F17AC00553 Hispanic Access Foundation Notice of Award Distribution Copy .pdf

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Washington, D.C. 20240

In Reply Refer To:

AWFR/POP

August 2, 2017

Maite Arce, President / CEO Hispanic Access Foundation 1030 15th St. NW, Suite B/1 #150 Washington DC, 20005

DUNS: 962567330

Subject: Notice of Cooperative Agreement Award F17AC00553

Dear Ms. Arce:

Your organization’s application for Federal financial assistance titled “Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs” submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)’s CFDA Program 15.676 is approved. This award is made under the authority of:

Powers and Duties of the Secretary of the Interior (16 U.S.C. 460 Sec. 460l (lower case “L”)- 1(d) and (f); Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended by the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742a-754j-2), as amended. This award is made based on Service approval of your organization’s proposal signed on May 21, 2016, hereby incorporated by reference into this award. Funds under this award are to be used to complete Service projects that provide participants with job skills training, education and professional development, through employment projects that involve civic engagement and collaborative, community-based stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

Under this agreement, the Service and Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) agree to the following roles and responsibilities

The Service will:

1. Identify project needs including number of individuals/crew/team needed, type of work, including hazardous working conditions statements, any particular skills/abilities required, timetable, other specifications, based on funds available;

2. Provide meaningful internships, lasting 10-52 weeks, for HAF participants that span the spectrum of Service resource management disciplines, including

Maite Arce

F17AC00553 2

botany, ecology, wildlife and marine biology, archeology, paleontology, volunteer coordination, outreach and education, wilderness monitoring, recreation resource management, interpretation and environmental education, ecological restoration, GIS, public affairs, communication, etc;

3. Provide details on the required skills and expertise needed for each task needed;

4. Provide appropriate oversight and direction to projects assigned to HAF participants;

5. Provide duty transportation as required to carry out assigned projects, when determined necessary;

6. Provide appropriate housing with utilities and/or camping sites with access to potable water depending upon the origins and needs of the crews, when determined necessary;

7. Provide safety equipment and training, including a radio at remote locations;

8. Provide formal written feedback on participant performance;

9. Make sure all participants are trained by the partner; with necessary assistance from the Service, to conduct project activities; and

10. Extend to participants any specific training necessary to complete the task.

HAF will:

1. Recruit and competitively select and hire young people and veterans between the ages of 18-35;

2. Provide youth and young adults with living allowance, workers compensation, liability insurance, personnel management and orientation to HAF;

3. Ensure that Service invasive species biosecurity protocols are followed (i.e. clothing and equipment are clean and free of dirt, seeds, insects, rodents, etc.) to prevent the introduction and/or spread of invasive species from one site to another;

4. Provide a work structure that is either: a) crew-based where participants work collectively together directly supervised by trained and experienced crew leaders or conservation professionals; or b) individual or small team-based where participants work individually or in coordinated teams under the direction of conservation professionals on initiatives that require specific skills and dedicated attention;

5. Support projects that involve significant outdoor activity and hands-on work that help young people gain meaningful work related to natural and cultural resource management. Some programs may include work that is primarily indoors that have a clear connection to the Service’s mission;

6. Provide participants with job skill development, community skill development, and help instill a deeper understanding of and connection to the natural or cultural environment;

7. Leverage Service investments through either financial or in-kind support, which include matching funding, training, and/or education experience;

8. Provide safe and reasonable round-trip transportation for participants to and from Service project sites at the beginning and end of their assignment. For

F17AC00553 3

participants living within commuting distance of their duty station, reimburse them for travel expenses per Department of the Interior Temporary Duty policy;

9. Provide participants with equipment, first aid and general training, appropriate to the assignment;

10. Conduct written project evaluations in coordination with Service personnel on a project-by-project basis of Service project sites to assess project progress and make sure recipients are receiving the expected experience;

11. Provide recruitment, technical support, management of fiduciary duties, mentoring and timekeeping for HAF participants on behalf of the participating Service site;

12. Certify that standard background screenings and eligibility reviews are conducted on all HAF participants; and

13.Maintain general liability insurance for all participants, staff and program activities of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, subject to the usual and customary policy conditions, including standard exclusion on vehicles licensed for highway use and on property in the care, custody and control of the policyholder. In the event one or more awards are made, provide the Service a Certificate of such Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, with Service named as an additional insured party, as evidence of this required insurance coverage. The certificate shall identify the name and address of the Service, as well as the insured, the policy number, and a brief description of services to be performed. Should any of the policies be cancelled before the expiration date thereof, notice will be delivered in accordance with the policy provisions.

