[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14393-14401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5825]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants to State Domestic 
Violence Coalitions

AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration on 
Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), ACF, HHS.

ACTION: This notice was originally published as Funding Opportunity 
Number HHH-2012-ACF-ACYF-SDVC-0275 on February 17, 2012 at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2012-ACF-ACYF-SDVC-0275.

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    The notice for family violence prevention and services grants to 
Coalitions serves four purposes: to confirm a Federal commitment to 
reducing family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; to 
provide for Coalitions to collaborate and coordinate with States, 
tribes, localities, cities, and the private sector to be involved in 
State and local planning towards an integrated service delivery 
approach that meets the needs of all victims, including those in 
underserved communities and racial and ethnic minorities; to provide 
training and technical assistance to domestic violence programs and 
providers of direct services; and to increase public awareness about 
and prevention of family violence, domestic violence, and dating 
violence, and increase the quality and availability of immediate 
shelter and supportive services for victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents.

    C.F.D.A. Number: 93.591

    Statutory Authority:  This announcement governs the proposed 
award of formula grants under the Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Act (FVPSA) to private, non-profit State Domestic Violence 
Coalitions (Coalitions). The purpose of these grants is to further 
the intervention and prevention of family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence (Section 311 of the FVPSA, as amended 
by Section 201 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
(CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-320).
SUMMARY: 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Description

Background
    The FVPSA authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) Secretary to award grants to statewide, private, non-
governmental, 501(c)(3) non-profit Coalitions to conduct activities to 
promote domestic violence intervention and prevention.

Ensuring the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Families

    The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) is 
committed to facilitating healing and recovery and promoting the social 
and emotional well-being of children, youth, and families who have 
experienced maltreatment, exposure to violence, and/or trauma. This 
funding opportunity announcement (FOA) and other discretionary spending 
this fiscal year are designed to ensure that effective interventions 
are in place to build skills and capacities that contribute to the 
healthy, positive, and productive functioning of families.
    Children, youth, and families who have experienced maltreatment, 
exposure to violence, and/or trauma are impacted along several domains, 
each of which must be addressed in order to foster social and emotional 
well-being and promote healthy, positive functioning:
     Understanding Experiences: A fundamental aspect of the 
human experience is the development of a world view through which one's 
experiences are understood. Whether that perspective is generally 
positive or negative impacts how experiences are interpreted and 
integrated. For example, one is more likely to approach a challenge as 
a surmountable, temporary obstacle if his or her frame includes a sense 
that ``things will turn out alright.'' On the contrary, negative 
experiences can color how future experiences are understood. Ongoing 
exposure to family violence might lead children, youth, and adults to 
believe that relationships

[[Page 14394]]

are generally hostile in nature and affect their ability to enter into 
and stay engaged in safe and healthy relationships. Interventions 
should seek to address how children, youth, and adults frame what has 
happened to them in the past and shape their beliefs about the future.
     Developmental Tasks: People grow physically and 
psychosocially along a fairly predictable course, encountering normal 
challenges and establishing competencies as they pass from one 
developmental stage to another. However, adverse events have a marked 
effect on the trajectory of normal social and emotional development, 
delaying the growth of certain capacities, and, in many cases, 
accelerating the maturation of others. Intervention strategies must be 
attuned to the developmental impact of negative experiences and address 
related strengths and deficits to ensure children, youth, and families 
develop along a healthy trajectory.
     Coping Strategies: The methods that children, youth, and 
families develop to manage challenges both large and small are learned 
in childhood, honed in adolescence, and practiced in adulthood. Those 
who have been presented with healthy stressors and opportunities to 
overcome them with appropriate encouragement and support are more 
likely to have an array of positive, productive coping strategies 
available to them as they go through life. For children, youth, and 
families who grew up in or currently live in unsafe, unpredictable 
environments, the coping strategies that may have been protective in 
the unsafe environments may not be appropriate for safer, more 
regulated situations. Interventions should help children, youth, and 
families transform maladaptive coping methods into healthier, more 
productive strategies.
     Protective Factors: A wealth of research has demonstrated 
that the presence of certain contextual factors (e.g., supportive 
relatives, involvement in after-school activities) and characteristics 
(e.g., self-esteem, relationship skills) can moderate the impacts of 
past and future negative experiences. These protective factors are 
fundamental to resilience; building them is integral to successful 
intervention with children, youth, and families.
    The skills and capacities in these areas support children, youth, 
and families as challenges, risks and opportunities arise. In 
particular, each domain impacts the capacity of children, youth, and 
families to establish and maintain positive relationships with caring 
adults and supportive peers. The necessity of these relationships to 
social and emotional well-being and lifelong success in school, 
community, and at home cannot be overstated and should be central to 
all interventions with vulnerable children, youth, and families.
    An important component of promoting social and emotional well-being 
includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have a profound 
effect on the overall functioning of children, youth, and families. The 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families promotes a trauma-
informed approach, which involves understanding and responding to the 
symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress across 
the domains outlined above, as well as the behavioral and mental health 
sequelae of trauma.
    The ACYF anticipates a continued focus on social and emotional 
well-being as a critical component of its overall mission to ensure 
positive outcomes for all children, youth, and families.

