Foa_Content_of_HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CY-0023 v3.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth, and Families-Family and Youth Services Bureau

FY2023 Runaway Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC)

HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CY-0023

Application Due Date: 06/20/2023

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

Appendix

Funding Opportunity Title:

FY2023 Runaway Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC) Announcement Type:

Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CY-0023

Primary CFDA Number:

93.623 Due Date for Applications:

06/20/2023 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 Administration for Children and Families' (ACF), Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) announces the availability of up to $2.5 million to be competitively awarded for the operation of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC).

The Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program, administered by the Division of RHY within FYSB, serves as the national leader for the provision of shelter and supportive services to youth and young adults who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of becoming homeless. The RHY Program administers awards to public and non-profit organizations to establish and operate youth emergency shelters for minors, conduct street outreach, and support transitional living and maternity group home programs.

RHYTTAC is the national training and technical assistance (T/TA) entity that provides direct T/TA to existing RHY award recipients and subrecipients, federal staff, and youth-serving organizations eligible to receive RHY funds to implement programs that assist youth with having a successful path to adulthood and self-sufficiency. The purpose of the RHYTTAC is to support FYSB and RHY in the provision of T/TA services that will build the capacity of RHY award recipients and improve the performance and outcomes of program participants in the following four core areas:

Social and Emotional Well-Being: Youth will be connected to trauma-informed systems of care providers to assist and promote positive physical health, substance abuse treatment, mental health, and personal safety (e.g., identify potential trafficking situations); and reduce sexual risk behaviors they may face.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Education or Employment: Youth will connect to school or vocational training programs, improve interviewing and job attainment skills; and obtain and maintain employment.

Permanent Connections: Youth will experience positive ongoing attachments to families, communities, schools, and other social networks.

Safe and Stable Housing: Youth will transition to safe and stable housing that appropriately matches their level of need after program exit to include moving in with family, when appropriate, or other permanent supportive housing, residential treatment center, or substance abuse treatment facility.

This includes providing technical assistance to recipient organizations on creating and implementing programming that is reflective of the communities in which they serve. Successful capacity building enhances knowledge; promotes changes to practices or policies, when necessary; strengthens management and governance; and ensures compliance with required RHY statutory and regulatory requirements. Through the dissemination of high-quality, evidence-informed, or evidence-based resources and T/TA services, RHYTTAC works with youth-serving organizations to enhance their efforts of successful project implementation.

The RHYTTAC also works collaboratively with FYSB and assumes a lead role in coordinating with RHY grant recipients and members of the RHY Program Network (RHYPN). The RHYPN includes the National Communications System (NCS), the National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families (NCHYF), and the RHY Homeless Management Information System (RHY-

HMIS).

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority This program is authorized under the RHY Act (34 U.S.C. 11242)

Description Pursuant to the RHY Act, FYSB funds over 600 active awards to public and non-profit organizations to support street-based services, emergency and longer-term-shelter, and counseling and supportive services to youth and young adults who have runaway or who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. The primary RHY programs are, as follows:

The Street Outreach Program (SOP) provides street-based services to youth and young adults under the age of 22 who are living on the street; have runaway, are experiencing homelessness; and/ or who have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and severe forms of trafficking. Youth receive provisions for their basic needs, including food, hygiene packages, and information on RHY shelters.

The Basic Center Program (BCP) provides temporary, emergency shelter and counseling services to eligible youth under the age of 18 who have runaway or left home without permission of their parents or guardians; have been forced to leave their home; or are youth living on the street or youth experiencing homelessness for a period of up to 21 days. BCPs support youth with individual, group, and family counseling, as appropriate;

gateway services, harm reduction; and case management.

The Transitional Living Program (TLP) provides safe, stable, and appropriate housing for youth ages 16 to under 22 years of age who have runaway or are experiencing https://www.rhyttac.net/assets/docs/News/2022%20SOP%20NOFO.pdf https://www.rhyttac.net/assets/docs/News/2022%20BCP%20NOFO.pdf https://www.rhyttac.net/assets/docs/News/2022%20TLP%20NOFO%20Revised.pdf homelessness for a period 18 months (540 days) or, under extenuating circumstances, up to 21 months. Services provided within TLP include case management, individual/group counseling, education in basic life skills, financial literacy, interpersonal skill building, assistance with educational advancement and job attainment skills, and access to physical and mental health care.