Performance Period The performance period of this award is June 19, 2017 through September 30, 2021. Only allowable costs resulting from obligations incurred during the performance period and any approved pre-award costs may be charged to this award. All obligations incurred under the award must be liquidated no later than 90 calendar days after the end of the performance period, unless the Service approves a final financial reporting period extension (see Reporting Requirements section below). If you need more time to complete project activities, you must submit a written request to the Service Project Officer identified in the Project Contacts section below before the end of the stated performance period (see Project/Program Plan and Budget Revisions section below).

This award is funded as follows:

Service

This obligation: $0.00 Award Total: $0.00

Federal Share/Match Requirements The recipient is committed to provide a minimum 25% of the total project costs in non-Federal cash and/or in-kind contributions for each project segment funded under this program.

F17AC00553 4

Indirect Costs Indirect costs under this award are approved on the condition that the Recipient will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency immediately after the award is made and no later than 90 calendar days past the award performance period start date. The Recipient is not authorized to charge indirect costs under this award until the Recipient has received, and provided a copy to the Service Project Officer, an approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) from the Federal government. In the event the Recipient fails to establish an approved rate before the end of the award performance period, the Service may either: 1) deobligate the Federal amount budgeted for indirect costs and, if not otherwise prohibited by legislation or regulation, allow the Recipient to use costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs to satisfy cost-sharing or matching requirements; or 2) allow the Recipient to transfer the amount otherwise allocable as indirect costs to direct costs. Service approval of such budget changes will depend on the particular award circumstance. Indirect costs otherwise allocable to this award may not be shifted to another Federal award unless specifically authorized by legislation.

If the Recipient has submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to the cognizant agency within the required timeframe but the cognizant agency has delayed approval of the proposal, the Recipient must provide to the Service Project Officer a copy of the submitted proposal, the name of the cognizant agency, and evidence of the proposal submission date in the form of either a copy of an emailed submission or written confirmation of the proposal receipt date from the cognizant agency. The Service may, upon review of the documentation and consultation with the cognizant agency, give written approval to the Recipient to charge indirect costs at their proposed rate until their proposal is approved. Service approval to charge indirect costs based on a proposed rate will depend on the circumstance; the Service will not approve a Recipient to charge indirect costs based on a proposed rate if rate approval delays are due to the Recipient having submitted a late, incomplete or inaccurate proposal. The Recipient must receive written prior approval from the Service before charging indirect costs based on a proposed rate. The award may be subject to further revision if the approved rate is higher or lower than the proposed rate.

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration Under the terms and conditions of this award, your organization must maintain an active SAM registration at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ until the final financial report is submitted or final payment is received, whichever is later. If your organization’s SAM registration expires during the required period, the Service will suspend payment under this and all other Service awards to your organization until you update your organization’s SAM registration.

Terms of Acceptance Acceptance of a financial assistance award (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement) from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions applicable to the award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down or requesting funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service. Awards are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the notice of award either by direct citation or by reference to the following:

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Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions.

The terms and conditions of Service awards flow down to subrecipients and contractors, unless a particular award term or condition specifically indicates otherwise. The Federal regulations applicable to Service recipients and their subrecipients and contractors are listed by recipient type in the Service Financial Assistance Award Terms and Conditions posted on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a printed copy of the award terms and conditions, contact the Service Project Officer identified below.

If Recipient decides to not accept this award, Recipient must notify the Service Project Officer in writing within 30 calendar days of that decision.

Special Conditions and Provisions As a condition of this award, the Recipient and any sub-recipient(s) are approved to begin planning and designs aspects related to this award. All project activities funded or supported by Federal grants and cooperative agreements most be reviewed and comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 7 of Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Once the final project plans are available for our analysis, the recipient must submit them to the Services Project Officer for Award #F17AC00553. No, on the ground work or activities that have the potential to affect resources protected by these Acts, will begin until the Service has notified you in writing that such work can begin.

All documentation will be maintained in the official project files.

The Service does NOT require participants to sign an OMB 301A volunteer services agreement form.

Service rules regarding physical security and personnel security apply to all participants while on Service property and/or while conducting work on behalf of the Service.

Participants and partner organization staff shall only operate mechanized equipment when provided all necessary safety training and only with on-site oversight by the Service.

