Executive Summary: The Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF) Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is accepting applications for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) program. This program supports the creation and maintenance of one-on-one mentoring relationships between children of incarcerated parents and caring, supportive adult mentors. The intent of this program is to support the establishment or expansion and operation of mentoring programs, using a network of public and private community entities, in areas with substantial numbers of children of incarcerated parents. The MCP program is designed to be a community-based mentoring program in which children and youth ages four up to age 18, are appropriately matched with an adult mentor, who has been screened and trained, for a one-on-one (one mentor/one youth), friendship-oriented (non curriculum-based) mentoring relationship. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION Legislative Authority Section 439 of the Social Security Act (available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/pssf2001.pdf), as amended by the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-288) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for the purpose of supporting the establishment or expansion and operation of community-based programs to provide one-on-one mentoring relationships between a child of incarcerated parent(s) and a caring, supportive adult mentor under the MCP program. Funding Opportunity Description History Nearly two million children in the United States experience the detrimental economic, social, and emotional effects of having an incarcerated parent. These children may experience the trauma of multiple changes in caregivers and living arrangements. They often succumb to depression and drug usage, and statistics indicate that, without intervention, many of these children will follow the footsteps of their parent(s) into the criminal justice system. A quality, enduring mentoring relationship with a caring adult can be a promising intervention for children of prisoners (mentees). Research indicates that mentoring can reduce mentee risk behaviors and thus may also reduce the likelihood of the mentee's future involvement in the criminal justice system. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, $45.8 million in funding was awarded to a total of 238 organizations (grantees), including faith-based and community organizations, State and local governments, and Tribes to operate these community-based mentoring programs. Purpose The purpose of the MCP program is to create quality, lasting, one-on-one relationships that provide young people with caring role models for future success. In collaboration with networks of public and private entities, MCP grantees match children, ages four up to age 18, with a screened and trained adult volunteer for a one-on-one (one adult matched with one youth) mentoring relationship. Caring adult mentors interact with mentees on a regular and consistent basis to provide support, encouragement, and advice; providing opportunities for mentees to gain new skills and interests and expand their experiences beyond their families, schools, and neighborhoods. Successful mentors do not try to take the role of parent or teacher, but act as a trusted friend, guide, and role model for mentees. Scope of Services Organizations funded under this program announcement are used to create and support mentoring relationships. Qualified staff recruit, screen, and train potential volunteer mentors; identify and recruit eligible children of prisoners in their communities; and match each mentor with a mentee based on the interests and preferences of the mentor, mentee, and caregiver(s). MCP grantees facilitate the match between the mentor and mentee and continue to monitor the relationship to ensure that the needs and expectations of the mentor, the mentee, and the mentee's caregiver(s) are being met so that the match continues successfully. The MCP program is a one-on-one mentoring program. Group mentoring (one mentor meeting with more than one mentee at the same time) and team mentoring (multiple mentors meeting with multiple mentees at the same time) are not the intent of this program. Group activities, in which multiple mentors and mentees meet together, may supplement, but not take the place of, regular one-on-one activities. The MCP program is not based on an academic or life-skills curriculum. Mentees involved in this program may experience improved academic performance, develop personal goals, and improve social competencies as an indirect result of the supportive mentoring relationship and the presence of an additional caring adult in their lives. All project activities funded under this program announcement work toward the goal of creating high-quality, lasting mentoring relationships, and activities that fall outside the scope of this task, or do not directly support the mentoring relationship, are not supported by FYSB grant funds or grantee match funds (for example, family emergency funds, job search services, or mental health counseling). Program Requirements Applicants should take special note of the following when designing their projects: 1. Community-Based Mentoring Approach Applicants must provide a community-based mentoring approach. A "Community-based" approach refers to a mentoring program that has a community presence and that can connect the social fabric of a community with a youth receiving services. Traditionally, a community-based approach encourages mentors and mentees to meet independently of the mentoring organization. For example, mentoring activities could take place at a variety of locations including: the zoo, a museum, or at the mentee's house where the mentor and mentee engage in community activities, service or friendship. Mentoring programs may find that geography, transportation, or safety issues, among others, make it difficult for mentors and mentees to meet independently. Under these special circumstances, applicants may also propose a community-based mentoring approach that is location-specific. A justification or data that supports this need should be provided. Some examples of location-specific mentoring programs are:
