Foa_Content_of_HHS-2022-ACF-ORR-ZN-0072.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement

Employer Engagement Program

HHS-2022-ACF-ORR-ZN-0072

Application Due Date: 06/27/2022

Table of Contents Executive Summary

I. Program Description

II. Federal Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

III.3. Other

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

The Project Description

The Project Budget and Budget Justification

Application Submission Options

IV.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

IV.4. Submission Dates and Times

Explanation of Due Dates

Acknowledgement of Received Application

IV.5. Intergovernmental Review

IV.6. Funding Restrictions

IV.7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

V.2. Review and Selection Process

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

VI.1. Federal Award Notices

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VI.3. Reporting

VII. HHS Award Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

Reference Websites

Application Checklist

Funding Opportunity Title:

Employer Engagement Program Announcement Type:

Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2022-ACF-ORR-ZN-0072

Primary CFDA Number:

93.576 Due Date for Applications:

06/27/2022 Executive Summary Notice:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) carefully and observe the application formatting requirements listed in Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission. For more information on applying for grants, please visit "How to Apply for a Grant" on the ACF Grants & Funding Page at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) invites eligible entities to submit competitive grant applications for the ORR Employer Engagement Program. Through the Employer Engagement Program, ORR will provide funding to strengthen employer engagement in the integration and self-sufficiency of eligible Afghan entrants within the community. Programs will enter into formal partnerships with employers to develop training curricula, provide career counseling, and strengthen opportunities for workplace-based training, apprenticeships, and internships. Programs will share costs of workplace instructors and will supply liaisons to design work-oriented language and training curricula, schedule and announce services, and coordinate with employment case managers for referral and enrollment to support career advancement. Employer partnerships will also include longer-term individual investment opportunities by sponsoring and covering the costs of vocational certification, recertification, and/or longer-term educational degrees.

I. Program Description Statutory Authority Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 412(c)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1522(c)(1)(A); Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law 117-43, Title III, as amended through Public Law 117-86.

Description

REFUGEE EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ORR has long realized the importance of employers in the trajectory of refugee success and long-term integration. Likewise, employers have recognized the value of a dedicated and resilient refugee workforce. The goal of the ORR Employer Engagement program is to develop and strengthen partnerships between employers and refugee service providers to further skills https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant development and career advancement opportunities for eligible Afghan entrants. These partnerships will more fully engage employers in the process of helping participants integrate and attain self-sufficiency by providing on-site learning and career advancement opportunities.

For many refugees resettled to the United States, the ability to effectively attain English language proficiency is often overshadowed by the need to quickly enter employment. Consequently, most early employment is focused on entry level work due to refugees’ lack of English proficiency, even for those with advanced professional and educational experiences. The 2018 ORR Annual Report to Congress notes that almost 53 percent of refugee adults spoke no English at the time of arrival. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, employment rates of refugee populations increase by up to 10 percent when refugees obtain proficiency in the host country’s language. Likewise, a recent Center for Migration Studies report revealed that 65 percent of refugee respondents felt early employment limited their ability to learn English, and 64 percent indicated difficulty to attend English Language Learner (ELL) classes due to working hours. The study also revealed that 56 percent took jobs that did not meet their skill level[1].

This program intends to address this barrier by fostering employer engagement and investment in the professional development of employees. The program will fund efforts by local organizations to create networks of employers offering work-based ELL and job skills training to eligible employees. Community organizations and employers will collaborate to design training curricula to strengthen participants’ English and vocational skills. Strengthening employer engagement in integration of newcomers will help create stability in the workforce as well as help ensure employers have dedicated staff to meet the needs of their company. For program participants, such engagement will create opportunities for focused learning in a dedicated and convenient environment, career advancement, and social interaction.

