[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 107 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32825-32838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11197]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's 
Bureau; Funding Opportunity

    Funding Opportunity Title: National Quality Improvement Center on 
the Privatization of Child Welfare Services.
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-CA-0027.
    CFDA Number: 93.670.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due August 5, 2005.
    Executive Summary: The purpose of this funding announcement is to 
award a cooperative agreement for the creation of a national Quality 
Improvement Center (QIC) focused on identifying effective practices in 
the privatization of child welfare services. The QIC will assess needs 
and resources, then plan and implement research and demonstration 
activities to develop knowledge about improving child welfare services 
and systems through privatization.
    The QIC will be awarded funds for a planning period and an 
implementation phase. During the planning period, the QIC will engage 
in a collaborative process to review the literature, clarify the focus 
and refine the implementation plan for the remainder of its child 
welfare privatization knowledge-building activities. During the 
implementation phase, the QIC will sponsor (through sub-grants), 
monitor and evaluate research or demonstration projects that test a 
variety of privatization models or hypotheses at multiple sites. The 
QIC will also provide technical assistance to its sub-grantees, funded 
under this initiative.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The purpose of this funding announcement is to award a cooperative 
agreement for the creation of a national Quality Improvement Center 
(QIC) focused on identifying effective practices in the privatization 
of child welfare services. The QIC will assess needs and resources, 
then plan and implement research and demonstration activities to 
develop knowledge about improving child welfare services and systems 
through privatization.
    The QIC will be awarded funds for a planning period and an 
implementation phase. During the planning period, the QIC will engage 
in a collaborative process to review the literature, clarify the focus 
and refine the implementation plan for the remainder of its child 
welfare privatization knowledge-building activities. During the 
implementation phase, the QIC will sponsor (through sub-grants), 
monitor and evaluate research or demonstration projects that test a 
variety of privatization models or hypotheses at multiple sites. The 
QIC will also provide technical assistance to its sub-grantees, funded 
under this initiative.

Priority Area 1

National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child 
Welfare Services

1. Description
    The purpose of this funding announcement is to award a cooperative 
agreement for the creation of a national Quality Improvement Center 
(QIC) focused on identifying effective practices in the privatization 
of child welfare services. The QIC will assess needs and resources, 
then plan and implement research and demonstration activities to 
develop knowledge about improving child welfare services and systems 
through privatization.
    The QIC will be awarded funds for a planning period and an 
implementation phase. During the planning period, the QIC will engage 
in a collaborative process to review the literature, clarify the focus 
and refine the implementation plan for the remainder of its child 
welfare privatization knowledge-building activities. During the 
implementation phase, the QIC will sponsor (through sub-grants), 
monitor and evaluate research or demonstration projects that test a 
variety of privatization models or hypotheses at multiple sites. The 
QIC will also provide technical assistance to its sub-grantees, funded 
under this initiative.

Background

    Our nation's child welfare systems are faced with the challenge of 
producing positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. 
Over the past several years, many States have embarked on system 
improvement efforts in response to changes in Federal laws, shrinking 
State budgets, and/or emerging trends and innovations in the field of 
child welfare. System improvements have been further spurred by the 
CB's approach to monitoring the performance of State child welfare 
systems by assessing outcomes. These reviews seek to determine what is 
actually happening to children and families as they are engaged in 
State child welfare services, and to assist States to enhance their 
capacity to help children and families achieve positive outcomes.
    In October, 2004, the Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF)/Children's Bureau released its report on findings from the 
initial Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). This report includes 
data from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico 
regarding States' conformity with Federal standards for child welfare. 
General findings from the Federal Child and Family Services Review may 
be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwrp/results/statefindings/genfindings04/index.htm. The report discusses common 
challenges that States face in providing for the safety, permanency and 
well-being of children. One common challenge pertains to conducting 
risk and safety assessments that are sufficiently comprehensive to 
capture underlying family problems that might contribute to child 
maltreatment. Other common challenges pertain to providing sufficient 
services to children and parents when children remain in their own 
homes, monitoring participation in services, and determining on an 
ongoing basis whether the family situation has altered enough to reduce 
risk of harm to the child. Another key challenge for many States is 
having a sufficient number and type of placement options to ensure that 
a child's out-of-home placement is based on appropriateness rather than 
availability. Many States also are experiencing challenges in 
implementing concurrent planning on a consistent basis.
    Some States and counties are turning to privatization of their 
child welfare services. They believe this will move the system toward 
innovation through competition with incentives for good results. Their 
goals are to increase efficiency and effectiveness, improve outcomes 
for children and families, and control costs. Given the Children's 
Bureau's mission of child safety, permanency of placement, and well-
being of children and families, it is incumbent that new and promising 
approaches to supporting children and families be tested.
    Some child welfare services have already been privatized, some are 
in the process of being privatized and some States are considering 
privatization. Kansas and Florida have implemented statewide 
privatization efforts, while in

