FY21-CYFAR-RFA-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Children, Youth and Families At-Risk

Sustainable Community Projects

FUNDING YEAR:

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE:

AWARD AMOUNT:

Fiscal Year 2021 February 19, 2021

Not Required

$800,000

CATALOG OF FEDERAL

DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER:

10.521

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.521.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline

Application: Fiscal Year 2021, 5:00 P.M. Eastern, February 19, 2021

[Ref to Part I § C of this RFA]

Letter of Intent: Not Required Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice

(NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all requests for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and use comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2), Public Law 105-185, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 USC 7613). Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@nifa.usda.gov (email is for comments only). Please use the following subject line: Response to the CYFAR RFA.

Centers of Excellence. Applicants are encouraged to visit the NIFA’s Center of Excellence (COE) for information on COE designation process, including COE criteria, and a list of programs offering COE opportunities. A recording of COE outreach and COE implementation webinars are also available.

https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/105/185.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for new Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to marshal resources of the Land- Grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives.

An executive agency shall use a grant agreement as the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the United States Government and a State, a local government, or other recipient when:

1. the principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value to the State or local government or other recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States Government;

and

2. Substantial involvement is not expected between the executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated in the agreement. (31 USC 6304).

The anticipated amount available for new CYFAR SCP grants in FY 2021 is approximately $800,000.

This notice identifies the objectives for CYFAR SCP projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

CYFAR program information will be made available on the NIFA web site at CYFAR.

The following are among the materials available on the web page:

1. CYFAR Program Overview

2. CYFAR Program Information

3. CYFAR Reporting

4. CYFAR Grants Instructions and Stakeholder Information https://nifa.usda.gov/program/children-youth-and-families-risk-cyfar

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching C. Centers of Excellence

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Center of Excellence D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Program Key Information Table 3. Budget Request Limits for Year 1 Table 4: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 5: Help and Resources Table 6: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Funding for the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects (SCP) is authorized under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended (7 U.S.C. 341, et seq.). Section 7609 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub.

L. 115-334) added the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note) as eligible to compete for and receive CYFAR funding. Section 7403 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008 amended section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 (7 U.S.C. 343(d)) in regards to eligibility. The eligibility to compete for CYFAR funding was broadened to include 1890 Land- Grant Colleges and Universities, including Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University. Eligibility was also provided to the University of the District of Columbia per Section 208 of the District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act.

B. Purpose and Priorities The mission of the CYFAR program, Assistance Listing 10.521, is to marshal resources of the Land-Grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. The CYFAR philosophy is the basis for Sustainable Community Projects.

The purpose of SCP funding is to improve the quality and quantity of comprehensive community-based programs for at-risk children, youth, and families supported by the Cooperative Extension System. Collaboration across disciplines, program areas, and geographic lines, as well a holistic approach that views the individual in the context of the family and community, are central to SCP.

The CYFAR SCP has two strategic objectives:

• To support community educational programs for at-risk, low income children, youth, and families which are based on locally identified needs, grounded in research, and which lead to the accomplishment of one of four CYFAR National Outcomes; and

• To integrate CYFAR programming into ongoing Extension programs for children, youth, and families – ensuring that at-risk, low-income children, youth, and families continue to be part of Extension and/or 4-H programs, and/or Family and Consumer Sciences Programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities.

eXtension. CYFAR encourages (but does not require) projects that develop content suitable for delivery through eXtension.

CYFAR is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goals #4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development;

• CYFAR aligns with:

a. The USDA Strategic Plan (USDA Strategic Goals) and specifically addresses

Goal #4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development.

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Smith-Lever%20Act.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:341%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section341)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4806/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/4806/text https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:301%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section301)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true http://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/FCEA.pdf http://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/FCEA.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg1423.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg1423.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/program/CYFAR-Philosophy-Update-2017.pdf https://impact.extension.org/ https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf http://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/strategic-goals

b. The USDA Science Blueprint (USDA Science Blueprint) and the Theme Ag Science Policy Leadership and the Beacon for Science Objective:

Develop and expand degree, certificate, curriculum, and youth programs that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into instruction, considering real world challenges relevant to agricultural and food science.

c. USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda (USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda).

