Foa_Content_of_HHS-2025-ACF-ORR-ZU-0042 (1).pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Office of Refugee Resettlement

Residential (Group Home, Shelter, Transitional Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children

HHS-2025-ACF-ORR-ZU-0042

Application Due Date: 10/14/2025

Due Date for Applications: Include projected due dates for future fiscal years.

FY 2027: April 1, 2026 (November 1, 2026 - October 31, 2029)

FY 2029: September 1, 2028 (April 1, 2029 - March 31, 2032)

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 C.F.R. 4.6)

Appendix B: Executive Order 13706, Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors ..60

Appendix C: Post Award Requirements

Funding Opportunity Title:

Residential (Group Home, Shelter, Transitional Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children Announcement Type:

Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2025-ACF-ORR-ZU-0042

Assistance Listing Number:

93.676 Due Date for Applications:

10/14/2025 Due Date for Applications: Include projected due dates for future fiscal years.

FY 2027: April 1, 2026 (November 1, 2026 - October 31, 2029)

FY 2029: September 1, 2028 (April 1, 2029 - March 31, 2032)

Executive Summary Notice:

• You 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.

• This NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

PROGRAM PURPOSE: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides temporary residential care to unaccompanied alien children (referred to as child or children). An Unaccompanied Alien Child is defined by law (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2)) as a child who has no lawful immigration status in the United States (U.S.);

has not attained 18 years of age; and with respect to whom there is no parent or legal guardian in the U.S., or no parent or legal guardian in the U.S. is available to provide care and physical custody. ORR is seeking group home, shelter, or transitional foster care (TFC) providers that specialize in high-quality care of children.

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

ELIGIBILITY: Funding is open to various entities, including state and local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribal governments, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and small businesses.

ACTIVITIES: Care providers offer comprehensive, on-site services for children, such as education, case management, counseling, recreational activities, and access to healthcare services.

OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENT: Recipients will be evaluated based on child safety, successful reunification with sponsors, oversight of children's health and well-being, and bed capacity.

COMPLIANCE: Recipients must comply with applicable laws, regulations, state requirements, this funding opportunity, and post-award requirements, including the ORR Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Bureau Policy Guide.

QUESTIONS: Please submit your questions for this funding opportunity to UCBGrants@acf.hhs.gov. You may submit questions anonymously. The due date for submitting questions is 45 calendar days after the publication date. Only questions submitted by the due date will be considered for answering.

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority ORR's residential services for Unaccompanied Alien Children is authorized under several laws and regulations:

• Section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA of 2002), 6 U.S.C. 279;

• Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization

Act of 2008 (TVPRA of 2008), 8 U.S.C. 1232, as amended;

• Relevant portions of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA of 2003), as amended, 34 U.S.C. 30307(d);

• Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule, 45 C.F.R. Part 410 (Apr. 30, 2024);

• Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment

Involving Children, 45 C.F.R. Part 411 (Dec. 24, 2014; and

• ORR's Investigations of Child Abuse and Neglect Rule, 45. C.F.R. Part 412 (Nov. 27, 2024).

ORR must also comply with applicable terms of the Stipulated Settlement Agreement, Flores v.

Reno, No. 85-4544-RJK (Px) (C.D. Cal. Jan. 17, 1997).

Description The goal of the Residential (Group Home, Shelter, or Transitional Foster Care (TFC)) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children funding opportunity is to provide funding to organizations that can deliver high-quality and child-centered care, ensuring the safety and well-being of the children. Services must be available 24/7, with the ability to accept children at any time (as long https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide as it aligns with state licensing requirements and is safe to do so). While children in ORR care are under the legal custody of the federal government, they are physically cared for by the care provider. In this funding opportunity, the term "care provider" refers to the prime recipient and, if applicable, its subrecipient.

Project may focus on Group Home, Shelter, or TFC services.

Group Home: Specializes in caring for specific populations (e.g., teen mothers). A group home is run by 24-hour staff or house parents and typically houses 4 to 12 unaccompanied alien children.

Shelter: Children receive all the programmatic requirements onsite in the least restrictive environment. Providers must offer a child-friendly setting that is appropriate for children of all ages.

Transitional Foster Care (TFC): Specializes in caring for children under 13 years of age, sibling groups or related children with one sibling or related child under 13 years of age, pregnant/parenting teens, or children with specific individualized needs. Children in TFC are placed with foster families and must receive services at a central location. This includes educational services, which must be delivered by care provider staff, unless ORR approval has been granted for a child to attend a community-based school. Other required services, such as clinical (in this funding opportunity, “clinical services” means “mental or behavioral health counseling”) and case management services.