Maternity Group Homes (MGH) are TLPs specifically designed to meet the needs of pregnant and/or parenting youth. These homes provide TLP services described above as well as parenting skills, childcare, child development education, and health and nutrition services.

These programs and services are designed to help youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness develop the skills necessary to make a successful transition to self-sufficient living.

The RHY Act also authorizes additional activities to be conducted through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, including:

Research and evaluation;

National reporting system to capture data on youth experiencing homelessness served by

RHY award recipient programs (RHY-HMIS); and National communications system to assist youth who have runaway or are experiencing homelessness in communicating with their families and service providers (NCS).

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The RHY Program is committed to building the capacity of RHY award recipients, youth-serving professionals, and youth-serving organizations eligible to receive RHY awards by providing evidence-based and evidence-informed resources relevant to the field, T/TA to support RHY, data collection to help with planning and continuous quality improvement (CQI), and facilitating partnerships with RHY partners and communities to expand the availability of resources.

The RHYTTAC coordinates a partnership and/or consortium of highly experienced and knowledgeable partners within the RHY field, including youth experts with lived experience.

The T/TA activities of RHYTTAC shall be researched-based and evidence-informed as well as practical in application within the field of RHY serving programs locally, regionally, and nationally.

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Goal:

To strengthen and build the capacity of public and private entities that are eligible to receive RHY awards by providing T/TA for the purpose of carrying out the programs, projects, or activities for which such awards are serving youth and young adults who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless.

https://www.rhyttac.net/assets/docs/News/2022%20MGH%20NOFO.pdf

Objectives:

Provide targeted T/TA to RHY award recipient agencies and youth-serving organizations eligible to receive RHY awards seeking technical support for prevention and intervention efforts to address current and potential RHY needs.

Implement capacity-building activities to support RHY award recipient organizations in complying with RHY program legislation, regulations, and policy guidance.

Develop relevant and interactive training products for in-person and virtual adaptation.

Disseminate evidenced-based, evidence-informed, and promising practices related to issues impacting youth and young adults who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless.

Build meaningful partnerships and collaborations to strengthen networks and coordination between RHY programs, youth-serving organizations, housing supports, social service professionals, and state and local governments by proactively engaging these entities on data, best practices, and resources needed to impact outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness.

Support coordination and delivery of T/TA activities among RHY award recipient organizations.

Lead in the coordination of activities among RHY funded partner organizations such as the RHYPN.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

As the T/TA provider for the RHY Program, RHYTTAC must integrate and promote Positive Youth Development (PYD) and the trauma-informed approach into all products and resources it develops.

Positive Youth Development FYSB’s RHY Program promotes a PYD framework, which integrates strengths-based approaches to emphasize youths' self-determination, resilience, life skills, and strengths. The PYD framework that includes healthy messages, safe and structured places, adult role models, skill development, and opportunities to serve others. PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is empowering, productive and constructive. Employing PYD also means promoting increased youth leadership capacity through intentional projects and activities designed to enhance this skill set. For more information on PYD, visit https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development

Trauma-Informed Approach The RHY Programs also utilize a trauma-informed approach, which involves understanding and responding to the symptoms of chronic, interpersonal trauma and traumatic stress, as well as the behavioral and mental health consequences of trauma and prevention of re-traumatization. For more information about the effects of trauma and utilizing a trauma-informed approach, visit https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4884.pdf

The RHYTTAC will partner with other T/TA and RHY service providers including, but not https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4884.pdf limited to, the RHY-HMIS (https://rhy-hmis.acf.hhs.gov/), the RHY NCS (1800Runaway.org), the NCHYF (RHYClearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov), and other ACF T/TA providers. The RHYTTAC will also work collaboratively with FYSB and assume a lead role in ongoing coordination and collaboration with the above-mentioned providers who make up the RHYPN.