Handling of baseline data and data collection will be addressed in the Data Management Plan (DMP) in accordance with the Part IV(B) of this RFA.

Table 2: Program Key Information Title Description

Program Code: MC Program Code Name: CYFAR

CFDA Number 10.521 Project Type: Extension Projects

Grant Type: Regular Application Deadline February 19, 2021

Grant Duration: 12 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 1 per Land-Grant Institution

Maximum Award Amount: Approximately $160,000

NIFA is offering two extension project types for new SCPs (Regular and Joint SCP). See Part II § C of this RFA. Only one application per land-grant institution will be accepted for either a new regular SCP or a new Joint SCP.

The following describes the FY 2021 program areas:

1. CYFAR SCP Management. The SCP must be supported by faculty across Extension and university departments and integrated into Extension programs. State CYFAR Extension/university faculty members have responsibility for supporting community-based educational programs for at-risk audiences and integrating them into the ongoing Extension program. CYFAR SCP project directors are expected to build an appropriate team of university(ies), county, and community staff and collaborators with broader experience and understanding of families, youth, and children to manage the SCP and to provide technical assistance with planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs at selected SCP sites. This team is to include Technology and Evaluation professionals, as well as county Extension professionals who will provide direct support to the community site programs. Community projects are expected to develop, implement, manage, staff, and evaluate their own programs, involving people with expertise in the community, in the interest of relevance and sustainability. To improve consistency in program planning, implementation, training, and evaluation, SCPs are to identify one national outcome, program model, and common measure that is the same for all community sites. University faculty and selected community site staffs are to develop a five-year logic model and a five-year work plan as the basis for planning, implementing, and evaluating their SCP (see #6. and #7. below).

http://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-blueprint.pdf http://www.usda.gov/aia

2. National CYFAR Outcomes. The SCP must focus on children, youth, and families who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs as articulated in the CYFAR philosophy.

Critical issues and demographic trends influencing children and families in the state should be examined when making outcome and audience decisions. Considerations should include: migrant workers’ children; new immigrant children and families; children in families coping with military deployments, separations, and reunions; children and youth facing issues related to use of substances (e.g., opioids), violence, crime, teen pregnancies, children being raised by grandparents or older adult family members, sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, obesity, isolation, poverty and poor school achievement. It is the responsibility of the CYFAR project staff to create an inclusive process in the state for determining the single outcome. University, county, and community program staff experienced in working with CYFAR and/or similar programs should be involved in the decision on selecting the single National CYFAR Outcome.

Select only one of the four National CYFAR outcomes listed below. The selection must be applicable to all proposed community sites:

a. Early Childhood. Children will have their basic physical, emotional and intellectual needs met. Babies will be born healthy.

b. School Age (K-8). School age youth will demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior necessary for fulfilling and contributing lives.

c. Teen. Teens will demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior necessary for fulfilling and contributing lives.

d. Parent/Family. Parents will take primary responsibility for meeting their children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs and providing moral guidance and direction. Families will promote positive, productive, and contributing lives for all family members.

3. One Program Model for All SCP Community Sites.

a. Guiding principles. Once the CYFAR Outcome is selected, the appropriate CYFAR

Guiding Principles should be used to determine the single program model selected for all of an applicant’s proposed community sites. Guiding Principles for Early Childhood, School Age, Teen, and Parent/Family are described on the CYFAR website at CYFAR Grant Application Resources and Information. Selection of the program model and the relationship of the model to the Guiding Principles must be thoroughly explained in the application. Suggestions for descriptors, strategies for implementation, and resources are also posted with the Guiding Principles for use in the development of the SCP. Whether an applicant elects to use an established program model or chooses to design his/her own programmatic approach, each principle for the selected outcome must be addressed in the SCP application

b. Uniform Program Model. For CYFAR SCPs, the same uniform program model must be implemented in every CYFAR community site. The key and essential components that must constitute the structure are:

i. Desired short, medium and long-term results;

ii. Age range of high context participants impacted; age range of children impacted as participants in early childhood and parent and family programs;

iii. Frequency and duration of contact with the program;

iv. Group size and staffing plan;

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/program/CYFAR-Philosophy-Update-2017.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/cyfar-grant-application-instructions

v. Program and curriculum content (science technology, community service, drama, computer literacy, reading literacy, parent education, exercise/fitness, etc.); and

vi. Standardized training and technical assistance plans for project staff.

