[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 107 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32783-32794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11196]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau

    Funding Opportunity Title: Model Development or Replication to 
Implement the CAPTA Requirement to Identify and Serve Substance Exposed 
Newborns.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-CB-0050.
    CFDA Number: 93.551.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due August 5, 2005.

[[Page 32784]]

    Executive Summary: The purpose of this funding opportunity is to 
provide financial support to develop or replicate and test a model of 
policies and procedures that implement the new provisions of the Child 
Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) regarding substance exposed 
newborns. Applicants may choose to develop new models, replicate 
existing models or replicate key components of existing models of 
policies and procedures for identifying and serving families with 
children prenatally exposed to illegal drugs, and to test the 
effectiveness of the model in other settings. The projects funded under 
this priority area will incorporate features and components that hold 
promise for contributing to an expansion of the knowledge base about 
the development of effective policies and procedures for states and 
communities to use in identifying and providing services to these 
children and their families.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Model Development or Replication to Implement the CAPTA Requirement 
to Identify and Serve Substance Exposed Newborns.
    The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial 
support to develop or replicate and test a model of policies and 
procedures that implement the new provisions of the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) regarding substance exposed 
newborns. Applicants may choose to develop new models, replicate 
existing models or replicate key components of existing models of 
policies and procedures for identifying and serving families with 
children prenatally exposed to illegal drugs, and to test the 
effectiveness of the model in other settings. The projects funded under 
this priority area will incorporate features and components that hold 
promise for contributing to an expansion of the knowledge base about 
the development of effective policies and procedures for states and 
communities to use in identifying and providing services to these 
children and their families.
    Priority Area:

Model Development or Replication To Implement the CAPTA Requirement To 
Identify and Serve Substance Exposed Newborns

    The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial 
support to develop or replicate and test a model of policies and 
procedures that implement the new provisions of the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) regarding substance exposed 
newborns. Applicants may choose to develop new models, replicate 
existing models or replicate key components of existing models of 
policies and procedures for identifying and serving families with 
children prenatally exposed to illegal drugs, and to test the 
effectiveness of the model in other settings. The projects funded under 
this priority area will incorporate features and components that hold 
promise for contributing to an expansion of the knowledge base about 
the development of effective policies and procedures for states and 
communities to use in identifying and providing services to these 
children and their families.
    Background Information: State and local child welfare agencies, 
hospitals and other health care facilities, substance abuse treatment 
and other community-based agencies have been serving families with 
children prenatally exposed to illegal drugs for many years. In 
addition, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), 
recently reauthorized under the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act 
of 2003, established new legislative responsibilities regarding 
prenatally exposed infants.
    Under the new CAPTA requirement, States must have in place:
    ``(ii) Policies and procedures (including appropriate referrals to 
child protection service systems and for other appropriate services) to 
address the needs of infants born and identified as being affected by 
illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal 
drug exposure, including a requirement that health care providers 
involved in the delivery or care of such infants notify the child 
protective services system of the occurrence of such condition in such 
infants, except that such notification shall not be construed to:
    (I) Establish a definition under Federal law of what constitutes 
child abuse; or
    (II) Require prosecution for any illegal action;
    (iii) The development of a plan of safe care for the infant born 
and identified as being affected by illegal substance abuse or 
withdrawal symptoms (106(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I) and (II) and 
(b)(2)(A)(iii))''.
    Although there is a considerable body of knowledge regarding the 
impact of illegal drug use by pregnant women on their newborn children 
and a growing body of research on the benefits of early identification 
and appropriate service provision for children prenatally exposed to 
illegal drugs, information about successful policies and procedures for 
identifying and serving this population has only recently become 
available. Currently, both the National Center on Substance Abuse and 
Child Welfare and the Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center are 
undertaking efforts to identify State policies, practices, programs and 
related challenges in implementing the new CAPTA requirements.
    The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, a joint 
project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) and 
the Administration for Children and Families' Children's Bureau (ACF/
CB), is conducting a task to collect information on State policies and 
practices and exemplary programs for working with families identified 
with substance exposed newborns. In addition, the Abandoned Infants 
Assistance Resource Center, is conducting a complementary project to 
examine policies and practices, identify promising practices and 
examine the impact of the new CAPTA legislation. (For information on 
the work of these two organizations, go to http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/ and http://aia.berkeley.edu/.) It is anticipated 
that both studies will identify examples of strong approaches, 
promising practices, and model policies and procedures that could be 
considered for replication under this grant program. However, other 
models may be developed or selected for replication.
    Applications for grants under this priority area must explain why a 
new model is being developed, or, if a replication, why that model was 
chosen. The model and its key components must be described in detail. 
Applicants must propose to develop or replicate a policy and procedural 
model that is useful, effective, and positive in its approach to 
identifying these newborns and working with other relevant systems in 
establishing a safe care plan for children.
    Need/Rationale: CAPTA was reauthorized in June 2003 as part of the 
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003. A number of new 
requirements were added for State Child Protective Services (CPS) 
agencies including the requirement that States have policies and 
procedures in place for the referral to CPS of substance exposed 
newborns and the development of a plan of safe care for these children. 
This new requirement is especially significant, given that it has been 
estimated that more than 50% of child welfare cases have parental 
substance abuse as a contributing factor. In recent years,

