[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23263-23271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08711]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[C.F.D.A. Number: 93.591]


Standing Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Grants to States for Domestic Violence Shelters 
and Support Services

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 HHH2013-ACF-ACYF-SDVC-0564 on March 5, 2013 at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0564.

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[[Page 23264]]

SUMMARY: This announcement governs the proposed award of mandatory 
grants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to 
States (including territories and insular areas). The purpose of these 
grants is to: (1) assist States in efforts to increase public awareness 
about, and primary and secondary prevention of, family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence; and (2) assist States in 
efforts to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for 
victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence (42 
U.S.C. 10401 et seq.).
    This announcement sets forth the application requirements, the 
application process, and other administrative and fiscal requirements 
for grants in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Statutory Authority:  The statutory authority for this program 
is 42 U.S.C. 10401 through 10414 hereinafter cited by Section number 
only.

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. An important component of promoting well-being 
in this regard includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have 
profound impacts on coping, resiliency, and skill development. ACYF 
promotes a trauma-informed approach, which involves understanding and 
responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and 
traumatic stress across the lifespan.
    This FVPSA funding opportunity announcement (FOA), administered 
through ACYF's Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), is designed to 
assist States 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)).
    The FVPSA State Formula Grant funds shall be used to identify and 
provide subgrants to eligible entities for programs and projects within 
the State that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate shelter 
and supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, and which 
may be used to provide prevention services to prevent future incidents 
of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence (Section 
10408 (a)).
    FVPSA funds awarded to subgrantees should be used for:
     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 a 
shelter.(Section 10408(b)(1)(A)).
     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 (Section 10408(b)(1)(B)).
     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 (Section 
10408(b)(1)(C)).
     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 (Section 
10408(b)(1)(D)).
     Provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate 
services (Section 10408(b)(1)(E)).
     Provision of services for children exposed to family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including age-
appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the 
nonabusing parent that support that parent's role as a caregiver, which 
may, as appropriate, include services that work with the nonabusing 
parent and child together (Section 10408(b)(1)(F)).
     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), which does 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 (Section 10408(b)(1)(G)).
     Provision of prevention services, including outreach to 
underserved populations (Section 10408(b)(1)(H)).
    In the distribution of FVPSA grant funds, the State 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)(2)); and not more than 5 percent 
of the FVPSA grant funds should be used for State administrative costs 
(Section 10406(b)(1)).

Ensuring the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Families

    ACYF is committed to facilitating healing and recovery, and 
promoting the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and 
families who have experienced maltreatment, exposure to violence, and/
or trauma. This FOA and other discretionary spending this fiscal year 
are designed to ensure that effective interventions are in place to 
build skills and capacities that contribute to the healthy, positive, 
and productive functioning of families.
    Children, youth, and families who have experienced maltreatment, 
exposure to violence, and/or trauma are impacted along several domains, 
each of which must be addressed in order to foster social and emotional 
well-being and promote healthy, positive functioning:
    Understanding Experiences: A fundamental aspect of the human 
experience is the development of a world view through which one's 
experiences are understood. Whether that perspective is generally 
positive or negative impacts how experiences are interpreted and 
integrated. For example, one is more likely to approach a

[[Page 23265]]

