[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 84 (Friday, April 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23784-23794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9781]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice of Availability

    Federal Agency Contact Name: Administration for Children and 
Families, Children's Bureau.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Field Initiated Training Projects for 
Effective Child Welfare Practice with Hispanic Children and Families.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant-Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ACYF-CT-0014.
    CFDA Number: 93.648.
    Due Date for Applications: The due date for receipt of applications 
is June 29, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the 
development, implementation and evaluation of innovative child welfare 
training projects that address the needs

[[Page 23785]]

of Hispanic children and families. The Children's Bureau is interested 
in field initiated projects that will build the capacity of frontline 
and supervisory staff to achieve positive outcomes for Hispanic 
children and families in the child welfare system. The projects should 
be designed to increase the knowledge, skills and abilities of child 
welfare personnel to provide services in a culturally competent manner 
and to enable them to respond more effectively to the complex problems 
confronting Hispanic children and families in the child welfare system. 
Failure to make service adaptations in addressing the culturally 
defined needs of Hispanic children and families may result in under-
use, overuse, or inappropriate use of child welfare services. This is 
especially true when language is a barrier and in view of the various 
subgroups of Hispanic origin populations in the United States 
(Hernandez & Isaacs, 1998). Topics of interest to the Children's Bureau 
include, but are not limited to:
     Developing and enhancing child welfare workers' 
culturally competent practice skills in achieving the Adoption and Safe 
Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) goals of safety, permanency and well-being 
for Hispanic children;
     Increasing the capacity of child welfare 
personnel to conduct culturally competent assessments throughout the 
life of a child welfare case, and to promote positive outcomes for 
Hispanic children and families, including their psychological, 
physical, educational and social development; and
     Supporting leadership training for child welfare 
supervisors in developing, testing, implementing and evaluating 
collaborative, culturally competent models of service delivery with 
Hispanic children and families.
    It is critical that child welfare services are provided to Hispanic 
children and families within the context of the Hispanic culture. 
Therefore, these Child Welfare Training Field Initiated projects are 
expected to develop training curricula that incorporate knowledge and 
understanding of Hispanic culture(s) and to promote the use of this 
knowledge and understanding in order to better serve Hispanic children 
and families involved with the child welfare system. Indeed there is a 
growing realization that better outcomes for children and families are 
intrinsically related to understanding, acknowledging and adapting 
services to reflect cultural norms (Isaacs & Benjamin, 1991). 
Culturally competent approaches to service delivery are seen as 
necessary for: identifying factors that are stressful to families; 
assessing family strengths; assessing problems of abuse and neglect or 
other family problems; identifying community resources that can assist 
Hispanic families; and helping Hispanic children and families with 
presenting and ongoing problems that require child welfare 
interventions.
    The project tasks must be accomplished in partnership with the 
State child welfare agency. The training curriculum will be field-
tested with the State child welfare agency and evaluated for its 
effectiveness in developing skills for providing culturally relevant 
services that are designed to achieve safety, permanency and well-being 
for Hispanic children.

Background

    Title IV B--Section 426 (a)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act as 
amended authorizes funds for grants to public or non-profit 
institutions of higher learning to train personnel to work in the field 
of child welfare. In keeping with the requirements of this Act, the 
focus of this field-initiated child welfare training project is to 
provide professional education opportunities to current public child 
welfare agency frontline workers and supervisory staff in order to 
better prepare them to meet emerging service delivery needs and 
challenges in the field of child welfare. If child welfare agencies are 
to be successful in meeting the challenges of providing appropriate 
services, in achieving desired child and family outcomes and in 
carrying out agency missions, they must have a high quality, well 
educated and trained staff (Terpestra,1992, Siu & Hogan, 1988). This is 
especially true since public child welfare agencies rely heavily upon 
training for introducing changes into their service delivery system, 
for implementing effective intervention strategies in addressing 
complex client situations and as a major tool for developing and 
maintaining sound practice (Wehrmann, Shin, & Poertner, 2002). 
Implementing effective training strategies is also necessary in order 
for child welfare staff to meet the requirements of the Adoption and 
Safe Families Act of 1997 and the Child and Family Services Review 
requirements.

