[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40950-40960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15267]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement


Services to Unaccompanied Alien Children

    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant--Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2004-ACF-ORR-ZU-0007.
    CFDA Number: 93.576.
    Due Dates for Applications: August 6, 2004.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by section 462(a) 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, (6 U.S.C. 279(a)), which 
transferred responsibility of the Unaccompanied Alien Children's 
Program (UAC) from the Commissioner of the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service (INS) to the Director of the Office of Refugee 
Resettlement (ORR) of the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS).
    To implement the UAC program, the Director of ORR will utilize the 
refugee children foster care system established pursuant to section 
412(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(d)) for 
the placement of unaccompanied alien children. All programs must comply 
with the Flores Settlement Agreement.
    Purpose and Objectives: One of the functions of the Division of 
Unaccompanied Children's Services (DUCS) within ORR is to provide 
temporary shelter care (shelter, staff secure and secure) and other 
related services to children in ORR custody (as defined in Section I 
under Provision of Care of this announcement). Shelter care services 
will be provided for the period beginning when DUCS accepts a child for 
placement and ending when the child is either released from custody or 
a final disposition of the child's immigration case results in removal 
of the child from the United States.
    This announcement provides the opportunity to fund providers for 
shelter care services. In this announcement, providers selected by ORR 
are referred to as ``Recipients.''
    The children, although placed in the physical custody of the 
Recipient, remain entirely in the legal custody of the Federal 
government (i.e., ORR).
    The population level of alien children is expected to fluctuate as 
arrivals and case dispositions occur. Program content must, therefore, 
reflect differential planning of services to children in various stages 
of personal adjustment and administrative processing. Although the 
population of children is projected to consist primarily of 
adolescents, Recipients are expected to be able to serve some children 
who are under 12 years old.
    Recipients of these funds are to facilitate the provision of 
assistance and services for each alien child including, but not limited 
to: physical care and maintenance, access to routine and emergency 
medical/mental health care, dental services, legal services, 
comprehensive needs assessment, education, recreation, individual and 
group counseling by licensed clinicians, access to religious services 
and other social services.
    Recipients may be required to provide other services if ORR 
determines in advance that a service is reasonable and necessary for a 
particular child.
    Recipients are expected to develop and implement an appropriate 
individualized service plan for the care and maintenance of each child 
in accordance with his/her needs as determined in an intake assessment. 
In addition, Recipients are required to implement and administer a case 
management system which tracks and monitors children's progress on a 
regular basis to ensure that each child receives the full range of 
program services in an integrated and comprehensive manner.
    Shelter care services shall be provided in accordance with 
applicable State child welfare statutes and generally accepted child 
welfare standards, practices, principles, and procedures. Services must 
be delivered in an open type of setting without a need for 
extraordinary security measures. Recipients are, however, required to 
design programs and strategies to discourage runaways and prevent the 
unauthorized absence of children in their care.
    Service delivery is expected to be accomplished in a manner which 
is sensitive to the culture, native language and needs of these 
children.

Client Population

    It is anticipated that the client population will generally consist 
of males and females, 12 to17 years of age. Males constitute the 
majority while females comprise less than 17 percent of the total 
population of alien children. These minors are primarily nationals of 
El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, People's Republic 
of China and India; however, Recipients can expect to provide services 
to significant numbers of children from other countries. Recipients 
must also be prepared to provide child-care services to a limited 
number of children 12 years of age and younger.

[[Page 40951]]

Definition of Unaccompanied Alien Child

    An unaccompanied alien child is a child who:

(a) Has no lawful immigration status in the United States;
(b) Has not attained 18 years of age; and
(c) With respect to whom:
(i) There is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or,
(ii) No parent or legal guardian in the United states available to 
provide care and physical custody. (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2))

Allowable Activities

    All programs will be required to meet the Minimum Standards for 
Licensed Programs (Exhibit 1 of the Flores Statement Agreement) which 
requires that all unaccompanied alien children be provided with the 
following services as stated in Section I of this announcement: 
maintenance, medical, assessment, education, recreation/leisure, mental 
health services, individual counseling and group counseling, 
acculturation, orientation, access to religious services, visitation, 
right to privacy, family reunification services, legal service 
orientation and access to legal services such as pro bono attorney 
information and referral.