challenge as a surmountable, temporary obstacle if his or her frame 
includes a sense that ``things will turn out alright.'' On the 
contrary, negative experiences can color how future experiences are 
understood. Ongoing exposure to family violence might lead children, 
youth, and adults to believe that relationships are generally hostile 
in nature and affect their ability to enter into and stay engaged in 
safe and healthy relationships. Interventions should seek to address 
how children, youth, and adults frame what has happened to them in the 
past and shape their beliefs about the future.
     Developmental Tasks: People grow physically and 
psychosocially along a fairly predictable course, encountering normal 
challenges and establishing competencies as they pass from one 
developmental stage to another. However, adverse events have a marked 
effect on the trajectory of normal social and emotional development, 
delaying the growth of certain capacities, and, in many cases, 
accelerating the maturation of others. Intervention strategies must be 
attuned to the developmental impact of negative experiences and address 
related strengths and deficits to ensure children, youth, and families 
develop along a healthy trajectory.
     Coping Strategies: The methods that children, youth, and 
families develop to manage challenges both large and small are learned 
in childhood, honed in adolescence, and practiced in adulthood. Those 
who have been presented with healthy stressors and opportunities to 
overcome them with appropriate encouragement and support are more 
likely to have an array of positive, productive coping strategies 
available to them as they go through life. For children, youth, and 
families who 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, and families 
transform maladaptive coping methods into healthier, more productive 
strategies.
     Protective Factors: A wealth of research has demonstrated 
that the presence of certain contextual factors (e.g., supportive 
relatives, involvement in after-school activities) and characteristics 
(e.g., self-esteem, relationship skills) can moderate the impacts of 
past and future negative experiences. These protective factors are 
fundamental to resilience; building them is integral to successful 
intervention with children, youth, and families.
    The skills and capacities in these areas support children, youth, 
and families as challenges, risks, and opportunities arise. In 
particular, each domain impacts the capacity of children, youth, and 
families to establish and maintain positive relationships with caring 
adults and supportive peers. The necessity of these relationships to 
social and emotional well-being and lifelong success in school, 
community, and at home cannot be overstated and should be central to 
all interventions with vulnerable children, youth, and families.
    An important component of promoting social and emotional well-being 
includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have a profound 
effect on the overall functioning of children, youth, and families. 
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 sequelae 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, and families.

Annual FVPSA State Administrators Grantee Meeting

    FVPSA State Administrators shall plan to attend the annual grantee 
meeting. The State FVPSA Administrators 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, or dating violence. 
Subsequent correspondence will advise the FVPSA State Administrators 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 by 
the State or other FVPSA grantees or subgrantees (Section 10406(c)(5)).
    In the annual grantee Performance Progress Report (PPR), States and 
subgrantees must collect unduplicated data from each program rather 
than unduplicated data across programs or statewide. No client-level 
data should be shared with a third party, regardless of encryption, 
hashing, or other data security measures, without a written, time-
limited release as described in section 10406(c)(5). The address or 
location of any FVPSA-supported shelter facility shall not be made 
public except with written authorization of the person or persons 
responsible for the operation of such shelter, (See 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

    It is essential that community service providers, including those 
serving or representing underserved communities, are involved in the 
design and improvement of intervention and prevention activities 
identified in the state plan. Coordination and collaboration among 
victim services providers; community-based, culturally specific, and 
faith-based services providers; housing and homeless services 
providers; and Federal, State, and local public officials and agencies 
is needed for an effective state planning process and to provide more 
responsive and effective services to victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents. It is 
expected that the communities and organizations noted above will be 
included in committees or other activities to ensure they are part of 
the planning and decision making to create and maintain fully 
coordinated and accessible services.
    To promote a more effective response to family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence, States receiving funds under this grant 
announcement must collaborate with State Domestic Violence Coalitions 
and community-based organizations and should collaborate with tribes, 
tribal organizations, and service providers, to address the needs of 
victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and 
for those who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations and 
underserved populations (See Section 10407(a)(2)).
    To serve victims most in need and to comply with Federal law, 
services must be widely accessible to all. Service providers 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 complying with these 
requirements.

[[Page 23266]]

Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights for HHS Office of Civil 
Rights guidance on serving immigrant victims and http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html for guidance on the 
Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 
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)(2)).

Definitions

    States should use the following definitions in carrying out their 
programs (Section 10402).
    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 that: (a) results or threatens 
to result in physical injury; and (b) is committed by a person against 
another individual (including an elderly individual) to or with whom 
such person is related by blood, or is or was related by marriage, or 
is or was otherwise legally related, or is or was lawfully residing.
    Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge and supportive services 
in compliance with applicable State law (including 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.
    Supportive Services: Services for adult and youth victims of family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and dependents exposed 
to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, that are 
designed to:
     Meet the needs of victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, 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.