When one Program Outcome is selected, applicants must make a conscious effort to assure that these model components are uniform across the applicant’s proposed community sites.

The application and more specifically, program outcomes, must specifically reflect alignment with one of the goals identified in the USDA Strategic Goals.

c. High Context Participants. Research has shown that young people need positive relationships with caring adults, inclusive and safe environments, to be engaged in their own learning, to have opportunities for mastery and self-determination, and to see themselves as active participants in the future, and to value and practice service for others (Meyer and Jones, 2015). CYFAR projects are intended to provide long-term, increasingly challenging educational experiences designed to meet needs of children and youth so they may experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

High context participation refers to experiences in which young people and adults have close connections and challenging activities intended to continue for a significant period of time, optimally beyond the duration of the grant funding. The participants who receive the ongoing, intense interaction with the program are considered the high context youth and are the focus of the five-year plan.

Applications must address the school-aged and teen national outcome that include outcomes for youth.

Other youth and adult audiences benefit from CYFAR programs and sometimes from the participation in high context activities. These are an important part of the community strengthening aspect of CYFAR and should be noted in the five-year plan and reported in the Community section of the year-end report.

Specific to two of the four National CYFAR Outcomes (school age and teen) which may be selected as the focus for this project, youth participants may be introduced to 4-H through low context programs and expand their involvement by enrolling in 4-H clubs to insure long-term progressive educational experiences which provide opportunities for leadership, community service, positive relationships with caring adults, inclusive and safe environments, active engagement in their own learning, mastery, self-determination, and to see themselves as active participants in the future.

If either school-age youth or teen is selected as the National CYFAR Outcomes focus area for this project proposal, integration of CYFAR youth participants into the 4-H Youth Development program is strongly encouraged.

One high context educational activity that may be considered for participation by older adolescent participants is National 4-H Conference.

d. Parent/Family and Early Childhood Participants. According to research, families are the most significant system for developing children (Bronfenbrenner, 1999, Measuring Environment Across the Life Span: Emerging Methods and Concepts).

https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/strategic-goals https://4-h.org/parents/national-4-h-conference/

Family risk factors such as poverty, low parental educational attainment, and single parenthood can have critical impact on a child’s development.

Applications addressing the parent/family national outcome, which focus on family risk factors and demonstrate impact on the child or children placed at-risk, are encouraged. Research also indicates that high quality care in the first years of life (just beyond toddlerhood, up to age five) can greatly reduce the risk that today’s youngest children will become tomorrow’s youth most placed at-risk (Dimidjian, 1989). Applications focusing on the early childhood national outcome, which include outcomes for the child, are encouraged.

4. Integrated Program Components. Community, Technology, and Sustainability are the three program components that are integral to all SCPs and must be addressed in SCP applications for the Community and Technology Components.

a. Community. The Community Component captures the “ecological” approach of

CYFAR projects connecting the projects to existing networks as well as ensuring that the family and community remain strong contexts for program participants (Trach, Lee and Hymel, 2018). Children, Youth, and Family programs are most effective in creating long-term outcomes when they involve change in the larger ecological context of the program participants. CYFAR recommends choosing at least one of the following three approaches for integrating Community:

i. A Multi-Level Approach – targets program audiences beyond the program’s primary target audience.

ii. A Community Collaboration Approach – community programs working through a collaborative group.

iii. A Systems Change Approach – recognizes interacting social, economic, and environmental factors that influence CYFAR audiences and seeks opportunities to engage CYFAR audiences in addressing these factors and creating change.

