Child Support Enforcement Demonstration and Special Projects Special Improvement Projects

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. OCSE 98SIP-1]

Child Support Enforcement Demonstration and Special Projects--

Special Improvement Projects

AGENCY: Office of Child Support Enforcement, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The OCSE invites eligible applicants to submit competitive

grant applications for special improvement projects which further the

national child support mission, vision, and goals as outlined in the

CSE Strategic Plan with Outcome Measures for Fiscal Years 1995-1999. A

copy of the CSE Strategic Plan may be obtain upon request (See

ADDRESSES of this announcement). Applications will be screened and

evaluated as indicated in this program announcement. Awards will be

contingent on the outcome of the competition and the availability of

funds.

DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is July 7, 1998.

See Part IV of this announcement for more information on submitting

applications.

ADDRESSES: Application kits containing the necessary forms and

instructions to apply for a grant under this program announcement and

the CSE Strategic Plan are available from: Administration for Children

and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Office of Automation

and Special Projects, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, 4th Floor, West Wing,

Washington, DC 20447, Attention: Jay Adams, (202) 401-9240,

[email protected], or (202) 401-5539 (FAX).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration for Children and

Families (ACF), OCSE, Susan A. Greenblatt at (202) 401-4849, for

specific program concerns regarding the announcement.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of four

parts:

Part I: Background--program purpose, program objectives,

legislative authority, funding availability, and CFDA Number.

Part II: Project and Applicant Eligibility--project priorities,

project considerations, eligible applicants, and project and budget

periods.

Part III: The Review Process--intergovernmental review, initial

ACF screening, evaluation criteria and competitive review, and

funding reconsideration.

Part IV: The Application--application materials, application

development, and application submission.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is

estimated to average 20 hours per response, including the time for

reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and

reviewing the collection of information.

The following information collections within this Program

Announcement are approved under the following currently valid OMB

control numbers: 424 (0348-0043); 424A (0348-0044); 424B (0348-0040);

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (0348-0046); Uniform Project

Description (0970-0139 Expiration date 10/31/00).

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required

to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a

currently valid OMB control number.

Part I. Background

A. Program Purpose and Objectives

To fund a number of special improvement projects which further the

national child support mission, vision and goals as outlined in the

Office of Child Support Enforcement Plan (1995-1999). Thus, proposed

projects should further the accomplishment of national

[[Page 25491]]

goals: i.e. all children to have parentage established; all children in

IV-D cases to have financial and medical support orders; and all

children to receive financial and medical support. Specifically, we are

looking for grants which will further OCSE's FY 1998 priorities to

increase collections, support orders and paternities.

The OCSE is committed to helping States make measurable program

improvements that will enhance the lives of children.

Special improvement projects undertaken for this announcement

should be in furtherance of efforts under the Government Performance

and Results Act (i.e. designing a performance based program), the goals

of the national child support strategic plan stated above and advancing

the requirements of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity

Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).

B. Legislative Authority

Section 452(j), 42 U.S.C. 652(j) of the Social Security Act

provides Federal funds for technical assistance, information

dissemination and training of Federal and State staff, research and

demonstration programs and special projects of regional or national

significance relating to the operation of State child support

enforcement programs.

C. Availability of Funds

Approximately $1.3 million is available for FY 1998. In order to

fund a wide variety of projects, we plan to fund small to medium

projects (e.g., $30,000--$150,000); however, we will consider higher

amounts if the merit and benefits of the project are exceptional. All

grant awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. A

non-Federal match is not required.

D. CFDA Number:

93.601--Child Support Enforcement Demonstrations and Special

Projects.

Part II. Applicant and Project Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for these special improvement project grants

are State (including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) Human

Services Umbrella agencies, other State agencies (including State IV-D

agencies), Tribes and Tribal Organizations, local public agencies

(including IV-D agencies), nonprofit organizations, and consortia of

State and/or local public agencies. The Federal OCSE will provide the

State CSE agency the opportunity to comment on the merit of local CSE

agency applications before final award. Given that the purpose of these

projects is to improve child support enforcement programs, it is

critical that applicants have the cooperation of IV-D agencies to

operate these projects.

Preferences will be given to applicants representing CSE agencies

and applicant organizations which have cooperative agreements with CSE

agencies. All applications developed jointly by more than one agency

organization must identify a single lead organization as the official

applicant. The lead organization will be the recipient of the grant

award. Participating agencies and organizations can be included as co-

participants, subgrantees, or subcontractors with their written

authorization.

