[Federal Register: May 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 95)]
[Notices]
[Page 26622-26628]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my03-97]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. ACYF/FYSB 2003-02]
Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and
Request for Applications for Mentoring Children of Prisoners Grants
AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACF, DHHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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CFDA Number: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number
is 93.616.
SUMMARY: The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) within the
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration
for Children and Families (ACF) announces the availability of financial
assistance and request for applications for the FY 2003 Mentoring
Children of Prisoners Program activities under section 439, Title IV-B,
subpart 2 of the Social Security Act, as amended. The purpose of this
program is to make competitive grants to applicants in urban, suburban,
rural, and tribal populations with substantial numbers of children of
incarcerated parents and to support the establishment and operation of
programs using a network of public and private entities to provide
mentoring services for these children.
This Program Announcement and its application forms are also
available by calling or writing to the ACYF Operations Center at the
address below: Educational Services, Inc., ACYF Operations Center,
Attention: Sylvia Johnson, 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100,
Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 1-800-351-2293, Email:
FYSB@esilsg.org, or by downloading the announcement from the FYSB Web
site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.
DATES: The deadline for submitting a grant application under this
announcement is July 15, 2003. Applications must be hard copy. One
signed original and two copies must be submitted.
Application Mailing and Delivery Instructions: The closing time and
date for receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone).
Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an announced
deadline if they are postmarked on or before the published deadline
time and date. Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well
in advance, when using all mail services, to ensure that the
applications are received on or before the deadline time and date.
Applications handcarried by applicants, applicant couriers, other
representatives of the applicant, or by overnight/express mail couriers
shall be considered as meeting an announced deadline date if they are
received on or before the published deadline date, between the hours of
8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST, at the ACYF Operations Center between Monday
and Friday (excluding Federal Holidays). The address must appear on the
envelope/package containing the application to the Attention of Sylvia
Johnson. Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services
do not always deliver as agreed.
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or
through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted to
ACF electronically will not be considered in the current competition.
Extension of Deadline: ACF may extend application deadlines when
circumstances such as acts of God (floods, hurricanes, etc.) occur, or
when there are widespread disruptions of mail service, or in other rare
cases. A determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests
with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
The Administration for Children and Families will not accept
applications delivered by fax or e-mail regardless of date or time of
submission and receipt.
Late Applications. Applications which do not meet the criteria
stated above or are not received or postmarked by the deadline date are
considered late applications. The Administration for Children and
Families will notify each late applicant that its application will
[[Page 26623]]
not be considered in the current competition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACYF Operations Center at the address
and telephone number above, or for program information contact: Linda
V. Barnett, Youth Services Program Specialist, Administration on
Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, 330 C
Street, SW., Washington DC 20447, (202) 205-8102, or Sylvia Johnson,
Grants Management Officer, Office of Administration, (202) 401-4524.
Table of Contents
Background on Mentoring Children of Prisoners
General Information
Preference for Geographic Distribution
Eligibility
Project Period
Estimated Range of Awards
Applicants Share of Project Cost
Application Requirements
Statutory Priority
Program Guidance
Assurances and Requirements
Definitions
Evaluation Criteria Section
Objectives and Need for Assistance
Approach
Results or Benefits Expected
Staff Position Data and Organizational Profiles
Budget and Budget Justification
Submission Guidelines
Paperwork Reduction Act
Authorizing Legislation
Non-Profit Status
``Across our Nation, many Americans are responding to the call to
service by mentoring a child in need. By offering love, guidance, and
encouragement, mentors put hope in children's hearts, and help ensure
that young people realize their full potential.''
President George W. Bush,
January 2003
Background on Mentoring Children of Prisoners
Witnessing and living with the arrest and incarceration of a parent
is devastating for children and families. The living conditions, family
configurations, and problems faced by the parents make it likely that
significant numbers of children of prisoners will suffer emotional and
behavioral difficulties. Often economic, social, and emotional burdens
are placed on families and caretakers, especially children.
Relationships are disrupted and any existing stability is shattered. As
a result, the majority of these children experience multiple changes of
caregivers and/or living arrangements.
What Are the Effects of Incarceration on the Child?