[[Page 32785]]

some States have implemented procedures to deal with substance exposed 
newborns. In some States, the identification of a substance exposed 
newborn has required an automatic referral to CPS, while in other 
States, women giving birth to substance exposed newborns may have been 
subject to prosecution. Responses to the complex problems of substance 
exposed newborns have varied greatly from State to State from a minimal 
response to a punitive response. A comprehensive approach to addressing 
these issues should include developing appropriate mechanisms to 
identify the substance exposed newborns, ensuring the safety of the 
child, engaging parents in treatment, and fostering collaboration among 
child welfare, substance abuse, health care and other relevant 
community supports.
    It is anticipated that the projects funded under this priority area 
will contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the development of 
effective State and local policies and procedures that ensure: (1) 
Appropriate and productive collaborations among child welfare, 
substance abuse and the health care communities, and other relevant 
community agencies, and (2) identification, early assessment and 
intervention for children and families. Models to be developed or 
replicated should be consistent with the new CAPTA requirements that 
call for policies and procedures that ensure notification of child 
protective services and the establishment of a plan of safe care to 
address the needs of infants born and identified as being affected by 
illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from pre-natal 
drug exposure. Model policies and procedures should also provide 
parents and other caregivers with treatment interventions and case 
management that ensure proper infant care. Special attention should be 
given to the development of effective policies and procedures to 
improve the ability of States to meet the Child and Family Services 
Reviews (CFSR) safety and well-being indicators and outcomes related to 
child maltreatment. The legislation requires that health care personnel 
notify CPS in the event of a substance exposed birth. Therefore, 
special attention should also be given to effective collaboration among 
multiple child serving agencies and organizations.
    A unique feature of this priority area is that the first year of 
these projects is to be used for planning and developing the 
collaborative relationship among relevant agencies and programs. The 
projects are to be implemented and evaluated and findings are to be 
disseminated during the second and third years. The final report at the 
end of the third year must include a written product describing the 
model, the policies, and the evaluation of the project. At the end of 
the third year, there is potential for an additional two years of 
funding for the purposes of further dissemination and implementation of 
the project in other jurisdictions.
    As a part of their proposal, applicants are required to describe 
their strategy for a 12-month planning phase for the development of the 
model or the replication of the existing model or the selected 
components, and their strategy for a 24-month implementation and 
evaluation phase. Applicants are not expected to describe their 
strategy for possible years four and five of funding for dissemination 
and implementation.