Annual State Domestic Violence Coalition Grantee Meeting

    Coalitions must send up to two representatives to the annual 
grantee meeting. Subsequent correspondence will advise Coalitions of 
the date, time, and location of their grantee meeting.

Role of State Coalitions

    FVPSA directs Coalitions to work with family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence service programs and providers of direct 
services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive responses to family 
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence against adults or 
youth within the State involved, specifically including training and 
technical assistance and conducting State needs assessments (Section 
311(d)(1)). Coalitions are required to coordinate and collaborate with 
the State FVPSA Administrators to conduct State needs assessments. 
Coalitions must also participate in the planning and monitoring of the 
distribution of FVPSA subgrants and contracts and the administration of 
the grant programs and projects awarded by the States to eligible 
entities (Section 311(d)(2)). Coalitions thus play an important role in 
helping programs develop and continue practices consistent with FVPSA 
guidance, including the promotion of trauma-informed services that help 
facilitate the social and emotional well-being of both victims and 
their children. Coalitions must include activities to ensure that 
programs maintain confidentiality and provide widely accessible 
services consistent with best practices in the field and applicable 
Federal, State, tribal, and local requirements, as well as helping 
programs comply with the FVPSA data collection and outcome measurement 
requirements. Each of these issues is described below:
a. Client Confidentiality
    Coalitions have an important role in helping programs develop and 
continue practices consistent with FVPSA guidance. Programs funded by 
FVPSA must establish and implement policies and protocols for 
maintaining the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of adult, youth, 
and child victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating 
violence, and their families (Section 306(c)(5)). Because it is 
required that the confidentiality of individuals receiving FVPSA 
services be protected, Coalitions must include activities to ensure 
that local programs maintain confidentiality consistent with best 
practices in the field and applicable Federal, State, tribal, and local 
requirements. It is also highly recommended that the Coalition 
coordinate and collaborate with the State involving activities to 
assist programs in maintaining confidentiality requirements pursuant to 
Section 306(c)(5).
    The FVPSA nondisclosure of confidential and private information 
provisions also mean that domestic violence programs must maintain 
confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided 
domestic violence services. As a result, individual identifiers of 
client records may not be used when providing statistical data on 
program activities and program services. In the annual grantee 
Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR), States, tribes, and their 
subgrantees must collect unduplicated data for each program rather than 
unduplicated data across programs or statewide. No client-level data 
should be shared with a third party, regardless of encryption, hashing 
or other data security measures, without a written, time-limited 
release as described in section 306(c)(5)(B)(ii).
b. Coordinated and Accessible Services
    It is essential that community service providers, including those 
serving or representing underserved communities, are involved in the 
design and improvements of intervention and prevention activities. 
Coordination and collaboration among victim services providers; 
community-based, culturally specific, and faith-based services 
providers; housing and homeless services providers, and Federal, State, 
tribal, and local public officials and

[[Page 14395]]

agencies is needed to provide more responsive and effective services to 
victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and 
their dependents.
    To promote a more effective response to family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence, HHS requires the designated Coalitions 
receiving funds under this grant announcement to collaborate with 
tribes and tribal organizations, FVPSA-funded State grantees, service 
providers, and community-based organizations, to address the needs of 
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence victims, and 
their dependents, who are members of racial and ethnic minority 
populations and underserved populations (Section 311(d)(3)); examples 
of such underserved populations include, but are not limited to, the 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities; 
adolescents; men; and immigrants.
    To serve victims most in need and to comply with Federal law, 
services must be widely accessible. Services must not discriminate on 
the basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or 
religion (Section 306(c)(2)). The HHS Office for Civil Rights provides 
guidance to grantees in complying with civil rights laws that prohibit 
discrimination on these bases. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/index.html. HHS also provides guidance to 
recipients of Federal financial assistance on meeting the legal 
obligation to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to 
federally assisted programs by persons with limited English 
proficiency. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/laws/revisedlep.html. Additionally, HHS provides guidance regarding 
access to HHS-funded services for immigrant survivors of domestic 
violence. Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/specialtopics/origin/domesticviolencefactsheet.html.
    Services must also be provided on a voluntary basis; receipt of 
emergency shelter or housing must not be conditioned on participation 
in supportive services (Section 308(d)(1) and (2)).
c. Trauma-Informed Programming
    The ACYF promotes a trauma-informed approach, which involves 
understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal 
trauma and traumatic stress across the lifespan. Coalitions are 
uniquely situated to provide support to domestic violence programs in 
order to ensure that trauma-informed interventions are at the core of 
working with victims and their children. As Coalitions plan their 
training and technical assistance priorities, they must include 
responses that help support trauma-informed services among their member 
programs to ensure positive outcomes for all service populations. 
Coalitions must also coordinate and collaborate with the Domestic 
Violence Resource Network (the FVPSA-funded National Resource, Special 
Issue Resource and Culturally-Specific Resource Centers) to inform 
their knowledge and practices to promote trauma-informed interventions 
among their member programs.