In addition, RHYTTAC will carry out deliverables and activities in seven core areas:

Oversight and management of administrative and program requirements;

Development of national T/TA products;

RHY award recipient performance coaching, support, and engagement;

National and regional event delivery;

Partnership with youth and young adults with lived experience;

Support activities related to human trafficking awareness; and Incorporate data and community and partner feedback in ongoing and future /TA.

I. Oversight of administrative and program requirements related to operation of the RHY Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Establish a core management team, to include a full-time Project Director, to oversee the RHYTTAC project to include;

o Managing all aspects of the RHYTTAC, including oversight of the budget, project deliverables, implementation of virtual and in-person RHY award recipient trainings, performance coaching, and ongoing coordination and engagement with RHY federal staff as needed and/or requested;

o Ensure that RHY federal staff are consulted with and apprised of progress on a regular basis via weekly meetings with staff and/or management;

o Ensure that the RHY Project Officer is informed of all project updates, and their input is built into all aspects of the project deliverables;

o Identify dedicated staff and/or coaches to serve as point of contact and a direct liaison with federal project officers (FPOs) and RHY award recipients in each of ACF’s ten regions;

Participate in a RHYTTAC kickoff meeting virtually or in Washington, DC;

Provide staffing to manage team meetings, including scheduling; agenda development;

and meeting logistics, minutes, and timely dissemination of minutes to team members;

Develop a standard operating procedural manual for the RHYTTAC, in coordination with the RHY Project Officer;

Ensure FYSB approval is obtained on project deliverables and final products planned for dissemination;

Oversee the development of a comprehensive set of tools, knowledge resources, peer networks, trainings, webinars, handbooks, and other resources;

Provide all deliverables to FYSB in final editable electronic format by the specified due date.

Develop a T/TA intake and review process in collaboration with the RHY Project

Officer; and https://rhy-hmis.acf.hhs.gov/ https://www.1800runaway.org/ https://rhyclearinghouse.acf.hhs.gov/

Establish and maintain a triage system for all T/TA requests that includes determining appropriate response time, collaboration with the assigned FPO, documentation of the requestor, status, and outcomes.

II. Development of National T/TA products

The RHYTTAC will provide T/TA and encourage peer-to peer learning through various methods to include on-site RHY award recipient interactions, national and regional meetings and training events, self-paced online learning modules, webinars, written materials, and small group meetings in various formats (in-person, conference calls, and video technology).

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Triaging and tracking all T/TA requests from initiation to completion.

Develop and submit a comprehensive plan for producing high-quality products, including the use of social media platforms, infographics, tip sheets, etc. to provide diverse content types and methods of delivery;

Develop and disseminate research-based, evidenced-based or evidence-informed T/TA materials via on-site training, educational material, peer-to-peer consultations, and appropriate technology-facilitated learning

Develop, promote, and host educational T/TA, to include virtual or in-person webinars, trainings, distance learning, and other forms of technical assistance that support the RHY field;

Establish and maintain a catalog of T/TA products available through RHYTTAC to be updated semi-annually with an organized listing of tools and resources, including packaging for specific audiences;

Develop a quarterly calendar of proposed T/TA products;

Ensure T/TA products are available in English and Spanish languages;

Gather information from RHY award recipients, federal staff, ACF programs, other youth-serving organizations, and youth with lived experience (through listening sessions, surveys, needs assessments, etc.) to identify need and develop responsive T/TA products;

Develop a quarterly report which identifies trends on the innovations, benchmarks, and challenges of RHY award recipients throughout the year. The report should highlight promising practices in response to data trend reviews, RHY award recipient coaching, and delivery of targeted TA.

Establish and maintain an extensive cadre of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on various subject areas to contribute to the development of T/TA products relevant to the field. At a minimum, the T/TA provider should identify knowledgeable and highly regarded SMEs with expertise in each of RHY’s four core outcome areas (and related topics) who will serve as the lead for development and delivery of T/TA products such as trainings, webinars, tip sheets, briefing papers, infographics, etc. as requested; assist with policy recommendation and development; system partner engagement; research activities, public awareness; and individual T/TA RHY award recipient support;

Develop a criteria and protocol for engaging SMEs to assist RHY award recipient organizations on an individual, regional, or national basis, as appropriate;

Coordinate with national capacity building centers providing services and supports to youth and families to share information, resources, and identify best practices to enhance outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness;

