Foa_Content_of_HHS-2023-ACF-ORR-ZU-0153 FY24 Mod.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement

Home Study and Post-Release Services for Unaccompanied Children

HHS-2023-ACF-ORR-ZU-0153

Application Due Date: 08/08/2023

Due Date for Applications:

FY 2024: August 08, 2023 (Project Period: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026)

FY 2024: May 16, 2024 (Project Period: September 29, 2024 - September 28, 2027) FY 2025: August 31, 2024 (Project Period: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027)

FY 2025: May 16, 2025 (Project Period: September 29, 2025 - September 28, 2028) FY 2026: August 31, 2025 (Project Period: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028)

Table of Contents Executive Summary

I. Program Description

HOME STUDY (HS)/POST-RELEASE SERVICES (PRS) OVERVIEW

Sponsors

HS/PRS Provider Expertise

HS/PRS Service Delivery Area

HOME STUDY (HS) OVERVIEW

HS Services Requirements

HS Timeframes

POST-RELEASE SERVICES (PRS) OVERVIEW

PRS Case Management Approach

PRS Levels of Service

PRS Assessments, Timeframes, and Minimum Contacts

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Organizational Structure

Staffing

Key Staffing Positions

Other Required Staffing

Required Screening of Personnel

HS/PRS Staff Training

HS/PRS Case Ratio Requirements

FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

SUBAWARDS

HS/PRS Monitoring and Quality Assurance of Subrecipient Agencies

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS

Service Contract Act Requirements

Response to Coronavirus Disease and Other Communicable Diseases

Records Management

Program Performance Evaluation

Required UC Reporting

PROPERTY

Unallowable Real Property Costs

Leasing Real Property Documentation

Costs for Leased Real Property and/or Space

Minor Alterations and Renovations (A&R) of Real Property

Post-Award Requests Involving Real Property

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

Appendix A: Service Contract Act (SCA) Labor Standards Clauses for Federal Service Contracts Exceeding $2,500 (29 C.F.R. § 4.6)

Appendix B: Executive Order 14026, Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors- 29 C.F.R. Appendix A to Part 23

Appendix C: Executive Order 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors ..90

Funding Opportunity Title:

Home Study and Post-Release Services for Unaccompanied Children Announcement Type:

Modification Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2023-ACF-ORR-ZU-0153

Primary CFDA Number:

93.676 Due Date for Applications:

08/08/2023 Due Date for Applications:

FY 2024: August 08, 2023 (Project Period: January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026)

FY 2024: May 16, 2024 (Project Period: September 29, 2024 - September 28, 2027) FY 2025: August 31, 2024 (Project Period: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027)

FY 2025: May 16, 2025 (Project Period: September 29, 2025 - September 28, 2028) FY 2026: August 31, 2025 (Project Period: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028)

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.

This SNOFO has been updated for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 competition. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has modified: Executive Summary, II. Federal Award Information; Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times; Section VI.3. Reporting; and VII. HHS Award Agency Contact(s).

In accordance with the requirements of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) conducts Home Studies (HS) for certain categories of unaccompanied children prior to their release from ORR custody and provides Post Release Services (PRS) for all https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant unaccompanied children who receive a HS and certain other unaccompanied children it determines could benefit from ongoing assistance from a social welfare agency after they are released. HS and PRS promote the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children after their release to a sponsor in the United States (U.S.).

ORR is publishing this Standing Notice of Funding Opportunity (SNOFO) to seek providers for unaccompanied children's HS and PRS nationwide. Primary recipient HS/PRS providers may form partnership(s) with subrecipient(s) to assist with the HS and PRS core services, for example completing HS or providing PRS case management. However, 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. 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.

In addition to the required provision of core services, ORR specifies that, for any recipient(s) that have subrecipient(s), the prime recipient must provide the required oversight and monitoring of subrecipient(s). For more information, please reference Section I. Program Description, Subawards. Monitoring of subrecipient activities alone as specified in 45 C.F.R. § 75.352 does not constitute a substantive role.

All entities funded under this SNOFO must comply with ORR HS/PRS policies and procedures, Flores v. Reno, Case No. CV 85-4544RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996) (the Flores Settlement Agreement) as applicable, and pertinent regulations and laws. ORR encourages applicants to review ORR's Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program policies and procedures in the ORR UC Program Policy Guide and the UC Program Field Guidance. Please see Section VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements, Pertinent Authorities for the UC Program for a list of relevant federal laws and regulations.

