Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Children's Bureau Discretionary Funds Program; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]

[Notices]

[Pages 24700-24732]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 95-11246]

[[Page 24699]]

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Part VI

Department of Health and Human Services

_______________________________________________________________________

Administration for Children and Families

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National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Children's Bureau

Discretionary Funds Program; Availability for Fiscal Year 1995 and

Request for Applications; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 89 / Tuesday, May 9, 1995 / Notices

[[Page 24700]]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect

and the Children's Bureau Discretionary Funds Program; Availability of

Funds and Request for Applications

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF),

Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of funds and request for

applications to conduct child abuse research or training projects as

authorized by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended

and child welfare research, demonstration or training projects as

authorized by Titles IV-B and E, of the Social Security Act, as

amended.

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SUMMARY: The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN), and

the Children's Bureau (CB), within the Administration on Children,

Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families

(ACF) announce the availability for Fiscal Year 1995 funding.

Funds from NCCAN are for research on the causes, prevention,

identification, treatment and cultural distinctions of child abuse and

neglect; for research on appropriate, effective and culturally

sensitive investigative, administrative and judicial procedures with

respect to cases of child abuse; and for demonstration or service

programs and projects designed to prevent, identify, and treat child

abuse and neglect.

Child Welfare Research and Demonstration funds provide financial

support to State and local governments and other nonprofit

institutions, agencies, and organizations engaged in research or

demonstrations in the field of child welfare to study problems related

to child welfare, foster care and related issues. Child Welfare

Training provides discretionary grants to accredited public or other

nonprofit institutions of higher learning to develop and improve

educational and training programs and to assist child welfare agencies

to upgrade skills and qualifications of staff.

This announcement contains forms and instructions for submitting an

application.

DATES: The closing date for submissions of applications is July 10,

1995. Applications must be either received by or hand-delivered no

later than the deadline date.

ADDRESSES: Mail applications to: FY 1995 NCCAN/CB Discretionary Funds

Program, Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/Division of

Discretionary Grants, 6th floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW.,

Washington, DC 20447, Attn: NCCAN/CB-95-1, Alece Morgan, Acting.

Hand deliver applications during the normal working hours of 8 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on or prior to the established

closing date to: Administration for Children and Families, Division of

Discretionary Grants, 6th Floor, ACF Guard Station, 901 D Street SW.,

Washington, DC 20047, Attn: NCCAN/CB-95-1, Alece Morgan, Acting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The ACYF Operations Center, Technical

Assistance Team at 1-800-351-2293, is available to answer questions

regarding application requirements and to refer you to the appropriate

contact person in ACYF for programmatic questions.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you are going to submit an application,

send a post card with the following information: The name, address, and

telephone number of the contact person; the name of the organization;

and the priority area(s) in which you may submit an application, within

two (2) weeks of the receipt of this announcement to: Administration on

Children, Youth and Families, Operations Center, 3030 Clarendon Blvd.,

Suite 240, Arlington, VA 22201.

This information will be used to determine the number of expert

reviewers needed and to update the mailing list of persons to whom

program announcements are sent.

This program announcement consists of three parts. Part I provides

information on NCCAN and the Children's Bureau; the statutory funding

authorities applicable to this announcement; and general information on

the application procedures.

Part II describes the review process, additional requirements for

NCCAN and Children's Bureau grant applicants, the criteria for the

review and evaluation of applications, and the programmatic priorities

under which applications are being solicited.

Part III provides information and instructions for the development

and submission of applications.

The forms to be used for submitting an application follow Part III.

Please copy as single-sided forms and use in submitting an application

under this announcement. No additional application materials are

available or needed to submit an application.

Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program

announcement are subject to the availability of funds.

Outline of Announcement

Part I. Introduction

A. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect

B. Children's Bureau, Child Welfare

Part II. The Review Process and Priority Areas

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Review Process and Funding Decisions

C. Evaluation Criteria

1. Criteria for Research Projects

2. Criteria for Demonstration and Training Projects

D. Available Funds

E. Structure of Priority Area Descriptions

F. Research, Demonstration and Training Priorities

1. Child Abuse and Neglect Research and Training Priorities

1.01R National Data Archive for Child Abuse and Neglect

1.02R Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment

Projects

1.03T Training and Technical Assistance for Community-Based

Family Resource Programs

2. Children's Bureau Child Welfare Research, Demonstration and

Training Priorities

2.01R Assessing the Quality of Out-of-Home Care in the Child

Welfare System

2.02R How Decisions to Change the Case Plan Goal Are Initiated

2.03D Involving Parents in Service Design

2.04T Foster Care Review Systems

2.05T Professional Education for Public Child Welfare

Practitioners

2.06T The Child Welfare Fellows Program: Tenured Faculty

Development

2.07T Innovative Training for Exemplary Practice

Part III. Instructions for the Development and Submission of

Applications

A. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact

(NCCAN only)

B. Deadline for Submission of Applications

C. Instructions for Preparing the Application and Completing

Application Forms

1. SF424, page 1, Application Cover Sheet

2. SF424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs

3. Project Summary Description

4. Program Narrative Statement

5. Assurances/Certifications

D. Checklist for a Complete Application

E. The Application Package

Part I--Introduction

A. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect

In 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (the Act)

established the NCCAN in the Department of Health and Human Services.

It is located organizationally within the Administration on Children,

Youth and [[Page 24701]] Families (ACYF) in the Administration for

Children and Families (ACF).

The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect conducts activities

designed to assist and enhance national, State and community efforts to

prevent, identify and treat child abuse and neglect. These activities

include: Conducting research and demonstrations; supporting service

improvement projects; gathering, analyzing and disseminating

information through a national clearinghouse; and providing grants to

eligible States for developing, strengthening and carrying out child

abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs and programs

relating to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. In

addition, the legislatively mandated Advisory Board on Child Abuse and

Neglect and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

produce periodic reports regarding child abuse and neglect activities.

The NCCAN portion of this announcement identifies two research

priorities and one training priority for FY 1995. NCCAN solicits

applications under the authority of the Child Abuse Prevention and

Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) as amended. The Act was most

recently reauthorized through September 1995 and was further amended

through the Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family

Services Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-295, 5/28/92), the Juvenile Justice

and Delinquency Act Amendments of 1992, and Title IV of the Human

Services Amendments of 1994.

Due to the limited amount of discretionary funds available for this

fiscal year, NCCAN is publishing its final priority areas for FY 1995

only at this time. Pending reauthorization of the legislation at the

end of this fiscal year, NCCAN will consider publication of other

research and demonstration topics for FY 1996 in a subsequent

announcement. The priority areas were developed in accordance with

needs identified in a study done by the National Research Council in

1993 (published by the National Academy of Sciences, supported by NCCAN

grant 90-CA-1483). The two research priority areas chosen were selected

after a review and analysis of comments received in response to a

notice by NCCAN soliciting those comments. That notice was published on

October 25, 1994 in the Federal Register (59 FR 53652). A 60-day period

was provided to allow the public to comment on the proposed areas.

NCCAN received 81 written responses from a variety of sources,

including the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services Public Health Service/Indian Health Service; State and County

Departments of Social Welfare, Health and Human Services; a State Child

Death Review Board Administrator and a County Medical Examiner; a State

Department of Corrections; a State Children's Trust Fund program;

community-based prevention and treatment programs; hospitals and

children's medical centers; health associations; community mental

health centers and an agency specializing in services to children with

disabilities; universities; the National Court Appointed Special

Adovcates (CASA) Association, American Bar Association Center on

Children and the Law, and local non-profit organizations; an Indian

Business Council; corporations; a doctoral candidate and other

individuals.

The largest number of written responses came from universities,

followed by State and County Departments of Social Welfare, Health and

Human Services. The comments were generally supportive of the notice of

proposed priorities including projects identified for continued

funding, the four research and demonstration priorities, and the

working groups and symposia topics. Specific comments were also

submitted on the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and

the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment, each of

the four research and demonstration priority areas, work groups,

symposia topics, and recommendations on additional priority areas.

The largest group of written comments were in response to the two

research priority areas on child abuse and neglect with a focus on the

impact of community-based family support and family preservation

programs on child abuse and neglect (37 responses) and model

development for centers for excellence in research (25 responses). A

number of written comments were also received in response to the two

demonstration priorities on models on neglect (17 responses) and

Guardian ad Litem model demonstration (11 responses). To the extent

feasible, NCCAN is addressing the public comments in preparing both

Fiscal Year 1995 and 1996 priority areas and work groups and symposia

plans. Comments intended to further clarify and focus the priorities

will be incorporated into the revised descriptions.

In the case of the priority on model development for centers for

excellence in research, a number of respondents questioned this

approach and made other suggestions such as partnerships with other

agencies. NCCAN intends to pursue these suggestions prior to the next

announcement. Specific comments were also received in support of the

graduate research and medical research fellowships which were included

under this priority area.

Other comments indicated the need to acknowledge the role that

parental substance abuse may play in cases of child abuse and neglect

and to support research and demonstration priorities on Shaken Baby

Syndrome. NCCAN will, when appropriate, reiterate the need to focus on

parental substance abuse as an issue and plans to provide several

substance abuse-focused products for use by the field that will result

from the experiences and findings of projects already funded through

the Emergency Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services program.

NCCAN is considering plans to include Shaken Baby Syndrome in the

future prevention symposium.

A few comments were also received in support of the Hawaii Healthy

Start model and the Healthy Families of America initiative for the

prevention of child abuse and neglect. NCCAN is funding an evaluation

of the Hawaii Healthy Start program and upon completion of the study

will distribute the findings to the field.

Several responses suggested reinstating the previously funded

priority area on field initiated research on child abuse and neglect.

NCCAN recognizes the importance of innovative research from the field

and will take such comments into consideration when developing

subsequent announcements.

Information on prior research and demonstration projects supported

by NCCAN as well as on other studies on child maltreatment are

available through the Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect

Information, P.O. Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013, (1-800-FYI-3366). The

Clearinghouse is also a member of the Consortium of Clearinghouses and

can provide information on the other Clearinghouses and Resource

Centers referred to in this announcement.

B. Children's Bureau, Child Welfare

The Children's Bureau plans, manages, coordinates and supports

child welfare services programs. It administers the Foster Care and

Adoption Assistance Program, the Child Welfare Services Program, the

Independent Living Program, the Child Welfare Research, Demonstration

and Training Program, the Adoption Opportunities Program, the Temporary

[[Page 24702]] Child Care and Crisis Nurseries Program, the Abandoned

Infants Assistance Program and the recently enacted Family Preservation

and Family Support Program.

The Children's Bureau's programs are designed to promote the

welfare of all children, including those disabled, homeless, dependent,

abused or neglected children and their families. The programs aid in

preventing and remedying the neglect, abuse and exploitation of

children. The programs also encourage the strengthening of the family

unit to help prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their

families, and reunify families, where possible, when separation has

occurred.

Part II--The Review Process and Priority Areas

This Part describes the screening and review processes, the

criteria for the evaluation of applications, and the programmatic

priorities under which applications are being solicited.

A. Eligible Applicants

Before applications are reviewed, each application will be screened

to determine whether the applicant organization is eligible as

specified under the selected priority area. Applications from

organizations which do not meet the eligibility requirements for the

priority area will not be considered or reviewed in the competition,

and the applicant will be so informed. In addition, inadequate

preparation or omission of essential components of the application or

failure to comply with format specifications as described in Part III C

will result in the application being withdrawn from further

consideration.

Applications will be screened for categorical appropriateness. If

applications are found to be inappropriate for the priority area in

which they were submitted, applicants will be contacted for verbal

approval of redirection to a more appropriate priority area.

Redirection does not affect decision-making in the competitive process

which follows the initial screening.

Each priority area description contains information about the types

of agencies and organizations which are eligible to apply under that

priority area. Since eligibility varies among priority areas depending

on statutory provisions, it is critical that applicants carefully

consider the ``Eligible Applicants'' section under each specific

priority area.

Only agencies and organizations, not individuals, are eligible to

apply under any of the priority areas. On all applications developed

jointly by more than one agency or organization, the application must

identify only one organization as the lead organization and official

applicant. The lead organization must meet the criteria for an

``Eligible Applicant''. The other participating agencies and

organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees, or

subcontractors.

For-profit organizations are eligible to participate as subgrantees

or subcontractors with eligible non-profit organizations under all of

the priority areas.

Any non-profit agency which has not previously received Federal

support must submit proof of non-profit status with its grant

application. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by: making

reference to its listing in the most recent Internal Revenue Service

list of tax-exempt organizations or by submitting a copy of its letter

from the IRS under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). The ACYF cannot fund a

non-profit applicant without acceptable proof of its non-profit status.

B. Review Process and Funding Decisions

Applications within the page limitations as set forth in Part III

section C, No. 4, will be reviewed and scored competitively against the

published evaluation criteria (see Part II C of this announcement) by

experts in the field, generally persons from outside the Federal

government. The results of this review are the primary consideration in

making funding decisions.

The NCCAN, Children's Bureau and ACYF reserve the option of

discussing applications with, or referring them to, other Federal or

non-Federal funding sources when this is determined to be in the best

interest of the Federal government or the applicant. The NCCAN,

Children's Bureau or ACYF also may solicit comments from ACF Regional

Office staff, other Federal agencies, interested foundations, national

organizations, specialists, experts, States and the general public.

These comments, along with those of the expert reviewers, will be

considered by NCCAN, Children's Bureau and ACYF in making funding

decisions.

To the greatest extent possible, efforts will be made to ensure

that funding decisions reflect an equitable distribution of assistance

among the States and geographical regions of the country, rural and

urban areas, and ethnic populations. In making these decisions, NCCAN,

Children's Bureau and ACYF may also take into account the need to avoid

unnecessary duplication of effort.

