[Federal Register: April 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 77)]
[Notices]
[Page 19793-19799]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap99-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Notice of Availability of Funding for Alternative Projects, Known
as Wilson/Fish Projects, to Implement Alternative Means of Providing
Interim Financial Assistance, Medical Assistance, Social Services, and
Case Management to Refugees and Cuban and Haitian Entrants
AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Request for applications for alternative projects for the
provision of refugee employment and other social services, interim
financial and medical assistance, and case management for newly
arriving and other eligible refugees. This notice replaces the notice
published in the Federal Register of March 27, 1995 (60 FR 15766).
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SUMMARY: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announces that
competing applications will be accepted from public and private non-
profit organizations under a standing announcement for Wilson/Fish
projects which propose alternative approaches to serving refugees. The
purpose of an alternative project is to provide integrated services and
cash assistance to refugees in order to increase refugees' prospects
for early employment and self-sufficiency, reduce their level of
welfare dependence, enhance acculturation, and promote coordination
among voluntary resettlement agencies and service providers.
Projects will be accepted under either of two categories: (1)
Projects to establish or maintain a refugee program in a State where
the State is not participating in the refugee program or is dropping
out of the refugee program or a portion of the program; and (2)
projects to provide an alternative to the existing system of assistance
and services to refugees.
Funding is available to these projects under the ``Wilson/Fish''
authority.
DATES: This is a standing announcement applicable from the date of
publication until canceled or modified by the Director of the Office of
Refugee Resettlement. The Director will observe the following closing
dates for applications: October 31 and March 31 of each year. The
applicant has the option to select the preferred review cycle. Under
Category One, if a State withdraws from the program, the Director may
review an application
[[Page 19794]]
outside of the proposed review cycle, if necessary.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara R. Chesnik, Team Leader,
Office of Refugee Resettlement, telephone (202) 401-4558, or e-mail:
bchesnik@acf.dhhs.gov. You may address correspondence as follows:
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), ORR/Division of Refugee
Self-Sufficiency, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC
20447.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is issuing this
announcement for applications in two categories: (1) Projects to
establish or maintain a refugee program in a State where the State does
not fully participate in the refugee program; and (2) projects to
provide an alternative to the existing system of assistance and
services to refugees.
Category One of this announcement provides an opportunity for
interested applicant(s) to continue the provision of refugee program
services and assistance, including refugee cash and medical assistance,
employment and other social services, targeted assistance, and
preventive health services, in a State when the State elects to
discontinue participation in the program or is not currently
participating in the program. This category may also be used when a
State elects to cease participation in all of the above components
except for medical assistance and preventive health and where the
Director, ORR, believes that continued resettlement in that State is in
the best interests of the government and of refugees. A consortium of
voluntary agencies, a lead voluntary agency, or another public or
private non-profit agency may apply to administer and provide services
and assistance to refugees in the State or local geographic area.
Category Two provides interested applicants an opportunity to
implement alternative projects to promote refugee self-sufficiency, for
example, (1) Where assistance and services for refugees receiving
refugee cash assistance (RCA) and those receiving Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) could be provided in a better coordinated,
effective, and efficient manner; (2) where TANF eligible refugees may
not have access to timely, culturally and linguistically compatible
services or employment and training programs; (3) where the regulatory
options for delivery of services and assistance to refugees do not
present the best resettlement in that location and resettlement could
be made more effective through the implementation of an alternative
project; (4) where refugees, particularly in two-parent families, are
in danger of becoming dependent upon welfare and using the full time
period of assistance allowed under the TANF program in a State, thereby
removing the ability of the family to access TANF as a safety net in
the future, if needed; (5) where the continuity of services from the
time of arrival until the attainment of self-sufficiency needs to be
strengthened, or (6) where it is in the best interest of refugees to be
resettled outside the welfare system. Under this category, applicants
have considerable latitude to propose an alternative model for
resettlement in a geographic area.
