[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33499-33508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11297]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth 
Services Bureau; FY 2005 Discretionary Grants for the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Program--Demonstration of Enhanced Services to 
Children and Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence

    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-ACYF-EV-0031.
    CFDA Number: 93.592.
    Due Date For Letter of Intent: Letter of Intent is due June 29, 
2005.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due July 25, 2005.

Executive Summary Demonstration of Enhanced Services to Children and 
Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence

    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces this 
funding opportunity to offer awards for the demonstration of enhanced 
services for children and youth who have been exposed to domestic 
violence.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authorizing Statutes and Regulations: The Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act (the Act) was originally enacted in 
sections 301-313 of Title III of the ``Child Abuse Amendments of 1984'' 
(Pub. L. 98-457, 10/9/84). The Act was most recently amended by the 
``Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003'' (Pub. L. 108-36).
    Program and Focus Areas: It is the purpose of these demonstration 
grants to provide enhanced services and support to the children and 
youth who have been exposed to domestic violence in order to mitigate 
the impact of that exposure and increase the opportunity for these 
children and youth to lead healthy, non-violent, and safe lives as 
adults. The proposed demonstrations require the collaboration of the 
State agency that administers the family violence prevention and 
services programs and the State domestic violence coalition within that 
state. The collaboration need not be limited to the above entities but 
must include them as principal participants. The lead applicant may be 
the coalition or the

[[Page 33500]]

family violence administrating State agency. The demonstration will 
address the specific effects of exposure to domestic violence, 
including the traumatic responses which may inhibit the positive 
development of children and youth.

Priority Area 1: Demonstration of Enhanced Services to Children and 
Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence

1. Description
    Background: The Safe and Bright Futures Departmental initiative 
afforded the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), within the 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration 
for Children and Families (ACF), the opportunity to support the 
development of a more comprehensive set of improved children's 
services, particularly for children and youth who have been exposed to 
domestic violence. There exists an abundance of documentation that have 
as their major premise that growing up in a violent home can 
dramatically impact children. Various studies have identified the 
emotional and cognitive costs to children exposed to domestic violence.
    In an article for the National Electronic Network on Violence 
Against Women (VAWnet, 1997) Edleson cited the associated problems with 
children witnessing violence. (Our use of ``witness'' should not be 
equated with the legal sense of the word.) Children who witnessed 
violence were also found to show more anxiety, loss of self-esteem, 
depression, anger and temperament problems. These children were also 
shown to exhibit less skill in understanding how others feel and [to 
examine] situations from other [persons] perspectives when compared to 
children from non-violent households. In addition to the behavioral and 
emotional problems, Edleson also cited cognitive, attitude, and 
physical functioning inadequacies of children who have witnessed or 
have been exposed to domestic violence.
    Parent-child relationships have been shown to be a key factor in 
how children are affected by witnessing (being exposed to) domestic 
violence (Wolfe, Jaffe, Wilson and Zak, 1985). Durant, et al. (1994) 
found that family support and children's perception of their parental 
relationship were key parental-child variables in how children were 
affected. Edleson argues, however, that we need to be aware of the over 
reliance on a single reporter in the studies that are available, that 
few investigators have ventured beyond the repeated use of the Child 
Behavior Checklist or the Trauma Symptoms Checklist. Edleson presses 
the point that there is not currently a standardized measure developed 
that addresses the unique problems experienced by children who witness 
violence at home. These experiences would include: The child's 
perception of safety, the support network among the family and friends, 
the effect of visitation arrangements, and changed economic factors. 
The experience of each child in being exposed to domestic violence is a 
unique happening. Each child, Edleson argues, depending upon its age, 
gender, time exposed, and relationships to the adults in their lives, 
will experience violence in different ways. The ultimate goal is to 
identify ways to provide safety and services to the children and to the 
adults who reside in their homes.
    The Stop Family Violence Stamp provides the revenue stream for the 
current funding opportunity in support of enhanced services to children 
who have been exposed to domestic violence. It is difficult to foretell 
the length of time that the proceeds from the sale of the stamp will be 
available but the activity has provided the energy to establish a 
comprehensive set of enhanced children's services and provide them 
through a sequence of technical assistance, training and demonstration 
efforts.
    Moreover, the current legislation for the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services program has projected that at the point that 
ACF's budget exceeds $130 million a ``portion of that excess'' must be 
dedicated to the improvement and provision of services to children who 
have been exposed to domestic violence. We view this announcement as 
being preparatory for that activity and providing us with the time and 
opportunity to engage our State and non-profit partners in the 
development of those required services, while taking advantage of the 
work that is progressing with the Safe Start Projects and the Greenbook 
collaborations.
    The need to expand services and supports for children exposed to 
domestic violence and is particularly acute in at least three areas:
     Expanding the capacity of domestic violence programs to 
address the needs of children and adolescents coming into emergency 
shelters. On average, domestic programs provide emergency shelter to 
twice as many children as adults. As contrasted to those seeking other 
types of services from a domestic -violence program, those who are 
seeking emergency shelter are typically experiencing higher levels of 
violence, are more isolated, and often lack other resources and 
supports. These children may be at higher risk for ongoing violence and 
often face the most serious disruptions in their lives due to the 
violence and their parents' attempts to escape it. This group of 
sheltered children should be a priority population for any initiative 
focusing on children exposed to domestic violence.
     Expanding the capacity of domestic violence programs to 
address the needs of non-sheltered families and their children. The 
vast majority of families reaching out for services from a domestic 
violence program neither seek nor need emergency shelter, but instead 
use other services and supports provided by the programs such as 
support groups, court and welfare advocacy services, information and 
referral, and counseling. As with the group of children referenced 
above, these are children of parents who have sought help in dealing 
with domestic violence and often need more assistance in dealing with 
its impact on their children than is currently available.
    In both of these two preceding areas, the ability of a community-
based domestic violence program, whether shelter-based or not, to 
provide specialized, age- and culturally-appropriate services and 
supports to children in the shelter, as well as their abused parent, 
varies significantly across the country and is primarily a function of 
the funding available to provide such enhanced children's services.
     Developing and enhancing community-based interventions for 
children exposed to domestic violence whose parent have not sought 
services or support from a domestic violence program. For these 
families, the design and competent use of linguistically- and 
culturally-competent screening and assessment tools becomes 
particularly important. Services and treatment, whether provided by 
faith-based organizations, child and youth agencies, schools, health or 
mental health agencies, must attend to the safety needs of children AND 
the abused parent.
    Four issues that must be attended to in all program services 
focusing on children exposed to domestic violence are:
     Ensure that these programs and services attach no stigma 
to program participation and do not define exposure to domestic 
violence as per se child abuse or neglect;
     Provide linguistically and culturally competent, as well 
as developmentally and age appropriate programming and services, which 
responsibly address confidentiality issues and custody implications;