C. Evaluation Criteria

There are two sets of evaluation criteria: Research applications

will be evaluated against one set; demonstration and training

applications will be evaluated against another set. A panel of at least

three reviewers will evaluate each application to determine the

strengths and weaknesses of each proposal in terms of the appropriate

evaluation criteria listed below. They will also provide written

comments and assign numerical scores for each application. The point

value following each criterion heading indicates the maximum numerical

score that each section may be given in the review process. These

section scores will be summed for each application to yield a total

evaluation score.

1. Criteria for Research Projects

The following research priority areas will be evaluated against the

following evaluation criteria:

1.01R National Data Archive for Child Abuse and Neglect

1.02R Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment

Projects

2.01R Assessing the Quality of Out-of-Home Care in the Child Welfare

System

2.02R How Decisions to Change the Case Plan Goal Are Initiated

Competing applications will be evaluated according to the following

criteria:

(a) Objectives (maximum of 5 points)

The extent to which the application concisely states the specific

objectives of the project and describes what the research project is

intended to accomplish. Also, how well the research issue(s) are

addressed, the specific theory driven question(s) are answered (if

applicable), and the hypothesis(es) to be tested (if applicable) are

formulated will be evaluated.

(b) Background and Significance (maximum of 19 points)

The extent to which the application effectively discusses the

current state of knowledge relative to the issue or area that is

addressed, and provides a review of the literature, including previous

work of the author(s) of the proposal. (A list of references must be

included with the application.) The results of any pilot tests are

described. The application indicates how the proposed research will

build on the current knowledge base and contribute to policy, practice

and future research. [[Page 24703]]

(c) Approach (maximum of 51 points)

The extent to which the application delineates how the terms used

in the study will be defined and used, identifies variables and data

sources, and discusses the selection, adaptation or development of

instruments to be used, including information on reliability and

validity. The extent to which application outlines the design features

and the procedures for data collection, processing, analysis and

interpretation. As applicable, it will include a sampling plan for the

selection of site(s) and subjects. The sample sizes must be

sufficiently large for both statistical power and significance.

The extent to which the application describes the characteristics

of the target population, and details recruitment procedures for the

study subjects. It describes and addresses the rationale for the gender

and ethnic composition and subject recruitment procedures of the

proposed study sample. For intervention studies, the theory base,

ecological setting, and level of intervention are described. The

application discusses any potential difficulties in the proposed

procedures, provides realistic estimates of attrition and discusses

statistically appropriate ways of adjusting the sample.

The extent to which the application reflects sensitivity to ethical

issues that may arise, such as potential deception, delayed or

diminished treatment for control groups placed on waiting lists,

provision for treatment and removal from the project if a potentially

dangerous behavior is exhibited, plans for stopping an intervention

that proves harmful or unsuccessful, or lag in debriefing the subject.

The extent to which the applicant addresses procedures for the

protection of human subjects, confidentiality of data and consent

procedures. A Protection of Human Subjects Assurance must be included

with the application for research on child abuse and neglect, in

addition to the other required assurances.

The extent to which the application indicates that the data will be

collected utilizing approaches, measures, and instruments that are

culturally sensitive and/or presents thoughtful explanations for using

those whose cultural sensitivity may not yet have been empirically

determined.

The extent to which the application indicates that the data will be

analyzed utilizing approaches that are appropriate to the scientific

objectives of the study and how the proposed analyses reflect

appropriate examinations of gender and ethnic issues.

The extent to which the application includes plans to prepare data

sets according to sound data processing and documentation practices to

ensure the potential of these data sets for subsequent use by other

researchers. The application for NCCAN funds provides for these data

sets to be made available at the conclusion of the project to the

National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. Child welfare

research participation in the Data Archive is optional. The extent to

which the application indicates that the final report will be prepared

in the suggested format that ensures its ease for dissemination and

utilization and proposes strategies for dissemination of findings in a

manner that will be of use to researchers and practitioners in the

field.

The extent to which the application outlines a sound and workable

plan of action and details how the proposed work will be accomplished.

The activities to be carried out are listed in chronological order,

showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates. The

application includes an adequate staffing plan that lists key staff and

consultants along with their responsibilities on the project, and that

allocates a sufficient amount of time for each person to these

activities. The application delineates how the research team will be

assembled and the use of any advisory panels. It also lists each

organization, agency, or other key groups that will work on the

project, along with a description of their activities and training

plans. The application indicates the ability to gain access to

necessary information, data and clients. A sound administrative

framework for maintaining quality control over the implementation and

operation of the study is detailed. The author(s) of the application

and his/her role in the proposed project is/are identified. The

proposed project costs are reasonable, and the funds are appropriately

allocated across component areas and are sufficient to accomplish the

objectives.

(d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience (maximum of 25

points)

The extent to which the application describes the background,

experience, training and qualifications of the key staff and

consultants, including work on related research and similar projects.

The extent to which it describes the personnel resources available for

sampling, experimental design, statistical analysis and field work. Key

personnel have a working knowledge of the proposed research and are

geographically accessible. (The curriculum vitae for each key person

must be included with the application.) The adequacy of the available

facilities and organizational experience related to the tasks of the

proposed project are detailed. (A two page organizational capability

statement must be included with the application.) Any collaborative

efforts with other organizations, including the nature of their

contribution to the project, are described. (Letters of commitment for

key staff and for collaborative efforts, where appropriate, must be

included with the application.)

The extent to which the application demonstrates the ability of the

staff and organization to effectively and efficiently administer a

project of the size, complexity and scope proposed. It further reflects

the capacity to coordinate activities with other agencies for the

successful accomplishment of project objectives. The application

describes the relationship between this project and other work planned,

anticipated or underway by the applicant with Federal assistance.

2. Criteria for Demonstration and Training Projects

The following demonstration and training priority areas will be

evaluated using the evaluation criteria below:

1.03T Training and Technical Assistance for Community-Based Family

Resource Programs

2.03D Involving Parents in Service Design

2.04T Foster Care Review Systems

2.05T Professional Education for Public Child Welfare Practitioners

2.06T The Child Welfare Fellows Program: Tenured Faculty Development

2.07T Innovative Training for Exemplary Practice

Competing applications will be evaluated according to the following

criteria:

(a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (maximum of 20 points)

The extent to which the application pinpoints any relevant

physical, economic, social, financial, institutional or other problems

requiring a solution; demonstrates the need for assistance; states the

principal and subordinate objectives of the project; provides

supporting documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests

other than the applicant; and includes and/or footnotes relevant data

based on the results of planning studies. The

[[Page 24704]] application must identify the precise location of the

project and area to be served by the proposed project. Maps and other

graphic aids may be attached.

(b) Results or Benefits Expected (maximum of 20 points)

The extent to which the application identifies the results and

benefits to be derived, the extent to which they are consistent with

the objectives of the proposal, and the extent to which the application

indicates the anticipated contributions to policy, practice, theory

and/or research. The extent to which the proposed project costs are

reasonable in view of the expected results.

(c) Approach (maximum of 35 points)

The extent to which the application outlines a sound and workable

plan of action pertaining to the scope of the project, and details how

the proposed work will be accomplished; cites factors which might

accelerate or decelerate the work, giving acceptable reasons for taking

this approach as opposed to others; describes and supports any unusual

features of the project, such as design or technological innovations,

reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community

involvements; and provides for projections of the accomplishments to be

achieved. It lists the activities to be carried out in chronological

order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target

dates.

The extent to which, when applicable, the application identifies

the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, and discusses the

criteria to be used to evaluate the results and successes of the

project. The extent to which the application describes the evaluation

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. The application also lists each organization, agency,

consultant, or other key individuals or groups who will work on the

project, along with a description of the activities and nature of their

effort or contribution.

(d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience (maximum of 25

points)

The extent to which the application identifies the background of

the project director/principal investigator and key project staff

(including name, address, training, educational background and other

qualifying experience) and the experience of the organization to

demonstrate the applicant's ability to effectively and efficiently

administer this project. The application describes the relationship

between this project and other work planned, anticipated or underway by

the applicant with Federal assistance.

D. Available Funds

Under this announcement, approximately $1.4 million is available

for new NCCAN grants for FY 1995. The size of the actual awards will

vary. For the Children's Bureau, $3 million is available for FY 1995.

Each priority area description includes information on the maximum

Federal share of the project costs and the anticipated number of

projects to be funded.

The term ``budget period'' refers to the interval of time (usually

12 months) into which a multi-year period of assistance (project

period) is divided for budgetary and funding purposes. The term

``project period'' refers to the total time a project is approved for

support, including any extensions.

Where appropriate, applicants may propose project periods which are

shorter than the maximum periods specified in the various priority

areas. Non-Federal share contributions may exceed the minimum amounts

specified in the various priority areas when the applicant is able to

do so.

For multi-year projects, continued Federal funding beyond the first

budget period is dependent upon proof of satisfactory performance and

the availability of funds from future appropriations.

E. Structure of Priority Area Descriptions

Each priority area description is composed of the following

sections:

Eligible Applicants: This section specifies the type of

organization which is eligible to apply under the particular priority

area. Specific restrictions are also noted, where applicable.

Purpose: This section presents the basic focus and/or

broad goal(s) of the priority area.

Background Information: This section briefly discusses the

legislative background as well as the current state-of-the-art and/or

current state-of-practice that supports the need for the particular

priority area activity. Relevant information on projects previously

funded by ACYF, NCCAN, Children's Bureau and/or others, and State

models are noted, where applicable. Some priority areas specify

individuals to contact for more information.

Requirements for Project Design: This section presents the

basic set of issues that must be addressed in the application.

Typically, they relate to project design, evaluation, and community

involvement. This section also describes specific information on the

proposed project. Project products, continuation of the project effort

after the Federal support ceases, and dissemination/utilization

activities, if appropriate, should also be addressed in this section.

Applicants should note that non-responsiveness to the requirements will

result in a low evaluation score by the panel of expert panel

reviewers. Applicants should be certain they clearly identify the

specific priority area under which they wish to have their applications

considered, and tailor their applications accordingly.

Project Duration: This section specifies the maximum

allowable length of time for the project period; it refers to the

amount of time for which Federal funding is available.

Federal Share of Project Costs: This section specifies the

maximum amount of Federal support for the project.

Matching Requirement: This section specifies the minimum

non-Federal contribution, where applicable, either through cash or in-

kind match, that is required in relation to the maximum Federal funds

requested for the project.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: This section

specifies the number of projects that ACYF anticipates it will fund in

the priority area.

CFDA Number: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

is the number required on the SF 424, (item 10).

F. Research, Demonstration and Training Priorities

F.1. Child Abuse and Neglect Research and Training Priorities

1.01R National Data Archive for Child Abuse and Neglect

Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies,

organizations, and institutions of higher learning.

Purpose: To support a national data archive on child abuse and

neglect to continue the processing and housing of high quality data

sets and related activities that facilitate the use of archived data.

Background Information: In this priority area, ACF seeks to ensure

funding for one of the components of a research infrastructure

identified as critical in the report of the Panel on Research on Child

Abuse and Neglect of the National Research Council for the support of

research on the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse

and neglect. Since September 30, 1988, NCCAN has provided funding for

the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. The Archive is

located at Cornell University, Family [[Page 24705]] Life Development

Center, G20 MVR Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-4401 (telephone 607-255-

7794). This is a centralized facility for the acquisition,

preservation, and dissemination of machine-readable data sets relevant

to the study of child maltreatment. The Archive currently holds 19 data

sets and has produced a document that has been widely disseminated to

the field on ``The Preparation of Data Sets for Analysis and

Dissemination: Technical Guidelines for Machine-Readable Data.'' Both

information on the data sets and the manual can be obtained from the

Archive.

It is expected that the successful applicant will continue and

build on these activities. While a major function is to process, house,

and preserve quality data sets from studies on child abuse and neglect,

an archive also plays a critical role in setting standards and

establishing good practices for documentation of data sets.

Establishing such procedures enables data to be more readily available

and easily shared with other researchers and provides the additional

capacity for further and secondary analysis.

All investigators regardless of their funding sources are

encouraged to house data sets with the National Data Archive. As of FY

1994, all research grantees funded by NCCAN are required to prepare

data sets according to sound data processing and documentation

practices and to house these data sets with the National Data Archive

at the conclusion of the projects. Archive staff are expected,

therefore, to be available and provide technical support on data entry,

processing, data analysis, and documentation. Plans should also include

the housing of data sets from related national surveys such as those

conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics of the

Department, the national incidence studies, the National Child Abuse

and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), and housing of the database on

measures for use in child abuse and neglect.

A centralized archive can facilitate collaboration among

researchers for knowledge building and encourage new researchers to

enter the field. An archive should also provide training and technical

assistance opportunities for new researchers or postdoctoral candidates

through the conduct of summer training institutes which bring a small

number of researchers together to work on these data sets. Support for

secondary analysis of various data sets in the archive can be provided

through these training institutes as well as through small grants to

researchers to work with these data sets. Support may be provided for

graduate research or postdoctoral research fellows to work in residence

with archive staff on research related to the holdings. Workshops and

training sessions can also be held at major national conferences.

Dissemination is a major function of an archive. This includes

providing innovative tools such as CD-ROM and a range of ready-to-use

formats that make archived data sets more easily accessible to the

research community; publishing information on projects of the archive

and new acquisitions; preparation of technical guidelines outlining

data processing standards and user guides to archive holdings; and

development and maintenance of electronic mail services to facilitate

networking and information exchange among researchers in the field of

child abuse and neglect, including their access to a database on

measures appropriate for researchers in this field.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to compete successfully

under this priority area, the applicant should:

Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and problems

associated with a national data archive on child abuse and neglect.