A Rapidly Growing, Youthful and Concentrated Hispanic Population

    According to the Census Bureau, Hispanics became the largest 
minority in the U.S. in 2002, numbering 38.8 million or 13% of the 
total population. The Census Bureau projects that by 2050 there will be 
103 million Hispanics, which will be 24% of the U.S. population.
    In the 2000 U.S. Census statistics, the relative youthfulness of 
the Hispanic population is reflected in the population under age 18 and 
in its median age. While 25.7 percent of the U.S. population was under 
age 18 years of age in 2000, 35.0 percent of Hispanics were less than 
age 18. The median age for Hispanics was 25.9 years while the median 
age for the entire U.S. population was 35.3 years. Moreover, in 2000, 
27.1 million, or 76.8 percent of Hispanics lived in the seven States 
with Hispanic populations of 1.0 million or more (California, Texas, 
New York, Florida, Illinois, Arizona and New Jersey.)

Hispanic Families and the Child Welfare System

    The importance of cultural competency in serving diverse ethnic and 
cultural groups has gained increasing recognition and has become an 
essential part of the definition of good child welfare practice. This 
is especially important when working with Hispanic children and 
families. It is critical that child welfare workers develop and enhance 
their culturally responsive practice skills in achieving the ASFA goals 
of safety, permanency and well-being for Hispanic children. Within this 
context, workers must be able to build collaborative working 
relationships with families, Hispanic communities, and agencies that 
provide support services.
    Cultural competence requires that child welfare workers explore 
supports and resources within Hispanic communities, making family 
preservation and support services the first line of services when 
safety can be assured. Increasingly, child welfare practice is becoming 
community-based, requiring collaboration with schools, courts, health 
and mental health agencies, and faith and community-based 
organizations, to prevent the incidence or recurrence of child abuse 
and neglect.
    The percent of children entering foster care who were identified as 
Hispanic has increased slightly in the last few years. In FY 2000 
Hispanic children were 15% of all foster care entrants. By FY 2002 
Hispanic children comprised 17% of the estimated 302, 000 children 
entering the foster care system.
    The Child and Family Service Reviews look at case files of children 
in the child welfare system. The reviews found that in the 2002 cases 
reviewed, 64% of Hispanic children were in foster care and 36% were 
receiving services in their homes, whereas 53% of white children were 
in foster care and 47% were receiving services in their homes.

[[Page 23786]]

    The Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Outcomes 
2000 Annual Report concluded that many of the challenges to attaining 
positive outcomes for children who come into contact with the child 
welfare system are external to the system itself. This means that a key 
focus of training activities must be on supporting greater 
collaboration among child serving agencies if the multiple problems of 
children and families in the child welfare system are to be addressed. 
The capacity of the public child welfare system to improve safety, 
permanency and well-being outcomes for Hispanic children and families 
is contingent upon:
     The system's ability to understand the child, 
family and community conditions that contribute to the entry of 
Hispanic children and families into the child welfare system;
     The culturally competent leadership skills of 
child welfare supervisors and administrators in developing and 
maintaining collaborative partnerships with other community child-
serving agencies for the purpose of gaining appropriate access to 
required community-based services for Hispanic children and families in 
the child welfare system; and
     The increased capacity of child welfare 
personnel to conduct culturally competent assessments and to implement 
successful intervention strategies in serving Hispanic children and 
families.
    This field-initiated child welfare training project provides an 
opportunity for applicants to contribute to the expansion of effective 
child welfare services through training approaches specifically 
designed to improve child welfare outcomes for Hispanic children and 
families. Projects funded under this initiative should be innovative 
and should contribute to improving the safety, permanency, and well-
being outcomes for Hispanic children and families, with special 
emphasis on culturally competent leadership, collaboration and practice 
skills.

I. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Program Funding: The anticipated total for all 
awards under this funding opportunity in FY2004 is $800,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: It is anticipated that 4 projects 
will be funded.
    Ceiling, if any, on Amount of Individual Awards: The grant amount 
will not exceed $200,000 in the first budget period. An application 
received that exceeds the upper value of dollar range specified will be 
considered ``non-responsive'' and be returned to the applicant without 
further review.
    Floor on Individual Award Amounts: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $200,000 per budget period.
    Project Periods for Awards: The projects will be awarded for a 
project period of 36 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-
month budget period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 12-
month budget period will be subject to the availability of funds, 
satisfactory progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination 
that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Available Funds: Applicants should note that grants to be awarded 
under this program announcement are subject to the availability of 
funds. The size of the actual awards will vary. In cases where more 
applications are approved for funding than ACF can fund with the money 
available, the Grants Officer shall fund applications in their order of 
approval until funds run out. In this case, ACF has the option of 
carrying over the approved applications 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 have not changed. However, they must then be placed 
in rank order along with other applications in later competitions.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State controlled institutions of higher education; private 
institutions of higher education.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: Applicants must have an 
accredited social work education program or an accredited bachelor or 
graduate level program leading to a degree relevant to work in child 
welfare. Applicants should have a strong partnership with a public 
child welfare agency and should be prepared to re-design their 
curriculum to maximize student learning opportunities for work in 
public child welfare agencies. Applicants must have some experience and 
background in working with Hispanic populations. Preference will be 
given to applicants that are located in States with a Hispanic 
population of 1 million or above.
    Applications that exceed the $200,000 ceiling will be considered 
non-responsive and will not be eligible for funding under this 
announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The grantee must provide at least 25% of the total approved cost of 
the project. The total approved cost is the sum of the Federal share 
and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a project requesting $200,000 per 
budget period must include a match of at least $66,667 per budget 
period. Applicants should provide a letter of commitment verifying the 
actual amount of the non-Federal share of project costs.
    The following example shows how to calculate the required 25% match 
amount for a $200,000 grant:

 
                                       $200,000       (Federal share)
 
divided by.........................          .75  (100%-25%)
equals.............................     $266,667  (total project cost
                                                   including match)
minus..............................      200,000  (Federal share)
equals.............................       66,667  (required 25% match)
 

    The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind contributions, 
although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements 
through cash contributions. If approved for funding, grantees will be 
held accountable for the commitment of non-Federal resources and 
failure to provide the required amount will result in a disallowance of 
unmatched Federal funds.
    Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for these projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match title IV-E training funds.

3. Other

    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 all 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 (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 on 1-866-705-5711 or you

[[Page 23787]]

may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

    ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, (866) 796-1591.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    You may submit your application to us either in electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the 
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 paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, 
including all information typically included on the SF424 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 
form 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.
    Electronic Address Where Applications Will Be Accepted: 
www.Grants.gov.
    Address Where Hard Copy Applications Will Be Accepted: ACYF 
Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ATTN: Children's Bureau, 
118 Q Street NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    Each application must contain the following items in the order 
listed:

--Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424). Follow the 
instructions below and those that accompany the form.

    In Item 5 of Form 424, put DUNS number in ``Organizational DUNS:'' 
box.
    In Item 5 of Form 424, include name, phone number, and, if 
available, email and fax numbers of the contact person.
    In Item 8 of Form 424, check `New.'
    In Item 10 of Form 424, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program title and number for the program for 
which funds are being requested as stated in this funding opportunity 
announcement.
    In Item 11 of Form 424, identify the single funding opportunity the 
application addresses.
    In Item 12 of Form 424, identify the specific geographic area to be 
served.
    In Item 14 of Form 424, identify Congressional districts of both 
the applicant and project.

--Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (Form 424A) and Budget 
Justification.

    Follow the instructions provided and those in the Uniform Project 
Description. Note that Federal funds provided to States and services or 
other resources purchased with Federal funds may not be used to match 
project grants.
    Applicants have the option of omitting from application copies (not 
originals) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified 
in the application budget. The copies may include summary salary 
information.

--Certifications/Assurances. Applicants requesting financial assistance 
for nonconstruction projects must file the Standard Form 424B, 
`Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.' Applicants must sign and 
return the Standard Form 424B with their applications. Applicants must 
provide a certification regarding lobbying when applying for an award 
in excess of $100,000. Applicants must sign and return the 
certification with their applications.

    Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form 
LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who 
have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection with 
receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a 
disclosure form to report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the 
disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification regarding 
environmental tobacco smoke. By signing and submitting the application, 
the applicant is providing the certification and need not mail back the 
certification with the applications.
    If applicable, applicants must include a completed SPOC 
certification (Single Point of Contact) with the date of the SPOC 
contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the Form 424.
    By signing the ``Signature of Authorized Representative'' on the SF 
424, the applicant is providing a certification and need not mail 
assurances for completing the following grant and cooperative agreement 
requirements:

    Participation in any evaluation or technical assistance effort 
supported by ACYF; submission of all required semi-annual and final 
Financial Status Reports (SF269) and Program Performance Reports in 
a timely manner, in hard-copy and electronic formats (preferably MS 
WORD and PDF) as negotiated with the Federal Project Officer; and 
allocation of sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the 
project director, evaluator and a state child welfare representative 
to attend an early kick-off meeting for grantees funded under this 
priority area, to be held within the first three months of the 
project (first year only) in Washington, DC; and allocation of 
sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the project director, 
evaluator and a state child welfare representative to attend an 
annual 3-day grantees' meeting in Washington, DC (Attendance at 
these meetings is a grant requirement.); allocation of 10% of budget 
for program evaluation.