In extenuating circumstances dealing with influx situations, ORR may process requests through supplements from recipients, post-award, to provide additional shelter, group home, or TFC beds within existing facilities and locations for a temporary period.

Facility Structure Requirements

Care provider facilities must:

• Be readily available to visitors, staff, and individuals with disabilities.

• Comply with local, state, and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

• Comply with state child welfare laws, regulations, and local building, zoning, fire, health, and safety codes. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid kits must be available in key areas, following state licensing requirements. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be available for staff and children.

• Be conveniently located with access to immigration courts, pro bono legal services, national airports, and community healthcare providers, including specialty services.

More specifically, the space must accommodate:

• Designated common areas, spaces for recreation, education, and case management, as well as confidential areas for individual and group counseling and healthcare services.

• Private spaces for meetings with attorneys.

https://www.ada.gov/ https://www.ada.gov/ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973

• A separate bedroom for communicable disease isolation/quarantine purposes, with a minimum duration of 28 days. Ideally, there should be at least one isolation-capable bedroom, for every 25 children, equipped with a door that closes while allowing line-of-sight through a small window. An attached private bathroom is preferred. Isolation plans should account for the fact that children in the program may require separate bedrooms for distinct illnesses at the same time (e.g., one child with varicella, one child with influenza).

Children placed in medical isolation or quarantine must still receive ORR services (e.g., legal, educational, case management) if they are feeling well. However, the delivery of these services can be adapted during the isolation or quarantine period (e.g., video calls instead of in-person meetings) to ensure the health and safety of staff and visitors. Services that do not require confidentiality should be provided in an open setting.

Care providers' residential facilities (except for individual foster care homes) must provide a security system, including alarm systems and video monitoring. Care providers must comply with state child placement licensing standards and ensure the safety of children in case of attempted escape.

Minimum safety and security requirements include:

• Controlled entry and exit.

• Video monitoring in common areas.

• A communications and alarm system.

• Exterior video monitoring.

• Resident counting system.

• Daily log of residents' movements.

• Mirrored or small windows for one-on-one meetings.

• Facility inspection checklist.

• Quarterly safety assessments.

• Spot inspections.

Care providers must adhere to 2 C.F.R. 200.216 when selecting and purchasing video monitoring and telecommunications systems.

Hiring Considerations

Care providers must prioritize the safety and well-being of the children in their care by implementing robust policies and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to any instances of sexual abuse and harassment.

This includes:

• Conducting thorough background checks.

• Providing comprehensive training on appropriate conduct and reporting protocols.

• Establishing accountability and transparency.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216

Care providers’ hiring and employment practices must comply with the HHS Interim Final Rule (IFR): Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Involving Unaccompanied Children. These standards apply to any care provider, staff member, contractor, or volunteer. See 45 C.F.R. Part 411 for additional information.

Staffing Requirements

Prior to hiring, care providers must submit the name of each potential staff member to ORR for final approval.

All staff must be at least 21 years of age and have the required qualifications, training, and vaccinations.

Care provider staff who work directly with children must show proof of documented immunization or demonstrated immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted through the respiratory route.

Position Description and Qualifications

• Program Director: Responsible for the overall management of the programmatic, administrative, financial, and operational systems related to the provision of care and services. This includes providing regular and timely reports to ORR regarding operations, services, and finances; establishing a respectful and supportive workplace environment;

and elevating any issues or concerns to ORR.

QUALIFICATIONS: At a minimum, the Program Director must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science degree or a bachelor’s degree plus five years’ experience in child welfare administration, child protective services; and two years of experience in program management or two years as director of a licensed childcare program. The Program Director must possess the administrator’s license for the care provider’s facility, if applicable. Program Director qualifications must be compliant with state licensing standards, if applicable.

• Assistant Program Director: Supports the Program Director and serves as secondary liaison with ORR. The need for an Assistant Program Director will vary depending on the number of children served at a care provider facility.

QUALIFICATIONS: At a minimum, the Assistant Program Director must have a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science degree and five years of progressive employment experience with a social services or childcare agency or organization.

• Lead Clinician: Oversees clinical services, trains, and supervises clinical staff. Ensures that behavioral health specialists complete relevant training on evidence-based practices in mental and behavioral health-care delivery. They must ensure that child-facing services are provided on-site and in a confidential manner.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-411

QUALIFICATIONS: At a minimum, the Clinician must have a master's or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling, or another relevant behavioral health discipline from an accredited program, university, or college where, clinical experience is a program requirement and includes two years of post-graduate direct service delivery experience. The Lead Clinician must have supervisory experience and be licensed to provide clinical services in the state where the care provider is located.