Demonstrate an awareness of current activities being

undertaken on this component and how the approach being proposed would

build on this work.

Propose an approach that is comprehensive and reflects

cultural sensitivity to the issues being addressed.

Describe the approach that would be employed for the

specific functions being addressed, including training and technical

assistance, and demonstrate sufficient resources and the appropriate

facilities to undertake the project.

Demonstrate an ability to gain access to necessary

information, data sets, and data bases, as applicable and plans for

addressing any ethical issues that may arise in the use of these data

sets.

Describe strategies for the dissemination of the products

that would be of use to other researchers and practitioners in the

field.

Provide all required assurances and certifications,

including a Protection of Human Subjects Assurance as specified in the

policy described on the HHS Form 596.

Provide assurances that at least one key staff person will

attend a three-day annual spring meeting in Washington, DC.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 60

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the

project is not to exceed $250,000 per 12-month budget period.

Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

one project will be funded at the maximum funding level.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 93.670, Child

Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Treatment.

1.02R. Consortium for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment

Projects

Eligible Applicants: Currently funded Consortium for Longitudinal

Studies of Child Maltreatment projects initially funded for

implementation in 1990 and 1991.

Purpose: To support a second implementation phase of the Consortium

for Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment for conducting and

coordinating prospective studies of young children at risk of or who

have already been maltreated. These studies are expected to contribute

to the knowledge of the etiology and consequences and provide new

insights into the prevention, identification and treatment of child

maltreatment.

Background Information: In FY 1989, the NCCAN funded two successful

applicants in response to the priority area for the Consortium for

Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment. The University of North

Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Juvenile Protective Association in

Chicago received a planning grant award for the central grantee and

satellite grantee respectively. This planning grant was for a year to

collaborate to develop a feasible plan for a longitudinal study. This

was successfully accomplished. As stated in the original announcement,

upon completion of this planning year, a central grantee and up to

three satellites would be funded for a five-year period and possibly

longer pending statutory authority and the availability of funds. It

went on to state that additional satellite projects may be funded in

the future.

In FY 1990 and FY 1991, NCCAN awarded five-year grants to the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Juvenile Protective

Association for the implementation of the Consortium for Longitudinal

Studies of Child Maltreatment. The University of North Carolina

received the award for the central grantee and for two satellite sites

(in North Carolina and Seattle) and the Juvenile Protective Association

received the award for a satellite grantee (in Chicago) thus

implementing the proposed plan for the Consortium

[[Page 24706]] coordinating center and three satellite sites.

In FY 1990, the San Diego State University Foundation received a

grant in response to the priority area on Psychological Impact of Child

Maltreatment and by FY 1991 had signed an agreement to participate as a

satellite site in the Consortium.

In FY 1991, the University of Maryland at Baltimore received a

grant in response to the priority area on Field Initiated Research for

Child Abuse and Neglect and agreed as part of their application to

coordinate with the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies. The University

of Maryland at Baltimore also signed an agreement to participate as a

satellite site in the Consortium.

The Consortium currently consists of the coordinating center and

five satellite sites. The collaborative effort is multi-disciplinary in

the composition of its members and has taken the name of the LONGSCAN

Consortium. In this priority area, NCCAN seeks to address the needs

identified by the NRC report for collaborative studies in the

longitudinal developmental framework and theory based longitudinal

research to examine the antecedents and consequences of child abuse and

neglect.

LONGSCAN is a consortium of prospective studies designed to examine

the life course of young children who are at risk of maltreatment or

who have already been maltreated. The total projected sample size is

about 1,500 children who are recruited at age four or younger. Baseline

data is collected through child and primary caretaker interviews on all

children in each of the studies at age four. Teacher assessments on

each child are collected at subsequent follow-ups, after the child

enters school. The studies use common data collection instruments and a

common developmental perspective so that applied analyses of data as

well as comparisons among sites and site-specific analyses can be

accomplished. To date the specific common measurement batteries have

been selected for ages four, six and eight. Tracking is carried out

annually. Each site is responsible for selecting and maintaining a

sample to follow at the designated data points for up to twenty years.

The study duration of twenty years has been selected for conceptual

reasons only and the actual duration of the effort will be contingent

upon the availability of financial support.

The Principal Investigators have signed and abide by a Governance

Agreement that describes the operating structure of the Executive Board

and seven Committees (Publication, Measures, Human Subjects,

Communication, Field Procedures and Tracking, Data Handling and

Analysis, Funding and Development) and policies related to ownership,

local analysis and authorship. The Executive Board and Committees meet

twice a year and use the Internet in between to discuss issues that

arise and to reach agreement on the most appropriate procedures and

actions to take.

Samples of children for the five sites vary by their level of risk

and exposure to maltreatment. The studies include children identified

at birth as ``at risk'', children identified in pediatric clinics

during their first year of life as ``at risk'', children reported to

child protective services agencies, children in treatment because of

their maltreatment, children who have been removed from their families

and placed in foster care following their maltreatment. Each site is

also collecting data in addition to the common measures. For example,

one site has recruited children in their first year of life and has a

special focus on use of videotaped observations of parent-child

interactions as a means of assessing attachment and bonding. Two sites

are obtaining information on the role of the fathers in caring for the

children.

During the first five years of implementation, the sites will have

completed recruitment of their samples; collected site-specific data;

selected, piloted and trained on administering measures for the age

four and six year old follow-ups; three sites have been scheduled for

the eight year old follow-up and training on use of the computer-

assisted interviewing system developed for age eight; developed

procedures and conducted annual contact interviews with the samples;

developed forms and conducted CPS record reviews.

During the first five years of implementation, the coordinating

center will have provided for coordination of measurement selection and

development; production of instruments and operational manuals and

training for site staff; development of the data entry system and

training of site staff in entry and analysis; receipt and checks for

the data; development and maintenance of datasets; and conducting

analyses of pooled data.

Three sites will have completed the baseline data collection on the

four year olds. Consortium members have written papers and presented

individually and on panels at various national professional

conferences.

NCCAN seeks to fund a second phase of the Consortium for

Longitudinal Studies to enable a complete set of baseline measures at

age four and a six year old follow-up for all children in the samples.

There is a four year range in the ages of the children in the studies

so that additionally at least three of the five sites will complete the

age eight follow-up. It is also expected that the pre-adolescent common

measurement battery will be developed and used in a twelve year old or

younger follow-up in at least one of the sites. This will provide for

data analyses and findings for baseline and one follow-up of the

samples and preliminary analyses for the next developmental transition

into early adolescence.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to compete successfully

under this priority area, the applicant should:

Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and problems

associated with being a coordinating center with satellite sites, or

with being a satellite site, and participating in the Consortium for

Longitudinal Studies of Child Maltreatment.

Describe activities undertaken during the first

implementation phase and how the approach being proposed for the second

five-year effort would build on this work; describe the study

samples(s) and how attrition of the study samples(s) will be addressed;

explain how the issues of research definitions of child abuse and

neglect have been and will be addressed.

Propose an approach that is comprehensive and

developmentally appropriate and reflects cultural sensitivity to the

issues being addressed.

Describe the approach that would be employed for the

specific functions of a coordinating center with satellite sites, or of

a satellite site, being addressed and demonstrate sufficient resources

and the appropriate facilities for carrying out the project, as

applicable.

Demonstrate an ability to gain access to necessary

information.

Delineate data processing and documentation procedures,

and indicate how aggregate or single site data analysis will be

addressed by either the coordinating center or by satellite sites, as

applicable.

Describe plans for individual site data analyses for the

satellite sites or plans for site-specific comparisons among sites and

pooled data analyses, for the coordinating center.

Describe plans for providing Consortium datasets to the

National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect in order to ensure the

potential of these data sets for use by other researchers. A manual

describing such practices, The Preparation of Data Sets for Analysis

and Dissemination: Technical Standards for Machine-Readable Data, can

be obtained free of [[Page 24707]] cost from the National Data Archive

on Child Abuse and Neglect located at Cornell University, Family Life

Development Center, G20 MVR Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-4401

(telephone: 607-255-7794).

Provide information on articles, papers and presentations

on the projects to date as well as those planned; describe the

strategies for the dissemination of the products, interim findings as

appropriate and reports that would be of use to other researchers and

practitioners in the field.

Provide all required assurances and certification,

including Protection of Human Subjects Assurances, as specified in the

policy described on the HHS Form 596.

Discuss how the issues of informed consent have been and will be

addressed for the child, primary caregiver, teacher and record reviews;

describe use of the Certificate of Confidentiality and how any legal

and ethical issues that may arise will be addressed.

Provide assurances that at least one key staff person

would attend a three-day annual spring meeting of research grantees in

Washington, DC; and plan for two meetings of the Consortium Executive

Board and Committees with one meeting to be held in Washington, DC.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 60

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of each

of the three satellite sites is not to exceed $250,000 per 12-month

budget period. The maximum Federal share of the coordinating center

with satellite sites is $750,000 per 12-month budget period. Each

project, including the satellite sites of the coordinating center, is

expected to submit an individual application in response to this

priority area. The coordinating center with satellite sites are to

submit a combined budget, detailed for each project.

Matching Requirements: There is no matching requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: We anticipate that a

coordinating center and five satellite sites will be funded up to the

maximum funding level.

CFDA Number: 93.670, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and

Treatment

1.03T. Training and Technical Assistance for Community-Based Family

Resource Programs

Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies,

organizations, and institutions of higher learning. Collaborative

efforts and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.

Purpose: The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide

financial support for training and technical assistance (T/TA) to

promote the purposes of the Community-Based Family Resource Program

(CBFRP). This T/TA is intended to build the capacity of States and

CBFRP lead agency staff to: (1) Facilitate and assist efforts of State,

local, Tribal, public and private agencies in the interdisciplinary,

coordinated planning, development, and implementation of a continuum of

child-centered, family-focused, neighborhood-based family support

services--including the coordinated implementation and delivery of

those services; and (2) encourage public and private partnerships in

the establishment and expansion of family resource programs.

Expected outcomes include State CBFRP lead agencies that have the

capacity to conduct multi-disciplinary, integrated and coordinated: (1)

Needs assessments, (2) policy development, (3) service delivery, and

(4) program evaluations. This project is expected to train State

agencies and facilitate effective interagency cooperation and

collaboration that involves all stakeholders, including families, and

promote public-private partnerships. This should be achieved through

delivering on-site training, technical assistance, and consultation to

all appropriate stakeholder groups. Training and technical assistance

needs will be identified by State CBFRP lead agency staff in

collaboration with ACYF Central and Regional Office personnel, and

coordinated with other ongoing national training and technical

assistance.

Background: Title IV of the Human Services Amendments of 1994,

signed into law on May 18, 1994, established a new Title II of the

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act entitled Community-Based

Family Resource Programs. The purpose of the CBFRP is to assist States

to develop and implement, or expand and enhance, a comprehensive,

Statewide system of community-based family resource services through

innovative funding mechanisms and collaboration with existing

education, vocational rehabilitation, health, mental health, employment

and training, child welfare, and other social services agencies within

the State.

Under the CBFRP, grants are to be made to States for the purposes

of:

(1) Establishing and expanding Statewide networks of community-

based family resource programs, including funds for the initial costs

of providing specific family resource services, that ensure family

involvement in the design and operation of family resource programs

that are responsive to the unique and diverse strengths of children and

families;

(2) Promoting child abuse and neglect prevention activities;

(3) Promoting the establishment and operation of State trust funds

or other mechanisms for integrating child and family services funding

streams in order to provide flexible funding for the development of

community-based family resource programs;

(4) Establishing or expanding community-based collaboration to

foster the development of a continuum of preventive services for

children and families which are family-centered and culturally

competent;

(5) Encouraging public and private partnerships in the

establishment and expansion of family resource programs; and

(6) Increasing and promoting interagency coordination among State

agencies.

In redefining its relationship with State, local, public and

private agencies and organizations, the Federal government is forging

new partnerships based on coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and

communication. Subpart 2 of Title IV-B of the Social Security Act

(1993), entitled Family Preservation and Support, and Title II of the

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (1994), authorizing the

Community-Based Family Resource Programs, are two recent pieces of

legislation that demonstrate this collaborative principle. Inherent in

the implementation of both pieces of legislation is the necessity for

Federal, State, local, public, and private agencies and organizations

to participate together in the planning of programs and services.

In light of the practical need to increase interagency and

interdisciplinary coordinated planning, development and implementation,

and to involve all stakeholders, including customers, in the process,

State agencies may need to develop new skills. More expansive and more

cooperative ways of thinking are necessary to maximize programmatic

potential and achieve legislatively-mandated goals. The training and

technical assistance required to change attitudes and create a climate

for new partnerships at Federal, State and local levels is a

significant challenge.

NCCAN intends to support one training project through a Cooperative

Agreement. (A Cooperative Agreement [[Page 24708]] is Federal financial

aid in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. The

respective responsibilities of Federal staff and project staff are

negotiated prior to award.)

Requirements for Project Design: Applicants must describe their

capabilities, related experience, and their plans for building the

capacity of Federal, State, and local public and private agencies to

increase interagency and interdisciplinary coordination and

collaboration in the development and implementation of a continuum of

child-centered, family-focused, neighborhood-based family support

services, and to involve all stakeholders, including customers, in the

total process. This must include a plan for assisting States in the

building of partnerships between State agencies and local public and

private agencies including child welfare agencies, child protective

services, education agencies and programs, and the broad array of

health services. In order to successfully compete under this priority

area, the application must:

Provide documentation of the applicant's experience in

providing training and technical assistance, in identifying T/TA needs

and developing or participating in the development of a plan to meet

those needs, and in recruiting, assigning, and deploying staff with

appropriate experience in the delivery of T/TA. The application must

also provide information about the applicant's expertise in designing

training, developing training materials, and organizing and conducting

training sessions.