Please note: A site-based mentoring approach to this program is not an allowable approach. A program is considered to have a site-based approach when the location and the goals of the mentoring relationship are inherently similar. Examples of these could include, but are not limited to:
2. Volunteer Management Applicants must recruit, screen, and train volunteer adult mentors who are able to commit to a lasting one-on-one mentoring relationship that meets on a regular and consistent basis. Research has shown that youth in mentoring relationships that last for a year or more accrue the greatest amount of positive benefits, whereas youth in mentoring relationships that terminate early (in the first three to six months of the relationship) actually suffer declines in their feelings of self-worth and perceived scholastic competence. Frequent and consistent meetings, generally consisting of weekly or bi-weekly scheduled meetings, over the course of the mentoring relationship are necessary for the mentor and mentee to develop trust and friendship. For these reasons, it is important that mentoring organizations carefully define the responsibilities of mentors, convey program expectations to potential mentors, and train mentors appropriately. 3. Background Checks Applicants must agree to conduct background checks on all volunteer mentors using available State and local criminal records (http://apps.mentoring.org/safetynet/factsheet.adp) and the national sex offender registry (http://www.casanet.org/program-management/volunteer-manage/criminal-bkg-check.htm). Additionally, where available, successful applicants must consult their State child abuse central registry (http://www.kidshelp.org/phonenumbers.htm). The above websites are provided as recommendations and are not to be considered all-inclusive. Since the foregoing websites are not considered to be all-inclusive, grantees will also identify and utilize additional appropriate record sources for their background checks. 4. Positive Youth Development (PYD) FYSB has worked to promote a PYD framework for all its funded grant programs and activities. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to develop their project descriptions with the PYD framework in mind as discussed below. The PYD approach is predicated on the understanding that all young people need support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. With this support, they can develop self-assurance and create a healthy, successful life. Key elements of PYD are:
If these factors are being addressed, young people can become not just "problem-free" but "fully prepared" and engaged constructively in their communities and society. These key elements result in the following PYD outcomes:
5. Record Keeping Applicants must agree to keep adequate statistical records for profiling the youth and families served under this Federal grant. This information is required by program legislation. By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to cooperate with any research and evaluation efforts sponsored by ACF. The applicant also agrees to track and report data required by FYSB's Online Data Collection System. 6. Training and Technical Assistance
7. Measuring Program Success FYSB is committed to fulfilling the objectives of its governing statutory authorities set forth in section 439 of the Social Security Act., by providing community-based one-on-one mentoring services between caring adults and children of prisoners. The presence of caring adults is imperative to a child's success in life and their ability to develop a healthy and positive outlook. In addition, for children of prisoners, mentoring relationships may be a successful intervention strategy to reduce risky behaviors and potential involvement in the criminal justice system. FYSB collects quarterly information from MCP program grantees in regards to their number of mentoring matches, the duration of mentoring matches, the frequency of match meetings, and other measures, through the OMB-approved Online Data Collection (OLDC) instrument. OLDC provides extensive technical support to assist grantees providing these reports. FYSB's goal is to work with and support grantees in order to establish and sustain as many high quality mentoring relationships as can be found for children of prisoners, matching at least one hundred thousand children by the end of FY 2008. Since relationships that terminate prematurely can be troubling to young children, FYSB is committed to reducing to 18 percent by 2008 the percentage of matches that terminate at three months or less as a percentage of matches ending within 12 months. Beginning in 2006, FYSB introduced the Relationship Quality Survey Instrument (RQI) to assess the dynamics of the mentor/mentee relationships, including: mentee satisfaction with the mentoring relationships; the extent to which mentors have helped mentees cope with problems; how happy mentees feel when they are with their mentors; and whether there is evidence of trust in the mentoring relationships. These surveys are currently being conducted among all youth (ages nine and above) engaged in long-term mentoring relationships through the MCP program. Every year, FYSB will be collecting and analyzing this data to measure the quality of mentoring relationships, and is committed to an annual two percent increase in the percentage of mentees surveyed whose responses to the survey indicate positive relationships. Additionally, the MCP program requires organizations to recruit adults who are able to commit to regular and consistent meetings with their mentees, to properly screen and train mentors to work with mentees, and to develop relationships with existing service providers to provide key services to youth and their families. To measure progress towards these activities, FYSB uses the OLDC and grantee progress reports to collect caseload demographics and assess such factors as:
It is a crucial requirement of the grant program that MCP programs collect and report timely and accurate data so that FYSB can measure results and tell the story of this program's ongoing progress. Definitions Caregiver - A parent or legal guardian charged with the responsibility of caring for a child while one or both parents are incarcerated. Children of Prisoners (Also Called a Mentee) - Children with one or both parents incarcerated in a Federal, State, or local correctional facility. The term is deemed to include children who are in an ongoing mentoring relationship in this program at the time of their parents' release from prison, for purposes of continued participation in the program. For the purposes of this grant program, a child of a prisoner is eligible for services if:
And
Jail - A detention facility for those awaiting trial or convicted of minor offenses. Mentoring - A structured, managed program in which children are appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers (age 18 or older) for one-on-one relationships, involving meetings and activities on a regular basis, intended to meet, in part, the child's need for involvement with a caring and supportive adult who provides a positive role model. Mentoring Services - Those services and activities that support a structured, managed program of mentoring, including the management by trained personnel of outreach to, and screening of, eligible children; outreach to, education and training of, and liaison with sponsoring local organizations; screening and training of adult volunteers; matching of children with suitable adult volunteer mentors; support and oversight of the mentoring relationship; and establishment of goals and evaluation of outcomes for mentored children. II. AWARD INFORMATION
Awards under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants:
Faith-based and community organizations that meet the statutory eligibility requirements are eligible to apply under this announcement. Foreign entities are not eligible under this announcement.
Non-profit or for-profit organizations which are neither faith-based organizations nor community-based organizations are ineligible for funding under this announcement. Current MCP grantees with project periods ending on or before September 29, 2007, may apply for a new competitive MCP grant under this announcement. Current MCP grantees (including subgrantees) with one or more years remaining in their project period may not apply for a new MCP grant for the community they currently serve. These grantees will receive instructions from their Federal project officers on the procedures for applying for non-competitive continuation grants. The initial grant award is for a 12-month budget period. One 12-month continuation grant may be awarded in each of two subsequent years subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination that the continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: Yes Grantees are required to meet a non-Federal share (NFS) of the project costs, in accordance with section 439(e) of the Social Security Act. Grantees must provide:
The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the NFS. The NFS may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. For example, in order to meet the match requirements in Years One and Two, a project with a total approved project cost of $200,000, requesting $150,000 in ACF funds must provide a NFS of at least $50,000 (25 percent of total approved project cost of $200,000). A useful formula to calculate the appropriate NFS of project costs in Years One and Two, as based on the Federal share of the project cost is: (The amount of Federal funds requested/0.75) 0.25 = NFS. Using the example above this would be ($150,000/0.75)0.25 = $50,000. The Federal share of the project cost will remain the same for each 12-month budget period in the 36-month grant causing the total project cost to increase in Year Three. Therefore, to meet the match requirements in Year Three, a project with a Federal share of $150,000 in ACF funds must provide a NFS of at least $150,000 (50 percent of total approved project cost of $300,000). Grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non-Federal resources that they have made in their applications even if the committed amount of non-Federal resources exceeds the amount of the required match. Failure to provide the required amount will result in the disallowance of Federal funds. A lack of supporting documentation of non-Federal share at the time of application will not exclude the application from competitive review. Activities that do not initiate, support, or maintain the one-on-one mentoring relationship cannot be counted towards the NFS. Costs that are not permitted under the Federal portion of this program (for example, supportive services to mentees and families beyond mentoring, inherently religious activities, etc.) cannot be counted toward the NFS. Mentor volunteer hours cannot be counted as in-kind donation under the NFS requirement. Other Federal grants or services (for example, AmeriCorp or VISTA employees cannot be counted under the NFS requirement). Please refer to Section IV for any pre-award requirements. 3. Other: Disqualification Factors