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority The ORR Unaccompanied Children (UC) program is governed by section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA of 2002), 6 U.S.C. § 279, which transferred responsibility for the care and custody of unaccompanied children from the Commissioner of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Director of ORR. In making decisions on placement and residential services provided to unaccompanied children, ORR is governed by Section 462 of the HSA of 2002; Section 235 of the TVPRA, 8 U.S.C. § 1232, as amended; relevant portions of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA of 2003), 42 U.S.C. § 15607, as amended; and, when it is not inconsistent with subsequent law, the Flores Settlement Agreement, which was entered in the case of Flores v. Reno, Case No. CV 85-4544RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996).

In December 2014, HHS released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) on standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment involving unaccompanied children (45 C.F.R. Part 411). The IFR sets forth standards to prevent, detect, and respond to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in ORR care provider facilities that house unaccompanied children in accordance with section 1101(c) of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Public Law 113-4 (VAWA 2013). VAWA 2013 directed the Secretary of HHS to adopt national standards for the detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of rape and sexual assault in https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-6 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-6 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/uc-program-field-guidance facilities that maintain custody of unaccompanied children. The standards apply to all ORR care provider facilities housing unaccompanied children with the exclusion of secure care provider facilities and individual foster care homes. The standards build upon and enhance existing state and local laws, regulations, and licensing standards.

Description

HOME STUDY (HS)/POST-RELEASE SERVICES (PRS) OVERVIEW

The primary function of the ORR UC Program is to provide temporary shelter care and other related services to unaccompanied children in ORR custody in accordance with section 462 of the HSA of 2002, 6 U.S.C. § 279. HSA of 2002 uses the term “unaccompanied alien children,” but ORR uses the term “unaccompanied children” or “unaccompanied child.” An unaccompanied child is defined by 6 U.S.C. § 279(g)(2) as a child who “has no lawful immigration status in the United States; has not attained 18 years of age; and with respect to whom there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or no parent or legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody.” (6 U.S.C. § 279(g)(2)).

A home study is an in-depth assessment of the potential sponsor’s ability to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. The process includes background checks of the sponsor and adult household members, a home visit(s), a face-to-face sponsor interview and possibly interviews with other household members, and post-release services. A home study is conducted for any case in which the safety and well-being of the unaccompanied child is in question and on any case that meets the mandatory Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 home study categories.

PRS are designed to facilitate a continuum of care and provide support for children transitioning into their communities upon release to the custody of their sponsors. ORR facilitates the provision of PRS through its network of PRS providers. PRS providers coordinate supportive services in the community where the unaccompanied child resides.

According to the TVPRA, PRS are required during the pendency of removal proceedings for children for whom a HS was conducted and are authorized in cases involving “children with mental health or other needs who could benefit from ongoing assistance from a social welfare agency.” Id. Given the importance of PRS to the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children who have been released from ORR’s custody to a sponsor in the United States, and consistent with its authority under the TVPRA, ORR is expanding its PRS program (as described in this SNOFO), such that all discharged unaccompanied children are now eligible for and may receive PRS. Additionally, and as detailed in this SNOFO, ORR will expand the levels of PRS provision and core service referral areas and will extend the length of service provision in certain cases, among other components of PRS. While all children discharged from ORR’s UC Program are eligible for PRS, participation by released unaccompanied children and their sponsors is voluntary.

ORR seeks HS/PRS providers who can provide services for a diverse population of unaccompanied children of all ages and genders, as well as pregnant and parenting teens, subject to timeframes established in ORR policies (e.g., PRS end when the unaccompanied child turns 18). Unaccompanied children come from all over the world, with the majority from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Unless otherwise specified, successful applicants are expected to provide culturally competent, linguistically appropriate services for unaccompanied children from any country (using interpretation services as appropriate/necessary).

ORR is committed to providing quality services to unaccompanied children. Primary recipient HS/PRS providers must provide both HS and PRS. Primary HS/PRS providers may form partnership(s) with subrecipient(s) to assist with the HS and PRS core services, such as for the primary purpose of completing HS visits and reports and PRS case management; however, the primary provider itself must provide direct HS and PRS throughout the project period.

Subrecipients may assist in providing both HS and PRS, only HS, or only PRS. For more information, please reference Section I. Subawards. Applicants may propose to use subcontractors or subrecipients, subject to 45 C.F.R. § 75.351 and other applicable requirements.

Applicants may not propose virtual-only home visits within their or their subrecipients’ proposed service delivery models. Finally, information on restrictions regarding property and renovations for the UC Program is found in Section I. Property and Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions.