[[Page 33501]]

     Ensure that all professionals working with children as 
part of these demonstrations receive the training they need to respond 
appropriately to children exposed to domestic violence; and
     Address the safety of the non-abusing parent and support 
their ongoing care-giving capacity.
    Minimum Requirements: These requirements identify the minimum 
expectations for the demonstration grants that are to offer and provide 
services to children who have been exposed to domestic violence. 
Applicants for these demonstration grants should:
    Specifically: Identify, design and test approaches for providing 
enhanced and direct services for the children of the abused parent 
being served in shelters or through other services of the domestic 
violence program; and/or
    Develop an expanded capacity to work within community 
collaborations and with institutional efforts focused on responding to 
children exposed to domestic violence.
    Generally: Provide specialized age- and culturally-appropriate 
services and support to children in the shelter, as well as to the 
abused parent, related to their role as parent;
    Provide the collaborative prevention/intervention services that 
will be available for children who have been exposed to domestic 
violence;
    Provide the training that needs to be available to service 
providers to effectively deliver services to children who have been 
exposed;
    Develop the process and assure the confidentiality of the children 
who have been exposed, and the adult victim of domestic violence, from 
sharing information without the informed written consent of the adult;
    Provide and design specific services that are responsive to the 
needs of children who have witnessed domestic violence, these services 
may include: Respite care; mental health care; counseling; child care; 
transportation; education; legal advocacy; and supervised visitation;
    Provide the linkages and cooperation that must be developed with 
other helping systems and agencies to ensure services and safety to the 
child and the adult victim;
    Provide and develop educational materials that are age appropriate 
for intervention and prevention services for children who have been 
exposed to domestic violence;
    Agree to cooperate and to participate in evaluation efforts 
supported by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program that 
will measure the impact and effect of the interventions, 
collaborations, and comprehensive services to the children and youth 
who have been exposed to domestic violence; and
    Develop a dissemination strategy by which the expertise, 
information and experience generated in these demonstrations can be 
distributed for maximum application to providers of services to 
children and the non-abusive adult victim.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $650,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 4 to 5.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: $130,000 per budget period.
    Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: None.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $130,000 per budget period.
    Length of Project Periods: 36 months project with three 12-month 
budget periods.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally 
recognized) and
    Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 
institutions of higher education.
Additional Information on Eligibility
    ``State governments'' refer to State agencies administering family 
violence programs.
    Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply under 
this announcement.
    Eligible applicants must present a collaboration, which at minimum 
consists of the State Domestic Violence Coalition and the State agency 
administering the family violence program in that state. The 
collaboration, which may be led by the State Domestic Violence 
Coalition, should provide documentation explicating the roles and 
protocols in the collaboration and may also include other helping 
services such as a child welfare agency, or an Indian Tribal 
Organization that serves as a local child welfare agency. Other private 
non-profit organizations/public agencies may be included in these 
collaborations if they have a documented history of work concerning the 
impact of domestic violence on children and have proof of their non-
profit status, as appropriate.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    No.