Applicants are expected to propose, at a minimum, a range of
services and financial assistance generally comparable to those
currently available to eligible refugees in the State. Applicants in
Category One may propose to transfer and serve in the Wilson/Fish
project the clients who have not completed their period of eligibility
under the existing RCA program. Applicants in Category Two must propose
an alternative project for refugees in one or more geographic areas and
cover, at a minimum, all newly arriving refugees in a geographic area
of the cash assistance type proposed, e.g., all refugees otherwise
eligible for RCA and/or TANF (sometimes referred to as ``RCA-type'' or
``TANF-type'' refugees). We would not expect projects in either
category to propose transferring to the Wilson/Fish project refugees
who are already enrolled in the TANF program.
Services and assistance under these awards are intended to help
refugees attain self-sufficiency within the period of support defined
by 45 CFR 400.211. This period is currently 8 months after arrival. We
expect that most projects funded will provide services and assistance
to refugees for this period of time, as needed.
Wilson/Fish projects will no longer be required to be budget
neutral. For further discussion, please see the section on funding
availability of this announcement.
ORR will entertain proposals, subject to the availability of
appropriated funds, to provide interim cash support to refugees who
would otherwise be eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) program, in addition to those refugees who would
otherwise be eligible for the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program.
Consistent with section 412(e)(7)(B) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA), refugees in projects funded under this
announcement will be precluded from receiving cash assistance under the
TANF program or the RCA program during the period of support provided
under the Wilson/Fish project. If alternative medical assistance is
included, participants will be precluded from receiving RMA or Medicaid
during the period of support provided under the Wilson/Fish project.
Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this
program announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome of the
competition and the availability of funds.
ORR encourages prospective applicants to consult with ORR while
developing the application.
This Program Announcement consists of four parts:
Part I: Background--Program Purpose, Legislative Authority, Funding
Availability, CFDA Number, Project and Budget Periods, Definition of
Terms.
Part II: Wilson/Fish Program--Eligible Applicants, Purpose and
Objectives, Use of Funds, Review Criteria.
Part III: The Review Process--Intergovernmental Review, Initial ORR
Screening, Competitive Review.
Part IV: The Application--Application Development, Guidelines for
Preparing a Project Description, Application Submission, Paperwork
Reduction and Reporting.
Part I. Background
Program Purpose
Consistent with the legislative mandate provided in the Refugee Act
of 1980, ORR program regulations define the parameters for resettlement
services and assistance which we believe provide the best overall
approach for assisting refugees to resettle and become self-sufficient.
However, we acknowledge, as did Congress in passing the Wilson/Fish
legislation, that opportunities should be available to public and
private non-profit organizations to design different approaches to
serving refugees in a particular geographic area. Since passage of the
Wilson/Fish legislation in 1985, ORR has funded seven projects under a
previous version of this announcement: Two public/private projects; two
projects where a State discontinued participation in the program; two
privately-administered projects; and one State-administered program.
The purpose of the announcement is to enable applicants to
implement alternative projects under one of two categories in order to
provide interim financial assistance, social services and case
management to refugees in a
[[Page 19795]]
manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces the likelihood of
welfare dependency, speeds acculturation, and/or fosters greater
coordination among resettlement agencies and services providers in a
community. We are interested in projects which optimize all available
resources--from the Federal government, the State, and the community--
to make the resettlement period as beneficial as possible. An
integrated system of assistance and services is considered an essential
characteristic of a Wilson/Fish project.
Although ORR has included the provision of medical assistance as an
allowable activity under this announcement, we strongly believe that
the best medical assistance option available in almost all
circumstances is the existing State-administered program of refugee
medical assistance or Medicaid. However, the option to provide medical
assistance under this announcement would be available under two
circumstances: (a) Primarily for Category One projects where a State
chooses to discontinue participation in all areas of the refugee
program, including the provision of refugee medical assistance; and (b)
under Category Two, in the event that there are significant problems in
the provision of medical assistance to refugees in a State and where an
alternative private medical assistance plan or provider is available
which is able to provide a better and a more timely range of services
for refugees and at an affordable cost.
In the case where an alternative medical assistance system is
approved, refugee participants would not be permitted to receive
Medicaid or RMA during the period of support provided under the Wilson/
Fish project because they would be receiving comparable medical
assistance.
Legislative Authority
In October, 1984, Congress amended the Immigration and Nationality
Act to provide authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to implement alternative projects for refugees. This provision, known
as the Wilson/Fish Amendment, (Pub. L. 98-473), provided:
(7)(A) The Secretary shall develop and implement alternative
projects for refugees who have been in the United States less than
thirty-six months, under which refugees are provided interim
support, medical services, support services, and case management, as
needed, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces
welfare dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the
resettlement agencies and service providers.