Research has found that significant physical absence of a parent
has profound effects on child development. Children of incarcerated
parents are seven times more likely to become involved in the juvenile
and adult criminal justice systems. Parental arrest and confinement
often lead to stress, trauma, stigmatization , and separation problems
which may be compounded by existing poverty, violence, substance abuse,
high-crime environments, child abuse and neglect, multiple caregivers
and/or prior separations. These children are more likely to develop
attachment disorders and often exhibit broad varieties of behavioral,
emotional, health, and educational difficulties. Many children of
incarcerated parents are angry and lash out at others resulting in
confrontations with law enforcement. Lacking the support of families,
schools, and other community institutions, they often do not develop
values and social skills leading to the formation of successful
relationships.
Who Are the Children?
Between 1991 and 1999, the number of children with a parent in a
Federal or state correctional facility increased by more than 100
percent, from approximately 900,000 to approximately 2,000,000. Like
their parents, children of criminal offenders reflect the racial
disparities of the justice system. Seven percent of African American
children have an incarcerated parent, almost three percent of Hispanic
children have an incarcerated parent, while less than one percent of
white children have an incarcerated parent.
Who Are the Parents?
According to the national data from the Bureau of Justice
Statistics, in 2001, 3.5 million parents were supervised by the
correctional system. Prior to incarceration, 64 percent of female
prisoners and 44 percent of male prisoners in state facilities lived
with their children. During incarceration, nearly 90 percent of
children of incarcerated fathers lived with their mothers and 79
percent of children of incarcerated mothers lived with a grandparent or
other relative. Although research has indicated that parents and
children should visit one another, less than 50 percent of prisoners
receive visits from their children. In a number of cases, the caregiver
may not want the child to visit the inmate and prisons are often
located far away from the urban areas where most children of prisoners
live. According to the Bureau of Prisons, there is evidence to suggest
that inmates who are connected to their children and families are more
likely to avoid negative incidents and have reduced sentences.
Who Are the Mentors?
Mentors are recruited from a variety of sources including
congregations, faith and community-based organizations, non-profit
organizations, service organizations, and the business community.
Research has shown that the health and productivity of mentors is
enhanced by their connection to a child in need.
How Can Mentoring Help?
It has been demonstrated that mentoring is a potent force for
improving youth outcomes. Mentoring increases the likelihood of regular
school attendance and academic achievement. It also decreases the
chances of engaging in self-destructive or violent behavior. A trusting
relationship with a caring adult will provide stability and often have
a profound, life-changing effect on the child. Mentoring provides the
incarcerated parent with the assurance that somebody is there to look
after the best interests of their child.
What Are Possible Outcomes?
Research confirms the societal benefits of mentoring efforts with
children. Specifically, data indicates that mentoring programs have
reduced first time drug use by almost fifty percent and first-time
alcohol use by thirty-three percent. Also, caregiver and peer
relationships are shown to improve. In addition, mentored youth
displayed greater confidence in their schoolwork and improved their
academic performance.
How Are Matches Initiated and Monitored?
Parents, incarcerated parents, caretakers, schools, courts, social
service organizations, or congregations will identify children in need
of a mentor and initiate the referral to a mentoring organization. The
mentoring organization will facilitate and monitor the match by
providing parents and other stakeholders' opportunities to provide
evaluative feedback on the match. The mentoring organization will
develop and distribute status reports to appropriate stakeholders.
What Happens When Parents Return Home From Prison?
Mentors are not meant to be ``replacement parents.'' In situations
where incarcerated parents are actively
[[Page 26624]]
engaged in the mentoring process, through visits, phone conversations
or letters, reunification is a natural process with realistic
expectations. Mentors can help facilitate a smooth reentry by helping
parents reconnect with their child and are often invited to continue to
be a supportive resource well after the return of the parent.
What Is the Family and Youth Services Bureau?
For over thirty years, the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)
within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has provided
grants at the local level to faith-based organizations and community-
based organizations serving a population of vulnerable youth, including
runaway, homeless, and street youth.
General Information
Preference for Geographic Distribution
A wide geographic distribution of applicants will be considered,
including applicants from urban, suburban, rural and tribal
communities, in addition to the rank order of scored applications.