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 (www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be required for 
every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, 
including applications or plans under formula, entitlement and block 
grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.
    Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may 
acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number 
on-line at http://www.dnb.com.
    Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to 
submit proof of their non-profit status.
    Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
     A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in the IRS Code.
     A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
     A statement from a State taxing body, State attorney 
general, or other appropriate State official certifying that the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of the net 
earning accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
     A certified copy of the organization's certificate of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status.
     Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above 
for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by 
the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-
profit affiliate.
    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.

[[Page 33502]]

Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    ACYF Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Attn: FV-FYSB Funding 
for Children's Services, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132. 
Phone: 866-796-1591. E-mail: [email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent
    All applicants intending to apply for this funding are encouraged 
to submit the non-binding letter of intent, included in this 
announcement as attachment A, to the Division of Family Violence, 
Family and Youth Services Bureau by the due date (see section IV.3). 
Please fax the letter to the Family and Youth Services Bureau, 
Administration for Children and Families at (202) 260-9333, Attention: 
William Riley.
    The Division of Family Violence Prevention and Services will use 
Letter of Intent information to forecast the number of peer review 
panels needed to review competitive applications. Do not include a 
description of your proposed project. Failure to submit a Letter of 
Intent will not impact eligibility to submit an application and will 
not disqualify an application from competitive review based on non-
responsiveness.
Content and Form of Application Submission
    The narrative should be typed and double-spaced on a single-side of 
an 8\1/2\ x 11 plain white paper, with 
1 margins on all sides. All pages of the narrative 
(including charts, references/footnotes, tables, exhibits, etc.) must 
be sequentially numbered, beginning with ``Objectives and Need for the 
Project'' (see Section V) as page number one. Applicants should not 
submit reproductions of larger size paper that has been reduced to meet 
the size requirement.
    The length of the application, including the application forms and 
all attachments, should not exceed 60 pages. A page is a single side of 
an 8\1/2\ x 11 sheet of paper. Applicants are 
requested not to send pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed 
material along with their application as these present photocopy 
difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in 
the review process if they exceed the 60-page limit. Each page of the 
application will be counted to determine the total length.
    You may submit your application to us in either electronic or paper 
format.
    To submit an application electronically, please use the 
www.Grants.gov/Apply site. If you use Grants.gov, you will be able to 
download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. 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.
    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 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. Applicants must sign and

[[Page 33503]]

return the certification with their application.
    Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for 
the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 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 the 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.
    Please see Section V.1. Criteria, for instructions on preparing the 
full project description.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Due Date for Letters of Intent: June 29, 2005.
    Due Date for Applications: July 25, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is referenced 
above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants are responsible for ensuring 
applications are mailed or submitted electronically well in advance of 
the application due date.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other 
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers 
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they are 
received on or before the deadline date, between the hours of 8 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section 
IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays).
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile. 
Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF by fax will not be accepted 
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria above 
are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant 
that its application will not be considered in the current competition.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will not be 
provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier 
services, or by hand delivery. However, applicants will receive an 
electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via 
http://www.Grants.gov
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter of Intent...............  See Section IV.2.   See Attachment A......  June 29, 2005.
                                  and Attachment A.
Project Summary/Abstract.......  See Sections IV.2.  Found in Sections       By application due date.
                                  and V.              IV.2. and V.
Project Narrative/Description..  See Sections IV.2.  Found in Sections       By application due date.
                                  and V.              IV.2. and V.
Budget Narrative/Justification.  See Section V.....  Found in Section V....  By application due date.
SF424..........................  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.
Support Letters................  See Section V.....  Found in Section V....  By application due date.
Other: 3rd Party Agreements....  See Section Per     Found in Section V....  By application due date.
                                  request.
SF-LLL Certification Regarding   See Section IV.2..  See: http://            By date of award.
 Lobbying.                                            www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                      programs/ofs/
                                                      forms.htm.
Certification Regarding          See Section IV.2..  See: http://            By date of award.
 Environmental Tobacco Smoke.                         www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                                      programs/ofs/
                                                      forms.htm.
Assurances.....................  See Section IV.2..  Found in Section IV.2.  By date of award.
Proof of non-profit status.....  See Section III.3.  Found in Section III.3  By date of award.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 33504]]



