Request for Applications Under the Office of Community Services' Fiscal Year 1998 Combined Program Announcement

Federal RegisterFeb 25, 1998

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

Request for Applications Under the Office of Community Services'

Fiscal Year 1998 Combined Program Announcement

AGENCY: Office of Community Services, ACF, DHHS

ACTION: Announcement of availability of funds and request for

applications under the Office of Community Services' Combined Program

Announcement for FY 1998.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Community Services (OCS) invites eligible

entities to submit applications for FY 1998 funding of competitive

grants serving low income persons and families under the following OCS

programs:

(1) Urban and Rural Community Economic Development

(2) Community Food and Nutrition

(3) Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals

(4) Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Option (REACH) Program

(5) CSBG/Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

(6) Family Violence Prevention and Services

Applications will be screened and evaluated as indicated in this

Combined Program Announcement. Awards will be contingent on the outcome

of the competition and the availability of funds. There is no limit on

the number of applications that can be submitted under a specific

Program/Priority Area as long as each application contains a proposal

for a different project. However, an applicant can receive only one

grant in each Program/Priority Area. Also, applicants that receive more

than one grant for a common budget/project period must be mindful that

salaries and wages claimed for the same persons cannot collectively

exceed 100% of total annual salary.

ADDRESSES: Prior to submitting an application, potential applicants

must obtain a copy of the Application Kit, containing additional

program information, forms, and instructions. Application Kits are

available by writing or calling the Office of Community Services at 5th

Floor West, Aerospace Building, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.,

Washington DC 20447.

To obtain a copy of the applicable Application Kit, call: (202)

401-9354 and 401-9345 for Community Economic Development, (202) 401-

9354 and 401-9345 for Community Food and Nutrition Kit, (202) 401-1195

for REACH and/or JOLI Kit (202) 401-4787 for CSBG/T&TA and/or Family

Violence Kit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for program-specific

technical information should be directed to the Program Contact Person

identified for each program covered by this Combined Program

Announcement.

A copy of the Federal Register containing this Combined Program

Announcement is available for reproduction at most local libraries and

Congressional District Offices. It is also available on the Internet

through GPO Access at the following web address: http://www.access.gpo/

su__docs/aces/aces140.html

If this Combined Program Announcement is not available at these

sources, it may be obtained by writing to the office listed under

ADDRESSES above.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: The closing dates for submission of applications

are provided in the Supplementary Information section of this Combined

Program Announcement. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing

date will be classified as late. Refer to application submission below

for other details.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Program Announcements

Individual Program Announcements for FY 1998 will not be published

in the Federal Register. Rather, OCS is publishing this Combined

Program Announcement in the Federal Register. Where applicable, this

Combined Program Announcement contains the following information for

each of the above-listed programs: Legislative Authority; Eligible

Applicants and Availability of Funds; Eligible Activities; Review

Criteria; Project Period and Budget Period; Type of Awards; Matching

Requirement; Date of Application Kit; Application Due Date; and Program

Contact Person. Detailed information on how to obtain Application Kits

containing additional

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program information, forms, and instructions for preparing and

submitting applications can be found in the next paragraph.

B. General Instructions

In order to be considered for a grant under this Combined Program

Announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied

and in the manner prescribed by OCS. Detailed descriptions of

evaluation criteria which will be used to determine award selection is

contained in the Application Kit. When requesting an Application Kit,

the applicant must specify the particular Program for which detailed

information is desired. This is to ensure receipt of all necessary

forms and information, including any program-specific evaluation

criteria. Applications Kits for each program include all necessary

forms and instructions; they are available for reading and downloading

from the Internet at the OCS Website at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/

programs/ocs

C. Application Submission

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 and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop

6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447; with the note ``Attention: [insert Name

of Program or CFDA #]''. Mailed applications for the REACH program

should be addressed to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services,

Division of Community Demonstration Programs, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,

S.W., 5th Floor West, Washington, D.C. 20447; Attention: Application

for REACH Program.

Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service

postmark or a legibly dated, machine produced postmark of a commercial

mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the

application(s). To be acceptable as proof of timely mailing, a postmark

from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of the

commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the package

was received by the commercial mail service company from the applicant.

Private Metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely

mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services

do not always deliver as agreed.)

Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by

other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting

an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline

date, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children

and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution,

ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street,

S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024, between Monday and Friday (excluding

Federal holidays). The address must appear on the envelope/ package

containing the application with the note ``Attention: [insert Program

Name or CFDA #]''. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight

mail services do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate

transmission of applications by fax or through other electronic media.

Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be

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

Late Applications

Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered

late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its

application will not be considered in the current competition.

Extension of Deadlines

ACF may extend application deadlines when circumstances such as

acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or when there are

widespread disruptions of the mail service. Determinations to extend or

waive deadline requirements rest with ACF's Chief Grants Management

Officer.

D. Programs Included in This Combined Program Announcement

Pertinent information of concern for potential applicants for each

of the above-listed programs is set forth below:

1. Urban and Rural Community Economic Development (CFDA # 93.570)

Deadline Date: May 15, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 681(a) and 681(b)

(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act, as amended.

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is

authorized to make funds available to support program activities of

national or regional significance to alleviate the causes of poverty in

distressed communities with special emphasis on community and economic

development activities:

(1) Operational Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.1)

Funds are awarded for the purpose of providing employment and

ownership opportunities for low-income people through business,

physical or commercial development. Eligible applicants are private,

locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations

(CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the

community and business and civic leaders which has as a principal

purpose planning, developing, or managing low income housing or

community development projects.

Funds Available: $17,000,000. Approximately 25 grants will be

awarded competitively.

(2) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Sub-Priority Area

1.2)

Funds are awarded to CDCs in conjunction with HBCUs for the

purposes stated above. The CDC must partner with an HBCU and the HBCU

must play a significant role in the project. Maximum grant award will

not exceed $350,000. Funds Available: $2,100,000. Approximately 6

grants will be awarded competitively.

(3) Pre-Development Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.3)

Funds are provided to recently established CDCs which need funds

for evaluating the feasibility of potential projects which address

identified needs in low income communities, develop a business plan

related to one of those projects, and mobilize resources to be

contributed to one of those projects. Eligible applicants are private,

locally initiated, non-profit community development corporations

(CDCs), governed by a board consisting of low income residents of the

community and business and civic leaders. In addition, the CDCs must

not have received prior OCS funding; have been in existence for no more

than 3 years or have been in existence longer than 3 years, but have no

record of participating in economic development-type projects. Maximum

grant award will not exceed $75,000. Funds Available: $750,000.

Approximately 10 grants will be awarded competitively.

(4) Developmental Grants (Sub-Priority Area 1.4)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a

competitive process to provide employment and community

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development opportunities for low income individuals through business,

physical or commercial development. Maximum grant award will not exceed

$250,000. Eligible applicants are organizations which received pre-

development grants from OCS in FY 1995 and FY 1996.

Funds Available: $2,500,000. Approximately 10 grants will be

awarded competitively.

(5) Administration and Management Expertise (Sub-Priority Area 1.5)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a

competitive process to provide administrative and management expertise

to OCS funded grantees who have less experience in dealing with the

day-to-day issues and challenges presented in promoting community

economic development as well as to those grantees who have encountered

difficulties in operationalizing their work program. Eligible

applicants are OCS funded grantees that have completed several

successful projects.

Funds Available: $500,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded

competitively.

(6) Training and Technical Assistance (Sub-Priority Area 1.6)

Funds are awarded in the form of discretionary grants through a

competitive process to develop instructional programs, national

conferences, seminars, and other activities to assist community

development corporations (CDCs). Eligible applicants are private non-

profit organizations. Applicants must operate on a national basis and

have significant and relevant experience in working with CDCs. Funds

Available: $210,000. Approximately 1 grant will be awarded

competitively.

Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas

1.1, 1.2, and 1.4

(a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points).

(b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and

Staff Responsibilities.

(i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-15 points).

(ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).

(d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact.

(i) Significant and Beneficial Impact (0-5 points).

(ii) Community Empowerment Consideration and Partnership with Child

Support Enforcement Agency (0-5 points).

(iii) Cost-per-Job (0-5 points).

(iv) Career Development Opportunities (0-5 points).

(e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships.

(i) Mobilization of resources: (15 points).

(ii) Integration/coordination of services: (5 points).

(f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness

(Maximum: 5 points).

Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.3

(a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 15 points).

(b) Criterion II: Organizational Capability and Capacity.

(i) Organizational experience in program area (5 points).

(ii) Management capacity (5 points).

(iii) Staffing (5 points).

(iv) Staffing responsibilities (5 points).

(i) Project implementation component (25 points).

(ii) Evaluation component (5 points).

(d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25

Points).

(e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness

(Maximum: 10 points).

Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Areas 1.5

(a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and

Staff Responsibilities.

(i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-10 points).

(ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).

(b) Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points).

points).

(d) Criterion IV: Public Private Partnerships (15 Points).