Eligibility
Those eligible to apply for funding under this grant competition
include faith and community-based organizations, tribal governments or
consortia, and state or local governments where substantial numbers of
children of prisoners live. Applicants must apply to establish new
programs or to expand existing programs utilizing a network of public
and private community entities to provide mentoring services for
children of prisoners. Collaboration among eligible entities is
strongly encouraged. All eligible organizations, including faith-based
organizations, are eligible to compete on equal footing for Federal
financial assistance used to support social service programs. No
organization may be discriminated against on the basis of religion in
the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance
under social service programs. Faith-based organizations are eligible
to compete for Federal financial assistance while retaining their
identity, mission, religious references, and governance. However,
faith-based organizations that receive funding may not use Federal
financial assistance, including funds, to meet any cost-sharing
requirements, to support inherently religious activities, such as
worship, religious instruction, or prayer. In addition, any
participation in these activities by beneficiaries must be voluntary.
Project Period
This announcement invites applications for project periods of up to
three years. Awards will be made on a competitive basis for a one-year
budget period, although project periods may be for up to three years.
Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond
the one-year budget period, but within the three-year project period,
will be entertained in subsequent years on a noncompetitive basis,
subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the
grantee, and a determination that continued funding would be in the
best interest of the Government.
Estimated Range of Awards
The Family and Youth Services Bureau expects to award approximately
$9,500,000 for new competitive grants for Fiscal Year 2003. Grants will
range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the scope of the project
and the availability of funds. The ceiling on funding was lowered from
the authorizing legislation because of a reduced appropriation. If a
program shows a significant growth in the second year, and depending on
fund availability, supplemental funds may be added to the existing
award. Please note that an automatic increase of funds is not implied,
nor are any additional funds guaranteed.
Applicant Share of Project Cost
For the first and second years of the grant, grantees must provide
at least 25 percent of the approved project cost. After the second year
of the grant, the amount that the grantees must provide increases to 50
percent. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the
Federal share and the non-Federal share. For example if the total
project cost of a program is $200,000 then the applicant must
demonstrate a commitment of at least a $50,000 match and request
funding of $150,000 from the Federal government. The Federal share may
be matched by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are
encouraged to meet their requirement through cash contributions. In
determining the amount of the non-Federal share, the fair market value
will be attributed to goods, services (excluding mentoring time and
services) and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources. Grantees
will be held accountable for commitments of required non-Federal funds.
Failure to provide the required match will result in disallowance of
Federal funds.
Application Requirements
To be considered for a grant, each application must be submitted in
accordance with the guidance provided below. The application must be
signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and
to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by terms and
conditions of the grant award. If more than one agency is involved in
submitting a single application, one entity must be identified as the
applicant organization that will have legal responsibility for the
grant.
Statutory Priority
This grant competition focuses exclusively on projects designed to
meet the statutory priority in Title I, subtitle B, section 121 as
amended by the Act known as ``Promoting Safe and Stable Families
Amendments of 2001''.
Program Guidance
To be eligible for funding, a project must propose mentoring
programs and activities to serve the children of prisoners in areas
with a comparative severity of need for mentoring services, taking into
consideration data on the numbers of children (and in particular of
low-income children) with an incarcerated parent (or parents) in the
service area.
Projects funded under this program must:
1. Link children with mentors who have:
[sbull] Received training and support in mentoring;
[sbull] Completed screening and reference checks, including child
and domestic abuse records checks and criminal background checks;
[sbull] Expressed an interest in working with children in
disadvantaged situations.
2. Incorporate the elements of Positive Youth Development by
providing youth with:
[sbull] Safe and trusting relationships;
[sbull] Healthy messages about life and social behavior;
[sbull] Guidance from a positive adult role model;
[sbull] Increased participation in, and enhanced their ability to
benefit from, education;
[sbull] Participation in civic service and community activities;
3. Develop a plan for the whole family:
[sbull] Connect the child with the imprisoned parent with
permission from other spouse or guardian when appropriate;
[sbull] Plan to provide support services to siblings and families
when appropriate;
[[Page 26625]]
[sbull] Support caregivers with training, and help navigating the
services provided by the mentoring network.
Assurances and Requirements
In addition to the standard assurances of safety, applicants must
provide the following assurances:
[sbull] Mentors will not be assigned more children than can be
served without undermining the mentor's ability to be effective.
[sbull] Grantees will recruit mentors who are committed to spending
at least one hour per week with assigned children for a period of at
least one year.
[sbull] The mentoring program will provide children with emotional
and academic support as well as exposure to a variety of experiences
that they might not otherwise encounter.
[sbull] The program will be monitored to ensure that each child
benefits from the match. If the match is not found to be beneficial to
the child a new mentor will be assigned.