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

4. Intergovernmental Review

State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    As of October 1, 2004, the following jurisdictions have elected to 
participate in the Executive Order process: Arkansas, California, 
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, 
North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. As these 
jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order 
process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert 
them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants 
must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate 
the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is 
required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a.
    Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. 
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are 
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and 
those official State process recommendations which may trigger the 
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, 
Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 4th 
floor, Washington, DC 20447.
    Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate 
in the process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the 
program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, 
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. Therefore, 
applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by 
federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to 
E.O. 12372.
    The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions 
elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following URL: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable 
activities or expenditures under this program.
    ACYF will not fund any project where the role of the applicant is 
to serve as a conduit for funds to organizations other than the 
applicant. The applicant must have a substantive role in the 
implementation of the project for which the funding is requested. This 
prohibition does not bar the making of sub-grants or sub-contracting 
for specific services or activities needed to conduct the project.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Submission by Mail: An applicant must provide an original 
application with all attachments, signed by an authorized 
representative and two copies. The application must be received at the 
address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before the closing date. 
Applications should be mailed to: Operations Center, c/o The Dixon 
Group, Inc., FV-FYSB Funding for Children's Services, 118 Q Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20002-2132.
    Attention: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF).
    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: Operations Center, c/o The Dixon Group, Inc., FV-FYSB 
Funding for Children's Services, 118 Q Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20002-2132. Attention: Administration on Children, Youth and Families 
(ACYF).
    Electronic Submission: www.Grants.gov. Please see section IV. 2 
Content and Form of Application Submission, for guidelines and 
requirements when submitting applications electronically.

V. Application Review Information

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

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 25 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and 
reviewing the collection information.
    The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-
0139 which expires 4/30/2007. 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

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.
Introduction
    Applicants required to submit a full project description shall 
prepare the project description statement in

[[Page 33505]]

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.
Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
describe the population to be served by the program. Explain how the 
project will reach the targeted population; how it will benefit 
participants.
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. Account for all functions or activities identified in the 
application.
    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.
Evaluation
    Provide a narrative addressing how the conduct of the project and 
the results of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.
Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch and job description for each key 
person appointed. Job descriptions for each vacant key position should 
be included as well. As new key staff is appointed, biographical 
sketches will also be required.
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.
Third-Party Agreements
    Provide written and signed agreements between grantees and 
subgrantees or subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These 
agreements must detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, 
remuneration, and other terms and conditions that structure or define 
the relationship.
Letters of Support
    Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders 
that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions should 
be included in the application OR by application deadline.
Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide 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-

[[Page 33506]]

Federal resources shall be detailed and justified in the budget and 
narrative justification. ``Federal resources'' refers only to the ACF 
grant for which you are applying. ``Non-Federal resources'' are all 
other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is suggested that budget 
amounts and computations be presented in a columnar format: first 
column, object class categories; second column, Federal budget; next 
column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, total budget. The 
budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
Contractual
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, 
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than 
States that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any 
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without 
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.


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

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.
    Evaluation Criteria: The following evaluation criteria appear in 
weighted descending order. The corresponding score values indicate the 
relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; 
however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely 
according to the order presented. Application components may be 
organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and 
logical flow of information (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

[[Page 33507]]

applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated 
against the following criteria:
Approach 30 Points
    The extent to which the application outlines a sound and workable 
plan of action pertaining to the scope of the project, and details how 
the proposed work will be accomplished, the provision of services and 
the range of services to be provided; relates each task to the 
objectives and identifies key staff members who will be the lead 
persons; provides a chart indicating the timetable for completing each 
task, the lead person, and the time committed; cites factors which 
might accelerate or decelerate the work, giving acceptable reasons for 
taking this approach as opposed to others; describes and supports any 
unusual features of the project, such as collaborations, agency and 
organizational relationships, design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community 
involvement in the planning and implementation.
    The extent to which the application describes the evaluation 
methodology that will be used to determine that the results and 
benefits identified are being achieved.
Results or Benefits Expected 20 Points
    The extent to which the application identifies the results and 
benefits to be derived, the extent to which they are consistent with 
the objectives of the application, the extent to which the application 
indicates the anticipated contributions to service delivery, policy, 
practice, and theory, and the extent to which the proposed project 
costs are reasonable in view of the expected results. The extent to 
which the application identifies, in specific terms, the results and 
benefits, for children who have been exposed to violence and the adult 
care giver, and for service providers, to be derived from implementing 
the proposed project. The extent to which the application describes how 
the expected results and benefits will relate to previous and/or 
ongoing demonstration efforts. The extent to which results or benefits 
expected are quantifiable in nature and able to be evaluated.
Objectives and Need for Assistance 20 Points
    Objectives: The extent to which the specific goals and objectives 
have national or local significance, the clarity of the goals and 
objectives as they relate to the identified need for and the overall 
purpose of the project, and their applicability to policy and practice. 
The provision of a detailed discussion of the objectives and the extent 
to which the objectives are realistic, specific, and achievable.
    Need: The extent to which the need for the project and the problems 
it will address have both national and local significance; the 
applicability of the project to coordination and service delivery 
efforts by national, Tribal, State and local governmental and non-
profit agencies, and its ultimate impact on domestic violence 
prevention services and intervention efforts, policies and practice; 
the relevance of other demonstrations and documentation as it relates 
to the applicant's knowledge of the need for the project.
Staff and Position Data 5 Points
    The extent to which the application describes the staffing pattern 
for the proposed project, clearly linking responsibilities to project 
tasks and specifying the contributions to be made by key staff. The 
extent to which the application describes the variety of skills to be 
used, relevant educational background and the demonstrated ability to 
produce final results that are usable and in accord with the project's 
objectives.
Budget and Budget Justification 5 Points
    The extent to which the application relates the proposed budget to 
the level of effort required to obtain project objectives and provide a 
cost/benefit analysis. The extent to which the application demonstrates 
that the project's costs are reasonable in view of the anticipated 
results.
Organizational Profiles 5 Points
    The extent to which the application describes the qualifications of 
the project team including their experiences working on similar 
projects. One or two pertinent paragraphs on each key member of the 
project team are preferred to resumes.
Evaluation 5 Points
    The extent to which the application provides a narrative addressing 
how the conduct of the project and the results of the project will be 
evaluated. In addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will 
determine the extent to which the project has achieved its stated 
objectives and the extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can 
be attributed to the project. The extent to which the application 
discusses the criteria to be used to evaluate results, discusses 
whether the evaluation will be qualitative or quantitative, and 
explains the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs 
identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and 
benefits are being achieved.
Letters of Support 5 Points
    The extent to which the letters from these agencies and 
organizations discuss the specifics of their commitment (as these 
letters must be included in the application).
Third-Party Agreements 5 Points
    The extent to which the application discusses in detail and 
provides documentation for any collaborative or coordinated efforts 
with other agencies or organizations. The extent to which the 
identification of these agencies or organizations explains how their 
participation will enhance this project.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the process, 
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.
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.

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, 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 
Family Support Initiative 2005 program shall

[[Page 33508]]

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 Equal Treatment For Faith-Based 
Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding 
of inherently religious activities, can be found at either 45 CFR 87.1 
or the HHS Web site at: http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf.

3. Reporting Requirements

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

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

    William D. Riley, Family Violence Division, 330 C Street, SW., 
Switzer Building, Room 2117, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-401-5529. 
E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Peter Thompson, Grants Officer, Administration on Children, Youth 
and Families, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer Building, 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: 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.
    Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of 
received applications.

    Dated: June 1, 2005.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth & Families.

Attachment A--Letter of Intent

Family Violence Prevention and Services Program
Family and Youth Services Bureau
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Administration for Children and Families

    To Whom It May Concern:

    I intend to apply for funds for the Demonstration of Enhanced 
Services to Children and Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic 
Violence. These funds will be made through the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Discretionary Program for Family and Youth 
Services Bureau.

 Organization:---------------------------------------------------------

 Address:--------------------------------------------------------------

 Name:-----------------------------------------------------------------

 Position:-------------------------------------------------------------

 Date:-----------------------------------------------------------------

 Phone:----------------------------------------------------------------

 FAX:------------------------------------------------------------------

 E-mail:---------------------------------------------------------------

    Please fax to (202) 206-9333.
    Please submit by June 29, 2005.

[FR Doc. 05-11297 Filed 6-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P