Provide documentation of the experience of the applicant

in areas directly relevant to the purposes of this Training and

Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement, including the applicant's

capability, experience, and capacity-building strategies for increasing

interagency and interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration

between the State CBFRP lead agency and among all stakeholders,

including families, at State and local levels. Include a description of

staff with appropriate expertise who would provide training and

technical assistance to the target recipients.

Provide a training and technical assistance plan that will

increase the capacity of State CBFRP lead agencies to promote

communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration among

agencies within States and communities, and that will result in maximum

utilization of existing resources, coordinated referral systems,

standardized eligibility and intake procedures, and ease of access for

customers and referring professionals.

Provide a plan for promoting interagency collaboration and

implementation of new procedures for blending funding streams, for

collaborative long-range planning of family support services and

service delivery options, and for management improvement strategies

that facilitate interagency coordination (i.e., re-evaluating current

case referral and intake procedures, establishing eligibility criteria

that accommodate other-agency referrals that might otherwise cause

duplication of programs, designing case management procedures that

include interdisciplinary/interagency participation, and streamline

record-keeping practices and accessibility without compromising client

confidentiality).

Provide a plan for assisting State CBFRP lead agencies to

improve their cultural competence, including promoting the ability of

all participating agencies to serve all families effectively, make

culturally appropriate placements, recruit and employ minority staff,

deliver culturally relevant support services, assess the factors

contributing to the over-representation of minority families in need of

support services, and develop strategies to improve outcomes for

minority families and children.

Provide a plan for identifying, documenting, and

disseminating information about innovative and/or exemplary family

support services, including innovative and well-coordinated interagency

delivery systems.

Demonstrate the capacity to articulate a child-focused,

family-centered approach to the delivery of family support services,

with linkages that reinforce and complement the State's Family

Preservation and Family Support program, and with an emphasis that

focuses on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Describe a strategy for identifying, documenting and

developing innovative and/or exemplary resources such as training

curricula and manuals, especially in the area of interagency

coordination and collaboration, and for assisting the Regional Offices

in adapting such resources to meet specific needs in their States.

Provide a plan for assisting State CBFRP lead agencies to

develop outcome measures at the child, family, and program levels, and

to engage in ongoing evaluation of the CBFRP with particular emphasis

on customer input and satisfaction, and the efficacy of interagency

efforts.

Provide assurances that the project will coordinate and

collaborate with the training and technical assistance providers funded

by NCCAN and CB.

Provide a timeline and budget for implementing this

agreement, and include any proposed cost to agencies or customers if it

is anticipated there might be reason to assess such costs.

Agree to enter into a Cooperative Agreement which will

require the grantee to submit to the National Center for Child Abuse

and Neglect Federal Project Officer, for review and approval:

Workplans, including as appropriate, meetings and other activities

involving Federal staff in the HHS Central Office and Regional Offices;

lists of topics to be covered in training and technical assistance;

topics, times and places for conferences; selection and assignment of

appropriate staff for the delivery of training or technical assistance;

topics for any collection of original data; and draft reports,

conference agendas and other materials prior to their finalization and

dissemination by the grantee.

All applications for this priority area are expected to

have an evaluation component. It is recommended that approximately 10

percent of the proposed budget be set aside for evaluation efforts. An

external evaluator may be hired or an internal evaluation may be

designed. As appropriate to the activities being proposed and project

length, either a process or outcome evaluation may be designed. Goals

and objectives should be stated in specific measurable form to document

change, improvement, or effectiveness.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 17

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of this

project is not to exceed $400,000 for the 17-month budget period.

Matching Requirements: 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 ACF share and the non-Federal share. The non-

Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although

applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash

contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $400,000 in Federal

funds must include a match of at least $133,333 (25% total project

cost).

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

one project will be funded under this announcement.

CFDA Number: 93.670, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and

Treatment [[Page 24709]]

F.2 Children's Bureau Child Welfare Research, Demonstration and

Training Priorities

2.01R. Assessing The Quality of Out-Of-Home Care in the Child Welfare

System.

Eligible Applicants: Any State, public or nonprofit organization or

agency, including institutions of higher education, State, local and

community-based social services agencies, colleges and universities are

encouraged to submit applications.

Purpose: To conduct research which identifies the factors related

to high quality foster family homes, including relative foster family

homes, and/or non-treatment group homes for children in the child

welfare system.

Background Information: The numbers of children in out-of-home care

in the child welfare system have increased each year since 1983, and

particularly between 1988 and 1992. In 1993 it is estimated that almost

440,000 children are under State care, primarily in foster family

homes. Many foster family homes are licensed or certified by the State,

but relative homes which are not receiving foster care funding from the

State may not be certified or licensed. The licensing of group homes is

variable depending on the auspices of the group home and on the State.

Pre-service and on going training is usually provided to foster

families but training is limited and uneven for group home staff.

There is no system for evaluation of the quality of care provided

in either foster family homes or non-treatment group homes so that it

is not possible to relate the quality or content of the training to the

quality of care provided by the foster family or group home. In

addition, children served range in age from birth to age 18, and may

evidence a very wide range of medical, physical, social, emotional and

behavioral problems. Obviously, the needs of the children vary widely.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully compete

under this priority area, the application should:

Describe and define the subgroup to be studied, e.g. age

range, type of placement, other characteristics of interest, and

justify this selection.

Describe, based upon a review of the literature, how the

project would fill a critical gap in information needed to improve

policy, practice, and/or management in foster homes and/or non-

treatment group homes used by the child welfare system.

Describe the overall research design that would be

employed including sampling procedures; types of data to be collected;

procedures for data collection; instruments and measurements to be

utilized, adapted or developed, including assessments of their

reliability and validity; and plans for data analysis. Where possible,

standardized instruments should be used or adapted.

Discuss the scientific merit of the design selected

including its strengths and weaknesses as well as the identification of

alternative designs which were considered but rejected and the reasons

for rejecting them.

Indicate the ability to gain access to necessary

information, data, provider agencies and clients. Letters of commitment

from all cooperating agencies should be included.

Discuss the possible utilization of the findings,

including the perspectives of responsible State agencies, provider

agencies, monitoring and licensing systems and child advocacy groups.

Describe plans to work with these or other appropriate groups to

utilize the findings of this research and provide suggestions for next

steps in program and research.

Describe the reports that would be developed under the

project, including the types of information that would be presented,

and the steps, including submission for publication to a referred

journal, that would be undertaken to disseminate and promote the

utilization of project findings.

Provide assurances that the principal investigator would

attend a four day annual meeting of grantees in Washington, DC.

Grant recipients will be expected to follow an NCCAN-

suggested format in the preparation of final program reports in order

to achieve broader dissemination and successful utilization of findings

by policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, and copies of final

reports and other products shall be provided to the Clearinghouse.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to

exceed $200,000 per 12-month budget period.

Matching Requirement: There is no matching requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

2 projects will be funded.

CFDA: 93.608 Child Welfare Research and Demonstration; Section 426

of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2.02R. How Decisions to Change the Case Plan Goal are Initiated

Eligible Applicants: Any State, public or nonprofit organization or

agency, including institutions of higher education, State, local and

community-based social services agencies, colleges and universities are

encouraged to submit applications.

Purpose: To conduct research that identifies the factors which

delay or facilitate decisions to change the case plan goal for children

in out-of-home placement in the child welfare system. Of particular

interest for this priority area is the decision to change the case goal

of ``return home'' to the goal of ``adoption'' or other permanent plan.

Background Information: Current child welfare policy and practice

emphasize that children develop best in a permanent family home. Family

preservation and/or support services should be provided to prevent out-

of-home placement, and if placement occurs, reasonable efforts must be

made to return the child home. If these reasonable efforts are unable

to rehabilitate the parent(s), or if the parent is otherwise not

available (dead, in prison for a long term, mentally ill or

incapacitated) then the goal of return home is not appropriate. In

these cases the agency must move to change the goal and direct its

efforts toward an alternative permanent plan for the child. Goals may

include adoption, placement with relatives, long-term foster care with

a specific family, or independent living.

Review of State foster care programs indicate that many agencies

persist in having a goal of return home for extended periods of time

after it appears clear that the child will not return home. Public Law

96-272, the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 requires

that the case plan goal must be established by the time of the six

month case review, and the case disposition should be approved by the

court at the time of the eighteen month dispositional hearing.

The Voluntary Cooperative Information System (VCIS) does not

provide information on case goals sufficient to permit any analysis.

However, it does indicate that while up to 40% of the children will

return home in less than one year, the rest will be in care for more

extended periods, and some 10% to 15% will remain in care for five or

more years. Further, in 1989, it is estimated that 50% of the children

nationally experienced from 2 to 5 placements, and almost 7% had more

than 6 placements. These extreme lengths of time in placement and

numbers of placements indicate that there are serious problems in case

planning and case management for a significant minority of children.

[[Page 24710]]

Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully compete

under this priority area, the application should:

Describe, based upon a review of the literature, how the

project would fill a critical gap in information needed to improve

policy, practice, management and/or evaluation in child welfare

programs.

Describe the overall research design that would be

employed including sampling procedures; types of data to be collected;

procedures for data collection; instruments and measurements to be

utilized, adapted or developed, including assessments of their

reliability, validity; and plans for data analysis. Designs involving

qualitative data collection may be proposed.

Propose a research design that would identify the initial

decision maker(s) and the incentives and disincentives which influence

the worker, supervisor, agency administrator and other participants;

degree of dissonance between formal and informal rules; presence of

mythology relating to acceptance of such changes; assessment of

difficulties related to court review, legal counsel, State law and

other system factors insofar as these impinge on the initiation of the

goal change decision; and related issues, such as worker turnover, and

staff training. Address the issue within the context of ongoing

services and real case decisions. Simulated decisions may be proposed

only as a preliminary step.

Discuss the scientific merit of the design selected

including its strengths and weaknesses as well as the identification of

alternative designs which were considered but rejected and the reasons

for rejecting them.

Indicate the ability to gain access to necessary

information, data, staff and clients. Letters of commitment from

cooperating agencies must be included.

Describe the reports that would be developed under the

project, including the types of information that would be presented,

and the steps, including submission for publication to a referred

journal, that would be undertaken to disseminate and promote the

utilization of project findings.

Provide assurances that the principal investigator would

attend a four day annual meeting of grantees in Washington, DC.

Grant recipients will be expected to follow an NCCAN-

suggested format in the preparation of final program reports in order

to achieve broader dissemination and successful utilization of findings

by policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, and copies of final

reports and other products shall be provided to the Clearinghouse.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to

exceed $200,000 per 12-month budget period.

Matching Requirement: There is no matching requirement.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

2 projects will be funded.

CFDA: 93.608 Child Welfare Research and Demonstration: Section 426

of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2.03D Involving Parents In Service Design

Eligible Applicants: Public and private child welfare agencies.

Purpose: To demonstrate effective ways to involve parents in agency

program planning and decision-making to improve the acceptability,

accessibility and quality of child welfare services.

Background Information: The child protection and child welfare

system is generally viewed by parents involved in it as an adversary. A

report of suspected abuse or neglect triggers an investigation and the

parent is vulnerable to possible criminal and/or civil charges; to

being the recipient of mandated services and/or to the loss of the

children either temporarily, or permanently if the allegations are

founded. A voluntary request by parents for help may result in the

request being re-classified as involuntary so that services can be

provided. Many of the agency policies and ways of operating are

perceived by parents as negative and coercive and they frequently

complain about a lack of understanding of or appreciation for their

cultural values which may differ significantly from the values

represented by the agency. For example, agency location, office hours,

availability of interpreters, transportation for visits to a child in

out-of-home care, and similar factors may make it difficult for a

parent to keep appointments or to meet the requirements of the case

plan. In addition, misunderstandings about family behavior norms may be

interpreted as failure to cooperate.

Agency staff who seek to work with the parents to provide

education, counseling, support and family preservation services

recognize the negative impact of the system. Some workers develop

approaches which are positive, stressing acceptance of the family, and

recognizing that all families have strengths and that programs designed

to assist families must build on those strengths.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully compete

under this priority area, the application should:

Describe, based upon a review of the literature,

specifically how the project would involve client parents to fill a

critical gap in information needed to shape service delivery through

improvement of policy, practice and management in child welfare

programs to make them more supportive and less threatening to parents

receiving their services.

Describe the overall demonstration design to be employed.

Applicants may propose to involve clients and community representatives

in a variety of ways including: To serve on agency boards; to set up

special panels of parents; to conduct focus groups; and/or to implement

other approaches to assist the agency to review and revise agency

policy and practice. The proposed approach must be simple and low cost

in order to be feasible under current conditions when agencies have few

additional resources.

Describe the overall evaluation plan, including a

description of the types of data to be collected, procedures for data

collection, analytical strategy and dissemination plan. Applicants may

propose an evaluation using a before and after design, a comparison

between two sites, or other appropriate evaluation design.

Provide assurances from the cooperating agencies regarding

their commitment to be involved in the development of the

demonstration, and intent to continue the pattern of parent involvement

following the completion of the project.

Provide assurances that the principal investigator would

attend a four day annual meeting of grantees in Washington, DC.

