Foa_Content_of_HHS-2024-ACF-ORR-ZU-0086.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement

Unaccompanied Children Lived Experience and Youth Engagement Program

HHS-2024-ACF-ORR-ZU-0086

Application Due Date: 12/20/2024

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

Appendix A: Service Contract Act (SCA) Labor Standards Clauses for Federal Service Contracts Exceeding $2,500 (29 CFR 4.6)

Appendix B: Executive Order 14026- Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors- 29 CFR Appendix A to Part 23

Appendix C: Executive Order 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors ..57

Funding Opportunity Title:

Unaccompanied Children Lived Experience and Youth Engagement Program Announcement Type:

Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACF-ORR-ZU-0086

Assistance Listing Number:

93.676 Due Date for Applications:

12/20/2024

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 an award, please visit "Applying for an ACF Award" at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is funding the Unaccompanied Children Lived Experience and Youth Engagement Program (LEYEP) for the design, implementation, evaluation, and promotion of a national level Lived Experience Council. This council will be comprised of former unaccompanied children and individuals who sponsored children previously in ORR care.

The program’s primary goal is to provide research and reporting on best practices for working with unaccompanied children, through consultation with individuals with lived experience with the ORR Unaccompanied Children Program. Engagement with these groups will inform ORR, its residential and post-release services (PRS) provider grantee networks, state/local government agencies, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers on best practices in serving and ensuring that unaccompanied children are protected from traffickers and other persons seeking to victimize or otherwise engage such children in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity.

The LEYEP will foster inclusivity, with program participants attuned to the diversity, demographics, needs, and viewpoints of unaccompanied children and reunified families. The LEYEP will not seek consensus advice from program participants.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/about/ucs/facts-and-data

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority ORR’s services to unaccompanied children are authorized under section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA of 2002), 6 U.S.C. 279; and section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, 8 U.S.C. 1232, as amended. When it is not inconsistent with subsequent law and while it remains in effect, ORR must comply with the Flores Settlement Agreement, Case No. CV 85-4544-RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996). ORR must also comply with any regulations that may be promulgated concerning the placement, care, and services provided to unaccompanied children.

Description Background

ORR, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF), provides temporary care and custody of unaccompanied children.

Section 462(g)(2) of the HSA of 2002, defines an unaccompanied child as a child who: (1) has no lawful immigration status in the United States; (2) has not attained 18 years of age; and (3) with respect to whom - (i) there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or (ii) no parent or legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody.

ORR only accepts children referred from other federal entities, at which time, they are placed within a network of state-licensed shelters and other congregate settings, foster homes, or community-based placements.

Sponsors are typically family members or family friends of the unaccompanied child residing in the U.S. and provide care and placement of the child post-discharge from ORR custody. ORR requires safe screening methods and background checks of all potential sponsors consistent with ORR’s policy, see Section 2.5, and in compliance with requirements found at 8 U.S.C.

1232(c)(3)(A), including making an independent finding that a potential sponsor has not engaged in any activity that would indicate a potential risk to the child.

There is a need for data, best practices, and research regarding unaccompanied children post-release outcomes and indicators of exploitation and maltreatment, such as abuse, neglect, or trafficking. Individuals with lived experience have invaluable insight to inform the interventions and services that best keep them protected.

According to the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, lived experience refers to “representation and understanding of an individual’s human experiences, choices, and options and how those factors influence one’s perception of knowledge” based on one’s own life. For ORR, people with lived experience include individuals who were previously in ORR custody as unaccompanied children and individuals who ORR approved for sponsorship of children in ORR custody.

Program Scope

Goals

The LEYEP’s goal are twofold:

i. to improve through research and reporting public programs that serve unaccompanied children, thereby helping better protect them from traffickers and other persons seeking https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/about/ucs/sponsors https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-2#2.5 https://aspe.hhs.gov/lived-experience to victimize or otherwise engage such children in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity, and

ii. to provide unaccompanied children with ongoing assistance through a trauma-informed, life skills curriculum.

ORR recognizes that its engagement with LEYEP will enhance its ability to gather information from individual members firsthand about their personal lived experiences integrating to the United States and post-release outcomes. This will help inform ORR, its residential and PRS recipient networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers to gain knowledge about how best to serve unaccompanied children and keep them safe from trafficking and other forms of exploitation and maltreatment.