Geographic Locations

    Applications submitted pursuant to this announcement must plan for 
the delivery of services to a population of at least 12 to 18 beds with 
a licensed capacity for future expansion based on the needs of the 
funding agency. The care facility should be located within a 30-mile 
radius of the metropolitan areas identified below:
     One of the following cities: New York, NY; Newark, NJ; 
Philadelphia, PA; or Wilmington, DE (Shelter Care Program).
     Phoenix or Tucson, AZ (Secure Program).
     Los Angeles or San Diego, CA (Staff Secure Program).
     One of the following cities: San Francisco, Oakland or San 
Jose, CA (Shelter Care Program).
     Seattle or Tacoma, WA (Staff Secure Program).
    The geographical location of the Recipient is not restricted to a 
selected area of service. However, the Recipients must be able to 
substantiate that their network of local affiliates or their 
subcontractor(s) or sub-recipient(s) will be able to deliver the 
required services effectively and appropriately and that local service 
provider organizations are licensed under applicable State law to 
provide shelter care and related services to dependent children.
    The provision of services will include: A structured, safe and 
productive environment which meets or exceeds respective State 
guidelines and Minimum Standards for services designed to serve 
children under ORR care and custody.

Provision of Care (Minimum Standards for Licensed Programs)

    Licensed programs shall comply with all applicable State child 
welfare laws and regulations and all State and local building, fire, 
health and safety codes and shall provide or arrange for the services 
listed below for each child in their care based on the respective 
States regulations and the Minimum Standards for Licensed Programs as 
stated in Flores Settlement Agreements. The applicants must set forth 
in detail the following service areas:
    1. Maintenance: Proper physical care and maintenance, including 
suitable living accommodations, food, appropriate clothing, and 
personal grooming items.
    2. Medical: Appropriate routine medical and dental care, family 
planning services, and emergency health care services, a complete 
medical examination (including screening for infectious disease) within 
48 hours of admission, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the 
child was recently examined at another facility; appropriate 
immunization in accordance with the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), 
Centers for Disease Control; administration of prescribed medication 
and special diets; appropriate mental health interventions when 
necessary.
    3. Assessment: An individualized needs assessment which includes: 
(1) Initial intake and assessment forms; (2) essential data relating to 
the identification and history of the child and family; (3) 
identification of the child's mental health and medical special needs 
including any specific issues which appear to require immediate 
intervention; (4) an educational assessment and plan; (5) an assessment 
of family relationships and interaction with adults, peers and 
authority figures; (6) a statement of religious preference and 
practice; (7) an assessment of the child's personal goals, strengths 
and weaknesses; and (8) identifying information regarding immediate 
family members, other relatives, godparents or friends who may be 
residing in the United States and may be able to assist in family 
reunification.
    4. Education: Educational services, Monday through Friday, 
appropriate to the child's level of development, and communication 
skills in a structured classroom setting which concentrates primarily 
on the development of basic academic competencies, and secondarily on 
English Language Training (ELT). The educational program shall include 
instruction, educational materials and other reading materials in such 
languages as needed. Basic academic areas should include Science, 
Social Studies, Mathematics, Reading, Writing and Physical Education. 
The Recipient shall provide children with appropriate reading materials 
in languages other than English for use during the children's leisure 
time.
    5. Recreation/Leisure: Activities according to a recreation and 
leisure time plan that includes daily outdoor activities, weather 
permitting, at least one hour per day of large muscle activity and one 
hour per day of structured leisure time activities (this should not 
include time spent watching television). Activities should be increased 
to a total of three hours daily on days when school is not in session.
    6. Mental Health: Referral to or provision of mental health 
services, such as crisis intervention, including protocols and 
standards for emergency mental health situations; on-site or outpatient 
therapy and counseling; psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and 
medication management; psychological evaluation and assessment; 
therapeutic residential treatment; in-patient psychiatric care and 
other clinical interventions identified as appropriate by ORR.
    7. Individual Counseling: At least one individual counseling 
session per week conducted by a licensed clinician with the specific 
objectives of reviewing the child's progress, establishing new short-
term objectives, and addressing both the developmental, immediate 
concerns and special needs of each child.
    8. Group Counseling: Programs shall conduct group counseling 
sessions/community meetings at least twice a week. This is usually an 
informal process and takes place with all the children present. It is a 
time when new children are given the opportunity to get acquainted with 
the staff, other children, and the rules of the program. Community 
meeting shall be an open forum where everyone gets a chance to speak. 
Daily program management is discussed and decisions are made about 
recreational activities, etc. Social work staff shall have a curriculum 
for group therapy that may be altered depending on the needs of the 
population. Group goals should include: managing aggressive thoughts/
behaviors, improving social skills (including