(e) Criterion V: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness

(Maximum: 5 points).

Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 1.6

(a) Criterion I: Need for Assistance (Maximum: 10 points).

(b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and

Staff Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points).

(i) Organizational Experience.

(ii) Staff Skills.

(d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 25

points).

(e) Criterion V: Budget Reasonableness (Maximum: 10 points).

(7) Rural Community Development Activities (Sub-Priority 2.0)

Funds are provided to help low income rural communities develop the

capability and expertise to establish and/or maintain affordable,

adequate and safe water and waste water treatment facilities. Eligible

applicants are multi-state, regional private non-profit organizations

that can provide training and technical assistance to small, rural

communities in meeting their community facility needs. Funds Available:

$3,500,000. Approximately 8 grants will be awarded competitively.

Review Criteria for Applications Submitted Under Sub-Priority Area 2.0

(a) Criterion I: Analysis of Need (Maximum: 5 points).

(b) Criterion II: Organizational Experience in Program Area and

Staff Responsibilities.

(i) Organizational Experience in Program Area (0-5 points).

(ii) Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (0-10 points).

(d) Criterion IV: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 30

points).

(e) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 20 points).

(f) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness

(Maximum: 5 points).

for details.

(D) Type of Awards: Grants.

(E) Date of Application Kit: March 16, 1998.

(F) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May

15, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in

the Application Kit.

(G) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

2. Community Food and Nutrition (CFN) (CFDA # 93.571)

Deadline Date: May 1, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 681A of the CSBG Act; Section

681A is also known as Community Food and Nutrition, the Community

Services Block Grant Act, as amended.

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible

applicants are States and public and private non-profit agencies/

[[Page 9559]]

organizations with a demonstrated ability to successfully develop and

implement such programs and activities. Funds Available: $1,600,000.

Approximately 33 grants will be awarded competitively.

available for the purpose of coordinating existing private and public

food assistance resources, whenever such coordination is determined to

be inadequate, to better serve low income populations; assisting low

income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition

programs and to initiate new programs in underserved or unserved areas;

and developing innovative approaches to meet the nutrition needs of low

income people. Funds are provided to improve the health and nutrition

status of low income persons through improved access to healthy

nutritious foods or by other means.

(D) Review Criteria for CFN Applications CRITERION I--Analysis of

Needs/Priorities.

(1) Target area and population to be served (0-4 points).

(2) Nature and extent of problem(s) and/or need(s) to be addressed

(0-6 points).

Criterion II--Adequacy of Work Program.

(1) Realistic quarterly time targets (0-10 points).

(2) Activities are adequately described and appear reasonably (0-15

points).

Criterion III--Significant and Beneficial Impact.

(a) Applicant proposes to significantly improve or increase

nutrition services to low-income people and such improvements or

increases are quantified (0-15 points).

(b) Project incorporates promotional health and social services

activities for low-income people, along with nutritional services (0-5

points).

resources and such resources are detailed and quantified (0-5 points).

(d) Project addresses problem(s) which can be resolved by one-time

OCS funding or demonstrates that non-Federal funding is available to

continue the project without federal support (0-5 points).

Criterion IV--Coordination/Services Integration.

(a) Project shows evidence of coordinated community-based planning

in its development. (0-10 points).

(b) Community Empowerment Consideration (0-5 points).

Criterion V--Organization Experience in Program.

Area and Staff Responsibilities (Maximum 15 points).

(a) Organizational experiences in program area. (0-5 points).

(b) Management History (0-5 points).

Criterion VI--Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points).

(E) Project Period and Budget Period: For most projects, OCS will

grant funds for 1 year. However, in rare instances, depending on the

characteristics of any individual project and on the justification

presented by the applicant in its application, a grant may be made for

up to 17 months..

(F) Type of Awards: Grants.

(G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.

(H) Application Deadline: Applications must be Postmarked by May 1,

1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the

Application Kit.

(I) Program Contact Person: Thornell Page (202) 401-5333.

3. Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) (CFDA # 93-593)

Deadline Date: May 18, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 505 of the Family Support Act of

1988, Public Law 100-485, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of DHHS

to enter into agreements with non-profit organizations (including

community development corporations) for the purpose of conducting

projects designed to create employment and business opportunities for

certain low income individuals. The Personal Responsibility and Work

Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193,

reauthorized Section 505 of the Family Support Act of 1988 with certain

amendments effective July 1, l997.

