# Child Support Enforcement Demonstration and Special Projects Special Improvement Projects

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-12215

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Notice
- **Published:** May 8, 1998
- **Citation:** 63 FR 25490

## Text

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

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-12215. Public record. Not legal advice.