[[Page 40952]]

accepting feedback, disappointment, respect for authority, etc) and 
understanding the grieving stages and identifying grieving strategies.
    9. Acculturation: Acculturation and adaptation services that 
include information regarding the development of social and inter-
personal skills which contribute to the ability to live independently 
and responsibly.
    10. Orientation: Upon admission, a comprehensive orientation 
regarding program intent, services, rules (written and verbal), 
expectations and the availability of legal assistance.
    11. Religious Access: Whenever possible, access to religious 
services of the child's choice.
    12. Visitation: Visitation and contact with family members 
(regardless of the family's immigration status) that is structured to 
encourage such visitation. The staff shall respect the child's privacy 
while reasonably preventing the unauthorized release of the child.
    13. Right to Privacy: A reasonable right to privacy, which includes 
the right to: (1) Wear his or her own clothes, when available; (2) 
retain a private space in the residential facility, group or foster 
home for the storage of personal belongings; (3) talk privately on the 
phone, as permitted by the house rules and regulations; (4) visit 
privately with guests, as permitted by the house rules and regulations; 
and (5) receive and send uncensored mail unless there is a reasonable 
belief that the mail contains contraband.
    14. Family Reunification Services: Family reunification services 
designed to identify relatives in the United States as well as in 
foreign countries and assistance in obtaining legal guardianship when 
necessary for the release of the child.
    15. Legal Services Orientation: Legal services information 
regarding the availability and coordination of free legal assistance, 
the right to be represented by counsel at no expense to the government, 
the right to a removal hearing before an immigration judge, the right 
to apply for political asylum or to request voluntary departure in lieu 
of removal.
    16. Cultural Sensitivity: Service delivery is to be accomplished in 
a manner which is sensitive to the age, culture, religion, dietary 
needs, native language and the complex needs of each child.
    17. Rules: Program rules and discipline standards shall be 
formulated with consideration for the range of ages and maturity in the 
program and shall be culturally sensitive to the needs of alien 
children. Children shall not be subjected to corporal punishment, 
humiliation, mental abuse or punitive interference with the daily 
functions of living, such as eating or sleeping. Any sanctions employed 
shall not: (a) Adversely affect either a child's health, or physical or 
psychological well-being; or (b) deny a child regular meals, sufficient 
sleep, exercise, medical care, correspondence privileges, or legal 
assistance.
    18. Service Plan: A comprehensive and realistic individual plan for 
the care of each child must be developed in accordance with the child's 
needs as determined by the individualized needs assessment. Individual 
plans shall be implemented and closely coordinated through an operative 
case management system.
    19. Language Capacity: Programs shall hire and maintain staff that 
speaks the language of the children under their care.
    20. Record Keeping: Programs shall develop, maintain and safeguard 
individual client case records. Agencies and organizations are required 
to develop a system of accountability which preserves the 
confidentiality of client information and protects the records from 
unauthorized use or disclosure. The records of clients served under 
this program are ORR's records.
    21. Reporting to ORR: Programs shall maintain adequate program and 
financial records and make regular reports as required by ORR that 
permit ORR to monitor and enforce the Flores Settlement Agreement and 
other requirements and standards as ORR may determine are in the best 
interests of the children.

Program Design

    The applicants must set forth in detail information concerning the 
following:
    1. Agency Qualifications: A comprehensive overview of the applicant 
agency, agency qualifications and history, including philosophy, goals 
and history of experience with respect to the provision of child 
welfare or related services to children under 18 years of age from 
various cultural backgrounds and with various language capabilities.
    2. Management Plan:

a. A plan for overall fiscal and program management and accountability.
b. A description of the organizational structure and lines of authority 
(organization chart).
c. A comprehensive program staffing plan and information regarding 
staff qualifications.
d. A comprehensive plan for coordination of activities between the 
various program components and coordination with other community and 
governmental agencies.
e. Staff supervisory model.
f. Provisions for staff training.
g. Proposed staff schedule(s).
h. A description of the role(s) and responsibility (ies) of the 
proposed consultants and the rationale for their use.
i. Listing of all federal, state, or local funded grants and/or 
contracts received.

    3. Individual Client Service Plans--Applicants shall describe in 
detail:

    a. The methodology regarding the development of individual client 
service plans;
    b. The process to ensure that service plans will be periodically 
reviewed and updated; and,
    c. The staff that will have responsibility for the development of 
updating of the plans.
    4. Case Management--Describe in detail the case management system 
for tracking and monitoring client progress on a regular basis to 
ensure that each child receives the full range of program services in 
an integrated and comprehensive manner. Identify the staff positions 
responsible for coordinating the implantation and maintenance of the 
case management system.
    5. Structure and Accountability--Applications must fully describe:
    a. The plan for developing and maintaining internal structure, 
control and accountability through programmatic means.
    b. Utilization of daily logs to track program activities.
    c. Ability to produce statistical reports to track referral 
demographics and performance.
    d. Ability to maintain a comprehensive children's database.

