FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act of 1999, Public Law 106-71.

OBJECTIVES:

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:  
$100,000 to $200,000 per budget period. Average $168,535.

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:   See Regional Agency Offices. Contact: Administration for Children and Families, Regional Offices, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Division of Adolescent Development and Support (See Appendix IV of this Catalog for the addresses of the Regional Offices.).

Headquarters Office:   Christopher Holloway 330 C Street, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Email: Christopher.holloway@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 205-9560

Web Site Address:  
http://www.acf.hhs.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.