Program Objectives and Scope

Program objectives are as follows:

Helping eligible Afghan entrants attain self-sufficiency by acquiring skills required for job retention and professional advancement through partnerships between employers and refugee service providers

Developing a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of local employers and the greater community

Through the Employer Engagement Program, organizations will facilitate partnerships between refugee service providers and local employers. Such partnerships will create opportunities for workplace-based training for eligible Afghan entrants in ELL and job skills. Partners will collaborate to develop and refine training curricula that strengthen participants' opportunities for career advancement and longer-term labor market integration. Partners will conduct personalized goal planning with each participant and regularly assess progress to identify additional training needs. Throughout the program period, partners will identify means of increasing the role of the employer in ongoing training and career development of participants.

Program Activities https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/orr/ARC_FY2018_508_2_28_2021.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/orr/ARC_FY2018_508_2_28_2021.pdf

The Employer Engagement Program will meet its objectives through the following activities:

Forming Employer Partnerships

Programs will form networks of employers within their defined service area that employ Afghan entrants eligible for ORR services. Employers must be willing and have the capacity to contribute to career readiness of refugee employees. Programs must conclude a signed agreement or memorandum of understanding with each employer that details the roles and responsibilities of each party. Programs will work to expand their employer network throughout the program period.

Training Plans and Curricula

The primary purpose of the Employer Engagement Program is to support workplace-based training for eligible employees in English language and skills needed for job performance and career advancement. Training will take place at the employer's location or another location easily accessible to participants. Programs and employers will either conduct training directly or identify a third party to lead the training.

Within 90 days of finalizing each employer partnership, programs will collaborate with the employer partner to develop a workplace-based training plan and curriculum. Plans will include the following elements:

Identify the training needs of both the employer and eligible employees Specify training in both ELL and job skills Detail how proposed training will enable participants to qualify for and succeed in positions that offer increased wages and responsibilities Set a training schedule that permits participants to attend during usual work hours or during hours that accommodate family and personal needs Identify qualified trainers either provided by the program or through a third party Accommodate language and cultural needs of the local refugee population

Programs are encouraged to work with employers to identify financial or in-kind contributions employers are able to make to support employee training, which may include paid release or time on the job to employees to participate in training sessions.

Programs will work with employers to develop a curriculum that meets the training needs identified in the training plan. The curriculum must be paced appropriately for a newcomer audience, taking into account time needed for interpretation and verifying that all participants are able to fully and actively participate. Training programs may include separate tracks for participants at different English language and/or job skill levels. Programs are encouraged to incorporate the input and/or lived experiences of program participants and graduates into their curricula design. Curricula must include appropriate monitoring and assessment measures to ensure effectiveness.

If training sessions will include individuals not eligible for services under this program, the percentage of the cost of the training funded through the Employer Engagement Program

(including employer contribution) must not exceed the percentage of eligible participants attending.

Enrollment and Goal Planning

Prior to training, programs will conduct formal enrollment of all ORR-eligible participants into the Employer Engagement Program. Each participant must sign a service agreement with information on the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the participants, program, and employer. Programs and employer partners will conduct personalized goal planning for each participant taking into account input from the participant regarding their current job status, skills, qualifications, and interests. Plans must include clear and measurable benchmarks for skill development that can be assessed at least every 6 months. Programs must hold additional goal planning discussions with each participant continuing in the program including development of new benchmarks at least every 6 months.

The overarching goal of this focused partnership with employers is to enhance opportunities for career advancement and foster a dedicated and skill-based workforce for employers.

Annual Planning Session

No less than once per year, programs must hold a planning session with each employer partner.

Planning sessions may be held with each partner separately or as a group. During the planning sessions, programs and employer partners will assess the effectiveness of their training program to date and changing needs among employers and eligible employees. Programs and employer partners will revise their training programs appropriately. Programs and employer partners will also discuss how to further increase the role of the employer partner in the curriculum development and training process over time.