II. Award Information

    Subject to the availability of Federal appropriations and as 
authorized by the FVPSA (Section 303), HHS will make available in FY 
2012 grants to the designated, statewide, domestic violence Coalitions 
described in this announcement. Each year, one grant will be available 
for one Coalition in each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, and the District of Columbia. One Coalition in each of the U.S. 
Territories (Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and 
American Samoa) is also eligible for a grant award under this 
announcement.

Length of Project Periods

    Coalitions may apply for one grant annually with an accompanying 
12-month budget narrative and SF-424a. The project period is 24 months 
under this FOA. Coalitions must address their anticipated activities 
for a 2-year project period: October 1, 2011-September 30, 2013. FVPSA 
will continue to disperse funds annually pursuant to annual 
applications and award processes.

Expenditure Period

    The FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures on or after October 1 
of each fiscal year for which they are granted and will be available 
for expenditure through September 30 of the following fiscal year; 
i.e., FY 2012 funds may be used for expenditures from October 1, 2011, 
through September 30, 2013.

III. Eligibility Information

    In accordance with Sections 302(11) and 311(c)(1), to be eligible 
for grants under this FOA an organization must be designated as a 
statewide, private, 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental domestic 
violence coalition as of the date of this announcement. A list of the 
designated State domestic violence coalitions is found in Appendix C. 
Designated coalitions must continue to meet the following criteria:
    The membership of the Coalition includes a majority of the primary-
purpose domestic violence service providers in the State (a Coalition 
may include representatives of Indian tribes and tribal organizations 
as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act). A primary-purpose domestic violence service provider is one that 
operates a project of demonstrated effectiveness, carried out by a 
nonprofit, nongovernmental, private entity or a tribe or tribal 
organization, that has as its project's primary-purpose the operation 
of shelters for victims of domestic violence and their dependents; or 
provides counseling, advocacy, or self-help services to victims of 
domestic violence;
    The Board membership of the Coalition is representative of the 
primary-purpose domestic violence service providers in the State and 
may include representatives of the communities in which the services 
are being provided in the State;
    The purpose of the Coalition is to provide education, support, and 
technical assistance to the primary-purpose domestic violence service 
providers and providers of direct services in the State in order to 
establish and maintain shelter and supportive services for victims of 
domestic violence and their dependents;
    The Coalition serves as an information clearinghouse, primary point 
of contact, and resource center on domestic violence for the State and 
supports the development of policies, protocols, and procedures to 
enhance domestic violence intervention and prevention in the State.

Additional Information on Eligibility

DUNS (Universal Identifier Number) Requirement

    Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number is the nine-digit, or 
thirteen-digit (DUNS + 4), number established and assigned by Dun and 
Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities.
    All applicants and sub-recipients must have a DUNS number at the 
time of application in order to be considered for a grant or 
cooperative agreement. A DUNS number is required whether an applicant 
is submitting a paper application or using the Government-wide 
electronic portal, www.Grants.gov. A DUNS number is 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.

