FEDERAL AGENCY:

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Indian Child Welfare Act; Public Law 95-608, 92 Stat. 3075, 25 U.S.C. 1901.

OBJECTIVES:

To promote the stability and security of American Indian tribes and families by protecting American Indian children and preventing the separation of American Indian families and providing assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child and family service programs.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Operation and maintenance of counseling facilities, family assistance (homemaker and home counselors), protective day care, and after school care, recreational activities, respite care, employment of professionals to assist tribal courts personnel, education and training, foster care subsidy programs, legal advice and representation, home improvement programs with the primary emphasis of upgrading unsafe home environments, preparation and implementation of child welfare codes, and providing matching shares for other Federal programs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   American Indian children and families.

Credentials/Documentation:   Initial application must be accompanied by an authorizing resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

Pre-application Coordination:   An informal conference with Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or regional representative is recommended. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Application procedures are contained in 25 CFR Part 23, Subpart C "Grants to Indian Tribes for Title II Indian Child and Family Service Programs." The application must contain the information specified in Section 23.33 "Tribal Government Application Content." Completed applications should be submitted to the local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or regional office listed in Appendix IV.

Award Procedure:   In most instances, awards can be approved at the agency or regional level. The dollar value of the grant depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the Indian tribe through participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget formulation process.

Deadlines:   Contact local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency or regional office listed in Appendix IV.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Not applicable.

Appeals:   An unsuccessful applicant may appeal a Bureau of Indian Affairs official's decision under the procedures contained in 25 CFR Part 23, Subpart F "Appeals," and 25 CFR Part 2 "Appeals from Administrative Actions."

Renewals:   Grants may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the grantee. The amount of the award may be adjusted as a result of individual tribal priorities established in the budget formulation process.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the tribe/grantee.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. Program accomplishment reporting requirements are specified in 25 CFR Part 23, Subpart E, Section 23.47 "Reports and Availability of Information to Indians."

Audits:   For awards made under this program, tribes/grantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

Records:   Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-2100-0-1-452.

Obligations:   (Contracts and Grants) FY 01 $11,510,000; FY 02 est $11,645,000; and FY 03 est $11,122,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$26,449 to $750,000; Average: $60,000.

There are over 27,000 referrals each year to the more than 500 Bureau and tribal programs for child abuse and neglect investigations.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

25 CFR 23; 25 CFR 2.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Information can be secured from the Agency Superintendents and from Regional Directors. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.

Headquarters Office:   Deputy Director, Office of Tribal Services, Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, N.W., MS 320 SIB, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202) 513-7640.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.bia.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

An Indian Child Welfare Program operated by an Indian tribe in North Carolina.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

All applicants meeting the requirements contained in 25 CFR Part 23 will be funded if the program has been prioritized by the individual Indian tribe through participation in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Priority Allocation budget formulation process.