Develop and disseminate resources to new RHY award recipients to include the promotion of the New Grantee Orientation (NGO) and description of RHYTTAC and RHYPN partner offerings;

Develop training materials to support RHY award recipients in complying with RHY statutory, regulatory requirements, including but not limited to program and administrative requirements as outlined in the RHY program NOFOs;

Develop communication materials that highlight case studies of RHY award recipients exhibiting best practices and success stories;

In addition, throughout the project period, RHYTTAC will complete the following T/TA deliverables:

o Develop a minimum of three toolkits with interactive online features in content areas identified relevant to the RHY field as evidenced by RHY award recipient feedback and monitoring findings by the RHY project staff o Develop a minimum of 10 information sheets and/or infographics per year on a range of topics for all RHY award recipients as identified through a variety of means, including research, analysis of RHY award recipient reports, emerging practices from the youth development field, and other TA activities that leverage the expertise of partner organizations, as determined by FYSB. These products shall be updated regularly to reflect current information and/or emerging research on the topic.

o Develop a minimum of eight briefing papers outlining strategies for TA and improved performance over the project period on topics related to the RHY four core outcomes and related topics including, but not limited to those listed below:

Intersection of juvenile/criminal justice and youth homelessness Intersection of child welfare and youth homelessness Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and dating violence Healthy relationships Civil legal services and supports for youth experiencing homelessness Substance use and misuse Youth homelessness prevention Coordinated Entry Partnership with Department of Housing and Urban Development

Continuum’s of Care Equity and culturally specific supports for youth of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual and two spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth

Culturally specific supports for tribal communities Parenting skills and supports for pregnant and/or parenting youth Recruitment and staff retention Aftercare and follow-up services

III. RHY Award Recipient Performance Coaching, Support and Engagement

The RHYTTAC will use a “coaching strategy” to deliver targeted T/TA to RHY award recipient organizations (in individual and/or small group settings) using SMEs with experience and knowledge in youth development and implementing strategies to address challenges and needs of RHY award recipient organizations related to a variety of topics. RHYTTAC will develop a plan to coordinate with a group of coaches or content experts who possess knowledge of the RHY core program areas, as well as performance management and outcomes, staff retention, financial management, executive leadership, and organizational capacity, etc.

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Serve all ten ACF federal regions and may include subcontractors or subrecipients, at its option, to provide services that will cover the regional multi-state areas.

Provide direct T/TA to RHY award recipients in-person or virtually, as requested;

Maintain a mechanism for routine check-ins with FPOs to discuss trends and RHY award recipient support and training needs;

Participate in ongoing communication with RHY award recipients and FPOs via the bimonthly cluster calls, individual RHY award recipient calls, and regional check-in meetings;

Maintaining their capacity to respond and complete T/TA requests from FPOs and RHY award recipients;

Supporting FPOs in conducting outreach to RHY award recipient organizations to build rapport and promote communication between recipients and RHYTTAC about available resources, events, and completion of T/TA requests;

Facilitating and monitoring a collaboration platform to promote peer-to peer learning and consultations;

Collaborating with other RHY programs and T/TA providers, other FYSB and ACF T/TA providers, and other federal agencies with focus on youth at-risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness and other youth related issues;

Leading RHYPN partners in developing a strategic plan for the coordination and dissemination of T/TA resources;

Collaborating and conducting joint T/TA events addressing RHY prevention and intervention to expand the reach to individuals and organizations;

Collaborating with service providers and professionals in the RHY field to review, assess, and synthesize information on RHY evidence-based and promising practices and national standards for addressing emerging issues, needs, gaps, or accessibility challenges;

Provide summaries of any individual RHY award recipients T/TA discussions to all participants to include meeting notes, expectations, next steps and timeline, as needed;

Maintain an interactive website and social media presence that provides easy, centralized accessibility, and dissemination of approved RHY-relevant event marketing material, T/TA materials, and resources to RHY award recipients, youth-serving organizations, federal staff, and the public;

Develop a mechanism for communicating information regularly (i.e., newsletter, e-Blast, etc.) that informs RHY award recipients of relevant T/TA products, upcoming T/TA offerings, partner agency events and learning opportunities, etc.;