[[Page 32826]]

Missouri; Maine; Hamilton County, Ohio; and Wayne County, Michigan, 
initiatives are targeted to specific populations such as foster care 
and low-risk families (An Assessment of the Privatization of Child 
Welfare Services: Challenges and Successes; 2003, Freundlich, M.; 
Gerstenzang, S; Children's Rights, Inc., New York, NY).
    Growing numbers of public child welfare agencies are entering into 
arrangements with private entities to provide services for children and 
families. However, experts do not always agree on the value of these 
efforts, in terms of cost savings, efficiency, and improved outcomes 
(Experts Disagree About Benefits of Child Welfare Privatization, 
Children's Bureau Express, March, 2003 http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/nonissart.cfm?issue_id=2003-03&disp_art=610&hlt=1.
    Privatization can take a variety of forms. Privatization--
    [cir] can be State wide or limited to certain parts of States.
    [cir] can include all of child welfare, or just parts, such as 
investigation, family preservation, in-home services, adoption and/or 
foster care.
    [cir] can be done all at once, or phased in gradually.
    [cir] approaches include purchase-of-service, managed care and 
network development (i.e., contract with local lead agencies that in 
turn subcontract to create comprehensive service networks).
    [cir] service providers may be non-profit or for-profit 
organizations.
    The success of privatization initiatives--
    [cir] can be judged by the extent to which it improves outcomes for 
children and families and/or saves money.
    [cir] can depend on the quality of the performance-based contract.
    Privatization efforts take place against a backdrop of Federal law 
and regulations that must be considered as public agencies 
strategically use contracting to help them achieve their goals. These 
include, but are not limited to:
    [cir] Section 471(a) (2) of the Social Security Act, which requires 
that a single State agency administer or supervise the administration 
of the title IV-E programs to assure the uniform statewide operation of 
these programs and proper accountability to the Federal government.
    [cir] 45 CFR-205.100(b), which provide for this uniformity and 
accountability by requiring the designated single State agency to 
perform those administrative functions that require the exercise of 
discretion. The regulations prohibit the State agency from delegating 
(to other than its own officials) its authority for exercising 
administrative discretion in the administration or supervision of the 
[State] plan.
    [cir] Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76, ``Performance 
of Commercial Activities,'' which in pertinent part sets the parameters 
for identifying inherently governmental function.
    When privatizing child welfare services, the State maintains 
administrative control and ultimate responsibility for the components 
of the Child Welfare system that are being contracted out to the 
private sector.
    In 1998 the Child Welfare League of America stated ``Twenty-nine 
states reported to the Child Welfare League of America that they 
utilized a managed care or privatization model for the delivery of 
child welfare services. The states identified a total of 47 initiatives 
that were designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of 
services through changes in management tools and funding or contract 
strategies. Most of the initiatives have transferred responsibility for 
the management and delivery of services to private nonprofit agencies. 
However, the public agency has a primary role in decision making.'' 
(Managed Care and Privatization Child Welfare Tracking Project: 1998 
State and County Survey Results, McCullough, C.;Schmitt, B.; Child 
Welfare League of America).
    Through the national Quality Improvement Center on the 
Privatization of Child Welfare Services, the ACF/Children's Bureau will 
develop and disseminate knowledge about what works to States or 
counties which are considering or have chosen to privatize part or all 
of their Child Welfare system. This support is intended to improve the 
likelihood that these privatization activities will result in better 
outcomes for children and families.
    The Children's Bureau has an interest in finding answers to 
questions about privatization of child welfare services, including--
    [cir] What is currently known about challenges, successful 
strategies, lessons learned, recommendations, best practices?
    [cir] What knowledge gaps exist regarding challenges, successful 
strategies, lessons learned, recommendations, best practices?
    [cir] Is enough now known about privatization of child welfare 
services to promote it, or does the field first need to find out more 
about it? Are there aspects that can be promoted now, like best 
practices in contracting, while more is learned about other issues?
    [cir] Are there aspects of child welfare privatization that are 
more commonly practiced, or that are more effectively practiced?
    [cir] What is known about the role of faith-based child welfare 
agencies and their congregational partners in the privatization of the 
child welfare system? Is there any evidence of effective models of 
collaboration?
    [cir] Are there portions of the child welfare system that lend 
themselves to privatization more than other portions?
    [cir] Are there some areas that should not be privatized?
    [cir] What kind of contract monitoring capacity should exist within 
child welfare agencies before they undertake these efforts?
    [cir] Are there certain jurisdictions (e.g. urban/rural) or 
populations (youth, children with special needs) for which 
privatization is more appropriate?
    [cir] How is child welfare privatization similar to/different from 
privatization of other social services like child care, child support 
enforcement, health care, etc.? If there are similarities, what can be 
learned from these other privatization initiatives that can be applied 
to child welfare privatization?