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. Address to Request Application Package: ACYF Operations Centerc/o The Dixon Group, Inc. ATTN: Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program Funding 118 Q Street, NE. Washington, DC 20002-2132 Phone: 866-796-1591 Email: fysb@dixongroup.com URL: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Each application package must include the original and two copies. Do not staple the application or any section of the application. The length of the entire application package must not exceed 90 pages. This includes the required Federal Standard Forms (SF)/certifications (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B and SF-LLL), table of contents, project summary, project description, budget/budget justification, supplemental documentation, proof of non-profit status, summaries of sub-grants and contracts, and letters of agreement. All pages of the application package must be sequentially numbered beginning with page one. The required Federal forms will be counted towards the total number of pages. All pages of each application will be counted to determine the total length. All pages exceeding the 90-page limit will be removed and will not be considered in the reviewing process. A cover letter is not required. Applicants are reminded that if a cover letter is submitted, it will count towards the 90-page limit. The project description must be typed and double-spaced on a single-side of 8 1/2 x 11 inch plain white paper with at least 1/2 inch margins on all sides, using black print with 12-point size Times New Roman font. For charts, budget tables, supplemental letters, and support documents, applicants may use a different point size and font, but no less than 10-point size and single-spaced. Applicants that deviate from this format risk having their application not reviewed in its entirety. A final decision will be made by the Office of Grants Management on whether applications that deviate from the prescribed format will be reviewed in their entirety. The application package should include the following and be in the following order: 1. The Required Federal Forms/Certifications - See below for description. Each application must be submitted by the individual who acts as the applicant's chief executive officer (regardless of his or her official title). Each application must contain the following assurances: -- That public and private entities and community organizations, including religious organizations and Indian organizations, will be eligible to participate on an equal basis in activities funded under this announcement; -- That the applicant will maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for purposes of project activities and expenditures; and -- That the applicant will cooperate fully with the Secretary's ongoing and final evaluation of the program under the plan, by means including providing the Secretary access to the program and program-related records and documents, staff, and grantees receiving funding under the plan. 2. Table of Contents - Should reference the order of the application sections and provide page numbers. 3. One-Page Project Abstract - Should contain the following information: Agency name, city, State; proposed service area (state, county, city, etc); amount of Federal funding requested for 12-month period; short description of program (that includes duration, frequency, and location of mentoring services); age of target population; agency point of contact (includes name, phone, and email); number of new youth to be served in each year of the grant (Year One, Year Two and Year Three). A suggested sample format is provided in Section VIII, Other Information. 4. Project Description - This section is a comprehensive description of the proposed project, what it will accomplish and how it will be implemented. The Project Description should address each of the categories in Section V.1, and be structured in a manner that addresses each of the evaluation criteria in a logical format in the following order: Objectives and Need for Assistance; Results and Benefits, Approach; Staff and Position Data; Organizational Profiles; and Budget and Budget Justification. Applicants must title each section accordingly. 5. Budget and Budget Justification - The budget is a line-item format and must be in a worksheet, table, or spreadsheet that illustrates how calculations were derived. The budget should reflect a 12-month budget period and include the Federal and NFS of costs. Each category heading within the line-item budget should correspond with the budget categories listed in Section B of the SF-424A (e.g. Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other, Indirect Charges). The budget justification is a narrative that provides a rationale for the items requested and how these items relate to the overall success of the project. 6. Proof of Non-Profit Status - See Section IV.2 for acceptable documentation that must be submitted by date of award. 7. Third-Party Agreements - A summary of a monetary subgrant and/or contract must be provided as part of the application package. The summary must include a description of the project services that will be completed through the subgrant or contract using Federal funds or a non-Federal match, and the process by which the primary applicant will maintain a substantive role with the subgrant and/or contract assuring compliance with the grant requirements and project performance. 8. Letters of Agreement - Letters of Agreement (LOA) are required if the applicant is proposing to provide services through a different agency or entity based on a non-monetary arrangement. The LOA must enumerate the project services that will be completed under the agreement. 9. Non-Federal Resources Commitment Letters - Letters from organizations, entities, or individuals agreeing to provide non-Federal resources (cash or in-kind) to the project. D-U-N-S Requirement All applicants must have a D&B Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires Federal grant applicants to provide a D-U-N-S number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The D-U-N-S number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal, Grants.gov. A D-U-N-S number will be required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003. Please ensure that your organization has a D-U-N-S number. You may acquire a D-U-N-S number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com. Proof of Non-Profit Status Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:
When applying electronically, we strongly suggest that you attach your proof of non-profit status with your electronic application. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Forms, Assurances, and Certifications The project description should include all the information requirements described in the specific evaluation criteria outlined in this program announcement under Section V. Application Review Information. In addition to the project description, the applicant needs to complete all of the Standard Forms required as part of the application process for awards under this announcement. Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement must file the appropriate Standard Forms (SFs) as described in this section. All applicants must submit an SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. For non-construction programs, applicants must also submit an SF-424A, Budget Information and an SF-424B, Assurances. For construction programs, applicants must also submit SF-424C, Budget Information and SF-424D, Assurances. For research programs that involve human subjects, the Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption form must be submitted. All forms may be reproduced for use in submitting applications. Applicants must sign and return the standard forms with their application. Applicants must furnish, prior to award, an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application. The Certification Regarding Lobbying may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. (If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form (SF)-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.) Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable for the smoking prohibition included within Public Law (P.L.) 103-227, Title XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the Pro Children Act of 1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice that implements the smoking prohibition is included with this form. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary certification and are not required to return it. Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the necessary certification and are not required to return it. Complete the standard forms and the associated certifications and assurances based on the instructions on the forms. The forms and certifications may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. Please see Section V.1 for instructions on preparing the full project description. Please reference Section IV.3 for details about acknowledgement of received applications. Electronic Submission Applicants to ACF may submit their applications in either electronic or paper format. To submit an application electronically, please use the http://www.Grants.gov site. When using www.Grants.gov, applicants will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the www.Grants.gov site. ACF will not accept grant applications via facsimile or email. Acceptable electronic formats for the application attachments (narratives, charts, etc.) must use the following standard technologies, i.e., Microsoft (Word and Excel), Word Perfect, Adobe PDF, Jpeg, and Gif. IMPORTANT NOTE: Before submitting an electronic application, applicants must complete the organization registration process as well as obtain and register "electronic signature credentials" for the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Since this process may take more than five business days, it is important to start this process early, well in advance of the application deadline. Be sure to complete all www.Grants.gov registration processes listed on the Organization Registration Checklist, which can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/registration_checklist.html. Please note the following if planning to submit an application electronically via www.Grants.gov:
Hard Copy Submission Applicants that are submitting their application in paper format should submit one original and two copies of the complete application. The original and each of the two copies must include all required forms, certifications, assurances, and appendices, be signed by an authorized representative, and be unbound. The original copy of the application must have original signature(s). Non-Federal Reviewers Since ACF will be using non-Federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. If applicants are submitting their application electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review and selection process. 3. Submission Dates and Times: Due Date for Applications: 06/04/2007 Explanation of Due Dates The due date for receipt of applications is referenced above. Applications received after 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date will be classified as late and will not be considered in the current competition. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that applications are mailed or hand-delivered or submitted electronically well in advance of the application due date and time. Applications that are submitted by mail must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above at the address listed in Section IV.6. Hand Delivery Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, other representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers must be received on or before the due date referenced above, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, at the address referenced in Section IV.6., between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Electronic Submission Applications submitted electronically via Grants.gov must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, on the due date referenced above. ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by facsimile or email. Late Applications Applications that do not meet the requirements above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current competition. ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER 4:30 P.M., EASTERN TIME, ON THE DUE DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR COMPETITION. Extension of Deadlines ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur; when there are widespread disruptions of mail service; or in other rare cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer. Receipt acknowledgement for application packages will be provided to applicants who submit their package via mail, courier services, or by hand delivery. Applicants will receive an electronic acknowledgement for applications that are submitted via http://www.Grants.gov. Checklist You may use the checklist below as a guide when preparing your application package.
Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit with their applications the survey titled "Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants" found under the "Survey" heading at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html.
4. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) This program is covered under Executive Order (Exec. Order) 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," and 45 CFR Part 100, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities." Under the Exec. Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. As of August 1, 2006, the following jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Exec. Order process: Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. As these jurisdictions have elected to participate in the Executive Order process, they have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOC, as soon as possible, to alert them of prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations, which may trigger the "accommodate or explain" rule. Comments submitted directly to ACF should be addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447. Although the remaining jurisdictions have chosen not to participate in this process, entities that meet the eligibility requirements of the Program Announcement are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State, Territory, or Commonwealth, etc., does not have a SPOC. Therefore, applicants from these jurisdictions, or for projects administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, need take no action in regard to Exec. Order 12372. The official list, including addresses, of the jurisdictions that have elected to participate in Exec. Order 12372 can be found on the following URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. 5. Funding Restrictions: Fundraising is not an allowable cost under this program. Grant awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs. Construction and purchase of real property are not allowable activities or expenditures under this grant award. Activities that do not initiate, support, or maintain the one-on-one mentoring relationship cannot be supported with Federal funds or non-Federal match funds. Costs that are not permitted under the Federal portion of this program (e.g. supportive services to mentees and families beyond mentoring, inherently religious activities) cannot be counted toward the NFS requirement. Mentor volunteer hours cannot be counted as an in-kind donation under the NFS requirement. 6. Other Submission Requirements: Please see Sections IV.2 and IV.3 for deadline information and other application requirements. Submit applications to one of the following addresses: Submission by Mail ACYF Operations Center Hand Delivery ACYF Operations Center Electronic Submission Please see Section IV.2 for guidelines and requirements when submitting applications electronically via http://www.Grants.gov. V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13) Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 40 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection information. The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0139, which expires 4/30/2007. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 1. Criteria: Part I THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW PURPOSE The project description provides the majority of information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for available assistance. The project description should be concise and complete. It should address the activity for which Federal funds are being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing the project description, information that is responsive to each of the requested evaluation criteria must be provided. Awarding offices use this and other information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this information be included in the application in a manner that is clear and complete. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ACF is particularly interested in specific project descriptions that focus on outcomes and convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length. Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity should be placed in an appendix. Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included for easy reference. Part II GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A FULL PROJECT DESCRIPTION INTRODUCTION Applicants that are required to submit a full project description shall prepare the project description statement in accordance with the following instructions while being aware of the specified evaluation criteria. The text options give a broad overview of what the project description should include while the evaluation criteria identify the measures that will be used to evaluate applications. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Provide a summary of the project description (one page or less) with reference to the funding request. OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program announcement. RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, identify the number of new mentoring matches to be made annually (in Year One, Year Two, and Year Three) of the project.APPROACH Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement. Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the OMB. This clearance pertains to any "collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF." Provide a list of organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Describe the precise location of the project and boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The following are requests for additional information that must be included in the application:
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION Provide a budget with line-item detail and detailed calculations for each budget object class identified on the Budget Information Form (SF-424A or SF-424C). Detailed calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. If matching is a requirement, include a breakout by the funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424. Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocation of the proposed costs.