    The Office for Human Research Protections of the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services provides Web site information and policy 
guidance on the Federal regulations pertaining to protection of human 
subjects (45 CFR part 46), informed consent, informed consent 
checklists, confidentiality of personal identification information, 
data collection procedures, and internal review boards: http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/polasur.htm.
    If applicable, applicants must include a completed Form 310, 
Protection of Human Subjects.
    In implementing their projects, grantees are expected to comply 
with all applicable administrative regulations regarding extent or 
types of costs.

[[Page 23788]]

Applicable DHHS regulations can be found in 45 CFR Part 74 or Part 92.

--Project Abstract/Summary (one page maximum). Clearly mark this page 
with the applicant name as shown on item 5 of the Form 424, identify 
the competitive grant funding opportunity and the title of the proposed 
project as shown in item 11 and the service area as shown in item 12 of 
the Form 424. The summary description should not exceed 300 words.

    Care should be taken to produce an abstract/summary that accurately 
and concisely reflects the proposed project. It should describe the 
objectives of the project, the approach to be used and the results or 
benefits expected.

--Project Description for Evaluation. Applicants should organize their 
project description according to the Evaluation Criteria described in 
this funding opportunity announcement providing information that 
addresses all the components.
--Proof of non-profit status (if applicable).
--Indirect cost rate agreement. If claiming indirect costs, provide 
documentation that applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
--Letters of agreement and memoranda of understanding. If applicable, 
include a letter of commitment or Memorandum of Understanding from each 
partner and/or sub-contractor describing their role, detailing specific 
tasks to be performed, and expressing commitment to participate if the 
proposed project is funded.
--Provide a letter of commitment verifying the actual amount of the 
non-Federal share of project costs.
--The application limit is 60 pages total including all forms and 
attachments. Submit one original and two copies.

    To be considered for funding, each application must be submitted 
with the Standard Federal Forms (provided at the end of this 
announcement or through the electronic links provided) and following 
the guidance provided. The application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility 
for the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant 
award.
    To be considered for funding, each applicant must submit one signed 
original and two additional copies of the application, including all 
forms and attachments, to the Application Receipt Point specified in 
the section titled Deadline at the beginning of the announcement. The 
original copy of the application must have original signatures, signed 
in black ink.
    The application must be typed, double spaced, printed on only one 
side, with at least \1/2\ inch margins on each side and 1 inch at the 
top and bottom, using standard 12 Point fonts (such as Times Roman or 
Courier). Pages must be numbered.
    Pages over the page limit stated within this funding opportunity 
announcement will be removed from the application and will not be 
reviewed. All copies of an application must be submitted in a single 
package, and a separate package must be submitted for each funding 
opportunity. The package must be clearly labeled for the specific 
funding opportunity it is addressing.
    Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include 
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, 
brochures, or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a 
photocopy machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or 
fasten in any way separate subsections of the application, including 
supporting documentation. Applicants are advised that the copies of the 
application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the 
Federal government for review. Each copy must be stapled securely in 
the upper left corner.
    Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application: It is essential that 
applicants read the entire announcement package carefully before 
preparing an application and include all of the required application 
forms and attachments. The application must reflect a thorough 
understanding of the purpose and objectives of the applicable 
legislation. Reviewers expect applicants to understand the goals of the 
legislation and the Children's Bureau's interest in each topic. A 
``responsive application'' is one that addresses all of the evaluation 
criteria in ways that demonstrate this understanding. Applications that 
are considered to be ``unresponsive'' generally receive very low scores 
and are rarely funded.
    The Children's Bureau's Web site (http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb) provides a wide range of information and links to other relevant 
Web sites. Before you begin preparing an application, we suggest that 
you learn more about the mission and programs of the Children's Bureau 
by exploring the Web site.
    Organizing Your Application: The specific evaluation criteria in 
Section V of this funding announcement will be used to review and 
evaluate each application. The applicant should address each of these 
specific evaluation criteria in the project description. It is strongly 
recommended that applicants organize their proposals in the same 
sequence and using the same headings as these criteria, so that 
reviewers can readily find information that directly addresses each of 
the specific review criteria.
    Project Evaluation Plan: Project evaluations are very important. If 
you do not have the in-house capacity to conduct an objective, 
comprehensive evaluation of the project, then the Children's Bureau 
advises that you propose contracting with a third-party evaluator 
specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or 
college, to conduct the evaluation. A skilled evaluator can assist you 
in designing a data collection strategy that is appropriate for the 
evaluation of your proposed project. Additional assistance may be found 
in a document titled ``Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation.'' A copy 
of this document can be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/core/pubs_reports/prog_mgr.html or ordered by contacting the National 
Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, 330 C Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20447; phone (800) 394-3366; fax (703) 385-3206; e-
mail [email protected].
    Logic Model: A logic model is a tool that presents the conceptual 
framework for a proposed project and explains the linkages among 
program elements. While there are many versions of the logic model, 
they generally summarize the logical connections among the needs that 
are the focus of the project, project goals and objectives, the target 
population, project inputs (resources), the proposed activities/
processes/outputs directed toward the target population, the expected 
short- and long-term outcomes the initiative is designed to achieve, 
and the evaluation plan for measuring the extent to which proposed 
processes and outcomes actually occur. Information on the development 
of logic models is available on the Internet at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/ or http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cyfar/capbuilding/outcome/outcome_logicmdir.html.
    Use of Human Subjects: If your evaluation plan includes gathering 
data from or about clients, there are specific procedures which must be 
followed in order to protect their privacy and ensure the 
confidentiality of the information about them. Applicants planning to 
gather such data are asked to describe