• Clinician: Conducts mental health assessments, provides ongoing individual and group counseling services, screens for human trafficking concerns, and provides crisis intervention services. Must provide child-facing services on-site.

QUALIFICATIONS: At a minimum, the Clinician must have a master's or doctorate degree from an accredited program, university, or college in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling, or other behavioral discipline in which clinical experience is a program requirement. The Clinician must be licensed or eligible for licensure. Non-licensed staff must be actively working towards licensure while employed and attain Licensure within three years of employment date.

• Lead Case Manager: Responsible for coordinating case management and safe and timely release services. Lead Case Managers supervise and train case managers and ensure that case managers complete relevant training on child welfare topics. Must provide child-facing services on-site.

QUALIFICATIONS: At minimum, the Lead Case Manager must have a master’s degree in the behavioral sciences, human services, or social services fields; or a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of progressive employment experience that demonstrates supervisory and case management experience.

• Case Manager: Responsible for coordinating case management services for children in care under the direction of the Lead Case Managers. This includes coordinating timely referrals to external care providers and consistent communication with relevant stakeholders on referral status, ensuring consistent care coordination communication between medical and behavioral health staff internally and externally, coordinating timely referrals to child advocate services as needed, ensuring that the appropriate health interpretation and translation services are available, and ensuring the coordination of the appropriate post-release services that include the continuity of health-care services.

QUALIFICATIONS: At a minimum, Case Managers must have a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, human services, or social services fields. Child welfare or case management experience is strongly encouraged.

• Lead Medical Coordinator: Responsible for overseeing health services as well as coordinating the provision of timely, appropriate health services for children in care.

They supervise other Medical Coordinators and provide appropriate staff training on medical, dental, and public health topics relevant to pediatric, adolescent, and migrant health. They are responsible for developing and maintaining policies and procedures for confidential health record management, triage of health concerns, medical emergency response, environmental health and safety, and post-release health-care planning/care coordination.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of one year of employment in public health or a health-care setting with demonstrated experience in care coordination, health administration, or direct clinical care AND a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree or higher health-related qualification (e.g., Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner) Note: Programs with more than one Medical Coordinator (more than 35 delivered bed capacity), must have at least one Medical Coordinator as a Lead Medical Coordinator.

The Lead Medical Coordinator may supervise up to 12 Medical Coordinators.

• Medical Coordinator: Arrange and coordinate appropriate health services, including urgent, emergent, and preventative health services, for children in care. This includes maintaining complete, confidential medical records for children, ensuring appropriate communication of health needs to case managers and clinicians, scheduling health-care appointments, coordinating transportation to health-care appointments, ensuring qualified interpretation and translation services are in place, and serving as a liaison for community health-care providers.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of one year of employment in public health or a healthcare setting with demonstrated experience in care coordination, health administration or direct clinical care, and any of the following:

• Licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) or higher health-related qualification (e.g., licensed registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree).

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Note: Programs must have the ability to hire a Medical Coordinator with the appropriate qualifications within one year of award. Programs with more than one Medical Coordinator (more than 35 delivered bed capacity), must have at least one Medical Coordinator as a Lead Medical Coordinator. Smaller programs (under 35 delivered bed capacity) must have at least one Medical Coordinator, who must be a Lead Medical Coordinator. Smaller providers can have someone who meets qualifications for being a “Medical Coordinator,” but they will have to also perform the duties of a Lead Medical Coordinator. The Lead Medical Coordinator may supervise up to 12 Medical Coordinators.

• Background Check Specialist: Responsible for helping with the background check investigation process. Coordinating and documenting required background check requests and results. Conducts quality assurance reviews to ensure background checks are submitted completely and accurately prior to submission and within the required timeframes and deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS: At minimum, the Background Check Specialist must have a high school diploma or equivalent degree and a minimum of three years employment experience. Must have base technical skills in Microsoft applications to include Excel, Word, and Smartsheets. Must have good communication and project management skills.

• Prevention of Sexual Abuse (PSA) Compliance Manager: Responsible for managing implementation and ongoing compliance with the HHS IFR: Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Involving Unaccompanied Children (45 C.F.R. Part 411) and ORR policies and procedures related to sexual abuse and harassment. Must provide child-facing services on-site.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, human services, or social service fields; or a bachelor's degree in business administration or management, and at least one year of experience working with child welfare standards, best practices, or quality assurance or compliance.