TOTAL DIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL INDIRECT CHARGES, TOTAL PROJECT COSTS EVALUATION CRITERIA: The corresponding score values indicate the relative importance that ACF places on each evaluation criterion; however, applicants need not develop their applications precisely according to the order presented. Application components may be organized such that a reviewer will be able to follow a seamless and logical flow of information (i.e., from a broad overview of the project to more detailed information about how it will be conducted). In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following criteria: APPROACH - 30 points
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES - 20 points
RESULTS OR BENEFITS EXPECTED - 15 points
STAFF AND POSITION DATA - 15 points
OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE - 10 points
BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION - 10 points
The expected Federal cost of $1,000 per child served is meant to be an incentive that supports the formation of mentoring relationships in lieu of limited Federal resources. This figure represents the Federal share of the applicant's plan and is limited to the very basic assurances of recruitment, safety, training and sustaining a match through the first year. 2. Review and Selection Process: No grant award will be made under this announcement on the basis of an incomplete application. Each application will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing date and time (Section IV.3.) and whether the requested amount exceeds the ceiling or upper range value, whichever is appropriate (Section II.) Applications submitted under this program announcement will undergo a pre-review screening to determine that (1) the application was received by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions in this announcement, and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding based on the eligibility requirements in Sections II and III. Applications that pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated and rated by an independent review panel made up of non-Federal reviewers that are experts in the field. The review panel will use the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.I to review and score the applications. The panels will assign a score (maximum 100) to each application and identify the application's strengths and weaknesses. The results of these reviews will assist the FYSB Associate Commissioner and program staff in considering competing applications. Reviewers' scores will weigh heavily in funding decisions, but will not be the only factors considered. Applications generally will be considered in order of the average scores assigned by reviewers. However, highly ranked applications are not guaranteed funding because other factors are taken into consideration. These include, but are not limited to: written comments of reviewers and government officials, staff evaluation and input, geographic distribution, previous program performance of applicants, compliance with grant terms under previous HHS grants, audit reports, investigative reports, and an applicant's progress in resolving any final audit disallowance on previous FYSB or other Federal agency grants. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Points are awarded only to an application that is responsive to the evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement. FYSB has the authority to pass over ranking order based on geographic area (location) and capacity needs. Please reference Section IV.2 for information on non-Federal reviewers in the review process. Approved but Unfunded Applications Applications that are approved but unfunded may be held over for funding in the next funding cycle, pending the availability of funds, for a period not to exceed one year. 3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates: Awards will be made by September 30, 2007. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing after the final awards have been made.VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Award Notices: The successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award document, which sets forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budget period for which initial support will be given, the non-Federal share to be provided (if applicable), and the total project period for which support is contemplated. The Financial Assistance Award will be signed by the Grants Officer and transmitted via postal mail. Following the finalization of funding decisions, organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified by letter, signed by the Program Office head. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Grantees are subject to the requirements in 45 CFR Part 74 (non-governmental) or 45 CFR Part 92 (governmental). Direct Federal grants, sub-award funds, or contracts under this ACF program shall not be used to support inherently religious activities such as religious instruction, worship, or proselytization. Therefore, organizations must take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the services funded under this program. Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding of inherently religious activities, can be found at the HHS web site at: http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/waisgate21.pdf. 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. Faith-based and community organizations may reference the "Guidance to Faith-Based and Community Organizations on Partnering with the Federal Government" at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/guidance/index.html. HHS Grants Policy Statement The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services new single policy guide for discretionary grants and cooperative agreements. Unlike previous HHS policy documents, the GPS is intended to be shared with and used by grantees. It became effective October 1, 2006 and is applicable to all Operating Divisions (OPDIVS), such as the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), except the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The GPS covers basic grants processes, standard terms and conditions and points of contact as well as important OPDIV-specific requirements. Appendices include a glossary of terms and a list of standard abbreviations for ease of reference. The GPS may be accessed at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html. 3. Reporting Requirements: Grantees will be required to submit program progress and financial reports (SF-269 found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_resources.html) throughout the project period. Program progress and financial reports are due 30 days after the reporting period. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period. Final reports may be submitted in hard copy to the Grants Management Office Contact listed in Section VII of this announcement. Program Progress Reports: QuarterlyFinancial Reports: Semi-Annually OLDC System reports (quantitative data on program progress): Due 30 days after the conclusion of each quarter. VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Program Office Contact: Courtney Workman Grants Management Office Contact: Daphne Weeden, Director VIII. OTHER INFORMATION
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