ORR provides HS and PRS through organizations incorporated under state law that have demonstrated child welfare, social service, or related experience and that can provide evidence of previously established working relationships with community and other service provider organizations. Recipients of ORR funding that provide HS and PRS for unaccompanied children must comply with the terms of the Flores Settlement Agreement, Case No. CV85-4544-RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996) (Flores Settlement Agreement, or FSA); pertinent federal laws and regulations;

and all ORR policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the ORR UC Program Policy Guide, the UC Manual of Procedures, and the UC Program Field Guidance, both as written on the effective date of the award and as amended subsequent to the effective date. Accordingly, recipients must also implement internal policies and procedures for the prompt dissemination, training, and implementation of new or updated ORR policies, procedures, and field guidance.

The provision of safe and timely home study and post-release services will be monitored and evaluated by ORR and poor performance may result in corrective actions or termination of the award in accordance with all of HHS’s regulatory provisions for termination at 45 C.F.R. §

75.372. When considering recipients for future awards or expansions, performance in this area will be taken into consideration.

Sponsors

According to ORR policy, a sponsor is an individual (in the majority of cases a parent or other relative) or entity to whom ORR releases an unaccompanied child out of federal custody.

Individuals considered for sponsorship include the unaccompanied child’s parent(s), legal guardian, close or distantly related family members or other non-related individuals in specific circumstances, in accordance with ORR policy, procedures, and field guidance (please refer to ORR Policy Guide Section 2.2.1 for more information). Many sponsors are non-U.S. citizens and may lack lawful immigration status in the United States, and many have experienced a prolonged separation from the unaccompanied child.

The care provider screens each case to determine whether to conduct a HS of the potential sponsor as required under the TVPRA. Information about the child is collected during initial placement into an ORR facility and throughout his or her stay. The care provider then uses the https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-6 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-6 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/uc-program-field-guidance https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/children-entering-united-states-unaccompanied-section-2#2.2.1 information collected about and from the child in conjunction with the sponsor assessment process to determine whether to conduct a HS. The TVPRA requires a HS under the following circumstances:

The child is a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons;

The child is a special needs child with a disability as defined by section 3 of the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102);

The child has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare has been significantly harmed or threatened; or The child’s sponsor clearly presents a risk of abuse, maltreatment, exploitation, or trafficking to the child, based on all available objective evidence.

ORR also requires a HS before releasing any child to a non-relative sponsor who is seeking to sponsor multiple children, or who has previously sponsored or sought to sponsor a child and is seeking to sponsor additional children. ORR requires a HS for children who are 12 years and under before releasing to a non-relative sponsor.

In circumstances in which a HS is not required by the TVPRA or ORR policy, the Case Manager and Case Coordinator may recommend that a HS be conducted if they agree that the HS is likely to provide additional information required to determine that the sponsor is able to care for the health, safety and well-being of the child.

The care provider must inform the potential sponsor whenever a HS is conducted, explaining the scope and purpose of the study and answering the potential sponsor’s questions about the process. In addition, the HS report will be provided to the potential sponsor if the release request is denied.

Unaccompanied children in ORR custody must be placed with sponsors in a safe and timely manner; therefore, HS providers must work in a time-sensitive, but thorough, manner in conducting HS.

HS/PRS Provider Expertise

In order to effectively implement these services, HS/PRS providers, as well as any subrecipient(s), must have prior experience in the provision of child welfare services, child protective services, services to children with special needs and/or victims of trafficking, youth outreach, and/or other services to foreign-born immigrant children and families, and more specifically, with individuals who may not have legal status in the U.S. In addition, HS/PRS providers are required to have staff that are highly proficient in Spanish or must have access to qualified interpreters, who are bilingual in English and Spanish, and must have access to other language speakers or interpreters in the event that an unaccompanied child speaks a language other than Spanish. HS/PRS providers may have separate staff for HS and PRS, or staff may have a combined caseload of both. HS/PRS providers must also evidence previously established working relationships with community-based organizations responsible for social services in their proposed area of operations.

HS/PRS Service Delivery Area

ORR provides HS and PRS nationwide and needs HS/PRS providers to serve both high-need and remote locations where sponsors reside. ORR encourages providers located in or near geographic areas where unaccompanied children are commonly unified with sponsors to apply and will award bonus points to applicant providers with nationwide service delivery models. For more information regarding unaccompanied children released to sponsors by the counties, please visit Unaccompanied Children Released to Sponsors by County. Sponsor location data may vary depending on immigration trends.

ORR will award bonus points to HS/PRS applicants proposing a national service delivery model.