Grant recipients will be expected to follow an NCCAN-

suggested format in the preparation of final program reports in order

to achieve broader dissemination and successful utilization of findings

by policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, and copies of final

reports and other products shall be provided to the Clearinghouse.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to

exceed $75,000 per 12 month budget period, 15% of which must be used

for the program evaluation.

Matching Requirement: The applicant must provide at least 10

percent of the total approved cost of the project. The

[[Page 24711]] total approved cost is the sum of the ACYF share and the

non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be in cash or in-kind

contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $225,000 in Federal

funds must include a match of at least $25,000 over the three years.

(The non-Federal share for the initial 12 month budget period is

$8,333.)

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

2 projects will be funded.

CFDA Number: 93.608 Child Welfare Research and Demonstration;

Section 426 of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2.04T Foster Care Review Systems

Eligible Applicants: Any State, local, public or private nonprofit

agency or organization, including accredited colleges and universities.

Purpose: The purpose of this Priority Area is to provide training

and technical assistance to State child welfare agencies and to review

board members to enhance the accountability and efficiency of States'

out-of-home care systems in overseeing the quality and appropriateness

of care for children in the State foster care system. At a minimum the

models must include citizen review boards or other forms of case review

systems selected by the states, such as, administrative or other forms

of non-judicial review systems.

Background Information: In 1993, it was estimated that

approximately 440,000 children in the child welfare system were in out-

of-home care. Children who are placed in care have been exposed to

serious family dysfunction and have experienced physical and/or

psychological injury. Out-of-home placement can create additional

problems/risks for children who are already at high risk for

psychological and behavioral disturbances, developmental delays and

academic and social difficulties. Children who remain unnecessarily

long in foster care represent a loss in both human and financial terms.

Every child in foster care has a right to a permanent, loving

stable family relationship either through reunification with a

biological family, adoption or placement in kinship or guardianship

care. Every child welfare system has a goal of permanency planning for

children in their care.

Child welfare agencies have been experiencing increasing foster

care caseloads consisting of more complex familial problems, especially

substance abuse issues. This situation has severely tested the ability

of child welfare systems to keep track of the children in their care,

especially in terms of length of time in care and appropriateness of

placement setting.

One way to assist child welfare systems in monitoring the cases in

out-of-home care is the use of foster care review boards. The use of

foster care review boards began in the 1970s. In 1974, South Carolina

became the first State to enact legislation establishing a statewide

foster care review system including a foster care citizen review board.

In 1977, New Jersey, recognizing South Carolina's success in reducing

the number of children remaining unnecessarily long in care, passed

legislation requiring administrative and judicial review of children in

out-of-home placement. By 1979, Delaware and Maryland had passed

legislation requiring the establishment of review boards.

The Federal government's approach to increase states'

accountability for the children in out-of-home care was the passage of

Public Law 96-272, the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of

1980. This legislation required a review of each child in care every

six months by either an administrative or court review. The purpose of

the review is to determine the appropriateness and continuing necessity

for the out-of-home placement, the extent of compliance with the case

plan and the extent of progress made in alleviating the causes of the

placement. The review also helps project a date by which the child can

return home, be placed for adoption or be placed in another permanent

setting. Reviews have also been used to identify systemic issues which

are a barrier to meeting the child's best interest. Anecdotal reports

have indicated that the establishment of foster care review systems has

increased the child welfare system's accountability and management of

cases in foster care beyond what it was in the 1970s.

Requirements for Project Design: The applicant should provide State

child welfare agencies and foster care review board members with the

necessary information, methods and techniques to develop, expand,

improve or strengthen foster care review systems. The training and

technical assistance provided should be designed to assist the review

boards to achieve the following:

Objective standards in determining case goal(s),

appropriateness of placement and time in care;

An integral role for the review board which establishes a

partnership with the court and child welfare agency in decision-making

on case goals and recommendations;

Authority to access the necessary information regarding

the case and appropriate services and to serve as an advisor to the

court;

Timelines which include both the frequency of reviews and

the capacity to set firm goals and timetables for cases;

Knowledge of agency operations, staff resources,

availability of services, service needs of the client families and the

ability to make recommendations that are practical and achievable;

Enhanced ability to use knowledge acquired through the

review process to influence the outcomes for children; and

Enhanced knowledge to improve case assessment skills and

systems assessment.

The applicant will help develop the capacity of State child welfare

agencies to establish, expand or improve foster care review systems.

Applicants must describe their capabilities and plans to provide

training and technical assistance to the State child welfare agencies

and review board members. The application should:

Describe the applicant's knowledge about the issues and

problems involved in establishing, expanding and improving citizen

review boards as well as other review systems selected by the State,

such as, administrative reviews, or other forms of non-judicial

reviews, particularly in bringing about more accountability and

efficiency to the process; and a description of the strengths and

weaknesses of various models.

Describe a plan for providing training and technical

assistance to State agencies and interested parties to establish,

develop and/or improve the competency of the foster care review boards

which will result in improved case outcomes for children in foster

care.

Describe the applicant's experience in providing training

and technical assistance to State agencies which are responsible for

operating a variety of foster care review boards, including a procedure

to evaluate the consultation provided.

Describe the applicant's experience in providing training

and technical assistance to foster care review board members, including

a procedure to evaluate the consultation provided.

Describe a strategy such that the training and technical

assistance provided will result in sensitizing the review boards to

cultural diversity and developing skills that the review board members

can use in serving client populations that are economically, racially

and culturally diverse.

Describe a plan to ensure that the training and technical

assistance is [[Page 24712]] provided by a racially and culturally

diverse staff.

Describe a plan to establish linkages and partnerships

among the foster care review system, the state child welfare agency and

the court in order to strengthen communication and coordinated service

delivery to children in out-of-home placement. Identify issues around

which the relationships can be built.

Describe an approach that the foster care review system

could use to educate the community about programs and procedural issues

affecting the child welfare system including, but not limited to,

insufficient preventive and supportive family services; insufficient

casework staff; obsolete State legal codes; needed improvements in the

court and agency relationships; and the identification of State/county/

city service needs and resource deficits.

Describe a plan to develop and disseminate nationally,

informational materials on topical issues related to foster care review

systems.

Provide an assurance that key grantee staff will meet with

their Federal project officer and other ACYF staff in Washington, D.C.

within sixty days after receiving the award.

Provide an assurance that at least one key staff member

would attend an annual four day meeting of the Children's Bureau

grantees in Washington, D.C.

Outline a plan for interaction with ACF for implementation

under a cooperative agreement including, as appropriate, Headquarters

and Regional Office staff. (A cooperative agreement is Federal

Assistance in which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. The

respective responsibilities of Federal staff and the awardee are

negotiated prior to award.)

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The Federal share of the project is

$1,000,000 over three years. The first and second 12 month budget

period will be funded for $300,000 each and the third 12 month budget

year will be funded for $400,000.

Matching Requirements: The applicant must provide at least 10

percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved

cost is the sum of the ACYF share and the non-Federal share. The non-

Federal share may be in cash or in-kind contributions, although

applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash

contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $1,000,000 in Federal

funds must include a match of at least $111,112 over the three years.

(The non-Federal share for the initial 12 month budget period is

$33,333.)

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

one project will be funded as a cooperative agreement.

Length of Applications: The maximum length of the application shall

not exceed 60 pages including appendices.

CFDA Number: 93.658 Foster Care Title IV-E: Section 476 of the

Social Security Act, as amended.

2.05T Professional Education for Public Child Welfare Practitioners

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education with

accredited social work education programs or other bachelor or graduate

level programs leading to a degree relevant to work in child welfare.

Given limited funds and in order to generate and financially support

the widest possible variety of issues and approaches, priority will be

given to applicants which have not been funded under this priority area

in FY 92 and FY 93 or the Interdisciplinary Training Programs for Child

Welfare priority area in FY 91 and FY 92. However, previously funded

applicants under this priority area will not be precluded from

receiving a grant.

Purpose: To develop and/or strengthen the training of future and

current public child welfare agency staff by offering traineeships and

through the provision of competency-based child welfare training with a

particular emphasis on imparting critical knowledge and developing

skills which are responsive to the problems confronting public child

welfare agency clients. Trainees will be enrolled as bachelor's or

master's level students at institutions with accredited social work

programs.

Background Information: This priority area was originally developed

for the FY 92 Child Welfare Services Training Program Announcement and

was included again in the FY 93 Announcement. The priority area emerged

out of a generally recognized need to enhance social work education's

ability to effectively prepare students for the realities of

contemporary public child welfare agency practice and to invigorate the

workforce of the public agency.

The Children's Bureau has funded a total of 39 social work

education programs to conduct projects in this priority area. In many

instances, these projects have prompted an expansion, reorientation, or

renewed emphasis of the social work education program's mission to

include public service. In virtually all instances, these projects have

fostered the development and strengthening of partnerships between

schools and departments of social work and public agencies by linking

faculty and agency staff to generate sets of competencies, and

collaborate in instruction and field work. These projects have also

been asked to attract and serve a more diverse pool of students under

the assumption that their eventual work in public child welfare will

help contribute to a more culturally sensitive practice.

In response to the Children's Bureau's request, these professional

education grants have gone beyond awarding traineeships. Grantees have

been asked to focus on curriculum reform involving the development of

specific child welfare courses and the inclusion of child welfare

oriented content in courses across the various sequences of the

undergraduate and graduate social work curricula. It is believed that

an expanded treatment of child welfare will strengthen BSW and MSW

graduates' abilities to assess and respond to the multiple and

interconnected needs of the children and families being served by

publicly administered and publicly supported agencies. Grantees have

also been asked to focus on increasing the numbers of field placements

in public child welfare agencies and improving the quality of the

supervision of those placements. It is believed that greater exposure

to public child welfare as a viable employment option, and the benefit

of a quality placement experience, increases the likelihood that social

work students will seek employment in public agencies.

As a result of funding 39 projects through this initiative there is

a great deal of momentum and activity throughout the nation at the

present time. The funding of a Cooperative Agreement between the

Children's Bureau and Florida International University and the funding

of 11 interdisciplinary child welfare training grants also built

interest in the subject and mobilized involvement. It is important to

help sustain the heightened attention and efforts around building

partnerships and a quality workforce by again providing support for

professional education projects in this year's announcement.

In order to be responsive to a number of unique issues and factors

in professional education for public child welfare practice this

priority area is being subdivided into three

subcategories: [[Page 24713]]

2.05TA Professional Education for New Entry Level Agency Staff

(Awarding the BSW degree)

2.05TB Professional Education for Existing Agency Staff (Awarding the

BSW and/or MSW Degree)

2.05TC Professional Education for New Advanced Level Agency Staff

(Awarding the MSW Degree)

Applicants must identify which subcategory their application is in

response to. An institution may submit only one application under this

priority area.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to compete successfully

under this priority area, the applicant should:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the work that

has transpired throughout the country around this professional

education initiative and indicate how the proposed project either

builds on what has transpired and/or seeks to add an innovative

dimension.

Describe past and/or current collaborative efforts between

the educational program and the public (State/local/Tribal) agency.

Specify how this project will be used to build on an existing

partnership or initiate a partnership agenda.

Describe curriculum revision that has taken place or

reforms that are planned as a result of this project to strengthen and

expand child welfare content. Curriculum reform should involve required

courses across the sequences and not just the development of child

welfare related electives. Explain how faculty curriculum committees

will be involved in this process and provide evidence to confirm

commitment to curriculum reform.

Include a plan for evaluation which, at a minimum,

discusses the competency-based aspects of the child welfare content,

making sure to explain how student acquisition of competencies will be

assessed. Applicants are especially encouraged to think about ways of

integrating field experiences and classroom instruction to determine

attainment of competencies.

Present a plan for offering traineeships with the grant

funds and the criteria to be used in awarding traineeships. A minimum

of two-thirds of the funds shall be used for traineeships. Describe who

the students would be (undergraduate or graduate level or both); how

many are expected to be trained over the life of the project; the

criteria for the selection of students as trainees; how the trainees

would be recruited to promote the inclusion of persons from communities

whose children are over-represented in the child welfare system; and

the strategy which would be used to insure that students work in public

child welfare after graduation.

Include a plan for a follow-up of students to determine

their subsequent employment in public child welfare agencies.

Describe the final report and/or other products, such as

curricula or training modules, that would be developed under the

project. Identify relevant audiences for each proposed product and the

steps that would be undertaken to disseminate and promote the

utilization of project products and findings.

Provide assurances that at least one key staff person from

the university and one key staff person from the public child welfare

agency would jointly attend a one-day annual meeting in the HHS

Regional Office shortly after the award of the grant as well as a four

day annual meeting in Washington, DC.

Describe the social work education program's current

access to title IV-E training funds. If they are currently being

accessed explain how this grant will be used to enhance and/or expand

activity in this area. If title IV-E training funds are currently not

being accessed, provide a plan on how those funds will be actively

sought during the life of this grant.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 24

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to

exceed $75,000 per 12-month budget period. A traineeship must not

exceed $7,500 per student per budget year.

Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: No matching funds are

required for the portion of the budget which pays for traineeships.

Grantees must provide at least 25 percent of the total cost of grant

activities other than traineeships. The total approved cost of these

activities is the sum of the ACYF share and the non-Federal share. The

non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although

applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through a

cash contribution. Therefore, a project requesting $20,000 in Federal

funds for non-traineeship activities over the 24 month time span of the

project (based on $10,000 non-traineeship activities per budget period)

must include a match of at least $6,666.66 (25 percent of the total

cost for these activities). Because this is a training grant, indirect

costs for these projects shall not exceed 8 percent.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

a total of approximately 15 to 24 projects will be awarded, five to

eight under each subpriority area 2.05TA, 2.05TB, and 2.05TC.

