[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35670-35678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12157]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation; Secondary Analysis 
of Data From the National Survey of Child Abuse and Neglect

    Funding Opportunity Title: Secondary Analysis of Data from the 
National Survey of Child Abuse and Neglect (NSCAW).
    Announcement Type: Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2005-ACF-OPRE-PH-0095.
    CFDA Number: 93.647.
    Due Date For Letter of Intent or Preapplications: Three weeks prior 
to due date.
    Due Date for Applications: Application is due August 5, 2005.
    Executive Summary: Funds are available to support grants for 
secondary analysis of data available from the National Survey on Child 
and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW). NSCAW provides longitudinal data 
from multiple informants on the functioning, well-being, and services 
provided to a national probability sample of children and families who 
come into contact with the child welfare system through an 
investigation of child maltreatment. Data are available through 
licensing agreements from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and 
Neglect at Cornell University (http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu). 
Applicants' planned analyses should be designed to advance the state of 
knowledge in child maltreatment, child welfare services, child and 
family services, and/or child development for high risk children.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    The purpose of this priority area is to announce the availability 
of funds to support grants for secondary analysis of data available 
from the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being. The 
planned analyses should be designed to advance the state of knowledge 
in child maltreatment, child welfare services, child and family 
services, and/or child development for high risk children.

B. Background

    The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, authorized 
under Section 429A of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunities Reconciliation Act, is the first nationally 
representative study that examines the functioning and well-being of 
children and families who come to the attention of the child welfare 
system. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on child well-
being as a key outcome of child welfare services, and states are being 
held accountable for those outcomes, there has been little information, 
particularly on a national scale, to examine well-being within the 
context of the family and community environments and the service 
systems that are likely to affect children's functioning. NSCAW was 
designed to begin to address this gap.
    Children in the core sample (n=5504) were selected from those 
investigated by Child Protective Services in 92 primary sampling units 
(PSUs) during a 15-month sampling period beginning in the fall of 1999. 
Children are included in the sample and followed up whether or not 
their investigation resulted in a case opening; thus, NSCAW includes 
children who remain at home without services; those who remain at home 
and receive child welfare services; and those who are placed out of 
home in foster, kinship, or group care. A supplemental sample (n=727) 
was selected from children who were reaching their first anniversary in 
foster care during the same sampling period. Extensive information on 
child and family characteristics, service needs, and service receipt 
was collected directly from the target children, their caregivers, 
their caseworkers, and their teachers at baseline, and follow-up data 
were collected from all respondents at 18 months and 36 months post-
baseline. In addition, information about services was collected from 
caregivers and caseworkers at 12 months post-baseline. Baseline 
contextual data are available from state administrators and local child 
welfare administrators in the PSUs.

[[Page 35671]]