Participants under the age of 18 shall not be allowed to operate any motorized vehicle.

Participants and partner organization staff over the age of 18 may be allowed to drive a vehicle owned, rented, leased or loaned by the SERVICE only when:

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1. The vehicle is used with written permission from the Service’s field manager and only for official agency use;

2. The driver is properly licensed and qualified to operate the vehicle, and all such vehicle use, maintenance, training and operation is in compliance with 243 FW 1, Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Equipment and all other applicable policies for usage of Service motor vehicles;

3. The driver has completed a defensive driving course within the last three years;

4. Before field work requiring the use of a motorized vehicle begins, the Service site coordinator provides written documentation that all of the above criteria have been met to the partner organization contact. Such documentation may be provided electronically; and

5. Both the driver and the vehicle will be covered by insurance policy maintained by the partner organization covering the use of such vehicle.

Individuals recruited under this program will not be assigned to:

1. Staff a Service position that is a normal part of the Service work force;

2. Displace any Service employee or contractor; or

3. Perform inherent functions (such as decision-making) that impact the management of Federal programs.

Payments Your organization has completed enrollment in U.S. Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) system. When requesting payment in ASAP, your Payment Requestor will be required to enter an Account ID. The number assigned to this award is the partial Account ID in ASAP. When entering the Account ID in ASAP, the Payment Requestor should enter the award number identified in the subject line on letter followed by a percent sign (%). Refer to the ASAP.gov Help menu for detailed instructions on requesting payments in ASAP.

Reporting Requirements Financial and Performance Reporting Requirements Annual interim financial and performance reports and final financial and performance reports are required under this award. The report periods and due dates under this award are:

Report: Report Period: Report Due Date:

Interim financial & performance

June 19, 2017 – June 30, 2018 July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020

September 28, 2018 September 28, 2019 September 28, 2020

Final financial & performance June 19, 2017 – September 30, 2021 December 31, 2021

Recipients must use the Standard Form (SF) 425, Federal Financial Report form for all financial reporting. This form is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms/.

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Performance reports must contain: 1) a comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives of the award as detailed in the approved scope of work; 2) a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and 3) any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Please include the Service award number provided in the subject line of this letter on all reports.

Financial and performance reporting due dates may be extended by the Service upon receipt of a written request addressed to the Service Project Officer identifying the type of report to be extended, the requested revised due date, and a justification for the extension. The Service Project Officer may approve an additional extension if justified by a catastrophe that significantly impairs the Recipient’s operations. Requests for reporting due date extensions must be received by the Service Project Officer no later than one day before the original reporting due date.

Significant Developments Reports (see 2 CFR 200.328(d)) Events may occur between the scheduled performance reporting dates that have significant impact upon the supported activity. In such cases, notify the Service Project Officer in writing as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

Problems, delays, or adverse conditions that will materially impair the ability to meet the objective of the Federal award. This disclosure must include a statement of any corrective action(s) taken or contemplated, and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.

Favorable developments that enable meeting time schedules and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or producing more or different beneficial results than originally planned.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures Recipients are responsible for notifying the Service Project Officer in writing of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award. Conflicts of interest include any relationship or matter which might place the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent, between their responsibilities under this award and any other outside interests. Conflicts of interest may also include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect financial interests, close personal relationships, positions of trust in outside organizations, consideration of future employment arrangements with a different organization, or decision-making affecting the award that would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the impartiality of the Recipient, the Recipient’s employees, or the Recipient’s subrecipients in the matter. Upon receipt of such a notice, the Service Project Officer in consultation with their Ethics Counselor will determine if a conflict of interest exists and, if so, if there are any possible actions to be taken by the Recipient, the Recipient’s employee(s), or the Recipient’s subrecipient(s) that could reduce or resolve the conflict. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Service may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of this award.

F17AC00553 8

Other Mandatory Disclosures Recipients and their subrecipients must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Service or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting this award. Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award including the term and condition outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (See 2 CFR 200.113, 2 CFR Part 180, 31 U.S.C. 3321, and 41 U.S.C.

2313).

Other Reports or Deliverables To maintain eligibility, partners under this program (regardless of whether they have received any awards prior to the reporting deadline) will be required to submit to the Headquarters Refuges point of contact the following annual eligibility documentation on or before each October 1st:

Updated schedule of costs to recruit and provide individuals, crews, teams and/or staff to the Service for projects to be conducted in the next year of this program;

Signed Standard Form (SF) 424B, Assurances (available on the Internet at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf);

Signed SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable (available on the Internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/sflll.pdf); and

Updated contact information for all points of contact within your organization for projects funded under this program.