Coordination with Refugee Resettlement Community

Coordination with the local refugee resettlement community is critical to the success of the Employer Engagement Program. Programs must include regular coordination with resettlement agencies, State Refugee Coordinators or Replacement Designees, and other relevant community services providers to extend the effort of the outreach, awareness, and coordination with the refugee resettlement community. Attendance at quarterly consultations with resettlement agencies, regular meetings with State Refugee Coordinators, and participation in other relevant forums are examples of activities with strategic partnerships to facilitate resource mapping.

Enrollment in Other ORR-Funded Programs

Services provided under the Employer Engagement Program are intended to complement other forms of employment-related support funded by ORR and other sources. Employer Engagement Program participants are not prohibited from receiving services under any other ORR-funded program provided such services are not duplicative.

Eligible Participants Defined

The Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, authorizes refugee and entrant activities in support of citizens or nationals of Afghanistan paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of INA and citizens or nationals of Afghanistan for whom such refugee and entrant assistance activities are authorized. Due to this, eligible recipients of services are limited to individuals with the following statuses:

1. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of INA between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022. The benefits and assistance will be available until March 31, 2023, or the end of an individual’s parole term, whichever is later.

2. A spouse or child of any Afghan humanitarian parolee who is paroled into the United States after September 30, 2022. The benefits and assistance will be available until March 31, 2023, or the end of an individual’s parole term, whichever is later.

3. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan paroled as refugees or asylees under section 212(d)(5) of

INA.

4. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan admitted under section 207 of INA.

5. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan whose asylum status was granted under section 208 of

INA.

6. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan who are lawful permanent residents provided that they previously held one of the statuses identified above.

7. Afghan Special Immigrants per section 1244(g) of Div. A of Public Law 110-181, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1157 note) and section 602(b) (8) of Div. F of Public Law 118-8, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1101 note).

8. Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan who are identified as victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons per the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(A) and (C).

Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 CFR § 400.43; and ORR Policy Letters 16-01, 22-01, and 22-02, which can be found on the ORR website at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letters.

Additionally, eligibility for this program is limited to individuals fulfilling the requirements above who entered the United States on or after July 31, 2021.

For convenience, the term "refugee" is used in this NOFO to encompass all such eligible persons.

ORR assistance and services must be provided to eligible individuals without regard to race, religion, nationality, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), or political opinion.

While the Employer Engagement Program is intended for employees of employer partners, eligibility is not limited to such employees. Non-employees may participate in training subject to space and capacity.

Case File Requirements

The Employer Engagement Program requires that individual case files be maintained for each program participant. Files must comprise all information collected on the participant including, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letters at minimum, documentation of participant eligibility, personalized training plan, assessment results, and case notes.

Programs must ensure compliance with 45 CFR §75.303 (e) to take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information. Case files must be available to ORR monitors, or other responsible federal staff, upon request. When not in use, both physical and electronic case files must be properly secured as to ensure only appropriate staff have access. If the program is using an electronic case file system, then safeguards such as limiting access to the data and encryption must be in place to protect participant information. Paper files must be kept confidential - ideally in a file cabinet that is kept locked and can be accessed only by authorized staff.

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS

Subawards

Recipients under this grant program may opt to transfer a portion of substantive programmatic work to other organizations through subaward(s). The prime recipient must maintain a substantive role in the project. ACF defines a substantive role as conducting activities and/or providing services funded under the award that are necessary and integral to the completion of the project. Subrecipient monitoring activities alone as specified in 45 CFR §

75.352 do not constitute a substantive role. Furthermore, ACF does not fund awards where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

Subrecipient(s) must meet the eligibility requirements identified in the NOFO, Section III.1.

Eligible Applicants. Additionally, all subrecipient(s) must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, or after government-wide implementation, a Unique Entity Identifier assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM), if they do not already have one. Prime recipients are required to check the SAM to verify that the subrecipient(s) is/are not debarred, suspended, or ineligible.

Please reference the Award Term and Condition on Subawards on the ACF Administrative and National Policy Requirements website for further requirements involving subawards.