More information about NSCAW methodology and measures is available in 
the data file user's manual, available from the National Data Archive 
on Child Abuse and Neglect, at Cornell University (http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu) or from the ACF website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/core/ongoing_research/
    The data were collected under a contract to Research Triangle 
International, with a subcontract to the University of North Carolina. 
Analyses sponsored by the government to date under that contract 
include a descriptive analysis of baseline data from the ``core'' and 
``one-year-in-foster-care'' samples, as well as multivariate analyses, 
focusing on services and outcomes, of longitudinal data at the 18 and 
36 month follow-up periods. For more information, please see http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/core/ongoing_research. Other analytic 
activities are underway through a NIMH-funded consortium, the Caring 
for Children in Child Welfare group, headed by San Diego Children's 
Hospital, and are focused on mental health services utilization and 
children's service system organization. More information on that 
workgroup can be found at http://www.casrc.org/projects/CCCW/.
    The NSCAW provides an exceptionally rich data source that can 
address any number of questions of interest in the fields of child 
maltreatment, child welfare, domestic violence, children's services, 
family support services, family stressors, and organization of 
services. The survey was designed from the outset to stimulate a broad 
array of research that would contribute to the knowledge base around 
high risk children, particularly those who have been abused or 
neglected, and the effectiveness of services to children and families. 
Data from the survey are archived at the National Data Archive on Child 
Abuse and Neglect, at Cornell University. Data from the baseline, 12-
month, and 18-month, and 36-month follow-ups have been archived. This 
announcement is intended to encourage use of the data to address field-
initiated questions that are of interest to the child welfare, child 
and family services, child maltreatment, and/or child development 
research, policy, and practice communities.
    The data collected through NSCAW contain confidential and highly 
sensitive information, and release of the data is subject to certain 
restrictions. Three levels of release have been established. First, a 
general release data set is available that has deleted certain key 
variables that might be used in reidentifying participants; geographic 
information, in particular, is omitted from this data set. Access to 
this data set is subject to approval by an Institutional Review Board 
(IRB), and a nominal licensing fee is required. Second, restricted-use 
data sets are available from the NDACAN under a licensing arrangement 
that requires, among other things, approval by an IRB, a detailed data 
security plan, and an agreement to allow unannounced on-site 
inspections of data security procedures. There is a more substantial 
fee ($2,500) for the restricted release version, which covers the cost 
of security inspections. Further information on data licensing is 
available at http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu. Third, there are, in some 
cases, opportunities for linking NSCAW data with other data sets 
through an arrangement with the NSCAW contractor, RTI International. 
The matches are completed at RTI, and the data set is returned to the 
user with the matching completed on the requested variables, and 
identifying variables deleted. Such data linkages must be approved 
through the RTI International IRB as well as the grantee's IRB, and 
arrangements and fees must be negotiated directly with RTI 
International. Applications anticipating this type of data linkage 
should be accompanied by evidence of an agreement between the 
applicant's institution and RTI International. Budgets for all 
applications should include costs of obtaining data.
    An important programmatic priority area for the Administration for 
Children and Families is to improve the well-being and safety of 
families and individuals, especially vulnerable populations, and to 
increase the percentage of children and youth living in permanent, safe 
environments. Data analysis from NSCAW can provide valuable information 
in moving toward those goals. Applicants are invited to submit 
proposals for secondary analysis of NSCAW data that will address 
questions of interest to the research, policy, and/or practice 
communities in the areas of child maltreatment, child welfare, child 
development, social and health services utilization, social work 
practice, family processes and functioning, risk behaviors, or other 
questions of relevance to the child services and research communities. 
Applications are encouraged from investigators who represent diverse 
disciplines, including, but not limited to, developmental psychology, 
epidemiology, sociology, social work, and pediatrics.
    ACF will give priority to proposals focusing on the following areas 
of agency interest:
     Kinship care, including the characteristics, needs, 
experiences, and services received by children in kinship care both 
within and outside the foster care system;
     Resiliency, including the characteristics, needs, 
experiences and services received by children and families with 
positive outcomes;
     The characteristics, needs, experiences, and services 
received by children and families that were re-reported for abuse or 
neglect within the study period;
     Differences in characteristics, needs, experiences, and 
services received by children and families in different racial and 
ethnic groups; in rural versus urban areas; and across different ages 
at which children enter the child welfare system;
     Differences in characteristics, needs, experiences and 
services received by children who enter the child welfare system due to 
different types of abuse and neglect;
     Patterns of preventive services, including what types of 
children and families are likely to receive preventive services, and 
what outcomes these children and families experience;
     Characteristics, needs, experiences, and services received 
by children who enter the child welfare system as infants, including 
those who enter the system due to parental substance abuse;
     Analyses related to the outcomes measured in the Child and 
Family Services Reviews conducted by ACF;
     Characteristics, needs, experiences and services received 
by children with one or more unsubstantiated reports of maltreatment.
    The agency expects to award a grant or contract that will provide 
for a conference of data users to present findings from their analyses. 
The grantee should plan to budget for one meeting in Washington DC in 
FY 2006.
    There are specific procedures which must be followed in order to 
protect the privacy and ensure the confidentiality of the respondents 
in the NSCAW data set. Applicants are asked to describe their plans 
regarding an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. Applicants must 
include a completed Form 310, Protection of Human Subjects, available 
at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. 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

[[Page 35672]]

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Priority Area Funding: $800,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 5-10.
    Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards Per Budget Period: $100,000.
    Average Projected Award Amount: $75,000.
    Length of Project Periods: 17 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity subject to 
exceptions specified in Additional Information on Eligibility)
Additional Information on Eligibility
    Applicants must be eligible to obtain licenses for NSCAW data, as 
described under the licensing agreements available at the National Data 
Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (see http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu). 
Faith-based organizations are also eligible to apply if they meet the 
requirements of the NSCAW data licensing agreements.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    None.