Legislative Authority

    The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (Section 430, Title 
IV-B, subpart 2, of the Social Security Act) (42 U.S.C. 629a).
    The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Section 105(b)(5) (42 
U.S.C. 5106).
    Public Law 100-505, the Abandoned Infants Act of 1988 as amended by 
the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-36).
    Projects funded under this announcement will be expected to:
    1. Have the project fully functioning within 90 days following the 
notification of the grant award.
    2. Participate if the Children's Bureau chooses to do a national 
evaluation or a technical assistance contract that relates to this 
funding announcement.
    3. Submit all performance indicator data, program and financial 
reports in a timely manner, in recommended format (to be provided), and 
submit the final report on disk or electronically using a standard 
word-processing program.
    4. Submit a copy of the final report, the evaluation report, and 
any program products to the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and 
Neglect Information, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, within 90 
days of project end date. 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.
    5. Allocate sufficient funds in the budget to:
    (a) Provide for the project director, the evaluator and other key 
partners to attend an annual 3-day grantees' meeting in Washington, DC.
    (b) Provide for the project director, the evaluator and other key 
partners to attend an early kickoff 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
    (c) Provide for 10-15 percent of the proposed budget to project 
evaluation.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $600,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 0 to 4.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $250,000 per budget period.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $150,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 60-month project with five 12-month 
budget periods; Other.
    Explanation of Other: In the FIRST budget period, the maximum 
Federal share of each project is not to exceed $150,000. In each 
SUBSEQUENT budget period, the maximum Federal share of each project is 
not to exceed $250,000. The projects awarded will be for a project 
period of 60 months. The initial grant award will be for a 12-month 
budget period. The award of continuation 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.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State governments,
    County governments,
    City or township governments,
    Special district governments,
    State controlled institutions of higher education,
    Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized),
    Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally 
recognized
    tribal governments),
    Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education,
    Private institutions of higher education,
    For-profit organization other than small businesses,
    Small businesses.
    Additional Information on Eligibility:
    If the applicant is not the State/county child welfare/CPS agency, 
they should demonstrate a strong existing collaboration with the State/
county child welfare/CPS agency that has the

[[Page 32786]]

authority/responsibility for developing and implementing the relevant 
policies, procedures and plans.
    Non-profit and for-profit applicants should be hospitals serving 
the target population.
    Applications should demonstrate strong collaboration between the 
relevant child welfare/CPS, substance abuse and health care 
organizations.
    Collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts are acceptable, but 
applications should identify a primary applicant responsible for 
administering the grant.
    Fatherhood organizations that are otherwise eligible to apply are 
eligible to apply.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    Yes.
Matching/Cost-Sharing
    Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of the total approved 
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may 
be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. 
Therefore, a project requesting $150,000 in Federal funds (based on an 
award of $150,000 per budget period) must provide a match of at least 
$16,667 (10 percent of the total approved project costs). Grantees will 
be held accountable for commitments of non-Federal resources even if 
over the amount of the required match. Failure to provide the amount 
will result in disallowance of Federal dollars.
    Cost-sharing will not be used as a preference and/or evaluation 
criterion in the review of applications.

3. Other

    All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. On June 27, 
2003 the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal 
Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant 
applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a 
Dun & 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 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    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 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.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     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 
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     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.
    When applying electronically we strongly suggest you attach your 
proof of non-profit status with your electronic application.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: Children's 
Bureau, 118 Q St., NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    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 here and those in Section V. 
Application Review Information. Note that Federal funds provided to 
States and services or other resources purchased with Federal funds may 
not be used to match project grants.
    Certifications/Assurances. Applicants requesting financial 
assistance for non-construction 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