[[Page 14396]]

A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. To acquire a DUNS number by phone, contact the 
D&B Government Customer Response Center:
    U.S. and U.S. Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711. Alaska and Puerto 
Rico: 1-800-234-3867 (Select Option 2, then Option 1). Monday-Friday 7 
a.m. to 8 p.m., CST.
    The process to request a D-U-N-S Number by telephone will take 
between 5 and 10 minutes.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Requirement
    Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the Federal registrant 
database and repository into which an entity must provide information 
required for the conduct of business as a recipient. CCR, managed by 
the General Services Administration, collects, validates, stores, and 
disseminates data in support of agency financial assistance missions.
    Effective October 1, 2011 HHS required all entities that plan to 
apply for, and ultimately receive, Federal grant funds from any HHS 
Agency, or receive sub-awards directly from recipients of those grant 
funds to:
     Be registered in the CCR prior to submitting an 
application of plan;
     Maintain an active CCR registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active award or an 
application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and
     Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan it 
submits to the OPDIV.
    ACF is prohibited from making an award until an applicant has 
complied with these requirements. At the time an award is ready to be 
made, if the intended recipient has not complied with these 
requirements, ACF:
     May determine that the applicant is not qualified to 
receive an award; and
     May use that determination as a basis for making an award 
to another applicant.
    Additionally, all first-tier sub-award recipients (i.e., direct 
sub-recipient) must have a DUNS number at the time the sub-award is 
made.
    CCR registration may be made online at www.ccr.gov or by phone at 
1-866-606-8220. CCR registration must be updated annually. CCR 
registration must be active and maintained with current information at 
all times during which an organization has an active award or an 
application under consideration.
    Applicants are strongly encouraged to register at the CCR well in 
advance of the application due date.
    There is the possibility of heavy traffic at the CCR Web site at 
application due dates. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to 
register at the CCR well in advance of the application due date. CCR 
registration must be updated annually. CCR registration must be active 
and maintained with current information at all times during which an 
organization has an active award or an application under consideration.
    Definitions:
    Central Contractor Registration (CCR): The Federal registrant 
database and repository into which an entity must provide information 
required for the conduct of business as a recipient. CCR, managed by 
the General Services Administration, collects, validates, stores, and 
disseminates data in support of agency financial assistance missions.
     Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number: The nine-digit, or 
thirteen-digit (DUNS + 4), number established and assigned by Dun and 
Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities.

Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

    Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit the 
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants with their 
applications. The survey is available on the Forms Web page at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.

IV. Application Requirements

    This section includes application requirements for FVPSA grants for 
Coalitions, as follows:

Application Components

    The Coalition application must be signed by the Executive Director 
of the Coalition or the official designated as responsible for the 
administration of the grant. The application must contain the following 
information:
    (1) A description of the process and anticipated outcomes 
(including timelines and specific activities that lead to desired 
outcomes) of utilizing these Federal funds to work with family 
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence service programs and 
providers of direct services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive 
responses to family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence 
against adults or youth within the State, including providing training 
and technical assistance and conducting statewide needs assessments 
(Section 311(d)(1));
    (2) A description of the process undertaken and procedures 
developed to participate in the planning and monitoring of the 
distribution of FVPSA State subgrants and subgrant funds (Section 
311(d)(2)) as well as the administration of FVPSA State-funded grant 
programs and projects;
    (3) A description of collaborations along with anticipated outcomes 
(including timelines and specific activities that lead to desired 
outcomes) with service providers and community-based organizations to 
address the needs of family violence, domestic violence, and dating 
violence victims, and their dependents, who are members of racial and 
ethnic minority populations and underserved populations (Section 
311(d)(3)); examples of such underserved populations include, but are 
not limited to, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) 
communities; adolescents; men; and immigrants;
    (4) A description of collaborations and anticipated outcomes 
(including timelines and specific activities that lead to desired 
outcomes) for providing information to entities in such fields as 
housing, health care, mental health, social welfare, or business to 
support the development and implementation of effective policies, 
protocols, and programs that address the safety and support needs of 
adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or 
dating violence (Section 311(d)(4));
    (5) A description of work and anticipated outcomes (including 
timelines and specific activities that lead to desired outcomes) to 
encourage appropriate responses to cases of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence against adults or youth, including by 
working with judicial and law enforcement officers (Section 311(d)(5)) 
unless the applicant coalition satisfies the exception described in 
paragraph (7) below;
    (6) A description of activities and anticipated outcomes (including 
timelines and specific activities that lead to desired outcomes) 
associated with working with family law judges, criminal court judges, 
child protective service agencies, and children's advocates to develop 
appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues in cases 
of child exposure to family violence, domestic violence, or dating 
violence, and in cases in which family violence, domestic violence, or 
dating violence is present and child abuse is present (Section 
311(d)(6)) unless the applicant coalition satisfies the exception 
described in paragraph (7) below.
    (7) If the applicant coalition uses funds received under the 
Violence

[[Page 14397]]