Program Performance Evaluation

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), ORR will seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on data indicators for post-award reporting. Once approved, grant recipients will be required to report data points on a semi-annual basis.

Pending OMB approval, data points will include the following:

1. Number of participants newly enrolled in the program

2. Number of employer partnerships

3. Number of training hours provided in English language skills

4. Number of training hours provided in job skill development

5. Number of participants demonstrating improvement in English language skills according to recipient-established measurements https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_14 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements

6. Number of participants demonstrating improvement in job skills according to recipient-established measurements

7. Number of participants who obtained a new professional credential

8. Number of participants who attained a promotion and/or additional job responsibilities accompanied by an increase in wages

Participation in ORR-Sponsored Training Events

Employer Engagement programs will be expected to participate in ORR-sponsored webinars, trainings, and peer sharing events throughout the program period. An annual workshop is planned for each program year. Attendance is required for one key staff member to participate in this annual 2-day workshop in Washington, DC. ORR may hold this workshop in a virtual format.

Employer Engagement Program Evaluation

If ACF identifies additional resources to fund a federal study of the funded grant activities, then the recipient will be required to participate. The study would utilize an outside, non-recipient evaluation team and would focus on the processes, implementation, progress indicators, and quality improvement of funded activities.

NOTE: Consistent with the PRA of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), under this NOFO, ORR will not conduct or sponsor - and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information covered by such Act - unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. ORR will obtain OMB approval for a federal study of the funded Employer Engagement activities, as appropriate.

ORR will not require programs to conduct record keeping activities subject to the PRA for which it has not received approval from OMB.

For more information on application requirements specific to this NOFO, please refer to Section IV.2. The Project Description and The Project Budget and Budget Justification.

[1] Center for Migration Studies: Charting a Course to Rebuild and Strengthen the US Refugee Admissions Program: https://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CMS-and-RCUSA-Report- Charting-a-Course-to-Rebuild-and-Strengthen-the-US-Refugee-Admissions-Program.pdf.

II. Federal Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) Estimated Total Funding:

$14,000,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$900,000 https://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CMS-and-RCUSA-Report-Charting-a-Course-to-Rebuild-and-Strengthen-the-US-Refugee-Admissions-Program.pdf https://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CMS-and-RCUSA-Report-Charting-a-Course-to-Rebuild-and-Strengthen-the-US-Refugee-Admissions-Program.pdf

Per Project Period

Award Floor:

$600,000 Per Project Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$900,000 Per Project Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

09/30/2022 Length of Project Periods:

Other

Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' Awards under this NOFO will be fully funded for a single budget period of 36 months.

Additional Information on Awards:

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to the availability of federal funds.

Applications requesting an award amount that exceeds the Award Ceiling per budget period, or per project period, as stated in this section, will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. This disqualification applies only to the Award Ceiling listed for the first 12-month budget period for projects with multiple budget periods. If the project and budget period are the same, the disqualification applies to the Award Ceiling listed for the project period. Please see Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

Note: For those programs that require matching or cost sharing, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period or by project period for fully funded awards, even if the projected commitment exceeds the required amount of match or cost share. A recipient's failure to provide the required matching amount may result in the disallowance of federal funds.

For more information on these requirements, see Section III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching.

ACF will use the recipient’s semi-annual performance progress and financial reports, site visits, audit reports, and other supporting documentation to determine, in accordance with the requirements in the competitive NOFO and statute, if satisfactory progress is being made. ACF will factor in the recipient’s ability to meet reporting due dates. ACF’s review of reports and other documentation will be used to assess progress in 1) accomplishing the project goals, objectives, and activities; 2) completing proposed activities; and 3) documenting allowable expenses that support project goals, objectives, and the approved budget. Please refer to Section VI.3. Reporting for more information on required reports.

