# Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHYP): Fiscal Year (FY) 1994 Final Program Priorities, Availability of Financial Assistance for Fiscal Year 1994, and Request for Applications > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-11441 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** May 12, 1994 ## Text [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-11441] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: May 12, 1994] _______________________________________________________________________ Part II Department of Health and Human Services _______________________________________________________________________ Administration for Children and Families _______________________________________________________________________ Runaway and Homeless Youth Program; FY 1994 Final Program Priorities, Availability of Financial Assistance for FY 1994, and Request for Applications; Notice DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families [Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/RHYP 94-1] Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHYP): Fiscal Year (FY) 1994 Final Program Priorities, Availability of Financial Assistance for Fiscal Year 1994, and Request for Applications AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice of Fiscal Year 1994 Final Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program Priorities, announcement of availability of financial assistance, and request for applications for the following programs and activities: Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (BCP), Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (DAPP), Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth (TLP), and Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Grants. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Family and Youth Services Bureau of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families is publishing final program priorities and announcing the availability of funds for the following: 1. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (BCP): The purpose of the BCP is to provide financial assistance to establish or strengthen locally-controlled centers that address the immediate needs (e.g., outreach, temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and aftercare services) of runaway and homeless youth and their families. 2. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (DAPP): The purpose of the DAPP is to improve and expand drug abuse prevention, education and information services to runaway and homeless youth and their families. 3. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth (TLP): The purpose of the TLP is to support projects in local communities that provide long term shelter, skill training and support services to homeless youth; to assist homeless youth in making smooth transitions to self-sufficiency; and to prevent long-term dependency on social services. 4. Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Grants: The purpose of this T&TA is to improve the programmatic and administrative capacities of public and private agencies serving runaway and homeless youth. This single announcement for all runaway and homeless youth programs has been developed in order to save both the field and the Federal government significant resources. Also, the single announcement provides the field with the application due dates for all the programs, providing interested agencies the means to forecast the workload and resources needed to apply for these grants. This announcement contains all the necessary information and application materials to apply for funds under these grant programs. The estimated funds available by fiscal year and the approximate number of new grants to be awarded under this program announcement are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Funds New Program Fiscal year available grants ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BCP..................... FY 1994................ $14,000,000 145 DAPP.................... FY 1994................ 2,000,000 20 T&TA.................... FY 1994................ 1,500,000 10 TLP..................... FY 1995................ 5,000,000 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ New BCP, DAPP, and T&TA grants will be awarded out of FY 1994 funds. New TLP grants will be awarded out of FY 1995 funds, subject to the appropriation of funds by the Congress. In addition to new grants, the Family and Youth Services Bureau of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families anticipates providing FY 1994 continuation funds to current grantees, including Demonstration Projects (DEMOS), as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of Program Funds continuation available grants ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BCP......................................... $23,231,452 205 DAPP........................................ 9,780,702 105 TLP......................................... 5,095,648 41 DEMOS....................................... 1,288,000 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grantees eligible for these continuation grants will receive a letter to that effect from the appropriate Regional grants management office and should not submit their continuation applications in response to this announcement. Only applications for new grants are solicited through this announcement. DATES: The deadlines or closing dates for receipt of applications for new grants under this announcement are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Programs Closing dates ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BCP................................ June 15, 1994. TLP................................ June 28, 1994. DAPP............................... July 12, 1994. T&TA............................... July 12, 1994. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ADDRESSES: Application receipt point: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20447. Attn: Maiso Bryant, ACF-94-ACYF/RHYP. Envelopes containing applications must clearly indicate the specific program that the application is addressing: Basic Center Program (BCP), Drug Abuse Prevention Program (DAPP), Transitional Living Program (TLP), or Training and Technical Assistance Grants (T&TA). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, PO Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013; Telephone: 1-800-351-2293. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of six parts. Part I provides general information for potential applicants who wish to apply to operate programs serving runaway and homeless youth. Part II contains the evaluation criteria against which all applications will be competitively reviewed, evaluated and rated. Part III contains specific information necessary to apply for funds under each of the three service programs and the Training and Technical Assistance grants. Part IV describes the application process. Part V provides instructions on the assembly and submission of applications. Part VI contains appendices to be consulted in preparation of applications. All forms needed to prepare applications for any of the programs are found in Part VI, Appendix I, of this announcement. The following outline is provided to assist in the review of this Federal Register announcement: Part I: General Information A. Background on Runaway and Homeless Youth B. Legislative Authority C. Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives of the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Grant Programs 1. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth 2. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth 3. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth 4. Training and Technical Assistance Grants D. Definitions E. Final Priorities 1. Public Comments in Response to the Proposed Priorities 2. Final Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 1994 a. Direct Service Grants for Runaway and Homeless Youth (1) Basic Center Program Grants (2) Transitional Living Program Grants b. National Communications System c. Program Support (1) Training and Technical Assistance Grants (2) National Clearinghouse on Runaway and Homeless Youth (3) Management Information System (MIS) (4) Monitoring Support for FYSB Programs d. Research and Demonstration Initiatives e. Evaluation Studies (1) Evaluation of the Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth (2) Development of Evaluation Manuals for Use in ACYF Programs F. Eligible Applicants G. Availability of Funds l. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth 2. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth 3. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth 4. Training and Technical Assistance Grants H. Duration of Projects I. Maximum Federal Share and Grantee Share of the Project Part II: Evaluation Criteria Part III: Priority Areas A. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth B. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth C. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth D. Training and Technical Assistance Grants Part IV: Application Process A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees B. Application Requirements C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372 E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials F. Application Consideration Part V: Application Assembly and Submission Part VI: Appendices A. Basic Center Program Performance Standards B. National Runaway Switchboard C. National Clearinghouse on Runaway and Homeless Youth D. Runaway and Homeless Youth Continuation Grantees l. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth 2. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth 3. Drug Abuse Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth E. Basic Center Program Allocations by State F. Administration for Children and Families Regional Office Youth Contacts G. Training and Technical Assistance Providers H. State Single Points of Contact I. Forms and Instructions Part I. General Information A. Background on Runaway and Homeless Youth The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), administers programs that support services to an adolescent population of approximately 1.3 million runaway and homeless youth. Many of these youth have left home to escape abusive situations, or because their parents could not provide them with the basic needs of food, shelter and a safe supportive environment. Many live on the streets. While living on the streets or away from home without parental supervision, these youth are highly vulnerable. They may become victims of street violence, or may be exploited by dealers of illegal drugs. Usually lacking marketable skills, they may be drawn into shoplifting, prostitution, and dealing drugs in order to earn money for food, clothing, and other daily expenses. Without a fixed address or regular place to sleep, they often drop out of school, forfeiting their opportunities to learn and to become independent, self-sufficient, contributing members of society. As street people, they may try to survive with little or no contact with medical professionals, the result being that their health problems may go untreated and may worsen. Without the support of family, schools, and other community institutions, they may not acquire the personal values and work skills that will enable them to enter or advance in the world of work at other than the most minimal levels. Finally, as street people, they may create substantial law enforcement problems, endangering both themselves and the communities in which they are located. All these problems, real and potential, call for a nationwide, community-based program to address the needs of runaway and homeless youth. B. Legislative Authority Grants for the Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth are authorized by Part A of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHY Act), 42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq. The RHY Act was enacted as Title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-415), and amended by the Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-115), the Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1980 (Pub. L.96-509), the Juvenile Justice Amendments of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-473), the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690), and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Amendments of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-586). Grants for the Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth are authorized under Part B of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Part B was established in 1988 as part of Public Law 100-690. Grants for the Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth are authorized under section 3511 of Public Law 100-690, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Anti-Drug Abuse Act), which established the Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth, as amended by Public Law 102-132. Grants for Training and Technical Assistance are authorized under section 342 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, as amended, and section 3511 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, as amended. C. Purpose, Goals and Objectives of the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Grant Programs 1. Basic Center Programs for Runaway and Homeless Youth The overall purpose of the BCP is to provide financial assistance to establish or strengthen community-based centers that address the immediate needs (e.g., outreach, temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and aftercare services) of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Services supported by this program are to be outside the law enforcement, the child welfare, the mental health, and the juvenile justice systems. The program goals and objectives of Part A of the RHY Act are to: a. Alleviate problems of runaway and homeless youth, b. Reunite youth with their families and encourage the resolution of intrafamily problems through counseling and other services, c. Strengthen family relationships and encourage stable living conditions for youth, and d. Help youth decide upon constructive courses of action. 2. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth The overall purpose of the DAPP is to help communities address the problem of drug abuse among runaway and homeless youth through the prevention, early intervention, and reduction of drug dependency. The specific goals and objectives of the program, as set forth in section 3511 of the Act, are to: a. Provide individual, family, and group counseling to runaway youth and their families and to homeless youth for the purpose of preventing or reducing the illicit use of drugs by such youth; b. Develop and support peer counseling programs related to the illicit use of drugs by runaway and homeless youth; c. Develop and support community education activities related to the illicit use of drugs by runaway and homeless youth, including outreach to individual youth; d. Provide runaway and homeless youth in rural areas with assistance (including the development of community support groups) related to the illicit use of drugs; e. Provide information and training regarding issues related to the illicit use of drugs by runaway and homeless youth to individuals providing services to these youth; f. Support research on illicit drug use by runaway and homeless youth, the effects on such youth of drug abuse by family members, and any correlation between such use and attempts at suicide; and g. Improve the availability and coordination of local services related to drug abuse for runaway and homeless youth. 3. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth The overall purpose of the TLP is to support programs which assist older homeless youth in making a successful transition to self- sufficient living and to prevent long-term dependency on social services. The specific goals and objectives of the program, as set forth in Part B of the Act, are to: a. Provide stable, safe living accommodations while a homeless youth is a program participant; b. Provide the services necessary to assist homeless youth in developing both the skills and personal characteristics needed to enable them to live independently; c. Provide education, information and counseling aimed at preventing, treating and reducing substance abuse among homeless youth; d. Provide homeless youth with appropriate referrals and access to medical and mental health treatment; and e. Provide the services and referrals necessary to assist youth in preparing for and obtaining employment. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families will award grants for these programs to support direct services to runaway and homeless youth. Specifics regarding each of these grant programs are found in Part III, Sections A-C, of this announcement. 4. Training and Technical Assistance Grants The overall purpose of the T&TA grants is to improve the programmatic and administrative capacities of public and private agencies to serve runaway and homeless youth. Specifics regarding these grants are found in Part III, Section D, of this announcement. D. Definitions 1. The term homeless youth is defined differently for different programs. Under Part A of the RHY Act, which authorizes the BCP, the term homeless youth means a person under 18 years of age who is in need of services and without a place of shelter where he or she receives supervision and care. This definition applies to all Basic Center projects and can be found in 45 CFR 1351.1(f). Under Part B of the RHY Act, which authorizes the TLP, homeless youth means an individual who is not less than 16 years of age and not more than 21 years of age; for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment with a relative; and who has no other safe alternative living arrangement. This definition applies to all TLP projects and can be found in section 321(b)(1) of the RHY Act. 2. The term public agency means any State, unit of local government, combination of such States or units, or any agency, department, or instrumentality of any of the foregoing. This definition applies to all runaway and homeless youth programs and can be found in section 3601(8) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, incorporating by reference section 103(11) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended. 3. The term runaway youth means a person under 18 years of age who absents himself or herself from home or place of legal residence without the permission of parents or legal guardian. This definition applies to all Basic Center programs and can be found in 45 CFR 1351.1(k). 4. The term shelter includes host homes, group homes and supervised apartments. This definition applies to all TLP programs and is referenced in section 322(1) of the RHY Act. As currently understood in the field: Host homes are facilities providing shelter, usually in the home of a family, under contract to accept runaway and/or homeless youth assigned by the TLP service provider, and are licensed according to State or local laws. Group home are single-site residential facilities designed to house TLP clients who may be new to the program and/or require a higher level of supervision. These dwellings operate in accordance with State or local housing codes and licensure. Supervised apartments are single-unit dwellings or multiple-unit apartment houses operated under the auspices of the TLP service provider for the purpose of housing program participants. 5. The term State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau). This definition applies to all runaway and homeless youth programs and can be found in section 3601(10) of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, incorporating by reference section 103(7) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended. 6. The term temporary shelter means the provision of short-term (maximum of 15 days) room and board and core crisis intervention services on a 24 hour basis. This definition applies to all Basic Center Program grantees and can be found in 45 CFR 1351.1(o). 7. The term transitional living youth project means a project that provides shelter and services designed to promote transition to self- sufficient living and to prevent long-term dependency on social services. This definition applies to all TLP program grantees and is found in section 321(b)(2) of the RHY Act. E. Final Priorities Section 364 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHY Act) requires the Department to publish annually for public comment a proposed plan specifying priorities the Department will follow in awarding grants and contracts under the RHY Act. The proposed plan for FY 1994 was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 1994 and requested comments and recommendations from the field. 1. Public Comments in Response to the Proposed Priorities The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) received 13 written responses from a number of sources, including Runaway and Homeless Youth Program grantees in seven different States. The responses were generally supportive and the following summarizes the major issues raised: a. A number of respondents suggested that applicants with demonstrated experience in providing quality direct services to runaway and homeless youth be awarded extra points in the evaluation and ranking of their grant applications. The Administration for Children, Youth and Families agrees with this suggestion. Accordingly, applicants documenting such experience may receive up to five (5) extra points beginning with the current (FY 1994) reviews. b. A number of respondents supported the proposal to increase the project periods of the new Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) awards from three to five years. The five-year project period will be adopted. c. A number of respondents suggested that the proposed focus of T&TA activities on findings resulting from the monitoring of runaway and homeless youth grantees might be too narrow. They suggested that T&TA activities should also address the perceived needs of local grantees, such as services to special populations and adherence to local and State licensing requirements. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families recognizes that T&TA providers may take into account such justified training needs, so long as a major emphasis is placed on assisting grantees in program improvement efforts, especially those efforts related to the findings from program monitoring activities. d. A number of respondents expressed concern that budget limitations on travel for Federal staff might lead to peer reviewers making site visits unaccompanied by Federal staff, and that negative evaluations by the peers might undercut Federal support for the affected grantees. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families recognizes that peer reviewers can assess program operations from a professional point of view, identifying areas of strength and areas for improvement, but that only Federal staff can be responsible for identifying and evaluating compliance issues that may affect funding. e. Several respondents expressed concern about the potential for consolidation of the three current, categorical programs for runaway and homeless youth (BCP, DAPP, and TLP) into a single program. Specific concerns included the negative effects of limited funding, the possible neglect of RHY services in rural areas, and the difficulties of a single grantee being required to address the entire range of youth problems. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families is aware of these and a number of other concerns and issues regarding consolidation, and any effort to consolidate these programs would include consultation with the field regarding implementation. f. A number of respondents requested that they be sent information about applying for runaway and homeless youth grants. All respondents will be entered into the mailing list to receive announcements of grant solicitations. To the extent feasible, ACYF addressed these and all other public comments in preparing the final priorities. The final program priorities below reflect the changes made in the proposed priorities in light of the comments received. 2. Final Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 1994 a. Direct Service Grants for Runaway and Homeless Youth. (1) Basic Center Program Grants. Part A, section 311 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, as amended, authorizes grants to public and private entities, (State, Territorial, county, and local governments; agencies and subagencies of these governments; private for-profit and private non-profit organizations; American Indian Tribes) and to combinations of such entities, to establish and operate Basic Centers for Runaway and Homeless Youth. Approximately 350 new and continuation Basic Center Program grants will be funded in FY 1994 to support organizations which provide emergency services to runaway and homeless youth that include temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling, aftercare, and related services which are provided outside the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. Part III, section A of this publication announces the availability of funds for these grants, and includes the minimum requirements that applicants must address in their applications for Basic Center Program funds. In FY 1994, approximately two-thirds of the current Basic Center grantees (those whose grant periods expire in FY 1995 or FY 1996) will be awarded noncompetitive continuation funds. The remaining grantees (those whose grant periods expire in FY 1994) will have the opportunity to compete for new grant awards by submitting new competitive applications. All other eligible youth-serving agencies not holding current awards may also apply for these new competitive funds. (2) Transitional Living Program Grants. Part B, section 321 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, as amended, authorizes grants to establish and operate transitional living projects for homeless youth. This program is structured to help older, homeless youth achieve self-sufficiency and avoid long-term dependency on social services. Transitional living projects provide shelter, skills training, and support services to homeless youth ages 16 through 21 for a continuous period not exceeding 18 months. A competition for new-start TLP awards was held in the summer of 1993 (in the last quarter of FY 1993) and successful applicants were awarded a total of $5,966,650 in FY 1994 funds, beginning on October 1, 1993 (the first quarter of FY 1994). The remaining FY 1994 program funds will be awarded in the form of continuations to ongoing grants. This announcement solicits applications for new Transitional Living Program grant awards to be supported with FY 1995 funds, subject to the appropriation of these funds by Congress. Project periods for these new awards will begin when FY 1995 funds are appropriated and made available to ACYF, but in no case will they begin prior to October 1, 1994. By soliciting applications and making funding decisions during 1994, we will enable current grantees not eligible for FY 1994 continuation funds to compete for new grants to be funded early in FY 1995 and to continue their existing projects with a minimal disruption of services, if successful in the competition. Part III, section C of this publication announces the anticipated availability of funds for these FY 1995 grants, and includes the minimum requirements that applicants must address in their grant proposals. b. National Communications System. Part C, section 331 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, as amended, mandates support for a national communications system to assist runaway and homeless youth in communicating with their families and with service providers. In FY 1991, a three-year grant was awarded to the National Runaway Switchboard, Inc., in Chicago, Illinois, to operate the system. This grant expired in FY 1994. An announcement soliciting grant applications to operate the system for five years was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 1993. c. Program Support. (1) Training and Technical Assistance Grants. Part D, section 342 of the RHY Act authorizes the Department to make grants to statewide and regional nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance (T&TA) to organizations that are eligible to receive service grants under the Act. Organizations eligible to receive this T&TA include the Basic Centers authorized under Part A of the Act and the Transitional Living grantees authorized under Part B. In addition, section 3511 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which authorized the Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (DAPP), authorizes support for T&TA to runaway and homeless youth service providers. The purpose of this T&TA is to strengthen the programs and to enhance the knowledge and skills of youth service workers. In FY 1991, the Family and Youth Services Bureau awarded ten Cooperative