Characteristics of Program Site

    Residential/Office Facility. Applicants are required to set forth 
in detail comprehensive information regarding:
    1. A physical description of the proposed facility including the 
proposed allocation of office space (this shouldn't include new 
facility construction but to prove that applicants have facilities);
    2. Diagrams, blueprints or drawings of the proposed facility;
    3. Documentation that the facility meets all relevant zoning, 
licensing, fire, safety and health codes required to operate a 
residentially based social service program. Copies of relevant 
documents must be submitted at the time of application;

[[Page 40953]]

    4. Facility ownership or leasing agreements must be fully explained 
and documented.

Level of Care and Custody

    Levels of care are specific to geographic location as specified in 
Section I under Geographic Locations. All Minimum Standards apply. 
Applicants must apply based on their location and the corresponding 
level of care as reflected below (one application per location).
    a. Shelter Care: Recipients shall provide shelter care, which could 
include group home care, and other related services to UACs. This 
shelter level of care will provide children with a structured, safe, 
and productive environment which meets or exceeds respective State 
guidelines and standards for similar care. The design of the shelter 
care program and facility should be in full compliance with the Flores 
Settlement Agreement including Minimum Standards for Licensed 
Programs..
    Areas where Shelter Care Programs are needed: San Francisco, 
Oakland or San Jose, CA (one northern CA location only); Philadelphia, 
PA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; or Wilmington, DE (only one in Mid 
Atlantic location)
    b. Staff Secure (Medium Secure) Care: The staff secure facility 
should be designed for children who require close supervision but do 
not need placement in juvenile correctional facilities. This setting 
should significantly reduce/eliminate the use of physical restraints 
and facilitate a ``safe-haven shelter'' setting rather than a 
``juvenile detention'' environment. The facility provides a heightened 
level of staff supervision, communication and services in a structured, 
licensed shelter care setting. Placements include children with 
adjudicated delinquency, chargeable offense (probable cause), 
conviction for a crime, or the subject of delinquency proceedings. 
Children with serious behavior issues in shelters, minor escape 
history/threats, or special supervision requirements, may be placed in 
staff secure facilities. Programs should be designed for children with 
minor offenses, isolated offenses not within a pattern or practice of 
criminal activity, offenses that do not involve serious violence 
against a person and petty/minor offenses. Examples of offender history 
could include: Shoplifting, joy riding, disturbing the peace, breaking 
and entering, vandalism, drug offenses, and driving under the influence 
(DUI). Program design should be consistent with the government's 
interest to ensure timely appearance before the immigration court and 
to protect the child's well-being and that of others.
    Non-offender children must be separated from delinquent offenders. 
The program is required to maintain stricter security measures and 
higher staffing ratios than shelters in order to control problem 
behavior and discourage flight. Security and accountability are 
maintained through procedures, staffing patterns, and effective 
communication rather than bars, locks and restraints which are 
historically associated with juvenile detention. A staff secure 
facility must have a fence and security gate. There should be effective 
monitoring so that entry to and egress from the building can be 
controlled. Community trips are limited and controlled. The overall 
atmosphere should reflect a shelter rather than a detention center. 
There should be no lock-down procedures typically associated with 
traditional juvenile correctional (detention) facilities (e.g., strip 
searches, use of mechanical restraints, cell-like sleeping rooms, lack 
of privacy, razor wire etc.). Each staff secure facility should have 
the capability to upgrade ``line of sight'' supervision to 100 percent 
constant ``line of sight and sound'' staff supervision for a specific 
child. For example, constant supervision would be implemented rather 
than simply a 15 minute or 30 minute bed check. The facility should not 
exceed the level of security permitted under State law for a licensed 
shelter care facility which is necessary for children placed in its 
care. Specialized services should also be available for children with 
drug and alcohol problems and other special mental health needs with 
access to bi-lingual clinical assessments. Case management services 
should include reunification efforts and the preparation of 
reunification packets (for procedures how to prepare reunification 
packets, please refer to ORR/DUCS Guidance Letter FY04-9, 
April 26, 2004) when appropriate. The staff secure facility should 
focus special attention on the security and staffing requirements 
detailed in the ``ORR Program Procedure Manual'' (Draft Pending) 
(Exhibit 1) and the ``Flores Settlement Agreement'' (Exhibit 2). Staff 
secure facilities must be in the compliance with the Flores Settlement 
Agreement, including the Minimum Standards for Licensed Programs.
    Areas where Staff Secure Care Programs are needed: Seattle or 
Tacoma, WA and Los Angeles or San Diego, CA.
    c. Non-traditional Secure Detention: Secure detention is typically 
reserved for children who have exhibited serious violent or criminal 
behavior that endangers others, such as carrying weapons in support of 
violence, having serious escapes risk/history, committing serious sex 
offenses, being documented gang members/leaders, and demonstrating 
extremely disruptive behavior in shelter/staff secure facilities. This 
small facility should have no more than 12 beds with typically a 
population of fewer than 12 children. Rather than using traditional 
juvenile detention centers, ORR/DUCS is asking for the design of small 
non-traditional secure programs in several strategic locations.
    In addition to meeting child welfare standards/services and the 
staff secure levels of care, this secure detention facility should have 
the capability to physically restrain a violent child during an 
emergency. However, this should be limited to emergencies and escape 
precautions during transport and not be part of routine practice. 
Additionally, soft restraint technology, rather than hard restraints 
should be utilized (metal hand-cuffs, metal shackles, metal ``belly 
chains'' are not authorized in the non-traditional secure facility). In 
accordance with state detention standards, the facility, rooms, and 
windows may be locked. The proposal should be responsive to the 
``Standards for Small Juvenile Detention Facilities'' detailed by the 
American Correctional Association (ACA), 3rd ed. (1991) and published 
supplements to those standards (Exhibit 3). These standards provide 
detailed information regarding small detention requirements. Moreover, 
Recipients are required to meet the Minimum Standards as stated in 
Exhibit 1 of the Flores Settlement Agreement.
    Areas where Secure Care Programs are needed: Phoenix or Tucson, 
Arizona.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreements.
    Description of Federal Substantial Involvement with Cooperative 
Agreement: ORR directs and supports grantees in the design and 
implementation of program activities, services and facilities; 
designing protocols or procedures; assisting in the selection of 
contractors (if applicable); key project staff; provide guidance in the 
collection and analysis of data and modification of project activities.
    Anticipated Total Program Funding Amount: $5.4 million per budget 
period.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 5 per budget period.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Award: $1 million per budget 
period, $1.2 million per budget period each for