III. Eligibility Information III.1. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants for refugee programs under INA § 412(c)(1)(A) are "public or private nonprofit agencies."

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. See Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity. Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject to the protections and requirements of 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., ACF will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No For all federal awards, any shared costs or matching funds and all contributions, including cash and third-party in-kind contributions, must be accepted as part of the recipient’s cost sharing or matching when such contributions meet all criteria listed in 45 CFR § 75.306.

For awards that require matching by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards, even if the projected commitment exceeds the amount required by the statutory match. A recipient’s failure to provide the statutorily required matching amount may result in the disallowance of federal funds.

Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, where “cost sharing” refers to any situation in which the recipient voluntarily shares in the costs of a project other than as statutorily required matching, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. These include situations in which contributions are voluntarily proposed by a recipient or subrecipient and are accepted by ACF. Non-federal cost sharing will be included in the approved project budget so that the recipient will be held accountable for proposed non-federal cost sharing funds as shown in the Notice of Award (NoA). A recipient’s failure to provide voluntary cost sharing of non-federal resources that have been accepted by ACF as part of the approved project costs and that have been shown as part of the approved project budget in the NoA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

III.3. Other Application Disqualification Factors Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Award Ceiling Disqualification

Applications that request an award amount that exceeds the Award Ceiling per budget period or per project period ("per project period" refers only to fully funded awards), as stated in Section II. Federal Award Information, will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. This disqualification applies only to the Award Ceiling listed for the first 12-month budget period for projects with multiple budget periods. If the project and budget period are the same, the disqualification applies to the Award Ceiling listed for the project period.

Required Electronic Application Submission

ACF requires electronic submission of applications at Grants.gov. Paper applications received from applicants that have not been approved for an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Applicants that do not have an internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents to the internet may contact ACF for an exemption that will allow the applicant to submit applications in paper format. Information and the requirements for requesting an exemption from required electronic application submission are found in "ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Electronic Application Submission."

Missing the Application Deadline (Late Applications)

The deadline for electronic application submission is 11:59 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Electronic applications submitted to Grants.gov after 11:59 pm ET on the due date, as indicated by a dated and time-stamped email from Grants.gov, will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. That is, applications submitted to Grants.gov, on or after 12:00 am ET on the day after the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Applications submitted to Grants.gov at any time during the open application period, and prior to the due date and time, which fail the Grants.gov validation check, will not be received at, or acknowledged by ACF.

Each time an application is submitted via Grants.gov, the submission will generate a new date and time-stamp email notification. Only those applications with on-time date and time stamps that result in a validated application, which is transmitted to ACF will be acknowledged.

The deadline for receipt of paper applications is 4:30 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received after 4:30 pm ET on the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. Paper applications received from applicants that have not received https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf approval of an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Notification of Application Disqualification Applicants will be notified of a disqualification determination by email or by USPS postal mail within 30 federal business days from the closing date of this NOFO.

IV. Application and Submission Information IV.1. Address to Request Application Package Ryan Foster Administration for Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement Division of Refugee Services Mary E. Switzer Building 330 C Street, SW.

Washington

DC

202021

(202) 260-6949

(202) 401-5772 Ryan.Foster@acf.hhs.gov Application Packages

Electronic Application Submission:

The electronic application submission package is available in the NOFO's listing at Grants.gov.

Applications in Paper Format:

For applicants that have received an exemption to submit applications in paper format, Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and certifications are available in the "Select Grant Opportunity Package" available in the NOFO's Grants.gov Synopsis under the Package tab at Grants.gov. See Section IV.2. Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission if applicants do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents (files) to Grants.gov.

Federal Relay Service:

Hearing-impaired and speech-impaired callers may contact the Federal Relay Service (FedRelay) for assistance at www.gsa.gov/fedrelay.

