[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21370-21379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08275]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[C.F.D.A. NUMBER: 93.671]
Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence Prevention
and Services/Grants for Domestic Violence Shelters/Grants to Native
American Tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal
Organizations
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 HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-
[[Page 21371]]
0561 on March 5, 2013 at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0561.
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SUMMARY: This announcement governs the proposed award of formula grants
under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to Native
American Tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and Tribal
organizations. The purpose of these grants is to assist Tribes in
efforts to increase public awareness about, and primary and secondary
prevention of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence
and to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their
dependents. This announcement sets forth the application requirements,
the application process, and other administrative and fiscal
requirements for grants in Fiscal Year 2013. Grantees are to be mindful
that although the expenditure period for grants is a two-year period,
an application is required each year to provide continuity in the
provision of services.
Statutory Authority: Section 309 of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act, as amended by Section 201 of the CAPTA
Reauthorization Act of 2010, Pub.L. 111-320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Description
Background
The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) is
committed to facilitating healing and recovery and promoting the social
and emotional well-being of victims, children, youth, and families who
have experienced domestic violence, maltreatment, exposure to violence,
and trauma. This FVPSA funding opportunity announcement, administered
through ACYF's Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is designed to
assist Tribes in their efforts to support the establishment,
maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects: (1) to prevent
incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence;
(2) to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to
community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and (3) to provide
specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who
are members of racial and ethnic minority populations (section 10406
(a).
Tribes face unique circumstances and obstacles when responding to
family violence. The particular legal relationship of the United States
to Indian Tribes creates a Federal trust responsibility to assist
Tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Indian victims of
family violence.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) consulted with
Tribal governments regarding this grant program and the issue of
violence against women. In FY 2012, the Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) consulted with Tribal governments on all of the grant
programs administered by ACF. In addition, ACYF representatives
consulted during the Inter-Departmental Tribal Justice Safety and
Wellness Consultation on FVPSA issues.
During FY 2012, HHS awarded FVPSA grants to 141 Tribes or Tribal
organizations in support of 224 Tribes; 55 States and Territories; and
55 non-profit State Domestic Violence Coalitions. In addition, HHS
awarded FVPSA grants to one National Indian Resource Center addressing
Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women, and other national,
special issue and culturally specific resource centers, and the
National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Ensuring the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Families/Adults
ACYF is committed to facilitating healing and recovery and
promoting the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and
families/adults who have experienced maltreatment, exposure to
violence, and/or trauma. This funding opportunity announcement and
other 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, adults 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 families/
adults to believe that relationships 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, adults and families 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, adults and
families develop along a healthy trajectory.
Coping Strategies: The methods that children, youth,
adults 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, adults and families who grow up in or currently live in unsafe,
unpredictable environments, the coping strategies that may have been
protective in that context may not be appropriate for safer, more
regulated situations. Interventions should help children, youth, adults
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, adults and families.
[[Page 21372]]
The skills and capacities in these areas support children, youth,
adults and families as challenges, risks, and opportunities arise. In
particular, each domain impacts the capacity of children, youth, adults
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, adults
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, adults and
families. ACYF 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 consistency of trauma.
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, adults and families. Tribal grantees
have a critical role in incorporating ACYF priorities by helping to
ensure trauma-informed interventions are embedded within the service
provision framework of all services funded by FVPSA. Tribes and Tribal
organizations are strongly encouraged to leverage the expertise of the
FVPSA-funded National Indigenous Women's Resource Center on Domestic
Violence and the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and
Mental Health to infuse programs with best and promising practices on
trauma-informed interventions to support the social and emotional well-
being of families seeking shelter and supportive services.
Use of Funds
Grantees should ensure that not less than 70 percent of the funds
distributed are used for the primary purpose of providing immediate
shelter and supportive services to adult and youth victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents;
not less than 25 percent of the funds will be used for the purpose of
providing supportive services and prevention services (section
10408(b)). FVPSA funds awarded to grantees should be used for
activities described in (section 10408(b)):
Shelter
Provision of immediate shelter and related supportive
services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, including paying
for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for
such shelter.
