying                               www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
 Activities (SF LLL).                                            programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke            Per required form......  May be found at http: // By application due
 Certification.                                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Project Summary Abstract.............  Summary of application   One page limit.........  By application due
                                        request.                                          date.
Detailed Budget Narrative............  Calculations, itemized   Categories must reflect  By application due
                                        budget content.          categories on 424a.      date.
Project Description..................  Responsiveness to        Format described in      By application due
                                        evaluation criteria.     Review and Selection     date.
                                                                 section. Limit 40
                                                                 pages. Size 12 font,
                                                                 \1/2\'' margins.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke            Per required form......  May be found at http: // By application due
 Certification.                                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
                                                                 program/ofs/forms.htm.

[[Page 22833]]

 
Supplemental Documentation...........  Optional...............  In Content and Form of   By application due
                                                                 Application Submission   date.
                                                                 Section. Limit 10
                                                                 pages. Page numbers
                                                                 must start with S-1.
Letters of Support...................  Optional...............  In Content and Form of   By application due
                                                                 Application Submission   date.
                                                                 Section. Limit 10
                                                                 letters.
Letters of agreement.................  Optional...............  In Content and Form of   By application due
                                                                 Application Submission   date.
                                                                 Section.
Sub-contract agreements..............  Optional...............  In Content and Form of   By application due
                                                                 Application Submission   date.
                                                                 Section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms:

    Private, nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under Grant Related Documents and 
Forms entitled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            What to submit                 Required content     Required form or format       When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant   Per required form......  May be found on http://  By application due
 Applicants.                                                     www.acf.hhs.gov/         date.
                                                                 programs/ofs/form.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Intergovernmental Review: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC), 
Notification under Executive Order 12372.
    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.
    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, Arizona, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
    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, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447. The 
official list, including addresses, of the jurisdiction selected to 
participate in E.O. 12372 can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory 
is included with the application materials in this announcement.
    5. Funding Restrictions:
    A. Ineligible Applicants--State Government, local units of 
government, and for profit organizations.
    B. Sterile Needles/Syringes--Federal Funds for this project may not 
be used for distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic 
injection of any illegal drugs.
    C. Religious Activities--No organization may be discriminated 
against on the basis of religion in the administration or distribution 
of Federal financial assistance under social service programs. Faith-
based organizations are eligible to compete for Federal financial 
assistance while retaining their identity, mission, religious 
references, and governance.
    However, faith-based organizations that receive funding may not use 
Federal financial assistance, including funds, to meet any cost-sharing 
requirements, to support inherently religious activities, such as 
worship, religious instruction, or prayer. In addition, any 
participation in these activities by beneficiaries must be voluntary.
    6. Other Submission Requirements.
    Submission by Mail: An Applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. The application must be received at the 
ACYF Operations Center; c/o The Dixon Group Inc., ATTN: SOP-FYSB 
Funding, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132 by 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on or before the closing date.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced

[[Page 22834]]

deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
at the ACYF Operations Center.
    Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the ACYF Operations Center at the address above 
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This address 
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
stated above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each 
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the 
current competition.
    Extension of Deadline: ACF may extend an application deadline when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there is 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.
    Applicants will receive a confirmation postcard upon receipt of an 
application.

V. Application Review Information:

1. Criteria

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for review and approval any reporting and record keeping 
requirements in regulations including program announcements. This 
program announcement does not contain information collection 
requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant applications under the 
ProgramNarrative Statement by OMB No. 0970-0139.
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 20 hours per overall response, including the time 
for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, 
and reviewing the collection of information.
    The following information collections are included in the program 
announcement: The Uniform Project Description is approved under OMB 
control number 0970-0139, which expires 03/31/2004.
    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.
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.
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. Cross referencing should be used 
rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities 
that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does 
not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant funded activity 
should be placed in an appendix.
    Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included 
for easy reference.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions and the specified evaluation criteria. The 
instructions give a broad overview of what your project description 
should include while the evaluation criteria expands and clarifies more 
program-specific information that is needed.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

[[Page 22835]]

Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and 
the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.
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.
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.
    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.
General
    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
    Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies 
(not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers. 
Applicants are encouraged to use job titles and not specific names in 
developing the application budget. However, the specific salary rates 
or amounts for staff positions identified must be included in the 
application budget.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary; grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
Statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those which belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must

[[Page 22836]]

justify any anticipated procurement action that is expected to be 
awarded without competition and exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000). 
Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award review 
and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or invitations 
for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

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

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.
Program Income
    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application 
which contain this information.
Non-Federal Resources
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs
    Self-explanatory.

