The
purpose of Part A of the RHY Act (Basic Center Program) is to establish
or strengthen locally controlled community-based programs that address
the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families.
Services must be delivered outside of the law enforcement, child
welfare, mental health and juvenile justice systems. The goals and
objectives of the Basic Center Program are to: 1) Alleviate problems
of runaway and homeless youth; 2) reunite youth with their families
and encourage the resolution of intrafamily problems through counseling
and other services; 3) strengthen family relationships and encourage
stable living conditions for youth; and 4) help youth decide upon
constructive courses of action.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Each
Basic Center program is required to provide outreach to runaway
and homeless youth; temporary shelter for up to fifteen days; food;
clothing; individual, group and family counseling; aftercare and
referrals, as appropriate. Basic Center programs are required to
provide their services in residential settings for at least four
(4) youth and no more than twenty (20) youth. Some programs also
provide some or all of their shelter services through host homes(usually
private homes under contract to the centers), with counseling and
referrals being provided from a central location. Basic Center programs
shelter youth at risk of separation from the family who are less
than 18 years of age, and who have a history of running away from
their family. Basic Center must provide age appropriate services
or referrals for homeless youth ages 18-21.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: States, localities, private entities,
and coordinated networks of such entities are eligible to apply
for a Basic Center Program grant unless they are part of the law
enforcement structure or the juvenile justice system. Federally
recognized Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for grants
as private, non-profit agencies.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Runaway and homeless youth and
their families are the beneficiaries.
Credentials/Documentation:
Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status.
Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined
in accordance with Parts 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
Pre-application
Coordination: Consultation or assistance is
available from the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration
for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
The standard application forms furnished by DHHS and required by
OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for 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 his or her
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.
Application
Procedure: Application for Federal Assistance,
Standard Form 424, is to be submitted. Specific instructions are
published in the Federal Register.
Award
Procedure: All applications are reviewed by
a panel of nonfederal experts which assigns scores according to
the published criteria. The panel's scores are factored into the
recommendations for funding. Scores and recommendations are reviewed
by the Associate Commissioner of the Family and Youth Services
Bureau, who makes recommendations to the ACYF Commissioner, who
makes the final funding decisions.
Deadlines:
As specified in the announcement or application instructions.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 60 to 90
days.
Appeals:
None.
Renewals:
Awards are generally made for 3 year project periods; funding
for the second and third year is dependent upon satisfactory performance
and availability of funds.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Federal share of
grant is up to 90 percent. The nonfederal share may be in cash or
in-kind. The statute contains a formula for allocation of funds
by State. It is based on the population of each State under age
18 as a proportion of the national population under age 18.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grants are
awarded competitively for project periods of up to 3 years.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Financial and program reports are due semiannually. A final report
is due 90 days after conclusion of project period.
Audits:
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45
CFR 74 and 92.
Records:
All financial records are to be maintained 3 years after termination
of the project or until audit is completed, whichever occurs first.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 75-1536-0-1-506.
Obligations:
(Grants and Contracts) FY 01 $48,383,100; FY 02 est $48,362,100;
and FY 03 est $48,393,100.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
From $100,000 to $200,000; Average: $120,000.
In fiscal year 2001, 369 grants were awarded. It is anticipated
that 314 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2002 and 321 grants
will be awarded in fiscal year 2003.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Contact Headquarters Office listed below for available literature.
You may also get information on the Family and Youth Services Bureau
website at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb under policy and
funding announcements. Information is also available through the
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, P.O. Box 13505, Silver
Spring, MD 20911-3505. Telephone: (301) 608-8098. Fax: (301) 608-8721.
The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth website is www.cfy.com.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Contact: Regional Administrator,
Administration for Children and Families, Regional Offices. (See
Appendix IV of this Catalog for the addresses of the Regional Offices.)
Headquarters
Office: Associate Commissioner, Family and
Youth Services Bureau, Administration for Children and Families,
Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20447. Contact: Harry Wilson. Telephone: (202) 205-8102. FTS
is not available.
Web
Site Address: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Funded projects include local centers for runaway and homeless youth,
Youth Development State Collaboration Programs, Training and Technical
Assistance grants, and a toll-free National Communications System.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
An assessment is made on the basis of the degree to which: (1) The
likelihood that the proposal will provide necessary services including
shelter, counseling, and aftercare to runaway and other homeless
youth and their families; (2) reasonableness of cost of these services;
and (3) qualifications of staff. Specific criteria are published
in the Federal Register.