Agreements, one in each of the ten Federal Regions, to provide T&TA to agencies funded under the three Federal programs for runaway and homeless youth (the Basic Center Program, the Transitional Living Program, and the Drug Abuse Prevention Program). Each Cooperative Agreement was unique, being based on the characteristics and different T&TA needs in the respective Regions. Each of the Cooperative Agreements has a three-year project period that will expire in FY 1994. This announcement solicits applications for new five-year Cooperative Agreements to be supported with FY 1994 funds. Specific application information and evaluation criteria are addressed in Part III, Section D. (2) National Clearinghouse on Runaway and Homeless Youth. In June 1992, a five-year contract was awarded to establish and operate the National Clearinghouse on Runaway and Homeless Youth to serve as a central information point for professionals and agencies involved in the development and implementation of services to runaway and homeless youth. The Clearinghouse is in full operation and is currently collecting materials and responding to requests for information. Non-competitive continuation funding will be awarded to sustain the Clearinghouse in FY 1994. (3) Management Information System (MIS). In FY 1992, a three-year contract was awarded to implement the Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System (MIS) across three FYSB programs: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program, the Transitional Living Program, and the Drug Abuse Prevention Program. The MIS, now a mandatory data collection system, is designed to be used as a management tool for individual programs. In addition, FYSB uses the data generated by the system to produce reports, to conduct analyses regarding the programs, and to provide information for required reports to Congress on efforts to serve runaway and homeless youth. Non-competitive continuation funding will be awarded to sustain the MIS in FY 1994. (4) Monitoring Support for FYSB Programs. In FY 1993, FYSB developed a comprehensive monitoring instrument and set of site visit protocols, including a peer-monitoring component, for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program, the Transitional Living Program, and the Drug Abuse Prevention Program. Additionally in FY 1993, a contract to provide logistical support for the peer monitoring system was awarded. The new peer monitoring system will improve Federal oversight of the RHY programs and will identify program innovations along with program strengths and weaknesses. The findings will be used to direct the provision of technical assistance and to inform policy development. Continuation funding for the logistical contractor will be provided in FY 1994. d. Research and Demonstration Initiatives. Section 343 of the Act authorizes the Department to make grants to States, localities, and private entities to carry out research, demonstration, and service projects designed to increase knowledge concerning and to improve services for runaway and homeless youth. These activities are important in order to identify emerging issues and to develop and test models which address such issues. In FY 1993, first-year funding was awarded to eight grantees to develop models of services to youth in rural areas. These grants are expected to produce written descriptions of the proposed service models, to identify issues related to model implementation, and to generate information on youth and program outcomes. The models will also incorporate formal collaboration with other major youth-serving agencies in the rural areas. Continuation funding of these eight grants will be provided in FY 1994. e. Evaluation Study. Continuation funding will be awarded to an ongoing evaluation study entitled ``Development of Manuals for ACYF to Use in Evaluating Demonstration Projects'' (FY 1993-present). This project is developing general and specific manuals to assist ACYF grantees in the design and implementation of their internal program evaluations. One of the specific manuals will be designed for FYSB grantees. F. Eligible Applicants The legislation authorizing the runaway and homeless youth programs addressed in this Federal Register announcement identifies ``eligible applicants'' differently. Accordingly, the definition appropriate to each individual program is found in Part III of this announcement as a part of each priority area description. Organizations that have current Basic Center and/or Drug Abuse Prevention Program grants with project periods ending in FY 1994 and all remaining eligible applicants may apply for new grants for either or both of these two programs. Basic Center and DAPP grantees with one or two years remaining on their current awards and the expectation of continuation funding in FY 1994 may not apply for new grants under that particular grant program. Organizations that have current Transitional Living Program grants with project periods ending in FY 1994 and all remaining eligible applicants may apply for new Transitional Living Program grants. Transitional Living Program grantees with one or two years remaining on their current awards and the expectation of continuation funding in FY 1994 may not apply for new grants under that particular grant program. Statewide and Regional nonprofit organizations, and/or combinations of such organizations, with demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth service providers are eligible to apply for T&TA grants. Applicants may refer to Part VI, Appendix D for a listing of current grantees that are ineligible to apply for one or more of these grant programs. Non-profit applicants which have not previously received financial support from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families must submit proof of their non-profit status with their grant application. This can be done either by making reference to the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations or by submitting a copy of its letter from the IRS (IRS Code, sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6)). Non-profit applicants cannot be funded without acceptable proof of this status. Failure to provide proof of nonprofit status will result in rejection of the application. Such applications will receive no further consideration from ACF. For- profit entities may participate as grantees under Priority Area A, Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Programs, but may participate only as sub-grantees for any other priority areas in this announcement. G. Availability of Funds The Administration on Children, Youth and Families expects to award approximately 600 new and continuation grants to serve runaway and homeless youth in FY 1994. Dollar amounts to be awarded by fiscal year and program are as follows: 1. Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth The Administration on Children, Youth and Families expects to award $32,499,000 in Basic Center Program grants in FY 1994. Of this total, $18,377,159 will be awarded in the form of non-competitive continuations to current grantees, and the remaining $14,121,841 will be available for competitive, new-start awards. In accordance with the RHY Act, the funds will be divided among the States in proportion to their respective populations under the age of 18. We recognize that the RHY Act also conditionally requires that the amounts allotted to each State (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) be at least $100,000, and the amounts allotted to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau), and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands be at least $45,000 each. However, to apply these minimum allocations in FY 1994 would result in 23 of the remaining States receiving less than they received in FY 1992. Under these conditions, section 311(b)(3) of the Act becomes operable, which directs that the ongoing State minimum of $75,000 and the ongoing Territorial minimum of $30,000 continue as the basic award levels in FY 1994. The amount of funds available for both continuations and new starts in each of the States and Territories is listed in the Table of Allocations by State (Part VI, Appendix E) which reflects the FY 1994 allocations for each State. In this Table, the amounts shown in the column labeled New Starts are the amounts available for competition in the respective States. Current Basic Center Program grantees having one or two years remaining in their project periods will receive instructions from their respective ACF Regional Offices on the procedures for applying for these continuation grants and should not respond to this announcement. These grantees are listed in Part VI, Appendix D.1, have project expiration dates in FY 1995 and 1996, and are not eligible to apply for new Basic Center grants. Current Basic Center Program grantees with project periods ending by September 30, 1994, and all other eligible applicants not currently receiving Basic Center funds may apply for the new competitive grants under this announcement. The number of new awards made within each State will depend upon the funds available (i.e., the State's total allotment less the amount required for non-competing continuations), as well as on the number of acceptable applications. Therefore, where the amount required for non- competing continuations in any State equals the State's total allotment, no new awards will be made. All applicants under this announcement will compete with other applicants in the State in which their services would be provided. In the event that an insufficient number of acceptable applications is approved for funding from any State or jurisdiction, the Commissioner, ACYF, will reallocate the unused funds. 2. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth In FY 1994, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families expects to award $2,000,000 in new competitive Drug Abuse Prevention Program grants and $9,780,702 in non-competing continuation DAPP awards. 3. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth The Administration on Children, Youth and Families awarded $6,117,067 for 33 new Transitional Living Program grants in the first quarter of FY 1994 (October-December 1993). An additional $5,095,648 will be awarded in FY 1994 for TLP continuation grants. No additional new TLP awards will be made in FY 1994. However, applications for new awards will be solicited in FY 1994 for funds to be provided in FY 1995 (beginning on October 1, 1994), subject to appropriation of funds by the Congress. It is anticipated that approximately $5,000,000 will be available for these new grants. 4. Training and Technical Assistance Grants In FY 1994, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families estimates the award of $1,500,000 in new cooperative agreements for the provision of training and technical assistance to RHY grantees. H. Duration of Projects This announcement solicits applications for projects of up to three years duration (36-month project periods), with the exception of the T&TA cooperative agreements which will be awarded for five-year project periods. Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 36-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non- competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantees, and determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government. I. Maximum Federal Share and Grantee Share of the Project The maximum amount of Federal funds for which an applicant can apply is specified in each program description found in Part III of this announcement. The legislation authorizing runaway and homeless youth programs requires that grantees provide a non-Federal match for Federal funds. In some cases, this non-Federal share is a percent of the total cost of the project and, in some cases, it is a percent of the Federal share. Specific non-Federal share requirements for each Priority Area are found in Part III of this announcement. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions. Federal funds provided to States and services or other resources purchased with Federal funds may not be used to match project grants. Applicants which do not provide the required percentage of non-Federal share will not be funded. For-profit applicants for Basic Center Program grants are reminded that no grant funds may be paid as profit to any recipient of a grant or sub-grant (45 CFR 74.705). Part II. Evaluation Criteria The five criteria that follow will be used to review and evaluate each application under each of the three RHY programs and the training and technical assistance grants, and should be used in developing the program narrative. The point values following each criterion heading indicate the numerical weight each criterion will be accorded in the review process. Note that the highest possible value an application can receive is 105 points. See Criterion 4 for specific information. Criterion 1. bjectives and Need for Assistance (15 Points) Pinpoint any relevant physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, or other problems requiring a solution. Demonstrate the need for the assistance and state the goals or service objectives of the project. Supporting documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests other than the applicant may be used. Give a precise location of the project site(s) and area(s) to be served by the proposed project. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached. (The applicant should refer to Part I, Section C, of this announcement for a description of each program's purpose.) Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected (20 Points) Identify the results and benefits to be derived from the project. State the numbers of runaway and homeless youth and their families to be served, and describe the types and quantities of services to be provided. Identify the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, and discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate the results and success of the project. Criterion 3. Approach (35 Points) Outline a plan of action pertaining to the scope of the project and detail how the proposed work will be accomplished. Describe any unusual features of the project, such as extraordinary social and community involvements, and how the project will be maintained after termination of Federal support. Explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the results and benefits identified are being achieved. Criterion 4. Staff Background and Organizational Experience (20-25 Points) List each organization, cooperator, consultant, or other key individuals who will work on the project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution. Summarize the background and experience of the project director and key project staff and the history of the organization. Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage the project and to coordinate activities with other agencies. Legislation authorizing each of the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs requires that priority for funding be given to agencies with experience in providing direct services to runaway and homeless youth. In line with this requirement, applicants having three (3) or more years of continuous effort serving runaway and homeless youth in one or more areas set forth in section 312 of the Act are eligible to receive an additional five (5) points in this criterion. Applicants are encouraged to discuss staff and organizational experience in working with this population and may include information regarding their past performance under RHYP grants. (Applicants may refer to the staff resumes and to the Organizational Capability Statement included in the submission.) Criterion 5. Budget Appropriateness (10 Points) Demonstrate that the project's costs (overall costs, average cost per youth served, costs for different services) are reasonable in view of the anticipated results and benefits. (Applicants may refer (1) to the budget information presented in Standard Forms 424 and 424A and in the associated budget justification, and (2) to the results or benefits expected as identified under Criterion 2.) The Program Narrative information provided by the applicant in response to the priority area description identified in Part III of this announcement should be organized and presented according to these five evaluation criteria. Part III. Priority Areas A. Runaway and Homeless Youth Basic Center Program Eligible applicants: Any State, unit of local government, combination of units of local government, public or private agency, organization, institution, or other non-profit entity is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for Basic Center grants. Non-Federally recognized Indian Tribes and urban Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, non-profit agencies. Grantees (including subgrantees) with current Basic Center grants who are eligible to apply for continuation funding in FY 1994 may not apply for a new Basic Center grant under this announcement. Applicants may refer to Part VI, Appendix D.1 for a listing of current grantees which are ineligible for grants under this priority area. As required by runaway and homeless youth legislation, priority for funding will be given to agencies with demonstrated experience establishing and operating centers that provide direct services to runaway and homeless youth in a manner that is outside the law enforcement system, the child welfare system, the mental health system and the juvenile justice system. Demonstrated experience providing direct services means three (3) or more years of continuous effort serving runaway and homeless youth in one or more areas set forth in section 312 of the Act. Applications claiming credit for this preference must include a statement of no more than one page documenting the relevant experience. Program purpose, goals, and objectives: The Administration on Children Youth and Families will award approximately 150 new service grants to establish or strengthen existing or proposed runaway and homeless youth Basic Centers. These programs must be locally controlled efforts that provide temporary shelter, counseling and other services to juveniles who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians or to other homeless juveniles. Applications are solicited under this priority area to carry out direct service projects designed to carry out the program purpose, goals and objectives set forth in the legislation and as specified in Part I, section C.1 of this announcement. These goals and objectives are: 1. To alleviate the problems of runaway and homeless youth, 2. To reunite youth with their families and to encourage the resolution of intrafamily problems through counseling and other services, 3. To strengthen family relationships and to encourage stable relationships for youth, and 4. To help youth decide upon constructive courses of action. Background: The Runaway Youth and Homeless Youth Act was enacted in response to widespread concern regarding the alarming number of youth who were leaving home without parental permission, crossing State lines, and who, while away from home, were exposed to exploitation and other dangers of street life. Each Basic Center funded under the authorizing legislation is required to provide outreach to runaway and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen days; food; clothing; individual, group, and family counseling; and related services. Many Basic Centers provide their services in residential settings with a capacity for no more than 20 youth. Some centers also provide some or all of their shelter services through host homes (usually private homes under contract to the centers), with counseling and referrals being provided from a central location. Currently, approximately 60,000 youth annually receive shelter for an average of 12 nights and other ongoing services through ACYF-funded Basic Centers. The primary presenting problems of these youth include conflict with parents or other adults, including physical and sexual abuse (63 percent); other family crises such as divorce, death, or sudden loss of income (9 percent); and personal problems such as drug use, or problems with peers, school attendance and truancy, bad grades, inability to get along with teachers, and learning disabilities (28 percent). Low self-esteem is a major problem among this population. Half (49 percent) have a poor self image; somewhat less than half (43 percent) are depressed; and 12 percent are possibly suicidal. After receiving ongoing services from shelter programs, 50 percent of the youth return to their families. One-third (33 percent) are provided alternative, but safe, long-term living arrangements. Five percent return to the streets, and 12 percent leave the centers with no known destination. Minimum requirements for project design: As part of addressing the evaluation criteria outlined in Part II of this announcement, each applicant must address the following items in the program narrative section of the proposal. Objectives and Need for Assistance 1. Applicant must specify the goals and objectives of the project and how implementation will fulfill the purposes of the legislation identified in Part I, section C.1. of this announcement. 2. Applicant must describe the conditions of youth and families in the area to be served, with an emphasis on the incidence and characteristics of runaway and homeless youth and their families. The discussion must consider matters of family functioning, along with the health, education, employment, and social conditions of the youth, including at-risk conditions or behaviors such as drug use, school failure, and delinquency. 3. Applicant must discuss the existing support systems for at-risk youth and families in the area, with specific references to law enforcement, health and mental health care, social services, school systems, and child welfare. In addition, other agencies providing shelter and services to runaway and homeless youth in the area must be identified. 4. Within the context of the existing support systems, applicant must demonstrate the need for the center and indicate the objectives that the program would work toward fulfilling. 5. Applicant must describe the area to be served by the proposed center, and must demonstrate that the center is or will be located in an area which is frequented by and/or easily accessible by runaway and homeless youth. Results and Benefits Expected 1. Applicant must specify the numbers of runaway and homeless youth and their families to be served, the number of beds available for runaway and homeless youth and the types and quantities of services to be provided. 2. Applicant must describe the anticipated changes in attitudes, values and behavior, and improvements in individual and family functioning that will occur as a consequence of the services provided by the center. 3. Applicant must discuss the expected impact of the project on the availability of services to runaway and homeless youth in the local community and indicate how the project will enhance the organization's capacity to provide services that address the needs of runaway and homeless youth in the community. Approach 1. Applicant must describe how runaway and homeless youth and their families will be reached, and how services will be provided in compliance with the Program Performance Standards listed in Part VI, Appendix A. 2. Applicant must describe the center's philosophy regarding the provision of services to runaway and homeless youth and the involvement of the youth's parents or legal guardians in these services. 3. Applicant must include detailed plans for implementing direct services based upon identified goals and objectives. Applicant must identify the strategies that will be employed and the activities that will be implemented, including innovative approaches to securing appropriate center services for the runaway and homeless youth to be served, for involving family members as an integral part of the services provided, for periodic review and assessment of individual cases, and for encouraging awareness of and sensitivity to the diverse needs of runaway and homeless youth who represent particular ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, or are street youth. 4. Applicant must describe the center's plans for conducting an outreach program that, where applicable, will attract members of ethnic and racial minorities and/or persons with limited ability to speak English. 5. Applicant must describe the center's plans and procedures for intake and assessment of the youth upon arrival at the center. 6. Applicant must describe the center's plans for contacting the parents or other relatives of the youth they serve, for ensuring the safe return of the youth to their parents, relatives or legal guardians if it is in their best interests, for contacting local governments pursuant to formal or informal arrangements established with such officials, and for providing alternative living arrangements when it is not safe or appropriate for the youth to return home. 7. Applicant must describe the type of shelter that will be available, the shelter capacity of the center and the system of staff supervision to be implemented in the shelter. 8. Applicant must describe the center's plans for ensuring proper coordination with law enforcement personnel, health and mental health care personnel, social service personnel, and welfare personnel. 9. Applicant must describe the center's plans for ensuring coordination with the schools to which runaway and homeless youth will return, and for assisting the youth to stay current with the curricula of these schools. 10. Applicant must describe the center's procedures for dealing with youth who have run from foster care placements. 11. Applicant must describe procedures for dealing with youth who have run from correctional institutions, and must show that procedures are in accordance with Federal, State and local laws. 12. Applicant must describe the center's plans and procedures for providing aftercare services and for ensuring, whenever possible, that aftercare services will also be provided to those youth who are returned beyond the State in which the center is located. 13. Applicant must agree to gather and submit program and client data required by FYSB's Management Information System (MIS). While the computer software and training for the implementation of the MIS will be provided by FYSB to grantees, applicant should include a request for funds in its budget for any computer equipment needed for implementation of the MIS. 14. Applicant must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families. 15. Applicant must describe how the activities implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once Federal funding for the project has ended. The applicant must describe specific plans for accomplishing program phase-out for the last two quarters of the 36- month project period in the event the applicant does not receive a new award. Staff Background and Organizational Experience 1. As priority for funding will be given to agencies and organizations that have documented experience in establishing and operating centers that provide direct services to runaway and homeless youth, applicant must include a brief description of the organization and its experience in providing services to this client population. 2. Applicant must include a description of current and proposed staff skills and knowledge regarding runaway and homeless youth and indicate how staff will be utilized in achieving the goals and objectives of the program. Information on proposed staff training and brief resumes or job descriptions may be included. 3. Applicant must describe procedures for maintaining confidentiality of records on the youth and families served. Procedures must insure that no information on the youth and families is disclosed without the consent of the individual youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures without consent can be made to another agency compiling statistical records if individual identities are not provided or to a government agency involved in the disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway or homeless youth. 4. Applicant must describe how the project has established or will establish formal service linkages with other social service, law enforcement, educational, housing, vocational, welfare, legal service, drug treatment and health care agencies in order to ensure appropriate referrals for the project clients when needed. 5. Applicant must describe how community and other support will be secured to continue the project at the conclusion of the Federal grant period. Budget Appropriateness 1. Applicant must discuss and justify the costs of the proposed project in terms of numbers of youth and families to be served, types and quantities of services to be provided, and the anticipated outcomes for the youth and families. 