(B) Refugees covered under such alternative projects shall be
precluded from receiving cash or medical assistance under any other
paragraph of this subsection or under title XIX or part A of title
IV of the Social Security Act.
* * * * *
(D) To the extent that the use of such funds is consistent with
the purposes of such provisions, funds appropriated under section
414(a) of this Act, part A of title IV of the Social Security Act,
or title XIX of such Act, may be used for the purpose of
implementing and evaluating alternative projects under this
paragraph.
Funding Availability
ORR will consider the requests for funding based on the merits of
the proposals. Requests do not have to be limited to the amount being
spent for current assistance and services, but that amount will be one
of the measures used in considering the reasonableness of the request.
Because projects proposed under this announcement will be alternatives
to an existing program in a State or community, the expected range for
funding applications and total funding level to be awarded per year is
not a relevant measure for applicants. Historically, ORR has received
fewer than three applications per year under preceding versions of this
announcement.
In previous years, ORR applied a test of cost-neutrality to Wilson/
Fish projects by limiting the amount of funds that could be awarded to
grantees to the level of funds the project's target population would
otherwise have received during the same budget and project periods.
This concept of cost-neutrality, however, is not required by statute.
The legislative history to the Wilson/Fish Amendment demonstrates
Congressional intent that the amendment be budget neutral, meaning that
no additional funds were provided by Congress to implement the
amendment. See 130 Cong. Rec. 28,363 (October 2, 1984) (statements of
Sen. Wilson, Sen. Weicker, Sen. Proxmire). Wilson/Fish projects no
longer need to be cost neutral. ORR will entertain proposals, subject
to the availability of appropriated funds, to provide financial
assistance to TANF-type refugees in addition to RCA-type refugees.
Interim cash and medical assistance under the Wilson/Fish program
will be provided from funds appropriated under the Transitional
Assistance and Medical Services (TAMS) line item. Funds for services
under the Wilson/Fish program will be provided through the State's
share of social services formula funds applicable to the population
proposed. If the program needs for services are in excess of the
formula social services funds available in an area, ORR will consider
the provision of supplementary discretionary funds to meet the funding
level proposed in the application, if the funds are available and if
the applicant has adequately demonstrated the need for such funding.
Applicants are encouraged to cover all or a portion of the costs of
interim financial support in this program for TANF-eligible refugees by
either seeking a relevant portion of State and Federal TANF funds from
the State TANF agency, or seeking State-only funds which may be counted
under certain circumstances toward the State's maintenance of effort
(MOE) requirement. Those refugees supported by Federal or State TANF
funds would be subject to TANF participation and work requirements,
while refugees supported with State-only funds would not be subject to
TANF rules.
Definition of Terms
Interim Financial Support: To provide financial assistance adequate
to meet the basic needs of refugees otherwise eligible for RCA and/or
for TANF at a level generally comparable to assistance allowable under
those programs. The greater part of this assistance is expected to be
provided in the form of cash payments to refugees, but may also include
incentive bonuses for early employment or payment for work-related
expenses such as transportation or tools.
Eligible population: In addition to persons who meet all
requirements of 45 CFR 400.43, ``Requirements for documentation of
refugee status'', eligibility for refugee program services and
assistance also includes: (1) Cuban and Haitian entrants under section
501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422;
(2) certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are admitted to the U.S. as
immigrants under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Program Appropriations Act, 1988, as included in
the FY 1988 Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. 100-202); and (3) certain
Amerasians from Vietnam, including U.S. citizens, under title II of the
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Acts, 1989 (Pub. L. 100-461), 1990 (Pub. L. 101-167),
and 1991 (Pub. L. 101-513). For convenience, the term ``refugee'' is
used in this notice to encompass all such eligible persons unless the
specific context indicates otherwise.
[[Page 19796]]
CFDA Number: 93.583
Part II. The Wilson/Fish Program
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit
organizations, such as States, private voluntary resettlement agencies,
a consortium of agencies, local government entities, refugee mutual
assistance associations, and community-based organizations.
