[Federal Register: April 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 78)]
[Notices]
[Page 21454-21464]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21ap00-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. CFDA 93.576]
Technical Assistance to Special Programs
AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability of FY 2000 discretionary funds for
technical assistance in six categories of programs that assist
refugees.
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SUMMARY: ORR invites eligible entities to submit competitive
applications for cooperative agreements to provide technical assistance
to agencies that serve in the following program areas:
Program Area 1--Technical assistance for special programs in
designated initiatives;
Program Area 2--Technical assistance for employment services;
Program Area 3--Technical assistance to English language training
providers;
Program Area 4--Technical assistance to agencies with Individual
Development Account (IDA) projects for refugees;
Program Area 5--Technical assistance for refugee child welfare
services; and
Program Area 6--Technical assistance for refugee housing services.
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.
Applications will be accepted pursuant to the Director's
discretionary authority under section 412(c) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1522), as amended.
DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is June 20,
2000. See Part IV of this announcement for more information on
submitting applications.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Program Areas 1 and 5--Marta Brenden
at (202) 205-3589, MBrenden@ACF.DHHS.GOV; Program Areas 2, 4 and 6--
Henley Portner at (202) 401-5363, HPortner@ACF.DHHS.GOV; Program Area
3--Nguyen Kimchi at (202) 401-4556, NKimchi@ACF.DHHS.GOV. Application
materials are also available from Marta Brenden at the Office of
Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, Washington DC 20447
and on the ORR website at www.acf.dhhs.gov/program/orr.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of four
parts:
Part I: Background, legislative authority, funding availability,
CFDA Number, applicant eligibility, project and budget periods, length
of application, and for each of the six program areas: purpose and
scope, allowable activities, and review criteria.
Part II: General instructions for preparing a full project
description.
Part III: The Review Process--Intergovernmental review, initial ACF
screening, competitive review, and funding reconsideration.
Part IV: The Application--Application materials, application
development, application submission information and certifications, and
regulations and reporting.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)
Public reporting burden for each collection of information is
estimated to average 8 hours, including the time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing
the collection of information. The following information collections
are included in the program announcement: OMB Approval No. 0970-0139,
ACF UNIFORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION (UPD) which expires 10/31/2000. 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.
Part I: Background
In recent years, ORR has supported the work of its grantees in
various program areas through several ``technical assistance'' grants
with organizations uniquely qualified to advance the field, improve
program achievement and develop organizational capacity to improved
performance. ORR has supported technical assistance for employment,
English language training, microenterprise, services to the elderly,
and the impact of welfare reform on refugees. Under this announcement,
ORR continues its practice of providing technical assistance to the
field of grantees in several new or expanded categories. ORR's intent
through this support is to equip grantees with the best technical help
for continuous improvement in programs, in their capacity to serve
refugees, and in their impact on refugee lives and economic
independence.
Legislative Authority: This program is authorized by Section
412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)(8 U.S.C. 1522
(c)(1)(A)), as amended, which authorizes the Director ``to make grants
to, and enter into contracts with, public or private nonprofit agencies
for projects specifically designed--(i) to assist refugees in obtaining
the skills which are necessary for economic self sufficiency, including
projects for job training, employment services, day care, professional
refresher training, and other recertification services; (ii) to provide
training in English where necessary (regardless of whether the refugees
are employed or receiving cash or other assistance); and (iii) to
provide where specific needs have been shown and recognized by the
Director, health (including mental health) services, social services,
education and other services.'' The FY 2000 Appropriation Act for the
Department of Health and Human Services (Pub. L. 106-113) appropriates
funds for refugee and entrant assistance activities authorized by these
provisions of the INA.
Funding Availability: ORR expects to make available approximately
$2 million for up to 6 cooperative agreements one for each program
area.
The Director reserves the right to award less, or more, than the
funds described, in the absence of worthy applications, or under such
other circumstances as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the
government.
CFDA Number: 93.576.
Applicant Eligibility: Eligible applicants are public and private
non-profit organizations and agencies of State governments that are
responsible for the refugee program under 45 CFR 400.5.
Project and Budget Periods: This announcement invites applications
for project periods up to 3 years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will
be for a one-year budget period, although project periods may be for 3
years. Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards
beyond the one-year budget period but within the 3 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.
Length of Application: Applicants are encouraged to limit program
narratives to 25 pages (double-spaced on standard, letter-size paper,
in 12-point font) plus no more than 25 pages of appended material. This
limitation of 25 pages per program area should be considered as a
maximum, and not necessarily a goal.