II. Award Information

    For FY 2013, HHS will make available for grants to designated State 
agencies 70 percent of the amount appropriated under section 
10403(a)(1) of FVPSA, which is not reserved under Section 10403(a)(2). 
In FY 2012, ACYF awarded $90,682,686 to State agencies for these 
purposes. In separate announcements, ACYF will allocate 10 percent of 
the foregoing appropriation to tribes and tribal organizations for the 
establishment and operation of shelters, safe houses, and the provision 
of supportive services; and 10 percent to the State Domestic Violence 
Coalitions to continue their work within the domestic violence 
community by providing technical assistance and training, needs 
assessment, and advocacy services, among other activities with local 
domestic violence programs, and to encourage appropriate responses to 
domestic violence within the States. Six percent of the amount 
appropriated under section 10403(c) of FVPSA, and reserved under 
section 10403(a)(2)(c), will be available in FY 2013 to continue the 
support for the two National Resource Centers (NRCs), four Special 
Issue Resource Centers (SIRCs), and the three Culturally Specific 
Special Issue Resource Centers (CSSIRCs). Additionally, funds 
appropriated under FVPSA will be used to support other activities, 
including training and technical assistance, collaborative projects 
with advocacy organizations and service providers, data collection 
efforts, public education activities, research and other demonstration 
projects, as well as the ongoing operation of the National Domestic 
Violence Hotline.

State Allocation

    FVPSA grants to the States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are based on a population formula. Each 
State grant shall be $600,000, with the remaining funds allotted to 
each State on the same ratio as the population of the State to the 
population of all States (Section 10405(a)(2)). State populations are 
determined on the basis of the most recent census data available to the 
Secretary of HE-IS, and the Secretary shall use for such purpose, if 
available, the annual current interim census data produced by the 
Secretary of Commerce pursuant to 13 U.S.C. 181.
    For the purpose of computing allotments, the statute provides that 
Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands will each receive grants of not less than one-
eighth of one percent of the amount appropriated for formula grants to 
States (Section 10405(a)(1)).

Match

    Grants funded by the States will meet the matching requirements in 
Section 10406(c)(4). No grant shall be made to any entity other than a 
State unless the entity agrees that, with respect to the cost to be 
incurred by the entity in carrying out the program or project for which 
the grant is awarded, the entity will make available (directly or 
through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal 
contributions in an amount that is not less than $1 for every $5 of 
federal funds provided under the grant. The non-Federal contributions 
required may be in cash or in kind.

Length of Project Periods

    24 Months.

Expenditure Period

    FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures on and after October 1 of 
each fiscal year for which they are granted and will be available for 
expenditure through September 30 of the following fiscal year, i.e., FY 
2013 funds may be used for expenditures from October 1, 2012, through 
September 30, 2014; FY 2014 funds from October 1, 2013, through 
September 30, 2015; and FY 2015 funds from October 1, 2014, through 
September 30, 2016. Funds will be available for obligations only 
through FY 2013: September 30, 2014; FY 2014: September 30, 2015 and FY 
2015: September 30, 2016, and must be liquidated by FY 2013: December 
30, 2014; FY 2014: December 30, 2015; and FY 2015: December 30, 2016.
    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 the States through re-allotment, under section 10405(d), must be 
expended by the State no later than September 30, 2014; FY 2014 funds 
must be expended no later than September 30, 2015; and FY 2015 funds 
must be expended no later than September 30, 2016.

[[Page 23267]]

III. Eligibility Information

    ``States,'' as defined in section 10402 of FVPSA, are eligible to 
apply for funds. The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.
    In the past, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa have applied for funds as 
a part of their consolidated grant under the Social Services Block 
Grant. These jurisdictions need not submit an application under this 
program announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as 
part of a consolidated grant application; however, they are required to 
submit a Performance Progress Report using the standardized format.

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 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 https://www.bpn.gov/PublicSearch.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 requires 
all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately receive, Federal 
grant fluids 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 of an award is ready 
to be made, and the intended recipient has not complied with these 
requirements, ACF:
     May determine that the applicant is not qualified to 
receive an award; and
     May use that determination as a basis for making an award 
to another applicant.
    Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients (i.e., direct 
subrecipients) must have an active DUNS number at the time the subaward 
is made.