These approaches represent a range of complexity and are intended to give applicants several potential strategies to affect change in their community’s context. Program developers can adopt the best approach for enhancing their primary program outcomes. See the link referring to Community Sites. All Sustainable Community Projects must address how their programs fit into this “Community” context using at least one of the above three approaches.

b. Technology. Information and communication technologies are permeating American society and lives. Americans communicate via email, use the Web to find health and gardening information, and bank and shop online. Schools require term papers that are word-processed, illustrated with graphics and tables and include URLs of references in their footnotes. Online directories and maps help locate people and businesses. Entry-level jobs now require technology skills as inventories of goods and services are maintained with technology. Technology literacy is an essential skill to perform basic activities of jobs, school, and personal lives.

Special efforts to create low risk/high utility situations for the program participants must be created. Integrating technology and the development of technology skills into programs, which serve families and communities at-risk, is especially important, as https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/cyfar_site_selection.pdf typically they have fewer opportunities to learn and apply their learning. Each SCP is to develop an explicit technology plan to ensure that information and communication technology is appropriately integrated throughout the program design. Programs should have adequate information and communication technology infrastructure (i.e., hardware, software, network connectivity/mini-labs, and technology expertise) to support program administration, professional staff development, educational programming with clients, online collaboration, and electronic publishing of lessons learned and results. The technology plan needs to put technology tools in the hands of program participants to help them reach the goals of the SCP (see the SCP applications instructions, refer to the Technology Utilization document).

c. Sustainability. Planning for sustaining community SCP projects is an obligation of CYFAR program professionals. Sustainability is the capacity of programs to continue to respond to identified community needs beyond the duration of the CYFAR funding. A sustained program maintains a focus consistent with its original goals and objectives, including the individuals, families, and communities it was originally intended to serve. Some programs contract in scope, while others expand, and still others maintain the original program activities. Some programs align with other organizations and institutions while others maintain their independence. One of the key elements of sustainability is retaining the goal of supporting at-risk families by providing continued benefits, regardless of the particular activities that are delivered.

To most effectively sustain programs for children, youth and families, an intentional effort must be made early in the program planning process. Each SCP will develop and submit a sustainability plan including those factors that research has demonstrated to be important for program sustainability: Leadership Competence, Effective Collaboration, Understanding Community, Demonstrating Program Results, Strategic Funding, Staff Involvement and Integration, and Program Responsiveness.

See information regarding sustainability at Strategies for Sustainability of Grant-funded Programs.

Proposals must show how these projects will be integrated into their ongoing Extension programs in order to illustrate sustainability and continued funding of these projects beyond the maximum five years of CYFAR federal funding.

5. Selecting the SCP Community Sites. Two or three community sites must be selected based EITHER on criterion (a) or (b) below. The sites must also meet of the criteria listed in items (c) through (f) below (see Site Selection).

a. A minimum of 50 percent of the population in targeted communities must be living at or below 185% of the Federal poverty level; or

b. A minimum of 50 percent of participants at each site must meet one or more of the following characteristics: family qualifies for a public assistance program;

family income falls below the Federal poverty threshold; greater than 25% of the National CYFAR Outcome target audience is uninsured; family income is less than 75 percent of the State or county median income; a parent did not complete high school; youth/family on record with community, juvenile justice and law enforcement, or social agencies for foster care, child abuse or neglect, substance https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/cyfar_technology_utilization.pdf https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2001&context=extension_curall https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2001&context=extension_curall https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/cyfar_site_selection.pdf https://data.cms.gov/Marketplace-Eligible-Uninsured-People-for-Outreach/The-Percent-of-Estimated-Eligible-Uninsured-People/9hxb-n5xb abuse, eligibility for free or reduced school lunch, the WIC program, SNAP or other clearly established risk indicators.

c. Integrate focus in plan to adhere to the Guiding Principles (see C. 3. a. of this Part) of the one selected CYFAR Outcome;

d. Produce a plan for adherence to the principles of CYFAR Integrated Program Components – Community, Technology, and Sustainability;

e. CYFAR projects are strongly encouraged to partner with community sites inclusive of public housing authorities as well as Hispanic-serving Institutions and minority-serving institutions; and

f. If applicable, community sites that have been previously funded under any CYFAR project will need to provide justification as to how this is a new and different project that merits consideration for CYFAR. Indicate the measured outcomes and impacts of the previously funded project and how this award from NIFA will strengthen the current outcomes and project impacts. Also, cite how this award will contribute to greater sustainability of the SCP project.