[[Page 21455]]
Program Area 1
Technical Assistance for Special Programs in Designated Initiatives
Program Purpose and Scope
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) proposes to award one
cooperative agreement for the purpose of providing technical assistance
to designated programs of special interest to the Director. For fiscal
year 2000 funds, three special programs have been designated:
microenterprise development; model projects for comprehensive cash
assistance and employment services; and projects for refugees who have
experienced long-term difficulties in assimilation. Through this award,
ORR intends to provide technical planning and assistance to grantees
for multiple purposes: to strengthen organizational capacity; to share
policies, procedures, and materials through a grantee network; to
collaborate on performance measures; to report program performance; and
to assist grantees in their efforts at continuous performance
improvement and its impact on refugee economic self-sufficiency.
Approximately $500,000 has been allocated for this program area.
One cooperative agreement may be awarded for one national project.
Successful applicants will have demonstrated expertise in both
organizational and community development as well as more specialized
experience in the field of micro-finance and the development of
microenterprise projects.
Through this cooperative agreement, ORR intends to review and
approve (1) A technical assistance plan, including proposed site visits
and technical assistance activities and schedules; (2) all written
materials developed and proposed for dissemination to the field; and
(3) locations of proposed workshops, proposed topics and formats, and
agendas.
Allowable Activities
Applicants may propose all or some combination of the following, as
well as other innovative strategies for technical assistance:
<bullet> Assessing technical assistance and training needs in
agencies and communities;
<bullet> Disseminating information, materials and technical advice
related to employment, subsidized employment, self-employment,
effective case management, financial management systems, and micro-
finance;
<bullet> Collecting and summarizing data and information on program
performance;
<bullet> Facilitating the electronic exchange of information
through a network website, listserve, and through the collection and
reporting of program performance, performance measurement, and impact
information;
<bullet> Providing on-site or group training or technical
assistance meetings and workshops;
<bullet> Developing training curricula and materials;
<bullet> Conducting on-site program reviews;
<bullet> Maintenance of a database of characteristics and
achievements of the programs and preparation and dissemination of
reports on the program characteristics and achievements.
Program Area 1
Application Review Criteria
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate, and the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable.
The technical assistance plan describes clearly and in detail the
manner in which the applicant will assess the need for technical
assistance, the proposed activities, and how the proposed activities
are expected to address known technical assistance needs of agencies
and communities. (20 points)
2. Results or Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (15 points)
3. Organizational Profiles. The capacity of the applicant to
achieve the project's objectives is clearly demonstrated.
Organizational expertise and experience in the provision of technical
assistance and information sharing are appropriate for the proposed
project. (30 points)
4. Staff and Position Data. Staff qualifications are clearly
presented and are appropriate to achieving the project's objectives.
The description of staff qualifications demonstrates experience in
providing technical assistance to refugee programs and communities. (20
points)
5. Budget and Budget Justification. The budget is clearly presented
and is detailed, reasonable, and cost effective. (15 points)
Program Area 2
Technical Assistance for Employment Services
Purpose and Scope
The primary goal of refugee resettlement is to assist refugees in
becoming self-sufficient. Two factors critical to achieving this goal
are attachment to the labor force and the opportunity to earn a living
wage. ORR proposes to award one cooperative agreement to an agency that
will provide technical assistance to ORR employment service providers.
This announcement continues ORR's longstanding support for
technical assistance to refugee employment service providers for
multiple purposes: to identify model and best practices and to
disseminate this information broadly; to assist local programs in
implementing performance measures under the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA); to develop and conduct training and on-site peer
reviews; and to perform on-site analysis of employment services in such
areas as staff training, multi-agency collaboration, and employer and/
or refugee involvement in the design of services.
Approximately $275,000 has been allocated for this program area.
One cooperative agreement may be awarded for one national project.
Through this cooperative agreement, ORR intends to review and approve
(1) the technical assistance plan, including proposed site visits and
technical assistance activities and schedules; (2) all written
materials developed prior to the release of such documents; and (3)
locations of proposed workshops, proposed topics and formats, and
agendas.
Allowable Activities
Applicants may propose all or a combination of the activities
described below. Applicants may also propose new or innovative
approaches to providing technical assistance for employment services.
<bullet> On-site visits to assess technical assistance needs, to
provide technical assistance and training directly to agencies, and to
ascertain best practices in providing employment services;
<bullet> Preparation of a variety of reports to be distributed to
agencies to assist them in providing employment services, including
site visit reports and best practices reports;
<bullet> Organization and operation of workshops for agencies in
the area of employment services, to include facilitated discussions,
training, and presentations; and
<bullet> Provision of technical assistance, both in writing and by
telephone, to agencies.
<bullet> Maintenance of a database of characteristics and
achievements of the programs and preparation and dissemination of
reports on the program characteristics and achievements.