Supportive Services
Provision of individual and group counseling, peer support
groups, and referral to community-based services to assist family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence victims, and their
dependents, in recovering from the effects of the violence.
Provision of services, training, technical assistance, and
outreach to increase awareness of family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence, and increase the accessibility of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence services.
Provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate
services.
Provision of services for children exposed to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including age-
appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the non-
abusing parent that support that parent's role as a caregiver, which
may, as appropriate, include services that work with the non-abusing
parent and child together.
Provision of advocacy, case management services, and
information and referral services, concerning issues related to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence intervention and
prevention, including: (1) Assistance in accessing related Federal and
State financial assistance programs; (2) legal advocacy to assist
victims and their dependents; (3) medical advocacy, including provision
of referrals for appropriate health care services (including mental
health, alcohol, and drug abuse treatment), but which shall not include
reimbursement for any health care services; (4) assistance locating and
securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness
prevention services; (5) transportation, child care, respite care, job
training and employment services, financial literacy services and
education, financial planning and related economic empowerment
services; and (6) parenting and other educational services for victims
and their dependents.
Provision of prevention services, including outreach to
underserved populations.
Assistance in developing safety plans, and supporting
efforts of victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating
violence to make decisions related to their ongoing safety and well-
being.
Annual FVPSA Tribal Grantee Meeting
FVPSA Tribal grantees must plan to attend the annual grantee
meeting and may use grant funding to support the travel of up to two
participants. The meeting is a training and technical assistance
activity focusing on FVPSA administrative issues as well as the
promotion of evidence informed and promising practices to address
family violence, domestic violence and dating violence. Subsequent
correspondence will advise the FVPSA Tribal grantees of the date, time
and location of their grantee meeting.
Client Confidentiality
In order to ensure the safety of adult, youth, and child victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their
families, FVPSA-funded programs must establish and implement policies
and protocols for maintaining the confidentiality of records pertaining
to any individual provided domestic violence services. Consequently,
when providing statistical data on program activities and program
services, individual identifiers of client records will not be used
(section 10406(c)(5)).
In the annual grantee Performance Progress Report (PPR), grantees
must collect unduplicated data from each program. 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 10406(c)(5). The address or location of
any FVPSA-supported shelter facility shall, except with written
authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of
such shelter, not be made public (section 10406(c)(5)(H)) and the
confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided
domestic violence services by any FVPSA-supported program will be
strictly maintained.
Coordinated and Accessible Services
The impacts of family violence may include physical injury and
death of primary or secondary victims, psychological trauma, isolation
from family and friends, harm to children living with a parent or
caretaker who is either experiencing or perpetrating family violence,
increased fear, reduced mobility, damaged credit, employment and
financial instability, homelessness, substance abuse, chronic
illnesses, and a host of other health and related mental
[[Page 21373]]
health consequences. In Tribal communities, these dynamics may be
compounded by barriers such as the isolation of vast rural areas, the
concern for safety in isolated settings, lack of housing and shelter
options, and the transportation requirements over long distances. These
factors heighten the need for the coordination of the services through
an often limited delivery system. To help bring about a more effective
response to the problem of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence, HHS urges Tribes and Tribal organizations receiving
funds under this grant announcement to coordinate activities and
related issues and to consider joining a consortium of Tribes to
coordinate service delivery where appropriate.
It is essential that community service providers are involved in
the design and improvement 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 Tribal,
Federal, State, and local public officials and agencies are needed to
provide more responsive and effective services to victims of family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their families.
To promote a more effective response to family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence, HHS requires States receiving FVPSA
funds to collaborate with State Domestic Violence Coalitions, Tribes,
Tribal organizations, service providers, and community-based
organizations to address the needs of family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence victims, particularly for those who are
members of racial and ethnic minority populations and underserved
populations (section 10407(a)(2)).