Evaluation Criteria

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:

A. Approach (35 Points)

    1. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the 
program's positive youth development philosophy and approach indicate 
how it underlies and integrates all proposed activities, including 
provision of services to runaway and homeless youth and involvement of 
the youth's parents or legal guardians. Specific information must be 
provided on how youth will be involved in the design, operation and 
evaluation of the program, as well as community involvement.
    2. Applications will be evaluated based on the plan for proposed 
street outreach effort, including hours of operation, staffing pattern 
and staff safety plans.
    3. Applications will be evaluated based on the plan for services 
designed to deal with sexual abuse and exploitation.
    4. Applications will be evaluated on the range of services that 
will be offered to street youth and how those services will be 
provided. At a minimum, plans should be provided for street-based 
outreach and education, survival aid, individual assessment, 
counseling, prevention and education activities, information and 
referral services, crisis intervention and follow-up support. 
Applicant's description of services that will be provided by other 
agencies and appropriate letters of agreement must be included in the 
application.
    5. If a Drop-In Center is proposed, applications will be evaluated 
on the plan designed to operate a drop-in center. The expected or 
estimated ratio of staff to youth, (hours of operation) and explain how 
it will be sufficient to ensure adequate supervision and treatment.
    6. Applications will be evaluated on the plan designed to provide 
street-based outreach services where street youth congregate and the 
hours when youth will most likely avail themselves of those services 
(late afternoon, evenings, nights and weekends). The plan must clearly 
state what will be accomplished during these service hours.
    7. Applications will be evaluated on the detailed plan designed to 
ensure guaranteed access to age appropriate emergency shelter services 
that can be made available to street youth. When emergency shelter is 
provided by an entity other than the applicant, a signed letter of 
agreement with the shelter provider must be included in the 
application. The agreement must stipulate that the applicant's street 
outreach workers will have guaranteed access to the street youth that 
are taking advantage of the shelter's services.
    8. Applications will be evaluated on the current or anticipated 
barriers to effective delivery of services and the actions the program 
will take to overcome these barriers to serving this population, 
including persons with low English proficiency.
    9. Applications will be evaluated on the resources that will be 
coordinated with other social service, law enforcement, educational, 
housing, vocational, welfare, legal service, drug treatment, health 
care and other relevant service agencies in order to ensure appropriate 
service referrals and form service linkages for the project clients.
    10. Applications will be evaluated on the current efforts or plans 
to work with organizations that serve victims of domestic violence and 
sexual assault in order to tap into their expertise and to coordinate 
services.
    11. Applications will be evaluated on the detailed plan of 
procedures for maintaining confidentiality of records on the youth and 
families served. Procedures must insure that no information on the 
youth and families is disclosed without the consent of the individual 
youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures without consent can be 
made to another agency compiling statistical records if individual 
identities are not provided or to a government agency involved in the 
disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway, homeless 
or street youth.
    12. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for activities 
implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once 
Federal funding for the project has ended.
    13. Applications will be evaluated on the specific plans for 
accomplishing program phase-out in the event the applicant cannot 
obtain new operating funds at the end of the 36-month project period.

[[Page 22837]]

B. Results and Benefits (20 Points)

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:
    1. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the 
goals, objectives and outcomes to be achieved are measurable and 
identify the number and frequency of youth served annually.
    2. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
outcomes will have an impact for the street youth and to the community 
being served.
    3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which 
improvements in individual, family and community functioning will occur 
as a consequence of services provided.
    4. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit 
periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes.

C. Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:
    1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which goals and 
objectives of the project will fulfill the purposes of the legislation 
identified above.
    2. Applications will be evaluated on the conditions and needs of 
youth and families in the geographic area to be served and the 
estimated number and characteristics of runaway and homeless youth and 
their families, including their social needs and health problems. The 
discussion should include matters of family functioning and the health, 
education, employment and social conditions of the youth, including at-
risk conditions or behaviors such as drug use, school failure and 
delinquency.
    3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent of services 
currently available for runaway, homeless and street youth in the 
geographic areas to be served. Service gaps must be addressed and 
considered in developing program objectives.
    4. Applications will be evaluated on the characteristics of the 
specific local environments frequented by runaway, homeless and street 
youth and demonstrate that program services will be located in or 
easily accessible to the area which is frequented by these street 
youth. Maps or other graphic aids may be included as part of the 
supplementary documentation's 10-page limit.

D. Staff and Position Data (10 Points)

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:
    1. Applications will be evaluated on the staff experience in 
working with runaway, homeless, and street youth populations.
    2. Applications will be evaluated on the quality of skills, 
knowledge and experience of the project director and project staff. 
Biographical sketches or brief resumes of current and proposed staff, 
or job descriptions, should be included. Resumes must indicate what 
position the individual will fill and position descriptions must 
specifically describe the job as it relates to the proposed project. 
Such documents count against the 10-page supplemental documentation 
limit.
    3. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the staff 
and volunteers are culturally competent and relate to the youth being 
served, e.g., gender, ethnicity and life experiences.
    4. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for street-based 
outreach supervision for street outreach staff and volunteers.
    5. Applications will be evaluated on the plan for training efforts 
of project staff as well as staff of cooperating organizations and 
individuals. This plan must include training on agency policies; 
boundaries regarding job responsibilities; contact with and 
responsibilities to young people; policies on maintaining appropriate 
boundaries; safety planning; youth development; sexual abuse; and other 
relevant street life topics.