All reports and other deliverables identified above must be sent to the Service Project Officer.

Project/Program Plan and Budget Revisions Recipients are required to report deviations from budget or project scope or objective, and request prior approvals for budget and program plan revisions in accordance with 2 CFR 200.308 unless otherwise specifically waived in this award.

Period of Performance Extensions If additional time is needed to complete the approved project, you must send written notice to the Service Project Officer. This notice must be received by the Service Project Officer at least 60 calendar days before the authorized performance period end date, and must include supporting reasons and revised end date. Extensions for time cannot be authorized for the purpose of spending an unused balance of funds that remains after the approved project activities have been completed.

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Project Contacts The Service Project Officer for this award is:

The Recipient Project Officer for this award is:

Angelina Yost National Urban Refuge System Visitor Services & Communication US Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: NWRS Falls Church, VA 22041-3803

(703) 358-2432 Angelina_yost@fws.gov

Jill Wheeler Chief of Programs Hispanic Access Foundation 1030 15th St. NW, Suite B/1 #150 Washington DC, 20036-4504

(202) 640-4346 jill@hispanicaccess.org

Include the Service award number, provided in the subject line of this letter, in all written communications. Please contact Angelina Yost with any questions.

Sincerely, Lorinda Bennett Conservation and Program Assistance Coordinator Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Cc:

Patrick Schulze, USFWS Angelina Yost, USFWS Jill Wheeler, HAF

LORINDA BENNETT

Digitally signed by LORINDA

BENNETT

Date: 2017.08.02 14:34:38 -04'00'

OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 10/31/2019

* 1. Type of Submission: * 2. Type of Application:

* 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier:

5a. Federal Entity Identifier: 5b. Federal Award Identifier:

6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier:

* a. Legal Name:

* b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): * c. Organizational DUNS:

* Street1:

Street2:

* City:

County/Parish:

* State:

Province:

* Country:

* Zip / Postal Code:

Department Name: Division Name:

Prefix: * First Name:

Middle Name:

* Last Name:

Suffix:

Title:

Organizational Affiliation:

* Telephone Number: Fax Number:

* Email:

* If Revision, select appropriate letter(s):

* Other (Specify):

State Use Only:

8. APPLICANT INFORMATION:

d. Address:

e. Organizational Unit:

f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application:

Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

Preapplication

Application

Changed/Corrected Application

New

Continuation

Revision

Hispanic Access Foundation

27-2589206 9625673300000

1030 15th St. NW, Suite B/1 # 150

Washington

DC: District of Columbia

USA: UNITED STATES

20005-1503

Jill

Wheeler

Chief of Programs

1-(202)-640-4346 1-(202)-640-4343 jill@hispanicaccess.org

* 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type:

Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type:

Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type:

* Other (specify):

* 10. Name of Federal Agency:

11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:

CFDA Title:

* 12. Funding Opportunity Number:

* Title:

13. Competition Identification Number:

Title:

14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.):

* 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project:

Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions.

Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

M: Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)

Fish and Wildlife Service

15.676

Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs

F16AS00108

Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation Project: Youth Employment, Education & Public Service Project

View AttachmentsDelete AttachmentsAdd Attachments

View AttachmentDelete AttachmentAdd Attachment

* a. Federal

* b. Applicant

* c. State

* d. Local

* e. Other

* f. Program Income

* g. TOTAL

Prefix: * First Name:

Middle Name:

* Last Name:

Suffix:

* Title:

* Telephone Number:

* Email:

Fax Number:

* Signature of Authorized Representative: * Date Signed:

18. Estimated Funding ($):

21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001)

** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions.

Authorized Representative:

Application for Federal Assistance SF-424

* a. Applicant

Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed.

* b. Program/Project

* a. Start Date: * b. End Date:

16. Congressional Districts Of:

17. Proposed Project:

DC-098 Many

Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment

09/30/202110/01/2016

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on

b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review.

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.

Yes No

Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment

** I AGREE

Mrs. Maite

Arce

President/CEO

1-(202)-640-4342 1-(202)-640-4343 maite@hispanicaccess.org m

* 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.)