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

FORMATTING APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

Each applicant applying electronically via Grants.gov is required to upload only two electronic files, excluding SFs and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved forms. No more than two files will be accepted for the review, and additional files will be removed. SFs and OMB-approved forms will not be considered additional files.

http://www.gsa.gov/fedrelay

FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) AOR is the designated representative of the applicant/recipient organization with authority to act on the organization’s behalf in matters related to the award and administration of grants. In signing a grant application, this individual agrees that the organization will assume the obligations imposed by applicable Federal statutes and regulations and other terms and conditions of the award, including any assurances, if a grant is awarded.

Point of Contact In addition to the AOR, a point of contact on matters involving the application must also be identified. The point of contact, known as the Project Director or Principal Investigator, should not be identical to the person identified as the AOR. The point of contact must be available to answer any questions pertaining to the application.

Application Checklist Applicants may refer to Section VIII. Other Information for a checklist of application requirements that may be used in developing and organizing application materials.

Accepted Font Style Applications must be in Times New Roman (TNR), 12-point font, except for footnotes, which may be TNR 10-point font. Pages that contain blurred text, or text that is too small to read comfortably, will be removed.

English Language Applications must be submitted in the English language and must be in the terms of United States (U.S.) dollars. If applications are submitted using another currency, ACF will convert the foreign currency to U.S. currency using the date of receipt of the application to determine the rate of exchange.

Page Limitations Applicants must observe the page limitation(s) listed under "PAGE LIMITATIONS AND CONTENT FOR ALL SUBMISSION FORMATS:." Page limitation(s) do not include SFs and OMB-approved forms.

All applications must be double-spaced. An application that exceeds the cited page limitation for double-spaced pages in the Project Description file or the Appendices file will have extra pages removed, and those pages will not be reviewed.

Application Elements Exempted from Double-Spacing Requirements The following elements of the application submission are exempt from the double-spacing requirements and may be single-spaced: the table of contents, the one-page Project Summary, required Assurances and Certifications, required SFs, required OMB-approved forms, resumes, logic models, proof of legal status/non-profit status, third-party agreements, letters of support, footnotes, tables, the line-item budget and/or the budget justification.

Adherence to NOFO Formatting, Font, and Page Limitation Requirements Applications that fail to adhere to ACF’s NOFO formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will be adjusted by the removal of page(s) from the application. Pages will be removed before the objective review and will not be made available to reviewers.

Applications that have more than one scanned page of a document on a single page will have the page(s) removed from the review.

For applicants that submit paper applications, double-sided pages will be counted as two pages.

When the maximum allowed number of pages is reached, excess pages will be removed and will not be made available to reviewers.

NOTE: Applicants failing to adhere to ACF’s NOFO formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will receive a letter from ACF notifying them that their application was amended.

The letter will be sent after awards have been issued and will specify the reason(s) for removal of page(s).

Corrections/Updates to Submitted Applications When applicants make revisions to a previously submitted application, ACF will accept only the last on-time application for pre-review under the Application Disqualification Factors. The Application Disqualification Factors determine the application's acceptance for competitive review. See Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors and Section IV.2.

Application Submission Options.

Copies Required Applicants must submit one complete copy of the application package electronically. Applicants submitting electronic applications need not provide additional copies of their application package.

Applicants submitting applications in paper format must submit one original and two copies of the complete application, including all SFs and OMB-approved forms. The original copy must have original signatures.

Signatures Applicants submitting electronic applications must follow the registration and application submission instructions provided at Grants.gov.

The original of a paper format application must include original signatures of the authorized representatives.

Accepted Application Format With the exception of the required SFs and OMB-approved forms, all application materials must be formatted so that they are 8 ½" x 11" white paper with 1-inch margins all around.

If possible, applicants are encouraged to include page numbers for each page within the application.

ACF generally does not encourage submission of scanned documents as they tend to have reduced clarity and readability. If documents must be scanned, the font size on any scanned documents must be large enough so that it is readable. Documents must be scanned page-for-page, meaning that applicants may not scan more than one page of a document onto a single page. Pages with blurred text will be removed from the application.