2. The applicant must describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds received under this program announcement. Duration of project: This announcement solicits applications for Basic Center projects of up to three years duration (36-month project periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for continuation grants beyond the one-year budget periods, but within the 36-month project periods, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non- competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee, and determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government. Federal share of project costs: Priority will be given to applicants which apply for less than $200,000 per year. The maximum Federal share for a 3-year project period is $600,000. Applicant share of project costs: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act requires a non-Federal matching requirement of ten percent of the total Federal funds awarded. For example, a project requesting $300,000 in Federal funds over a three-year project period (based on an award of $100,000 per twelve-month budget period) must include a match of at least $30,000 (10 % of the Federal share). B. Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth (DAPP) Eligible applicants: Any State, unit of local government (or combination of units of local government), public or non-profit private agency, organization, institution, or other non-profit entity is eligible to apply for these funds. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for DAPP grants. Non-Federally recognized Indian Tribes and urban Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, non-profit agencies. Grantees (including subgrantees) with current DAPP grants with 12 or more months remaining in their project periods may not apply for new DAPP grants under this announcement. Applicants may refer to Part VI, Appendix D.3 for a listing of current grantees which are ineligible to apply for grants under this priority area. No more than one grant per legal entity (organization) will be awarded under this priority area. Organizations submitting more than one application for DAPP funds must understand that only one application will be considered for funding. Legislation authorizing each of the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs requires that priority for funding be given to agencies with experience in providing direct services to runaway and homeless youth. In line with this requirement, applicants which have three (3) or more years of continuous effort serving runaway and homeless youth in one or more areas set forth in section 312 of the Act are eligible to receive an additional five (5) points in this criterion. Applications claiming credit for this preference must include a statement of no more than one page documenting the relevant experience. Empirical or applied research experience is not considered direct service. Program purpose, goals and objectives: The Administration on Children, Youth and Families will award approximately 20 new grants to support services within a community to maintain, improve and/or expand drug abuse prevention, early intervention, and reduction of drug dependency services to runaway and homeless youth and their families. Applications are solicited under this priority area to carry out direct service projects designed to address the issue of drug abuse among runaway and homeless youth in the applicant's community as required by the goals and objectives set forth in the legislation and specified in Part I, section C.2 of this announcement. Activities that may be maintained, improved and/or expanded through a DAPP grant include but are not necessarily limited to: 1. Improving networking and service coordination to increase the availability of services to runaway and homeless youth; 2. Expanding outreach activities, particularly street-based outreach programs; 3. Providing individual, family, group, and/or peer prevention and intervention counseling related to alcohol and other drug use; 4. Strengthening intake and assessment procedures for substance abuse at runaway and homeless youth shelters; 5. Coordinating services with drug treatment facilities and making referrals to treatment that are geared to the runaway and homeless youth population; 6. Providing aftercare and follow-up services to runaway and homeless youth with substance abuse problems who have received shelter and/or non-residential services; 7. Increasing staff knowledge and skills related to working with runaway and homeless youth with substance abuse problems by improving or accessing training opportunities; 8. Improving programming to address the unique cultural needs and concerns of minority runaway and homeless youth; 9. Involving and educating parents, siblings and peers of runaway and homeless youth receiving drug abuse prevention services; 10. Developing and implementing programs designed to reduce drug involvement among the target population by improving coping skills and reducing stress factors arising from such problems as homelessness, family dysfunction, and peer pressure; and 11. Establishing linkages with community mental health programs that will provide comprehensive substance abuse counseling and/or treatment to runaway and homeless youth. Efforts that will not be funded under this priority area include research and demonstration projects on illicit drug use by runaway and homeless youth, and the direct provision of drug treatment services such as those services provided in a medical setting or by medical personnel. This priority area is specifically targeted to runaway and homeless youth. Potential applicants interested in providing drug abuse prevention services to high-risk youth other than those who are runaways or homeless are encouraged to contact the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). For information on CSAP grant programs and other drug abuse prevention resources, applicants should contact the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, Maryland 20847-2345; telephone: 1-800-729-6686. Background: The abuse of drugs has had an increasingly severe impact on runaway and homeless youth. Reports from shelters which serve this client population indicate a growing drug abuse problem. In 1988, 15.4 percent of the youth entering shelters indicated a personal drug abuse problem. In addition, 16.6 percent of the youth entering shelters reported that their reason for running away was parental drug and/or alcohol abuse. A 1990 survey, conducted by the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services, of 185 community-based agencies that serve runaway and homeless youth found substance abuse to be the leading health problem among the youth served. Several other studies reveal that the incidence of substance abuse among runaway and homeless youth in large urban areas is significantly greater than the rate of abuse among other adolescents. The prevalence of the problem is underscored by the fact that not only are youth-serving agencies in major urban areas reporting an increase in drug use among their client population, but that providers in small towns and rural communities also are finding that more than half of their clients are reporting drug abuse as a primary problem. While several studies provide some evidence of alcohol and drug abuse decline in the general youth population, recent locally based studies indicate that this is not the trend among the runaway and homeless youth population. There is a marked increase in the use of alcohol and other dangerous and addictive drugs such as cocaine and its derivative, crack. Alcohol use among the younger adolescent population is also on the increase. This population's circumstances require more detailed and focused approaches to prevention and drug reduction services than those provided by traditional approaches. Many runaway and homeless youth have already experimented with, or become frequent users of, one or more drugs and need effective programs which help them understand drug use problems and teach them the decision-making skills they need to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. The Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program (DAPP) provides Federal assistance to comprehensively address the problem of drug involvement among runaway and homeless youth. Since the program's inception in 1989, ACYF has awarded approximately $82 million in discretionary grants to approximately 450 agencies and organizations located throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. These awards were made to support a wide variety of locally determined project designs which address the problem of drug involvement among runaway and homeless youth. While varying degrees of success have been reported by DAPP grantees, many of the most promising programs have implemented one or more of the following components: 1. Candid discussions between youth and street-wise peer counselors and/or recovering youth substance abusers who can discuss addiction and recovery from their personal experience; 2. Sessions in which youth obtain accurate facts on any and all aspects of substance abuse and treatment; 3. Presentation of decision-making and self-assertiveness skills and techniques that assist youth in making independent choices and avoiding drug-involved friends and environments; 4. Counseling and/or other strategies for helping youth to understand both the underlying causes of drug use and the effect of drugs on them, their families, their peers and their communities; 5. Educational information that portrays the consequences of overdosing, the effects of drug withdrawal, and the increased chances of contracting the HIV virus and AIDS; and 6. The provision of specific and realistic information on various treatment options that are available, assistance in enrolling in such programs, and appropriate follow-up by the service provider. Minimum Requirements for project design: As a part of addressing the evaluation criteria outlined in Part II of this announcement, applicants must address the following items in the program narrative sections of their applications. Objectives and Need for Assistance 1. Applicant must specify the goals and objectives of the program and how implementation will fulfill the requirements of the legislation identified in Part I, Section C.2, of this announcement. 2. Applicant must discuss the rate of illicit drug use by juveniles, specifically addressing the issue and incidence related to runaway and homeless youth in the community(ies) to be served and the availability (or lack) of services for runaway and homeless youth in those communities. 3. Applicant must identify the extent to which the proposed projects or activities will provide services in geographic areas where similar services are unavailable or in short supply. 4. Applicant must demonstrate an understanding of the issues related to alcohol and other drug abuse among runaway and homeless youth and the provision of services to that population. Results and Benefits Expected 1. Applicant must identify the number of runaway and homeless youth and their families to be served, the types and quantities of services to be provided and how units of service will be defined and measured. 2. Applicant must discuss how the project will enhance or increase the capacity of the applicant to provide services to address the illicit use of alcohol and other drugs by runaway and homeless youth. 3. Applicant must describe the extent to which the project will maintain, increase or improve the community's level of services and/or the coordination of services for runaway and homeless youth. 4. Applicant must discuss the expected impact of the project on the availability of services to homeless youth in the local community and indicate how the project will enhance the organization's capacity to provide services to address youth homelessness in the community. Approach 1. Applicant must describe how the program will maintain, improve, and/or expand direct alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, intervention and reduction services in their community. 2. Applicant must include detailed plans for implementing direct services based upon identified goals and objectives. Applicant must identify the strategies that will be employed and the activities that will be implemented. These should include innovative approaches to securing appropriate drug treatment services for the runaway and homeless youth to be served, for involving family members as an integral part of services provided, and for encouraging awareness of and sensitivity to the diverse needs of runaway and homeless youth who represent particular ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, or who are street youth. 3. Applicant must identify, when appropriate, the short-term prevention and intervention strategies to be used with runaway and homeless youth in temporary emergency shelters and explain the follow- up efforts to be implemented with the youth once they leave the shelters. 4. Applicant must discuss how the proposed project will be integrated with other services to runaway and homeless youth that are provided by the applicant or that are available in the community. In addition, applicant is encouraged to show evidence of collaboration with other agencies in the development of a comprehensive approach to service delivery for runaway and homeless youth. Applicant must identify the organizations with which they will work and describe the contributions of these organizations to the project. A letter of commitment that indicates the level of responsibility and involvement must be included for each participating agency. 5. Applicant must identify and explain how the program will provide alcohol and other drug abuse prevention services to address the particular needs of runaway and homeless youth who are members of ethnic and racial minority groups, persons with limited ability to speak English and/or who are street youth. 6. Applicant must discuss the extent, if any, to which the project will incorporate new or innovative techniques. 7. Applicant must discuss plans for evaluating the project, including assessing the outcomes and accomplishments of the program and the service delivery models being implemented. 8. Applicant must describe how the activities implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once Federal funding for the project has ended. The applicant must describe specific plans for accomplishing program phase-out for the last two quarters of program project period in the event the applicant does not receive a new award. 