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 10406(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 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 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 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 10408(d)).
Definitions
Tribes and Tribal organizations should use the following
definitions in carrying out their programs.
Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been
in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the
victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be
determined based on a consideration of the length of the relationship,
the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the
persons involved in the relationship.
Domestic Violence: Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence
committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with
whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is
cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a
person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic
or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or
by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected
from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of
the jurisdiction.
Family Violence: Any act or threatened act of violence, including
any forceful detention of an individual, which (a) results or threatens
to result in physical injury; and (b) is committed by a person against
another individual (including an elderly person) to whom such person
is, or was, related by blood or marriage, or otherwise legally related,
or with whom such person is, or was, lawfully residing.
Indian Tribe: Any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized
group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or
village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq.), which is
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
Personally Identifying Information or Personal Information: Any
individually identifying information for or about an individual,
including information likely to disclose the location of a victim of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking,
including: a first and last name, a home or other physical address,
contact information (including a postal, email or Internet protocol
address, or telephone or facsimile number), a social security number
and any other information, including date of birth, racial or ethnic
background, or religious affiliation, that, in combination with any of
the above identifiers, would serve to identify any individual.
Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge and supportive services
in compliance with applicable State law and regulation governing the
provision, on a regular basis, of shelter, safe homes, meals, and
supportive services to victims of family violence, domestic violence,
or dating violence, and their dependents.
State Domestic Violence Coalition: A statewide nonprofit private
domestic violence service organization that has a membership that
includes a majority of the primary-purpose domestic violence service
providers in the State; has board membership representative of primary
purpose domestic violence service providers and the communities in
which the services are being provided in the State; has as its purpose
to provide education, support, and technical assistance to such service
providers to enable the providers to establish and maintain shelter and
supportive services for victims of domestic violence and their
dependents; and 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.
Supportive Services: Services for adult and youth victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
Such services are designed to meet the needs of such victims for short-
term, transitional, or long-term safety and provide counseling,
advocacy, or assistance for victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
Tribal Consortium: Groups of Tribes who agree to apply for and
administer a single FVPSA grant with one Tribe or Tribal organization
responsible for grant administration. In a Tribal consortium, the
population of all of the Tribes involved is used to calculate the award
amount. The allocations for each of the Tribes included in the
consortium are combined to determine the total grant for the
consortium.
[[Page 21374]]
Tribally Designated Official: An individual designated by an Indian
Tribe, Tribal organization, or nonprofit private organization
authorized by an Indian Tribe to administer a grant.
Tribal Organization: The recognized governing body of any Indian
Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians that is
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is
democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to
be served by such organization, and that includes the maximum
participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. In any case
where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform
services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each
such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of
such contract or grant.
Underserved Populations: Populations underserved because of
geographic location, underserved racial and ethnic populations,
populations underserved because of special needs (such as language
barriers, disabilities, alienage status, or age), and any other
population determined to be underserved by the Attorney General or by
the Secretary of HHS, as appropriate.
II. Award Information
Subject to the availability of Federal appropriations and as
authorized by law, in FY 2013, ACYF will allocate 10 percent of the
appropriation available under section 10403(a) to Tribes and Tribal
organizations for the establishment and operation of shelters, safe
houses, and the provision of supportive services for victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
HHS will also make available funds to States to support local
domestic violence programs to provide immediate shelter and supportive
services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; State Domestic
Violence Coalitions to provide technical assistance and training,
advocacy services, among other activities with local domestic violence
programs; the national resource centers, special issue resource centers
and culturally specific resource centers; the National Domestic
Violence Hotline; and to support discretionary projects including
training and technical assistance, collaborative projects with advocacy
organizations and service providers, data collection efforts, public
education activities, research, and other demonstration projects.