IV. Application Requirements

Content of Application Submission

    The State's application must be submitted by the chief executive 
officer of the State and must contain the following information or 
documentation (Section 10407(a)(1)):
    (1) The name and complete address of the State agency; the name and 
contact information for the official designated as responsible for the 
administration of FVPSA programs and activities relating to family 
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence that are carried out 
by the State and for coordination of related programs within the State; 
the name and contact information for a contact person if different from 
the designated official (Section 10407(a)(2)(G)).
    (2) A plan describing how the State will involve community-based 
organizations whose primary purpose is to provide culturally 
appropriate services to underserved populations, including how such 
community-based organizations can assist the State in identifying and 
addressing the unmet needs of such populations, including involvement 
in the State planning process and other ongoing communications (Section 
10407(a)(2)(E)).
    (3) A plan describing how the State will provide specialized 
services including trauma-informed 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)(3)).
    (4) A plan describing in detail how the needs of underserved 
populations will be met (Section 10406(a)(3)). ``Underserved 
populations'' include populations underserved because of geographic 
location (such as rural isolation); underserved racial and ethnic 
populations; populations underserved because of special needs (such as 
language bathers, disabilities, immigration status, or age); lesbian, 
gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individuals; at-risk youth; or 
victims with disabilities and any other population determined to be 
underserved by the Statewide needs assessment, the state planning 
process, or the Secretary of HHS (Section 10402(14)). The State plan 
should:
    (a) Identify which populations in the State are currently 
underserved, and the process used to identify underserved population; 
describe those that are being targeted for outreach and services; and 
provide a brief explanation of why those

[[Page 23268]]

populations were selected to receive outreach and services.
    (b) Describe the outreach plan, including the domestic violence 
training to be provided, the means for providing technical assistance 
and support, and the leadership role played by those representing and 
serving the underserved populations in question.
    (c) Describe the specific services to be provided or enhanced, 
including new shelters or services, improved access to shelters or 
services, or new services for underserved populations such as victims 
from communities of color, immigrant victims, LGBT individuals, 
adolescents, at-risk youth, or victims with disabilities.
    (5) Include a description of how the State plans to use the grant 
funds; a description of the target populations; the number of shelters 
to be funded; the number of nonresidential programs to be funded; the 
services the State's subgrantees will provide; and the expected results 
from the use of the grant funds as required by Sections 10407(a)(2)(F) 
and 10408(b).
    (6) Describe the plan to assure an equitable distribution of grants 
and grant funds within the State and between urban and rural areas 
within such State (Section 10407(a)(2)(C)).
    (7) Provide complete documentation of consultation with and 
participation of the State Domestic Violence Coalition in the State 
planning process and monitoring of the distribution of grants and the 
administration of grant programs and projects (Section 10407(a)(2)(D)).
    (8) Provide complete documentation of policies, procedures, and 
protocols that ensure personally identifying information will not be 
disclosed when providing statistical data on program activities and 
program services; the confidentiality of records pertaining to any 
individual provided family violence prevention services by any FVPSA-
supported program will be maintained; and the address or location of 
any FVPSA-supported shelter will not be made public without the written 
authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of 
such shelter (Sections 10407(a)(2)(A) and 10406(c)(5)).
    (9) Provide a copy of the law or procedures, such as a process for 
obtaining an order of protection, that the State has implemented for 
the barring of an abuser from a shared household (Section 
10407(a)(2)(H)).
    (10) Applicants must include a signed copy of the assurances as 
required by Section 10407(a)(2)(B) (See Appendix A).

Forms, Assurances, Certifications and Policy

    Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement 
must submit the listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and 
certifications. All required Standard Forms and certifications are 
available at Grants.gov Forms Repository unless specified otherwise. 
Each application must provide a signed copy of the additional assurance 
and policy in Appendices A and B, respectively.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Forms/certifications            Description         Where found
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certification Regarding Lobbying  Required of all     Available at http:/
                                   applicants at the   /www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                   time of their       grants-forms.
                                   application. If
                                   not available
                                   with the
                                   application, it
                                   must be submitted
                                   prior to the
                                   award of the
                                   grant.
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying    If any funds have   ``Disclosure Form
 Activities.                       been paid or will   to Report
                                   be paid to any      Lobbying'' is
                                   person for          available at
                                   influencing or      http://
                                   attempting to       www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                   influence an        grants-forms.
                                   officer or
                                   employee of any
                                   agency, a Member
                                   of Congress, an
                                   officer or
                                   employee of
                                   Congress, or an
                                   employee of a
                                   Member of
                                   Congress in
                                   connection with
                                   this commitment
                                   providing for the
                                   United States to
                                   insure or
                                   guarantee a loan,
                                   the 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          Non-profit private  Available at http:/
 Opportunity for Applicants.       organizations       /www.acf.hhs.gov/
                                   (not including      grants-forms.
                                   private
                                   universities) are
                                   encouraged to
                                   submit the survey
                                   with 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,        See Appendix B for  See Appendix B for
 bisexual, transgender, and        submission          the complete
 questioning youth are taken       requirements.       policy
 into consideration in                                 description.
 applicants program design.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer

    As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, 
the public reporting burden for the project description is estimated to 
average 10 hours per response 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.