To be considered a national service delivery model, applicant must demonstrate that the proposed program structure provides coverage to every area of the United States. In addition, a national service delivery model must either include a minimum of four regional offices (with each office located in a different state) or remote staff located in at least 8 of the 10 regions, as defined by ACF. See Section V.1. Criteria, Bonus Points for an overview of the regions.

In any proposed national service delivery model where a primary HS/PRS provider is unable to offer direct provision of services in specific locations, subrecipients may be proposed. Please reference Section I. Subawards for more information.

HOME STUDY (HS) OVERVIEW

A HS assesses a potential sponsor’s ability to meet an unaccompanied child’s needs upon release from ORR custody, according to ORR Policy Guide Section 2.4.2. See also TVPRA, 8 U.S.C.

1232(c)(3)(B). Certain unaccompanied children must receive a HS according to statute, and ORR may as a matter of its policies require HS for other unaccompanied children, or fund discretionary home studies, but not all unaccompanied children in ORR custody receive a HS.

Under the TVPRA, ORR is required to perform a HS when:

The child is a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons;

The child is a special needs child with a disability (as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 12102);

The child has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare has been significantly harmed or threatened; or The proposed sponsor clearly presents a risk of abuse, maltreatment, exploitation, or trafficking to the child based on all available objective evidence.

Additionally, ORR policy mandates that HS be completed for unaccompanied children who meet the following criteria:

The child is being released to a non-relative sponsor who is seeking to sponsor multiple children or has previously sponsored or sought to sponsor a child and is seeking to sponsor additional children;

The child is 12 years of age or under and is being released to a non-relative sponsor;

and/or

Other circumstances, as recommended by ORR through the release of new policy or initiatives.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/grant-funding/unaccompanied-children-released-sponsors-county https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/children-entering-united-states-unaccompanied-section-2#2.4.2

In circumstances in which a HS is not required by the TVPRA or ORR policy, ORR may permit a discretionary HS according to ORR Policy Guide Section 2.4.2.

HS Services Requirements

A HS must consist of the following:

Interviews, A home visit, and A written report containing the HS caseworker’s findings.

The HS provider conducts the home visit in person. In the event of exceptional circumstances where conducting the visit virtually would be in the best interest of the child, the HS provider may request ORR’s case-by-case approval to conduct the visit virtually.

A HS assesses the potential sponsor’s ability to meet the unaccompanied child's needs, educates and prepares the sponsor for the unaccompanied child’s release, and builds on the sponsor assessment conducted by the care provider staff to verify or corroborate information gathered during that process. The HS is conducted as a collaborative psychoeducational process in which the HS caseworker identifies areas where additional support, resources, or information are needed to ensure a successful sponsorship and provides corresponding psychoeducational assistance. Psychoeducation refers to the provision of education and information to those seeking and/or in need of mental health services and support. The final recommendation must present a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the sponsor’s ability to care for the needs of the unaccompanied child and address any additional information that emerges during the HS regarding the sponsor, the sponsor’s household, the physical environment of the sponsor’s home, or the unaccompanied child. The HS provider determines whether to provide a positive or negative HS based on their assessment. ORR takes the HS provider assessment into consideration when making a release decision.

ORR provides a HS assessment template. Please reference Section I. Post-Award Requirements, Required UC Reporting for more information on the template for the report.

HS Timeframes

The HS provider must accept the HS referral from ORR and staff the case with a case manager within 3 calendar days of ORR’s referral. The HS provider must contact the referring care provider within 24 hours of a HS referral acceptance and must contact the sponsor to schedule the home visit within 48 hours of referral acceptance. The HS provider submits the written report to the referring care provider case manager or referring provider within 10 calendar days of receipt of the referral. The HS is generally accepted by ORR for 1 year once finalized but only for the sponsor assessed. A list of all Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved information collections relevant to HS can be found in Section I. Post-Award Requirements, Required UC Reporting.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/children-entering-united-states-unaccompanied-section-2#2.4.2

POST-RELEASE SERVICES (PRS) OVERVIEW

PRS under this NOFO will cover three areas of support:

1. Level 1 — Virtual Check-ins

2. Level 2 — Case Management Services

3. Level 3 — Intensive In-Home Engagements

A released child may receive one or more levels of PRS, and all children will be referred for the appropriate level of PRS, depending on the needs of the case. Children whose referral to PRS is legally mandated, pursuant to the TVPRA, will be referred automatically for Level 2 — Case Management Services or Level 3 — Intensive In-Home Family Engagement. If there is a waitlist for referrals of children legally mandated to receive Level 2 or Level 3 PRS as a result of a TVPRA-required home study, such children will receive Level 1 PRS — Virtual Check-ins — pending referral acceptance for Level 2 or Level 3 PRS. ORR recipients are required to provide PRS to children who receive a HS.