In computing tribal allocations, ACF will use the latest available
population figures from the Census Bureau. The latest Census population
counts may be viewed at: www.census.gov. Where Census Bureau data are
unavailable, ACF will use figures from the Bureau of Indian Affairs'
(BIA's) Indian Population and Labor Force Report, which is available
at: www.bia.gov/WhatWeDo/Knowledge/Reports/index.htm.
The funding formula for the allocation of family violence funds is
based upon the Tribe's population. The formula has two parts, the
Tribal population base allocation and a population category allocation.
The base allocations are determined by a Tribe's population and a
funds allocation schedule. Tribes with populations between 1 and 50,000
people receive a $2,500 base allocation for the first 1,500 people. For
each additional 1,000 people above the 1,500 person minimum, a Tribe's
base allocation is increased $1,000. Tribes with populations between
50,001 to 100,000 people receive base allocations of $125,000, and
Tribes with a population of 100,001 to 150,000 receive a base
allocation of $175,000.
Once the base allocations have been distributed to the Tribes that
have applied for FVPSA funding, the ratio of the Tribal population
category allocation to the total of all base allocations is then
considered in allocating the remainder of the funds. By establishing
base amounts with distribution of proportional amounts for larger
Tribes, FYSB is balancing the need for basic services for all Tribes
with the greater demand for services among Tribes with larger
populations. In FY 2012, actual grant awards ranged from $14,897-
$1,675,967.
Tribes are encouraged to apply for FVPSA funding as a consortium
(see Section I. Definitions). The allocations for each of the Tribes
included in the consortium will be combined to determine the total
grant for the consortium.
Length of Project Periods
FVPSA Tribal formula grant awards are for a 2-year period. The
project period for this award is from October 1, 2012-September 30,
2014.
Expenditure Period
The project period under this program announcement is 24 months.
The FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures starting 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
2013 funds may be used for expenditures from October 1, 2012, through
September 30, 2014. For example:
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Project period (24 Application requirements and
Award year (Federal Fiscal Year (FY)) Months) expenditure periods
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FY 2013........................................ 10/01/2012-9/30/2014 Regardless of the date the award is
received, these funds may be expended
by the grantee for obligations
incurred since October 1, 2012. The
funds may be expended through
September 30, 2014.
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Re-allotted funds, if any, are available for expenditure until the
end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year that the funds became
available for re-allotment. FY 2013 grant funds that are made available
to Tribes and Tribal organizations through re-allotment must be
expended by the grantee no later than September 30, 2014.
III. Eligibility Information
Tribes, Tribal organizations and nonprofit private organizations
authorized by a Tribe, as defined in Section I of this announcement,
are eligible for funding under this program. A Tribe has the option to
authorize a Tribal organization or a nonprofit private organization to
submit an application and administer the grant funds awarded under this
grant (section 10409(b)). Tribes may apply singularly or as a
consortium with other Tribes.
Additional Information on Eligibility
DUNS 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
[[Page 21375]]
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. 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 DUNS Number by telephone will take between
5 and 10 minutes.
SAM Requirement (www.Sam.gov)
The System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov is a new
system that consolidates the capabilities of a number of systems that
support Federal procurement and award processes. Phase 1 of SAM
includes the capabilities previously provided via Central Contractor
Registration (CCR)/Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), Online
Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS).
SAM is the Federal registrant database and repository into which an
entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as
a recipient. The former CCR Web site is no longer be available. All
information previously held in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) system has been migrated to SAM.gov.
Applicants may register at www.sam.gov or by phone at 1-866-606-
8220. Registration assistance is available through the ``Help'' tab at
www.sam.gov or by phone at 1-866-606-8220.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to register at SAM well in
advance of the application due date. Registration at SAM.gov must be
updated annually.