[[Page 23269]]

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

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

Funding Restrictions

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74), enacted 
December 23, 2011, limits the salary amount that may be awarded and 
charged to ACF mandatory and discretionary grants. 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 (http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/html/ex.asp) his 
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.
    Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, 
endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar 
expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are 
considered unallowable costs under grants awarded under this 
announcement. Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure 
under this grant award.

Application Submission

    Applications should be sent or delivered to: Administration for 
Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 
Family and Youth Services Bureau, Family Violence Prevention and 
Services Program, ATTN: Edna James, 1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Suite 
8214, Washington, DC 20024.

V. Award Administration Information

Approval/Disapproval of State Application

    The Secretary of HHS will approve any application that meets the 
requirements of FVPSA and this announcement and will not disapprove any 
such application except after reasonable notice of the Secretary's 
intention to disapprove has been provided to the applicant and after a 
6-month period providing an opportunity for the applicant to correct 
any deficiencies. The notice of intention to disapprove will be 
provided to the applicant within 45 days of the date of the 
application.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the uniform 
administrative requirements and cost principles of 45 CFR part 74 
(Awards And Subawards To Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
Other Nonprofit Organizations, And Commercial Organizations) or 45 CFR 
part 92 (Grants And Cooperative Agreements To State, Local, And Tribal 
Governments). The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at 
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 FaithBased Organizations

    Grantees are also subject to the requirements of 45 CFR 87.1(c), 
Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which says, 
``Organizations that receive direct financial assistance from the 
[Health and Human Services] Department under any Department program may 
not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, 
religious instruction, 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 Ill-IS 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 www.hhs.gov/partnerships/about/regulations/. 
Additional information, resources, and tools for faith-based 
organizations are available through The Center for Faith-based and 
Neighborhood Partnerships Web site at www.hhs.gov/partnerships/index.html and at the Administration for Children & Families: Toolkit 
for Faith-based and Community Organizations at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/capacity-building-toolkits-for-faith-based-and-community-organizations.

Requirements for DrugFree Workplace

    The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 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 382.400. All recipients of ACF grant 
funds must comply with the requirements in Subpart B--Requirements for 
Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR 382.225. The rule is available 
at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=18b5801410be6af416dc258873ffb7ec;rgn=div2;view=text;node=
20091112%3A1.1;idno=49;cc=ecfr.

Debarment and Suspension

    HHS regulations published in 2 CFR part 376 implement the 
government-wide debarment and suspension system guidance (2 CFR part 
180) for HHS' non-procurement programs and activities.

[[Page 23270]]

``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/ checking the EPLS is not 
required. More information is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants-forms.

Pro-Children Act

    The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. 7181 through 7184, imposes 
restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's 
services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements 
only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that 
smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or 
contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of 
kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to 
children under the age of 18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any 
indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted 
for) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded 
health care, day care, or early childhood development, including Head 
Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory 
prohibition also applies if such facilities are constructed, operated, 
or maintained with Federal funds. The statute does not apply to 
children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded 
solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, portions of facilities used for 
inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WIC coupons 
are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may 
result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000 
per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance 
order on the responsible entity.

VI. Reporting Requirements

Performance Progress Reports (PPR)

    States are required to submit an annual performance progress report 
to ACYF describing the activities carried out and an assessment of the 
effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the 
grant (Section 10406(d)). Further guidance regarding the assessment 
requirement is included in the PPR. A section of this performance 
report must be completed by each grantee or subgrantee that provided 
program services and activities. State grantees should compile 
subgrantee performance reports into a comprehensive report for 
submission. A copy of the required PPR can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/resource/ppr-state-fvpsa. the past, Guam, 
the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
and American Samoa have applied for FVPSA funds as a part of their 
consolidated grant under the Social Services Block Grant. These 
jurisdictions need not submit an application under this program 
announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as part of 
a consolidated grant application; however, they are required to submit 
an annual PPR using the standardized format.
    PPRs for the States and Territories are due on an annual basis at 
the end of the calendar year (December 29). 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: Administration for Children and Families, Administration on 
Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Family 
Violence Prevention and Services Program, ATTN: Edna James, 1250 
Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8214, Washington, DC 20024.
    Please note that section 10407(bX4) of FVPSA requires HHS to 
suspend funding for an approved application if any State applicant 
fails to submit an annual PPR or if the funds are expended for purposes 
other than those set forth under this announcement.