PRS Case Management Approach

ORR requires that PRS providers coordinate service(s) through a case management approach.

Case management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet the unaccompanied child and the sponsor's presenting needs. PRS providers are responsible for assessing safety and providing psychoeducation to released children and their sponsor families on the impact of prolonged separation from their families, significant changes to family composition and functioning, and trauma from community or family violence, among other topics, in order to maintain a safe and stable home. At each level of PRS, the PRS provider must ensure that all required contacts with the child and sponsor are conducted individually and together.

Additionally, the PRS provider must adjust services in response to the changing needs of the unaccompanied child and sponsor. If the unaccompanied child moves to a new home, the PRS provider must ensure continuation of PRS at the unaccompanied child’s new residence. Any concerns must be elevated to ORR, through the prime recipient of the award, if applicable.

While providing PRS, providers must take special consideration of the case-specific needs of certain unaccompanied children, as follows:

Children with special needs;

Children with disabilities;

LGBTQI+ and gender non-conforming children;

Adjudicated youth and youth at high risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system;

Youth at high risk of sex and labor exploitation and trafficking;

Unaccompanied children who entered ORR custody after being separated by DHS from a parent or legal guardian, or a close family member; and/or Children who entered the United States as special immigrant entrants following a special operation (such as the Operation Allies Welcome).

ORR requires the use of evidence-based child welfare best practices that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the unique needs of each released child and are grounded in a trauma-informed approach.

PRS Levels of Service

PRS providers must assist the unaccompanied child and sponsor in accessing services in the areas listed below, in accordance with ORR Policy Guide Section 6 as written on the effective date of the award or amended subsequently.

Level 1 (Virtual Check-Ins): Children who have not received a HS and have not been identified as presenting particular needs that would benefit from PRS Level 2 or PRS Level 3. Under PRS Level 1, a PRS caseworker conducts three virtual check-ins with the released child to confirm the child is residing with their sponsor, enrolled in school, aware of upcoming court dates, and is healthy, safe, and well. The intent of this level of service is to check the safety and well-being of the child, to refer for community-based services and to assess needs and elevate to a higher level of PRS, if necessary. This level of PRS will replace the Safety and Well-being Follow-up calls that are currently conducted by ORR care providers.

Level 2 (Case Management Services): Children who are legally mandated to receive a HS or PRS, or have been identified, based on their needs, as likely to benefit from ongoing case management services. Under PRS Level 2, PRS case managers conduct an initial in-home assessment. If there are no safety or wellbeing concerns, case managers may conduct subsequent monthly engagements either in person or virtually but must complete an in person home visit at least every 90 days. Under PRS Level 2, case managers conduct ongoing assessments, make safety plans, create strengths-based plans with children and their sponsors, and refer and connect children to community-based services. Community-based services include the following:

Legal services;

Education and English language classes;

Medical care and behavioral healthcare;

Placement stability and safety services;

Assistance with immigration proceedings;

Assistance with guardianship proceedings;

Family stabilization/counseling;

Substance abuse treatment;

Gang prevention services;

Youth programming (such as youth mentoring, tutoring, afterschool and vocation programs, sports clubs, or other extracurricular clubs, etc.);

Services related to cultural heritage and other traditions; and Integration and independence supports.

Level 3 (Intensive In-Home Engagements): Children placed in a family requiring additional support for specific challenges or special circumstances (e.g., medically or psychologically vulnerable children, family conflict or crisis, education-related issues, etc.). PRS Level 3 is a https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/children-entering-united-states-unaccompanied-section-6#6.2.2 higher level of intensive in-home service and engagement that provides trauma-informed and intensive case management. Its focus is on stabilizing the family unit by utilizing intervention(s) tailored to the needs of the family and connecting the released child and sponsor family with community-based services to address concerns that require long-term care (such as a mental health diagnosis). Under PRS Level 3, PRS intensive case managers conduct an initial in-home assessment followed by weekly in-person contacts for the first 45 to 60 days, depending on the needs of the family. Following this, weekly contact will be replaced by monthly in-person or virtual contacts for 6 months following referral acceptance.

For PRS Level 2 and PRS Level 3 engagements that are required to be in-person, PRS providers may request ORR’s case-by-case approval to conduct the engagement virtually in the event of exceptional circumstances where conducting the engagement virtually would be in the best interest of the child.