Objectives

The LEYEP’s objectives are to establish, develop, and maintain a Lived Experience Council that will:

• Collect feedback from former unaccompanied children and reunified families about their firsthand experience while in ORR care, post-release outcomes, and integrating to the United States.

• Contribute to research and reporting, in consultation with individuals with lived experience, on how to keep unaccompanied children protected from traffickers and other persons seeking to victimize or otherwise engage such children in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity.

• Provide educational or professional development opportunities for program participants by partnering with ORR, its residential and PRS recipient networks, state/local government agencies, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers on the provision of training, technical assistance, and other special projects.

• Run a subgroup of the Lived Experience Council, called the Youth Leadership Academy (“Leadership Academy”), whose membership will be limited to unaccompanied children and/or former unaccompanied children, ages 14-21. The Leadership Academy will develop leadership and life skills through a trauma-informed curriculum. Youth will receive additional training and skills development on advocacy, research, and writing, in order to best contribute to the work of the Lived Experience Council. Upon graduation from the Leadership Academy, youth may continue to participate in the full Lived Experience Council.

The LEYEP will foster inclusivity, and program participants will reflect the diversity, demographics, needs, and viewpoints of unaccompanied children, sponsors, and reunified families. The LEYEP shall include participants who reside in communities throughout the United States and will not seek consensus advice from program participants.

Providing Equitable Services

To ensure that the program is fully and equally accessible to all former unaccompanied children and individuals who had successfully sponsored children from ORR care, the recipient will:

• Engage program participants and individuals with lived experience in the co-design of the implementation plan, reporting framework, and the curriculum. The reporting framework is subject to ORR and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval and due no later than 60 days from award.

• Implement activities that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

• Provide flexible scheduling for participants who may be working full-time or during nontraditional work hours.

• Provide direct training, mentorship, and support to participants that fit each participant’s background and professional development plan. Program participants may have varying levels of education and experience.

• Help participants overcome potential barriers to participation, such as insufficient access to Wi-Fi or child care responsibilities.

Program Activities

The award recipient will be required to do the following activities in support of the LEYEP’s goal and objectives.

Design the Program

The recipient must develop a plan for creating the LEYEP that outlines how they will establish and manage the Lived Experience Council each year. The recipient will:

• Propose topics for training sessions and meetings. The recipient will base these on their knowledge of strengths and challenges that unaccompanied children and reunified families encounter. Topics shall be rooted in principles of trauma-informed care, integration best practices, and supported by research-based evidence. They may include civic engagement, leadership, educational or professional development, and strategic sharing, among others.

• Identify the best way to cover costs so LEYEP participants can overcome barriers that would prevent them from participating in the program. Barriers could include, but not limited to, needing to take time off work, taking a break from seeking employment, or needing to secure child care to fully participate in the program.

• Include an annual 3-day, in-person meeting for the Lived Experience Council in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to present research findings on unaccompanied children and reunified families’ strengths, challenges, and recommendations for government officials, the ORR residential and PRS grantee networks, and other relevant stakeholders. These presentations will center lived experience and youth voice and be facilitated by program participants.

• Address marketing and dissemination activities. This should include a plan for disseminating research findings to ORR and its residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers.

Launch and Implement the Council

The recipient must launch and implement a Lived Experience Council within the first year of this award. To launch, the recipient will need to:

• Develop eligibility criteria, an application, interview questions, and public guidance about the requirements. Requirements include having been admitted into ORR care or http://fostercarealumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/StrategicSharing.pdf http://fostercarealumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/StrategicSharing.pdf successfully sponsoring an unaccompanied child from ORR care within the last 5 years.

For the Leadership Academy, program participants must meet the definition of an unaccompanied child.

• Recruit, interview, and select 10 to 15 former unaccompanied children and sponsors for the Lived Experience Council and an additional 10 to 15 unaccompanied children for the Leadership Academy subgroup. In total, the LEYEP should have 20 – 30 lived experience participants.

