FEDERAL AGENCY:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Community Opportunities, Accountability, Training, and Educational Services Act of 1998, Title II, Section 680, Public Law 105-285.

To support program activities of national or regional significance to alleviate the causes of poverty in distressed communities which promote: (1) Full-time permanent jobs for poverty level project area residents; (2) income and/or ownership opportunities for low-income community members; (3) a better standard of living for rural low-income individuals in terms of water and waste water treatment; (4) national or regional programs designed to provide character building, sports and physical fitness activities for low- income youth; (5) Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers; and support the design, development and widespread availability of interactive information technology among a nationwide network of eligible entities, as well as promoting electronic communication and access to program information that would enhance the effective delivery of services.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   For economic development projects, eligibility is restricted to private, locally initiated, nonprofit community development corporations (or affiliates of such corporations) governed by a board consisting of residents of the community and business and civic leaders. For all other projects, the Secretary is authorized to make direct grants to States, cities, counties, and private nonprofit organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   A project must be targeted to address the needs of a specific segment of low-income individuals or families. The official poverty line established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, published annually by the Department of Health and Human Services is used as a criterion of eligibility in the Community Services Discretionary Grant program.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with the provisions of Title 45 CFR 74.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS and required by Title 45 CFR, Part 74 must be used. An environmental impact statement may be required for certain projects under this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS and required by Title 45 CFR, Part 74 must be used. An environmental impact statement may be required for certain projects under this program.The E.O. number 12876, dated Nov. 1, 1993, defines support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities through Contract or sub-grant.

Application Procedure:   Awards are granted on a competitive basis. Announcements concerning the availability of funds, requests for applications, along with application form and assurance documents, are published in the Federal Register. Applications to the Office of Community Services for grants under the announcement should be addressed to: DHHS/ACF/Office of Grants Management/OCSE, 4th Floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447 ATTN: Discretionary Grants Program. Applicants are urged to inform and coordinate application submissions with State and local governments where such information and coordination is appropriate or necessary for the success of the program. This program is subject to the provisions of Title 45 CFR, Part 74 (non-governmental entities) or Part 92 (governmental entities). All applications for assistance under this program must contain: (1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; (2) SF-424A, Budget Information; (3) SF-424B, Assurances-Non- Construction Programs; (4) Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements; (5) Certification regarding environmental tobacco smoke; (6) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and (7) Certification Regarding Lobbying. These must be accompanied by a detailed budget, and a program narrative submitted in accordance with the format detailed in the program announcement.

Award Procedure:   The Director, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), will make the final decision on all grant awards. Selection of applicants will be determined based on the review criteria outlined in the program announcement.

Deadlines:   For program deadlines, applicants should contact: Office of Community Services, ACF, 5th Floor, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   From 90 to 120 days.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Generally, financial assistance made available in this program will be for a period not to exceed 12 to 60 months, and each project will have an expiration date. Generally, funds are released in amounts required for a 30-day period. (NOTE: Electronic fund transfer does not require an advance or reserve for a 30 day operating period.)

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Semi-annual progress reports, semi-annual financial reports and a final report summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project in relation to the approved goals and objectives are required by OCS.

Audits:   "In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Insofar as is practicable, the audits will be conducted in accordance with standards established by the Comptroller General for the audits of governmental organizations, programs, activities and functions. Private nonprofit organizations must submit financial and compliance audits for the period covered by the grant in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and other Nonprofit Institutions."

Records:   Grant recipients are required to keep all financial, business and program reports necessary for program review and audit to insure that funds have been expended in accordance with the regulations, grant terms and conditions of this program. Audits and supporting records must be kept on file for at least 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   75-1504-0-1-506.

Obligations:   (Discretionary Awards) FY 01 $24,534,000; FY 02 est $27,009,000; and FY 03 est $27,017,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   From $75,000 to $500,000; Average: $292,071.

Eighty-four grants were awarded in fiscal year 2001. It is estimated that 79 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2002 and 79 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2003.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Program announcements are published in the Federal Register.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   OCS Liaisions, stationed in - ACF.

Headquarters Office:   Stephen Glaude Director, Division of Community Discretionary Programs, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Stephen Glaude, Division Director, Telephone: (202) 401-5282.

Web Site Address:   http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ocs

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

SEE OCS web-site.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The review criteria for the Discretionary Grant program are as follows: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY: (1) Organizational Experience: Each applicant must document competence in the specific program priority area under which an application is submitted. (2) Management History: The applicant must fully document a history of sound and effective management practices, and if he or she has been the recipient of other Federal or other governmental grants, they must also document that they have consistent compliance with financial and program progress reporting. Audit requirements must have also been documented. (3) Staffing and Resources: The application must fully describe the experience and skills included in the resume of the project director, showing that he or she is not only well qualified but that his or her professional capabilities are relevant to the successful implementation of the project and that the assigned responsibilities of the staff are appropriate to the tasks identified for the project. It must show clearly that sufficient time of senior staff will be budgeted to assure timely implementation and cost-effective management of the project. SIGNIFICANT AND BENEFICIAL IMPACT: Projects funded must produce permanent and measurable results that will reduce the incidence of poverty in the areas targeted. Results should be quantifiable in terms of program expectations. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION: Project Implementation: The application must contain a detailed and specific work plan that is both sound and feasible. It must set forth realistic quarterly time targets by which the various work tasks will be completed. BUDGET: The proposed request for funds must be commensurate with the level of effort necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project. It must include a detailed breakout for each of the budget categories. The estimated cost to the government of the project must also be reasonable in relation to the value of the anticipated results.