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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.
    In implementing their projects, grantees are expected to comply 
with all applicable administrative regulations regarding extent or 
types of costs. Applicable DHHS regulations can be found in 45 CFR Part 
74 or 92.
    Project Abstract/Summary (one-page maximum, double spaced). 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 in this sequence: (1) Objectives and Need for 
Assistance; (2) Approach; (3) Organizational Profiles; (4) Budget and 
Budget Justification.
    Match. Provide a letter of commitment verifying the actual amount 
of the non-Federal share of project costs (see Section III.2).
    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.
General Content and Form Information
    The application limit is 75 pages total including all forms and 
attachments. Pages over this page limit will be removed from the 
application and will not be reviewed.
    The Children's Bureau strongly prefers that the entire application 
(including all forms, assurances, and letters of commitment) be sent in 
one package.
    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.
    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 New Roman 
or Courier). Pages must be numbered.
    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 that 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; however, each complete copy must be stapled 
securely in the upper left corner. Applicants are advised that the 
copies of the application submitted, not the original, will be 
reproduced by the Federal government for review.
    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 
websites. 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. Applicants 
should organize their project description in this sequence: (1) 
Objectives and Need for Assistance; (2) Approach; (3) Organizational 
Profiles; (4) Budget and Budget Justification; and should use 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/opre/other_resrch/pm_guide_eval/reports/pmguide/pmguide_toc.html.
    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

[[Page 32788]]

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 that 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 their plans regarding an 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. If applicable, applicants must 
include a completed Form 310, Protection of Human Subjects. For more 
information about use of human subjects and IRB's you can visit these 
Web sites: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/irb/irb_chapter2.htm#d2 and http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/ictips.htm
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. ACF 
will not accept grant applications via e-mail or facsimile 
transmission.
    Please note the following if you plan to submit your application 
electronically via Grants.gov
     Electronic submission is voluntary but strongly 
encouraged.
     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.
     We recommend you visit Grants.gov at least 30 days prior 
to filing your application to fully understand the process and 
requirements. We encourage applicants who submit electronically to 
submit well before the closing date and time so that if difficulties 
are encountered an applicant can still send in a hard copy overnight. 
If you encounter difficulties, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk 
at 1-800-518-4276 to report the problem and obtain assistance with the 
system.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on www.Grants.gov
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format 
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application. 
The original and each of the two copies must include all required 
forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an 
authorized representative, have original signatures, and be submitted 
unbound.
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``Survey for Private, Non-Profit Grant Applicants,'' 
titled, ``Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' at: 
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Standard Forms and Certifications:
    The project description should include all the information 
requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in 
the program announcement under Section V Application Review 
Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant 
needs to complete all the standard forms required for making 
applications for awards under this announcement.
    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; SF-
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be 
reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and 
return the standard forms with their application
    Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the 
Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, 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, if 
applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must 
sign and return the certification with their application
    Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within P.L. 103-227, Title XII 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A 
copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking 
prohibition is included with this form. By signing and submitting the 
application, applicants are providing the certification and need not 
mail back the certification with the 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 the certification form. Complete 
the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances 
based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications 
may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm
    Applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies 
(not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals 
specified in the application budget and Social Security Numbers, if 
otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary 
salary information
    Those organizations required to provide proof of non-profit status, 
please refer to Section III.3.
    Please see Section V.1 for instructions on preparing the full 
project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application is due August 5, 2005.
    Explanation of Due Dates:
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is referenced 
above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants

[[Page 32789]]

are responsible for ensuring applications are mailed or submitted 
electronically well in advance of the application due 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., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Late Applications: Applications that 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.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    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.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be 
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier 
services, or by hand delivery. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 
http://www.Grants.gov.
    Checklist:
    You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your 
application package.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           What to submit                      Required content              Required form or format                     When to submit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Abstract....................  See Sections IV.2 and V...........  Found in Sections IV.2 and V  By application due date.
Project Description.................  See Sections IV.2 and V...........  Found in Sections IV.2 and V  By application due date.
Budget Narrative/Justification......  See Sections IV.2 and V...........  Found in Sections IV.2 and V  By application due date.
SF424...............................  See Section IV.2..................  See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By application due date.
                                                                           programs/ofs/forms.htm.
SF-LLL Certification Regarding        See Section IV.2..................  See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By date of award.
 Lobbying.                                                                 programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Certification Regarding               See Section IV.2..................  See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By date of award.
 Environmental Tobacco Smoke.                                              programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Assurances..........................  See Section IV.2..................  Found in Section IV.........  By date of award.
SF424A..............................  See Section IV.2..................  See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By application due date.
                                                                           programs/ofs/forms.htm.
SF424B..............................  See Section IV.2..................  See http://www.acf.hhs.gov/   By application due date.
                                                                           programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Proof of Non-Profit Status..........  See Section III.3.................  Found in Section III.3......  By date of award.
Indirect Cost rate Agreement, if      See Section IV....................  Format described in IV......  By application due date
 applicable.
Letters of commitment from partner    See Section IV....................  Format described in IV......  By application due date.
 organizations, if applicable.
Non-Federal Commitment Letter.......  See Section III.2.................  See Section III.2...........  By date of award.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 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 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, 
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate 
the date