Federal Financial Reports (FFR)

    Grantees must submit annual Financial Status Reports (SF-425). The 
first SF-425A is due December 29, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The final SF-
425A is due December 29, 2014, 2015, and 2016. SF-425A can be found at: 
http://acf.gov/grants-forms.
    Completed reports may be mailed to: Deborah Bell, Division of 
Mandatory Grants Office of Grants Management Administration for 
Children and Families, 370 LEnfant 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 too 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.
    Finable versions of the SF-425 form in Adobe PDF and MS-Excel 
formats, along with instructions, are available at http://acf.gov/grants-forms and at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms.

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 part 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 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms.

VII. Agency Contact

Program Office Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edna James at (202) 205-7750 or 
[email protected].

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

Appendix A

Assurances of Compliance with Grant Requirements

    The undersigned grantee certifies that:
    (1) Grant funds under the Family Violence Prevention Services 
Act (FVPSA) will be distributed to local public agencies or 
nonprofit private organizations (including faith-based and 
charitable organizations, community-based organizations, and 
voluntary associations) that assist victims of family violence, 
domestic violence, or dating violence (as defined in Section 
10402(2-4), and their dependents, and have a documented history of 
effective work concerning family violence, domestic violence, or 
dating violence (Section 10408(c)).
    (2) Grant funds will be used for programs and projects within 
the State that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence, 
domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate 
shelter and supportive services and access to community-based 
programs for adult and youth victims, as well as specialized 
services for children exposed to domestic violence, underserved 
populations, and those who are members of racial and ethnic minority 
populations (as defined in Section 10406(a)(1-3)).
    (3) In distributing the funds, the State will give special 
emphasis to the support of community-based projects of demonstrated 
effectiveness carried out by non-profit,

[[Page 23271]]

private organizations, and that have as their primary purpose the 
operation of shelters for victims of family violence, domestic 
violence, and dating violence, and their dependents or those which 
provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims of 
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their 
dependents (Section 10407(a)(2)(B)(iii)).
    (4) Not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be 
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 (Section 
10408(b)(2)).
    (5) 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)(2)to victims of family 
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their 
dependents).
    (6) Not more than 5 percent of the funds will be used for State 
administrative costs (Section 10407(a)(2)(b)(i)).
    (7) The State grantee is in compliance with the statutory 
requirements of Section 10407(a)(2)(C), regarding the equitable 
distribution of grants and grant funds within the State and between 
urban and rural areas within the State.
    (8) The State will consult with and provide for the 
participation of the State Domestic Violence Coalition in the 
planning and monitoring of the distribution of grant funds and the 
administration of the grant programs and projects (Section 
10407(a)(2)(D)).
    (9) Grant funds made available under this program by the State 
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)).
    (10) 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)).
    (11) No fees will be levied for assistance or services provided 
with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (Section 
10406(c)(3)).
    (12) 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)).
    (13) The applicant has established policies, procedures, and 
protocols to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 
10406(c)(5) regarding non-disclosure of confidential or private 
information (Section 10407(a)(2)(A)).
    (14) Pursuant to Section 10406(c)(5), the applicant will comply 
with requirements to ensure the non-disclosure of confidential or 
private information, which include, but are not limited to: (1) 
Grantees will 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 and in accordance with Section 
10406(c)(5)(B)(ii); (2) grantees will not release information 
compelled by statutory or court order unless adhering to the 
requirements of Section10406(c)(5)(C); (3) 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).
    (15) Grants funded by the State in whole or in part with funds 
made available under the FVPSA will prohibit discrimination on the 
basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or 
religion (Section 10406(c)(2)).
    (16) 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)).
    (17) Receipt of supportive services under the FVPSA will be 
voluntary. No condition will be applied for the receipt of emergency 
shelter as described in Section 10408(d)(2)).
    (18) The State grantee 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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Signature

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Title

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Organization

Appendix B

LGBTQ 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 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. 2013-08711 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-32-P