Operate and facilitate ongoing and regular engagement with RHY award recipients, internal and external partners, and FYSB staff through a collaboration platform (Community of Practice (CoP)) to share ideas and exchange learning and resources;

Design content on CoP that stimulates peer-to-peer communication, learning, knowledge sharing and exchange of resources;

Develop a mechanism to monitor and track recipients’ usage of the eLearning, CoP platform, and social media sites on an ongoing basis to include website visits, material downloads, and training module completion;

Develop a quarterly calendar of discussion topics, resources and moderators for the CoP;

Create, organize and coordinate a structure for implementing learning communities within and external to the CoP built upon RHY program components. The learning community model provides intensive technical assistance over a specified period to a small group of recipients;

Develop strategies to deliver individual and group coaching on performance measures and activities related to and impacting performance, such as statutory and regulatory program requirements, state/local licensing requirements, outreach, case management for performance, education and employment engagement strategies, career pathways planning, housing supports, professional development for RHY grant recipient staff, data collection and reporting, etc.;

Support RHY award recipients in identifying opportunities to connect and align RHY program services with other social service programs where there is mutual benefit for RHY program participants;

Develop resources, such as crosswalks, to help RHY award recipients better understand youth-serving programs across the federal government where closer partnerships may be established to more effectively serve youth;

Provide direct support to RHY award recipients regarding virtual or onsite monitoring, to include:

o Provide guidance to new grant recipients on best practices for how to prepare for on site or virtual monitoring visits;

o Review all approved site visit summary reports (with or without findings) to identify trends, problem areas, and T/TA needs; and o As requested by FYSB, assist in the development of action plans, timelines and next steps for those recipients who have findings and/or corrective action plan.

Assist RHY award recipients and eligible youth-serving organizations that provide RHY data (including services provided, outcomes, youth demographics, and other characteristics of youth served by their programs) in the development of effective data collection techniques;

Work with the RHY-HMIS contractor to identify RHY award recipients’ data entry barriers to ensure RHY data are entered accurately and used to promote data-driven decision-making for program improvement; and

Provide T/TA support prior to, during or after natural/other types of disasters to ensure youth and staff safety, as needed and supported by the assigned FPO.

IV. National and Regional Event Delivery

The RHYTTAC will plan and facilitate the annual National Grantee Training, program-specific and regional training sessions which are designed to support RHY award recipients’ in carrying out the objectives of their award and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and share evidence-based approaches within national, regional, and local RHY-serving programs. In addition, RHYTTAC will maintain an interactive website to include access to all training material and event recordings.

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Assist FYSB with technical and logistical support of RHY award recipient meetings and trainings, including providing insight and knowledge that can inform planning, analysis, and implementation related to identifying training and technical assistance topics;

identifying meeting/conference venues; subcontracting with high quality presenters, facilitators, and consultants; working with stakeholders to develop an agenda; arranging travel; providing onsite support; and conducting training and evaluations.

Lead the coordination and logistical support of the annual National Grantee Training and NGO, to include:

o Establishing a planning group to determine location, theme and event content.

o Developing a process for timely review, revision and approval of marketing, keynote speakers and workshop content.

o Conducting regular meetings with FYSB to provide event status updates.

o Developing a registration process to capture attendee information and ensure appropriate communication to attendees before and after the event.

Provide direct support to FYSB in the content development and delivery of annual regional and program-specific training events, to include:

o Advising RPMs and FPOs of any themes, trends, best practices, or challenges identified by RHYTTAC through the CoP, RHY grant recipient call notes, and T/TA requests o Assisting in the development and formatting of presentation material o Assisting in the identification of SMEs to participate in the event, as needed

Provide support to FYSB on any post-event activities and deliverables, as requested.

Identifying well-respected and knowledgeable SMEs for keynote speaking roles for

FYSB approval;

Providing a detailed marketing plan to promote the national and regional event activities to include website, social media and email; and Ensuring the travel and participation of at least one key staff member to participate in in-person training events each project period.