PAGE LIMITATIONS AND CONTENT FOR ALL SUBMISSION FORMATS:

With the exception of SFs and OMB approved forms, the application submission in its entirety (Project Description and Appendices) is limited to 80 pages.

The Project Description (Narrative) must include the following items:

Table of Contents Project Summary Geographic Location Need for Assistance Objectives Expected Outcomes Approach Project Timelines and Milestones Organizational Capacity Plan for Oversight of Federal Award Funds and Activities Program Performance Evaluation Plan Logic Model Protection of Sensitive and/or Confidential Information Project Budget and Budget Justification

The Appendices must include the following items:

Resumes or curricula vitae of current staff, and/or position descriptions Organizational Chart of Applicant Entity (including staff who will be assigned to administer this program) Letter of consultation with State Refugee Coordinator Letter of Agreement with a Cognizant Federal Agency on Indirect Charges, if applicable Documentation of applicant's legal status Letters of support Third party agreements, if applicable Copy of Auditor's one page summary report, if available Any other information the applicant deems relevant and necessary

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants are required to submit their applications electronically unless they have received an exemption that will allow submission in paper format. See Section IV.2. Application Submission Options for information about requesting an exemption.

Electronic applications will only be accepted via Grants.gov. ACF will not accept applications submitted via email or via facsimile.

Each applicant is required to upload ONLY two electronic files, excluding SFs and OMB-approved forms.

File One: Must contain the entire Project Description, and the Budget and Budget Justification (including a line-item budget and a budget narrative).

File Two: Must contain all documents required in the Appendices.

Adherence to the Two-File Requirement No more than two files will be accepted for the review. Applications with additional files will be amended and files will be removed from the review. SFs and OMB-approved forms will not be considered additional files.

Application Upload Requirements ACF strongly recommends that electronic applications be uploaded as Portable Document Files (PDFs). One file must contain the entire Project Description and Budget Justification; the other file must contain all documents required in the Appendices. Details on the content of each of the two files, as well as page limitations, are listed earlier in this section.

To adhere to the two-file requirement, applicants may need to convert and/or merge documents together using a PDF converter software. Many recent versions of Microsoft Office include the ability to save documents to the PDF format without need of additional software. Applicants using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software will be able to merge these documents together. ACF recommends merging documents electronically rather than scanning multiple documents into one document manually, as scanned documents may have reduced clarity and readability.

Applicants must ensure that the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader they are using is compatible with Grants.gov. To verify Adobe software compatibility please go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” at the top bar menu and select “Adobe Software Compatibility", which is listed under "Applicant Resources." The Adobe verification process allows applicants to test their version of the software by opening a test Workspace PDF form. Grants.gov also includes guidance on how to download a supported version of Adobe, as well as troubleshooting instructions for use, if an applicant is unable to open the test form.

The Adobe Software Compatibility page located on Grants.gov also provides guidance for applicants on filling out a Workspace PDF form. In addition, it addresses local network and/or computer security settings and the impact this has on use of Adobe software.

Required SFs and OMB-approved Forms SFs and OMB-approved forms are uploaded separately at Grants.gov. These forms are submitted separately from the Project Description and Appendices files. See Section IV.2. Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications for the listing of required SFs, OMB-approved forms, and required assurances and certifications.

Naming Application Submission Files Carefully observe the file naming conventions required by Grants.gov. Limit file names to 50 characters (characters and spaces). Please also see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html.

Use only file formats supported by ACF Applicants must submit applications using only the supported file formats listed here. While ACF supports all of the following file formats, we strongly recommend that the two application submission files (Project Description and Appendices) are uploaded as PDFs in order to comply with the two-file upload limitation. Documents in file formats that are not supported by ACF will be removed from the application and will not be used in the competitive review. This may make the application incomplete, and ACF will not make any awards based on an incomplete application.