E. Organizational Profile (10 Points)

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:
    1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent of the 
organization's experience in working with RHY populations.
    2. Applications will be evaluated on the characteristics of the 
applicant agency's organization; the types, quantities and costs of 
services it provides; any funding and contractual relationships with 
juvenile justice, probation and/or welfare agencies; and must identify 
and discuss the role of other organizations or multiple sites of the 
agency that will be involved in direct services to runaway and homeless 
youth through this grant. A list the 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. Include address, phone number and staff contact for each 
entity if the contact is different from the individual on the SF 424.
    3. If the agency is a recipient of funds from the Administration 
for Children and Families for services to runaway and homeless youth 
for programs other than that applied for in this application, 
applications will be evaluated on the plan for how services supported 
by these funds are or will be integrated with the existing services. An 
organizational chart may be provided.

F. Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)

    Note: Applicant should refer to the above UPD Requirement in the 
Application Review Section for guidance when preparing the budget 
and narrative budget justification. The Line Item Budgets do not 
count against any page limitation, but budget justifications and 
description of fiscal control will count against the project 
description page limitation.

    In determining the quality of the project design, the following 
factors are considered:
    1. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the 
proposed line item budget and a budget justification calculates the 
types and quantities of activities to be implemented and how the costs 
are related and directly linked to the project description.
    a. The line items reflects the same Budget Categories listed on 
standard form 424A, Section B, i.e., personnel, fringe benefits, 
travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, other, total direct charges, 
indirect charges, and total budget.
    b. Non-Federal share reflects the same Budget Categories where 
appropriate.
    2. Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which computer 
equipment is available to ensure compatibility with the RHYMIS-LITE 
software. Applicants lacking the computer equipment for RHYMIS-LITE 
data collection must include an estimated cost for such equipment in 
their proposed budget. If the applicant already has such equipment, 
this fact must be noted. (Please note that the RHYMIS-LITE software 
operates best with hardware in general use from 1999 to present.)
    3. Applications will be evaluated on the anticipated cost per child 
for the total services.
    4. Applications will be evaluated on the identification of fiscal 
controls that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement 
and accurate accounting of funds received, as well as the accounting of 
cash and in-kind for non-federal match.
    2. Review and Selection Process:

[[Page 22838]]

    All applications which are complete and conform to the requirements 
of this program announcement will be subject to a competitive review 
and evaluation against the specific competitive grant evaluation 
criteria. This review will be conducted in Washington, D.C., by panels 
of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas of runaway and 
homeless youth, youth development and human services. The overall panel 
review process is managed by Federal staff.
    Application review panels will assign a score (maximum score of 
100) to each application, identifying its strengths and weaknesses 
based on the application's responsiveness to the evaluation criteria. 
Central and Regional Office staff will conduct administrative reviews 
of those applications within funding range. After all reviews have been 
completed, FYSB staff will recommend the applications for funding to 
the Commissioner, ACYF.
    In cases where more applications are approved for funding that ACF 
can fund with the money available, the Grants Officer shall fund 
application in their order of approval until funds run out. In this 
case, ACF has the option of carrying over the approved application up 
to a year for funding consideration in a later competition of the same 
program. These applications need not be reviewed and scored again if 
the program's evaluation criteria has not changed. However, they must 
then be placed in rank order along with other applications in later 
competition.
    3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
    All awards will be made on or before September 30, 2004.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    A. Successful Applicants:
    Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award document, signed by an authorized Grants 
Officer, which will set forth the amount of funds granted, the terms 
and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the 
budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal 
share to be provided and the total project period for which support is 
contemplated. Awards will be made on or before September 30, 2004.
    B. Unsuccessful Applicants
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing by the Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families by September 30, 2004.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74
Public Law 108-96

3. Reporting Requirements

    A. Programmatic Reports: semi-annually with final report due 90 
days after the project end date.
    B. Financial Reports: semi-annually with final report due 90 days 
after the project end date.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Kelli Matson-Geist, Email: 
[email protected], Telephone number: (866) 796-1591.
    Grants Management Office Contact: William Wilson, ACF Office of 
Grants Management, 330 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20447, Email: 
[email protected], Telephone: 202-205-8913.

VIII. Other Information

    None

    Dated: April 20, 2004.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-9548 Filed 4-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P