Legislative Authority

    The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, Title IV-B, subpart 
2 of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 629 et seq.); see 
Section 435 (42 U.S.C. 629(e)).
    The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Section 105(b)(5)a (42 
U.S.C. 5106).
    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.

[[Page 32827]]

    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.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Quality Improvement Center on the 
Privatization of Child Welfare Services

    The Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child 
Welfare Services is expected to perform the following functions:
    (a) Develop knowledge about improving outcomes for children and 
family in the child welfare system through privatization;
    (b) Promote collaborative problem solving among sub-grantees;
    (c) Develop and implement privatization research and demonstration 
projects to promote innovation, evidence-based practice improvements, 
and advancement of knowledge about privatization of child welfare 
services;
    (d) Establish an information-sharing network to disseminate 
information on promising practices; and
    (e) Evaluate the impact of privatization on the quality, 
availability, cost-effectiveness and overall effectiveness of child 
welfare services.
    It must be emphasized that the QIC on the Privatization of Child 
Welfare Services will not assume training, technical assistance and 
information dissemination functions and responsibilities currently 
performed by the Children's Bureau National Resource Centers, 
Clearinghouses, and other T/TA Network partners.
    One distinctive function of the QIC that separates it from other 
support resources provided by the Children's Bureau is that the QIC 
will build knowledge in the area of child welfare service privatization 
by announcing and disbursing sub-grant funding to conduct research and 
demonstration projects. The QIC will also monitor and evaluate these 
research or demonstration projects and provide technical assistance and 
support to these sub-grantees.
    Research and demonstration projects sponsored by the QIC under this 
initiative must:
    (a) Develop and implement an evidence-based privatization model or 
innovative improvement through privatization of the Child Welfare 
system with specific components or strategies that are based on theory, 
research, or evaluation data;
    (b) Conduct an evaluation and cost analysis to determine the 
effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the model and its components or 
strategies using multiple measures of results; and
    (c) Produce detailed procedures and materials, based on the 
evaluation, that will contribute to and promote evidence-based 
strategies, practices and programs that may be used to guide 
replication or testing in other settings.

Specific Tasks To Be Performed by the Quality Improvement Center During 
the Planning and Implementation Phases

    Applicants are required to submit a design that clearly and 
concisely describes a strategy for a 12-month planning phase (Phase I) 
for the development of the QIC to be followed by a 48-month 
implementation phase (Phase II). In Phase II, the QIC will announce, 
award, monitor and evaluate 48-month, research and demonstration 
project sub-grants. The QIC will also provide technical assistance 
(using its own resources or through sub-contracts with other technical 
assistance providers) to sub-grantees funded under this initiative.
    The QIC will be required to cooperate fully with any evaluation 
requested by the ACF/Children's Bureau. The QIC will also be required 
to conduct an evaluation of the research and demonstration projects 
they sponsor.

Travel for Conferences and Presentations

    Within two months after the award of the 12-month planning phase of 
the cooperative agreement, the project director of the QIC will be 
required to attend a 1-day work planning meeting in Washington, DC, 
with the Federal Project Officer and other staff of the ACF/Children's 
Bureau for the purpose of discussing details of the project work plan 
and cooperative agreement.
    Additionally, 10 months after the award of the 12-month planning 
cooperative agreements, the QIC awardee will be required to make an 
oral presentation to the ACF/Children's Bureau staff in Washington, DC, 
to describe and defend their plan for the Phase II-Version A 
implementation (described below). Applicants are advised to propose 
sending three project staff to make the presentation--the project 
director, the evaluator and one other key partner).
    The budget for the 12-month planning grant should include funding 
for these three meetings in Washington, DC: the project director's 
meeting within two months, the three-person presentation meeting at 
month 10, and two key staff persons to the ACF/Children's Bureau annual 
grantees meeting, usually held in the spring. In each of the four 
implementation years, the QIC awardee will be expected to send only the 
project director and the evaluator to the annual grantee meeting.