B. Project Priorities

Eligible applicants should describe how the special improvement

project will:

Improve the effectiveness of Federal programs by promoting

a new focus on results, service quality, management/organizational

innovations, or public satisfaction;

Significantly further national OCSE priorities as outlined

in the OCSE Strategic Plan (1995-1999), i.e., all children to have

parentage established; all children in IV-D cases to have financial and

medical orders; and all children to receive financial and medical

support;

Improve effectiveness of the child support program by

achieving project outcomes/results that further national goals and are

transferable to other states/entities;

Build on existing partnership agreements between State

Child Support agencies and Federal Regional Offices or cooperative

agreements between State Child Support agencies and Tribes.

C. Project Considerations

In order to successfully compete under this announcement, the

applicants should:

Provide a description of the project and how it will

change/impact the current operations of the Child Support Enforcement

Program in the area(s) affected by this grant project;

Provide a detailed description of what program

improvement/innovations will be addressed. This should include an

assessment of the current situation and how this project will address a

problem area(s) and improve program results. Within the context of

program improvement, applicants shall provide information on the extent

of the problem and the environment in which they operate, e.g., number

of cases affected, specific locality affected; and impact analysis,

e.g., who/what is affected by the problem and impact on performance.

Under this announcement, an applicant may undertake initiatives to

improve performance in a wide variety of areas. We are looking for

projects which will increase program effectiveness and achieve

measurable results in child support enforcement collections, orders

established and paternities acknowledged;

Identify necessary qualifications for any consultants or

contractors who would be used;

Provide a detailed budget for the project. The staff

required, equipment and facilities that would be leased or purchased, a

detailed explanation of costs needed to accomplish all major project

tasks. Grant funds cannot be used for capital improvements or the

purchase of land or buildings;

Explain why this project's resource requirements cannot be

met by the state/local agency's regular program operating budget;

Provide a management and staffing plan for the project

undertaken under this announcement. The plan should outline the goals/

objectives and tasks to be accomplished by the project. Project

methodology should logically outline the goals and tasks to be

accomplished;

Provide for an assessment strategy for determining overall

project effectiveness relating to proposed outcomes/results. We are

asking for: (a) Criteria against which a project's success can be

measured, (b) a mechanism to make that assessment, and (c) clearly

documented results. See Part III, The Review Process, (C. Competitive

Review and Evaluation Criteria (3) Criterion III: Project

Effectiveness) of this announcement for more information on an

assessment strategy for determining overall project effectiveness

relating to proposed outcomes/results.

D. Project and Budget Periods

Generally, project and budget periods for these projects will be up

to 17 months. However, OCSE will consider projects up to 36 months, if

unique circumstances warrant.

If OCSE approves a project for a time period longer than 17 months,

OCSE will provide funding in discrete 12-month increments, or ``budget

periods.'' Funding beyond the first 12-month budget period is not

guaranteed. Rather, future funding will depend on the grantee's

satisfactory performance and the availability of future appropriations.

[[Page 25492]]

Part III: The Review Process

A. Intergovernmental Review

This program is covered under Executive Order 12372,

``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR part 100,

``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services

Programs and Activities.'' Under the Order, States may design their own

processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance

under covered programs.

Note: State/Territory Participation in the Intergovernmental

Review Process does not Signify Applicant Eligibilty for Financial

Assistance Under a Program. A Potential Applicant Must Meet the

Eligibility Requirements of the Program for Which it is Applying

Prior to Submitting an Application to its Single Point of Contact

(SPOC), if Applicable, or to ACF.

As of May 15, 1997, the following jurisdictions have elected not to

participate in the Executive Order process. Applicants from these

jurisdictions or for projects administered by federally-recognized

Indian Tribes need take no action in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama,

Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas,

Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey,

Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,

Virginia, Washington.

Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in

the process, entities which have met the eligibility criteria of the

program may still apply for a grant even if a State, Territory,

Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining jurisdictions

participate in the Executive Order process and have established SPOCs.

Applicants from participating jurisdictions should contact their

SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective applications

and receive instructions. Applicants must submit any required material

to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that the program office can obtain

and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. The applicant

must indicate the date of this submittal (or the date of contact if no

submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR

100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to

comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.

SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine

endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are

requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and

those official State process recommendations which may trigger the

``accommodate or explain'' rule.

When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be

addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration

for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit

Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W, Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington,

D.C. 20447. A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and

Territory is included with the application materials for this program

announcement.

B. Initial ACF Screening

Each application submitted under this program announcement will

undergo a pre-review to determine that (1) the application was received

by the closing date and submitted in accordance with the instructions

in this announcement and (2) the applicant is eligible for funding.

C. Competitive Review and Evaluation Criteria

Applications which pass the initial ACF screening will be evaluated

and rated by an independent review panel on the basis of specific

evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria were designed to assess

the quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of

its success. The evaluation criteria are closely related and are

considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application.

Points are awarded only to applications which are responsive to the

evaluation criteria within the context of this program announcement.