* 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

07/28/2017

If "Yes", provide explanation and attach

SECTION A - BUDGET SUMMARY

BUDGET INFORMATION - Non-Construction Programs OMB Number: 4040-0006 Expiration Date: 01/31/2019

Grant Program Function or

Activity

(a)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Number (b)

Estimated Unobligated Funds New or Revised Budget

Federal (c)

Non-Federal (d)

Federal (e)

Non-Federal (f)

Total (g)

5. Totals

4.

3.

2.

1. $ $ $ $

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation Project: Youth Employment, Education & Public Service Project

15.676 0.00 0.00

Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97) Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1

SECTION B - BUDGET CATEGORIES

7. Program Income

d. Equipment

e. Supplies

f. Contractual

g. Construction

h. Other

j. Indirect Charges

k. TOTALS (sum of 6i and 6j)

i. Total Direct Charges (sum of 6a-6h)

(1)

Authorized for Local Reproduction Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 1A

Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97)

GRANT PROGRAM, FUNCTION OR ACTIVITY

(2) (3) (4) (5)

Total6. Object Class Categories

a. Personnel

b. Fringe Benefits

c. Travel

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation Project: Youth Employment, Education & Public Service Project

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

SECTION D - FORECASTED CASH NEEDS

14. Non-Federal

SECTION C - NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES

(a) Grant Program (b) Applicant (d) Other Sources(c) State (e)TOTALS

$8.

9.

10.

11.

12. TOTAL (sum of lines 8-11)

15. TOTAL (sum of lines 13 and 14)

13. Federal

Total for 1st Year 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation Project:

Youth Employment, Education & Public Service Project

FUTURE FUNDING PERIODS (YEARS)

SECTION F - OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION

SECTION E - BUDGET ESTIMATES OF FEDERAL FUNDS NEEDED FOR BALANCE OF THE PROJECT

Authorized for Local Reproduction

$16.

17.

18.

19.

20. TOTAL (sum of lines 16 - 19)

21. Direct Charges: 22. Indirect Charges:

23. Remarks:

(a) Grant Program (b)First (c) Second (d) Third (e) Fourth

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation Project:

Youth Employment, Education & Public Service Project

Standard Form 424A (Rev. 7- 97) Prescribed by OMB (Circular A -102) Page 2

1.

OMB Number: 4040-0007 Expiration Date: 01/31/2019

ASSURANCES - NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0040), Washington, DC 20503.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SEND

IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.

NOTE: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your project or program. If you have questions, please contact the awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may require applicants to certify to additional assurances.

If such is the case, you will be notified.

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I certify that the applicant:

Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance and the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project cost) to ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project described in this application.

Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.

S.C. §§6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) §§523 and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. §§290 dd-3 and 290 ee- 3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and, (j) the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.

2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States and, if appropriate, the State, through any authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives.

3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain.

4. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.

5. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §§4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).

6. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to:

(a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C.§§1681- 1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Previous Edition Usable Standard Form 424B (Rev. 7-97) Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102Authorized for Local Reproduction

7. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or federally-assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases.

8. Will comply, as applicable, with provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. §§1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds.

Funding Opportunity Number:F16AS00108 Received Date:May 21, 2016 12:14:03 AM EDTTracking Number:GRANT12169904

Standard Form 424B (Rev. 7-97) Back

9.

12.

Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis- Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. §§276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. §276c and 18 U.S.C. §874), and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. §§327- 333), regarding labor standards for federally-assisted construction subagreements.

Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. §§1271 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.

10. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more.

11. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. §§1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-523);

and, (h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93- 205).

13. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. §470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. §§469a-1 et seq.).

14. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development, and related activities supported by this award of assistance.

15. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. §§2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance.

16. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. §§4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead-based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures.

17. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations."

18. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies governing this program.

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TITLE

DATE SUBMITTEDAPPLICANT ORGANIZATION

President/CEO

Hispanic Access Foundation

Maite Arce

05/21/2016

Will comply with the requirements of Section 106(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended (22 U.S.C. 7104) which prohibits grant award recipients or a sub-recipient from (1) Engaging in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of time that the award is in effect (2) Procuring a commercial sex act during the period of time that the award is in effect or (3) Using forced labor in the performance of the award or subawards under the award.

19.

