RCD Policy and Guidance

Current as of: November 4, 2024

Grant Guidance

ACF Discretionary Post-Award Requirements
This page provides information regarding the post-award requirements for discretionary grants awarded through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Subpages address topics, including terms and conditions, reporting, requesting payment of Federal awards, single audit requirements, and grants management contacts.

HHS Grants Policy Statement (PDF)
The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS) is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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 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.

HHS/ACF Uniform Guidance 45 CFR § 75
The Uniform Guidance: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”) has been issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). HHS/ACF has implemented the Uniform Guidance at 45 CFR § 75.

Reading and Understanding the Notice of Award (NoA) for RCD Grantees (PDF)
The Notice of Award (NoA) is the official legal document issued to the grantee that indicates a federal grant award has been made and funds may be requested to be used, and reported on, in the approved manner. It is sometimes called a Notice of Grant Award (NGA). This reference document provides detailed information about each field of the NoA.

Action Transmittal

Data Collection - Projects Serving Persistent and High-Poverty Areas - FY 2021 (December 3, 2021)
This Action Transmittal shares that RCD grantees are to provide a list of all projects in persistent poverty areas where FY 2019 or FY 2020 RCD grant funding was used, or will be used, to provide technical assistance.

Data Collection - Projects Serving Persistent and High-Poverty Areas - FY 2019 & FY 2020 (February 21, 2021)
This Action Transmittal shares that RCD grantees are to provide a list of all projects in persistent poverty areas where FY 2019 or FY 2020 RCD grant funding was used, or will be used, to provide technical assistance.

Information Memoranda

Clarifying the Definition of Communities Served by FY 2020 RCD Grants (November 22, 2021)
This guidance expands the definition of small, low-income, rural communities beyond a population of 2,500 in order to ensure that communities with a need for training and technical assistance to support development and/or maintenance of water and wastewater systems can be served by FY 2020 Rural Community Development (RCD) grantees under the RCD program.

Terminology Changes (August 9, 2021)
This guidance shares updated terms used in official documents, correspondence, and other communications to align with terminology used in 2 CFR Part 200 and 45 CFR Part 75.

Programmatic Reporting Requirements (August 14, 2018)
This guidance is intended to clearly outline programmatic reporting requirements and process for grant recipients under the Rural Community Development (RCD) program. Grant recipients under the RCD program are required to submit RCD program-specific Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) on a semi-annual basis for the duration of their project period. Grant recipients are also required to submit other non-programmatic reports, including SF-425 Federal Financial Reports (FFRs).

Dear Colleague Letters

2024 Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 10, 2024)
As we approach Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024 observed on October 14, 2024, the Office of Community Services (OCS) is proud to take this opportunity to celebrate and recognize Indigenous cultures and histories.

OCS Announces Cohort Four of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (October 7, 2024)
We would like to highlight and congratulate our brand new fourth cohort of Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) grant recipients who were announced in this ACF Press Release.

Celebrating Community Economic Development Month 2024 (October 1, 2024)
The Office of Community Services (OCS) is celebrating Community Economic Development (CED) Month throughout October by releasing new stories emphasizing how CED is revitalizing communities and highlighting grant recipients, both old and new.

2024