[sbull] The program will cooperate with any research or evaluation
efforts sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families.
[sbull] The program will submit quarterly program reports and
annual financial reports, as instructed by FYSB.
[sbull] The program will set aside funding for travel to inform the
Bureau and meet with other grantees at an annual sharing and technical
assistance meeting.
Definitions
Children of Prisoners: Children, where one or both parents are
incarcerated in a Federal, state or local correctional facility, on
parole or on probation. Children will be 4 years to 15 years of age
from childhood to adolescence when they begin to receive services.
Mentoring: A structured, managed program in which children are
appropriately matched with screened and trained adult volunteers for
one-to-one relationships. This involves meetings and activities on a
regular basis between the mentors and children to support a child's
need for a caring and supportive adult in their life.
Prisoner: Adult who is incarcerated in a Federal, state, or local
correctional facility or is on parole or probation.
Caretaker: The parent or legal guardian charged with the
responsibility of caring for a child while the parent is incarcerated.
Mentoring Organization: The organization that coordinates the local
community and faith-based organizations and entities participating in
the provision of mentoring services and the mentoring support network.
Mentoring organizations will be responsible for the application and
performance of the grant. They also will be responsible for providing
the cash or in-kind contribution.
Mentoring Services: Those services and activities that support a
structured, managed program of mentoring, including the management of
trained personnel in partnership with sponsoring local organizations.
Services will include: outreach to and screening of eligible children;
screening and training of adult volunteers; matching of children with
suitable adult mentors; support and oversight of the mentoring
relationship; and establishment of goals and evaluations of outcomes
for mentored children. Mentoring services also will make appropriate
referrals to partner organizations when the health and safety of a
child is an issue.
Mentoring Support Network: Private non-profit organizations, faith-
based organizations, community-based organizations, professional,
medical and public service providers in the community that, through
referral, will support the health and well-being of the child,
caretaker(s) and other siblings.
Evaluation Criteria Section
The following specific criteria will be used. The maximum total
score for all criteria is 100 points. The possible score for each
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
Objectives and Need for Assistance
Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial,
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to
provide information on the total range of projects currently being
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be
outside the scope of the program announcement.
Approach
Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities
accomplished. For example, describe the tasks needed to accomplish the
proposed project in Phases 2 and 3 and any relevant data source to
support the work. When activities and functions cannot be quantified,
list them in chronological order to show the schedule of
accomplishments and their target dates. If any data is to be collected,
maintained, and/or disseminated, clearance may be required from the
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to
any ``collection of information that is conducted or sponsored by
ACF.''
List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution.
Results or Benefits Expected
Identify the results and benefits to be derived.
Staff Position Data and Organizational Profiles
Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers,
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.
The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of
the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most
recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3)
of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax
exemption certificate, or by
[[Page 26626]]
providing a copy of the articles of incorporation bearing the seal of
the State in which the corporation or association is domiciled.
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs,
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness,
and allocation of the proposed costs.
Personnel
Description: Cost of new employee salaries and wages.
Justification: Identify the project director or principal
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary,
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to
be financed by the applicant.
Fringe Benefits
Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA,
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
Travel
Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s),
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.
Equipment
Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable,
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of
modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired.
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded
from acquisition cost in accordance with organization's regular written
accounting practices.)Justification: For each type of equipment
requested, provide a description of the equipment, the cost per unit,
the number of units, the total cost, and a plan for use on the project,
as well as use or disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An
applicant organization that uses its own definition for equipment
should provide a copy of its policy, which includes the equipment
definition.
Supplies
Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than
that included under the Equipment category.
Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their
costs. Show computations and provide other information that supports
the amount requested.
Contractual
Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment,
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations,
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free
competition. Recipients and sub-recipients, other than States that are
required to use part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C.
403(11) (currently set at $100,000). Recipients might be required to
make available to ACF pre-award review and procurement documents, such
as request for proposals or invitations for bids; independent cost
estimates, etc.
Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency
title, along with the required supporting information referred to in
these instructions.
Indirect Charges
Description: Total amount of indirect costs. The Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) or another cognizant Federal agency
should use this category only when the applicant currently has an
indirect cost rate approval.
Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for
establishing indirect cost rates and submit it to the cognizant agency.
Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals may also
request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an indirect cost
rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect cost pool
should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. Also, if the
applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is allowed under
the program, the authorized representative of the applicant
organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the applicant is
accepting a lower rate than allowed.