3. Other

    Applicants must demonstrate their eligibility to access the NSCAW 
data sets that are the subject of the application. Access to all data 
sets is subject to approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), and 
a licensing fee is required. Restricted-use data sets are available 
under a licensing arrangement that requires, among other things, 
approval by an IRB, a detailed data security plan, and an agreement to 
allow unannounced on-site inspections of data security procedures. 
Further information on data licensing is available at http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu.
    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: 
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Disqualification Factors
    Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-
responsive and will not be considered for funding under this 
announcement.
    Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements 
referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be considered for funding under this announcement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Care of Xtria, LLC; ATTN: NSCAW Grant Review Team, 8045 Leesburg 
Pike, Suite 400, Vienna, VA 22182. Phone: 877-663-0250. Fax: 1-703-821-
3989. E-mail: [email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Notice of Intent to Submit an Application: If you plan to submit an 
application, it is encouraged that you notify us by fax or e-mail at 
least three weeks prior to the submission deadline date. This 
information will be used only to determine the number of expert 
reviewers needed to review the applications. Include only the following 
information in this fax or email: The number and title of this 
announcement; the name, address, telephone and fax number, e-mail 
address of the principal investigator(s), the fiscal agent (if known); 
and the name of the university or non-profit institution. Do not 
include a description of your proposed project. Send this information 
to ``The NSCAW Research Support Team'' at: Fax: 1-703-821-3989. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Application Format and Organization. Applicants must limit their 
application to 60 pages (beginning with the Table of Contents as 
described in the required format below), double-spaced, with standard 
one-inch margins and 12 point fonts. This page limit applies to both 
narrative text and supporting materials. In addition, applicants should 
number the pages of their application and include a table of contents.
    Applicants are advised to include all required forms and materials 
and to organize these materials according to the format presented 
below:
a. Cover Letter
b. Contact information sheet
c. Standard Federal Forms
    Standard Application for Federal Assistance (forms 424 and 424A)
    Assurances: Non-construction Programs (form 424B)
    Certifications regarding Lobbying
    Disclosures of Lobbying Activities
    Certification regarding Drug-free Workplace Requirements
    Certification regarding Debarment, Suspension, and other 
Responsibility Matters
    Protection of Human Subjects
    Certification regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
d. Table of Contents
e. Project Narrative Statement
f. Appendix
    Curriculum Vitae for Primary Investigators
    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

[[Page 35673]]

upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. ACF will not 
accept grant applications via email 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.
     To use Grants.gov, you, as the applicant, must have a DUNS 
Number and register in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). You 
should allow a minimum of five days to complete the CCR registration.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format.
     You may submit all documents electronically, including all 
information typically included on the SF 424 and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Your application must comply with any page limitation 
requirements described in this program announcement.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a 
Grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Children and 
Families will retrieve your application from Grants.gov.
     We may request that you provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You may access the electronic application for this program 
on www.Grants.gov.
     You must search for the downloadable application package 
by the CFDA number.
    Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format 
should submit an original and two copies of the complete application. 
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 (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.
    There are specific procedures which must be followed in order to 
protect the privacy and ensure the confidentiality of the respondents 
in the NSCAW data set. Applicants are asked to describe their plans 
regarding an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review, available at: 
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm. 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
    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: Three weeks prior to due date.
    Due Date for Applications: August 5, 2005.
Explanation of Due Dates
    The closing time and date for receipt of applications is referenced 
above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
closing date will be classified as late.
    Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting an announced 
deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time and date 
referenced in Section IV.6. Applicants 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.
    Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will 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.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria above 
are

[[Page 35674]]

considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that 
its application will not be considered in the current competition.
    Any application received after 4:30 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date will not be considered for competition.
    Applicants using express/overnight mail services should allow two 
working days prior to the deadline date for receipt of applications. 
Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not 
always deliver as agreed.
    Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when 
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or 
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare 
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests 
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents................  See Section IV.2....  Described in         By application due date.
                                                          Section V.
Project Narrative................  See Section IV.2....  Described in         By application due date.
                                                          Section V.
SF424............................  See Section IV.2....  May be found at      By application due date.
                                                          http://acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
SF424A...........................  See Section IV.2....  May be found at      By application due date.
                                                          http://acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Assurances and Certifications....  See Section IV.2....  May be found at      By application due date.
                                                          http://acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
Protection of Human Subjects.....  See Section.........  May be found at      By application due date.
                                                          http://acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Forms
    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with 
their applications the survey located under ``Grant Related Documents 
and Forms,'' ``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............  May be found on      By application due date.
 Grant Applicants.                                        http://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.
    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 that 
have elected to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found on the following 
URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    A list of Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory is 
included with the application materials for this announcement.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.

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

[[Page 35675]]

received at the address below by 4:30 p.m. eastern time on or before 
the closing date. Applications should be mailed to: Care of Xtria, LLC, 
ATTN: NSCAW Grant Review Team, 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 400, Vienna, 
VA 22182.
    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: Care of Xtria, LLC, ATTN: NSCAW Grant Review Team, 8045 
Leesburg Pike, Suite 400, Vienna, VA 22182.
    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 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 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.
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.
RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
APPROACH
    Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how 
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or 
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished.
    When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, 
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of 
accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
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.