[[Page 21456]]
Program Area 2
Application Review Criteria
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate; and the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable.
The technical assistance plan describes clearly and in detail the
manner in which the applicant will assess the need for technical
assistance, the proposed activities, and how the proposed activities
are expected to address known technical assistance needs of agencies
that provide employment services. (30 points)
2. Results or Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (15 points)
3. Organizational Profiles. The capacity of the applicant to
achieve the project's objectives is clearly demonstrated.
Organizational expertise and experience in the provision of employment
services and in the provision of technical assistance are described and
are appropriate and adequate for the proposed project. (20 points)
4. Staff and Position Data. Staff qualifications are clearly
presented and are appropriate to achieving the project's objectives.
The description of staff qualifications demonstrates experience in
providing employment services and in providing technical assistance.
(20 points)
5. Budget and Budget Justification. The budget is clearly presented
and is detailed, reasonable, and cost effective. (15 points)
Program Area 3
Technical Assistance to English Language Training Providers
Purpose and Scope
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) proposes to award one
cooperative agreement in the amount of $275,000 for a project to
provide technical assistance and training to providers of English
language training (ELT). Technical assistance may be proposed for the
following purposes:
<bullet> Design and improvement of employment-related ELT.
Technical assistance and training may be provided both to teachers and
to programs; the technical assistance and training may be focused on
curricula, teaching strategies, and/or program development such as
integrating ELT with employment-focused services, work-site ELT, and
family literacy.
<bullet> Training in the areas of cultural adjustment, learning
disabilities, and mental health and in the use of new or innovative
classroom technologies. Training may include topics such as identifying
cultural adjustment/learning disabilities/mental health issues,
accommodating such issues in the classroom and/or seeking professional
consultation, and developing appropriate curricula. Training may also
include introducing teachers to new and/or innovative ELT technologies,
such as using software programs in classroom instruction.
<bullet> Organization and facilitation of consultative and
information-sharing sessions. Such sessions may include staff from
similar types of agencies or from agencies serving similar groups of
refugees. The purpose of the sessions would be to provide an
opportunity for ELT staff to share experiences. These sessions may also
provide opportunities for different types of staff--ELT teachers, case
managers, employment specialists, public health professionals--to meet
to develop strategies for effective working relationships.
Applicants should propose technical assistance projects that are to
be implemented nationally. Under the cooperative agreement for these
projects, ORR intends to review and approve: (1) The technical
assistance plan, including proposed sites and participants; (2)
assessment tools to be used to evaluate technical assistance needs; (3)
subject areas for which technical assistance curricula will be used;
and (4) materials prepared for use in the delivery of the technical
assistance.
Allowable Activities
Applicants may propose all or a combination of the activities
described below. Applicants may also propose additional or innovative
approaches for technical assistance for ELT providers.
<bullet> Assessment of ELT technical assistance needs in agencies
and communities;
<bullet> Organization and operation of training and facilitated
sessions on identified ELT technical assistance needs. These sessions
may include both single agency and multi-site or multi-project training
and facilitated discussion;
<bullet> Provision of technical assistance, both in writing and by
telephone, to ELT providers;
<bullet> Review of existing materials and recommendations on
usefulness/appropriateness for use in refugee-oriented ELT; and
preparation and distribution of materials relevant to identified ELT
needs;
<bullet> Development of, or participation in the development of,
employment-based ELT curricula;
<bullet> Facilitation of a network of providers to share
information and to resolve problems.
Program Area 3
Review Criteria for Technical Assistance to Organizations Providing
English Language Training
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate; and the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable.
The technical assistance plan describes clearly and in detail the
manner in which the applicant will assess the need for technical
assistance, the proposed activities, and how the proposed activities
are expected to address known ELT technical assistance needs. (30
points)
2. Results or Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (15 points)
3. Organization Profiles. The capacity of the applicant to achieve
the project's objectives is clearly demonstrated. Organizational
expertise and experience in the provision of ELT and/or in ELT
technical assistance to ELT staff and to agencies are described and are
appropriate and adequate for the proposed project. (20 points)
4. Staff and Position Data. Staff qualifications are clearly
presented and are appropriate to achieving the project's objectives.
The description of staff qualifications demonstrates experience in
providing ELT services and in providing ELT and cross-cultural
communication technical assistance. (20 points)
5. Budget and Budget Justification. The budget is clearly
presented, detailed, reasonable, and cost effective. (15 points)
Program Area 4
Technical Assistance to Agencies With Individual Development Account
(IDA) Refugee Projects
Purpose and Scope
ORR invites eligible entities to submit competing applications for
a cooperative agreement to provide technical assistance and information
sharing activities to providers of Individual Development Account (IDA)
Programs for Refugees. Under the cooperative agreement, the grantee
would implement various activities intended to assist ORR-funded IDA
grantees in the administration of their projects.