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Applicants

eligible to apply for grants under the JOLI program must be not-for-

profit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or

(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants are encouraged to mobilize

resources. Funds Available: $5,500,000. Approximately 5 to 10 grants

will be awarded. JOLI grant awards are approved for up to 5 year

project periods and are funded for up to a maximum of $500,000 for the

full project period.

for the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities, through

micro-business/ self-employment, the start-up of a new business, or the

expansion of an existing business. Project activities may include

training, technical assistance, and support of participants to enable

them successfully to fill such jobs; but proposed projects for the

training and placement of low income individuals in already existing

jobs or jobs expected to be available independent of any job creation

activity of the proposed project, will not be considered for funding.

(D) Review Criteria for JOLI Applications.

(1) Criterion I: Organizational Experience in Program Area and

Staff Skills, Resources and Responsibilities (Maximum: 20 points).

(2) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30

points).

(3) Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 20

points).

(4) Criterion IV: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 15 points).

(5) Criterion V: Public-Private Partnerships (Maximum: 10 points).

(6) Criterion VI: Budget Appropriateness and Reasonableness

(Maximum: 5 points).

(E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: Refer to Application Kit

for details.

(F) Type of Awards: Grants.

(G) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.

(H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May

18, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in

the Application Kit.

(I) Program Contact Person: Nolan Lewis (202) 401-5282 or Richard

Saul (202) 401-9341.

4. Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (REACH) Option Program (CFDA

# 93.568) Deadline Date: May 25, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 2607B of the Low Income Home

Energy Assistance Act, Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation

Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as amended [42 U.S.C. 8626b].

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Eligible

applicants are States, Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations

(including Alaskan Native Villages), and Insular Areas that receive

direct grants from the Department of HHS under LIHEAP which are

expended for implementing a LIHEAP program. Funds are awarded to LIHEAP

grantees on the basis of a competitive application process. Funds

available: $6,250,000. Up to 10 grants will be awarded competitively to

States under Priority Area 1.0. Approximately 4 to 12 grants will be

awarded competitively to Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations under

Priority Area 2.0.

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competitive grants to LIHEAP grantees that develop innovative programs,

administered by community-based organizations, to reduce the energy

vulnerability of LIHEAP-eligible households.

(D) Program Priority Areas: Under Priority Area 1.0, funds will be

awarded to States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for REACH

projects administered by non-profit Community Based Organizations, with

a priority given to Community Action Agencies and other eligible

entities under Section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act

[42 U.S.C. 9902(1)]. Under Priority Area 2.0, funds will be awarded to

Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations and other Insular Areas.

(E) Review Criteria for REACH Plans.

Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans

under Priority Area 1.0 (States, District of Columbia, and Puerto

Rico).

(a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum:

20 points).

(b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 30

points).

Resources, and Project Innovations (Maximum: 10 points).

(d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points).

(e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10

points).

(f) Criterion VI: Community Empowerment Consideration (Maximum: 5

points).

(g) Criterion VII: Management and Organization of Project (Maximum:

5 points).

(h) Criterion VIII: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points).

Program Elements, Review and Assessment Criteria for REACH Plans

under Priority Area 2.0 (Tribes and Insular Areas other than Puerto

Rico).

(a) Criterion I: Organizational Experience and Capability (Maximum:

10 points).

(b) Criterion II: Project Theory, Design and Plan (Maximum: 50

points).

10 points).

(d) Criterion IV: Budget Appropriateness (Maximum: 10 points).

(e) Criterion V: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 10

points).

(f) Criterion VI: Project Evaluation (Maximum: 10 points).

(F) Type of Awards: Grants.

(G) Date of Application Kit: February 23, 1998.

(H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May

25, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in

the Application Kit.

(I) Program Contact Person: Anna Guidery (202) 401-5318 or Richard

Saul (202) 401-9341.

5. CSBG Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (CSBG/

T&TA) (CFDA # 93.570) Deadline Date: May 22, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: Section 674(a)(1) of the CSBG Act.

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: The OCS is

authorized to make grants and award contracts to eligible entities,

organizations whose membership is composed of CSBG-eligible entities or

agencies that administer programs for CSBG-eligible entities.

Funds available: Approximately $3.6 million. Approximately 35

grants will be awarded competitively.

(D) Review Criteria for CSBG/T&TA Applications Criterion I: Need

for Assistance (Maximum: 20 points).

Criterion II: Work Program (Maximum: 30 points).

Criterion III: Significant and Beneficial Impact (Maximum: 15

points).

Criterion IV: Evidence of Significant.

Collaborations (Maximum: 10 points).

Criterion V: Ability of Applicant to Perform (Maximum: 20 points).