Note: It can take 24 hours or more for updates to registrations
at SAM.gov to take effect. An entity's registration will become
active after 3-5 days. Therefore, check for active registration well
before the application due date and deadline. An applicant can view
their registration status by visiting http://www.bpn.gov/CCRSearch/Search.aspx and searching by their organization's DUNS number.
See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf. HHS
requires all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately receive,
Federal grant funds from any HHS Agency, or receive subawards directly
from recipients of those grant funds to:
Be registered in at Sam.gov prior to submitting an
application or plan;
Maintain an active registration at www.sam.gov with
current information at all times during which it has an active award or
an application or plan under consideration by an HHS agency; and
Provide its active DUNS number in each application or plan
it submits to an HHS agency.
ACF is prohibited from making an award to an applicant that has not
complied with these requirements. If, 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
IV. Application Requirements
Forms, Assurances, Certifications, and Policy
Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement
must submit the listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, certifications
and policy. All required Standard Forms, assurances, and certifications
are available at ACF Funding Opportunities Forms or at the Grants.gov
Forms Repository unless specified otherwise.
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Forms/certifications Description Where found
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Certification Regarding Lobbying........ Required of all applicants at the time of Available at
their application. If not available with www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/
the application, it must be submitted grants_resources.html.
prior to the award of the grant.
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying If any funds have been paid or will be ``Disclosure Form to
Activities. paid to any person for influencing or Report Lobbying'' is
attempting to influence an officer or available at
employee of any agency, a Member of www.acf.hhs.gov/grants-
Congress, an officer or employee of forms.
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
applicant shall complete and submit the
SF-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report
Lobbying,'' in accordance with its
instructions. Applicants must furnish an
executed copy of the Certification
Regarding Lobbying prior to award.
Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Non-profit private organizations (not Available at
Applicants. including private universities) are www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/
encouraged to submit the survey with grants_resources.html.
their applications. Submission of the
survey is voluntary. Applicants applying
electronically may submit the survey
along with the application as part of an
appendix or as a separate document. Hard
copy submissions should include the
survey in a separate envelope.
The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, See Appendix B for submission See Appendix B for the
transgender, and questioning youth are requirements.. complete policy
taken into consideration in applicants description.
program design..
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Assurances and Policy
Each applicant must provide signed copy of both the assurance and
policy. (See Appendices A and B)
The Project Description
The content of the application should include the following in this
order:
A. Cover Letter
The cover letter of the application should include the following
information:
[[Page 21376]]
(1) The name of the Tribe, Tribal organization, or nonprofit
private organization applying for the FVPSA grant and the mailing
address.
(2) The name of the Tribally Designated Official authorized to
administer this grant, along with the telephone number, fax number, and
email address.
(3) The name of a Program Contact designated to administer
coordination of the programming, including the telephone number, fax
number, and email address.
(4) The Employee Identification Number (EIN) of the applicant
organization submitting the application.
(5) The D-U-N-S number of the applicant organization submitting the
application (see Section III. Eligibility).
(6) The signature of the Tribally Designated Official (see Section
I. Definitions).
B. Program and Project Description
(1) A description of the service area(s) and population(s) to be
served.
(2) A description of the services to be provided with FVPSA funds.
(3) A description of barriers that challenge the effectiveness of
the operation of the program and/or services provided to victims of
domestic violence, family violence and dating violence and their
dependents.
(4) A description of the technical assistance needed to address the
described barriers.
C. Capacity
A description of the applicant's operation of and/or capacity to
carry out a FVPSA program. This might be demonstrated in ways such as
the following:
(1) The current operation of a shelter, safe house, or domestic and
dating violence prevention program;
(2) The establishment of joint or collaborative service agreements
with a local public agency or a private non-profit agency for the
operation of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence
activities or services; or
(3) The operation of other social services programs.
D. Services to be Provided
A description of the activities and services to be provided,
including:
(1) How the grant funds will be used to provide shelter, supportive
services, and prevention services for victims of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence. Please note that for the
purposes of this grant, domestic violence does not include services
targeted solely to address child abuse and neglect.