[[Page 21457]]
Allowable Activities
Allowable activities could include:
<bullet> On-site visits to assess technical assistance needs,
provide technical assistance and training directly to grantees, and to
ascertain best practices in both administering IDA programs and
addressing the specific needs of refugees participating in these
programs;
<bullet> Preparation of a variety of reports to be distributed to
IDA grantees to assist them in administering their IDA programs,
including site visit reports and best practices reports;
<bullet> Organization and operation of workshops for IDA grantees,
to include facilitated discussions, training, and presentations;
<bullet> Provision of technical assistance, both in writing and by
telephone, to IDA grantees;
<bullet> Facilitation of a network of IDA grantees to share
information and to resolve problems, through, for example, the
maintenance of a listserve, conference calls, etc.; and
<bullet> Maintenance of a database of characteristics and
achievements of IDA programs and preparation and dissemination of
reports on IDA program characteristics and achievements.
Applicants may propose additional techniques for providing
technical assistance and information sharing activities to IDA
grantees.
Approximately $250,000 has been allocated for this program area.
Under the cooperative agreement(s), ORR intends to review and approve:
(1) Proposed site visits and technical assistance activities; (2) all
written materials developed prior to the release of such documents; (3)
locations of proposed workshops, proposed topics and formats, and
agendas; and (4) database program and structure. ORR expects that
applicants for the cooperative agreement(s) for technical assistance
will demonstrate in their applications expertise in the areas of
administering financial programs such as IDA programs, providing
financial training to low-income populations, and in providing
technical assistance and information-sharing activities.
Program Area 4
IDA Review Criteria
Proposed projects to provide Technical Assistance and Information-
Sharing Activities to Individual Development Account Programs will be
evaluated according to the following criteria:
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate; the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable and
feasible. The plan describes in detail how the proposed activities will
be accomplished. (30 points)
2. Results or Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (15 points)
3. Staff and Position Data. Staff qualifications are clearly
presented and are appropriate to achieving the project's goals. Staff
qualifications show experience in providing technical assistance and
information-sharing activities in the areas of administering financial
programs and providing financial training to low-income populations.
(20 points)
4. Organization Profiles. The applicant demonstrates the capacity
of the organization to achieve the project's objectives. Organizational
expertise and experience in the provision of technical assistance and
information-sharing activities is described. (20 points)
5. Budget and Budget Justification. The budget is reasonable,
clearly presented, and cost-effective. (15 points)
Program Area 5
Technical Assistance for Refugee Child Welfare Services
Program Purpose and Scope
Well-being of refugee families is an important contributing factor
to family self-sufficiency. ORR proposes to award one cooperative
agreement to an agency that will provide technical assistance to public
and private agencies in promoting collaboration among refugee
communities, the network of refugee resettlement services, and the
child and youth services including child protective services to promote
the well-being of refugee families.
Refugee families residing in U.S. communities may encounter
significant differences in child rearing practices compared to the
ethnic or national customs of their country of origin. First,
traditional cultures with a strong authoritarian parental role may
frequently conflict with the more egalitarian American family,
resulting, for example, in differences in refugee youth's desire for
early independence. Second, refugee families may experience trauma as a
result of the persecution or flight, the effects of which may be
destabilizing to family life. Third, refugee families may need income
from both parents, unlike the practice of their home country, to
adequately provide for their needs. Fourth, single parent families face
similar stresses that U.S. single parent families face in addition to
the trauma from their refugee experiences. Finally, they may live in
low income neighborhoods with high crime rates and without the benefit
of an ethnic community to provide information, guidance, protection and
support.
As a result of these factors, a small number of refugee families
encounter and may require the assistance of child protective services
and other services of the judicial system. These experiences may not be
easily understood by the refugee family and the larger refugee
community and serve to make the whole refugee community insecure with
the U.S. child welfare and child protective systems. This may result in
difficulties for refugee families to establish homes that promote the
well-being of its members, where parents are secure in their role of
providing a nurturing and educational environment for their children
and youth. Children may also confront conflicts in meeting the
expectations of their parents, fitting in with their peers or finding a
sense of belonging in the schools and social groups.
Many U.S. community public services do not have the cultural
expertise or language capability to work effectively with refugee
families. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandates equal access to
public services, frequently public resources are limited, and cultural
and linguistic capacity is seldom available for refugee families.
In recent years, ORR has funded initiatives for recreation for
refugee youth, crime prevention among refugee youth, parenting classes,
and intergenerational activities. Currently, ORR has approximately 30
grantees in these program areas, but is likely to award funds to
additional grantees during this fiscal year. It has become clear over
time that a productive relationship with child welfare services, child
protective services, youth shelters and other youth transitional
services is also needed to promote the refugee families' capacity to
care for their children and youth in their new communities.