PRS Assessments, Timeframes, and Minimum Contacts

Assessments For each level of service, PRS providers are responsible for assessing the released child and sponsor. Regardless of the PRS Level, the assessment must be completed in a developmentally appropriate, child-centered, and trauma-informed manner and be documented in the unaccompanied child's PRS case file. The assessment tool utilized must be appropriate for children, and the professionals administering the assessment must understand the impact of the trauma on the child's development and minimize the effects of the assessment process on the child. PRS providers must be culturally and linguistically sensitive when connecting the unaccompanied child and sponsor to resources within their local community.

For Level 1, the PRS provider assesses the safety and well-being of the child. For Level 2 or Level 3, the PRS provider must conduct an age-appropriate comprehensive assessment to understand the levels of need for the following: sponsor family functioning, legal services, education, medical care, behavioral healthcare (including substance abuse, mental health, and overall well-being), support appropriate for a child’s personal belief system, healthy relationships, food and material goods security (e.g., adequate clothing for each season), transportation, housing, and any special circumstance(s).

The level and intensity of PRS must correspond with the child’s and the sponsor’s needs, as judged by the PRS provider according to regular and repeated assessments. If needed, children and their sponsors should seamlessly move between the different PRS Levels after each assessment. For example, a child who is receiving Level 3 could have already been either at Level 1 or Level 2 initially but assessed to need more intensive PRS.

Typically, the needs assessment starts during the first virtual check-in or in-home visit and then at periodic intervals as determined by the PRS provider’s policies. The needs assessment must be developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and focused on the needs of the child and sponsor to function effectively. The PRS provider must document the assessment in its PRS case file for the released child.

PRS providers must also assess the sponsors’ ability to access community resources and review the Sponsor Care Agreement with them to ensure compliance with the agreement.

Assessing Risk and Protective Factors PRS providers are responsible for assessing risk and protective factors in released children to inform their service provision. PRS providers must help to educate children and their sponsor families on identifying risks and red flags that may lead to child exploitation; sex and labor trafficking; substance abuse; physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; coercion by gangs or gang affiliation; or other situations where the child would be in danger or at risk of harm.

PRS providers must also work with the child and sponsor family to identify their unique protective factors and tailor PRS accordingly, with the goals of building up the child’s resilience, fostering well-being, and promoting healthy development.

In any circumstance where a released child is at risk of harm and the PRS provider cannot reach the child or sponsor, the PRS provider should contact local law enforcement and request a well-being check on the child.

Timeframes All contacts between the PRS provider and the unaccompanied child and unaccompanied child’s sponsor must be fully and accurately documented in the unaccompanied child's PRS case file, with complete information about how the contact was initiated, who was present, the date and time, and a case note about what was discussed. A list of all OMB-approved information collections relevant to PRS can be found in Section I. Post-Award Requirements, Required UC Reporting.

Level 1 (Virtual Check-Ins): PRS caseworkers conduct three virtual check-ins with child and sponsor at 7 business days, 14 business days, and 30 business days after release from ORR custody.

Level 2 (In-Person Case Management Services): PRS case managers will start Level 2 services at 14 business days with an initial in-person visit and monthly visits thereafter for 6 months.

Monthly visits may occur in-person or, if there are no safety concerns, virtually. At minimum, in-person contact in sponsor’s home must be established every 90 calendar days. Referrals and their outcomes must be documented in the released unaccompanied child’s PRS case file.

1. Initial Contact: PRS case managers must make initial contact with the unaccompanied child and/or sponsor within 2 business days of accepting a referral. At the point of initial contact, the PRS case manager inquires about the welfare and whereabouts of the released unaccompanied child and sets a time and date for the first in-home visit.

2. First In-Home Visit: PRS case managers are required to make an in-home visit within 14 business days of referral acceptance.

Following the in-home visit, PRS case managers will maintain ongoing contact with the released unaccompanied child and sponsor, the frequency of which should be determined by the level of need and support required, in consultation with the released unaccompanied child and sponsor.

Under Level 2 PRS, PRS case managers must make an initial in-person visit with released https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/unaccompanied-childrens-services#Family%20Reunification%20Packet%20for%20Sponsors unaccompanied children and their sponsors and monthly visits thereafter for 6 months. Monthly visits may occur in-person or, if there are no safety concerns, virtually. At minimum, in-person contact in sponsor’s home must be established every 90 calendar days. PRS case managers must document all ongoing check-ins and in-home visits, as well as document progress and outcomes of their home visits in the unaccompanied child’s PRS case file.