(2) How the services are designed to reduce family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence.
(3) A plan describing how the organization will provide specialized
services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence.
(4) An explanation of how the program plans to evaluate the
services to determine effectiveness.
(5) A description of how the funds are to be spent. For example, a
half-time Domestic Violence Advocate and costs for transportation to
shelter.
E. Involvement of Individuals and Organizations
A description of the procedures designed to involve knowledgeable
individuals and interested organizations in providing services under
FVPSA. For example, knowledgeable individuals and interested
organizations may include Tribal officials or social services staff
involved in family violence prevention, Tribal law enforcement
officials, representatives of State or Tribal Domestic Violence
Coalitions, and operators of domestic violence shelters and service
programs.
F. Involvement of Community-based Organizations
(1) A description of how the applicant will involve community-based
organizations whose primary purpose is to provide culturally
appropriate services to underserved populations.
(2) A description of how these community-based organizations can
assist the Tribe in addressing the unmet needs of such populations.
G. Current Signed Tribal Resolution
A copy of a current Tribal Resolution or an equivalent document
that:
(1) Covers the entirety of FY 2013, including a date when the
resolution or equivalent document expires, which can be no more than 5
years.
(2) States that the Tribe or Tribal organization has the authority
to submit an application on behalf of the individuals in the Tribe(s)
and to administer programs and activities funded.
Note: An applicant that received no funding in the immediately
preceding fiscal year must submit a new Tribal resolution or its
equivalent. An applicant funded as part of a consortium in the
immediately preceding year that is now seeking funds as a single
Tribe must also submit a new resolution or its equivalent. Likewise,
an applicant funded as a single Tribe in the immediately preceding
fiscal year that is now seeking funding as a part of a consortium
must submit a new resolution or its equivalent. In addition to 1 and
2 above, new resolutions should state the Tribal service area and
the primary services to be provided by the Tribe or Tribal
organization under this grant.
H. Policies and Procedures
Written documentation of the policies and procedures developed and
implemented, including copies of the policies and procedures, to ensure
that the safety and confidentiality of clients and their dependents
served is maintained as described in Section I.
Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.
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.
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
The review and comment provisions of the Executive Order (E.O.)
12372 and Part 100 do not apply. Federally recognized Tribes are exempt
from all provisions and requirements of E.O. 12372.
Funding Restrictions
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub.L. 112-74), enacted
December 23, 2011, limited the salary amount that could be awarded and
charged to ACF mandatory and discretionary grants. Public Law 112-175
extended this salary limitation through the earlier of March 27, 2013
or enactment of the relevant FY 2013 appropriations statue(s).
Accordingly, award funds issued under this announcement may not be used
to pay the salary, or any percentage of salary, to an individual at a
rate in excess of Executive Level II. The Executive Level II salary of
the Federal Executive Pay scale is $179,700 (www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/html/ex.asp). This amount reflects an individual's base salary
exclusive of fringe benefits and any income that an individual may be
permitted to earn outside of the duties to the applicant organization.
This salary limitation also applies to subawards/subcontracts under an
ACF mandatory and discretionary grant.
[[Page 21377]]
Application Submission
Applications should be sent or delivered to: Family Violence
Prevention and Services Program, Family and Youth Services Bureau,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for
Children and Families, Attention: Shena R. Williams, 1250 Maryland
Avenue, SW., Suite 8213, Washington, DC 20024.
V. Award Administration Information
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the uniform
administrative requirements and cost principles of 45 CFR Sec. 74
(Uniform Administrative Requirements for Awards and Subawards to
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit
Organizations, and Commercial Organizations) or 45 CFRSec. 92 (Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to
State, Local, and Tribal Governments). The Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) is available at 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 C.F.R. Part
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.