[[Page 23789]]

their plans regarding an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. For 
more information about use of human subjects and IRB's you can visit 
these Web sites: http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/irb/irb_chapter2.htm#d2 
and http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/humansubjects/guidance/ictips.htm.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time (EST) on June 29, 2004. Mailed applications received 
after the closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are received on or before 4:30 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time (EST) on June 29, 2004. Applications must be mailed to 
the following address: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group 
Inc., ATTN: Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-
2132.
    Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant 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 ACYF 
Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ATTN: Children's Bureau, 
118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, between Monday and Friday 
(excluding Federal holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/
package containing the application with the note ``ATTN: Children's 
Bureau.'' Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.
    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 in the current 
competition.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations 
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.
Required Forms

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit               Required content       Required form or format        When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SF424...........................  Per required form.....  May be found at http://      See application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/grants/form.htm.
2. SF424A..........................  Per required form.....  May be found at http://      See application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/grants/form.htm.
3.a. SF424B........................  Per required form.....  May be found at http://      See application due
                                                              www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/grants/form.htm.
3.b. Certification regarding         Per required form.....  May be found at http://      See application due
 lobbying.                                                    www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/grants/form.htm.
3.c. Disclosure of Lobbying          Per required form.....  May be found at http://      See application of due
 Activities (SF-LLL).                                         www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/    date.
                                                              ofs/grants/form.htm.
4. Project Summary/Abstract........  Summary of application  See instructions in this     See application due
                                      request.                funding announcement.        date.
5. Project Description.............  Responsiveness to       See instructions in this     See application due
                                      evaluation criteria.    funding announcement.        date.
6. Proof of non-profit status......  See above.............  See above..................  See application due
                                                                                           date.
7. Indirect cost rate agreement....  See above.............  See above..................  See application due
                                                                                           date.
8. Letters of agreement & MOUs.....  See above.............  See above..................  See application due
                                                                                           date.
9. Non-Federal share letter........  See above.............  See above..................  See application due
                                                                                           date.
    Total application..............  See above.............  Application limit 60 pages   See application due
                                                              total including all forms    date.
                                                              and attachments. Submit
                                                              one original and two
                                                              copies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms
    Private-non-profit organizations may submit with their applications 
the additional survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants.''

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'', and 45 CFR Part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 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

[[Page 23790]]

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 differentiate clearly 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., Washington, DC 20447.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for these projects 
shall not exceed 8 percent. Funds from this grant cannot be used to 
match title IV-E training funds.
    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
solicitation.