9. Applicant must agree to gather and submit program and client data required by FYSB's Management Information System (MIS). While the computer software and training for the implementation of the MIS will be provided by FYSB to grantees, applicant should include a request for funds in its budget for any computer equipment needed for implementation of the MIS. 10. Applicant must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families. Staff Background and Organizational Experience 1. As priority for funding will be given to agencies and organizations that have documented experience in providing direct services to runaway and homeless youth, applicant must include a brief description of the organization and its experience in providing services to this client population. 2. Applicant must include a brief description of current and proposed staff skills and knowledge regarding runaway and homeless youth and indicate how staff will be utilized in achieving the goals and objectives of the program. Information on proposed staff training and brief resumes or job descriptions may be included. 3. Applicant must describe procedures for maintaining confidentiality of records on the youth and families served. Procedures must insure that no information on the youth and families is disclosed without the consent of the individual youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures without consent can be made to another agency compiling statistical records if individual identities are not provided or to a government agency involved in the disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway or homeless youth. Budget Appropriateness 1. Applicant must discuss and justify the costs of the proposed project in terms of numbers of youth and families to be served, types and quantities of services to be provided, and the anticipated outcomes for the youth and families. 2. The applicant must describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds received under this program announcement. Duration of project: This announcement solicits applications for Drug Abuse Prevention Projects of up to three years duration (36-month project periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for continuation grants beyond the one-year budget period, but within the 36 month project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government. Federal share of project costs: Up to $100,000 per year, which equals a maximum Federal share of $300,000 for a 3-year project period. Applicant share of project costs: Grantees must provide at least 25 percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the Federal share and the non-Federal share. For example, a project requesting $300,000 in Federal funds over a three-year project period (based on an award of $100,000 per twelve- month budget period) must include a match of at least $100,000 (25% of the total approved cost of the project). C. Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth (TLP) Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for a TLP grant under this announcement include States, units of local government (or a combination of units of local government), public or non-profit, private agency organizations, institutions or other non-profit entities. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for TLP grants. Non-Federally recognized Indian Tribes and urban Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants as private, non- profit agencies. Grantees (including subgrantees) with current project periods extending into FY 1995 may not apply for new TLP grants under this announcement. Applicants may refer to Part VI, Appendix D.2, for a listing of current grantees which are ineligible for grants under this priority area. As required by runaway and homeless youth legislation, priority for funding will be given to agencies with demonstrated experience in providing direct services to runaway and homeless youth. In line with this requirement, applicants which have three (3) or more years of continuous effort serving runaway and homeless youth in one or more areas set forth in Section 312 of the Act are eligible to receive an additional five (5) points in this criterion. Program purpose, goals and objectives: The Administration on Children, Youth and Families will award approximately 25 new service grants to provide shelter, skill training and support services to assist homeless youth in making a smooth transition to self-sufficiency and to prevent long-term dependency on social services. Applications are solicited under this priority area to carry out direct service projects designed to carry out the program purpose, goals and objectives set forth in the legislation and as specified in Part I, section C.3 of this announcement. Funds available under Part B of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act are to be used to enhance the capacities of youth-serving agencies in local communities to effectively address the service needs of homeless older adolescents and young adults. Activities that may be maintained, improved and/or expanded through a TLP grant must include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1. Providing stable, safe living accommodations while a homeless youth is a program participant; 2. Providing the services necessary to assist homeless youth in developing both the skills and personal characteristics needed to enable them to live independently; 3. Providing education, information and counseling aimed at preventing, treating and reducing substance abuse among homeless youth; 4. Providing homeless youth with appropriate referrals and access to medical and mental health treatment; and 5. Providing the services and referrals necessary to assist youth in preparing for and obtaining employment. Background: It is estimated that about one-fourth of the youth served by all runaway and homeless youth programs are homeless. This means that many of the youth served cannot return home or to another safe living arrangement with a relative. Other homeless youth have aged out of the child welfare system and are no longer eligible for foster care. These young people are often homeless through no fault of their own. The families they can no longer live with are often physically and sexually abusive and involved in drug and alcohol abuse. They cannot provide the youth with their basic human needs such as shelter, food, clothing, let alone the supportive and safe environment needed for development of healthy self-images and the skills and personal characteristics which would enable them to mature into self-sufficient adults. Homeless youth, lacking a stable family environment and without social and economic supports, are at high risk of being involved in dangerous lifestyles and problematic or delinquent behaviors. More than two-thirds of homeless youth served by ACYF-funded programs report using drugs or alcohol and many participate in survival sex and prostitution to meet their basic needs. Homeless youth need a support system that will assist them in making the transition to adulthood and independent living. While all adolescents are faced with adjustment issues as they approach adulthood, homeless youth experience more severe problems and are at greater risk. Homeless youth have been a population eligible to receive services under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act since 1978, but the service goals for homeless youth are different from those of runaways. For example, family reunification, though desirable, is typically not feasible for homeless youth. In many instances, programs serving the homeless populations are able to provide only limited assistance to homeless youth, whose needs are more complex and longer-term than those of runaway youth. The Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth specifically targets services to homeless youth and affords youth service agencies an opportunity to serve homeless youth in a manner which is comprehensive and geared towards ensuring a successful transition to self-sufficiency. The TLP also improves the availability of comprehensive, integrated services for homeless youth, which reduces the risks of exploitation and danger to which these youth are exposed while living on the streets without positive economic or social supports. Minimum requirements for project design: As a part of addressing the evaluation criteria outlined in Part II of this announcement, each applicant must address the following items in the program narrative section of their application. Objectives and Need for Assistance 1. Applicant must specify the goals and objectives of the program and how the implementation of the objectives will fulfill the requirements of the legislation identified in Part I, Section C.3, of this announcement. 2. Applicant must discuss the issue of youth homelessness in the community to be served, the present availability of services for homeless youth and provide documentation of the incidence of homeless youth. 3. Applicant must describe the system that will be used to ensure that individual clients will meet the eligibility criteria of need for service as established by the Act. This may include a discussion of the intake and assessment activities which will be conducted with a client prior to acceptance into the TLP project. The applicant is encouraged to include samples of any forms to be used to determine eligibility and appropriate services. Results and Benefits Expected 1. Applicant must describe how homeless youth will be reached and identify the number who will be served annually on both a residential and non-residential basis. 2. Applicant must provide information on the expected results and benefits of the program in terms of the number of youth who will successfully complete the program as well as potential problems or barriers to program implementation that might be possible reason(s) for non-success. Applicant must also discuss the organization's policy on termination from and reentry into the program. 3. Applicant must discuss the expected impact of the project on the availability of services to homeless youth in the local community and indicate how the project will enhance the organization's capacity to provide services to address youth homelessness in the community. Approach 1. Applicant must discuss how they will implement the statutory requirements of the Act. Specifically, the applicant must describe plans for the provision of shelter and services and for program administration. a. Shelter (1) Applicant must assure that shelter is provided through one or a combination of the following: (a) A group home facility; (b) Family host homes; or (c) Supervised apartments. Applicant must indicate if the shelter will be provided directly or indirectly. When shelter will be provided indirectly, applicant must submit copies of formal written agreements with service providers regarding the terms under which shelter is provided. (2) Applicant must assure that the facility used for housing, whether a shelter, host family home and/or supervised apartment, shall accommodate no more than 20 youth at any given time; shall have a sufficient number of staff to ensure on-site supervision at each shelter option that is not a family home including periodic, unannounced visits from project staff; and is in compliance with State and local licensing requirements. (3) Applicant must assure, if applicable, that the applicant meets the requirements of the RHY Act for the lease of surplus Federal facilities for use as transitional living shelter facilities. Each surplus Federal facility used for this purpose must be made available for a period not less than two years, and no rent or fee shall be charged to the applicant in connection with use of such a facility. Any structural modifications or additions to surplus Federal facilities become the property of the government of the United States. All such modifications or additions may be made only after receiving prior written consent from the appropriate Department of Health and Human Services official. b. Services (1) Applicant must include a description of the core services to be provided. The description must include the purpose and concept of the service, its role in both the overall program design and the individual client TLP plan. The services to be provided must include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: (a) Basic life skills information and counseling, including budgeting, money management, use of credit, housekeeping, menu planning and food preparation, consumer education, leisure-time activities, transportation, and obtaining vital documents (Social Security card, birth certificate). (b) Interpersonal skill building, such as developing positive relationships with peers and adults, effective communication, decision making, and stress management. (c) Educational advancement, such as GED preparation and attainment, post-secondary training (college, technical school, military, etc.), and vocational education. (d) Job preparation and attainment, such as career counseling, job preparation training, dress and grooming, job placement and job maintenance. (e) Mental health care, such as counseling (individual and group), drug abuse education, prevention and referral services, and mental health counseling. (f) Physical health care, such as routine physicals, health assessments, family planning/parenting skills, and emergency treatment. (g) The substantive participation of youth in the assessment and implementation of their needs, including the development and implementation of the individual transitional living plan and in decisions about the services to be received. The applicant must specifically describe programmatic efforts planned and/or implemented to encourage awareness of and sensitivity to the particular needs of runaway and homeless youth who are members of ethnic and racial minority groups and/or who are street youth. c. Administration (1) Applicant must describe the procedures to be employed in the development, implementation and monitoring of an individualized, written transitional living plan for each program client which addresses the provision of services, and is appropriate to the individual needs of the client. (2) Applicant must assure that the clients will substantively participate in the assessment of their needs and in decisions about the services to be received. (3) Applicant must assure that the outreach programs to be established are designed to attract individuals who are eligible to participate in the project. (4) Applicant must provide an assurance that housing and services will be available to a client for a continuous period not to exceed 540 days (18 months). (5) Applicant must describe the methods to be employed in collecting statistical records and evaluative data and for submitting annual reports on such information to the Department of Health and Human Services. (6) Applicant must describe how the applicant will ensure the confidentiality of client records. (7) Applicant must describe how the activities implemented under this project will be continued by the agency once Federal funding for the project has ended. The applicant must describe specific plans for accomplishing program phase-out for the last two quarters of program project period in the event that the applicant would not receive a new award. (8) Applicant must agree to gather and submit program and client data required by ACYF's Management Information System (MIS). While the computer software and training for the implementation of the MIS will be provided by FYSB to grantees, applicant should include a request for funds in its budget for any computer equipment needed for implementation of the MIS. (9) Applicant must agree to cooperate with any research or evaluation efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families. Staff Background and Organizational Experience 1. As priority for funding will be given to agencies and organizations that have documented experience in providing direct services to homeless youth, applicant must include a brief description of the organization and its experience in providing services to this specific client population. 