Program Income
Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be
generated from this project.
Justification: Describe the nature, source and anticipated use of
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application
that contain this information.
Federal and Non-Federal Resources
Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed and
justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes of
preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources''
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a
columnar format: First column, categories; second column, Federal
[[Page 26627]]
budget; third column(s), non-Federal budget; and last column, total
budget. The budget justification should be in narrative form.
Submission Guidelines
Project Summary Abstract: Provide a one page (or less) summary of
the project description with reference to the funding request.
Full Project Description and Evaluation Criteria: Describe the
project clearly in 30 pages or less (not counting supplemental
documentation, letters of support or agreements) using the following
outline and guidelines.
Applicants are required to submit a full project description and
must prepare the project description statement in accordance with the
following instructions. The pages of the project description must be
numbered and are limited to 30 typed pages starting on page 1 of
``Objectives and Need for Assistance''. The description must be
doubled-spaced, printed on only one side, with at least \1/2\ inch
margins. Pages over the limit will be removed from the competition and
will not be reviewed.
It is in the applicant's best interest to ensure that the project
description is easy to read, logically developed in accordance with the
evaluation criteria and adheres to page limitations. In addition,
applicants should be mindful of the importance of preparing and
submitting applications using language, terms, concepts, and
descriptions that are generally known to the targeted youth and broader
youth services fields. The maximum number of pages for supplemental
documentation is 10 pages. The supplemental documentation, subject to
the 10-page limit, must be numbered and might include brief resumes,
position descriptions, proof of non-profit status (if applicable), news
clippings, press releases, etc. Supplemental documentation over the 10-
page limit will not be reviewed. Applicants must include letters of
support or agreement, if appropriate or applicable, in reference to the
project description. Letters of support are not counted as part of the
30-page project description limit or the 10-page supplemental
documentation limit. (Note: Applicable agreements are those between
grantees and sub-grantees or sub-contractors or other cooperating
entities which support or complement the provision of mandated services
to children of prisoners.)
Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 Points)
In determining the need for assistance for the proposed project,
the following factors are considered:
[sbull] The conditions and characteristics of youth and families
affected by incarceration in the service delivery area. The description
must demonstrate an awareness of the special needs of this population,
including service delivery gaps and the magnitude of the problem within
the service delivery area. (5 points)
[sbull] Calculate the number of children with parents in prison and
project the number of mentor-child matches proposed to be established
and maintained annually under the program. (5 points)
[sbull] The extent to which there are existing support services for
this population of youth, with specific references to coordination of
courts, health and mental health care, social services, school and
child welfare. It must be clear that the mentoring program will
complement and enhance, not duplicate available services and that the
mentoring program will work in conjunction with these services to
produce better outcomes for children and families. (5 points)
Results and Benefits Expected (20 Points)
In determining the quality of expected benefits the following
factors are considered:
[sbull] The extent to which goals, objectives and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(10 points)
[sbull] The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.(5 points)
[sbull] The extent to which outcomes reflect gains in positive
social behaviors, youth engagement and asset acquisition. (5 points)
Approach (30 Points)
In determining the quality of the project design or approach the
following factors are considered:
[sbull] The detailed plan designed to identify, screen and recruit
mentors. Provide detailed volunteer screening procedures to ensure that
the mentor poses no safety risk to the child and has the necessary
skills to participate in a mentoring relationship. Preferences will be
given to programs that plan to recruit and train mentors within the
service delivery area. (10 points)
[sbull] The resources that will be dedicated to supporting the
needs of caretakers and other children in the family setting. Also,
when appropriate, the extent that the program proposes to work with
incarcerated parents and addresses their re-entry. (5 points)
[sbull] The training process for mentors which will ensure their
ability to successfully mentor this special population. The extent that
training is based on best practices supported by research. (5 points)
[sbull] The quality of the mechanism that will be used to match
children with mentors, demonstrating sensitivity to the diverse needs
of the children and the support provided for mentors in order to
sustain long-term mentoring relationships.(5 points)
[sbull] The level of supervision, oversight and monitoring of the
child and mentor relationships and activities. State the expected ratio
of staff to mentors. Provide a detailed plan for collecting, on a
monthly basis, data documenting meetings and activities by trained
volunteer coordinators to ensure personal oversight and safety of the
children and their mentors. (5 points)
Staff Position Data and Organizational Profiles (25 Points)
In reviewing the required staff and position data and the
organizational profile, the following factors are considered:
[sbull] A demonstrated history of providing services to youth and
families in disadvantaged situations, along with the ability to partner
and build coalitions at the community level. (10 points)
[sbull] A specific definition of the area where services are to be
delivered. (Maps and graphic aids may be attached as part of the
supplementary documentation) (5 points)