[[Page 40954]]

California Locations. The award amount is for planning purposes only.
    Floor of Individual Amount Awards: $800,000 per budget period.
    Average Anticipated Award Amount: $900,000 per budget period.
    Budget Period for Awards: 12 months.
    Project Period for Awards: 60 months.
    Awards will be for one-year budget periods. The Project Period will 
be September 30, 2004, to September 29, 2009. Applications for 
continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the one-year 
budget period may be entertained on a non-competitive basis, subject to 
availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project, and a 
determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the 
government.

III. Eligibility Information

III. 1. Eligible Applicants

    Non-profit organizations including faith-based organizations 
incorporated under State law which have demonstrated child welfare, 
social service or related experience and are appropriately licensed (at 
the time of submission of the application) for the provision of shelter 
care, foster care, group home care, and related services to dependent 
children are eligible to apply.
    For-profit organizations incorporated under State law which have 
demonstrated child welfare, social services or related experience, and 
are appropriately licensed (at the time of submission of the 
application) for the provision of shelter care, foster care, group home 
care, and other related services to dependent children, and which can 
clearly demonstrate that only actual costs and not profit, fees, or 
other elements above cost have been budgeted, are also eligible to 
apply.
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
     Only one application per agency will be accepted.
     No agency is guaranteed an award.
     No agency is guaranteed that the amount of an award made 
to it will be in the same amount as its request.
    The Director of ORR reserves the right to award more or less 
funding to any individual applicant or in total for all applicants 
based on the quality of the applications and the best interest of the 
Government. In cases where ORR proposes to award an amount less than an 
agency's application request, the agency will be required to submit a 
revised budget and budget narrative showing how the agency proposes to 
spend the amount ORR is proposing to award to the agency. If an agency 
fails to submit a commensurate revised budget within the time 
requested, the agency will forfeit the award.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status.
    Proof of non-profit status is 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 certificate.
    (c) A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, 
or other appropriate State official certifying 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 establishes non-profit 
status.
    (e) Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a 
State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the 
parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.

III. 2. Cost-Sharing/Matching

    None.

III. 3. Other (if Applicable)

    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 Dunn 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 on 1-866-705-5711, or you may request a number 
online at http://www.dnb.com.
    Please see section V.1 Evaluation Criteria for further information 
on reasons why applications will be considered non-responsive and 
returned without review.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV. 1 Address To Request Application Package

    Please contact: Name: Tsegaye Wolde, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services, 901 D Street, SW., 6th Floor East, 
Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-5144. E-mail: [email protected].
    URL to obtain application package: http://www.Grants.Gov.