Level 3 (Intensive In-Home Engagements): PRS intensive case managers conduct initial in-home assessment within 7 business days of referral acceptance, followed by weekly in-person contacts for the first 45-60 calendar days, depending on the presenting need(s) of the released child and sponsor family.

1. Initial Contact: A PRS intensive case manager must make initial contact with the unaccompanied child and/or sponsor within two business days of accepting a referral. At the point of initial contact, the PRS intensive case manager inquires about the welfare and whereabouts of the released child and sets a time and date for the first in-home visit.

2. In-Home Visits: The PRS intensive case manager conducts an initial in-home assessment within 7 business days of referral acceptance, followed by weekly in-person contacts for the first 45-60 calendar days. Level 3 PRS will taper off to monthly contacts for the first 6 months. While intended to be short-term, Level 3 PRS may continue as long as necessary to stabilize the placement and ensure the safety of the unaccompanied child.

Level 3 PRS interventions and outcomes must be documented in the released unaccompanied child’s PRS case file.

PRS Case Closure (for non-TVPRA cases) PRS must end when the unaccompanied child turns 18 years of age or when the unaccompanied child’s immigration case is terminated. An unaccompanied child’s case is considered terminated when the unaccompanied child:

Is granted voluntary departure;

Receives an order of removal; or Obtains lawful immigration status.

In addition to the above, Level 2 and 3 PRS cases are also appropriately terminated under the following conditions:

A PRS case manager assesses that Level 2 or Level 3 PRS, as applicable, are no longer needed;

The unaccompanied child or sponsor chooses to disengage from these services; or PRS have been provided for 6 months following referral acceptance.

For all three levels, PRS providers must upload the ORR Case Closure form to ORR’s case management system within 30 calendar days of a case’s closure.

TVPRA Cases Where PRS are required under the TVPRA, Level 2 and/or 3 PRS may continue beyond the timeframes noted above (i.e., generally 6 months, unless the child turns 18 or their immigration case has been terminated).

TVPRA-mandated cases require that PRS be provided during the pendency of an unaccompanied child’s removal proceedings. Based on the needs of the child and case circumstances, PRS will be provided for a portion of or the entirety of the pendency of the immigration proceedings.

For TVPRA-mandated cases receiving Level 2 or 3, PRS case managers and/or intensive case managers should make at least two additional in-home visits within the first year of the child’s release, at 6 months and at 1 year.

If a TVPRA-mandated case has been active and engaged in services for more than a year, and the PRS case manager and/or intensive case manager has assessed that the risk level with respect to the concerns identified at 8 U.S.C. § 1232(c)(3)(B) is low and there are no major concerns (e.g., trafficking, disability-related needs, abuse, maltreatment, exploitation, acute mental health crisis, placement disruption, etc.), the PRS case manager and/or intensive case manager may limit their check-ins to a quarterly or biannual basis, based on the circumstances of the individual child and sponsor family. These check-ins must be documented in the PRS case file.

PRS Case Closure of TVPRA Cases PRS continue during the pendency of an unaccompanied child’s removal proceedings. PRS must end when the unaccompanied child turns 18 years of age or when the unaccompanied child’s immigration case is terminated. An unaccompanied child’s case is considered terminated when the unaccompanied child:

Is granted voluntary departure;

Receives an order of removal; or Gains immigration status.

PRS providers may terminate PRS for TVPRA-mandated cases under the following additional circumstances:

30 calendar days from last contact, if an unaccompanied child or sponsor chooses not to engage in PRS; or

After providing PRS for 1 year, the unaccompanied child or sponsor as relevant has been assessed to no longer need these services.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Organizational Structure

Care providers are required to have an organizational structure that establishes clear lines of authority and supervision. Staffing plans must be in place that provide a sound relationship between the proposed responsibilities of lead program staff. All direct service and supervisory employees shall be considered mandated reporters in the jurisdictions in which they provide services and are required to report promptly to the appropriate child welfare authorities and to ORR, via the prime recipient, if it is suspected that an unaccompanied child is being abused or neglected.

Staffing

Care providers are required to develop, implement, and document a staffing plan based on the populations served, the scope and type of services provided, anticipated requirements, staff vacancies, and budgets. The staffing plan must be in accordance with the care provider's state licensing requirements, where applicable, and as required by ORR’s policies and procedures.

