EJIG Option 2_FAQs_.docx

Notice of Funding Opportunity Elder Justice Innovation Grants- FY2024

HHS-2024-ACL-AOA-EJIG-0038

Information Call Overview & Frequently Asked Questions

May 2, 2024

On May 2, 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services held an informational call about the Elder Justice Innovation Grants funding opportunity (HHS-2024-ACL-AOA-EJIG-0038). Below is a summary of the information shared and a set of “frequently asked questions” related to this funding opportunity.

The topics addressed below highlight information from this Notice of Funding Opportunity. This document is not a complete overview of the funding announcement, and prospective applicants should review the announcement closely for complete details. All referenced pages numbers correspond to those found in the lower right-hand corner of the Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement’s PDF.

I. General Information This opportunity is a full and open competition. Additional eligibility information can be found starting on Page 9. Applicants are also required to meet the responsiveness and screening criteria, which are listed on Pages 11 of the announcement.

II. Key Dates

· Letters of Intent (Page 13-14): requested by May 17, 2024.

· Letters of Intent are not required and need to only be provided in the form of an email stating an intent to apply.

· Letters of Intent should be sent via email to Eden Ruiz-Lopez, Aging Services Program Specialist (Eden.Ruiz-Lopez@acl.hhs.gov).

· Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on June 18, 2024.

III. Award Information

· ACL will award one (1) cooperative agreement ranging from $750,000 to $1,200,000, per year, for a project period of three years (36 months). The applicant awarded will be required to provide at least $600,000 each budget year in sub-awards to at least three different sites.

· This award will support the replication and further validation of evidence-informed elder abuse intervention strategies that promote goal attainment scaling, restorative justice, and person-centeredness, specifically the Repair harm; Inspire change; Support connection; Empower choice (RISE) model.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Q: How do I know if my organization is eligible to apply to this funding opportunity announcement? Is my organization and/or agency qualified to apply to this NOFO?

A: Please refer to the following to understand the eligibility and qualifications for this opportunity:

· Page 9 under section “III.1 Eligibility Information” that indicates all who may apply.

· Page 4 section “I. Funding Opportunity Description” to understand the purpose of this opportunity.

· Page 11 section “III. 3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria” that indicates the knowledge and capacity applicant organizations should have.

· Page 17 under section “2. Content and Form of Application Submission”, “Organizational Capacity” that describes the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities applicants should have to carry out the proposed project.

2. Q: Do the “state governments” eligible to apply for each type of EJI grant include those of Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands?

A: Yes, per Page 9 of the NOFO the eligibility is not restricted: "Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education."

3. Q: Should my organization have had prior experience implementing RISE in the community to be qualified to apply to this opportunity?

A: According to Sections III.1 “Eligible Applicants” (Page 9), III.3 “Responsiveness and Screening Criteria” (Page 11), IV.2 “Organizational Capability and Capacity” (Pages 17-18), and V.1 “Criteria: Organizational Capability and Capacity” (Pages 25-26), there is no requirement to be an entity/organization that has already implemented RISE in a community. The “Funding Opportunity Description” section starting on Page 3 states the purpose of this opportunity is to replicate the RISE-APS model with fidelity so that the field can begin to move towards having an elder abuse intervention that meets ACL standards for an evidence-based program.

4. Q: Do I have to perform all activities outlined in the opportunity? Are we able to add any of our own activities?

A: At a minimum, proposals have to address all five (5) project activities, as outlined on Page 5 under the “Application Components” subsection within the “Funding Opportunity Description” section. Applicants are free to propose more activities that go beyond the minimum requirement, and applicants are encouraged to review the entire NOFO, including Section IV.2 “Content and Form of Application Submission” to be sure applications include all the required information. Furthermore, the five (5) requirements outlined in the “Funding Opportunity Description” are included in the corresponding components discussed in Section IV.2 “Content and Form of Application Submission.”

5. Q: Is there guidance regarding what is allowable and unallowable pertaining to the budget?

A: Refer to the Appendix section starting on Page 30 that outlines allowable costs, object class categories, and the Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format starting on Page 38. The Code of Federal Regulations 45 CFR part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards describes what expenditures made by a non-Federal entity for a project or program for which a Federal award was received are allowable. Additionally, certain provisions of 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards provides information about expenditures for Federal awards. If you have remaining questions on costs, please contact the Grants Management Specialist assigned to this funding opportunity, identified on Page 28.

6. Q: Where can more information be obtained about meeting match, cost sharing, or in-kind contributions?

A: Please refer to the “Cost Sharing or Matching” section found on Page 10 for more detailed guidance. If you have additional questions on costs or match, please contact the Grants Management Specialist assigned to this funding opportunity, identified on Page 28.

7. Q: I understand that the organization awarded the grant will need to allocate $600,000 each budget year in sub-awards to at least three different sites. Under the “Organizational Capability and Capacity” section on Page 17 of the NOFO, it states that “applicants should clearly limit external partner subcontracting to no more than 30% of the level of effort your organization will expend on substantive, programmatic activities”. Aren’t these two requirements in conflict?

A. They are not in conflict and refer to different things. The 30% referred to on Page 17 in the “Organizational Capability and Capacity” section specifically applies to the level of effort undertaken, or the amount of funding an applicant retains for themselves, as the primary grantee after making the subawards to at least three (3) different APS programs/communities referred to in the “Funding Opportunity Description” subsection found on Page 4. For example, a $750,000 award is made to an applicant. Of that, the applicant has proposed to distribute the minimum $600,000 to 3 communities, leaving a balance of $150,000 in federal funds for the applicant to use for the other required grant activities. Of the $150,000, no more than 30% of the level of effort can be made to subcontractors or partners.

8. Q: Are there any rules concerning the distribution of $600,000 for subawards over the course of the three year or 36-month grant lifecycle?

A: Per Page 4 under the “Funding Opportunity Description” section, $600,000 is expected to be allocated towards subawards to a minimum of three (3) sites each budget year to APS program/community sites. It is up to the applicant to propose how many sites and how much funding will be provided each year and overall.