2. Applicant must include a description of current and proposed staff skills and knowledge regarding homeless youth and indicate how staff will be utilized in achieving the goals and objectives of the program. Information on proposed staff training and brief resumes or job descriptions may be included. 3. Applicant must describe how the project has established or will establish formal service linkages with other social service, law enforcement, educational, housing, vocational, welfare, legal service, drug treatment and health care agencies in order to ensure appropriate referrals for the project clients where and when needed. 4. Applicant must describe procedures for maintaining confidentiality of records on the youth and families served. Procedures must insure that no information on the youth and families is disclosed without the consent of the individual youth, parent or legal guardian. Disclosures without consent can be made to another agency compiling statistical records if individual identities are not provided or to a government agency involved in the disposition of criminal charges against an individual runaway or homeless youth. Budget Appropriateness 1. Applicant must discuss and justify the costs of the proposed project in terms of numbers of youth to be served, the types and quantities of services to be provided, and the anticipated outcomes for the youth. 2. Applicant must describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will be used to ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds received under this program announcement. 3. Applicant must describe how cost-effective use of TLP funds will be ensured by taking maximum advantage of existing resources within the State which would help in the operation or coordination of a TLP, including those resources which are supported by Federal Independent Living Initiatives funds. Also, applicant must describe efforts to be undertaken over the length of the project which may increase non- Federal resources available to support the TLP. Duration of project: Because successful applicants will receive grants with funds appropriated by Congress for FY 1995, project periods for these new awards will begin when FY 1995 funds are appropriated and made available to ACYF, but in no case will they begin prior to October 1, 1994. This announcement solicits TLP applications for projects of up to three years duration (36-month project periods). Initial grant awards, made on a competitive basis, will be for a one-year (12-month) budget period. Applications for continuation grants beyond the one-year budget period, but within the 36-month project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government. Federal share of project costs: Up to $200,000 per year, which equals a maximum of $600,000 for a 3-year project period. Applicant share of the project: The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act requires a non-Federal matching requirement of ten percent of the total Federal funds. For example, a project requesting $600,000 in Federal funds over a three-year project period (based on an award of $200,000 per twelve-month budget period) must include a match of at least $60,000 (10% of the Federal share). D. Training and Technical Assistance Grants (T&TA) Eligible applicants: Statewide and regional nonprofit organizations, and combinations of such organizations, with demonstrated experience in providing services to runaway and homeless youth service providers. Program purpose, goals and objectives: The Administration on Children, Youth and Families expects to fund up to ten cooperative agreements to improve the programmatic and administrative capacities of public and private agencies to provide services to runaway and homeless youth by the provision of technical assistance and short-term training. Applications to provide such assistance may cover one or more Federal Regions or may be restricted to a smaller geographic area (e.g., one or more States). Background information: Over the years, many State and local agencies and programs have been established to provide needed short- and long-term services to runaway and homeless youth. These agencies are both public and private, profit-making and nonprofit. Some focus on a single concern, such as drug abuse or dropout prevention, while others are multi- or even all-purpose agencies, with specific components that deal with the physical health, mental health, family reunification and functioning, employment, education and transitional living of these young people. Notwithstanding the significant numbers of effective agencies and competent professional staff dedicated to assisting runaway and homeless youth across the country, services in some areas are inadequate or non-existent. In other cases, existing programs lack staff members with the full range of skills required to carry out the responsibilities with which the individual programs are charged. Also, many of the developed and tested curricula and models are little known or understood, even among the programs and staff where they could be of greatest use. Further, as new issues and problems emerge (for example, the glamorization of the youth drug culture by the news and entertainment media, and the placement of troublesome youth in private mental institutions to remove them from the streets), even experienced staff need to enhance their existing skills and to develop new ones. To address these issues, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, section 342, and the Drug Abuse Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth, section 3511 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, both administered by the Family and Youth Services Bureau, authorize support to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of providing training and technical assistance (T&TA) to runaway and homeless youth service providers. To effectively provide such assistance, extensive interaction with grantees, integration and sharing of knowledge, coordination with components supporting the runaway and homeless youth system, and a cooperative relationship among training and technical assistance providers is needed. Projects in this priority area are intended to result in a process which encompasses the following types of activities: 1. The provision of assistance to grantees for the purpose of assessment of grantee and staff training needs and the development, management and implementation of training plans that ensure staff have the skills to carry out their responsibilities. Training and technical assistance designed and/or provided to grantees for this purpose must be accessible and individualized, must provide concrete information and skill building and must include follow-up efforts. 2. The provision of quality staff training which focuses on skill development that (a) provides opportunities for hands-on participation, direct observation, practice and expert feedback; (b) analyzes, integrates and transmits knowledge obtained from research findings, curricula, and models of greatest interest to grantees; and (c) recognizes new and emerging youth issues and provides intensive skills training in these areas. 3. The collaborative exchange of monitoring and MIS information with runaway and homeless youth programs for the purpose of planning training and technical assistance for the geographic area being served, and for the purpose of providing follow-up training and technical assistance responsive to the findings resulting from monitoring individual grantees; 4. The promotion of a cooperative relationship among training and technical assistance providers for the exchange of information regarding identified training needs, emerging youth issues, research findings, curricula and models. The award of these cooperative agreements will include a delineation of the responsibilities of the successful applicants and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. The responsibilities contained in each cooperative agreement may be geared toward the unique needs of the RHY programs in the geographic areas to be served. At a minimum, responsibilities of the successful applicants will include development and implementation of a workplan, provision of training and technical assistance to grantees and coordination with other grantee support efforts and T&TA providers. Responsibilities of ACYF will include, at a minimum, review and approval of workplans, coordination and sharing of monitoring data, as appropriate, and sponsorship of a national meeting of T&TA providers. Minimum requirements for project design: As a part of addressing the generic evaluation criteria in Part II of this Announcement, each applicant must address the following items in the program narrative section of their proposal. Objectives and Need for Assistance 1. Identify the exact geographic area(s) to be served in terms of its distinctive features. 2. Discuss youth homelessness in the geographic area(s) to be served. Provide documentation of the incidence of homeless youth. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the incidence and conditions of runaway and homeless youth in the geographic area(s) to be served; and current issues, special problems and needs associated with runaway and homeless youth such as substance abuse, learning disabilities, lack of independent living skills. 4. Discuss services in the geographic area(s) for runaway and homeless youth (Basic Centers, Transitional Living Programs, Drug Abuse Prevention Programs, Demonstration grants). 5. Indicate an understanding of the capacities and management systems necessary to establish and operate runaway and homeless youth agencies. Discuss the knowledge, skills, abilities and experience required by individual youth service professionals at both the administrative and direct service levels. 6. Discuss and justify the need for training and technical assistance in the geographic area to be served. 7. Discuss barriers to services in the geographic area and greatest training and technical assistance needs of runaway and homeless youth service providers. 8. Demonstrate an understanding of relevant research and development findings and products, and knowledge of available curricula, models and experts. Results and Benefits Expected 1. Discuss the goals and objectives of the proposed training and technical assistance effort and how it builds and improves upon past efforts. 2. Project the number of agencies and individuals that would receive training and technical assistance services. 3. Describe how the training and technical assistance effort will increase the capacity of RHY grantees to deliver effective and quality services to runaway and homeless youth. 4. Describe how training and technical assistance will build on current program strengths and assist grantees in program improvement. Approach 1. Describe the approach, philosophy, strategies, methodologies and models that would be used to assess and address the unique training and technical assistance needs of runaway and homeless youth service providers in the geographic area(s) to be served. Describe the proposed effort and activities in detail. 2. Describe interaction with grantees to support assessment of training needs, development of training plans and design of training and technical assistance strategies. 3. Discuss the approach that will be used to provide quality staff training which focuses on skill development that provides opportunities for hands-on participation, direct observation, practice and expert feedback; which analyzes, integrates and transmits knowledge obtained from research findings, curricula, and models of greatest interest to grantees; and recognizes new and emerging youth issues and provides intensive skills training in these areas. 4. Describe the approach that will be used for the collaborative exchange of monitoring and MIS information for runaway and homeless youth programs for the purpose of planning, training, and technical assistance for the geographic area to be served. Include a discussion of training and technical assistance that is a follow-up to monitoring and responsive to the needs of individual grantees. 5. Describe the approach that would be used to promote the transmittal of knowledge and skills from highly skilled youth service providers to less experienced staff. 6. Describe the approach for establishing a cooperative relationship with other training and technical assistance providers. 7. Provide a detailed description of the efforts that will be carried out by the applicant directly and those efforts to be carried out in conjunction with other agencies or consultants. Discuss how these efforts will enhance training and technical assistance provision. 8. Describe the methodology that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance provided to runaway and homeless youth service providers in the geographic area(s). 9. Discuss the approach that would be used to encourage cultural competency of runaway and homeless youth service providers in areas such as outreach, program design, staffing and board development. 