IV. 2 Content and Form of Application Submission

    The required application package will include the following:
Application Content
    Each application must include the following components:
    1. Table of Contents
    a. Abstract of the Proposed Project--very brief, not to exceed one 
page (would be suitable to use in announcing the grant award, if 
selected) and which identifies the type of project, the target 
population, and the major elements of the work plan.
    b. Completed Standard Form 424--signed by an official of the 
organization applying for the grant who has authority to legally 
obligate the organization.
    c. Standard Form 424A--Budget Information-Non Construction 
Programs.
    d. Narrative Budget Justification--for each object class category 
required under Section B, Standard Form 424A.
    e. Project Narrative--A narrative that addresses issues described 
in the ``Application
    f. Review Information and the Evaluation Criteria sections of this 
announcement.
    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.
    Private non-profit organizations may voluntarily submit with their 
applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents and 
Forms'' titled ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants'' at 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    2. Application Format
     Submit application materials on white 8\1/2\ x 11 inch 
paper only. Do not use colored, oversized or folded materials.
     Please do not include organizational brochures or other 
promotional materials, slides, films, clips, etc.

[[Page 40955]]

     The font size may be no smaller than 12 pitch and the 
margins must be at least one inch on all sides.
     Number all application pages sequentially throughout the 
package, beginning with the abstract of the proposed project as page 
number one.
     Please present application materials either in loose-leaf 
notebooks or in folders with page two-hole punched at the top center 
and fastened separately with a slide paper fastener.
    3. Page Limitation
     Each application narrative should not exceed 20 pages 
double-spaced.
     Attachments and appendices should not exceed 20 pages and 
should be used only to provide supporting documentation such as 
administration charts, position descriptions, resumes, and letters of 
intent or partnership agreements.
     A table of contents and an executive summary should be 
included but will not count in the page limitations.
     Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the 
attachments and appendices.
     This limitation of 20 pages should be considered as a 
maximum, and not necessarily a goal.
     Application forms are not to be counted in the page limit. 
Any applications that exceed the page limit will not be scored.
     Please do not include books or videotapes as they are not 
easily reproduced and are therefore inaccessible to the reviewers. The 
review panel will not consider submitted material which exceeds the 20 
page limit.
    4. Required Standard Forms
     Applicants requesting financial assistance for a non-
construction project must sign and return with their applications the 
Standard Form 424B (Assurances: Non-Construction Programs).
     Applications must provide a Certification Regarding 
Lobbying on Standard Form LLL. Prior to receiving an award in excess of 
$750,000.00, 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 applications, 
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 the Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
     The forms (Forms 424, 424 A-B; and Certifications 
including Certification Regarding Lobbying; and Environmental Tobacco 
Smoke) may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm 
under new announcements.
     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 
offline, 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 http://www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    Please see Section V. 1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing 
the project summary/abstract and the full project description.

IV. 3 Submission Dates and Times

    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
(eastern time zone) August 6, 2004. Mailed or hand carried applications 
received after 4:30 p.m. on 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 the deadline time 
and date at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary 
Grants, Attention: Sylvia M. Johnson, Grants Management Officer, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th floor, Washington, DC 20447. Applicants 
are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using 
all mail services, to ensure that the applications are received on or 
before the deadline time and date.
    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., e.s.t., at the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of 
Discretionary Grants ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading dock), 
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between 
Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). This address must 
appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the note 
``Attention: Sylvia M. Johnson, Grants Officer''. Applicants are 
cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as 
agreed.
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax.
    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 mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.''

[[Page 40956]]



                                                 Required Forms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit                 Required Content      Required form or format       When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents...................  As described in section  Consistent with guidance  By application due
                                       IV.2. above.             in ``Application          date.
                                                                Format'' section of
                                                                this announcement.
Abstract of Proposed Project........  Brief abstract that      Consistent with guidance  By application due
                                       identifies the type of   in ``Application          date.
                                       project, the target      Format'' section of
                                       population and the       this announcement.
                                       major elements of the
                                       proposed project.
Completed Standard Form 424.........  As described in section  May be found on http://   By application due
                                       IV.2. above and per      www.acf.hhs.gov/          date.
                                       required form.           programs.ofs/forms.htm.
Completed Standard Form 424A........  As described in section  May be found on http://   By application due
                                       IV.2. above and per      www.acf.hhs.gov/          date.
                                       required form.           programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Narrative Budget Justification......  As described in section  Consistent with guidance  By application due
                                       IV.2. above.             in ``Application http://  date.
                                                                www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                                programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Project Narrative...................  A narrative that         Consistent with guidance  By application due
                                       addresses issues         ``Application Format''    date.
                                       described in the         section of this
                                       ``Application Review     announcement.
                                       Information'' and the
                                       ``Evaluation
                                       Criteria'' sections of
                                       this announcement.
Reason for automatic Rejection......  Lack of State Licensing  All recipients must       By application due
                                                                demonstrate that          date.
                                                                facilities have been
                                                                approved by local State
                                                                licensing Authorities.
Certifications regarding lobbying     As described in section  May be found on http://   By application due
 and environmental tobacco smoke.      IV.2. above and per      www.acf.hhs.gov/          date.
                                       required form.           programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Required form or
         What to submit             Required content          format                   When to submit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Survey for Private, Non-Profit    Per Required Form..  See http://          By application due date.
 Grant Applications.                                    www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                        programs/ofs/
                                                        forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. 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 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., 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.