Plan for Phase I (Planning)

    Applicants are expected to present a Phase I plan that addresses 
the components described in the Background section of this announcement 
and includes, but is not limited to: (1) An analysis of the current 
state of privatization in child welfare, and the issues and 
opportunities privatization presents for improving child welfare 
practice and (2) a feasible and appropriate method for conducting a 
comprehensive needs assessment; (3) a systematic approach for fine 
tuning the topic focus and refining the implementation plan; (4) a 
strategy for developing a comprehensive review of the literature and 
best practices; (5) an approach and method for the timely development 
of the Phase II implementation plan; and (6) a preliminary design for 
the Phase II-Version A implementation plan that presents a clear and 
comprehensive vision of how the proposed QIC would operate.
    Although applicants will be accorded considerable flexibility in 
developing a strategy tailored to the needs and resources they identify 
in their Year 1 comprehensive needs assessment, it is anticipated that 
applications for the first year of funding must present a method for 
completing the following tasks during Phase I:
    (a) Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment that describes and 
evaluates the effectiveness of current child welfare service 
privatization efforts and identifies service gaps, knowledge gaps, and 
other issues (e.g., legal, cultural, administrative) related to the 
effective privatization of child welfare services. This assessment 
should include, but not be limited to, the collection and analysis of 
data on the following factors, as appropriate:
     Demographic characteristics of the children and families 
receiving privatized child welfare services and the disposition of 
these cases (e.g., investigated, referred to social services, or 
referred to court);
     Availability of agencies and community-based organizations 
that can provide privatized services (including drug/alcohol and mental 
health

[[Page 32828]]

treatment facilities and programs) for families involved in the child 
welfare system;
     Legal, administrative, court, social service, financial 
and other issues related to the effective privatization of child 
welfare services;
     Strengths and weaknesses of current privatization 
practices pertaining to engagement, assessment, case planning and 
service delivery, monitoring and evaluation, case closure and outcomes 
for children;
     Agencies on the national, regional, State and local level 
that are engaged in child welfare service privatization activities;
     Availability of resources on the national, regional, State 
and local level; and
     Gaps in knowledge and resources on the national, regional, 
State and local level.
    In developing a strategy for conducting the needs assessment, 
applicants are advised to propose methods that do not require 
respondents to complete written surveys or questionnaires, because 
these surveys will require prior approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB). The OMB approval process takes approximately 5-6 
months. Methods that do not require prior OMB approval include 
conference calls, focus groups, and unstructured telephone or in-person 
interviews.
    (b) Conduct a literature review that provides a comprehensive 
analysis of the research and promising practices nationally and 
regionally on privatization of child welfare services, including 
cultural, financial, legal, bureaucratic and other barriers to the 
effective privatization of child welfare services;
    In the implementation phase (Phase II), the QIC will focus on 4 
years of research/demonstration projects. Therefore, the work plan has 
to be of sufficient scope and magnitude to merit intensive 
investigation. The activities identified in the work plan and the 
findings from the research and demonstration projects sponsored by the 
QIC should have a high probability of significantly advancing theory, 
policy and evidence-based practice in the field. Additionally, and as 
explained below, the research and demonstration projects implemented in 
Phase II should be designed to evaluate multiple approaches and/or 
multi-site interventions on the selected focus topic. This strategy 
dictates that the number of subjects (e.g., children, families, social 
service providers, case workers, supervisors) be large enough to 
sustain a rigorous, methodologically sound implementation and 
evaluation plan.
    Because the QIC initiative is funded through a cooperative 
agreement, the work plan will be subject to final approval by the 
Children's Bureau.