CFDA Number: 93.648 Child Welfare Services Training Program Grants:

Section 426 of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2.06T The Child Welfare Fellows Program: Tenured Faculty Development

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education with

accredited social work education programs or other bachelor or graduate

level programs leading to a degree relevant to work in child welfare.

Purpose: This priority area is designed to promote the integration

of the applied and theoretical knowledge base of tenured faculty in

social work education programs at the BSW and MSW levels regarding

contemporary public child welfare practice, and strengthen their

abilities to train students for work in the field of child welfare from

a more informed perspective.

Background Information: There is anecdotal evidence from the field,

as well as from projects funded by the Child Welfare Services Training

Program in the past several years, which suggests that schools and

departments of social work are paying more attention to the recruitment

and hiring of new junior faculty with child welfare backgrounds.

Moreover, there is a cadre of tenured faculty whose teaching, research

and service would be enhanced from greater involvement with public

child welfare. It is believed that enriching and expanding the child

welfare content knowledge of tenured faculty in social work education

programs would result in the more effective preparation of students for

positions in public child welfare agencies.

This priority area would fund a three year cooperative agreement

between the Children's Bureau and an education program which would

administer the Child Welfare Fellows Program. During the first year of

the cooperative agreement, the successful applicant would establish

relationships and work with various relevant organizations and

constituencies (the Council on Social Work Education, the National

Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work, the Association of

Baccalaureate Program Directors of Social Work, National Association of

Public Child Welfare Administrators) to create visibility, interest,

status and support for the effort, and to design and

[[Page 24714]] implement a competitive process for selecting and

managing a group of fellows from a pool of applicants.

During the second year of the cooperative agreement, the selected

group of tenured faculty from across the country would receive faculty

development grants which would provide them with release time from

classroom instruction and allow them to perform a range of tasks in

their local public or Tribal child welfare agency. Faculty chosen as

Fellows would be expected to use the faculty development grant to

update their own knowledge, strengthen their pedagogy, and conduct

public welfare research. They are expected to use the agency experience

to revise instructional content for the courses they teach by making

stronger connections between theoretical frameworks and real world

situations and circumstances. They are also expected to advance the

school-agency partnership agenda by providing more effective research

and service to the public agency. During the summer of the second year,

an institute would be held which would bring all the Fellows together

and have them assess and analyze their experiences, exchange ideas and

insights, and hear from and work with current experts in the child

welfare field.

Finally, during the second year, a second and larger cohort of

faculty would be chosen to participate as Fellows in the third year of

the cooperative agreement. A summer institute would also be held for

this group during the third year.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully compete

under this priority area the applicant should:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the issues

involved in designing and implementing a Child Welfare Fellows Program

and present an overall approach to administering this initiative.

Describe a plan for year one focusing on strategies for

outreach and enlisting support including identifying key organizations

for collaboration and the kinds of activities that would be conducted

in order to accomplish outreach and obtain support. The formation of an

Advisory Board should be considered.

Describe strategies for recruiting and criteria for

selecting applicants for participation as Child Welfare Fellows, making

sure to present both the advantages and disadvantages of different

strategies and the rationale for choosing the strategies that have been

selected.

Include a plan for evaluation which, at a minimum,

discusses proposed outcomes for faculty participating in the program

for both the public agency and the social work education program.

Propose the size of the fellows group for the second and

third years of the project and provide a justification for the size

chosen.

Provide a detailed design plan for the Summer Institute

consisting of proposed length, topics, presenters, formats, and a mock

agenda.

Propose a plan for establishing cost-sharing relationships

with education programs which will be sponsoring faculty to participate

as Fellows.

Provide assurances that at least one key staff person from

the project would jointly attend a four day annual meeting in

Washington, DC.

Describe the final report and/or other products that will

be developed under the project. Identify relevant audiences for each

proposed product and the steps that would be undertaken to disseminate

and promote the utilization of project products and findings.

Agree to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the

Children's Bureau. (A Cooperative Agreement is Federal Assistance in

which substantial Federal involvement is anticipated. The respective

responsibilities of Federal staff and the awardee are negotiated prior

to award.)

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum federal share is not to

exceed $75,000 during the first 12-month budget period. In the second

12-month budget period the maximum federal share is not to exceed

$175,000, and in the third 12-month budget period the maximum federal

share is not to exceed $250,000. For the total three year project the

maximum Federal share is $500,000.

Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at

least 25 percent of the total cost of grant activities. The total

approved cost of these activities is the sum of the ACYF share and the

non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match

requirements through a cash contribution. Therefore, a project

requesting a total of $500,000 in Federal funds for all 3 budget

periods must include a total match of $166,666.66 (25 percent of the

total project cost of $666,666.66.) Because this is a training grant,

indirect cost for this project shall not exceed 8 percent.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

one project will be funded.

CFDA: 93.648 Child Welfare Services Training Program Grants:

Section 426 of the Social Security Act, as amended.

2.07T Innovative Training for Exemplary Practice

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education with

accredited social work education programs or other bachelor or graduate

level programs leading to a degree relevant to work in child welfare.

Purpose: This priority area encourages the development of training

packages for in-service education to improve practice in critical areas

of child welfare. It also seeks to build on and expand the scope of

partnerships between social work education programs and public child

welfare agencies.

Background Information: Child welfare practice is undergoing

profound transformations. The case management aspect of the work

performed by child welfare direct service staff is being transformed by

demands inherent in the emergence of managed care as well as in wrap-

around and integrative service projects. A more relevant repertoire of

clinical interventions for child welfare workers is necessitated by the

pervasiveness of substance abuse among families being served,

heightened levels of domestic and community violence, and increasing

numbers of infants coming into substitute care. In order to maintain

quality practice in the face of these and other challenges child

welfare workers need training to acquire new knowledge and new sets of

skills.

A number of schools and departments of social work throughout the

country already have effective working relationships with public human

service agencies to provide child welfare staff training and

development. Other social work education programs are in the process of

forging agreements to render training. This priority area builds on

these efforts. Grantees will be expected to collaborate with the State

IV-B/IV-E agency, the local public child welfare agency, or a Tribal or

consortium of Tribal child welfare programs, on the design and

implementation of innovative in-service training packages for direct

service staff. Training packages for exemplary practice should be

competency-based and should incorporate stages of awareness and

understanding through skill acquisition.

It is envisioned that grant activity funded under this priority

area will also have a beneficial impact on professional education.

Faculty involved in the creation of these training packages will be

expected to make changes in course [[Page 24715]] content and in

instruction based upon their work in this project.

Applicants may submit an application to develop a training package

to address any one of the following topics of critical importance:

Working with families contending with domestic and/or

community violence.

Working with families contending with substance abuse.

Refining and targeting family preservation services.

Working with relatives as foster parents.

An institution can submit more than one application under this

priority area, but each application can only address one of the above

topics.

Applications to develop training packages on topics other than

those listed above will not be accepted.

Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully compete

under this priority area the applicant should:

Identify the current status of training and identify

existing training resources in the topic. Clarify how the proposed

package is innovative and how it will contribute to exemplary practice.

Document the need for the particular training, specify and

distinguish among different levels of competencies workers will attain,

delineate the training design process, provide a detailed outline of

the content to be covered, and describe training formats to be

utilized.

Describe the nature and longevity of the relationship

between the social work education program and the child welfare agency

making sure to demonstrate the basis for a positive and productive

collaboration around the development of the training package.

Demonstrate the capacity of both the educational program

and agency to develop and deliver the training, by emphasizing the

qualifications of the professionals from each institution who will be

working together on the project.

Describe a plan for how faculty involved in the

development of the training package will use the experience to infuse

the knowledge and content into their own teaching and courses. Also,

describe how faculty will work with other faculty members on an

individual basis, as well as through academic program mechanisms such

as curriculum committees, to promote broader-based infusion.

Provide assurances that at least one key staff person from

the university and one key staff person from the public child welfare

agency would jointly attend a one-day annual meeting in the HHS

Regional Office shortly after the award as well as a four day annual

meeting in Washington, DC.

Include a plan for evaluation which incorporates pilot

testing procedures as well as assessing the competency-based and

practice oriented outcomes of the training package.

Describe the final report and/or other training products,

such as training curriculum, video tapes, software packages, etc. to be

developed under the project.

Identify relevant audiences for each proposed product and

the steps that would be undertaken to disseminate and promote the

utilization of project products and findings.

Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 24

months.

Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum federal share is not to

exceed $60,000 per 12-month budget period.

Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at

least 25 percent of the total cost of grant activities. The total

approved cost of these activities is the sum of the ACYF share and the

non-Federal share. The non-Federal share may be met by cash or in-kind

contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match

requirements through a cash contribution. Therefore, a project

requesting a total of $120,000 in Federal funds for both budget periods

must include a total match of $40,000 (25 percent of the total project

cost of $160,000). Because this is a training grant, indirect costs for

these projects shall not exceed 8 percent.

Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that

approximately seven to ten projects will be funded.

CFDA Number: 93.648 Child Welfare Services Training Program Grants:

Section 426 of the Social Security Act, as amended.

Part III--Instructions for the Development and Submission of

Applications

This part contains information and instructions for submitting

applications in response to this announcement. Application forms are

provided along with a checklist for assembling an application package.

Please copy and use these as single-sided forms in submitting an

application.

Potential applicants should read this section carefully in

conjunction with the information contained within the specific priority

area under which the application is to be submitted. The priority area

descriptions are in Part II.

A. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact (NCCAN

Only)

All applications for research or training projects submitted to

NCCAN are covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs, and title 45 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR) Part 100, Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and

Human Services Programs and Activities. Under the Order, States may

design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed

Federal assistance under covered programs. Therefore, the applicant

should contact his or her State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) directly

to determine what materials, if any, the SPOC requires. Contact

information for each State's SPOC is found at the end of this section.

Children's Bureau applicants are exempt from this requirement.

All States and territories, except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado,

Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana,

Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia,

Washington, American Samoa and Palau, have elected to participate in

the Executive Order process and have established a State Single Point

of Contact (SPOC).

Applicants from these 19 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.

It is imperative that the applicant submit all required materials

to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of

contact, if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form (SF) 424,

item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), SPOCs have 60 days from the grant

application deadline to comment on applications for financial

assistance under this program. These comments are reviewed as part of

the award process. Failure to notify the SPOC can result in a delay in

grant award.

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. It is helpful in tracking SPOC

comments if the SPOC will clearly indicate the applicant organization

as it appears on the application SF 424. When comments are submitted

directly to ACYF, they [[Page 24716]] should be addressed to the

application mailing address located in the front section of this

announcement.

B. Deadline for Submission of Applications

The closing date for submission of applications under this program

announcement is July 10, 1995. Applications must be either received by

mail or hand-delivered no later than the deadline date. (Applicants are

cautioned that postmarks will not be considered as a methodology for

meeting this deadline.) Applications receipt point: FY 1995 NCCAN/CB

Discretionary Funds Program, Department of Health and Human Services,

ACF/Division of Discretionary Grants, 6th floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade

SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: NCCAN/CB-95-1.

Hand delivered applications are accepted during the normal working

hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on or prior to the

established closing date at: Administration for Children and Families,

Division of Discretionary Grants, 6th Floor, ACF Guard Station, 901 D

Street SW., Washington, DC 20047.

An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is

received on or before the deadline date at the address or receipt point

specified in this program announcement. Applicants are responsible for

mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services or

commercial carriers (such as UPS, Federal Express, etc.), to ensure

that the applications are received on or before the deadline date.

Applications which do not meet the above criteria are considered

late applications and will not be considered or reviewed in the current

competition. The ACYF will send a letter to this effect to each late

applicant.

The ACYF reserves the right to extend the deadline for all

applicants due to acts of God, such as floods, hurricanes or

earthquakes; if there is widespread disruption of the mail; or if ACYF

determines a deadline extension to be in the best interest of the

Government. However, ACYF will not waive or extend the deadline for any

applicant unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applicants.

C. Instructions for Preparing the Application and Completing

Application Forms

The SF 424, 424A, 424B, and certifications have been reprinted for

your convenience in preparing the application. You should reproduce

single-sided copies of these forms from the reprinted forms in the

announcement, typing your information onto the copies. Please do not

use forms directly from the Federal Register announcement, as they are

printed on both sides of the page. Make single-sided copies and use

them.

Please prepare your application in accordance with the following

instructions:

1. SF 424 Page 1, Application Cover Sheet--Please read the

following instructions before completing the application cover sheet.

An explanation of each item is included. Complete only the items

specified.

Top of Page Enter the single priority area number under which the

application is being submitted. An application should be submitted

under only one priority area.

Item 1 ``Type of Submission''--Preprinted on the form.

Item 2 ``Date Submitted'' and ``Applicant Identifier''--Date

application is submitted to NCCAN and applicant's own internal control

number, if applicable.

Item 3 ``Date Received By State''--State use only (if applicable).

Item 4 ``Date Received by Federal Agency''--leave blank.

Item 5 ``Applicant Information''--

``Legal Name''--Enter the legal name of the applicant organization.

For applications developed jointly, enter the name of the lead

organization only. There must be a single applicant for each

application. ``Organizational Unit''--Enter the name of the primary

unit within the applicant organization which will actually carry out

the project activity. Do not use the name of an individual as the

applicant. If this is the same as the applicant organization, leave the

organizational unit blank.

``Address''--Enter the complete address that the organization

actually uses to receive mail, since this is the address to which all

correspondence will be sent. Do not include both street address and

P.O. box number unless both must be used in mailing.