• Ensure a wide array of lived experiences, which may include, but is not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, religious background, gender, country of origin, location and time within the United States, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning identity.

• Incorporate program participants’ input on the guidelines, agenda topics, and expectations for council meetings as well as meeting schedules.

• Provide a laptop and portable Wi-Fi device to each program participant so they can participate in LEYEP tasks, such as email communication, writing documents, and video conferencing.

To implement the program, the recipient will need to:

• Develop content for the LEYEP that is age-appropriate and sensitive to the demographics of its members. Such content could include, but is not limited to, handouts at meetings, information provided to program participants to foster continued community leadership, and LEYEP promotional materials (e.g., online application, blog and social media posts, video testimonials, etc.).

• Book guest speakers or facilitators to address planned sessions’ topics. The speakers or facilitators should be experts in their fields and have either of the following:

o Lived experience as a forced migrant, refugee, or survivor of human trafficking.

o Strong understanding of cross-cultural communication techniques and how to identify and convey subject matter relevant to the participants.

• Facilitate at least 10 virtual Lived Experience Council sessions and at least 10 Leadership Academy sessions each year.

• Provide interpretation, as needed, for all virtual and in-person meetings, including but not limited to, the Washington, DC meeting. Accommodate both special needs (e.g., hearing impairments) and different languages.

• Translate materials used to facilitate LEYEP meetings into the primary language of program participants, as needed.

• Translate materials used to market and promote the LEYEP.

• Create a personalized educational or professional development plan for each program participant. The plan shall account for mentorship, coaching, leadership training, among other elements. Personalized plans should be tailored to the age and interests of the participant.

• Use partnerships with national organizations to help participants develop leadership skills, establish educational or professional connections, and advance research and best practices on human trafficking prevention.

• Plan an annual 3-day, in-person meeting in Washington, DC, between program participants, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders. All program participants are strongly encouraged to attend.

• Cover costs so LEYEP participants can overcome barriers that would prevent them from participating in the program. Barriers could include, but are not limited to, needing to take time off work, taking a break from seeking employment, or needing to secure child care to fully participate in the program.

• Foster an alumni network of LEYEP participants. ORR may request the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of alumni who want to stay involved.

Evaluate the Program

The recipient will conduct the following evaluation activities:

• Evaluate how well the LEYEP develops critical life skills among participants and fulfills the participants’ goals and personalized educational or professional development plans.

• Develop an evaluation plan measuring progress toward the goal and objectives, as noted in Section I. Program Scope, Goals, and Objectives.

• Based on the OMB approved reporting framework, produce an annual report identifying best practices and interventions for keeping unaccompanied children protected from trafficking and other forms of exploitation and maltreatment. The report shall also include research findings on unaccompanied children and reunified families’ strengths, challenges, and recommendations for service delivery improvement for ORR, its residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers to consider. NOTE: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) ORR will not conduct or sponsor – and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

• Regularly evaluate the LEYEP’s processes and structure by asking participants and ORR for feedback.

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

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

Promote the Program and Disseminate Results

The recipient will conduct the following activities to promote the program and disseminate the results of the Lived Experience Council’s and the Leadership Academy’s activities:

• Create marketing tools, such as a website and social media platforms, to:

o Recruit LEYEP participants.

o Highlight LEYEP activities.

o Share data and research findings with ORR’s residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers, among others.

o Amplify the educational, professional, and civic profile of all LEYEP participants to advance their leadership opportunities.

• Prepare and facilitate at least one annual webinar for the ORR residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers, among others. LEYEP participants shall facilitate the webinar, and the webinar shall center youth voice and lived experience. The webinar shall highlight best practices and interventions for keeping unaccompanied children protected from trafficking and other forms of exploitation and maltreatment. The webinar shall also include post-release outcomes and the most significant integration challenges as well as useful services and recommendations for improved support from ORR, its residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local governments, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers.

LEYEP Eligible Participants

LEYEP participants must have previously been in ORR custody as an unaccompanied child or been approved by ORR to sponsor an unaccompanied child in ORR custody, within the past 5 years.

The recipient must comply with applicable civil rights laws to ensure that ORR-eligible populations receive fair treatment, access, and opportunity to participate in ORR-funded programs without discrimination based on age, disability, race, color, religion, or nationality.