Care provider must be staffed with qualified, bi-lingual professionals, paraprofessionals, and support staff to meet the diverse needs, level of care, supervision, and safety and well-being of unaccompanied children. All staff must be proficient in using the internet and related computer programs including ORR’s Official System of Record (also known as the UC Portal).

Care providers must have job descriptions and selection criteria for all staff positions that state the qualifications, performance standards, and responsibilities for each position (each job description must include a section on essential functions as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA). Subcontracted staff (including per diem subcontractors) may be utilized.

Key Staffing Positions

ORR requires certain key staffing positions for HS/PRS providers and has established minimum qualifications for these positions (listed below). Of the key staffing positions, the Regional Supervisor/Lead Case Manager position is optional based on staff size; however, if a HS/PRS recipient chooses to fill the position(s), recipients must adhere to the minimum qualifications specified below as well as the same procedures as pertain to other key staffing positions.

Recipients may also choose to use the same individual to fill more than one staffing position but must adhere to the minimum qualifications specified below. Care providers must obtain prior written approval from ACF before selecting individuals for the key positions as identified below.

Please refer to Section I. Post-Award Requirements, Required UC Reporting for more information. Exceptions to the minimum qualifications require ORR’s explicit written approval prior to hire. If there is a change in a key staffing position listed below during the period of performance, the recipient must submit a request for prior approval from ACF.

Program Director The Program Director must have experience managing projects, including both financial and managerial responsibilities. Program Directors must have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience conducting Home Studies and working with immigrant populations. Program Directors should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare. At minimum, the Program Director must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science. This requirement may be substituted by a bachelor's degree in one of the aforementioned sciences, plus approximately 5 years of relevant employment experience, that demonstrates advanced levels of supervisory and financial management experience. The Program Director is responsible and accountable for the entire program and its outcomes, as well as those of any subrecipient(s). The Program Director of the prime recipient acts as the main liaison between ORR and its regional staff. The Program Director coordinates both programmatic and financial elements for the services provided to unaccompanied children through the HS/PRS program.

Assistant Program Director The Assistant Program Director must have a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science plus 5 years of progressive employment experience with a social services or childcare agency or organization. The Assistant Program Director of the prime recipient serves as secondary liaison with ORR, on behalf of the program as well as any subrecipient(s). The need for an Assistant Program Director will vary depending on the number of discharged children served by the provider.

Regional Supervisor/Lead Case Manager for HS and/or PRS (optional position based on staff size) The Regional Supervisor/Lead Case Manager (RS/LCM) for HS and/or PRS must have experience in conducting HS and writing professional, thorough assessment reports. The RS/LCM must have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience conducting home studies and working with immigrant populations. The RS/LCM should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare.

At minimum, the RS/LCM must have a Master’s degree in the behavioral sciences, human services or social services fields or a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of progressive employment experience that demonstrates supervisory and case management experience.

The RS/LCM is responsible for overseeing the assignment of referrals, training new case managers, and supervising the work of other case managers.

PRS Caseworker Supervisors PRS Caseworker Supervisors must have a Master’s degree in the behavioral sciences, human services or social services fields; or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of progressive employment experience that demonstrates supervisory and case management experience. PRS Caseworker Supervisors supervise the provision of Level One (1) and Level Two (2) PRS. They may advise on the services provided under Level Three (3) PRS.

PRS Clinical Supervisors PRS Clinical Supervisors must have a Master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science in which clinical experience is a program requirement, plus at least 2 years of postgraduate direct service experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 6 years of clinical employment experience in the behavioral sciences. Clinical supervisors must have prior supervisory experience and may be licensed to provide clinical supervision, so long as supervising PRS conducted across state lines does not violate state licensing rules.

Other Required Staffing

The following staff roles do not require prior approval from ACF before hiring:

HS Caseworkers

HS Caseworkers must have experience in conducting HS according to the requirements in the state where services are being provided and must be skilled at writing professional, thorough assessment reports. HS caseworkers will have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience conducting home studies and working with immigrant populations. Caseworkers should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare. At minimum, HS caseworkers must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science equivalent. HS caseworkers must be bilingual in English and Spanish or have access to professional interpretation services.

PRS Caseworkers (Level 1 PRS) PRS Caseworkers who have direct contact with released children must be at least 21 years of age, highly proficient in Spanish or have access to qualified interpreters and have at least 1 year of experience working with children and youth. PRS caseworkers provide Level One (1) PRS only.

PRS Case Manager (Level 2 PRS) PRS Case Managers must have knowledge of local community social services and should have specialized experience working with immigrant populations and should be knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare. PRS case managers must have a BSW or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science equivalent.