Plan for Phase II--Version A: Implementation

    In Phase I, the QIC will be required to develop and submit a Phase 
II--Version A plan for announcing and awarding research and 
demonstration sub-grants, and monitoring and evaluating these projects. 
These plans are expected to build on knowledge gained from a review of 
the literature and promising practices in the field, the results from 
the comprehensive needs assessment, and input from other sources.
    Applicants are required to submit a preliminary design for Phase 
II--Version A in this application that presents a clear and 
comprehensive vision of how the proposed QIC would operate. Applicants 
are expected to describe the approach and processes that will be used 
to develop the implementation plan, and address anticipated logistical 
and administrative issues. The Phase II--Version A plan will be due 9 
months after the award of the cooperative agreement and must include, 
but not be limited to, the following components:
    1. Comprehensive review of the literature developed during the 
planning phase (Phase I);
    2. Conceptual framework or logic model describing the linkages 
between and among the (a) attributes of the populations, problems, 
conditions, and systems that are the target of the interventions; (b) 
strategies; (c) resources; (d) traditional and innovative services/
strategies to be provided; and (e) short- and long-term outcomes;
    3. Administrative structure for announcing the availability of 
funding, and reviewing and awarding sub-grants, including program 
description, eligibility, funding levels, application evaluation 
criteria and selection process. Eligible applicants for sub-grants will 
be those agencies that have authority over the child welfare functions 
to be privatized;
    4. The QIC will be required to provide technical assistance to 
prospective sub-grantees to assist them in designing initiatives that 
meet the standards for research and demonstration projects funded under 
this initiative. The design of these projects must be evidence-based 
with specific components or strategies that are based on theory, 
research, or evaluation data. They must also pertain to issues of 
national scope and incorporate logic models and an evaluation 
framework.
    At a minimum, technical assistance provided by the QIC to 
prospective sub-grantees should consist of instructions and materials 
providing information on grant application requirements, suitable grant 
topics, the role of partnerships and collaborations, program and 
research designs, data sources and data collection strategies, and 
evaluation designs and analytic techniques. Other vehicles for 
providing technical assistance may be proposed. For example, QIC 
applicants may propose conducting a 1-day workshop open to all 
prospective grantees in the designated geographical region. The 
workshop should be designed to provide information and answer questions 
of attendees;
    5. Technical assistance to sub-grantees awarded funding by the QIC. 
The QIC will be required to not only monitor the operations of the sub-
grantee projects, but also provide ongoing support, guidance, and 
technical assistance to sub-grantees to assist them in project 
implementation, data collection and evaluation;
    6. Administrative and management structure for ensuring that sub-
projects are implemented within 90-days of the award of their funding 
by the QIC, monitoring sub-grants funded under this initiative, 
including appropriate plans for fiscal accountability from the sub-
grantees;
    7. Mechanisms for forming and maintaining a consortium and 
information-sharing network consisting of partnerships with and among 
sites awarded grants sponsored by the QIC (The Children's Bureau 
anticipates that the members of the consortium will meet regularly to 
exchange information and engage in collaborative problem-solving 
efforts.);
    8. Methodology for evaluating sub-grantee research and 
demonstration projects, including ensuring that appropriate qualitative 
and quantitative process and outcome data are collected by sub-grantees 
and participating agencies and organizations;
    9. Strategy for information dissemination, including fostering and 
strengthening communication and coordination activities with National 
Resource Centers and Clearinghouses including, but not limited to, the 
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and the National 
Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information; and
    10. Institutionalize linkages with appropriate agencies, 
organizations and resources on the local, State or Federal level that 
are addressing issues pertaining to the prevention and treatment of 
child abuse and neglect and

[[Page 32829]]

the functions and operations of child welfare services.
    Presentation. Ten months after the award of the cooperative 
agreement, the grantee will be required to make an oral presentation to 
the ACF/Children's Bureau staff in Washington, D.C., to describe and 
defend their Phase II--Version A implementation plan.

Plan for Phase II--Version B: Implementation

    One month after the presentation, the QIC will be required to 
submit a revised implementation work plan (Plan for Phase II--Version 
B) incorporating the recommendations of the Children's Bureau staff. 
This plan will be subject to further review and approval by the ACF/
Children's Bureau prior to continuation funding.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement.
    Federal Substantial Involvement with Cooperative Agreement: A 
cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding Federal 
assistance in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. A 
cooperative agreement clearly defines the respective responsibilities 
of the ACF/Children's Bureau and the grantee prior to the award. The 
ACF/Children's Bureau anticipates that agency involvement will produce 
programmatic benefits to the recipient otherwise unavailable to them 
for carrying out the project. The involvement and collaboration 
includes ACF/Children's Bureau review and approval of planning stages 
of the activities before implementation phases may begin; ACF/
Children's Bureau involvement in the establishment of policies and 
procedures that maximize open competition, and rigorous and impartial 
development, review and funding of grant or sub-grant activities, if 
applicable; and ACF/Children's Bureau and recipient joint collaboration 
in the performance of key programmatic activities (i.e., strategic 
planning, implementation, information technology enhancements, training 
and technical assistance, publications or products, and evaluation). It 
also includes close monitoring by the Children's Bureau of the 
requirements stated in this announcement that limit the grantee's 
discretion with respect to scope of services offered, organizational 
structure and management processes, coupled with close ACF/Children's 
Bureau monitoring during performance, which may, in order to ensure 
compliance with the intent of this funding, exceed those Federal 
stewardship responsibilities customary for grant activities.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $900,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 0 to 1.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $900,000.
    Average Projected Award Amount Per Budget Period: $900,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 60 month project with five 12 month 
budget periods; Other.
    Explanation of Other: The maximum Federal share of this project is 
not to exceed $900,000 per period. In years 2-5 the grantee will use 
$550,000 per year for operating the QIC and will award the balance of 
the grant funds ($350,000 per year) to sub-grantees. The project 
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 controlled institutions of higher education, Non-profits 
having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of 
higher education, Non-profits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with 
the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private 
institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than 
small businesses, Small businesses.
    Additional Information on Eligibility: Partnerships are encouraged 
between for-profit and non-profit agencies and universities with 
experience in child welfare and privatization issues, but applications 
should identify a primary applicant responsible for administering the 
grant.
    Faith-based and community organizations that meet all other 
eligibility criteria are eligible to apply.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    Yes.
    In year 1 the required match is 10 percent of the total project, 
based on the $900,000 Federal share. 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 $900,000 in Federal 
funds for the first budget period must provide a match of at least 
$100,000 (10 percent of the total approved project costs) in the first 
budget period. In years 2-5 the required match is 10 percent based on 
the $550,000 of the Federal share which the QIC uses to operate the 
project. In years 2-5 the QIC will not be required to match the 
$350,000 which is awarded by the QIC to its sub-grantees.
    The project or activity will have a greater likelihood of success 
if the grantee contributes to the costs of the project. 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.