[[Page 32790]]

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 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet 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. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by 
Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372.
    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

    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. Please see Section IV.3 for explanation 
of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: ACYF Operations Center, 
c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q St., NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, 
Attention: Children's Bureau.
    Hand Delivery: 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 time on or before the closing date. Applications that are 
hand delivered will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday. Applications should be 
delivered to: ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., 118 Q 
St., NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, Attention: Children's Bureau.
    Electronic Submission: Please see Section IV.2 for guidelines and 
requirements when submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov.

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 averag 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 April 30, 2007.
    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.
1. Criteria
General Instructions
    ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions 
that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended 
performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of 
substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are 
not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. 
Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly 
funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an 
integral part of the grant funded activity should be placed in an 
appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be 
included for easy reference.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in accordance with the 
following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation 
criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what your project 
description should include while the evaluation criteria identifies the 
measures that will be used to evaluate applications.
Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Approach
    Outline a plan of action that 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 that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

[[Page 32791]]

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. If the 
applicant is a non-profit organization, submit proof of non-profit 
status in its application.
    The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing: (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 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.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide a budget with 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. 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
    Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative 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 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 that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include 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.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
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) (currently set at $100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

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


[[Page 32792]]


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, upon notification that an award will be made, it 
should immediately develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with 
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. 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.
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 so the applicant is given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
    Evaluation Criteria:
    The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending 
order. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance 
that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need 
not develop their applications precisely according to the order 
presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer 
will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (e.g. 
from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about 
how it will be conducted).
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Approach (50 points)
    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 develop an 
appropriate implementation plan during the first year of the project, 
complete the implementation of the new model or the replication of the 
existing model or selected components in a timely manner and conduct a 
thorough evaluation of its effectiveness within the next two years of 
the project time frame.
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project would enhance the 
capacity of state and local child welfare agencies to develop and 
implement effective policies and procedures for identifying and 
coordinating timely services to substance exposed newborns and their 
families and through dissemination of findings from the projects, 
transfer knowledge into practice. The extent to which specific 
measurable outcomes will occur as a result of the proposed development 
or replication of model policies and procedures and promising 
practices. The extent to which there will be a strong relationship 
between the proposed model development or replication projects and 
improved outcomes for substance exposed newborns and their 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, substance abuse treatment agencies, 
health care providers, and other community agencies. 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 and complexities of replicating a model 
that establishes policies and procedures for the identification, 
referral and service provision to substance exposed newborns and their 
families. The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the challenges that the proposed project will have in 
planning, implementing and evaluating the project and in maintaining 
fidelity to the original program or practice being replicated. 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 be capable of 
serving diverse populations.
    (6) The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
up-to-date knowledge from child welfare, child abuse and neglect and 
substance abuse research and literature. The extent to which the 
proposed model development or replication project is innovative and 
involves 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 model development or replication or testing in 
other settings. The extent to which applicants who 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.