6. Logic Model. Once the SCP community sites are selected, an institutional team should be developed to work with community staff to develop one five-year SCP program plan and logic model. The CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance Site (CYFAR.org): Supporting Evaluation and Research Capacity Hub website features two essential resources for applicants applying for FY 2021 CYFAR SCP funding. These resources include an interactive Logic Model Builder and an interactive CYFAR Common Measures Survey Builder. These tools are to be used to facilitate the logic model process within the communities in program development, implementation, and subsequent evaluation for research-based programs to lead to accomplishment of the selected CYFAR outcome. The logic model provides a visual diagram that illustrates specific components of a program and describes how the program will work.

The CYFAR-specific logic model consists of five elements including:

a. Identified needs and assets,

b. Desired results (short-term and long-term),

c. Indicators (short-term and long-term),

d. Activities, and

e. Resources

You are required to use the CYFAR.org website to create a user account and develop your program’s logic model. The Logic Model Builder can be found at CYFAR in the Program Planning for Effective Program Evaluation module. A program’s completed logic model (PDF version) must be included as part of your grant application package.

With the use of the newly developed logic model, you will also need to identify at least one short-term outcome from your logic model that will result from your program and can be subsequently evaluated with a CYFAR common measure. Successful applicants are expected to comply with the required site evaluations submissions. The Interactive CYFAR Common Measures Survey Builder (cyfar.org) should be utilized to develop your evaluation assessment. The survey builder is located at CYFAR. The CYFAR Common Measures include a list of vetted instruments that address Core Competencies in CYFAR programming, as well as Leadership, Nutrition, Parenting, Physical Activities, Science, Technology, and Workforce Preparation and is located at CYFAR. New projects https://cyfar.org/ https://cyfar.org/ https://cyfar.org/ are expected to report and share evaluative outcomes regarding their identified CYFAR common measure(s).

7. Five Year Work Plan. CYFAR SCP applications must describe how the selected program model will be implemented over five years. The Work Plan must include tasks such as staffing, recruiting participants, recruiting volunteers, establishing key partnerships, program implementation, marketing, and promotion, materials development, training staff and volunteers, and evaluation methods. The Work Plan must indicate who is responsible, if known, for each of the key functions. CYFAR projects may or may not have the same participants for the full five-year plan. In addition, they may or may not have the same partners for the full five-year period. When there are two or more high context cohorts planned for the five years of the project, each should be noted in the five-year plan timeline.

This content is for “end users” as opposed to staff development and must follow the eXtension Guiding Principles and guidelines for including eXtension in a proposal. CYFAR does support the existing Community of Practice (COP) on Vulnerable Populations.

Additional requirements on expected performance goals, indicators and targets may be required as a condition of award.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The anticipated amount available for CYFAR SCP in FY 2021 is approximately $6,080,000. Of this amount, approximately $480,000 will be available to fund new CYFAR SCPs under this RFA, which will have project periods ranging up to five years. The remaining amount, $5,600,000, will fund 31 CYFAR continuation Sustainable Community Projects.

The maximum funding per grantee for initial year will be approximately $80,000 for a Regular SCP and approximately $160,000 for a Joint SCP (see section C. of this part for a description of these project types). The first year should be focused on planning and launching the program. In years two through five, NIFA will accept requests for up to $140,000 per year for Regular SCP;

and up to $280,000 per year Joint SCP. The statutory time limit of the project as a continuation award will be five years. Applications must be submitted for five-year project periods; funding will be awarded one year at a time based on the availability of funds.