V. Partnership with Youth and Young Adults with Lived Experience

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Engage with youth/young adult experts with and without lived experience to review, provide input and participate in the development of all T/TA products and events, planning of and participation in national and regional training events, and evaluation of T/TA effectiveness;

Ensure T/TA products are culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate to youth and young adults of youth of color, indigenous youth, youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, and youth from underserved and marginalized populations and communities;

Create a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to assist the RHYTTAC in the development of materials and events that is youth-driven and youth-focused;

Discuss and provide T/TA to RHY award recipient organizations on the establishment of YABs and, if necessary, assist in the creation of such boards within their organization;

Provide training to RHY award recipients on how to implement and support YABs within their organizations and the integration of these boards within the Governing Board; and

Develop youth-centered activities and initiatives to raise awareness and engagement of youth and young adults who have run away from home, are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

VI. Support Activities Related to Human Trafficking Awareness

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Plan, develop, and disseminate technical assistance, trainings, and technical resources to build the capacity of RHY programs on preventing human trafficking;

Identify promising practices to increase the knowledge and interventions for RHY award recipients on the intersection of human trafficking and the population served by RHY funded programs;

Effectively and proactively integrate human trafficking prevention in the National Grantee Training and the program-specific/regional training events;

Developing and disseminating T/TA products to build the capacity of RHY programs serving victims of human trafficking;

Identifying promising practices in the intersection of human trafficking and the RHY population;

Integrating human trafficking curriculum into the RHYTTAC T/TA catalog;

Develop, conduct and analyze assessments related to human trafficking and RHY programs; and Identify and share trends related to human trafficking and RHY to help with the development of FYSB anti-trafficking strategies including the dissemination of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related products and resources.

VII. Incorporate Data and Community Feedback on Ongoing and Future /TA

The RHYTTAC will conduct data collection as approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the guidance of RHY program leadership for planning and CQI within the RHY field of service providers. All collection of information is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and OMB approval. Under the PRA, all collection of information activity under this cooperative agreement from 10 or more individuals will be subject to review and approval by OMB. This OMB clearance is needed whether the successful applicant decides on its own to conduct an information collection or if the collection is requested by FYSB.

Information collections include questionnaires, focus groups, telephone surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, grant recipient needs assessments, evaluations, interviews, forms, and any other means of requesting information. FYSB 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.

At a minimum, RHYTTAC will:

Conduct an annual national needs assessment survey to solicit input from RHY award recipients on T/TA needs and present findings to FYSB leadership;

Consolidate and summarize any themes, trends, best practices, and challenges collected from CoP, individual RHY award recipient calls, cluster calls and training events to share with the FPOs, Regional Program Managers (RPMs), and the field;

Conduct FYSB-approved post-event evaluations for assessing the quality and effectiveness of training sessions and produce a comprehensive report of evaluation findings, including identifying trends and recommendations for additional trainings;

Prepare a post-event report that provides information on successes and challenges regarding the planning, registration process, website updates, meeting schedule and agenda, presenter sessions, and other items; and

Develop, implement, and participate in T/TA evaluation activities; develop feedback methods; and carry out evaluation activities for CQI for the provision of T/TA services.

Key Personnel Within the first 30 days of the project, the applicant shall provide personnel who possess the management, technical, and subject matter expertise required to accomplish the activities and produce the deliverables identified in this cooperative agreement. The applicant shall provide clear, detailed information on staff qualifications to demonstrate the applicant’s expertise in the field of RHY, PYD, and trauma-informed care, and document staff experience in working with youth at risk of homelessness, youth experiencing homelessness, and victims of trafficking, abuse, and neglect and the project requirements set forth in Section I. Program Description, Project Description. The applicant shall provide resumes or curricula vitae (CVs) of key personnel.

The applicant must clearly describe the roles, responsibilities, and time commitments of each FYSB-funded project staff position (including partners and in-kind commitments). The applicant must document expertise in administration, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs like those described in this NOFO in Section 1. Program Description.

The applicant must demonstrate skill and experience in creating a comprehensive list of T/TA topics, learning objectives and outcome measures to be developed for the RHY field.