[[Page 32793]]

    (9) The extent to which there is a sound plan for developing useful 
products during the proposed project and a reasonable schedule for 
developing these products. The extent to which the intended audience 
(e.g., State and local officials, 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 model development or 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.
Organizational Profiles (20 points)
    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 replicating and implementing model policies 
and procedures or approaches, especially in the area of service 
delivery to substance exposed newborns and their families; in 
supporting collaboration among the child welfare, substance abuse 
treatment, and health care communities, and other relevant community 
agencies; 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 its assigned roles and functions 
effectively (if the application involves partnering and/or 
subcontracting with other agencies/organizations) in serving families 
involved with both the child welfare and substance abuse treatment 
communities.
    (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., resumes). 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 families with children 
prenatally exposed to illegal drugs.
    (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 applicable). 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.
Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 points)
    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 Child Abuse Prevention and 
Treatment Act (CAPTA), especially the requirements related to 
development of effective policies and procedures to identify and 
coordinate services to substance exposed newborns. The extent to which 
the applicant demonstrates an understanding of relevant program and 
service issues addressed in the Child and Family Services Reviews 
(CFSRs) regarding child safety and well-being. The extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of the role of the State 
and local child protective service agencies and their responsibility 
under CAPTA, for receiving notification of substance exposed births and 
for coordinating with other community agencies, particularly health and 
substance abuse treatment agencies, to ensure the safety and well-being 
of children and families.
    (2) The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of child abuse and neglect, child welfare and substance 
abuse treatment issues and services needed, as well as the need for 
policies and procedures and approaches to identify and serve families 
with children who have been born prenatally exposed to illegal drugs.
    (3) The extent to which the application presents a 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 effective policies and procedures regarding the 
identification and provision of services to substance exposed newborns 
and their families and enhancing collaboration among the child welfare, 
substance abuse, and health care communities.
    (4) The extent to which the application presents a clear vision for 
the proposed model development or replication project to be planned, 
implemented, and evaluated. 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 service needs of prenatally exposed newborns and the ability of 
agencies to replicate the critical components of successful service 
delivery policies and procedures.
    (5) The extent to which the lessons learned through the proposed 
project would benefit state and local agencies in their efforts to 
develop an effective model of interagency collaboration in the 
identification, referral and service planning and provision for 
substance exposed newborns and their families.
    (6) The extent to which the proposed project would develop a strong 
partnership among the child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and 
health care communities and other relevant community agencies to 
further the goal of improving the appropriate identification of, and 
service delivery to, substance exposed newborns and their families.
Budget and Budget Justification (10 points)
    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 and appropriate, 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
    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.
    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review 
process, applicants have the option of omitting

[[Page 32794]]

from the application copies (not the original) of specific salary rates 
or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget.
    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.
    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 underserved or inadequately served clients or service areas 
and programs addressing diverse ethnic populations.
Approved but Unfunded Applications
    Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for 
funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, 
for a period not to exceed one year.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
    Applications will be reviewed during the Summer 2005. Grant awards 
will have a start date no later than September 30, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of 
a Financial Assistance Award document which sets forth the amount of 
funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective 
date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be 
given, the non-Federal share to be provided, and the total project 
period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance 
Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal 
mail.
    Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be 
notified in writing.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (non-
governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental)
    Direct federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this 
program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities 
such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, 
organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their 
inherently religious activities from the services funded under this 
program. Regulations pertaining to the prohibition of Federal funds for 
inherently religious activities can be found on the HHS Web site at 
http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.

3. Reporting Requirements

    Program Progress Reports: Semi-Annually.
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually.
    Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial 
reports (SF 269) throughout the project period. Program progress and 
financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. In 
addition, final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days 
after the close of the project period.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Irene Bocella, Children's Bureau, 330 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, phone: 202-205-1723, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Grants Management Office Contact: Peter Thompson, Grants Officer, 
Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau, 330 C 
Street, SW. Room 2070, Washington, DC 20447, phone: 202-401-4608, e-
mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/.
    For general information regarding this announcement please contact: 
ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: Children's 
Bureau, 118 Q St., NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132, telephone: 866-796-
1591.
    Notice: Beginning with FY 2005, the Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF) will no longer publish grant announcements in the 
Federal Register. Beginning October 1, 2005, applicants will be able to 
find a synopsis of all ACF grant opportunities and apply electronically 
for opportunities via: http://www.Grants.gov. Applicants will also be 
able to find the complete text of http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.
    Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of 
received applications.

    Dated: May 25, 2005.
Susan Orr,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 05-11196 Filed 6-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P