IV. 5 Funding Restrictions

    Pre-award costs are not allowable charges to this program grant.

IV. 6 Other Submission Requirements

    Electronic Address to Submit Applications: http://www.Grants.gov.
    Please see Section IV. 2. Content and Form of Application 
Submission of this application, for guidelines and

[[Page 40957]]

requirements when submitting applications electronically.
    Submission by Mail: Mailed applications shall be considered as 
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the 
deadline time and date at: U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of grants 
management, Division of Discretionary Grants, Attention: Sylvia M. 
Johnson, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Applicants 
are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, when using 
all mail services, to ensure that the applications are received on or 
before the deadline time and date.
    Hand Delivery: 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., e.s.t., at the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Grants management, Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF 
Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding 
Federal holidays). This address must appear on the envelope/package 
containing the application with the note ``Attention: Sylvia M. 
Johnson.'' Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed. ACF cannot accommodate 
transmission of applications by fax or e-mail.

V. Application Review Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 25 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.

V.1 Evaluation Criteria

    ORR will screen all applications submitted pursuant to this notice 
to determine whether an application is sufficiently complete to warrant 
consideration and review by the ORR Review Panel. Applications must be 
received by the closing date and meet all of the requirements contained 
in this notice. The awards are subject to the availability of funds. 
Applicants will be reviewed, evaluated, rated, and numerically ranked 
by an independent panel of experts on the basis of weighted criteria 
listed in this notice. All final funding decisions are at the 
discretion of the Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
    An application may be rejected if:
    a. The application is from an ineligible applicant;
    b. The application is received after the closing date;
    c. The application omits:
    i. Documented written evidence of community support for the 
program;
    ii. A comprehensive line-item budget with appropriate descriptive 
narrative, or;
    iii. A copy of the latest financial audit of the applicant.
    General Instructions: ACF is particularly interested in special 
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 repetitive 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.
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.
Introduction
    Applicants required submitting 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 expand and clarify 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.
Provision of Care
    Describe in detail the required program services outlined in 
Section IV. Provision of Care.
Program Design
    Describe in detail the required program services outlined in 
Section V. Program Design.
Characteristics of Program Site
    Describe in detail the required program services outlined in 
Section VI. Characteristics of Program Site.
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.

[[Page 40958]]

    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 
to be 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.''
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 the results, state how you will determine the extent to 
which the project has achieved its stated objects 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.
Geographic Location
    Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the 
area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids 
may be attached.
Additional Information
    Following is the additional information that should be placed in 
the appendix to the application.
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
Plan for Project Continuance
    Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ceased.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.
Dissemination Plan
    Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs 
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of 
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.
Third-Party Agreements
    Include written agreements between grantees and sub-grantees or 
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must 
detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and 
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application or by application deadline.
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.

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.

Personnel

    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wage.
    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 percentage 
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,

[[Page 40959]]

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 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 (no contractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.

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. Indirect Costs may be 
reimbursed on an award only if the indirect cost rate agreement is in 
effect at the beginning of the project period/budget period and covers 
all or part of the period covered by the award.

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 page 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, Total Project 
Costs
    Self explanatory.
    Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be reviewed and evaluated 
according to the following weighted criteria:
    Evaluation Criterion I: Management Plan (Maximum: 20 Points)
     The quality of the applicant's program management and 
staffing plans as demonstrated by:
     The adequacy of the plan for program management and the 
plan for coordination between the components of the program.
     The adequacy of the plan for coordination with community 
and governmental agencies.
     The adequacy of the qualifications if the applicant 
organization, and the extent to which this organization has a 
demonstrated record as a provider of child welfare and/or other social 
services.
     The extent to which the applicant has a demonstrated 
capacity for effective fiscal management and accountability.
     The extent to which sub recipient(s)/subcontractor(s) have 
a demonstrated capacity for effective fiscal and program, management 
and accountability.
     The adequacy of the plans for staff supervision and intra-
program communication.
     The adequacy of the staffing plans in terms of the 
relationship between the proposed functions and responsibilities of the 
staff in the program, and the education and relevant experience 
required for the position.
     Clear organizational charts delineating organizational 
relationships and levels of authority, including the identification of 
the staff position accountable for the overall management, direction 
and performance of the program.
    Evaluation Criterion II: Provision of Care (Program Services) 
(Maximum: 20 Points)
    The applicant's response to the required program services, 
including a