Case File Requirements

The recipient must make a case file for each participant and keep it updated. These files must include:

• Documentation of payments made on behalf of and to the participant (for example, receipts for laptop and Wi-Fi equipment).

• Invoices and receipts for these payments.

• Record of attendance in council meetings, community engagements, training, and other leadership/professional development opportunities.

• Case notes highlighting program participants’ active participation in meetings, including success stories about how LEYEP activities have positively impacted their personal or professional life.

Case notes should be documented within 5 business days of any formal LEYEP activity.

The recipient must allow ORR staff to review case files upon request.

Data Reporting Requirements

Recipients are required to report quarterly on the following data points to ORR:

• Number of participants enrolled in the Lived Experience Council and the Leadership Academy.

• Number of participants who attended virtual meetings or other formal LEYEP activities.

• Number and type of guest speakers (subject-matter experts) who presented at virtual meetings or other formal LEYEP activities.

• Number of participants who attended the 3-day Washington, DC convening.

• Detailed schedule for the Washington, DC convening.

• Number of participants engaging in the program alumni network.

• Number and type of topic areas planned for the upcoming year.

• Number of training and technical assistance hours program participants administered to

ORR, its residential and PRS grantee networks, state/local government agencies, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers, among others.

• Number of hours program participants worked on other projects in partnership with ORR and its residential and PRS networks (e.g., co-facilitating a presentation at a child welfare conference or a foster family recruitment event).

• Major lived experience trends and themes shared by LEYEP participants in virtual meetings or other formal LEYEP activities, including successes and challenges related to post-release outcomes and integration and best practices and interventions for keeping children protected from trafficking and other forms of exploitation and maltreatment.

• Description of major activities and accomplishments during the reporting period related to the project’s goal and objectives.

• Description of concerns and challenges with implementing the project, such as deviations or departures from the original project plan.

• Description of equity-related activities conducted during the reporting period.

Other reporting requirements may be determined in consultation with ORR after the launch of the program during year 1.

Subawards

The prime recipient must maintain a substantive role in the project. We define a substantive role as conducting funded activities and providing services that are necessary and integral to completing the project. Monitoring the subrecipient’s activities is not a substantive role. See 45 CFR 75.352 for information on subrecipient monitoring.

We do 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.

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

II. Federal Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$1,800,000 Expected Number of Awards:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352

Award Ceiling:

$1,800,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$1,000,000 Per Budget Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$1,800,000 Per Budget Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

02/20/2025 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 the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Please see Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

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

A cooperative agreement is a method of awarding federal assistance in which substantial federal involvement is anticipated. The agreement clearly defines the responsibilities of ORR and the expected recipient prior to the award. ORR anticipates that its involvement will benefit the recipient in their ability to carry out the project. ORR’s substantial involvement with the project will include:

• Reviewing and providing feedback on the LEYEP implementation plan, curriculum, and reporting framework. The reporting framework is subject to ORR and OMB approval and due no later than 60 days from award.

• Providing substantial and regular input on the LEYEP implementation plan and activities throughout the project.

• Consulting on the recipient’s evaluation plan and reporting measures, as necessary.

• Reviewing and providing feedback on the resources the recipient develops, including, but not limited to, LEYEP application materials, outreach, training materials, and website content.

• Collaborating with the recipient in creating a network of lived experience experts who can partner with ORR and its residential and PRS networks on the provision of training, technical assistance, reviewing proposed policy and procedural changes that may impact unaccompanied children and reunified families, and other special projects.

• Facilitating collaboration and coordination with ORR-funded residential and PRS providers, state/local agencies, school districts, health care providers, and social services providers, among others, as needed.

• Monitoring the recipient’s performance to ensure compliance with the intent of this funding.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility is unrestricted.

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

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

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

No See Section IV.2. The Project Budget and Budget Justification, Commitment of Non-Federal Resources for more information.

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

Award Ceiling Disqualification

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

Required Electronic Application Submission

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

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

Missing the Application Deadline (Late Applications)

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

Applications submitted to Grants.gov which fail their validation check, will not be received at, or acknowledged by ACF. If you submit an application for the same NOFO more than once, only the last on-time submission will be acknowledged.