• Teacher: Responsible for providing educational services and assessments, including curriculum building that meets Flores Settlement Agreement standards for education requirements. Must provide child-facing services on-site.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree. Certification by the relevant governing authority, Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certification or other appropriate accrediting body and additional training to meet the special needs of unaccompanied alien children.

• Trainer: Responsible for conducting training, select or develop training materials;

maintain records on training program attendance, training offered, and evaluation measures. This position does not have to be full time, and the responsibilities may be combined with another position.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree.

• Youth Care Worker: Responsible for providing direct supervision of children in care and always maintain line-of-sight. Must provide services on-site.

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent degree. A minimum of one year employment experience in the child welfare field working with children or adolescents.

Staffing Ratio Requirements

Care providers must meet ORR staffing ratio requirements as outlined in ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.4.1 and state licensing requirements. If state licensing requirements differ, the stricter (i.e., higher staffed) ratio should be followed:

• One (1) on-duty Youth Care Worker for every eight children during waking hours.

• One (1) on-duty Youth Care Worker for every 16 children during sleeping hours.

• One (1) on-duty Case Manager for every eight children.

• One (1) on-duty Clinician for every 12 children.

• One (1) Medical Coordinator for every 35 children.

• One (1) PSA Compliance Manager for every 50 children.

• Sufficient staff to cover one-on-one safety plans, when necessary.

Required Background Checks

Background checks must follow ORR’s policies and state licensing requirements. At a minimum, a background check must be updated every five years in accordance with ORR's UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.3.1.

Foster Parent Requirements

Foster parents must be at least 21 years old and have the state required qualifications, training, and vaccinations.

Training Requirements https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4#4.4.1 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4#4.4.1 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4#4.3 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4#4.3

Newly hired employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers who will be in direct contact with children must complete training prior to having contact with children. Staff must also complete annual training. Please refer to ORR's UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.3.6 for additional information on ORR's training policies.

Required training topics include:

• The right of unaccompanied alien children and staff to be free from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

• Recognition of physical, behavioral, and emotional signs of sexual abuse and methods of preventing and responding to such occurrences.

• Procedures for reporting knowledge or suspicion of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or inappropriate behavior as well as how to comply with relevant laws related to mandatory reporting.

• Other trauma informed training for all staff, including youth care workers, as identified by ORR on a rolling basis.

Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau (UACB) Required Services - Care Provider Responsibilities

All children in ORR custody must be cared for in a way that meets ORR minimum standards and ensures they are free from discrimination and abuse. Care providers must provide services and assessments that support the health and well-being of each child, even if they are in ORR care for a short time frame. Services must focus on children's strengths and abilities, prioritize collaboration with children to promote their well-being, and help them achieve their goals while in care. Care providers should creatively partner with the community and youth to promote normalcy and independence. Examples include vocational training, educational planning, non-repetitive and English as a Second Language curriculum, opportunities for purchasing clothing, mentorship, participation in clubs, and hobbies.

Services must be tailored to each child's age and individualized needs. Care providers offer direct services in the children's languages or provide interpretation and translation, and consider commonly spoken languages like Spanish, Haitian Creole, Q’eqchi’, Mam, and K’iche’. Care providers must strive to incorporate children's input into decisions about their services and futures.

Services are provided for an average length of stay ranging from 30 to 35 days, depending on the type of sponsor to whom a child may be discharged. For children who remain in custody longer than the average length of stay, providers must offer programming that addresses the impact of their extended stay.

Care providers must arrange access to outside services as needed for issues beyond their scope or skill set.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4#4.3.6

See ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 1.3.3 for the four narrow circumstances under which care providers may deny a placement after ORR has made a placement request.

Important Time frames

The following table provides assessment timeframes that must be met once a care provider has physical custody of a child:

Assessment Due Dates Initial Intake Assessment Within 24 hours of admission

Initial Medical Exam Within two business days (48 hours, excluding weekends and federal holidays) of admission

Assessment for Risk Within 72 hours of admission and updated every 30 days Unaccompanied Alien Child Assessment Within five days of admission

Individual Service Plan Within five days of admission and updated every 30 days Unaccompanied Alien Child Case Review Must be completed at least every 30 days

GENERAL

Activities - Must ensure that children participate in activities according to a recreation and leisure time plan that includes daily outdoor activities, weather permitting, of at least one hour of large muscle activity and one hour of structured leisure time activities other than television, each day. Activities are required to be increased to three hours daily on weekends and on other days when school is not in session. Recreation and leisure time activities are separate from the required physical education during school day instruction. Children must have access to appropriate reading materials in languages other than English for use during the unaccompanied alien child’s leisure time.