Within the yearly available funding, a maximum of approximately $50,400 for Regular SCP and up to approximately $100,800 for Joint SCP may be retained for university support, including technical assistance with program development, evaluation, technology, and linking of SCP to other CYFAR resources in the state and to Professional Development and Technical Assistance.

NIFA anticipates making NEW continuation awards under this RFA. A continuation award is issued for a specific level of effort for a predetermined period of time with a statement of intention to provide additional support at a future date. Continuation of the funding beyond FY 2021 for the award is provided if performance has been satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and continued support is in the best interests of the Federal government and the public.

USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Application for FY2021 is limited to the following applications types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

NIFA may choose to issue a new award on a continuation basis. A continuation award is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined period of time with a statement of intention to provide additional support at a future date, provided that performance has been satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and continued support would be in the best interest of the federal government and the public.

2. Resubmitted application: Resubmitted applications must include the response to the previous review panel summary and are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein.

Resubmitted applicants must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm submitted application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

C. Project and Grant Types The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding:

1. Project Types. Applicants must propose an extension project. Extension Projects conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions. Extension Projects may also include related matters such as certification programs, in-service training, client recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative instructional methodologies appropriate to informal educational programs. See Part 1 § B of this RFA. There are two specific extension project types offered:

a. Regular SCP

b. Joint SCP

2. NIFA is seeking applications from institutions that can demonstrate their capacity to develop statewide grantee capacity and deliver programs for at-risk children, youth, and families; and are able to provide program, evaluation, and technology support to Sustainable Community Projects.

a. Regular SCP (Single Eligible Institution). The Regular SCP Project Type (Single Eligible Institution) refers to one institution applying for CYFAR SCP funding.

In a Regular SCP, the applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners. This Regular SCP project type should have two or three community sites with a minimum of $29,600 of the amount available being allocated to each site.

b. Joint SCP (Applicant + One Eligible Land-Grant Parent). The Joint SCP Project Type refers to a Joint SCP Project proposal; the co-applicants may include one or more additional institutions. In a Joint SCP, the co-applicants must include one or more additional institutions.

All partners must share grant funds and this sharing must be demonstrated in the budget justification. This project type should have two or three community sites per eligible land-grant institution; resulting in a total of at least four to six community sites with a minimum of $59,200 of the amount available being allocated to each site. Both the applicant institution and the sub awardee application will receive equal funding.

1862, 1890 and 1994 land-grant institutions are eligible to apply as lead institutions.

Additional consideration will be given during the application evaluation process (see Part V § B) for the following:

3. Joint SCP Project proposals where 1862, 1890 and 1994 Institutions collaborate.

4. Partnership with Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), where the HSI is a sub-awardee.

Table 3. Budget Request Limits for Year 1

Description Regular CYFAR SCP Project (Single)

Joint CYFAR SCP Project

Maximum Amount Requested per Proposal

$80,000 $160,000

Maximum Institutional Support (including 10% evaluation costs)

$50,400 $100,800

Minimum Budget for Community Sites

$29,600 $59,200

5. Grant Types. Applicants must submit a regular grant. Regular Grant supports targeted original scientific Research, Education/Teaching, Extension, or Integrated Projects. An eligible, individual institution, independent branch campus, or branch institution of a state system may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel. The applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners.

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://ecfr.io/Title-02/pt2.1.422 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the CYFAR must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may only be submitted by Extension at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University, Central State University, and West Virginia State University; 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities; the University of the District of Columbia; and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

Only one application per land-grant institution will be accepted. Current CYFAR SCP grantees may submit an application for a new project; however, if the same community site is being used, a justification must be provided (see Part IV § B of this RFA). Only CYFAR SCP Joint Projects may be considered for center of excellence (COE) designation. See Part IV § B. of this RFA for additional requirements that eligible applicants must meet to be considered a center of excellence.

Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions is not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The CYFAR has NO matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

C. Centers of Excellence Pursuant to Section 7214 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) , NIFA will recognize and prioritize COE applicants that carry out research, extension, and education activities that relate to the food and agricultural sciences. A COE is composed of one or more of the following entities that provide financial or in-kind support to the COE.