Paper applications with an approved exemption from the electronic submission requirement must be received by 4:30 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received after 4:30 pm ET on the due date will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity.

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package Keith Lussier U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Refugee Resettlement 330 C Street SW.

Washington

DC

20201

(202) 845-5959 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf

Keith.Lussier@acf.hhs.gov Application Packages

Electronic Application Submission:

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

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

FORMATTING APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

Notice of Two-File Requirement Applicants applying via Grants.gov must upload only two electronic files, excluding Standard Forms (SFs) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved forms. Additional files will be removed prior to the merit review.

FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:

Signature of Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) Each applicant must designate an authorized organization representative (AOR) with authority to act on the organization’s behalf on matters related to the application submission and administration of awards. The AOR signature must appear on all forms in which a signature is required. By signing, the AOR agrees the organization will abide by all applicable Federal statutes, regulations and terms and conditions of the award.

Accepted Font Style and Size Applications must be in Times New Roman 12-point font, except for footnotes, which may be 10-point font. Pages that contain blurred or illegible text will be removed.

If documents must be scanned, the font size on any scanned documents must be large enough so that it is readable. You may not scan more than one page of a documents onto a single page.

Pages with blurred text will be removed from the application.

English Language Applications must be submitted in the English language and must be in the terms of United States (U.S.) dollars. See 45 CFR §75.111 for more information.

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

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

Application Elements Exempted from Double-Spacing Requirements The following elements of the application submission are exempt from the double-spacing requirements and may be single-spaced:

• Table of Contents

• One-page Project Summary

• Required Assurances and Certifications

• SFs and OMB-approved forms

• Resumes, Logic Models, Proof of Legal Status/Non-Profit Status, Third-Party

Agreements, Letters of Support, footnotes and tables

• Line-Item Budget and/or the Budget Justification

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

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

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

Corrections/Updates to Submitted Applications When applicants revise a previously submitted application, ACF will accept only the last on-time application for pre-review under the Application Disqualification Factors. See Section III.3.

Other, Application Disqualification Factors and Section IV.2. Application Submission Options.

Copies Required Applicants must submit one complete copy of the application package electronically. Applicants must follow the registration and application submission instructions provided at Grants.gov.

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

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

PAGE LIMITATIONS AND CONTENT FOR ALL SUBMISSION FORMATS:

The application should be submitted in two files, with the total submission limited to 85 pages.

File 1 (Project Description) must include the following. Applicants should title each section accordingly.

• Table of contents

• Project summary, one page

• Objectives, outcomes, approach

• Timeline and milestones

• Line-item budget and budget narrative

File 2 (Appendices) must include:

• Organizational capacity

• Dissemination plan

• Third-Party Agreements

• Any additional information the applicant deems relevant

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

Formatting Submission Files ACF strongly recommends that File One and File Two be uploaded as Portable Document Files (PDFs).

To adhere to the two-file requirement, you may need to convert and/or merge documents together using a PDF converter software. Applicants using Adobe Acrobat Reader software will be able to merge these documents together. ACF recommends merging documents electronically rather than scanning multiple documents into one document manually.

Applicants must ensure that the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader they are using is compatible with Grants.gov. To verify Adobe software compatibility please go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” at the top bar menu and select “Adobe Software Compatibility."

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

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters

Use only file formats supported by ACF While ACF supports all of the following file formats, we strongly recommend that the two files (Project Description and Appendices) are uploaded as PDFs in order to comply with the two-file upload limitation.

ACF supports the following file formats:

• Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Documents in file formats not listed here will be removed from the application and will not be used in the merit review. This may make the application incomplete, and ACF will not make awards based on an incomplete application.

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

REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS:

You must receive an exemption in order for a paper application to be accepted for review. For more information on the exemption, see "ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission."

Applicants with an approved exemption for paper application submission should download the forms package associated with the NOFO's Synopsis on Grants.gov under the Package tab.

All copies of mailed paper applications must be submitted in a single package. If an applicant is submitting multiple applications under a single NOFO, or multiple applications under separate NOFOs, each submission must be packaged separately. The package(s) must be clearly labeled with the NOFO title and Funding Opportunity Number.