``Name and telephone number of the person to be contacted on

matters involving this application (give area code)''--Enter the full

name (including academic degree, if applicable) and telephone number of

a person who can respond to questions about the application. This

person should be accessible at the address given here and will receive

all correspondence regarding the application.

Item 6 ``Employer Identification Number (EIN)''--Enter the

employer identification number of the applicant organization, as

assigned by the Internal Revenue Service, including, if known, the

Central Registry System suffix.

Item 7 ``Type of Applicant''--Self-explanatory.

Item 8 ``Type of Application''--Preprinted on the form.

Item 9 ``Name of Federal Agency''--Preprinted on the form.

Item 10 ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and

Title''--Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number

which is assigned to the program under which assistance is requested

and its title. For example, CFDA number 93.670 for the Child Abuse,

Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended.

Item 11 ``Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project''--Enter the

project title. The title is generally short and is descriptive of the

project, not the priority area title.

Item 12 ``Areas Affected by Project''--Enter the governmental unit

where significant and meaningful impact could be observed. List only

the largest unit or units affected, such as State, county, or city. If

an entire unit is affected, list it rather than subunits.

Item 13 ``Proposed Project''--Enter the desired start date for the

project and projected completion date.

Item 14 ``Congressional District of Applicant/Project''--Enter the

number of the Congressional district where the applicant's principal

office is located and the number of the Congressional district(s) where

the project will be located. If statewide, a multi-State effort, or

nationwide, enter ``00.''

Item 15 ``Estimated Funding Levels''--In completing 15a through

15f, the dollar amounts entered should reflect, for a 17 month or less

project period, the total amount requested. If the proposed project

period exceeds 17 months, enter only those dollar amounts needed for

the first 12 months of the proposed project.

Item 15a Enter the amount of Federal funds requested in accordance

with the preceding paragraph. This amount should be no greater than the

maximum amount specified in the priority area description.

Items 15b-e Enter the amount(s) of funds from non-Federal sources

that will be contributed to the proposed project. Items b-e are

considered cost-sharing or ``matching funds.'' The value of third party

in-kind contributions should be included on appropriate lines as

applicable. For more information regarding funding as well as

exceptions to these rules, see Part II, Sections E and F, and the

specific priority area description.

Item 15f Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected to

be generated from the proposed project. Do not add or subtract this

amount from the [[Page 24717]] total project amount entered under item

15g. Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of this income in

the Project Narrative Statement.

Item 15g Enter the sum of items 15a-15e.

Item 16a ``Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive

Order 12372 Process? Yes.''--Enter the date the applicant contacted the

SPOC regarding this application. Select the appropriate SPOC from the

listing provided at the end of Part III. The review of the application

is at the discretion of the SPOC. The SPOC will verify the date noted

on the application. If there is a discrepancy in dates, the SPOC may

request that the Federal agency delay any proposed funding until

September 10, 1995.

Item 16b ``Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive

Order 12372 Process? No.''--Check the appropriate box if the

application is not covered by E.O. 12372 or if the program has not been

selected by the State for review.

Item 17 ``Is the Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt?''--

Check the appropriate box. This question applies to the applicant

organization, not the person who signs as the authorized

representative. Categories of debt include audit disallowances, loans

and taxes.

Item 18 ``To the best of my knowledge and belief, all data in this

application/preapplication are true and correct. The document has been

duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and the

applicant will comply with the attached assurances if the assistance is

awarded.''--To be signed by the authorized representative of the

applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for signature

of this application by this individual as the official representative

must be on file in the applicant's office, and may be requested from

the applicant.

Item 18a-c ``Typed Name of Authorized Representative, Title,

Telephone Number''--Enter the name, title and telephone number of the

authorized representative of the applicant organization.

Item 18d ``Signature of Authorized Representative''--Signature of

the authorized representative named in Item 18a. At least one copy of

the application must have an original signature. Use colored ink (not

black) so that the original signature is easily identified.

Item 18e ``Date Signed''--Enter the date the application was

signed by the authorized representative.

2. SF 424A--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs

This is a form used by many Federal agencies. For this application,

Sections A, B, C, E and F are to be completed. Section D does not need

to be completed.

Sections A and B should include the Federal as well as the non-

Federal funding for the proposed project covering (1) the total project

period of 17 months or less or (2) the first year budget period, if the

proposed project period exceeds 17 months.

Section A--Budget Summary This section includes a summary of the

budget. On line 5, enter total Federal costs in column (e) and total

non-Federal costs, including third party in-kind contributions, but not

program income, in column (f). Enter the total of (e) and (f) in column

(g).

Section B--Budget Categories This budget, which includes the

Federal as well as non-Federal funding for the proposed project, covers

(1) the total project period of 17 months or less or (2) the first year

budget period if the proposed project period exceeds 17 months. It

should relate to item 15g, total funding, on the SF 424. Under column

(5), enter the total requirements for funds (Federal and non-Federal)

by object class category.

A separate itemized budget justification for each line item is

required. The types of information to be included in the justification

are indicated under each category. For multiple year projects, it is

desirable to provide this information for each year of the project. The

budget justification should immediately follow the second page of the

SF 424A.

Personnel--Line 6a Enter the total costs of salaries and wages of

applicant/grantee staff. Do not include the costs of consultants, which

should be included on line 6h, ``Other.''

Justification Identify the principal investigator or project

director, if known. Specify by title or name the percentage of time

allocated to the project, the individual annual salaries, and the cost

to the project (both Federal and non-Federal) of the organization's

staff who will be working on the project.

Fringe Benefits--Line 6b Enter the total costs of fringe benefits,

unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.

Justification Provide a break-down of amounts and percentages that

comprise fringe benefit costs, such as health insurance, FICA,

retirement insurance, etc.

Travel--6c Enter total costs of out-of-town travel (travel

requiring per diem) for staff of the project. Do not enter costs for

consultant's travel or local transportation, which should be included

on Line 6h, ``Other.''

Justification Include the name(s) of traveler(s), total number of

trips, destinations, length of stay, transportation costs and

subsistence allowances.

Equipment--Line 6d Enter the total costs of all equipment to be

acquired by the project. For State and local governments, including

Federally recognized Indian Tribes, ``equipment'' is tangible, non-

expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year

and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. For all other

applicants, the threshold for equipment is $500 or more per unit. The

higher threshold for State and local governments became effective

October 1, 1988, through the implementation of 45 CFR Part 92,

``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative

Agreements to State and Local Governments.''

Justification Equipment to be purchased with Federal funds must be

justified. The equipment must be required to conduct the project, and

the applicant organization or its subgrantees must not have the

equipment or a reasonable facsimile available to the project. The

justification also must contain plans for future use or disposal of the

equipment after the project ends.

Supplies--Line 6e Enter the total costs of all tangible expendable

personal property (supplies) other than those included on Line 6d.

Justification Specify general categories of supplies and their

costs.

Contractual--Line 6f Enter the total costs of all contracts,

including (1) procurement contracts (except those which belong on other

lines such as equipment, supplies, etc.) and (2) contracts with

secondary recipient organizations, including delegate agencies. Also

include any contracts with organizations for the provision of technical

assistance. Do not include payments to individuals on this line. If the

name of the contractor, scope of work, and estimated total costs are

not available or have not been negotiated, include on Line 6h,

``Other.''

Justification Attach a list of contractors, indicating the names

of the organizations, the purposes of the contracts, and the estimated

dollar amounts of the awards as part of the budget justification.

Whenever the applicant/grantee intends to delegate part or all of the

program to another agency, the applicant/grantee must complete this

section (Section 8, Budget Categories) for each delegate agency by

[[Page 24718]] agency title, along with the supporting information. The

total cost of all such agencies will be part of the amount shown on

Line 6f. Provide backup documentation identifying the name of

contractor, purpose of contract, and major cost elements. Applicants

who anticipate procurements that will exceed $5,000 (non-governmental

entities) or $25,000 (governmental entities) and are requesting an

award without competition should include sole source justification in

the proposal which at a minimum should include the basis for

contractor's selection, justification for lack of competition when

competitive bids or offers are not obtained and basis for award cost or

price. (Note: Previous or past experience with a contractor is not

sufficient justification for sole source.)

Construction--Line 6g Not applicable. New construction is not

allowable.

Other--Line 6h Enter the total of all other costs. Where

applicable, such costs may include, but are not limited to: Insurance;

medical and dental costs; noncontractual fees and travel paid directly

to individual consultants; local transportation (all travel which does

not require per diem is considered local travel); space and equipment

rentals; printing and publication; computer use; training costs,

including tuition and stipends; training service costs, including wage

payments to individuals and supportive service payments; and staff

development costs. Note that costs identified as ``miscellaneous'' and

``honoraria'' are not allowable.

Justification Specify the costs included.

Total Direct Charges--Line 6i Enter the total of Lines 6a through

6h.

Indirect Charges--6j Enter the total amount of indirect charges

(costs). If no indirect costs are requested, enter ``None.'' Generally,

this line should be used when the applicant (except local governments)

has a current indirect cost rate agreement approved by the Department

of Health and Human Services or another Federal agency. Local and State

governments should enter the amount of indirect costs determined in

accordance with HHS requirements. When an indirect cost rate is

requested, these costs are included in the indirect cost pool and

should not be charged again as direct costs to the grant. In the case

of training grants to other than State or local governments (as defined

in title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, part 74), the Federal

reimbursement of indirect costs will be limited to the lesser of the

negotiated (or actual) indirect cost rate or 8 percent of the amount

allowed for direct costs, exclusive of any equipment charges, rental of

space, tuition and fees, post-doctoral training allowances, contractual

items, and alterations and renovations. For training grant

applications, the entry under line 6j should be the total indirect

costs being charged to the project. The Federal share of indirect costs

is calculated as shown above. The applicant's share is calculated as

follows: (a) Calculate total project indirect costs (a*) by applying

the applicant's approved indirect cost rate to the total project

(Federal and non-Federal) direct costs. (b) Calculate the Federal share

of indirect costs (b*) at 8 percent of the amount allowed for total

project (Federal and non-Federal) direct costs exclusive of any

equipment charges, rental of space, tuition and fees, post-doctoral

training allowances, contractual items, and alterations and

renovations. (c) Subtract (b*) from (a*). The remainder is what the

applicant can claim as part of its matching cost contribution.

Justification Enclose a copy of the indirect cost rate agreement.

Applicants subject to the limitation on the Federal reimbursement of

indirect costs for training grants should specify this.

Total--Line 6k Enter the total amounts of lines 6i and 6j.

Program Income--Line 7 Enter the estimated amount of income, if

any, expected to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract

this amount from the total project amount.

Justification Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of

program income in the Program Narrative Statement.

Section C--Non-Federal Resources This section summarizes the

amounts of non-Federal resources that will be applied to the grant.

Enter this information on line 12 entitled ``Totals.'' In-kind

contributions are defined in 45 CFR 74.2 and 45 CFR 92.3. In-kind

contributions are ``the value of non-cash contributions provided by

non-Federal third parties. Third party in-kind contributions may be in

the form of real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable

property, and the value of goods and services directly benefiting and

specifically identifiable to the project or program.''

Justification Describe third party in-kind contributions, if

included.

Section D--Forecasted Cash Needs Not applicable.

Section E--Budget Estimate of Federal Funds Needed For Balance of

the Project This section should only be completed if the total project

period exceeds 17 months.

Totals--Line 20 For projects that will have more than one budget

period, enter the estimated required Federal funds for the second

budget period (months 13 through 24) under column ``(b) First.'' If a

third budget period will be necessary, enter the Federal funds needed

for months 25 through 36 under ``(c) Second.'' Columns (d) and (e) are

not applicable in most instances, since ACYF funding is almost always

limited to a three-year maximum project period. They should remain

blank.

Section F--Other Budget Information

Direct Charges--Line 21 Not applicable.

Indirect Charges--Line 22 Enter the type of indirect rate

(provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect

during the funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which

the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.

Remarks--Line 23 If the total project period exceeds 17 months,

you must enter your proposed non-Federal share of the project budget

for each of the remaining years of the project.

3. Project Summary Description

Clearly mark this separate page with the applicant name as shown in

item 5 of the SF 424, the priority area number as shown at the top of

the SF 424, and the title of the project as shown in item 11 of the SF

424. The summary description should not exceed 300 words. These 300

words become part of the computer database on each project.

Care should be taken to produce a summary description which

accurately and concisely reflects the proposal. It should describe the

objectives of the project, the approaches to be used and the outcomes

expected. The description should also include a list of major products

that will result from the proposed project, such as software packages,

materials, management procedures, data collection instruments, training

packages, or videos. (Please note that audiovisuals should be closed

captioned.) The project summary description, together with the

information on the SF 424, will constitute the project abstract. It is

the major source of information about the proposed project and is

usually the first part of the application that the reviewers read in

evaluating the application.

At the bottom of the page, following the summary description, type

up to 10 key words which best describe the proposed project, the

service(s) involved and the target population(s) to be covered. These

key words will be used for computerized information retrieval. Key

words should be selected from commonly used research and practice

terminology. For assistance in choosing [[Page 24719]] key words,

applicants are referred to the Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect

Information, P.O. Box 1182, Washington, DC 20013, (1-800-FYI-3366).

4. Program Narrative Statement

The Program Narrative Statement should be clear, concise, and

address the specific requirements mentioned under the priority area

description in Part II. The narrative should also provide information

concerning how the application meets the evaluation criteria (see Part

II, Section C) using the appropriate headings for research or

demonstration and training applications. Inclusion and discussion of

the evaluation criteria is important since the reviewers will rate the

application against the evaluation criteria. There is a page

limitation, set forth below.