Proposed projects will be reviewed using the following evaluation

criteria:

(1) Criterion I: Understanding and Analysis of the Problem (Maximum 25

points)

The application should demonstrate a thorough understanding and

analysis of the problem(s) being addressed in the project and the

importance of addressing these in improving the effectiveness of the

child support program. Applicants should include a discussion of the

child support program as it currently operates including its strengths

and weaknesses regarding the area(s) addressed by the project. The

applicant should describe how the project will address these problem(s)

through implementation of changes, enhancements and innovative efforts.

(2) Criterion II: Project Plan and Project Staffing (Maximum: 30

points)

A well thought-out and practical management and staffing plan is

mandatory. The application should include a detailed management plan

that includes time-lines and detailed budgetary information. The main

concern in this criterion is that the applicant should demonstrate a

clear idea of the project's goals, objectives, and tasks to be

accomplished. The plan to accomplish the goals and tasks should be set

forth in a logical framework. The plan should identify what tasks are

required of any contractors.

Staff to be committed to the project (including supervisory and

management staff) at the state and/or local levels must be identified

by their role in the project along with their qualifications and areas

of particular expertise. In addition, for any technical expertise

obtained through a contract or subgrant, the desired technical

expertise and skills of proposed positions should be specified in

detail. The applicant should demonstrate that the staff positions

needed to operate the project are filled or will be filled in a

reasonable time.

(3) Criterion III: Project Effectiveness (Maximum: 30 points)

The applicant should identify the specific goals and objectives of

the project; describe the cost effective methods which will be used to

achieve these goals; the specific results/products that will be

achieved; and how the success of this project has broader application

in furthering national child support initiatives and/or providing

solutions that could be adapted by other states/jurisdictions. A

discussion of data availability and outcome measures to be used should

be included. Describe the collection and reporting system to be used.

(4) Criterion IV: Reasonable Costs (Maximum 10 points)

The project costs are reasonable in relation to the identified

tasks. All agency and other resources (i.e., state, community, other

programs--TANF/Head Start) that will be committed to the project should

be given in detail.

(5) Criterion V: Preferences (Maximum 5 points)

Preference will be given to those grant applicants representing IV-

D agencies and applicant organizations who have cooperative agreements

with IV-D agencies.

[[Page 25493]]

D. Funding Reconsideration

After Federal funds are exhausted for this grant competition,

applications which have been independently reviewed and ranked but have

no final disposition (neither approved nor disapproved for funding) may

again be considered for funding. Reconsideration may occur at any time

funds become available within twelve (12) months following ranking. ACF

does not select from multiple ranking lists for a program. Therefore,

should a new competition be scheduled and applications remain ranked

without final disposition, applicants are informed of their opportunity

to reapply for the new competition, to the extent practical.

Part IV. The Application

A. Application Development

In order to be considered for a grant under this program

announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied

and in the manner prescribed by ACF. Application materials including

forms and instructions are available from the contact named under the

ADDRESSES section in the preamble of this announcement. The length of

the application, including the application forms and all attachments,

should not exceed 20 pages. A page is a single-side of an 8\1/2\ x

11'' sheet of plain white paper. The narrative should be typed double-

spaced on a single-side of an 8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with

1'' margins on all sides. Applicants are requested not to send

pamphlets, maps, brochures or other printed material along with their

application as these are difficult to photocopy. These materials, if

submitted, will not be included in the review process. Each page of the

application will be counted to determine the total length.

B. Application Submission

1. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be

classified as late and will not be considered in the competition.

2. Deadline. Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an

announced deadline if they are either received on or before the

deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by

ACF in time for the independent review to: U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division

of Discretionary Grants, Attention: Lois Hodge, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,

SW, Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, DC 20447. Applicants must ensure that

a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or a legibly dated,

machine-produced postmark of a commercial mail service is affixed to

the envelope/package containing the application(s). To be acceptable as

proof of timely mailing, a postmark from a commercial mail service must

include the logo/emblem of the commercial mail service company and must

reflect the date the package was received by the commercial mail

service company from the applicant. Private metered postmarks shall not

be acceptable as proof of timely mailing. (Applicants are cautioned

that express/overnight mail services do not always deliver as agreed.)

Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by

other representatives of the applicant will be considered as meeting an

announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date,

between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,

Division of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor (near loading

dock), Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024,

between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal holidays). The address

must appear on the envelope/package containing the application with the

note ``Attention: Lois Hodge''. ACF cannot accommodate transmission of

applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore,

applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted

regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.

3. Late applications. Applications which do not meet the criteria

above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late

applicant that its application will not be considered in the current

competition.

4. Extension of deadlines. ACF may extend an application deadline

when circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.)

occur, or when there are widespread disruptions of the mail service, or

in other rare cases. Determinations to extend or waive deadline

requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management Officer.

Dated: May 4, 1998.

David Gray Ross,

Commissioner, Office of Child Support Enforcement.

[FR Doc. 98-12215 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P