[[Page 32830]]

     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 eligible 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: ACF/
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 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 90 pages total including all forms and 
attachments. Pages over this page limit will be removed from the 
application and will not be reviewed.
    The ACF/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 Roman or 
Courier). Pages must be numbered.
    All copies of an application must be submitted in a single package, 
and a

[[Page 32831]]

separate package must be submitted for each funding opportunity. The 
package must be clearly labeled for the specific funding opportunity it 
is addressing.
    Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or include 
separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts, maps, 
brochures, or any other items that cannot be processed easily on a 
photocopy machine with an automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or 
fasten in any way separate subsections of the application, including 
supporting documentation; 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.
    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.
    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 ACF/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 ACF/Children's Bureau's Web site (http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb) provides a wide range of information and links to other 
relevant Web sites. Before you begin preparing an application, we 
suggest that you learn more about the mission and programs of the 
Children's Bureau by exploring the Web site.
    Organizing Your Application. The specific evaluation criteria in 
Section V of this funding announcement will be used to review and 
evaluate each application. The applicant should address each of these 
specific evaluation criteria in the project description. 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 ACF/Children's Bureau 
advises that you propose contracting with a third-party evaluator 
specializing in social science or evaluation, or a university or 
college, to conduct the evaluation. A skilled evaluator can assist you 
in designing a data collection strategy that is appropriate for the 
evaluation of your proposed project. Additional assistance may be found 
in a document titled ``Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation.'' A copy 
of this document can be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/core/pubs_reports/prog_mgr.html or ordered by contacting the 
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, 330 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447; phone (800) 394-3366; fax (703) 385-
3206; e-mail [email protected].
    Use of Human Subjects. If your evaluation plan includes gathering 
data from or about clients, there are specific procedures which must be 
followed in order to protect their privacy and ensure the 
confidentiality of the information about them. Applicants planning to 
gather such data are asked to describe 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.
Originals, Copies and Signatures
    If submitting your application in paper format, an original and two 
copies of the complete application are required. 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

[[Page 32832]]

Applicants,'' at: http://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 Pub. 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 forms. 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.
    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

Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. 
(Eastern Time Zone) on the date noted above. 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 ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., 
ATTN: ACF/Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street NE., Washington, DC 20002-
2132. 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., EST, at the ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, 
Inc., ATTN: ACF/Children's Bureau, 118 Q Street NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132, between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). 
This address must appear on the envelope/package containing the 
application with the note. Applicants are cautioned that express/
overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.
    Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition. Any application received after 4:30 p.m. 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.
    Checklist:
    You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your 
application package.

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

[[Page 32833]]

 
Non-Federal Commitment Letter.  See Section III.2  See Section III.2.....  By Time 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  See form.........  Found in http://        By application due date (with
 Grant Applicants.                                  www.acf.hhs.gov/        application).
                                                    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 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.
    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.
    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 an 
explanation of due dates. Applications should be mailed to: c/o The 
Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: ACF/Children's Bureau, Attention: ACYF 
Operations Center, 118 Q St., NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    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: c/o The Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: ACF/Children's Bureau, 
Attention: ACYF Operations Center, 118 Q St., NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132.
    Electronic Submission: http://www.Grants.gov Please see Section 
IV.2 for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications 
electronically.

V. Application Review Information

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

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 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
    The following are instructions and guidelines on how to prepare the 
``project summary/abstract'' and ``full project description'' sections 
of the application. Under the evaluation criteria section, note that 
each criterion is preceded by the generic evaluation requirement under 
the ACF Uniform Project Description (UPD).

[[Page 32834]]

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, information responsive to each of the requested evaluation 
criteria must 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 in a 
manner that is clear and complete.
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.
    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.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners, such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, 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

[[Page 32835]]

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.