Key Personnel Substitution The successful applicant shall not remove or replace any management, personnel, consultants, or subcontractors listed or described in the applicant’s Staffing Plan without notifying and obtaining a revised Notice of Award from the Office of Grants Management. For positions designated as key personnel, the applicant shall provide a minimum of 30 days notice prior to a change and shall include justification (including resume(s) and labor category of proposed substitution(s)) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on this cooperative agreement.

The qualifications of any substitute shall be equal to, or greater than, the qualifications of the personnel being substituted. All requests for approval of changes must be in writing and formally submitted through GrantSolutions. Provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed personnel change. In addition to the proposed personnel’s resume, the request must also include a comparison of skills and qualifications of the proposed personnel substitution with those of the incumbent.

Post Award Requirements The recipient awarded under this NOFO must adhere to the following:

Within 14 business days of the start date of the award:

o Have key staff meet with FYSB for the initial kick-off briefing regarding the plans for carrying out all components of this cooperative agreement. The recipient shall provide written minutes and project implementation plans within 5 working days of the kick-off meeting.

o Develop and submit to FYSB a work plan outlining the required project activities, timelines, and responsible parties. (see Section I. Project Description, Project Requirements, Work Plan) o The recipient should provide a draft transition in plan for comment by FYSB. The plan should be updated within 5 days of FYSB comment. (see Section I. Project Description, Project Requirements, Transition In/Out)

Within 30 business days of the start date of the award:

Have the project fully functioning.

Within 45 business days of the start date of the award:

Address comments and revisions to the work plan, as requested by FYSB, and submit the final work plan to FYSB for review and approval.

Identify a coordination and communication strategy for working with RHYTTAC partners, including the RHYPN.

Throughout the project period:

Provide regular progress updates to the workplan to FYSB as tasks are added, completed, or changed; or barriers are identified;

Provide and receive input and guidance as to the relevancy, timeliness, and appropriateness of resources and delivery mechanisms of T/TA efforts;

Maintain a tracking system for all T/TA requests from RHY award recipients and/or federal staff to include requestor, request type, status, and outcome;

Ensure attendance of key RHYTTAC staff for any project meetings, regional T/TA activities and national T/TA activities where in-person support is necessary;

Develop a plan to improve FYSB’s evaluation efforts to examine and improve T/TA effectiveness;

Provide to FYSB, for review and approval, a T/TA catalog and calendar outlining ideas for products, resources, webinars or other activities proposed for dissemination to the field;

Provide to FYSB, for review and approval, drafts of all updated or new materials that are developed or printed with resources made available under this cooperative agreement;

and

Provide dissemination and piloting plans for such materials, where warranted, as it also must have FYSB’s prior approval.

Work Plan Requirements The recipient shall submit a work plan describing, at a minimum:

All transition activities described in the Transition In plan (see Section I. Project Description, Project Requirements, Transition In/Out)

Position descriptions for all positions that will be involved in the project and training plan for all project staff;

The types of T/TA activities that will be offered;

Establishment, dissemination and regular update of a T/TA catalog and calendar of events, products, resources, webinars or other activities proposed for dissemination to the field;

Efforts planned to address the challenges faced by RHY programs, gaps in current T/TA, and how it plans to address these challenges effectively;

Submission of monthly reports to FYSB outlining all T/TA requests, status and outcomes;

A plan to assess and gather information from RHY award recipients on a quarterly basis to gain insight on specific needs;

Regular check-ins with RHY FPO to discuss trends and recipient supports and training needs;

The logistical planning and execution of the annual national, regional, and program-specific training events to include establishing planning committees, engaging SMEs/presenters, logistics, registration, proposed agenda, roles and responsibilities, material submissions, and post-event evaluation plans;

Plans to conduct relevant data collection and analysis, which may result in revising the proposed work plan to address critical issues, when necessary; and

Submission of all required reporting (fiscal and programmatic). See Section VI.3.

Reporting

Transition In/Out Transition In The recipient shall develop, maintain, and implement a transition-in plan. This plan shall describe all activities necessary to ensure continuity of operations. Phase-in transition activities shall be performed in accordance with the recipient’s approved final transition-in plan.