Narrative Statement:

Research applications should use the following section headings:

(a) Objectives;

(b) Background and Significance;

(c) Approach; and

(d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience.

Demonstration and Training applications should use the following

headings:

(a) Objectives and Need for Assistance;

(b) Results or Benefits Expected;

(c) Approach; and

(d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience.

The specific information to be included under each of these

headings is described in Part II, Section C, Evaluation Criteria.

The narrative should be double-spaced and single-sided on 8\1/2\''

x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. Use only a

standard size font such as 10 or 12 pitch throughout the announcement.

All pages of the narrative (including appendices, resumes, charts,

references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially

numbered, beginning with ``Objectives'' or ``Objectives and Need for

Assistance'' as page number one. Applicants should not submit

reproductions of larger sized paper that is reduced to meet the size

requirement. Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures,

or other printed material along with their applications as these pose

copying difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be

included in the review process, though they will be kept on file.

The length of the narrative section, including appendices, should

not exceed 60 pages. Anything over 60 pages will be removed and not

considered by the reviewers.

Please note that applicants that do not comply with the specific

priority area requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants''

will not be included in the review process. Applicants should also note

that non-responsiveness to the section ``Requirements for Project

Design'' will result in a low evaluation score by the panel of expert

reviewers.

Applicants must clearly identify the specific priority area under

which they wish to have their applications considered, and tailor their

applications accordingly. Previous experience has shown that an

application which is broader and more general in concept than outlined

in the priority area description is less likely to score as well as one

which is more clearly focused on and directly responsive to the

concerns of that specific priority area.

5. Assurances/Certifications

Applicants are required to file an SF 424B, Assurances--Non-

Construction Programs and the Certification Regarding Lobbying. Both

must be signed and returned with the application. In addition,

applicants must provide certifications regarding: (1) Drug-Free

Workplace Requirements; (2) Debarment and Other Responsibilities; and

(3) Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also known as

the Pro-Children Act of 1994. These three certifications are self-

explanatory. A duly authorized representative of the applicant

organization must certify that the applicant is in compliance with

these assurances/ certifications. Signing and submitting this

application (SF 424) indicates compliance with the Drug Free Workplace

Requirements, the Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also known as the Pro-

Children Act of 1994, and Debarment and Other Responsibilities

certifications.

All applicants for research projects on child abuse and neglect

must provide a Protection of Human Subjects Assurance as specified in

the policy described on the HHS Form 596. If there is a question

regarding the applicability of this assurance, contact the Office for

Protection from Research Risks of the National Institutes of Health at

(301)-496-7041. Those applying for or currently conducting research

projects are further advised of the availability of a Certificate of

Confidentiality through the National Institute of Mental Health of the

Department of Health and Human Services. To obtain more information and

to apply for a Certificate of Confidentiality, under the authority of

Section 301(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 82421(d)) to

protect against involuntary disclosure of the identities of research

subjects, contact the Division of Extramural Activities of the National

Institute of Mental Health at (301) 443-4673.

D. Checklist for a Complete Application

The checklist below is for your use to ensure that your application

package has been properly prepared.

____ One original, signed and dated application, plus two copies.

Applications for different priority areas should be packaged

separately;

____ Application is from an organization which is eligible under

the eligibility requirements defined in the priority area description

(screening requirement).

A complete application consists of the following items in this

order:

____ Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV 4-88); a

completed SPOC certification (if applicable) with the date of SPOC

contact entered in line 16, page 1 of the SF 424 if applicable.

____ Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A, REV 4-

88);

____ Budget justification for Section B--Budget Categories;

____ Letter from the Internal Revenue Service to prove non-profit

status, if necessary;

____ Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement,

if appropriate;

____ Project summary description;

____ Table of Contents, including the following:

____ Program Narrative Statement (organized by the evaluation

criteria), which when combined with appendices/attachments should not

exceed 60 pages total;

____ Any appendices/attachments (which when combined with the

Program Narrative Statement should not exceed 60 pages total);

____ Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV

4-88);

____ Certification Regarding Lobbying;

____ Certification Regarding Pro-Children Act of 1994; and

____ Certification of Protection of Human Subjects, if necessary.

E. The Application Package

Each application package must include an original and two copies of

the complete application. Each copy should be stapled securely (front

and back if necessary) in the upper left-hand corner. All pages of the

narrative must be sequentially numbered, beginning [[Page 24720]] with

page one. The narrative, including the appendices, must be only 60

pages. Any pages over that number will be removed and will not be

reviewed. Because each application will be duplicated, do not use or

include separate covers, binders, clips, tabs, plastic inserts,

brochures, videos, or any other items that cannot be photocopied. Your

application should only include the information as requested in this

announcement.

Do not include a self-addressed, stamped acknowledgment card. All

applicants will be notified automatically about the receipt of their

application and of the four digit identification number assigned to

their application. This number and the priority area must be referred

to in all subsequent communication with NCCAN, the Children's Bureau

and ACYF concerning the application. If acknowledgment of receipt of

your application is not received within eight weeks after the deadline

date, please notify the ACYF Operations Center by telephone at 1-800-

351-2293.

Dated: April 28, 1995.

Olivia A. Golden,

Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

[[Page 24721]]

[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TN09MY95.007

BILLING CODE 4184-01-C

[[Page 24722]]

Instructions for the SF 424

This is a standard form used by applicants as a required

facesheet for preapplications and applications submitted for Federal

assistance. It will be used by Federal agencies to obtain applicant

certification that States which have established a review and

comment procedure in response to Executive Order 12372 and have

selected the program to be included in their process, have been

given an opportunity to review the applicant's submission.

Item and Entry:

1. Self-explanatory.

2. Date application submitted to Federal agency (or State if

applicable) & applicant's control number (if applicable).

3. State use only (if applicable).

4. If this application is to continue or revise an existing

award, enter present Federal identifier number. If for a new

project, leave blank.

5. Legal name of applicant, name of primary organizational unit

which will undertake the assistance activity, complete address of

the applicant, and name and telephone number of the person to

contact on matters related to this application.

6. Enter Employer Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the

Internal Revenue Service.

7. Enter the appropriate letter in the space provided.

8. Check appropriate box and enter appropriate letter(s) in the

space(s) provided:

--``New'' means a new assistance award.

--``Continuation'' means an extension for an additional funding/

budget period for a project with a projected completion date.

--``Revision'' means any change in the Federal Government's

financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing

obligation.

9. Name of Federal agency from which assistance is being

requested with this application.

10. Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and

title of the program under which assistance is requested.

11. Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If more than

one program is involved, you should append an explanation on a

separate sheet. If appropriate (e.g., construction or real property

projects), attach a map showing project location. For

preapplications, use a separate sheet to provide a summary

description of this project.

12. List only the largest political entitles affected (e.g.,

State, counties, cities).

13. Self-explanatory.

14. List the applicant's Congressional District and any

District(s) affected by the program or project.

15. Amount requested or to be contributed during the first

funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind

contributions should be included on appropriate lines as applicable.

If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award,

indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the

amounts in parentheses. If both basic and supplemental amounts are

included, show breakdown on an attached sheet. For multiple program

funding, use totals and show breakdown using same categories as item

15.

16. Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact

(SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the

applicant is subject to the State intergovernmental review process.

17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the

person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of

debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.

18. To be signed by the authorized representative of the

applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for you to

sign this application as official representative must be on file in

the applicant's office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that

this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)

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Instructions for the SF-424A

General Instructions

This form is designed so that application can be made for funds

from one or more grant programs. In preparing the budget, adhere to

any existing Federal grantor agency guidelines which prescribe how

and whether budgeted amounts should be separately shown for

different functions or activities within the program. For some

programs, grantor agencies may require budgets to be separately

shown by function or activity. For other programs, grantor agencies

may require a breakdown by function or activity. Sections A, B, C,

and D should include budget estimates for the whole project except

when applying for assistance which requires Federal authorization in

annual or other funding period increments. In the latter case,

Sections A, B, C, and D should provide the budget for the first

budget period (usually a year) and Section E should present the need

for Federal assistance in the subsequent budget periods. All

applications should contain a breakdown by the object class

categories shown in Lines a-k of Section B.

Section A. Budget Summary

Lines 1-4, Columns (a) and (b)

For applications pertaining to a single Federal grant program

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog number) and not requiring a

functional or activity breakdown, enter on Line 1 under Column (a)

the catalog program title and the catalog number in Column (b).

For applications pertaining to a single program requiring budget

amounts by multiple functions or activities, enter the name of each

activity or function on each line in Column (a), and enter the

catalog number in Column (b). For applications pertaining to

multiple programs where none of the programs require a breakdown by

function or activity, enter the catalog program title on each line

in Column (a) and the respective catalog number on each line in

Column (b).

For applications pertaining to multiple programs where one or

more programs require a breakdown by function or activity, prepare a

separate sheet for each program requiring the breakdown. Additional

sheets should be used when one form does not provide adequate space

for all breakdown of data required. However, when more than one

sheet is used, the first page should provide the summary totals by

programs.

Lines 1-4, Columns (c) through (g.)

For new applications, leave Columns (c) and (d) blank. For each

line entry in Columns (a) and (b), enter in Columns (e), (f), and

(g) the appropriate amounts of funds needed to support the project

for the first funding period (usually a year).

For continuing grant program applications, submit these forms

before the end of each funding period as required by the grantor

agency. Enter in Columns (c) and (d) the estimated amounts of funds

which will remain unobligated at the end of the grant funding period

only if the Federal grantor agency instructions provide for this.

Otherwise, leave these columns blank. Enter in columns (e) and (f)

the amounts of funds needed for the upcoming period. The amount(s)

in Column (g) should be the sum of amounts in Columns (e) and (f).

For supplemental grants and changes to existing grants, do not

use Columns (c) and (d). Enter in Column (e) the amount of the

increase or decrease of Federal funds and enter in Column (f) the

amount of the increase or decrease of non-Federal funds. In Column

(g) enter the new total budgeted amount (Federal and non-Federal)

which includes the total previous authorized budgeted amounts plus

or minus, as appropriate, the amounts shown in Columns (e) and (f).

The amount(s) in Column (g) should not equal the sum of amounts in

Columns (e) and (f).

Line 5--Show the totals for all columns used.

Section B. Budget Categories

In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles of the

same programs, functions, and activities shown on Lines 1-4, Column

(a), Section A. When additional sheets are prepared for Section A,

provide similar column headings on each sheet. For each program,

function or activity, fill in the total requirements for funds (both

Federal and non-Federal) by object class categories.

Lines 6a-i--Show the totals of Lines 6a to 6h in each column.

Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost.

Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j. For all

applications for new grants and continuation grants the total amount

in column (5), Line 6k, should be the same as the total amount shown

in Section A, Column (g), Line 5. For supplemental grants and

changes to grants, the total amount of the increase or decrease as

shown in Columns (1)-(4), Line 6k should be the same as the sum of

the amounts in Section A, Columns (e) and (f) on Line 5.

Line 7--Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected

to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this

amount from the total project amount. Show under the program

narrative statement the nature and source of income. The estimated

amount of program income may be considered by the federal grantor

agency in determining the total amount of the grant.

Section C. Non-Federal Resources

Lines 8-11--Enter amounts of non-Federal resources that will be

used on the grant. If in-kind contributions are included, provide a

brief explanation on a separate sheet.

Column (a)--Enter the program titles identical to Column (a),

Section A. A breakdown by function or activity is not necessary.

Column (b)--Enter the contribution to be made by the applicant.

Column (c)--Enter the amount of the State's cash and in-kind

contribution if the applicant is not a State or State agency.

Applicants which are a State or State agencies should leave this

column blank.

Column (d)--Enter the amount of cash and in kind contributions

to be made from all other sources.

Column (e)--Enter totals of Columns (b), (c), and (d).

Line 12--Enter the total for each of Columns (b)-(e). The amount

in Column (e) should be equal to the amount on Line 5, Column (f),

Section A.

Section D. Forecasted Cash Needs

Line 13--Enter the amount of cash needed by quarter from the

grantor agency during the first year.

Line 14--Enter the amount of cash from all other sources needed

by quarter during the first year.

Line 15--Enter the totals of amounts on Lines 13 and 14.

Section E. Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the

Project

Lines 16-19--Enter in Column (a) the same grant program titles

shown in Column (a), Section A. A breakdown by function or activity

is not necessary. For new applications and continuation grant

applications, enter in the proper columns amounts of Federal funds

which will be needed to complete the program or project over the

succeeding funding periods (usually in years). This section need not

be completed for revisions (amendments, changes, or supplements) to

funds for the current year of existing grants.

If more than four lines are needed to list the program titles,

submit additional schedules as necessary.

Line 20--Enter the total for each of the Columns (b)-(e). When

additional schedules are prepared for this Section, annotate

accordingly and show the overall totals on this line.

Section F. Other Budget Information

Line 21--Use this space to explain amounts for individual direct

object-class cost categories that may appear to be out of the

ordinary or to explain the details as required by the Federal

grantor agency.

Line 22--Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional,

predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect during the

funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which the rate

is applied, and the total indirect expense.

Line 23--Provide any other explanations or comments deemed

necessary.

Assurances--Non-Construction Programs

Note: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your

project or program. If you have questions, please contact the

awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may

require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is

the case, you will be notified.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant I certify

that the applicant:

1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and

the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including

funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to

ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project

described in this application.

2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the

United States, and if appropriate, the State, through any authorized

representative, access to and the right to examine all records,

books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish

a proper accounting system in [[Page 24726]] accordance with

generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives.

3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using

their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the

appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or

personal gain.

4. Will initiate and complete

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