Because a Wilson/Fish project will have a potential impact on a
State's or locality's budgetary needs for cash assistance and/or
medical assistance, as well as social services, a non-State applicant
is encouraged to coordinate its activities with the State Refugee
Coordinator in the development and implementation of such an
alternative project under Category Two of this announcement. State
applicants should also coordinate their proposed activities with other
participants in refugee resettlement such as voluntary resettlement
agencies, service providers, mutual assistance associations, and local
agencies, if applicable.
Project and Budget Periods
This announcement is inviting applications for project periods up
to four years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year
budget period, although project periods may be for four years.
Applications for non-competing continuation grants funded under these
awards beyond the one-year budget period but within the four year
project period will be entertained in subsequent years on a
noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding
would be in the best interest of the government.
Income generated from activities funded under this program shall be
added to the funds committed to the project, although ORR does not
expect that such income will be generated.
Part III: The Review Process
A. Intergovernmental Review
This program is covered under Executive 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 Order, States may design their own
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance
under covered programs.
Note: State territory participation in the Intergovernmental
Review Process does not signify applicant eligibility for Financial
assistance under a program. a potential applicant must meet the
eligibility requirements of the program for which it is applying
prior to submitting an application to its single point of contact
(SPOC), if applicable, or to ACF.
As of November 20, 1998, the following jurisdictions have elected
not to participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from
these jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally-
recognized Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372:
Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas
Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska,
New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in
the process, entities which have met the eligibility criteria of the
program may still apply for a grant even if a State, Territory,
Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining jurisdictions
participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs.
Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs
as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications and
receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to
the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program office can obtain and
review SPOC comments as part of the award process. The applicant 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.
When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Attn: Grants
Officer, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Sixth Floor-East, Washington,
D.C. 20447.
A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory
is included with the application materials for this program
announcement.
B. Initial ORR Screening
Each application submitted under this program announcement will
undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received
by the applicable closing date and submitted in accordance with the
instructions in this announcement; and (2) the applicant is an eligible
public or private non-profit agency, and therefore eligible for
funding. ORR will return to the applicant those applications which are
found not eligible or incomplete.
C. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria
Applications which pass the initial ORR screening will be evaluated
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific
evaluation criteria. 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 applications that are responsive to the
evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.
Proposed projects will be reviewed using the following evaluation
criteria:
1. Objectives, Need for Assistance, and Rationale for Proposing the
Alternative Project
The improvements proposed to be implemented by the project are
based on a thorough review and description of the current resettlement
system in the geographic area to be covered, in terms of the services
and assistance available; the ability of refugees to access culturally
and linguistically appropriate services; the employment outcomes
achieved (types of jobs currently available and length of time after
arrival required to obtain these jobs); and the post-employment
services available. Points: 20
2. Results, Benefits Expected, and Proposed Outcomes
The proposed project is capable of achieving the stated results.
The outcomes proposed are reasonable, and the methodology for
collecting outcome and other data are clearly described and adequate.
Points: 15
3. Approach/Program Strategy
The proposed project design is clear, logical, complete and
reasonable in terms of (a) the proposed strategies related to the
target population, the
[[Page 19797]]
geographic area to be covered, the adequacy of the system, the policies
and administration of interim cash support; (b) the likelihood that the
relationship between the interim support and services described will
result in a program which delivers quality resettlement; and (c) the
adequacy of the policies and procedures for appeals and fair hearings.
The application has included adequate evidence of consultation with
other relevant agencies and actors, e.g., the State Coordinator in a
non-State application and the voluntary agencies and refugee service
providers in a State application. Points: 25
4. Organization
The organization as described has the capacity and resources for
effective administration and management of the project. The project
staff are qualified and have the necessary expertise to manage the
project and to deliver bilingual and bicultural services and assistance
to refugees in the manner described. The applicant has described a
system for monitoring and reporting that is attainable and adequate
considering the organizational capacity and resources described.
Points: 15
5. Budget and Budget Justification
The budget is clear, logical, complete, and reasonable in relation
to the expected activities and outcomes. The line-item budget narrative
is understandable and adequately justifies the costs proposed. The data
provided to justify the budget are consistently and logically presented
in terms of the population to be served. Points: 25
Part IV. The Application
Project Description
The project description provides a major means by which an
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can
present information clearly and succinctly. Applicants are encouraged
to provide information on their organizational structure, staff,
related experience, and other information considered to be relevant.