ORR is interested in supporting a national technical assistance
effort to promote collaboration among refugee families, refugee service
providers and the children and youth service agencies that promote the
welfare of refugee families, refugee youth and children. The
cooperative agreement is also intended to promote cultural and
linguistic services or access to services for refugee families. ORR is
interested in the grantee selecting approximately six specific
communities in which to concentrate assessment and training activities
with child welfare services
[[Page 21458]]
and refugee families. Approximately $400,000 has been allocated for
this program area.
Through this cooperative agreement, ORR intends to review and
approve: (1) A technical assistance plan (such as the site selection of
specific communities for concentrated activities), including proposed
additional site visits and technical assistance activities and
schedules; (2) all written materials developed and proposed for
dissemination to the field; (3) locations of proposed workshops,
proposed topics, formats and agendas; and 4) other innovative
activities that may be proposed by the grantee.
Allowable Activities
Applicants may propose all or some combination of the following, as
well as other innovative strategies for technical assistance:
<bullet> Provision of technical assistance to refugee communities,
refugee service providers, school systems, school counselors, and child
welfare and youth services agencies both in writing and through
telephone consultation;
<bullet> Facilitating the electronic exchange of refugee child
welfare information through a network website and listserv;
<bullet> Providing on-site group training or technical assistance
meetings and workshops;
<bullet> Promoting refugee families as foster parents;
<bullet> Locating or developing training curricula and materials;
<bullet> Conducting on-site reviews of refugee child welfare
services.
Program Area 5
Refugee Child Welfare Services Application Review Criteria
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate, and the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable.
The technical assistance plan describes clearly and in detail the
manner in which the applicant will assess the need for technical
assistance, the proposed activities, and how the propose activities are
expected to address known technical assistance needs of agencies and
communities. (25 points)
2. Results and Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (20 points)
3. Organizational Capacity. The capacity of the applicant to
achieve the project's objectives is clearly demonstrated.
Organizational expertise and experience in the provision of technical
assistance and information sharing are appropriate for the proposed
project. (25 points)
4. Staff. Staff qualifications are clearly presented and are
appropriate to achieving the project's objectives. The description of
staff qualifications demonstrates experience providing technical
assistance to refugee programs and communities. (15 points)
5. Budget. The budget is clearly presented and is detailed,
reasonable and cost effective. (15 points)
Program Area 6
Technical Assistance for Refugee Housing Services
Purpose and Scope
The primary goal of refugee resettlement is to assist refugees in
becoming self-sufficient. One factor that is critical to achieving this
goal is access to affordable and decent housing. ORR proposes to award
one cooperative agreement to an agency that will provide technical
assistance to ORR service providers in the provision of this essential
service.
This program area is intended to assist both service providers and
refugees in gaining access to affordable and decent housing for refugee
singles and families. In locations throughout the U.S. where the
majority of refugees are resettled, rent levels are being pushed to
record highs; and there is a dwindling supply of affordable and decent
housing. In many areas, rents are increasing faster than wages; and
recent energy price hikes have exacerbated an already critical
situation. There is a need to assist resettlement and service agencies
in developing innovative approaches to the housing crisis so that
refugees can live as well-informed consumers in safe and decent homes
and communities.
A grantee in this category will provide technical planning and
assistance to promote access to housing that meets acceptable standards
for health, safety, affordability, good repair and maintenance.
Approximately $250,000 has been allocated for this program area.
One cooperative agreement may be awarded for one national project.
Through this cooperative agreement, ORR intends to review and
approve (1) The technical assistance plan, including proposed site
visits and technical assistance activities and schedules; (2) all
written materials developed prior to the release of such documents; and
(3) locations of proposed workshops, proposed topics and formats, and
agendas.
Allowable Activities
Applicants may propose all or a combination of the activities
described below. Applicants may also propose new or innovative
approaches to providing technical assistance in the area of housing
assistance and services.
<bullet> On-site visits to assess technical assistance needs, to
provide technical assistance and training directly to agencies, and to
ascertain best practices in providing services for counseling refugees
about housing;
<bullet> Provision of information to agencies on relevant available
services and programs in the area of housing assistance, including
programs designed for low-income first time home buyers;
<bullet> Preparation of a variety of reports to be distributed to
agencies to assist them in providing housing services, including site
visit reports and best practices reports;
<bullet> Organization and operation of workshops for agencies in
the area of housing services, to include such subjects as effective use
of Section 8 vouchers, energy assistance, and other local assistance
programs as available;
<bullet> Assistance in developing collaborative agreements with
employers, housing non-profit agencies, landlords, and other Federal
and State agency programs;
<bullet> Training of case workers in orienting refugees to be
responsible tenants including timely payment of rent, maintenance of
apartments, building good credit and negotiating with landlords;
<bullet> Provision of technical assistance, both in writing and by
telephone, to agencies.