Criterion VI: Adequacy of Budget (Maximum: 5 points).

(E) Project Periods and Budget Periods: This announcement is

inviting applications for project periods up to 1 year. Awards, on a

competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although

project periods may be for up to 17 months.

Refer to Application Kit for further details.

(F) Type of Awards: Grants.

(G) Date of Application Kit: March 23, 1998.

(H) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May

22, 1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in

the Application Kit.

(I) Program Contact Person: Margaret Washnitzer (202-401-2333)

6. Family Violence Prevention Program (CFDA # 93.592)

Deadline Date: May 2, 1998.

(A) Legislative Authority: The Family Violence Prevention and

Services Act (FVPSA) was enacted as Title III of the Child Abuse

Amendments of 1984, P.L. 98-457. It was reauthorized and amended for FY

1995 through FY 2000 by Public Law 103-322, the Violent Crime Control

and Law Empowerment Act of 1994 (The Crime Bill). The reauthorization

of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act on October 3, 1996

contained a technical amendment affecting funding levels under the

FVPSA.

(B) Eligible Applicants and Availability of Funds: Grants are

awarded to assist States in supporting the establishment, maintenance,

and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family

violence and provide immediate shelter and related assistance for

victims of family violence and their dependents. There are no income

eligibility requirements.

Funds Available: $1.5 million. Approximately 16 grants will be

awarded competitively.

#1--Developing and Enhancing Services for Immigrant, Migrant and

Refugee Battered Women.

#2--Training Grant Stipends in Domestic Violence for Historically

Black, Hispanic-Serving and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

#3--Public Information Community Awareness Campaign Projects for

the Prevention of Family Violence.

(D) Review Criteria for Family Violence Prevention Program

Competitive Discretionary Grants

Criterion I: Need for the Project (Maximum: 10 points).

Criterion II: Goals and Objectives (Maximum: 10 points).

Criterion III: Approach (Maximum: 30 points).

Criterion IV: Results and Benefits (Maximum: 20 points).

Criterion V: Level of Effort (Maximum: 30 points).

(E) Project Periods and Budget Period.

Priority Area #1--Project period not to exceed 17 months.

Priority Area #2--Project period is 36 months (12 month budget

periods).

Priority Area #3--Project period not to exceed 12 months.

(F) Type of Awards: Grants.

(G) Matching Requirement: Successful grantees must provide at least

25 percent of the total cost of the project. The total 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 requirement through cash

contributions. Therefore, a project requesting $75,000 in Federal funds

(based on an award of $75,000 per budget period) must include a match

of at least $25,000 (25% of total project

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cost). Therefore, a total project cost of $100,000 would be comprised

of $75,000 Federal funds and $25,000 non-Federal funds. If approved for

funding, grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non-

Federal resources and failure to provide the required amount will

result in a disallowance of unmatched Federal funds. This Matching

Requirement applies to all 3 Priority Areas.

(H) Date of Application Kit: March 2, 1998.

(I) Application Deadline: Applications must be POSTMARKED by May 4,

1998. Detailed application submission instructions are included in the

Application Kit.

(J) Program Contact Persons: William Riley (202) 401-5529; James

Gray (202) 401-5705; Gertrude Knight (202) 401-4787.

Additional Requirement

Applicants for grants must also meet the following requirement:

A. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 #0970-0062

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the

Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any

reporting and recordkeeping requirements in regulations, including

Program Announcements. 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. This Combined

Program Announcement does not contain information collection

requirements beyond those approved for ACF grant announcements/

applications under OMB Control Number 0970-0062.

B. Intergovernmental Review

The programs discussed in this Combined Program Announcement are

covered under Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of

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

Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.''

Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing

and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs.

NOTE: State/Territory participation in the Intergovernmental Review

process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance

under a program. A potential applicant must meet the eligibility

requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to

submitting an application to its SPOC, if applicable, or to ACF.

As of September 1997, a number of 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.

A list of these non-participating jurisdictions can be found in the

Application Kit.

Although the non-participating jurisdictions no longer participate

in the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of

the program are still eligible to 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 submit all

required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this

submittal (or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the

Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60

days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or

competing continuation awards. SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the

submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations.

Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between

mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations

which may trigger the ``accommodate or explain'' rule. When comments

are submitted directly to ACF, they should be addressed to: Department

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

Division of Discretionary Grants and Audit Resolution, 370 L'Enfant

Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447.

Dated: February 19, 1998.

Donald Sykes,

Director, Office of Community Services.

[FR Doc. 98-4828 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.