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 
address below by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on or before the 
closing date. Applications should be mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, 
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ATTN: Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    For Hand Delivery: Applicant must provide an original application 
with all attachments, signed by an authorized representative and two 
copies. The application must be received at the address below by 4:30 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on or before the closing date. 
Applications that are hand delivered will be accepted between the hours 
of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be 
delivered to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., ATTN: 
Children's Bureau 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. It is 
strongly recommended that applicants obtain documentation that the 
application was hand delivered on or before the closing date. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    Electronic Submission: Please see Section IV. 2. Content and Form 
of Application Submission, for guidelines and requirements when 
submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information. The project description is 
approved under OMB control number 0970-0139 which expires 3/31/2004. 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.

Instruction

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.

1. Criteria

General Instruction for Preparing Full Project Description

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.
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.
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,

[[Page 23791]]

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 bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled.
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.
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 subrecipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must 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). 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.

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 (noncontractual), 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.
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

[[Page 23792]]

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.

Specific Evaluation Criteria

    The following criteria will be used to review and evaluate each 
application. The applicant should address each criterion in the project 
description. The point values (summing up to 100) indicate the maximum 
numerical weight each criterion will be accorded in the review process.

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance

    In reviewing the objectives and need for assistance, the following 
factors will be considered: (20 points).
    (1) The extent to which the application demonstrates an 
understanding of the requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act 
of 1997 and the Child and Family Services Reviews, and the extent to 
which the proposed project will contribute to meeting those 
requirements. The extent to which the application demonstrates a clear 
understanding of child welfare training issues.
    (2) The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the need for a curriculum and training program to 
strengthen child welfare staff ability to provide culturally competent 
services to Hispanic children and families involved in the child 
welfare system.
    (3) The extent to which the application presents a thorough review 
of the relevant literature that reflects a clear understanding of the 
research on best practices and promising approaches as it relates to 
the proposed project. The extent to which the review of the literature 
sets a sound context and rationale for the project. The extent to which 
it provides evidence that the proposed project is innovative and, if 
successfully implemented and evaluated, likely to contribute to the 
knowledge base on improving child welfare training and practice in 
serving Hispanic children and families.
    (4) The extent to which the application presents a clear vision for 
the proposed child welfare training project to be developed and 
implemented. The extent to which the applicant makes a clear statement 
of the goals (end products of an effective project) and objectives 
(measurable steps for reaching these goals) of the proposed project. 
The extent to which these goals and objectives closely relate to the 
training needs of public child welfare agency frontline workers and 
supervisory staff in serving Hispanic children and families.
    (5) The extent to which the lessons learned through the proposed 
project would benefit policy, practice and theory development in 
addressing the training needs of child welfare staff providing services 
to Hispanic children and families in the child welfare system.
    (6) The extent to which the proposed project would develop a strong 
university/child welfare agency partnership to further the goal of 
improving child welfare related training and technical assistance to 
frontline workers and supervisors.