Legal Services - Provide children with ORR-supplied information about the availability of free legal assistance, the right to be represented by counsel at no expense of the federal government, the right to a removal hearing or a bond hearing before an immigration judge, the right to apply for legal relief or to request voluntary departure in lieu of removal, and the rights victims of trafficking have under the TVPRA of 2008. Care providers must provide children with access to ORR-funded legal services. Children will meet individually and in groups with the ORR-funded legal service provider to receive legal services and assistance. Care providers must ensure the availability of sufficient, scheduled private time for children in spaces that are free from extraneous noise and distractions and transport children to all hearings or proceedings to which the child is a party.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-1#1.3.3

Academic Educational Services - Required daily for a minimum of six hours; Monday through Friday, year-round, and must be appropriate to the child’s level of development, education, and communication skills. Educational services are required to be administered in a structured classroom setting and concentrate primarily on the development of basic academic competencies and secondarily on English Language Training. The educational program consists of instruction, educational materials, and other reading materials in the following basic academic areas:

Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Physical Education.

Nutritional Services - Must provide nutritional services in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS nutritional guidelines and state licensing requirements. Must establish procedures to accommodate dietary restrictions, food allergies; health issues; and religious, or spiritual dietary requirements.

Religious Activity - Whenever possible, must provide or arrange for access to religious services and counseling of the child's choice.

Right to Privacy - Ensure children have a reasonable right to privacy that includes the rights to wear his or her own clothes; retain a private space in the residential facility for the storage of personal belongings; talk privately on the phone, as permitted by the care provider's rules and regulations; visit privately with guests, as permitted by the care provider's rules and regulations;

and receive and send uncensored mail, unless there is a reasonable belief that the mail contains contraband.

Behavior Management - Care providers' program rules and discipline standards must consider the range of ages and developmental stages of children in the program. These standards must be evidence- and strengths-based and incorporate principles of trauma-informed care, such as conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques that teach children accountability and self-regulation. Care providers are required to identify, train, and implement an evidenced-based behavior management plan grounded in child welfare best practices that is appropriate for staff to address behavioral issues in a therapeutic, non-punitive manner and develops pro-social skills to all children in care. See 45 C.F.R. 410.1304.

Rules - Each shelter must have basic rules posted at children’s eye-level, in a legible font and size, in both English and the languages understood by children in their program. Care providers must make available all ORR-required documents in the languages understood by children in their program and, where possible, include visuals, subject to verification by ORR. These rules must be reviewed with children upon placement, and care providers must have a feedback mechanism for children to share input on the rules.

Visitation - Care providers must encourage visitation between children and family members, sponsors, and approved visitors.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/30/2024-08329/unaccompanied-children-program-foundational-rule#sectno-reference-410.1304

Calls - Children are allowed to call both family members and sponsors living in the United States and abroad. They must be provided the opportunity to make a minimum of a 10-minute call daily or a minimum of 50-minute calls allocated throughout the five weekdays (Monday through Friday) as the child and the care provider determine appropriate, based on the child’s unique situation, or the child and their family’s preference. Time taken to connect calls must not be included in the minimum time allotment.

You may refer to ORR's UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 3.3.10 for additional guidance on Visitation and Calls.

Vocational Educational Services - Care providers are encouraged to create or provide access to vocational training opportunities that are suitable to the children and will provide children with practical and competitive job skills and assist in the preparation for adulthood. Vocational programs may not replace academic education or be a substitute for the basic subject areas.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Orientation - Within 48 hours of admission, care providers are required to provide every child with a comprehensive program orientation that covers the program's services, rules (written and verbal), expectations, zero tolerance policy towards sexual abuse and sexual harassment, initial medical exam, and the availability of free legal assistance. The orientation must be provided in formats that are age-appropriate and available to children who are limited English proficient, deaf, visually impaired, or otherwise disabled; and have limited reading skills.

Individualized Needs Assessment - Care providers are required to provide an individualized ongoing assessment for each child, which includes:

• Initial Intake Assessment must be completed within 24 hours of a child’s admission.

This assessment guides the interviewer through a series of questions to obtain information about family members, immediate medical or mental health concerns, current medications, and any concerns about a child's personal safety.