The transition-in plan should include, at minimum:

1. Planned transition activities;

2. T/TA grant recipient support activities in progress;

3. Transition activity timelines and milestones;

4. Transition resource requirements;

5. Transition security implications;

6. Transition risks and mitigation or avoidance strategies; and

7. Transition notifications and training of users.

Transition Out The recipient shall develop and submit a transition plan within 90 days prior to the expiration of the cooperative agreement. The transition plan shall be approved by FYSB and should contain a workplan including milestones and information necessary for turnover.

The recipient shall develop a separate transition plan for any national or regional training events that are in process. This plan should include contact information for all subcontractors, contract, content and planning statuses.

The recipient shall plan and participate in weekly meetings between FYSB, the new award recipient, and other participants as identified by FYSB.

The recipient shall prepare an agenda for each meeting and prepare and provide meeting minutes within 24 hours after the meeting. The meeting minutes, at a minimum, shall include the following:

1. List of participants

2. Purpose of the meeting

3. Decisions reached during the meeting

4. Action items identified (including the person responsible for addressing the action and the date the action is to be completed)

5. Date, time, and location of next meeting

Tangible Property and Copyrights

In accordance with 45 CFR 75.322 (b)(c)(d):

Title to intangible property (see § 75.2 Intangible property) acquired under a Federal award vests upon acquisition in the non-Federal entity. The non-Federal entity must use that property for the originally-authorized purpose, and must not encumber the property without approval of the HHS awarding agency. When no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, disposition of the intangible property must occur in accordance with the provisions in § 75.320(e).

The non-Federal entity may copyright any work that is subject to copyright and was developed, or for which ownership was acquired, under a Federal award. The HHS awarding agency reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to do so.

The non-Federal entity is subject to applicable regulations governing patents and inventions, including government-wide regulations issued by the Department of Commerce at 37 CFR part 401.

The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award;

and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes

Ensuring Equity RHY projects must ensure equitable treatment of all youth receiving services under RHY-funded programs. According to research conducted by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, youth of color, notably Black and Latino youth, are at greater risk of experiencing housing instability and youth homelessness. Roughly 11 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults are over-represented in the homeless youth population relative to four percent of White, non-Hispanic youth. Additional data from FYSB’s RHY-HMIS, on gender identity or sexual orientation of youth served in the RHY program reveals roughly 26 percent of youth and young adults who participated in RHY programs in fiscal year 2021 identified as LGBTQIA2S+ or being uncertain of their sexual orientation. To this end, FYSB is committed to awarding grants to organizations who address these disparities in the prevalence and severity of experiences faced by youth related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. As such, RHYTTAC must have a plan to address services for all youth, including youth of color, youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, and other underserved populations. All RHYTTAC services must reflect policies and practices that are sensitive to people of color and other underserved populations as well as the gender identity or sexual orientation. Furthermore, the RHYTTAC must be inclusive of language access needs of related to the youth and families of RHY award recipients serve.

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 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM), if they do not already have one.

Prime recipients are required to check 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.

Response to Nationally Declared Emergency

If, during the project period, FYSB and/or recipients are required to adjust program and/or recipient requirements due to nationally declared emergency, FYSB will exercise maximum flexibilities as needed. Requirements may be conducted virtually and/or timelines modified in consultation with FYSB.

For definitions of terms, please reference the Appendix.

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

II. Federal Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$2,500,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$2,500,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$1,800,000 Per Budget Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$1,900,000 Per Budget Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

09/30/2023 Length of Project Periods:

36-month project period with three 12-month budget periods

Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' 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.

Description of ACF's Anticipated Substantial Involvement Under the Cooperative Agreement Award

A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding federal assistance in which substantial federal involvement is anticipated. Details of the relationships and governance of the cooperative agreement will be specified in the terms and conditions of the award. The respective responsibilities of FYSB and the RHY award recipient will be identified during pre-award negotiations and incorporated into the terms and conditions of the award. It is anticipated that the cooperative agreement will not change the project requirements for the recipient under this announcement. At a minimum, ACF will:

Provide consultation, review, and approval of the RHYTTAC’s work plan once it is submitted after award and any revision made to the work plan during the project period;

Provide oversight in the development of the project design, including information on the resources and planned activities for ACF, the RHYTTAC, and the RHYTTAC’s interactions with any existing T/TA Center;

Facilitate communication and provide consultation in the development of the project design,…