CED Policy and Guidance

Publication Date: August 21, 2015

Current as of: April 2, 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) 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.

HHS Poverty Guidelines
The CED Program's objective is to create sustainable business development and employment opportunities for individuals with low income, defined as individuals whose household income level does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty guidelines (PDF), as outlined in the most recent revision of the HHS Poverty Guidelines. See the CED HHS Poverty Guidelines table (PDF)for calculations of 200 percent based on the most current guidelines.

Reading and Understanding the Notice of Award (NoA) for CED 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.

Information Memoranda

Terminology Changes | CED IM 2021-01 | 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 | CED IM 2018-01 | August 14, 2018
This guidance is intended to clearly outline programmatic reporting requirements and process for grant recipients under the Community Economic Development (CED) program. Grant recipients under the CED program are required to submit CED 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).

Federal Recognition of Same Sex Spouses and Marriages | CED IM 2014-01 | May 22, 2014
This guidance is intended to implement a post-Windsor policy of treating same-sex marriages on the same terms as opposite-sex marriages to the greatest extent reasonably possible. Accordingly, when applying the HHS poverty guidelines to define individuals with low income to be employed in CED-funded projects, the income of same-sex spouses shall be considered part of the “household” income if marital status is a factor when determining “household” composition and the same-sex spouses entered into a marriage valid in the state where they were married.

Dear Colleague Letters

World Water Day 2024 Celebration | OCS DCL 2024-04 | March 22, 2024
The Office of Community Services (OCS) is proud to celebrate World Water Day 2024 , an international observance celebrated annually on March 22.

OCS Releases the Water Utility Affordability Survey Report | OCS DCL 2024-03 | March 21, 2024
Conducted in the spring and summer of 2023, the survey collected information from water and wastewater utilities across the United States about arrears, disconnections, fees, rates, and other utility information.

October is CED Month | CED DCL 2024-01 | October 10, 2023
The Office of Community Services (OCS) is pleased to celebrate Community Economic Development Month with the announcement of new Community Economic Development (CED) grants and new stories about how CED is revitalizing communities.

OCS Announces Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus Grant Recipients | OCS DCL 2024-01 | October 3, 2023
We are excited to announce the grant recipients of our brand-new demonstration program, Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus (MLP+).

2023