Fiscal Year 1998 Discretionary Announcement and Request for Applications for Two National Technical Assistance Resource Centers, and Community-Based Family Resource Grants to Tribal and Migrant Populations

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No: CB-98-02]

Fiscal Year 1998 Discretionary Announcement and Request for

Applications for Two National Technical Assistance Resource Centers,

and Community-Based Family Resource Grants to Tribal and Migrant

Populations

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Fiscal Year 1998 discretionary announcement and request for

applications for two national technical assistance resource centers,

and community-based family resource grants to tribal and migrant

populations

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SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and

Neglect announce the availability of fiscal year 1998 funding and

request for applications to support a National Resource Center for

Programs Serving Abandoned Infants and Infants At Risk of Abandonment

and Their Families (as authorized by Pub. L. 104-235, the Abandoned

Infants Assistance Act of 1988, as amended); a National Resource Center

for Community-Based Family Resource and Support Programs; and Grants to

Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Migrant Programs for Community-Based

Family Resource and Support Programs (as authorized by the Child Abuse

Prevention and Treatment Act, as amended by Pub. L. 104-235 [1996]).

Note: Pursuant to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

(CAPTA) Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L.104-235), the Department of

Health and Human Services announced in the December 8, 1997, Federal

Register, the elimination of the National Center on Child Abuse and

Neglect (NCCAN) and the consolidation of child abuse and neglect

functions within the Children's Bureau.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY COVERED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Children's

Bureau solicits applications under the authority of Pub. L. 104-235:

the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act of 1988, as amended (42 U.S.C.

670) (CFDA: 93.551); and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

(CAPTA), as amended in 1996 (42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) (CFDA: 93.590).

DATES: The closing date for the receipt of applications under this

announcement June 1, 1998. In order to be eligible for competition,

mailed applications must be POSTMARKED on or before this date, and hand

delivered applications must be RECEIVED on or before this date.

ADDRESSES: Intent to Apply: If you are going to submit an application,

call in the following information within two weeks of the receipt of

this announcement: 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 or send a postcard with the

information to: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF)

Operations Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA

22202. The telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. This information will be

used to determine the number of expert reviewers needed and to update

the mailing list of persons to whom future program announcements will

be sent.

Mailed Applications and Overnight/Express Mail Service: Mailed

applications and applications delivered by overnight/express mail

services shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline if they

are POSTMARKED on or before the deadline date and sent to the

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Operations

Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA 22202. The

telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. Any application POSTMARKED after

the deadline date will not be considered for competition.

Hand Delivered Applications, Applicant Couriers: Applications hand

delivered by applicants or applicant couriers shall 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., at the

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Operations

Center, 1225 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Suite 414, Arlington, VA 22202. The

telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. Any application received after 4:30

p.m. on the deadline date will not be considered for competition.

Electronic Transmissions: ACF cannot accommodate transmission of

applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore,

applications transmitted to ACF electronically will not be accepted

[[Page 15848]]

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

Review Process: A panel of at least three reviewers (primarily

experts from outside the Federal government) will review the

applications. To facilitate this review, applicants should address each

requirement under the Project Design, Results and Benefits, and Staff

Background sections in detail. The reviewers will (1) determine the

strengths and weaknesses of each application, using the evaluation

criteria listed below; (2) provide verbal and written comments; and (3)

assign numerical scores to each application. The point value following

each criterion heading is the maximum score for that criterion.

Summary of Priority Areas and Funds Availability: The Children's

Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and Neglect are accepting

applications in the following three Priority Areas:

Priority Area 1.01 National Resource Center for Programs Serving

Abandoned Infants and Infants at Risk of Abandonment and Their

Families

It is anticipated that one project will be funded as a coopertive

agreement. Up to $675,000 in Federal funds are available for the first

12 month budget year or $2,700,000 for the four years of the project.

Awards for subsequent budget periods, after the first year of the

project, may exceed $675,000 if such funds become available.

Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies,

organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply.

Purpose: To provide training and technical assistance that will

assist in the development, enhancement and coordination of services,

exchange of information and the continuing development, expansion and

strengthening and improvement in the quality and effectiveness of

programs described in Pub. L. 104-235, the Abandoned Infants Assistance

Act of 1988, as amended whether or not the service providers receive

funds authorized under the Act. The Act provides financial support for

demonstration projects to prevent the abandonment of infants and young

children, particularly those with the human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV) or who have been perinatally exposed to the virus or who have

been perinatally exposed to a dangerous drug; to identify and address

the needs of those infants and young children who are, or might be

abandoned; to develop a program of comprehensive services for those

children and their families which will strengthen family functioning

and prevent abandonment, including family foster care, case management,

family support, parenting skills, in-home support services, respite and

crisis intervention, counseling and group residential care services; to

recruit and train health and social services personnel, foster care

families and residential providers to meet the needs of infants and

young children who are at risk of abandonment; and to develop

permanency options for children who cannot return home.

Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (20 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

Demonstrates the need for providing training and technical

assistance to public and private agencies delivering services to drug

and/or HIV-exposed children and families;

Addresses the goals of the legislative mandate to meet the

service needs of infants who have been exposed to a dangerous drug or

who have been perinatally exposed to HIV/AIDS and who may be at risk of

abandonment;

Identifies the training and technical assistance goals

that address the social service support needs of women impacted by

substance-abuse and/or HIV/AIDS and for whom those supports will

enhance family stability and functioning.

Describes the objectives, goals and needs for training and

technical assistance that address program/community/state needs on

programming for the targeted families.

(b) Results and Benefits Expected (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

Identifies the results and benefits to be derived from the

project and links these to the stated objectives;

Describes how the lessons learned from the project will

benefit policy, practice, theory and/or research in addressing the

social service needs of substance-abusing or HIV/AIDS women and their

families.

(c) Approach (40 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

Outlines a workable plan of action which relates to the

stated objectives and scope of the project and reflects the intent of

the legislative mandates;

Details how the proposed work will be accomplished

including a discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate

the work;

Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological

order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target

dates;

Describes any unusual features of the project, such as

design or technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;

Describes a plan for providing technical assistance to AIA

grantees on the required third-party evaluation efforts;

Describes the kinds of third-party data to be collected

from AIA-funded projects and describes a method of analysis for

capturing the outcome indicators across the sites that reflect the

achievements of the AIA-funded projects;

Describes strategies that will assist the project in

improving services to ensure permanency for infants and young children

who are abandoned or are in danger of abandonment and in providing

technical assistance regarding standby guardianships and testamentary

planning; and

Identifies each organization, agency, consultant or other

key individuals or groups who will work on the project along with a

description of the activities each will undertake and the nature of

their effort or contribution.

(d) Staff and Position Data (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

Demonstrates that the proposed project director and key

project staff, including evaluators, have the ability and experience to

administer effectively and efficiently a project of this size, scope

and complexity, including their experience and background in working

with public and private programs providing social services and their

familiarity with child welfare issues;

(e) Organization Profiles (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant:

Details the organization's experience in addressing the

training and technical assistance needs of programs that serve women

and families impacted by substance-abuse and/or HIV/AIDS; and

Describes the adequacy of the applicant's management plan

to ensure its capacity and efficiency to accomplish the goals of the

project.

(e) Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant justifies the following:

Costs are reasonable in view of the activities to be

conducted and the expected results and benefits;

Salaries and fringe benefits reflect the level of

compensation appropriate for the proposed staff responsibilities; and

The non-Federal contribution of the total project costs.

[[Page 15849]]

Priority Area 1.02: National Resource Center for Community-Based

Family Resource and Support Programs

It is anticipated that one project will be funded as a coopertive

agreement. The maximum Federal share of this project is not to exceed

$300,000 for each 12-month budget period. The length of this project

will be for 12 months, with non-competitive renewable funding at the

same level for three additional 12-month periods, assuming satisfactory

completion of the terms of the Cooperative Agreement on a year-by-year

basis, and assuming the continued availability of funds for this

program.

Eligible Applicants: Public or private nonprofit agencies,

organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply.

Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.

Purpose: The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide

financial support for training and technical assistance to promote the

purposes of the Community-Based Family Resource and Support (CBFRS)

Grants program. This training and technical assistance is intended to

build the capacity of CBFRS lead agencies to: (1) foster an

understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in

order to be effective in preventing and treating child abuse and

neglect; (2) facilitate and assist efforts of State, local, Tribal,

public, and private agencies in the interagency, inter-disciplinary,

coordinated planning and development of a Statewide Network of

community-based, prevention-focused, family resource and support

programs; (3) encourage public and private partnerships, including

parents who are consumers, in the establishment and expansion of family

resource and support programs; and (4) promote the development and

implementation of lead agency program evaluation processes that include

a peer review component.

Expected outcomes include the enhanced capacity of each State lead

agency to engage in: (1) Developing and maintaining a Statewide Network

of family support services; (2) conducting interagency needs

assessments of required services; (3) facilitating CBFRS program and

policy development; (4) coordinating the delivery of family resource

services; and (5) conducting program evaluations that include a peer

review component.