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. Sec. 8102 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 part 382.400. All recipients of ACF
grant funds must comply with the requirements in Subpart B--
Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR part 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 www.sam.gov, although checking the EPLS
is not required. More information is available at www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
Pro-Children Act
The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 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.
Approval/Disapproval of an Application
The Secretary of HHS shall approve any application that meets the
requirements of FVPSA and this announcement. The Secretary shall not
disapprove an application unless the Secretary gives the applicant
reasonable
[[Page 21378]]
notice of the Secretary's intention to disapprove and a 6-month period
providing an opportunity for correction of any deficiencies. The
Secretary shall give such notice within 45 days after the date of
submission of the application if any of the provisions of the
application have not been satisfied. If the Tribe does not correct the
deficiencies in such application within the 6-month period following
the receipt of the Secretary's notice, the Secretary shall withhold
payment of any grant funds to such Tribe until such date as the Tribe
provides documentation that the deficiencies have been corrected.
VI. Reporting Requirements
Performance Progress Reports (PPR)
ACF grantees must submit a PPR using the standardized format
provided by FVPSA and approved by OMB (0970-0280). This report will
describe the grant activities carried out during the year, report the
number of people served, and contain an evaluation of the effectiveness
of such activities. Consortia grantees should compile the information
into a comprehensive PPR for submission. A copy of the PPR is available
on the FYSB Web site at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/resource/ppr-tribal-fvpsa.
PPRs for Tribes and Tribal organizations are due on an annual basis
at the end of the calendar year (December 30) and will cover from
October 1 through September 30. Grantees should submit their reports
online through the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system at the
following address: https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi with a copy 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: Shena R. Williams,
1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8213, Washington, DC 20024, Phone: (202)
205-5932, Email: [email protected].
Federal Financial Reports (FFR)
Grantees must submit annual Financial Status Reports. The first SF-
425A is due December 30, 2012. The final SF-425A is due December 30,
2013. SF-425A can be found at: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html, www.forms.gov. Completed reports may be mailed to: Deborah
Bell, Division of Mandatory Grants, Office of Grants Management,
Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW.,
6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447.
Grantees have the option of submitting their reports online through
the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system at the following address:
https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi.
Failure to submit reports on time may be a basis for withholding
grant funds, or suspension or termination of the grant. All funds
reported as unobligated after the obligation period will be recouped.
VII. FFATA Subaward and Executive Compensation
Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity may be
subject to the Transparency Act subaward and executive compensation
reporting requirements of 2 CFR Sec. 170. See ACF's Award Term for
Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward
and Executive Compensation Reporting Requirement implementing this
requirement and additional award applicability information.
ACF has implemented the use of the SF-428 Tangible Property Report
and the SF-429 Real Property Status Report for all grantees. Both
standard forms are available at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/.
VIII. Agency Contact
Program Office Contact
Shena R. Williams, Program Specialist at (202) 205-5932 or email at
[email protected].
Grants Management Contact
Deborah Bell, Division of Mandatory Grants at (202) 401-4611 or
email at [email protected]
IX. Appendices
A. Assurances of Compliance with Grant Requirements
B. LGBTQ (also known as ``Two-Spirited'') Accessibility Policy
Application Due Date: May 6, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shena R. Williams at (202) 205-5932 or
email at [email protected].
Bryan Samuels,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
Appendix A
Assurances of Compliance With Grant Requirements
The grantee certifies that it will comply with the following
assurances under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, 42
U.S.C. Sec. 10401, et seq. (cited herein by the applicable section
number only):
(1) Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grant
funds will be used to provide shelter, supportive services or
prevention services to adult and youth victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents (section
10408(b)(1)).
(2) Not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be
for the primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and
supportive services as defined in section 10402(9) and (12) to adult
and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence or dating
violence as defined in section 10402(2), (3) and (4), and their
dependents (section 10408(b)(2)).
(3) Not less than 25 percent of the funds distributed shall be
for the purpose of providing supportive services and prevention
services as described in section 10408(b)(1)(B) through (H), to
victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence,
and their dependents (section 10408(b)(2)).