Funding Opportunity Number:F16AS00108 Received Date:May 21, 2016 12:14:03 AM EDTTracking Number:GRANT12169904

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 1

Connecting Latino Youth to Natural Resource Conservation:

Youth Employment, Education and Public Service Project

Submitted by Hispanic Access Foundation to

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System

21st Century Conservation Service Corps Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 15.676

Youth Engagement, Education, and Employment Programs

Funding Opportunity Number: F16AS00108

May 20, 2016

Organizational Contact Info:

Maite Arce, President/CEO Hispanic Access Foundation 1718 M Street, NW #150 Washington, DC 20036 Website: hispanicaccess.org Tel: (202) 640-4342

Federal Tax ID #: 27-2589206 Federal IRC Code: 501(c)3

DUNS #: 962567330

Key direct contact for this proposal:

Jill Wheeler, Chief of Programs, Tel: (202) 640-4346, Fax: (202) 640-4343 Email: jill@hispanicaccess.org

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Project Overview………………………………………………………………………. 3

Organizational Background …………………………………………………………… 4

- 501c3 status ……………………………………………………………….. 4

- Mission/vision …………………………………………………………….. 4

- Past youth program recruitment & performance…………………………... 5

- Experience with federal government ……………………………………… 5

Geographical Coverage & Map ……………………………………………………….. 7

Eligibility Requirements and Criteria …………………………………………………. 8

Project Implementation Detail ………………………………………………………… 10

Student Recruitment and Screening …………………………………………………… 10

Training for Participants and Staff …………………………………………………….. 12

Program Administration and Travel …………………………………………………… 13

Participant Evaluation and Feedback ………………………………………………….. 14

Timetable ………………………………………………………………………………. 15

Schedule of Costs ………………………………………………………………………. 16

Required Indirect Cost Statement and Documentation ………………………………… 17

Recordkeeping and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) …………………………. 17

Qualifications of Key Personnel …………………………………………………………17

HAF Proposal Point of Contact ………………………………………………………… 19

Annexes Annex A - Sample Intern Application Form …………………………………………… 20 Annex B - Sample Intern Recruitment Flyer ………………………………………… Annex C - HAF Intern Handbook ………………………………………………………. 23 Annex D - HAF Intern Pre- and Post-Internship Survey Questions ……………………. 42

Attachments (Uploaded as attachments in Grants.gov application)

Attachment 1: Letters of support Attachment 2: 501c3 IRS nonprofit status determination letter Attachment 3: NICRA - Indirect cost rate agreement

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 3

PROJECT NARRATIVE

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) proposes to create a high quality, replicable, scalable, cost-effective program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Youth Development Program. The program will address youth employment, education and public service. HAF will provide an introductory, paid 10-week developmental educational experience in natural resource careers to under-represented culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse Latino students. Students of ages 18 to 25 will be recruited through a highly competitive, open national process and placed at USFWS sites. Students will receive cultural training, hands-on experience, mentoring and will gain valuable skills and knowledge for natural resources careers, particularly those involving community-based stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

According to the US Census, the Latino population is 52 million strong. For the USFWS, this presents both an opportunity and an obstacle. The opportunity is a growth in talented Latinos seeking to participate in an exciting range of work experiences and other activities. The obstacle can be the challenge of successfully recruiting and retaining Latino employees, building trust-filled, meaningful relationships and connections with Latino communities, and overcoming the lack of familiarity Latino youth and families have with the many valuable resources and opportunities existing in their communities.

HAF is exceptionally qualified to establish bridges of access and understanding between the dynamic and growing Latino community and trusted, knowledgeable partners such as USFWS through our proven, innovative outreach model. HAF has a network of educational, faith-based, and community partners in over 15 states and has a track record of ongoing successful engagement. HAF has successfully recruited, hired, and supervised talented young Latinos for activities including HAF’s “Four Stops, One Destination” program, the National Park Service’s Latino Heritage Internship Program, and the USFWS Northeast Region’s Urban Wildlife Refuges Program. Our recruitment and implementation capacity has been recognized by partners as providing a strong pool of highly qualified candidates and effectively preparing the next generation of diverse conservation stewards.

This program will engage Latino young adults in natural resource conservation through paid, hands-on, educational work experiences in urban and non-urban USFWS sites. HAF will: 1) recruit, screen and hire young adults to carry out a variety of USFWS projects, 2) efficiently and cost-effectively manage all associated administrative functions, 3) conduct cultural training for participants, 4) meaningfully connect this project and its participants with HAF’s community based partners, and 5) leverage HAF resources, including powerful communications capabilities and initiatives like Latino Conservation Week (LatinoConservationWeek.com) to build strong visibility of this project, and our partners at the USFWS. Outcomes will include 1) a greater pool of diverse young people with valuable experience for natural resource careers, 2) increased culturally appropriate outreach tools for USFWS employees and mentors, 3) trust-filled relationships between USFWS employees and influential Latino community leaders, and

4) an increased ability of USFWS sites to effectively engage diverse visitors, including the growing, vibrant Latino community.