Program Area 6
Refugee Housing Services Application Review Criteria
1. Approach. The technical assistance plan is clearly described and
appropriate; and the proposed activities and timeframes are reasonable.
The technical assistance plan describes clearly and in detail the
manner in which the applicant will assess the need for technical
assistance, the proposed activities, and how the proposed activities
are expected to address known technical assistance needs of agencies
that provide housing assistance and services. (30 points)
2. Results and Benefits Expected. The results or benefits expected
are clearly explained and are appropriate to the technical assistance
activities proposed. (20 points)
3. Organizational Capacity. The capacity of the applicant to
achieve the project's objectives is clearly
[[Page 21459]]
demonstrated. Organizational expertise and experience in the provision
of housing assistance and in the provision of technical assistance are
described and are appropriate and adequate for the proposed project.
(25 points)
4. Staff. Staff qualifications are clearly presented and are
appropriate to achieving the project's objectives. The description of
staff qualifications demonstrates experience in providing housing
assistance services and in providing technical assistance. (10 points)
5. Budget. The budget is clearly presented and is detailed,
reasonable, and cost effective. (15 points)
Part II: General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project
Description
Purpose
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.
General Instructions
Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. ACF is
particularly interested in specific factual information and statements
of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project descriptions are
evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. Extensive exhibits are
not required. (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.
Project Summary/Abstract
Provide a summary of the project description (a 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, when
applying for a grant to establish a neighborhood child care center,
describe who will occupy the facility, who will use the facility, how
the facility will be used, and how the facility will benefit the
community which it will serve. For example, when applying for
microenterprise development assistance, describe the prospective
clients in terms of numbers, national origin, interest in
microenterprise and what business opportunities are available to
refugees in the community.
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.
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 microloans
made. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or
function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates.
Identify the kinds of data to be collected, maintained, and/or
disseminated. Note that clearance from the U.S. Office of Management
and Budget might be needed prior to a ``collection of information''
that is ``conducted or sponsored'' by ACF. List 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.
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.
Organization Profiles
Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers,
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.
The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of
the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most
recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3)
of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax
exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of
incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or
association is domiciled.
Third-Party Agreements
Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must
detail
[[Page 21460]]
scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and other
terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
Letters of Support
Provide statements from community, public and commercial leaders
that support the project proposed for funding.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on the Budget Information form. 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.
General
The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources''
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column,
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column,
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.
Personnel
Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary,
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
Description: Costs of tangible, non-expendable, personal property,
having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of
$5,000 or more per unit. However, an applicant may use its own
definition of equipment provided that such equipment would at least
include all equipment defined above.
Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units,
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the
equipment definition.
Supplies
Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than
that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports
the amount requested.
Other
Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food,
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs,
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use,
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs,
and administrative costs.
Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a
justification for each cost under this category.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or
another cognizant Federal agency.
Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant.
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgment that the
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
generated from this project.
Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application
which contain this information.
Non-Federal Resources
Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for
each funding source.
Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs
Self explanatory.
[[Page 21461]]
Part III: The Review Process
Intergovernmental Review: State Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
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 SPOC, if applicable, or to
ACF.
In accordance with Executive Order #12372, ``Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs,'' this listing represents the designated
State Single Points of Contact. The jurisdictions not listed no longer
participate in the process but grant applicants are still eligible to
apply for the grant even if your state, territory, commonwealth, etc.
does not have a ``state single point of contact.'' Jurisdictions
without ``state single points of contacts'' include: 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.
This list is based on the most current information provided by the
States. Information on any changes or apparent errors should be
provided to the Office of Management and Budget and the State in
question. Changes to the list will only be made upon formal
notification by the State. Also, this listing is published biannually
in the Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance.