Against Women Act for State domestic violence coalitions for the 
purposes described in paragraphs (5) and (6) above and is coordinating 
those activities with the State's STOP (Services, Training, Officers, 
Prosecutors) formula grant activities that address those purposes, the 
applicant Coalition shall not be required to undertake additional 
activities. If applicable, the applicant Coalition must provide a 
statement of assurance that funds for the referenced purposes are 
received from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), U.S. 
Department of Justice, and that the activities are coordinated with the 
State's STOP formula grant activities, (Section 311(e)(1) and (2)); as 
part of the assurance the applicant coalition must also describe its 
activities in those OVW-funded areas including those in collaboration 
with the State STOP grant activities;
    (8) A description of work and anticipated outcomes (including 
timelines and specific activities which lead to desired outcomes) to 
provide information to the public about prevention of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence, including information targeted 
to underserved communities; examples of such communities include, but 
are not limited to, LGBT communities, adolescents, men, and immigrants 
(Section 311(d)(7));
    (9) A description of collaborations (including timelines, specific 
activities, and outcomes) with Indian tribes and tribal organizations 
(and corresponding Native Hawaiian groups and communities) to address 
the needs of Native American (including Alaska Native) and Native 
Hawaiian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating 
violence, as applicable in the State (Section 311(d)(8)); Note: Tribes 
are Sovereign Nations and, as such, collaborations with them must 
include the opportunity for Coalition membership provided they meet 
general membership eligibility requirements that are not impediments to 
their status as Sovereign Nations;
    (10) A description of work and anticipated outcomes (including 
timelines and activities) associated with other activities to support 
the development of policies, protocols, and procedures to enhance 
domestic violence intervention and prevention in the State (Section 
302(11));
    (11) To support ACYF priorities as described in Section 1.c. 
Trauma-Informed Programming, a description of work planned (including 
timelines and activities) to gauge the activities of domestic violence 
programs offering trauma-informed services that address lifetime 
exposure to violence, including trauma-focused intervention strategies. 
Such work shall also include a capacity assessment of all member 
programs to identify those needing additional training, technical 
assistance and support related to trauma-informed service provision;
    (12) A description of activities to describe the applicant 
Coalition's role as an information clearinghouse, primary point of 
contact, and resource center on domestic violence for the State.
    The following documentation that certifies the status of the 
Coalition must be included in the grant application:
    (a) A copy of a currently valid 501(c)(3) certification letter from 
the IRS stating private, non-profit status; or a copy of the 
applicant's listing in the IRS' most recent list of tax-exempt 
organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code;
    (b) To demonstrate compliance with Section 302(11):
    (i) A current list of the organizations operating programs for 
victims of domestic violence in the State, including a designation of 
the primary-purpose domestic violence services providers in the State 
and the applicant Coalition's current membership list by organization 
(see Section III. Eligibility);
    (ii) A list of the applicant Coalition's current Board of 
Directors, with each individual's organizational affiliation and the 
Chairperson identified (see Section III. Eligibility);
    (c) A list of any Coalition or contractual positions to be 
supported by funds from this grant; and
    (d) A budget narrative that clearly describes the planned 
expenditure of funds under this grant including a provision that sets 
aside funds for travel expenses for up to two staff to the Annual State 
Domestic Violence Coalition grantee meeting.

Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, 
the public reporting burden for the project description is estimated to 
average 10 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing 
the collection of information. The Project Description information 
collection is approved under OMB control number 0970-0280, which 
expires November 30, 2014. 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.

Required Assurances (Included in the Application as Appendix A)

    The applicant Coalition will not use grant funds, directly or 
indirectly, to influence the issuance, amendment, or revocation of any 
Executive Order or similar legal document by any Federal, State, or 
local agency, or to undertake to influence the passage or defeat of any 
legislation by the Congress, or any State or local legislative body, or 
State proposals by initiative petition, except where representatives of 
the Coalition are testifying or making other appropriate 
communications, when formally requested to do so by a legislative body, 
a committee, or a member of such organization, or in connection with 
legislation or appropriations directly affecting the activities of the 
Coalition or any member of the Coalition (Section 311(f)).
    The applicant Coalition will prohibit discrimination on the basis 
of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or religion, as 
described in Section 306(c)(2).

Certification

Certification Regarding Lobbying
    (See Appendix B): Applicants must furnish an executed copy of the 
Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to the award of the grant.

Standard Form (SF)-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

    The filing of this form is required for each payment or agreement 
to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to 
influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an 
officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress 
in connection with a covered Federal action.
    This disclosure form must be completed and filed by the reporting 
entity, whether subawardees or prime Federal recipient, at the 
initiation or receipt of a covered Federal action, or a material change 
to a previous filing, pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. 1352.

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'' for State plan 
consolidation and simplification only--45 CFR 100.12. The review and 
comment provisions of the Executive Order and Part 100 do not apply.

