[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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Forms/certifications                            Description                         Where found
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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)).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribally Designated Official

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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