Criterion 2. Approach

    In reviewing the approach, the following factors will be 
considered: (50 points).
    (1) The extent to which there is a sound timeline for effectively 
implementing the proposed project, including major milestones and 
target dates. The extent to which the proposed project would complete 
the development, field testing and revisions of an effective training 
program in a timely manner and conduct a thorough evaluation of its 
effectiveness within the 3 year project time frame.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project would enhance child 
welfare agency capacity to provide coordinated services through 
knowledge development and enhanced skills and abilities to transfer 
knowledge into practice. The extent to which specific measurable 
outcomes will occur as a result of the proposed training of public 
child welfare staff. The extent to which there will be a strong 
relationship between the proposed competency-based training and 
improved outcomes for Hispanic children and families.
    (3) The extent to which there will be an effective administrative 
and organizational interface between the applicant and the appropriate 
State child welfare agencies, Hispanic Organizations, community 
agencies, academic departments, other disciplines, institutions, etc. 
The extent to which there are appropriate letters of commitment from 
these partner organizations.
    (4) The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the challenges of improving the approaches to training 
within a public child welfare agency that provides services to Hispanic 
children and families with multiple problems. The extent to which the 
application demonstrates a thorough understanding of the challenges 
that the proposed project will have in providing training to support 
and enhance public child welfare agency staff capabilities for 
achieving child welfare outcomes for Hispanic children and families. 
The extent to which the applicant provides a sound plan explaining how 
the project would successfully overcome these challenges.
    (5) The extent to which the proposed project will effectively train 
child welfare personnel to provide culturally competent services to the 
Hispanic population.
    (6) The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
up-to-date knowledge from child welfare training research and 
literature. The extent to which the proposed training project is 
innovative and involves training strategies that build on, or are an 
alternative to, existing strategies.
    (7) The extent to which the project's evaluation plan would measure 
achievement of project objectives, customer satisfaction, acquisition 
of competencies, effectiveness of program services and project 
strategies, the efficiency of the implementation process, and the 
impact of the project. The extent to which the methods of evaluation 
would provide performance feedback, support periodic assessment of 
program progress and provide a sound basis for program adjustments. The 
extent to which the proposed evaluation plan would be likely to yield 
useful findings or results about effective strategies, and contribute 
to and promote evaluation research and evidence-based practices that 
could be used to guide replication or testing in other settings. The 
extent to which applicants that do not have the in-house capacity to 
conduct an objective, comprehensive evaluation of the project present a 
sound plan for contracting with a third-party evaluator specializing in 
social science or evaluation, or a university or college to conduct the 
evaluation.
    (8) The extent to which there is a sound plan for documenting 
project activities and results, including the development of a data 
collection infrastructure that is sufficient to support a 
methodologically sound and rigorous evaluation. The extent to which 
relevant data would be collected. The extent to which there is a sound 
plan for collecting these data, securing informed consent and 
implementing an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review, if applicable.
    (9) The extent to which there is a sound plan for developing useful 
products during the proposed project

[[Page 23793]]

and a reasonable schedule for developing these products. The extent to 
which the intended audience (e.g., researchers, policymakers, and 
practitioners) for product dissemination is comprehensive and 
appropriate. The extent to which the dissemination plan includes 
appropriate mechanisms and forums that would effectively convey the 
information and support successful replication by other interested 
agencies.
    (10) The extent to which there is a sound plan for continuing this 
project beyond the period of Federal funding.

Criterion 3. Organizational Profiles

    In reviewing the organizational profiles, the following factors 
will be considered: (20 points).
    (1) The extent to which the application evidences sufficient 
experience and expertise in training public child welfare staff, 
especially in the area of service delivery involving Hispanic 
populations; in developing child welfare curricula; in collaboration 
with child welfare agencies on training initiatives; in culturally 
competent service delivery; and in administration, development, 
implementation, management, and evaluation of similar projects. The 
extent to which each participating organization (including partners 
and/or subcontractors) possesses the organizational capability to 
fulfill their assigned roles and functions effectively (if the 
application involves partnering and/or subcontracting with other 
agencies/organizations) in serving Hispanic populations.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project director and key 
project staff possess sufficient relevant knowledge, experience and 
capabilities to implement and manage a project of this size, scope and 
complexity effectively (e.g. resume). The extent to which the role, 
responsibilities and time commitments of each proposed project staff 
position, including consultants, subcontractors and/or partners, are 
clearly defined and appropriate to the successful implementation of the 
proposed project with respect to serving Hispanic populations. The 
extent to which the author of this proposal will be closely involved 
throughout the implementation of the proposed project.
    (3) The extent to which there is a sound management plan for 
achieving the objectives of the proposed project on time and within 
budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, for accomplishing 
project tasks and ensuring quality. The extent to which the plan 
clearly describes the effective management and coordination of 
activities carried out by any partners, subcontractors and consultants 
(if appropriate). The extent to which there would be a mutually 
beneficial relationship between the proposed project and other work 
planned, anticipated or underway with Federal assistance by the 
applicant.

Criterion 4. Budget and Budget Justification

    In reviewing the budget and budget justification, the following 
factors will be considered: (10 points).
    (1) The extent to which the costs of the proposed project are 
reasonable, in view of the activities to be conducted and expected 
results and benefits.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant's fiscal controls and 
accounting procedures would ensure prudent use, proper and timely 
disbursement and accurate accounting of funds received under this 
program announcement.