[[Page 14398]]

Application Submission

    Applications should be sent or delivered to: Division of Family 
Violence Prevention (also known as the Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Program), Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, 
Attention: Kenneth E. Noyes, J.D., 1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8212, 
Washington, DC 20024.

V. Reporting Requirements

Performance Progress Reports

    The Coalition grantee must submit an annual report of activities 
describing the coordination, training and technical assistance, needs 
assessment, and comprehensive planning activities carried out pursuant 
to its activities as delineated in its response to this announcement. 
Additionally, the Coalition must report on the public information and 
education services provided; the activities conducted in conjunction 
with judicial and law enforcement agencies notwithstanding that such 
activities may be conducted pursuant to a coalition grant from the 
Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, in 
coordination with the applicable State's STOP formula grant activities 
as described in Section IV. Application Requirements, number 7; the 
actions conducted in conjunction with other agencies, such as the State 
child welfare agency, notwithstanding that such activities may be 
conducted pursuant to a coalition grant from the Office on Violence 
Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with the 
applicable State's STOP formula grant activities as described in 
Section IV. Application Requirements, number 7; activities conducted in 
conjunction with community-based, culturally specific service providers 
or organizations serving or representing underserved communities; and 
any other activities undertaken under this grant award. All activities 
should include both a narrative explanation and statistical data to 
support the activities reported. The annual report also must provide an 
assessment of the effectiveness of grant-supported activities. Further 
guidance regarding assessment requirements will be provided in 2012.
    The annual report must be submitted using the Standard Form--
Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) applicable to this program. The 
annual report is due 90 days after the end of the fiscal year in which 
the grant is awarded; i.e., December 29. Annual reports should be sent 
to: Family Violence Prevention and Services Program, Family and Youth 
Services Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 
Administration for Children and Families, Attention: Kenneth E. Noyes, 
J.D., 1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8212, Washington, DC 20024.
    HHS now requires this program award to adhere to the Subaward and 
Executive Compensation reporting requirements of ``the Transparency 
Act'' (as defined in 2 CFR part 170). Under the Transparency Act, all 
subawards (as defined in 2 CFR part 170) over $25,000 must be reported, 
unless exempted. Please see the newly applicable Award Term for Federal 
Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) at the following 
URL: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/award_term_ffata.html.
    Please note that HHS may suspend funding for an approved 
application if any applicant fails to submit an annual performance 
report or if the funds are expended for purposes other than those set 
forth under this announcement.

Federal Financial Reports (FFR)

    Grantees must submit annual Financial Status Reports. The SF-425 is 
due December 29, 2012. The final SF-425 is due December 29, 2013. The 
SF-425 can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html.
    Grantees have the option to submit their reports online through the 
Online Data Collection (OLDC) system at https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi.
    Failure to submit reports on time may be a basis for withholding 
grant funds, suspension, or termination of the grant. In addition, all 
funds reported after the obligation period will be recouped. Completed 
reports should be sent to: Matthew McMahon, Program Specialist, Office 
of Grants Management, Office of Administration, Administration for 
Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20447.
    Also note that a separate, quarterly financial report is required 
by the Division of Payment Management using the SF-425. The Division of 
Payment Management's online Payment Management System (PMS) is required 
for filing quarterly reports and is found at https://www.dpm.psc.gov. 
For further assistance, please call the HHS helpline at 877-614-5533.

VI. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the uniform 
administrative requirements and cost principles of 45 CFR part 74 
(Awards And Subawards To Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
Other Nonprofit Organizations, And Commercial Organizations) or 45 CFR 
part 92 (Grants And Cooperative Agreements To State, Local, And Tribal 
Governments). The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at 
http://www.gpo.gov.
    An application funded with the release of Federal funds through a 
grant award, does not constitute, or imply, compliance with Federal 
regulations. Funded organizations are responsible for ensuring that 
their activities comply with all applicable Federal regulations.

Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations

    Grantees are also subject to the requirements of 45 CFR 87.1(c), 
Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which says, 
``Organizations that receive direct financial assistance from the 
[Health and Human Services] Department under any Department program may 
not engage in inherently religious activities such as religious 
instruction, worship, or proselytization as part of the programs or 
services funded with direct financial assistance from the Department.'' 
Therefore, organizations must take steps to completely separate the 
presentation of any program with religious content from the 
presentation of the Federally funded program by time or location in 
such a way that it is clear that the two programs are separate and 
distinct. If separating the two programs by time but presenting them in 
the same location, one program must completely end before the other 
program begins.
    A faith-based organization receiving HHS funds retains its 
independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may 
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, 
and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based 
organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular 
programs or services funded with Federal funds without removing 
religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In 
addition, a faith-based organization that receives Federal funds 
retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain 
religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on 
a religious basis, and include religious references in its 
organization's mission statements and other governing documents in 
accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other 
applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS-funded activities.