Awarding offices use this and other information to determine whether
the applicant has the capability and resources necessary to carry out
the proposed project. It is important, therefore, that this information
be included in the application. However, in the narrative the applicant
must distinguish between resources directly related to the proposed
project from those that will not be used in support of the specific
project for which funds are requested.
The Director reserves the right to award more or less than the
funds requested depending upon the quality of the applications, or such
other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the
Government. Applicants may be required to reduce the scope of selected
projects to accommodate the amount of the approved grant awards.
Applicants shall prepare the project description statement in
accordance with the following instructions.
1. Project Summary/Abstract
Provide a summary of the project description with reference to the
funding request.
2. Objective and Need for Assistance
Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other improvements to the current resettlement
situation which you are proposing to make. The need for assistance must
be demonstrated and the objectives of the project must be clearly
stated; supporting documentation, such as letters of support 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.
ORR is particularly interested in the following:
a. A clear description of the improvements to be made by the
alternative strategy, stated in terms of population to be served,
assistance and services to be provided, and outcomes to be achieved.
b. A description of the planning and preparation for the project,
including the primary participants involved in planning for this
project and those institutions and organizations consulted, such as
refugee mutual assistance associations, local community services
agencies, national voluntary organizations, and other agencies that
serve refugees.
3. Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example,
describe the proposed program outcomes in terms of appropriate
indicators, including proposed outcomes using the Government
Performance and Results (GPRA) measures currently in use in the refugee
resettlement program (e.g., the number of employable refugees in the
caseload, the number of entered employments, the number of cash
assistance reductions due to employment, the number of cash assistance
terminations due to employment, the average hourly wage at entered
employment, the number of 90-day employment retentions, and the number
of entered employments with health benefits available). Identify other
benefits refugees will realize as a result of the Wilson/Fish project,
including enhanced acculturation and other social adjustment measures.
Describe how and what data will be collected and how this data will
be used to analyze project results. Describe the plan and schedule for
project monitoring.
4. Approach
Outline a plan of action which 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 which 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.
ORR is particularly interested in the following:
a. Describe the target population (numbers, ethnicity, and other
characteristics such as age, family composition, ability to speak
English, and labor skills); and the targeted populations by the
anticipated category of public assistance for which the population may
otherwise be eligible.
b. Describe the proposed management plan indicating who has fiscal
and programmatic responsibility for the overall project and for
individual components. Identify the organizational structure and
include a staffing pattern and key position descriptions. Briefly
discuss experience of organization(s) and staff in providing services
and assistance to refugees, including the capacity to provide
bilingually and biculturally appropriate services. Sources and
allocation of funds for
[[Page 19798]]
administration and staffing should be detailed and clearly shown for
each position and activity.
c. Describe the proposed services and how they will be provided,
e.g., employment and case management services.
d. Describe the proposed system for providing cash support,
including: (i) The income standards for cash assistance eligibility;
(ii) payment levels to be used to provide cash assistance to eligible
refugees; (iii) assurance that the payment levels established are not
lower than the State TANF amount; (iv) a detailed description of how
benefit payments will be structured, including the employment
incentives and/or income disregards to be used, if any; (v) a
description of how refugees residing within the project area will have
appropriate access to cash assistance and services; (vi) a description
of the eligibility criteria; (vii) a description of provisions for
sanctions for non-cooperation as required by section 412(e)(2) of the
INA; (viii) a description of the procedures to be used to ensure
appropriate protections and due process for refugees, such as notice of
adverse action and the right to mediation, a predetermination hearing,
and an appeal to an independent entity; and (ix) a description of the
procedures to be used to safeguard the disclosure of information on
refugee clients.
e. Describe the proposed system for providing medical assistance,
if applicable, including: (a) The type and range of services to be made
available (e.g., physician, inpatient, prescription, surgical,
emergency, dental, etc.); (b) a comparison of the system and range of
medical services proposed to the currently available Medicaid system
and services; (c) the type of provider proposed and history of the
proposed provider, especially in providing services to low-income and
ethnically diverse communities; (d) a description of how refugees,
especially those who do not speak English or who have limited English
skills, will have equal, easy, and timely access to medical assistance;
(e) variables which will affect the cost of this assistance. Include a
comparison of current costs with proposed costs. A description of the
constitutionally required due process procedures described in d(viii),
above, must also be included for medical assistance alternative
projects.