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 4

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) is a 501c3 national nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. HAF’s official IRS 501c3 approval letter has been uploaded in Grants.gov as Attachment 2 with this application.

Our Mission:

HAF improves the lives of Hispanics in the United States and promotes civic engagement by educating, motivating and helping them access trustworthy support systems.

Our Vision:

All Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.

HAF builds bridges that connect Latino communities with the information, services and opportunities they need for a better life. Working with and through our strategic partnerships with educational, faith, and community grassroots organizations, we increase access to vital information and community resources for the U.S. Hispanic population. Our partners, field leaders, and internship alumni are trusted sources of advice and support for a community that is often unsure where to seek experts and information to help meet families’ needs, concerns and aspirations. Our approach uses data-driven initiatives that combine the strength of new and traditional forms of media with grassroots activities to transform information into action. We connect the people we serve to resources and experts through our toll-free bilingual helpline, grassroots partners and local events.

We concentrate many of our community-based outreach efforts in major Hispanic areas in addition to the “new-growth” Hispanic communities, where there are large numbers of Latinos who tend to be marginalized from the greater community. In these communities, language and cultural differences are often significant barriers to receiving educational and employment opportunities, and health and human services. Our programs help students and families who may need extra help in navigating the complex systems to which they have not previously been exposed, or which are different from those in their families’ countries of origin.

For more information, visit www.HispanicAccess.org

Current and recent programs have focused heavily on environmental issues and youth workforce development, in addition to financial education and health. HAF manages a directory of over 17,500 community based, bilingual service providers (online at http://recursos.hispanicaccess.org/) and has over 5,400 Latino community and church partners in our network. Through highly collaborative partnerships, HAF has assisted hundreds of thousands of people via helpline and online support, through over 1,180 community-based events, outings, and workshops, and over 741 million impressions for viewers/listeners through our Spanish and English media outreach.

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 5

Youth Recruitment Programs and Federal Agreements

HAF has successfully managed federal and corporate agreements such as a multi-year cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control on cancer education and screening. Over three years, HAF successfully managed over $935,000 in CDC funds and successfully met all programmatic and financial and reporting requirements. In addition, HAF is currently implementing cooperative agreements with the USFWS Northeast Region and the National Park Service to manage youth recruitment programs.

National Park Service, Youth Programs Division HAF is currently implementing year two of a five-year cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, with a total project budget of approximately $300,000 for FY2016, and $250,000 in FY2015. In this partnership, HAF is responsible for recruiting, overseeing and administering a 10-week paid summer internship program for college and graduate students. A letter of support describing HAF’s successful performance is included as an attachment to this application. Participants have been recruited from across the country and have been assigned to sites in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Arizona, Indiana, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, California, and Washington, DC.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region In Fall 2015, HAF launched a youth program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, placing seven college/graduate student interns in 12-week paid 2016 summer positions at urban refuges in the Northeast. HAF has individual cooperative agreements with the seven sites for a total of about $90,000. The sites include:

- Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts

- Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge in New England

- Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey

- Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

- Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut

- John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, PA

- Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland

Additional Youth Environmental Engagement Programs

HAF has demonstrated its ability to successfully recruit, administer, and implement robust youth conservation programs through its successful implementation of several non-federal youth environmental programs in Colorado, New Mexico and a multi-state program. HAF undertakes a variety of youth programs with support from private foundations including the Hewlett Foundation, Wyss Foundation, Western Conservation Foundation and Western Energy Project. For example:

A number of HAF’s youth environmental education activities have helped students gain hands-on experience related to land and water conservation and public policy. Examples include youth workshops on site in the preservation of wildlife at Browns Canyon in Colorado, drought/water, safety, and trail maintenance at the San Gabriel Mountains in

Hispanic Access Foundation – Project Narrative - F16AS00108 6

California (these two sites were recently designated as national monuments), and water/soil and historical/cultural interpretation at the Gila River in New Mexico.

Through its “Four Stops, One Destination Tour,” HAF engaged seven college students from across the US to learn about the measures available to protect natural resources such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and public engagement through master leasing plans.