Jurisdictions that participate in the Executive Order process 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, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, 6th Floor, Washington DC,
20447 Attn: Ms. Daphne Weeden.
A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory
follows:
OMB State Single Point of Contact Listing
Arizona
Joni Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue,
Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 280-1315,
FAX: (602) 280-8144, e-mail: jonis@ep.state.az.us
Arkansas
Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of
Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and Administration,
1515 W. 7th St., Room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203, Telephone:
(501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206
California
Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning and Research/State
Clearinghouse, 1400 Tenth Street, Room 121, Sacramento, California
95814, Telephone: (916) 323-7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018
Delaware
Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact, Executive Department,
Office of the Budget, 540 S. du Pont Highway, Suite 5, Dover, Delaware
19901, Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661
District of Columbia
Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants
Management and Development, 717 14th Street, NW--Suite 1200,
Washington, D.C. 20005, Telephone: (202) 727-6537, FAX: (202) 727-1617,
e-mail: charlesnic@yahoo.com or cnichols-ogmd@dcgov.org
Florida
Cherie L. Trainor, Coordinator, Florida State Clearinghouse, Department
of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida
32399-2100, Telephone: (850) 922-5438 or (850) 414-5495, FAX: (850)
414-0479, e-mail: cherie.trainor@dca.state.fl.us
Georgia
Debra S. Stephens, Coordinator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 270
Washington Street, SW.--8th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30334, Telephone:
(404) 656-3855, FAX: (404) 656-7901, e-mail: ssda@mail.opb.state.ga.us
Illinois
Virginia Bova, State Single Point of Contact, Illinois Department of
Commerce and Community Affairs, James R. Thompson Center, 100 West
Randolph, Suite 3-400, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Telephone: (312) 814-
6028, FAX: (312) 814-1800
Indiana
Frances Williams, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46204-2796, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: (317) 233-3323
Iowa
Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department of
Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309,
Telephone: (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4809
Kentucky
Kevin J. Goldsmith, Director, John-Mark Hack, Deputy Director, Sandra
Brewer, Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the
Governor 700 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Telephone:
(502) 564-2611, FAX: (502) 564-2849
Maine
Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, 184 State Street, 38 State House
Station, Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: (207)
287-6489
Maryland
Linda C. Janey, JD, Manager, Clearinghouse and Plan Review Unit,
Maryland Office of Planning, 301 W. Preston Street--Room 1104,
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2305, Telephone: (410) 767-4491, FAX: (410)
767-4480 e-mail: Linda@mail.op.state.md.us
[[Page 21462]]
Michigan
Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 660 Plaza
Drive--Suite 1900, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: (313) 961-4266,
FAX: (313) 961-4869
Mississippi
Cathy Mallette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and
Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202-
3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX: (601) 359-6764
Missouri
Lois Pohl/Carol Meyer, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office Of
Administration, P.O. Box 809, Room 915, Jefferson Building, Jefferson
City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (573) 751-4834, FAX: (573) 522-4395
Nevada
Heather Elliott, Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse,
Capitol Complex, Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-6367,
FAX: (702) 687-3983
New Hampshire
Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning,
Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process, Mike Blake, Office of State
Planning, 2\1/2\ Beacon Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301,
Telephone: (603) 271-2155, FAX: (603) 271-1728
New Mexico
Nick Mandell, Local Government Division, Room 201, Bataan Memorial
Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-4991, FAX:
(505) 827-4948
New York
Marsha Roth, New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget,
State Capitol, Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605, FAX:
(518) 486-5617
North Carolina
Chrys Baggett, Director, North Carolina State Clearinghouse, Office of
the Secretary of Administration 116 West Jones Street--Suite 5106,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX:
(919) 733-9571
North Dakota
Jim Boyd, North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of
Intergovernmental Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Department
105, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0170, Telephone: (701) 328-2094, FAX:
(701) 328-2308
Rhode Island
Kevin Nelson, Review Coordinator, Department of Administration,
Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th Floor, Providence, Rhode
Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 222-2656, FAX: (401) 222-2083
South Carolina
Omegia Burgess, State Single Point of Contact, Budget and Control
Board, Office of State Budget, 1122 Ladies Street--12th Floor,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803)
734-0645
Texas
Tom Adams, Single Point of Contact, State of Texas, Governor's Office
of Budget and Planning, Director, Intergovernmental Coordination, P.O.
Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428, Telephone: (512) 463-1771, FAX:
(512) 936-2681, e-mail: tadams@governor.state.tx.us
Utah
Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and
Budget, Room 116 State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, Telephone:
(801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547
West Virginia
Judith Dryer, Chief Program Manager, West Virginia Development Office,
Building #6, Room 645, State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia 25305,
Telephone: (304) 558-0350, FAX: (304) 558-0362
Wisconsin
Jeff Smith, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin
Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street--6th Floor, P.O.
Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-0267, FAX:
(608) 267-6931
Wyoming
Matthew Jones, State Single Point of Contact, Office of the Governor,
200 West 24th Street, State Capital, Room 124, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002,
FAX: (307) 632-3909
Territories
Guam
Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and Management
Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, Guam 96910,
Telephone: 011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825
Puerto Rico
Norma Burgos/Jose E. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning
Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center,
P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 727-
4444 or (809) 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270 or (809) 724-3103
Northern Mariana Islands
Mr. Alvaro A. Santos, Executive Officer, Office of Management and
Budget, Office of the Governor, Saipan, MP 96950, Telephone: (670) 664-
2256, FAX: (670) 664-2272
Please direct all questions and correspondence about
intergovernmental review to:
Ms. Jacoba T. Seman, Federal Programs Coordinator, Telephone: (670)
664-2289, FAX: (670) 664-2272
Virgin Islands
Nellon Bowry, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 Norregade
Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands
00802
Please direct all questions and correspondence about
intergovernmental review to:
Daisey Millen, Telephone: (809) 774-0750, FAX: (809) 776-0069
Initial ACF Screening
Each application submitted under this program announcement will
undergo a pre-review 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.
Competitive Review
Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated
and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific
evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria are 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 which are responsive to the evaluation
criteria within the context of this program announcement.
Funding Reconsideration
After Federal funds are exhausted for this grant competition,
applications which have been independently reviewed and ranked but have
no final disposition (neither approved nor disapproved for funding) may
again be considered for funding. Reconsideration
[[Page 21463]]
may occur at any time funds become available within twelve (12) months
following ranking. However, ACF does not select from multiple ranking
lists for a program. Therefore, should a new competition be scheduled
and an application remain ranked without final disposition, applicants
are informed of their opportunity to reapply for the new competition,
to the extent practical.
Part IV: Application Submission
In order to be considered for a grant under this program
announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied
and in the manner prescribed by ACF. Application materials including
forms and instructions are available from the contact named under the
ADDRESSES section in the preamble of this announcement.
Each application should include one signed original and two
additional copies.
Each application narrative portion should not exceed 25 double-
spaced pages in a 12-pitch font. Attachments and appendices should not
exceed 25 pages and should be used only to provide supporting
documentation such as maps, administration charts, position
descriptions, resumes, and letters of intent for partnership
agreements. Please do not include books or video tapes as they are not
easily reproduced and are therefore, inaccessible to the reviewers.
Each page should be numbered sequentially, including the attachments or
appendices.
A. Application Materials
Applicants for financial assistance under this announcement must
file the Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance; SF
424A, Budget Information--Non-construction Programs; SF 424B,
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. The forms may be reproduced for
use in submitting applications. An application with an original
signature and two copies is required.
B. Application Submission Information and Certifications
The closing date for submission of applications is June 20, 2000.
Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be
classified as late.
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
ACF in time for the independent review to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Refugee Resettlement, Attention: Ms. Daphne Weeden.
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 handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
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 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, 6th Floor, Aerospace
Building, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20447 between Monday and
Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address must appear on the
envelope/package containing the application with the note ``Attention:
Ms. Daphne Weeden.'' (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight
mail services do not always deliver as agreed.)
ACF 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.
Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current
competition.
Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend application deadlines when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there are widespread disruptions of mails service. Determinations
to extend or waive deadline requirements rest with the Chief Grants
Management Officer.
For Further Information on Application Deadlines Contact: Ms.
Daphne Weeden, Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, 6th Floor, Washington,
DC 20447, (202) 401-4577.
Standard Language Concerning the Certifications, Assurances, and
Disclosure Required for Non Construction Programs
Applicants requesting financial assistance for non construction
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the Standard
Form 424B with their applications.
Applicants must disclose lobbying activities on the Standard Form
LLL when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who
have used non Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection with
receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a
disclosure form to report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the
disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications.
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and
submitting the application, the applicant is providing the
certification and need not mail back the certification with the
applications. Applicants must make the appropriate certification that
they are not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for
an award. By signing and submitting the application, the applicant is
providing the certification need not mail back the certification with
the applications.
Applicable Regulations
Applicable DHHS grant administration regulations can be found in 45
CFR Part 74 or 92.
Reporting Requirements
Grantees are required to file the Financial status Report (SF-269)
and Program Performance Reports on a semi-annual basis. Funds issued
under these awards must be accounted for and reported upon separately
from all other grant activities. Although ORR does not expect the
proposed projects to include evaluation activities, it does expect
grantees to maintain adequate records to track and report on project
outcomes. The official receipt point for all reports and correspondence
is the ORR Grants Officer, Ms. Daphne Weeden, Administration for
Children and Families/Office of Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-
4577. An original and one copy of each report shall be submitted within
30 days of the end of each reporting period directly to the Grants
[[Page 21464]]
Officer. The mailing address is: Ms. Daphne Weeden, Administration for
Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade SW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447. A final Financial and
Program Report shall be due 90 days after the budget expiration date or
termination of grant support.
Dated: April 18, 2000.
Lavinia Limon,
Director, Office of Refuge Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 00-10018 Filed 4-20-00; 8:45 am]