10. Include proposed time frames for accomplishing major milestones, levels of effort, letters of commitment and support. Staff Background and Organizational Experience 1. Describe the organizational history, structure, and experience providing training and technical assistance. Discuss operating principles with respect to the development and implementation of training and technical assistance. 2. Clearly define roles and provide job descriptions of key project positions. 3. Provide resumes of current and proposed staff. Include skills, experience, and qualifications working with runaway and homeless youth, and developing and designing training and technical assistance for youth service providers. 4. Describe facilities, equipment, and other resources that would be available to the project. 5. Describe the administrative and organizational structure and linkages established with other relevant organizations (e.g. subcontractors, other projects). Provide charts summarizing these structures and linkages and written agreements defining them (include in appendices). Budget Appropriateness 1. Discuss and justify the cost of the proposed project in terms of types and quantities of services to be provided. 2. Describe the fiscal control and accounting procedures that will be used to ensure the prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of funds received. 3. Describe how additional resources necessary to carry out this project would be obtained and integrated into the work of the project. 4. Provide assurance that one key person from the project would attend an annual 2-3 day FYSB sponsored meeting in Washington, DC. Duration of Project: This announcement solicits applications for Training and Technical Assistance cooperative agreements of up to five years in duration (60-month project periods). Initial awards, made on a competitive basis, will be for one-year (12-month) budget periods. Applications for continuation cooperative agreements beyond the one- year budget period, but within the 60-month project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee, and determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government. Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to exceed $150,000 per Federal Region for the first 12-month budget period, or a maximum of $750,000 per Federal Region for the 5-year project period. (For example, a project covering two Regions may receive up to $300,000 for the first 12-month budget period. Conversely, a project serving less than a Federal Region (e.g., a Statewide system) would receive less than $150,000 for the first 12- month budget period.) Matching Requirement: The minimum non-Federal matching requirement in proportion to the maximum Federal share of $750,000 is $75,000 for a 5-year project period. This constitutes 10 percent of the total Federal share. Anticipated number of projects to be funded: It is anticipated that up to ten projects will be funded. Part IV. Application Process A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees Potential grantees can receive informational assistance in developing applications from the appropriate ACF Regional Youth Contacts listed in Part VI, Appendix F or from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families in Washington, DC (see address at the beginning of this announcement). Organizations may also receive information and technical assistance in preparing applications from the appropriate Training and Technical Assistance Provider grantee listed in Part VI, Appendix G. B. Application Requirements To be considered for a Runaway and Homeless Youth grant, each application must be submitted on the forms provided at the end of this announcement (see Part VI, section I of this announcement) and in accordance with the guidance provided herein. The application must be signed by an individual authorized both to act for the applicant agency and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Applicants applying for grants under more than one program (Basic Center Program, Drug Abuse Prevention Program, Transitional Living Program, and/or Training and Technical Assistance grants) must submit a separate and complete application for each program and must identify the relevant Priority Area on Form 424, Item #11. Although coordination among program components is encouraged, applications that combine an application for more than one grant program in a single proposal will not be reviewed. All applicants must indicate in their applications their willingness to fully cooperate in any data collection and research efforts mandated by the Administration for Children and Families. If more than one agency is involved in submitting a single application, one entity must be identified as the applicant organization which will have legal responsibility for the grant. C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96-511, the Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval any reporting and record-keeping requirements in regulations, including program announcements. This program announcement does not contain information collection requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant applications by OMB. D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372 This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 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 E.O., States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs. All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, American Samoa and Palau have elected to participate in the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these seventeen jurisdictions need take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applications for projects to be administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, applicants must contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOCs as early as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. It is imperative that the applicant submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or 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 date to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. The 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 must be addressed to: Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs, Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Aerospace Building, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20047. Attn: Maiso Bryant. A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory is included as Part VI, Appendix H of this announcement. Availability of Forms and Other Materials A copy of the forms required to be submitted as part of each application for a runaway and homeless youth grant, and instructions for completing the application, are provided in Part VI, Appendix I. The Basic Center Program Performance Standards as well as descriptions of the National Runaway Switchboard and the National Clearinghouse on Runaway and Homeless Youth are presented in Part VI, Appendices A, B and C. Addresses of the State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) to which applicants must submit review copies of their proposals are listed in Part VI, Appendix H. Legislation referenced in Part I, section B of this announcement may be found in major public libraries and at the ACF Regional Offices listed in Part VI, Appendix F at the end of this announcement. Additional copies of this announcement may be obtained from the ACF Regional Offices or by calling the telephone number listed at the beginning of this announcement. Further general information may be obtained from the Training and Technical Assistance Providers listed in Part VI, Appendix G. F. Application Consideration All applications which are complete and conform to the requirements of this program announcement will be subject to a competitive review and evaluation process against the specific criteria outlined in Part II of this announcement and the specific Minimum Requirements for Project Design contained in Part III of this announcement. This review will be conducted in Washington, DC, by teams of non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas of youth development and/or human service programs. Applications for a Basic Center Program grant will be reviewed competitively only with other applications from the same State. Applications for Drug Abuse Prevention Program, Transitional Living Program and Training and Technical Assistance grants will be reviewed as a part of a national competition. The non-Federal experts will review the applications based on the Evaluation Criteria listed in Part II of this announcement and the specific Minimum Requirements for Project Design contained in Part III of this announcement and will assign a score to each application. The results of the competitive review will be analyzed by Federal staff who, in consultation with ACF Regional officials, will select those applications to be recommended for funding to the Commissioner, ACYF. The Commissioner will make the final selection of the applicants to be funded. As required by runaway and homeless youth legislation, priority for funding will be given to agencies with demonstrated experience in providing direct services to runaway and homeless youth. However, current grantees ending a three-year funding period, and applying as a new applicant for funds under this program announcement, are reminded that when the current project period ends so does the funding agency's obligation for future awards. Criterion 3, Approach, requires applicants to specifically discuss how their project will be maintained after termination of Federal support. In addition to scores assigned by non-Federal reviewers, consideration also will be given to adequate geographic distribution of services and the Commissioner may show preference for applications proposing services in areas that would not otherwise be served. The Commissioner also may elect to consider an applicant's past performance in providing services to runaway and homeless youth and also may elect not to fund any applicants having known management, fiscal or other problems which make it unlikely that they would be able to provide effective services. Grant awards for Basic Center Program, Drug Abuse Prevention Program and Training and Technical Assistance grants will be made by September 30, 1994. Grant awards for Transitional Living Program grants will be made after October 1, 1994. Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award which will set forth the amount of funds granted, the terms and conditions of the grant, the effective date of the grant, the budget period for which support will be given, the non-Federal share to be provided, and the total project period for which support is contemplated. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified of that decision in writing by the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families. Every effort will be made to notify all unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions are made, including grantees whose three-year project periods end in FY 1994. Part V. Application Assembly and Submission Applicants applying for more than one runaway and homeless youth grant (Basic Center Program, Drug Abuse Prevention Program, Transitional Living Program and/or Training and Technical Assistance) must submit a separate and complete application for each program. Applications that combine more than one program in a single proposal will not be reviewed. A. Contents of application. Each application must contain the following items in the order listed: 1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-88) (page i). 2. Budget Information (Standard Form 424A, REV 4-88) (pages ii- iii). 3. Budget Justification (Type on standard size plain white paper) (pages iv-v). 4. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 4-88) (pages vi-vii). 5. Certification Regarding Lobbying (page viii). 6. Program Narrative Statement (pages 1 and following; 40 pages maximum, double-spaced). Special Note: APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO LIMIT THE PROGRAM NARRATIVE STATEMENT PORTION OF THE APPLICATION TO 40 DOUBLE- SPACED PAGES. 7. Organizational Capability Statement (pages OCS-1 and following; 3 pages maximum). 8. Supporting Documents (pages SD-1 and following; 10 pages maximum, exclusive of letters of support or agreement). B. Instructions for Preparing Application Components 1. Standard Forms 424 and 424A: Follow the instructions in Part VI, Appendix I. In Item 8 of Form 424, check New. In Item 10 of the 424, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number and Title for the program for which funds are being requested (93.623, Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth; 93.657, Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth; or 93.550, Transitional Living Program for Homeless Youth. Applicants applying for Training and Technical Assistance cooperative agreements must use the number and title for the Basic Center Program for Runaway and Homeless Youth, 93.623 and indicate T&TA in parentheses in the box. In Item 11 of the 424, identify the Priority Area (IV, A, B, C, D) and the program name (Basic Center Program (BCP), Drug Abuse Prevention Program (DAPP), Transitional Living Program (TLP), or Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA)) which the application is addressing. 2. Budget Justification: Provide breakdowns for major budget categories and justify significant costs. List amounts and sources of all funds, both Federal and non-Federal, that will be used for this project. 3. Standard Form 424B, Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace, Certification Regarding Debarment, and Certification Regarding Lobbying. Of these forms, only the Standard Form 424B and the Certification Regarding Lobbying need to be signed and returned with the application. By signing and submitting its application each applicant is certifying its compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace and Debarment certification requirements included in this announcement. 4. Program Narrative Statement: Use the Evaluation Criteria in Part II as a way to organize the Narrative. Be sure to address all the specifics contained in the appropriate Priority Area Description in Part III, especially the information described under Minimum Requirements for Project Design. 5. Organizational Capability Statement: Applicants must provide a description (no more than three pages, double-spaced) of how the applicant agency is organized and the types, quantities and costs of services it provides, including services to c [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-11441. Public record. Not legal advice.