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.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs
    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

[[Page 32836]]

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 (i.e., 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 complete 
all the activities described in this funding announcement within the 5 
year project time frame.
    2. The extent to which the overall design and strategies to be used 
by the proposed QIC demonstrate an understanding of issues in the child 
welfare system and in child welfare service privatization, and the 
characteristics, needs and services currently available to children and 
families brought to the attention of the child welfare system.
    3. The extent to which the plan for conducting the needs assessment 
is: (a) Appropriate and feasible; (b) likely to result in the 
development of a comprehensive description and evaluation of the 
current state of child welfare privatization; and (c) likely to 
identify knowledge gaps and barriers to the effective privatization of 
child welfare services.
    4. The extent to which the strategy for refining the focus for the 
QIC during the planning year will involve input from a wide range of 
stakeholders, including key national, regional, State, and local 
agencies and organizations.
    5. The extent to which the Phase I plan presents a feasible and 
appropriate method for conducting a comprehensive review of the 
literature that includes the identification of best practices and 
promising approaches in child welfare service privatization.
    6. The extent to which the applicant's preliminary design for Phase 
II-Version A:
    a. Demonstrates that the implementation plan would be developed in 
a manner which is likely to result in the timely production of a plan 
that is feasible and appropriate, and includes input from a wide range 
of relevant sources.
    b. Presents a viable conceptual framework or logic model describing 
the linkages between and among the (1) attributes of the populations, 
problems, conditions, and systems that are the target of the 
interventions; (2) resources; (3) traditional and innovative services 
to be provided; and (4) short- and long-term outcomes.
    c. Presents an appropriate and feasible approach for creating an 
administrative structure for announcing the availability of funding, 
and reviewing and awarding sub-grants, including program description, 
agency eligibility, funding levels, application evaluation criteria, 
and selection process.
    d. Presents an appropriate and feasible plan for providing 
technical assistance to prospective sub-grantees to assist them in 
designing initiatives that meet the standards for research and 
demonstration projects funded under this initiative.
    e. Presents an appropriate and feasible plan for providing support, 
guidance and technical assistance to sub-grantees to assist them in 
project implementation, data collection and evaluation.
    f. Presents an appropriate and feasible plan constructing an 
administrative and management structure for ensuring that sub-grantee 
projects are implemented within 90-days of the award of their funding 
by the QIC, monitoring and managing sub-grants funded under this 
initiative, including appropriate plans for fiscal accountability from 
the sub-grantee projects.
    g. Presents a feasible and appropriate approach to the formation of 
a consortium and information-sharing network consisting of partnerships 
with and among sites awarded grants sponsored by the QIC.
    h. Presents a feasible and appropriate methodology for evaluating 
and conducing a cost analysis of sub-grantee research and demonstration 
projects, including ensuring that appropriate qualitative and 
quantitative process and outcome data are collected by sub-grantee 
sites and participating agencies and organizations.
    i. Presents feasible and appropriate strategies for information 
dissemination, including fostering and strengthening communication and 
coordination activities with National Resource Centers and 
Clearinghouses including the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and 
Neglect and the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect 
Information.
    j. Identifies and addresses the conceptual, management and 
logistical issues involved in developing and implementing the QIC-
sponsored research and demonstration projects.
    k. Presents a clear and comprehensive vision of how the proposed 
QIC would operate once sub-grants are awarded.
    7. The extent to which there will be an effective administrative 
and organizational interface between the applicant and key partners. 
The extent to which the application includes appropriate letters of 
commitment from these partner organizations.
    8. The extent to which the project's evaluation plan would address 
both the entire project, and each of its sub-parts. The extent to which 
the evaluation would measure achievement of project objectives, 
customer satisfaction, acquisition of competencies, effectiveness of 
program services and project strategies, the efficiency of the 
implementation process, the effect of privatizing services on outcomes 
for children and family in the child welfare system, the cost-
effectiveness of privatized services, and the impact of the project. 
The extent to which the methods of evaluation would provide performance 
feedback, support periodic assessment of program progress and provide a 
sound basis for program adjustments. The extent to which the proposed 
evaluation plan would be likely to yield useful findings or results 
about effective strategies, and contribute to and promote evaluation 
research and evidence-based practices that could be used to guide 
replication or testing in other settings. The extent to which 
applicants that do not have the in-house capacity to conduct an 
objective, comprehensive evaluation of the project present a sound plan 
for contracting with a third-party evaluator specializing in social 
science or evaluation, or a university or college to conduct the 
evaluation.
    9. 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.
    10. 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., researchers, policymakers, and practitioners) for product 
dissemination