Applicants must submit one original and two copies of the complete application, including all SFs and OMB-approved forms. The original copy must have original signatures. Copies of the application, not the original, will be reproduced by the federal government for review. All application materials must be one-sided for duplication purposes. All pages in the application submission must be sequentially numbered.

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

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance

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

Required for all applications.

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

Required of all applicants.

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

Obtain a UEI and SAM registration at:

http://www.sam.g ov.

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

Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov Lobbying Form)

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

Submission of the certification is required for all applicants.

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

Submission is required for all applicants when applying for a non-construction project. SFs must be used. Forms

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

https://www.sam.gov/

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description must be submitted by the application due date.

By signing and submitting the

SF-424B,

applicants are making the appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination

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

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

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

SF-LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

If submission of this form is applicable, it is due at the time of application. If it is not available at the time of application, it may also be submitted prior to award.

If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit the SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

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

Disclosures must be sent in writing to:

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

And to:

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

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

Fax: (202) 205-0604 (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line) or Email: grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

The Project Description The Project Description Overview

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

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

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

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

Project Summary Provide a summary of the project description. The summary must include a brief description of the applicant's proposed project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed activities or services, and if applicable, the population group(s) to be served. The summary must be clear, accurate, concise, and without cross-references to other parts of the application. Please place the following at the top of the Project Summary:

• Project Title mailto:grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

• Applicant Name

• Address

• Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax, Cell)

• Email Address

• Website Address, if applicable

The Project Summary must be single-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, and limited to one page in length. Additional pages will be removed and will not be reviewed.

Legal Status of Applicant Entity Applicants must provide the following documentation:

Non-Profit Organizations

Proof of Non-Profit Status Options:

Option 1: 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:

• A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the IRS's most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS Code.

• A copy of a currently valid IRS tax-exemption certificate.

• A statement from a state taxing body, state attorney general, or other appropriate state official certifying that the applicant organization has non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.

• A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status.

• Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a state or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.

Unless directed otherwise, applicants must include proof of non-profit status in the Appendices file of the application submission.

For-Profits and Small Businesses For-profit organizations (including small businesses) applying for funding must submit the following to provide proof of their legal status: Documentation establishing the power granted to the entity to enter into contractual relationships and/or accept awards (i.e., articles of incorporation, bylaws).

Objectives Clearly state the principal and if applicable, subordinate objectives of the project. Applicants must address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of the program and describe how objectives will be achieved.

Describe how you will accomplish the objectives identified in Section I. Program Description, Objectives.

Expected Outcomes Identify the outcomes to be achieved from the project. Outcomes should relate to the overall program as described in Section I. Program Description. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomes must include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.

Approach Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed project will be accomplished. Applicants must account for all functions or activities identified in the application.

Cite potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing project goals and explain strategies that will be used to address these challenges.

At the beginning of the approach section, demonstrate your:

• Thorough and specialized understanding of challenges unaccompanied children encounter in home country, on the journey, and once in the United States.

• Thorough and specialized understanding of how best to prevent abuse, maltreatment, trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.

• Strategies for engaging individuals with lived experience and survivors of human trafficking.

• Plan for addressing the required activities mentioned in Section I. Program Description, Description, Providing Equitable Services and Program Activities.

• Proposed timeline and milestones include recruitment, training and orientation of program participants, and co-design of the implementation plan, reporting framework and curriculum, as noted in Section I. Program Description, Description, Providing Equitable Services and Program Activities.

• Dissemination plan adheres to the dissemination requirements noted in Section I.

Program Description, Description, Program Activities, Promote the Program and Disseminate Results.

Project Timeline and Milestones Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections (for the entire project period) of the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity, in such terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities accomplished. Data may be organized and presented as project tasks and subtasks with their corresponding timelines during the project period. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.

Organizational Capacity Provide the following information on the applicant organization and, if applicable, on any cooperating partners:

• Organizational charts.

• Resumes.

• Curricula Vitae (CV).

• Copy or description of the applicant organization's fiscal control and accountability procedures.

• Evidence that the applicant organization, and any partnering organizations, have relevant experience and expertise with administration, development, implementation, management, and evaluation…