ACF supports the following file formats:

Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf) Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx) Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Do Not Encrypt or Password-Protect the Electronic Application Files If ACF cannot access submitted electronic files because they are encrypted or password protected, the affected file will be removed from the application and will not be reviewed. This removal may make the application incomplete, and ACF will not make awards based on an incomplete application.

FORMATTING FOR PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS:

The following requirements are only applicable to applications submitted in paper format.

Applicants must receive an exemption from ACF in order for a paper format application to be accepted for review. For more information on the exemption, see "ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission'" at www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-6.

Format Requirements for Paper Applications All copies of mailed or hand-delivered paper applications must be submitted in a single package.

If an applicant is submitting multiple applications under a single NOFO, or multiple applications https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-6 under separate NOFOs, each application submission must be packaged separately. The package(s) must be clearly labeled with the NOFO title and Funding Opportunity Number.

Applicants using paper format should download the application forms package associated with the NOFO's Synopsis on Grants.gov under the Package tab.

Applicants are advised that the copies of the application submitted, not the original, will be reproduced by the federal government for review. All application materials must be one-sided for duplication purposes. All pages in the application submission must be sequentially numbered.

Addresses for Submission of Paper Applications See Section IV.7. Other Submission Requirements for addresses for paper format application submissions.

Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications Applicants seeking an award under this funding opportunity must submit the listed SFs, assurances, and certifications with the application. All required SFs, assurances, and certifications are available in the Application Package posted for this NOFO at Grants.gov.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

Required of all applicants.

Applicants must have a UEI and maintain an active SAM registration throughout the application and project award period.

Obtain a UEI and SAM registration at: http://www.sam.gov.

See Section IV.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) for more information.

SF-424 Key Contact Form Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications.

Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov Lobbying Form)

Submission required of all applicants with the application package. If it is not submitted with the application package, it must be submitted prior to the award of a grant.

Submission of the certification is required for all applicants.

https://www.sam.gov/

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

SF-424A - Budget Information - Non- Construction Programs and SF-424B - Assurances - Non- Construction Programs

Submission is required for all applicants when applying for a non-construction project.

SFs must be used. Forms must be submitted by the application due date.

By signing and submitting the SF-424B, applicants are making the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination.

Required for all applications when applying for a non-construction project.

SF-Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL)

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications. In the SF- P/PSL, applicants must cite their primary location and up to 29 additional performance sites.

Additional Required Assurances and Certifications Mandatory Grant Disclosure All applicants and recipients are required to submit, in writing, to the awarding agency and to the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), all information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. (Mandatory Disclosures, 45 CFR § 75.113)

Disclosures must be sent in writing to:

The Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Grants Management, ATTN: Grants Management Specialist, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer Building, Corridor 3200, Washington, DC 20201

And to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, ATTN:

Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue, SW., Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC 20201

Fax: (202) 205-0604 (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line) or

Email: grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

Non-Federal Reviewers Since ACF will be using non-federal reviewers in the review process, applicants have the option mailto:grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. If applications are submitted electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review process.

The Project Description The Project Description Overview

General Expectations and Instructions The Project Description provides the information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for financial assistance. It must address all activities for which federal funds are being requested and all application requirements as stated in this section. The Project Description must explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in Section I. Program Description. As a reminder, reviewers will be evaluating this section in accordance with Section V.1. Criteria.

The Project Description must be clear, concise, and complete. ACF is particularly interested in Project Descriptions that convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project Descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length.

Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting documents designated as required must be included in the Appendix of the application.

Table of Contents List the contents of the application including corresponding page numbers. The table of contents may be single spaced.

Project Summary Provide a summary of the application project description. It must be clear, accurate, concise, and without cross-references to other parts of the application. The summary must include a brief description of the proposed grant project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed services, and the population group(s) to be served.

Please place the following at the top of the Project Summary:

Project Title…