[[Page 40960]]

description of program resources which demonstrates:
     The capacity of the program to offer comprehensive, 
integrated and differential services which meet the needs of the 
clients.
     Utilization of resources in a manner which enhances 
program control, structure and accountability.
     Provision of service in a manner which promotes and 
fosters cultural identification and mutual support.
     Ability to deal effectively with issues of culture, race, 
ethnicity and native language.
    Evaluation Criterion III: Organizational Capacity (Maximum: 15 
Points)
    The degree to which the applicant provides effective strategies of 
programmatic control, predictability and accountability as evidenced by 
the structure and continuity inherent in the program design.
    Evaluation Criterion IV: Program Design (Maximum: 15 Points)
    The degree to which the entire proposed plan for developing, 
implementing and administering a state licensed program is clear, 
succinct, integrated, efficient, cost effective and likely to achieve 
program objectives. Program design includes overall physical location 
and description of the facility and its ability to best meet the 
objectives of the program and services offered. Key to program design 
is licensed capacity for future expansion.
    Evaluation Criterion V: Case Management (Maximum: 10 Points)
    The adequacy of the plans for:
    a. Developing and updating individual client service plans; and,
    b. The proposed system of case management.
    c. Implementation and maintenance of a client computer database 
system.
    Evaluation Criterion VI: Budget (Maximum: 10 Points)
    The reasonableness of the proposed budget and budget narrative, in 
relation to proposed program activities.
    Evaluation Criterion VII: External Factors (Maximum: 10 Points)
    The degree to which the application has provided written documented 
evidence of community support and acceptance of the program.

V.2 Review and Selection Process

    Review application submitted under this program announcement will 
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received 
by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions 
in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding. It 
is necessary that applicants state specifically which priority area 
they are applying for. Applications will be screened for priority area 
appropriateness. If applications are found to be inappropriate for the 
priority area in which they are submitted, applicants will be 
contracted for verbal approval of redirection to a more appropriate 
priority area.
    Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated 
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific 
evaluation criteria. The results of these reviews will assist the 
Director and ORR program staff in considering competing applications. 
Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decision, but will not 
be the only factors considered. Applications generally will be 
considered in order of the average scores assigned by reviewers. 
However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding because 
other factors are taken into consideration. These include, but are not 
limited to, the number of similar types of existing grants or projects 
funded with ORR funds in the last five years; comments of reviewers and 
government officials; staff evaluation and input; geographic 
distribution; previous program performance of applicants; compliance 
with grant terms under previous DHHS grants; audit reports; 
investigative reports; an applicant's progress in resolving any final 
audit disallowance on previous ORR or other Federal agency grants. The 
evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed 
project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation 
criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging 
the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to an 
application which is responsive to the evaluation criteria within the 
context of this program announcement.
    Federal reviewers will be used for the review process.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1 Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive the official notice of award, 
the Financial Assistance Award (FAA), which is signed by the Grants 
Management Office. The FAA is the authorizing document whether provided 
electronically or by mail. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a 
letter from the Grants Management Office declining their request for 
funding.

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR part 400 and 45 CFR parts 74 or 92.

VI.3 Reporting Requirements

    Programmatic Reports: Quarterly Reports and a final report is due 
90 days after the end of grant period.
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually and a final report is due 90 days 
after the end of a grant period.
    Statistical Reports: As required by ORR.
    Original reports and one copy should be mailed to the Grants 
Management Contact listed in section VII Agency Contacts.
    Upon acceptance, grantees will receive formats and schedules for 
reporting on a quarterly basis for program activities and on a semi-
annual basis for financial expenditure reports.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Name: Tsegaye Wolde, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services, 901 D Street, SW., 6th Floor East, 
Washington, DC 20447. E-mail: [email protected]. Phone: 202-401-5144.
    Grants Management Office Contact: Name: Sylvia M. Johnson, Grants 
Officer, HHS, ACF, Office of Grants management, Division of 
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., 4th Floor West, 
Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-4524. E-mail: 
[email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    The Director reserves the right to award more or less than the 
funds described in this announcement. In the absence of worthy 
applications, the Director may decide not to make an award if deemed in 
the best interest of the Government. Funding for future years, under 
this announcement, is at the availability of appropriate funds. The 
Director may invite applications outside of the proposed closing date, 
if necessary, to respond to the needs of the Unaccompanied Alien 
Children.

    Dated: June 30, 2004.
Nguyen Van Hanh,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children 
and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 04-15267 Filed 7-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P