f. Assurances that the written policies of the alternative project
will be made available to refugee clients, including agency eligibility
standards, duration and amount of cash assistance payments and medical
assistance (if applicable), the requirements for participation in
services, the penalties for non-cooperation, and client rights and
responsibilities to ensure that refugees understand what they are
eligible for, what is expected of them, and what protections are
available to them. Assurance that agency policy materials will be made
available to refugee clients in English and in their own language.
g. Discuss how all activities of the project will be coordinated
among resettlement agencies and service providers in the community, and
how refugees will have access to other programs in the community, such
as the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), child care services,
and other support programs for working families and individuals.
5. 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.
6. Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on the Budget Information form, e.g., cash
assistance, employment and other services, case management, and
administrative costs by program activity. Detailed calculations must
include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.
The detailed budget must also 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 allocability of the proposed costs.
ORR is also interested in the following:
1. A client loading chart showing the anticipated arrival of
clients over the budget period and the projected interim assistance
(and medical assistance, if applicable) needed on a monthly basis
throughout the year to assist those refugees. Provide assumptions about
the length of time clients are expected to need that assistance.
Identify administrative costs required for the provision of interim
cash assistance and for services separately from those costs projected
as part of the overall role of coordinating the refugee program in the
geographic area.
2. The amount and source of any additional funding, including in-
kind contributions, that will help support the project.
3. If the provision of medical assistance is proposed, provide a
detailed budget and a narrative concerning the underlying assumptions
used in developing the budget, such as the system for co-payments and
the proposed amounts of co-payments, if applicable, and other variables
such as deductibles, premium amounts, prescription costs, if separate.
7. Additional Information
The following is a description of additional information that
should be placed in the appendix to the application.
A. Staff and Position Data
Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
B. Third-Party Agreements
Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must
detail the scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration,
and other terms and conditions that structure or define the
relationship.
V. Application Submission
1. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be
classified as late.
2. Deadline. Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by
ORR in time for the independent review to: Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Refugee Resettlement, Attention: Shirley B. Parker, Grants Officer, 370
L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Sixth Floor--East, Washington, D.C. 20447.
Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the
application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark
from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the
commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package
was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant.
Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely
mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services
do not always deliver as agreed.)
Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
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other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline
date, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the Department
of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Office of Refugee Resettlement, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading
dock), Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024,
between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address
must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the
note ``Attention: Shirley B. Parker, ORR Grants Officer''. (Applicants
are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always
deliver as agreed.)
ORR cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to
ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time of
submission and time of receipt.
3. Late applications. Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ORR shall notify each late
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current
competition.
4. Extension of deadlines. ORR may extend an application deadline
when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.)
occur, or when there is widespread disruption of the mail service, or
in other rare cases. Determinations to extend or waive deadline
requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer.
Applicable Regulations
Applicable HHS regulations can be found at 45 CFR part 74 or part
92.
Reporting Requirements
Grantees are required to file the Financial Status Report (SF-269)
and the Program Progress Reports on a quarterly basis. Funds issued
under these awards must be accounted for and reported upon separately
from all other grant activities. A final Financial Status Report and
Program Progress Report shall be due 90 days after the project period
end date.
Grantees must maintain adequate records to track and report on
project outcomes and expenditures by budget line item.
The official receipt point for the original of all reports and
correspondence is the ORR Grants Officer. An original and one copy of
each report shall be submitted within 30 days of the end of each
reporting period: the original addressed to the Grants Officer, Office
of the Director; a copy addressed to the ORR Project Officer, Division
of Refugee Self-Sufficiency. The mailing address is: Office of Refugee
Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, Sixth Floor--East, Washington,
DC 20447.
A final Financial and Program Report shall be due 90 days after the
budget expiration date.
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
Based on historical experience, ORR anticipates fewer than ten
responses annually to this notice. An OMB control number is therefore
not required.
Dated: April 15, 1999.
Lavinia Limon,
Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 99-10015 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]