2. Review and Selection Process

    When the Operations Center receives your application it will be 
screened to confirm that your application was received by the deadline. 
Federal staff will verify that you are an eligible applicant and that 
the application contains all the essential elements. Applications 
received from ineligible organizations and applications received after 
the deadline will be withdrawn from further consideration.
    A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily experts from outside 
the Federal government) will use the evaluation criteria described in 
this announcement to evaluate each application. The reviewers will 
determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide 
comments about the strengths and weaknesses and give each application a 
numerical score.
    All applications will be reviewed and evaluated using four major 
criteria: (1) Objectives and need for assistance, (2) approach, (3) 
organizational profiles, and (4) budget and budget justification. Each 
criterion has been assigned a point value. The point values (summing up 
to 100) indicate the maximum numerical weight each criterion may be 
given in the review and evaluation process.
    Reviewers also are evaluating the project products and materials 
that you propose. They will be interested in your plans for sustaining 
your project without Federal funds if the evaluation findings are 
supportive. Reviewers will be looking to see that the total budget you 
propose and the way you have apportioned that budget are appropriate 
and reasonable for the project you have described. Remember that the 
reviewers only have the information that you give them--it needs to be 
clear, complete, and concise.
    The results of the competitive review are a primary factor in 
making funding decisions. In addition, Federal staff conducts 
administrative reviews of the applications and, in light of the results 
of the competitive review, will recommend applications for funding to 
the ACYF Commissioner. ACYF reserves the option of discussing 
applications with other funding sources when this is in the best 
interest of the Federal government. ACYF may also solicit and consider 
comments from ACF Regional Office staff in making funding decisions. 
ACYF may take into consideration the involvement (financial and/or 
programmatic) of the private sector, national, or State or community 
foundations; a favorable balance between Federal and non-Federal funds 
for the proposed project; or the potential for high benefit from low 
Federal investment. ACYF may elect not to fund any applicants having 
known management, fiscal, reporting, programmatic, or other problems 
which make it unlikely that they would be able to provide effective 
services or effectively complete the proposed activity.
    With the results of the peer review and the information from 
Federal staff, the Commissioner of ACYF makes the final funding 
decisions. The Commissioner may give special consideration to 
applications proposing services of special interest to the Government 
and to achieve geographic distributions of grant awards. Applications 
of special interest may include, but are not limited to, applications 
focusing on unserved or inadequately served clients or service areas 
and programs addressing diverse ethnic populations.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Applications will be reviewed during the Summer 2004. Grant awards 
will have a start date no later than September 30, 2004.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Financial Assistance Award 
which will set forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and 
conditions of the grant or cooperative agreement, the effective date of 
the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, 
the non-Federal share to be provided, if applicable, and the total 
project period for which support is contemplated. The

[[Page 23794]]

Grants Management Office signs and issues the award notice.
    The Commissioner will notify organizations in writing when their 
applications will not be funded. Every effort will be made to notify 
all unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions 
are made.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and 45 CFR Part 92
    Faith-based organizations that receive funding may not use Federal 
financial assistance, including funds, to meet any cost-sharing 
requirements or to support inherently religious activities, such as 
worship, religious instruction, or prayer.

3. Reporting

    Reporting Requirements: Programmatic Reports and Financial Reports 
are required semi-annually with final reports due 90 days after the 
project end date. All required reports will be submitted in a timely 
manner, in recommended formats (to be provided), and the final report 
will also be submitted on disk or electronically using a standard word-
processing program.
    Within 90 days of project end date, the applicant will submit a 
copy of the final programmatic and financial reports, the evaluation 
report, and any program products to the National Clearinghouse on Child 
Abuse and Neglect, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. This is in 
addition to the standard requirement that the final program and 
evaluation report must also be submitted to the Grants Management 
Specialist and the Federal Project Officer.

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

    Marva Benjamin, 330 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20447, 202-205-8405, 
[email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    William Wilson, 330 C St SW., Washington, DC 20447, 202-205-8913, 
[email protected].

General

    The Dixon Group, ACYF Operations Center, 118 Q Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20002-2132, Telephone: (866) 796-1591.

VIII. Other Information

    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/.
    Copies of the following Forms, Assurances, and Certifications are 
available online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/grants/form.htm: Standard Form 424: Application for Federal Assistance, 
Standard Form 424A: Budget Information, Standard Form 424B: 
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, Form LLL: Disclosure of 
Lobbying, Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Standard 
Form 310: Protection of Human Subjects.
    The State Single Point of Contact SPOC listing is available online 
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

    Dated: April 23, 2004.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-9781 Filed 4-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P