1. State agricultural experiment stations;

2. Colleges and universities;

3. University research foundations;

4. Other research institutions and organizations;

5. Federal agencies;

6. National laboratories;

7. Private organizations, foundations, or corporations;

8. Individuals; or

9. Any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in (1) through (8).

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-113publ79/html/PLAW-113publ79.htm

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 4 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part II § 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Application Guide) contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process.

Table 4: Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action

Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements)

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-007972, search for applications here Opportunity Package

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 5: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll- Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer based support:

Grants.gov iPortal Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email: policy@usda.gov

Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. NIFA will accept subsequent submissions to an application until the application deadline. However, applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 6 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:policy@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf

Table 6: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part III § 3

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part III § 6.1

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part VII and

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV § 1.5

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.

Part IV § 1.5

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support, and keep a record of the correspondence.

Contact NIFA if applicant does not received correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 90 days of the application deadline.

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V § 2 and Part V § 2.17of the Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V § 3 of the Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V § 4 of the Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the CYFAR. See Part V § 4.7 of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 12 1.5 spaced pages of written text for a Regular SCP/Single Eligible Institution application and 15 1.5 spaced pages of written text for the Joint university application and up to 20 1.5 spaced additional pages for figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition.

Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project.

Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit. The PN must include all of the following:

a. CYFAR SCP Project Management;

1. Project Title: (Your Institution) Sustainable Community Project

2. SCP Staff name, title, address, e-mail for the following:

i. SCP Project Director(s).

ii. SCP Evaluator

iii. SCP Technology https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf

3. CYFAR Outcome (see 2. Below)

4. Program Model (see 3. Below)

5. Community Sites. For each community sites provide:

i. Community staff name, title, address, and email

ii. Community & faith-based program partners

b. One National CYFAR Outcome; Explain the rationale for the decision, the needs assessment process used, and who was involved.

c. One Program Model;

1. Describe the selected program model including the following:

i. Desired short and long-term results

ii. Age range of high context participants

iii. Frequency and duration of contact with the program

iv. Group size and staffing plan

v. Uniform program and curriculum content (e.g. science technology, community service, drama, computer literacy, reading literacy, parent education, exercise/fitness)

vi. Standardized training and technical assistance plans for project staff

2. Describe the process used for determining this program model.

3. Explain how each of the Guiding Principles is addressed in the selected Program

Model.

d. Integrated Program Components;

1. Community: Describe how the proposed program fits into the Community context using at least one of the recommended approaches.

2. Technology: Describe how the Technology Plan ensures that information and communication technology is integrated throughout the SCP program.

3. Sustainability: Describe the Sustainability Plan including critical factors.

e. Selecting Community Sites; Describe the process and rationale used for selecting the

SCP Community Sites. Community sites must be identified at the time of application submission.

f. Five Year Logic Model; Provide a five-year Logic Model for the SCP. The CYFAR-specific logic model consists of five elements including:

1. Identified needs and assets

2. Desired results (short-term and long-term)

3. Indicators (short-term and long-term)

4. Activities

5. Resources

The Logic Model Builder can be found at CYFAR in the Program Planning for Effective Program Evaluation module. Prospective applicants are required to develop a logic model and use the CYFAR.org website to create a user account and develop their program’s logic model. With the use of the newly developed logic model, prospective applicants also need to identify at least one short-term outcome from their logic model that will result from their program and can be evaluated.

a. Five Year Work Plan for the SCP; The Work Plan will detail how the selected program model will be implemented over five years. The Work Plan must address staffing, recruiting participants, recruiting volunteers, establishing key partnerships, program implementation, marketing and promotion, materials development, training https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/program/CYFAR%20guiding_principles.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/program/CYFAR%20guiding_principles.pdf https://cyfar.org/build staff and volunteers in a five-year timeline. The two or more context cohorts planned for the five years should be noted in the five-year plan timeline.

b. Centers of Excellence Justification; Applicants requesting consideration of COE status must include their justification at the end of their Project Narratives and within the page limits provided for the project narratives which describes how you meet the…