[[Page 32837]]

is comprehensive and appropriate. The extent to which the dissemination 
plan includes appropriate mechanisms and forums that would effectively 
convey the information and support successful replication by other 
interested agencies.
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 administration, development, 
implementation, management, and evaluation of similar projects. The 
extent to which each participating organization (including partners 
and/or subcontractors) possesses the organizational capability to 
fulfill their assigned roles and functions effectively (if the 
application involves partnering and/or subcontracting with other 
agencies/organizations).
    (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.
    (3) The extent to which there is a sound management plan for 
achieving the objectives of the proposed project on time and within 
budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, for accomplishing 
project tasks and ensuring quality. The extent to which the plan 
clearly describes the effective management and coordination of 
activities carried out by any partners, subcontractors and consultants 
(if appropriate). The extent to which there would be a mutually 
beneficial relationship between the proposed project and other work 
planned, anticipated or underway with Federal assistance by the 
applicant.
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 applicant demonstrates an understanding 
of the goals and objectives of this Quality Improvement Center on 
Privatization of Child Welfare Services initiative. The extent to which 
the application presents a clear vision for the proposed project to be 
developed and implemented. The extent to which the applicant makes a 
clear statement of the goals (end products of an effective project) and 
objectives (measurable steps for reaching these goals) of the proposed 
project. The extent to which these goals and objectives closely relate 
to objectives of this funding announcement. The extent to which the 
applicant demonstrates how the proposed project would contribute to 
achieving these goals and objectives.
    2. The extent to which the application demonstrates an 
understanding of the Child Welfare System and applicable laws, and 
Federal policies regarding the contracting of Child Welfare services.
    3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates an understanding 
the challenges facing the child welfare system and the current status 
of existing services.
    4. The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the need for developing and disseminating knowledge 
about child welfare privatization. The extent to which the applicant 
clearly describes and documents the types and extent of barriers to 
privatizing child welfare services; and the potential benefits of child 
welfare service privatization.
    5. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear and 
concise vision of the role of the QIC in implementing the proposed 
project.
    6. The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the challenges of privatizing child welfare services. 
The extent to which the application demonstrates a thorough 
understanding of the challenges that the proposed project will have in 
developing knowledge about child welfare service privatization. The 
extent to which the applicant provides a sound plan explaining how the 
project would successfully overcome these challenges.
    7. The extent to which the proposed QIC, if successfully 
implemented, would build the knowledge base about best practices in 
child welfare service privatization.
    8. The extent to which the application presents a thorough review 
of the relevant literature that reflects a clear understanding of the 
research on best practices and promising approaches as it relates to 
the child welfare system and privatization of child welfare services. 
The extent to which the review includes a description of the cultural, 
financial, legal, bureaucratic and other types of barriers to the 
efficient and effective privatization of child welfare services. 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 child welfare service privatization.
    9. The extent to which the proposed QIC would build an 
infrastructure of collaborative partnerships and information networks 
that will promote research and innovative demonstration projects that 
will contribute to increased knowledge or understanding of the 
problems, issues, and effective strategies and practices in the field 
of child welfare service privatization.
    10. The extent to which the proposed QIC, if successfully 
implemented, would be likely to yield findings or results that may be 
used by other agencies and organizations interested in privatization of 
child welfare services. The extent to which the lessons learned through 
the proposed project would benefit policy, practice and theory 
development related to privatization of child welfare services.
    11. The extent to which the proposed QIC, if successfully 
implemented, is likely to develop strategies and sponsor research and 
demonstration projects that can be replicated by other regions and/or 
agencies addressing the same or similar problems and, as appropriate, 
the potential for implementation in a variety of settings.
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. The extent to which the applicant 
will provide the required match (see Section III.2).
    (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
    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review 
process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application 
copies (not the original) of specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals specified in the application budget.
    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application.

[[Page 32838]]

    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.
    Available Funds. Applicants should note that grants to be awarded 
under this program announcement are subject to the availability of 
funds.
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 in the summer of 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
Special Terms and Conditions
    None.

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

II. Agency Contacts

    Program Office Contact: Jan Shafer, Administration for Children and 
Families, Children's Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447, 
phone: 202-205-8172, 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

    Notice: Beginning with FY 2006, 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 all ACF grant announcements on the 
ACF Web site located at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/index.html.
    Additional information about this program and its purpose can be 
located on the following Web sites: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/.
    For general questions regarding this announcement please contact: 
ACYF Operations Center, The Dixon Group ATTN: Children's Bureau, 118 Q 
Street, NE., Washington DC 20002-2132, Telephone: 866-796-1591.
    Applicants will not be sent acknowledgements of received 
applications.

    Dated: May 25, 2005.
Susan Orr,
Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 05-11197 Filed 6-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P