[[Page 14399]]

    Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based 
Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding 
of inherently religious activities, Understanding the Regulations 
Related to the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Initiative'' 
are available at http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/about/regulations/. 
Additional information, resources, and tools for faith-based 
organizations is available through The Center for Faith-based and 
Neighborhood Partnerships Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/index.html and at the Administration for Children & Families: Toolkit 
for Faith-based and Community Organizations.

Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

    The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) 
requires that all organizations receiving grants from any Federal 
agency agree to maintain a drug-free workplace. By signing the 
application, the Authorizing Official agrees that the grantee will 
provide a drug-free workplace and will comply with the requirement to 
notify ACF if an employee is convicted of violating a criminal drug 
statute. Failure to comply with these requirements may be cause for 
debarment. Government wide requirements for Drug-Free Workplace for 
Financial Assistance are found in 2 CFR part 182; HHS implementing 
regulations are set forth in 2 CFR 382.400. All recipients of ACF grant 
funds must comply with the requirements in Subpart B--Requirements for 
Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR 382.225. The rule is available 
at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=18b5801410be6af416dc258873ffb7ec;rgn=div2;view=text;node=
20091112%3A1.1;idno=49;cc=ecfr.

Debarment and Suspension

    HHS regulations published in 2 CFR part 376 implement the 
government-wide debarment and suspension system guidance (2 CFR part 
180) for HHS' non-procurement programs and activities. ``Non-
procurement transactions'' include, among other things, grants, 
cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and loans. ACF 
implements the HHS Debarment and Suspension regulations as a term and 
condition of award. Grantees may decide the method and frequency by 
which this determination is made and may check the Excluded Parties 
List System (EPLS) located at https://www.epls.gov/, although checking 
the EPLS is not required. More information is available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.

Pro-Children Act

    The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 42 U.S.C. 7181 through 7184, imposes 
restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's 
services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements 
only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that 
smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or 
contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of 
kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to 
children under the age of 18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any 
indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted 
for) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded 
health care, day care, or early childhood development, including Head 
Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory 
prohibition also applies if such facilities are constructed, operated, 
or maintained with Federal funds. The statute does not apply to 
children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded 
solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, portions of facilities used for 
inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WIC coupons 
are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may 
result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 
per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance 
order on the responsible entity.

VII. Funding Restrictions

    Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, 
endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar 
expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are 
considered unallowable costs under grants awarded under this 
announcement.
    Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure under this 
grant award.
    Purchase of real property is not an allowable activity or 
expenditure under this grant award.

VIII. Other Information

Appendices: Required Assurance and Certification:

A. Assurance of Compliance With Grant Requirements

B. Certification Regarding Lobbying

C. Designated State Domestic Violence Coalitions

DATES: The application due date is March 22, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth E. Noyes, J.D. at (202) 205-
7891 or email at: [email protected].

Bryan Samuels,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A

Assurance of Compliance With Grant Requirements

    The undersigned certifies that:
    The applicant Coalition will not use grant funds, directly or 
indirectly, to influence the issuance, amendment, or revocation of 
any Executive Order or similar legal document by any Federal, State, 
or local agency, or to undertake to influence the passage or defeat 
of any legislation by Congress, or any State or local legislative 
body, or State proposals by initiative petition, except where 
representatives of the Coalition are testifying or making other 
appropriate communications, either when formally requested to do so 
by a legislative body, a committee, or a member of such 
organization, or in connection with legislation or appropriations 
directly affecting the activities of the Coalition (Section 311(f)).
    The applicant Coalition will prohibit discrimination on the 
basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or 
religion, as described in Section 306(c)(2).

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Appendix B

Certification Regarding Lobbying

Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

    The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge 
and belief, that:
    No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by 
or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or 
attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a 
Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of 
any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of 
any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, 
and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been 
paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to 
influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a 
Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, 
loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and 
submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in 
accordance with its instructions.

[[Page 14400]]

    The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
certification be included in the award documents for all subawards 
at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all 
subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly. This 
certification is a material representation of fact upon which 
reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. 
Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not 
more than $100,000 for each such failure.