This project is expected to train and assist State lead agencies to

establish effective interagency cooperation and collaboration that

involves all stakeholders, including families, and promotes public-

private partnerships in the establishment and expansion of family

resource and support programs. Training and technical assistance needs

will be identified by State CBFRS lead agency staff in collaboration

with ACYF Central and Regional Office personnel, and coordinated with

other ongoing national training and technical assistance efforts.

Training outcomes should be achieved through a combination of

strategies, including on-site training, on and off-site technical

assistance, and consultation with all appropriate stakeholder groups.

Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (15

points). The application identifies the training and technical

assistance objectives of the project which address: The plan for

building the capacity of State, and local public and private agencies

to create Statewide Networks of community-based, prevention-focused,

family resource and support programs; and the training to enable CBFRS

lead agencies to facilitate the development and implementation of

evaluation processes that will determine the efficacy and impact of

these networks and programs. Objectives must address each of the

Project Design requirements of this priority area as described below.

The applicant describes the need for providing training and technical

assistance to public and private agencies linked to the CBFRS program,

and demonstrates an understanding of the goals of the legislative

mandate.

(b) Approach (35 points). The application outlines a workable plan

of action which relates to the stated objectives and scope of the

project and reflects the intent of the legislative mandates, which:

--Details how the proposed work will be accomplished including a

discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work;

--Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing

a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates;

--Describes any unusual features of the project, such as design or

technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;

--Describes a plan for providing technical assistance to CBFRS grantees

on the development and implementation of evaluation processes that will

determine the efficacy and impact of these networks and programs;

--Describes strategies for building the capacity of State, and local

public and private agencies to create Statewide Networks of community-

based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs; and

for providing technical assistance to CBFRS lead agencies in this area;

--Provides a plan for promoting: (1) Interagency collaboration and

implementation of new procedures for blending funding streams; (2)

collaborative long-range planning of family support services and

service delivery options; and (3) management improvement strategies

that facilitate interagency coordination;

--Describes a plan to establish an advisory board that will provide

overall program direction and guidance to the activities of the Center,

and strategies for efficiently and effectively utilizing their

expertise;

--Provides a plan to help lead agencies develop a child-focused,

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

that reinforces and complements the State's efforts to provide services

to preserve and support families, and emphasizes the prevention of

child abuse and neglect;

--Provides a plan for coordinating activities with other National

Resource Centers and Clearinghouses funded by the Children's Bureau and

other sources;

--Describes a plan for ensuring that the Resource Center's services,

program activities, and materials developed are provided in a manner

that is racially and culturally sensitive to the population being

served;

(c) Results or Benefits Expected (20 points). The application

identifies the results, benefits, and level of customer satisfaction to

be derived by lead agencies for the CBFRS program and their State and

local constituents, and proposes measurement procedures for each; the

extent to which the results and benefits are consistent with the stated

objectives; the extent to which results and benefits contribute to lead

agency policy and practice; and the extent to which the training and

technical assistance project costs are reasonable in view of the

expected results.

(d) Evaluation (10 points). The applicant provides an evaluation

plan which:

--Includes methods and criteria to evaluate the results and benefits of

the technical assistance project in terms of its stated objectives;

--Addresses both process and outcome evaluation;

--States goals and objectives in specific measurable form to document

change, improvement, or effectiveness;

[[Page 15850]]

--Identifies the kinds of data to be collected.

(e) Staff and Position Data (10 points). The application identifies

the educational and professional background of the project director and

key project staff to demonstrate the applicant's ability to administer

and implement the project effectively and efficiently. The role of the

author(s) of the proposal, including ongoing involvement in the

implementation and/or administrative structure is explicitly

identified.

(f) Organization Profiles (10 points). The application identifies

the experience of the organization which most clearly demonstrates the

applicant's ability to administer and implement the project effectively

and efficiently; and provides documentation of the applicant agency's

experience in: (1) Identifying the training and technical assistance

needs of an agency or organization; (2) developing or participating in

the development of a plan to meet those needs; (3) recruiting,

assigning, and deploying staff with appropriate experience in the

delivery of training and technical assistance; and (4) designing,

developing, delivering and evaluating training materials.

Priority Area 1.03: Grants to Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and

Migrant Programs for Community-Based Family Resource and Support

Programs

It is anticipated that three grants (one each to a tribe, a tribal

organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this

announcement. The Federal share of this project will be $109,450 per

grantee for fiscal year 1998. The maximum Federal share of this project

is not to exceed one-third (\1/3\) of one percent (1%) of the Federal

appropriation for Title II for each 12-month budget period. It is

anticipated that three grants of $109,450 (one each to a tribe, a

tribal organization, and a migrant program) will be funded under this

announcement. Applicants must specify if they are applying as a

``Tribe'' or ``Tribal Organization'' or ``Migrant Program''.