(4) Grant funds will not be used as direct payment to any victim
of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, or to any
dependent of such victim (section 10408(d)(1)).
(5) No income eligibility standard will be imposed on
individuals with respect to eligibility for assistance or services
supported with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (section
10406(c)(3)).
(6) No fees will be levied for assistance or services provided
with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (section
10406(c)(3)).
(7) The address or location of any shelter or facility assisted
under the FVPSA that otherwise maintains a confidential location
will, except with written authorization of the person or persons
responsible for the operation of such shelter, not be made public
(section 10406(c)(5)(H)).
(8) Procedures are established to ensure compliance with the
provisions of section 10406(c)(5) regarding non-disclosure of
confidential of private information (section 10407(a)(2)(A)).
(9) Pursuant to Section 10406(c)(5), comply with the new FVPSA
provisions regarding non-disclosure of confidential or private
information. As such, the applicant will comply with additional
requirements imposed by that section which include but are not
limited to: (A) grantees shall not disclose any personally
identifying information collected in connection with services
requested (including services utilized or denied), through grantee's
funded activities or reveal personally identifying information
without informed, written, reasonably time-limited consent by the
person about whom information is sought, whether for the FVPSA
funded activities or any other Federal or State program (additional
consent requirements have been omitted but see section
10406(c)(5)(B)(ii)(I) for further requirements); (B) grantees may
not release information compelled by statutory or court order unless
adhering to the requirements of section 10406(c)(5)(C); (C) grantees
may share non-personally identifying information in the aggregate
for the purposes enunciated in section 10406(c)(5)(D)(i) as well as
for other purposes found in section 10406(c)(5)(D)(ii) and (iii).
(10) As prescribed by section 10406(c)(2) of the FVPSA, the
Tribe will use grant funds in a manner which avoids prohibited
[[Page 21379]]
discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, color,
national origin, or religion.
(11) Funds made available under the FVPSA will be used to
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State and local public
funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the
objectives of the FVPSA (section 10406(c)(6)).
(12) Receipt of supportive services under the FVPSA will be
voluntary. No condition will be applied for the receipt of emergency
shelter (section 10408(d)(2)).
(13) The Tribe has a law or procedure to bar an abuser from a
shared household or a household of the abused person, which may
include eviction laws or procedures (section 10407(a)(2)(H)).
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Tribally Designated Official
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Tribe or Tribal Organization
Appendix B
LGBTQ (also known as ``Two-Spirited'') Accessibility Policy
As the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) signing
this application on behalf of
[Insert full, formal name of applicant organization]
I hereby attest and certify that:
The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
questioning (also known as ``Two-Spirited'') program participants
are taken into consideration in applicant's program design.
Applicant considered how its program will be inclusive of and non-
stigmatizing toward such participants. If not already in place,
awardee and, if applicable, sub-awardees must establish and
publicize policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, and
national origin. The submission of an application for this funding
opportunity constitutes an assurance that applicants have or will
put such policies in place within 12 months of the award. Awardees
should ensure that all staff members are trained to prevent and
respond to harassment or bullying in all forms during the award
period. Programs should be prepared to monitor claims, address them
seriously, and document their corrective action(s) so all
participants are assured that programs are safe, inclusive, and non-
stigmatizing by design and in operation. In addition, any sub-
awardees or subcontractors:
Have in place or will put into place within 12 months
of the award policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, and
national origin;
Will enforce these policies;
Will ensure that all staff will be trained during the
award period on how to prevent and respond to harassment or bullying
in all forms, and;
Have or will have within 12 months of the award, a plan
to monitor claims, address them seriously, and document their
corrective action(s).
Insert Date of Signature:
Print Name and Title of the AOR:
Signature of AOR:
[FR Doc. 2013-08275 Filed 4-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-32-P