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DISSEMINATION PLAN
    Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs 
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of 
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.
THIRD-PARTY AGREEMENTS
    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.
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION
    Provide a budget with line item detail and detailed calculations 
for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information form. 
Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit 
costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the 
calculation to be duplicated. Also include a breakout by the funding 
sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.
GENERAL
    Use the following guidelines for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. ``Federal 
resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. 
``Non Federal resources'' are all other Federal and non-Federal 
resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and computations be 
presented in a columnar format: First column, object class categories; 
second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), 
and last column, total budget. The budget justification should be a 
narrative.
PERSONNEL
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
FRINGE BENEFITS
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
TRAVEL
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
EQUIPMENT
    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.
SUPPLIES
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports 
the amount requested.
CONTRACTUAL
    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Include third party evaluation contracts 
(if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant.
    Justification: Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will 
be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, 
open and free competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than 
States that are required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any 
anticipated procurement action that is expected to be awarded without 
competition and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 
U.S.C. 403(11) (currently set at $100,000).
    Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-award 
review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals or 
invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.


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

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

[[Page 35677]]

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.
NONFEDERAL RESOURCES
    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application so the applicant is given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.
Evaluation Criteria
    The following evaluation criteria appear in weighted descending 
order. The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance 
that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need 
not develop their applications precisely according to the order 
presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer 
will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (e.g. 
from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about 
how it will be conducted).
    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
APPROACH 45 Points
     The extent to which the research design is appropriate and 
sufficient for addressing the questions of the study.
     The extent to which the planned variables measures to be 
used are appropriate and sufficient for the questions of the study and 
the population to be studied.
     The extent to which the planned analyses both reflect 
knowledge and use of state-of-the-art analytic techniques, and advance 
the state of the art.
     The extent to which the analytic techniques are 
appropriate for the questions under consideration.
     The extent to which the proposed sample size is sufficient 
for the analysis, including the size of particular subgroups of 
interest.
     The extent to which the scope of the project is reasonable 
for the funds available for these grants.
     The extent to which the budget and budget justification 
are appropriate for carrying out the proposed project.
     The extent to which the applicant demonstrates 
understanding of the confidentiality issues in using NSCAW data, and 
the adequacy of the plan for maintaining confidentiality of the data 
sets.
STAFF AND POSITION DATA 35 Points
     The extent to which the principal investigator and other 
key research staff possess the research expertise necessary to conduct 
the study as demonstrated in the application and information contained 
in their vitae.
     The extent to which the proposed staff reflect an 
understanding of and sensitivity to the issues of working with 
confidential data sets.
     The adequacy of the time devoted to this project by the 
principal investigator and other key staff in order to ensure a high 
level of professional input and attention.
     The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the 
capacity to use complex data sets such as NSCAW.
RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED 20 Points
     The research questions are clearly stated.
     The extent to which the questions are of importance and 
relevance for the field of child welfare, child maltreatment, child 
development, or children's services research.
     The extent to which the research study makes a significant 
contribution to the knowledge base.
     The extent to which the literature review is current and 
comprehensive and supports the questions to be addressed or the 
hypotheses to be tested.
     The extent to which the questions that will be addressed 
or the hypotheses that will be tested are sufficient for meeting the 
stated objectives.
    The extent to which the proposal contains a dissemination plan that 
encompasses both professional and practitioner-oriented products.
2. Review and Selection Process
    No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of 
an incomplete application. Timely applications from eligible applicants 
will be reviewed and scored competitively. Reviewers will use the 
evaluation criteria listed above to review and score the application.
    On the basis of the review of an application, ACF will: (a) Approve 
the application for funding; or (b) disapprove the application; or (c) 
approve the application but not fund it for such reasons as a lack of 
funds or a need for further review.
    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) specific salary rates or amounts for 
individuals specified in the application budget.
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
    Grants to successful applications will be awarded by 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 (if applicable), 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, subaward 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

[[Page 35678]]

inherently religious activities can be found on the HHS Web site at: 
http://www.os.dhhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf

3. Reporting Requirements

    Program Progress Reports Semi-Annually
    Financial Reports: Semi-Annually

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

VII. Agency Contacts

Program Office Contact

    Attn: Mary Bruce Webb, ACF, Office of Planning, Research and 
Evaluation, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-
205-8628. E-mail: [email protected].

Grants Management Office Contact

    Attn: Sylvia Johnson, ACF, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
L'Enfant Promenade, Washington, DC 20447. Phone: 202-260-7622. 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 14, 2005.
Mary Bruce Webb,
Senior Research Analyst, ACF/OPRE.
[FR Doc. 05-12157 Filed 6-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P