Statement for Loan Guarantees and Loan Insurance

    The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or 
an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this 
commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a 
loan, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, 
``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its 
instructions. Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for 
making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, 
title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required 
statement shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than 
$10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.
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 Appendix C

 State Domestic Violence Coalitions as Designated by the U.S. Department
 of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
   Administration on Children, Youth and Families as of December 2011
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Coalition name                   City               State
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Coalition Against          Montgomery..........  AL
 Domestic Violence.
Alaska Network on Domestic         Juneau..............  AK
 Violence and Sexual Assault.
American Samoa Alliance Against    Pago Pago...........  AS
 Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Arizona Coalition Against          Phoenix.............  AZ
 Domestic Violence.
Arkansas Coalition Against         Little Rock.........  AR
 Domestic Violence.
California Partnership to End      Sacramento..........  CA
 Domestic Violence.
Colorado Coalition Against         Denver..............  CO
 Domestic Violence.
Connecticut Coalition Against      E. Hartford.........  CT
 Domestic Violence.
Delaware Coalition Against         Wilmington..........  DE
 Domestic Violence.
District of Columbia Coalition     Washington..........  DC
 Against Domestic Violence.
Florida Coalition Against          Tallahassee.........  FL
 Domestic Violence.
Georgia Coalition Against          Decatur.............  GA
 Domestic Violence.
Guam Coalition Against Sexual      Hagatna.............  GU
 Assault and Family Violence.
Hawaii State Coalition Against     Honolulu............  HI
 Domestic Violence.
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual &   Boise...............  ID
 Domestic Violence.
Illinois Coalition Against         Springfield.........  IL
 Domestic Violence.
Indiana Coalition Against          Indianapolis........  IN
 Domestic Violence.
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic    Des Moines..........  IA
 Violence.
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual &  Topeka..............  KS
 Domestic Violence.
Kentucky Domestic Violence         Frankfort...........  KY
 Association.
Louisiana Coalition Against        Baton Rouge.........  LA
 Domestic Violence.
Maine Coalition to End Domestic    Augusta.............  ME
 Violence.
Maryland Network Against Domestic  Bowie...............  MD
 Violence.
Jane Doe, Inc.--Massachusetts      Boston..............  MA
 Coalition Against Sexual Assault
 and Domestic Violence.
Michigan Coalition Against         Okemos..............  MI
 Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Minnesota Coalition for Battered   St. Paul............  MN
 Women.
Mississippi Coalition Against      Jackson.............  MS
 Domestic Violence.
Missouri Coalition Against         Jefferson City......  MO
 Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Montana Coalition Against          Helena..............  MT
 Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Nebraska Domestic Violence &       Lincoln.............  NE
 Sexual Assault Coalition.
Nevada Network Against Domestic    Reno................  NV
 Violence.
New Hampshire Coalition Against    Concord.............  NH
 Domestic & Sexual Violence.
New Jersey Coalition for Battered  Trenton.............  NJ
 Women.
New Mexico Coalition Against       Albuquerque.........  NM
 Domestic Violence.
New York State Coalition Against   Albany..............  NY
 Domestic Violence.
North Carolina Coalition Against   Durham..............  NC
 Domestic Violence.
Northern Marianas Coalition        Saipan..............  MP
 Against Sexual and Domestic
 Violence.
North Dakota Council on Abused     Bismarck............  ND
 Women's Services.
Ohio Domestic Violence Network...  Columbus............  OH
Oklahoma Coalition Against         Oklahoma City.......  OK
 Domestic Violence & Sexual
 Assault.
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic  Portland............  OR
 Violence & Sexual Assault.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against     Harrisburg..........  PA
 Domestic Violence.
Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer,    San Juan............  PR
 Inc. (Puerto Rico Coalition
 Against Domestic Violence).
Rhode Island Coalition on          Warwick.............  RI
 Domestic Violence.
South Carolina Coalition Against   Columbia............  SC
 Domestic Violence & Sexual
 Assault.
South Dakota Coalition Against     Pierre..............  SD
 Domestic Violence & Sexual
 Assault.
Tennessee Coalition Against        Nashville...........  TN
 Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Texas Council on Family Violence.  Austin..............  TX
Utah Domestic Violence Council...  Salt Lake City......  UT
Vermont Network Against Domestic   Montpelier..........  VT
 & Sexual Violence.

[[Page 14401]]

 
Virginia Sexual & Domestic         Richmond............  VA
 Violence Action Alliance.
Virgin Islands Domestic Violence   Kingshill...........  VI
 and Sexual Assault Council.
Washington State Coalition         Seattle.............  WA
 Against Domestic Violence.
West Virginia Coalition Against    Elkview.............  WV
 Domestic Violence.
Wisconsin Coalition Against        Madison.............  WI
 Domestic Violence.
Wyoming Coalition Against          Laramie.............  WY
 Domestic Violence & Sexual
 Assault.
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[FR Doc. 2012-5825 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-32-P