[sbull] The extent to which community stakeholders, including
parents, incarcerated parents, local community organizations, schools,
government, caretakers and children, have participated in the project
design. List and describe how these partners will participate in the
mentoring network. Include an organizational chart. (5 points)
[sbull] Quality of skills, knowledge and experience of the project
director and project staff. Job descriptions should be included, as
well as a description of staff training and specific cultural diversity
training related to mentoring the target population.(5 points)
Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
In determining the soundness of the budget and budget
justification, the following factors are considered:
[[Page 26628]]
[sbull] The extent to which costs of the proposed program are
reasonable and justified in terms of numbers of children of prisoners,
types and quantities of services to be provided, and the anticipated
results and benefits. Discussion should refer to the budget information
presented on Standard Form 424 and 424A and the applicant's budget
justification. (5 points)
[sbull] Identification of fiscal control and accounting procedures
that will be used to ensure the prudent use, proper disbursement, and
accurate accounting of federal funds received, as well as the
accounting of cash and in-kind for the non-federal match. (5 points)
Assurances and Certifications
Forms and Certifications: Fill out Standard Forms 424 and 424A and
the associated certifications and assurances in Appendix A based on the
instructions on the forms.
Application requesting financial assistance for non-construction
projects must file the Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-
Construction Programs.'' Applicants must sign and return the Standard
Form 424B with their applications.
Lobbying
Applicants must provide a certification regarding lobbying when
applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used
non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in conjunction with receiving
assistance under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form to
report lobbying. Applicants must sign and return the disclosure form,
if applicable, with their applications.
Drug Free Workplace
Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their
compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and
submitting the application, the applicant is providing the
certification and need not mail back the certification with the
application.
Certification of Debarment
Applicant must make the appropriate certification that they are not
presently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible for an award. By
signing and submitting the application, the applicant is providing the
certification and need not mail back the certification with the
application.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13)
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 20 hours per overall response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and reviewing the collection of information.
The Uniform Project Description is approved under OMB control
number 0970-0139, which expires 12/31/2003. An agency may not conduct
or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Authorizing Legislation
Grants for Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCIP) programs are
authorized by further amending and by adding at the end of subpart 2 of
part B of Title IV (U.S.C. 629-629e) the Safe and Stable Families Act
of 2001, (Public Law 107-133). Text of this statute may be found at
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb.
Notification Under Executive Order 12372
This program is covered under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'', and 45 CFR part 100,
``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services
Programs and Activities''. Under the Order, States may design their own
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance
under covered programs.
As of January 16, 2003, of the most recent SPOC list, the following
jurisdictions have elected not to participate in the Executive Order
process. Applicants from these jurisdictions or for projects
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes need take no action
in regard to E.O. 12372: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Note: Inquiries about obtaining a
Federal grant should not be sent to OMB. The best source for this
information is the CFDA. The official list of the jurisdictions elected
not to participate in E.O. 12372 can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html
.
Although the jurisdictions listed above no longer participate in
the process, entities which have met the eligibility requirements of
the program are still eligible to apply for a grant even if a State,
Territory, Commonwealth, etc. does not have a SPOC. All remaining
jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order process and have
established SPOCs. Applicants from participating jurisdictions should
contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the
prospective applications and receive instructions. Applicants must
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the
award process. The applicant must submit all required materials, if
any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or the date
of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item
16a. Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2). A SPOC has 60 days from the application
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine
endorsements as official recommendations. Additionally, SPOCs are
requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and
those official State process recommendations, which may trigger the
``accommodate or explain'' rule.
When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be
addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration
for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management, Division of
Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Mail Stop 6C-462,
Washington, DC 20447. (Note: State/Territory participation in the
intergovernmental review process does not signify applicant eligibility
for financial assistance under a program. A potential applicant must
meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is
applying prior to submitting an application to its SPOC, if applicable,
or to ACF.)
Dated: May 12, 2003.
Wade F. Horn,
Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families.
[FR Doc. 03-12242 Filed 5-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P