Eligible Applicants: Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and

migrant programs with the capacity to establish and maintain family

resource services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and

linkages with the State Network of Community-Based Family Resource and

Support Programs may apply. Collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary

approaches are encouraged.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this priority area is to provide

financial support to selected tribes, tribal organizations, and migrant

programs to develop linkages with the Community-based Family Resource

and Support (CBFRS) State Network funded under Title II of CAPTA, and/

or to provide services otherwise consistent with the purposes of the

CBFRS. These funds must support more effective and comprehensive child

abuse prevention activities and family support services that will

enhance the lives and ensure the safety and well-being of migrant and

Native American children and their families.

The purpose of the CBFRS program is to support State efforts to:

(1) Develop, operate, expand, and enhance a network of community-based,

prevention-focused, family resource and support programs that

coordinate resources among a range of existing public and private

organizations, and (2) foster an understanding, appreciation, and

knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing

and treating child abuse and neglect.

Evaluation Criteria: (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance (15

points). The application identifies the training and technical

assistance objectives of the project which address: The plan of the

tribe, tribal organization or migrant program submitting the

application to create linkages with the Statewide network of community-

based, prevention-focused, family resource and support programs; and/or

the provision of direct services that will increase the availability of

child abuse prevention activities and family support services for the

children and families served by the applicant agency. Objectives

address each of the Project Design requirements of this priority area

as described below. The applicant describes the need for providing

family resource and support services, and demonstrates an understanding

of the goals of the legislative mandate.

(b) Approach (35 points). The application outlines a workable plan

of action which relates to the stated objectives and scope of the

project, reflects the intent of the legislation, and which:

--Details how the proposed work will be accomplished including a

discussion of factors that might accelerate or decelerate the work;

--Lists the activities to be conducted in chronological order, showing

a reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates;

--Describes any unusual features of the project, such as design or

technological innovations or reductions in cost or time;

--Provides a method to promote the applicant agency's communication and

coordination with other State and community agencies, that will ensure

maximum utilization of a full continuum of community-based family

resource and support programs, and ensure ease of access for the

children, families, and professional staff served by the applicant

agency.

--Provides a plan for assisting the State network of CBFRS 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, and

develop strategies to improve outcomes for minority families and

children.

(c) Results or Benefits Expected (30 points). The application

identifies the results, benefits, and level of customer satisfaction to

be derived by the applicant agency's State and local constituents, and

procedures to measure or evaluate each; the extent to which the results

and benefits are consistent with the stated objectives; the potential

impact of the results on agency policy and practice; and the extent to

which the project costs are reasonable in view of the expected results.

(d) Evaluation (10 points). The application provides an evaluation

plan which:

--Includes the methods and criteria to be used to evaluate the results

and benefits of the project in terms of its stated objectives;

--Provides either a process or outcome evaluation;

--States goals and objectives in specific measurable form to document

change, improvement, or effectiveness

--Identifies the kinds of data to be collected.

(e) Staff and Position Data (10 points). The application identifies

the educational and professional background of the project director and

key project staff to demonstrate the applicant's ability to administer

and implement the project effectively and efficiently. The role of the

author(s) of the proposal, including ongoing involvement in the

implementation and/or administrative structure is explicitly

identified.

(f) Organization Profiles (10 points). The application identifies

the experience of the organization which most clearly demonstrates the

applicant's ability to administer and implement the project effectively

and efficiently; and provides documentation of the applicant agency's

experience in:

[[Page 15851]]

(1) Provide direct services and coordinate with existing services that

will prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of child abuse and neglect;

(2) provide direct or referral services that will support the safety

and well-being of families; and (3) recruit, assign, and deploy staff

with appropriate experience in the delivery of such services.

Application Guidelines, Forms and Assurances: To obtain a complete

application package (including application guidelines, forms, and

assurances) contact the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and

Neglect Information at (800) 394-3366 or [email protected]>. This

application package consists of three parts. Part I provides

information on the Children's Bureau and its Office on Child Abuse and

Neglect and general information on the application procedures. Part II

describes the review process, details regarding requirements for the

grant applications, the criteria for the review and evaluation of

applications, and the programmatic priorities for 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 are included in the application package.

Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program

announcement are subject to the availability of funds.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The ACYF Operations Center Technical

Assistance Team at (800) 351-2293 is available to answer questions

regarding application requirements and to refer you to the contact

person in the Children's Bureau for programmatic questions.

Dated: March 23, 1998.

James Harrell,

Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

[FR Doc. 98-8559 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P