• Assessment for Risk must be completed within 72 hours of a child’s admission and updated every 30 days. This assessment is used to identify risk factors for potential sexual victimization or sexual abuser tendencies, so early intervention can take place to mitigate any potential risks or safety concerns.

• Unaccompanied Alien Children Assessment must be completed within five days of the child’s admission. This assessment gathers initial information relating to the child’s journey, current medical concerns and health history, the child and family's psychosocial assessment, trauma and substance abuse history; information about a child's work history or concerns about working to pay off debt; exploitation or trafficking concerns; and other essential data relating to the identification and history of the child and their family.

• Unaccompanied Alien Children Case Review must be completed at least every 30 days to assess the child's:

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-3#3.3.10 o Educational assessment and plan.

o Ongoing behavioral issues and any previous juvenile justice or criminal involvement.

o Statement of religious preference and practice.

o Identifying information.

• Individual Service Plan (ISP) - Care providers must complete a comprehensive and plausible ISP for each child in accordance with the child’s needs as determined by the child and assessments of trafficking concerns, such as the Unaccompanied Alien Children Assessment.

o ISPs are implemented and closely coordinated through a clinician’s assessment and intervention plan and supported by the case management team.

o The ISP must be completed within five days of admission and updated every 30 days thereafter. In cases where human trafficking is suspected or confirmed, the care provider is required to refer the child to ACF’s Office on Trafficking in Persons and provide or refer the child to other services to ensure the child has access to all services guaranteed by the TVPRA of 2008. Same-sex supervision must be provided when indicated by individual treatment needs.

• Case Management Services - Care providers are required to implement and administer a case management system that tracks and monitors a child's progress on a regular basis to ensure that each child receives the full range of program services in an integrated and comprehensive manner. At a minimum, Case Managers must meet with children once a week, in person.

Seven-Day Case Management - Care providers must provide case management services seven-days-a-week from 8 am - 10 pm local time, including holidays.

Maintenance of Case Files - Care providers must maintain comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date case files, as well as electronic records, ensuring they are always kept confidential and secure. All unaccompanied alien child-related records are the property of ORR and must be provided to ORR upon request. Electronic records include those on the care provider’s network drive as well as those on ORR's electronic case management system. Care providers must have written policies and procedures for organizing and maintaining active and closed case files. They must ensure compliance with 45 C.F.R. 75.303(e) to take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information of children such as name, date of birth, and A-number (child’s identifying number issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Safe and Timely Release Services - Care providers must adhere to ORR’s policies and procedures that are in place to ensure the care and safety of children. These policies require the timely release of children to qualified parents, guardians, relatives, or other adults, referred to as “sponsors.” Safe and timely release must occur within a setting that promotes public safety and ensures that sponsors are able to provide for the physical and mental well-being of each child.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.303

The law requires ORR to protect children from smugglers, traffickers, or others who might seek to victimize or otherwise engage children in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity. As such, ORR evaluates potential sponsors’ ability to provide for a child’s physical and mental well-being. The process for the safe and timely release of a child from ORR custody involves many steps, including the identification of sponsors; the sponsor’s submission of the application for release and supporting documentation; and evaluating the suitability of the sponsor, including verification of the sponsor’s identity and relationship to the child, background checks, and, in some cases, home studies and planning for post-release.

Safety Planning - Care providers must develop a written safety and security plan that includes policies and procedures for all children in their care and program staff. The safety plan must address emergency situations including, but not limited to, runaways; shelter-in-place (e.g., due to weather events); evacuation (e.g., due to a hurricane, fire, or other emergency); medical and mental health emergencies; and disease outbreaks. These plans must be exercised at least once per year in accordance with the minimum state licensing requirements.

Transportation/Escort - Based on children’s needs, transfer to a residential facility within the ORR network may be necessary. In addition, temporary placement outside the ORR network in an acute psychiatric hospital or psychiatric residential setting may become necessary and would require transportation of children for placement and discharge once treatment has been completed. Care providers are also required to provide children with transportation services to local airports and, if necessary, provide an escort for the children according to ORR policies and provide transportation to local services and appointments.

Acculturation and Adaptation Services - Care providers must provide appropriate services to children that develop children’s social and interpersonal skills and critical life skills.

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

• Medical - Programs must establish relationships with primary and back-up licensed healthcare providers (MD, DO, NP or PA) of the program who can perform initial medical exams, wellness exams, provide routine childhood vaccinations, and non-emergent sick and follow-up care services to children in a timely manner. The primary and back-up healthcare providers may be employed or contracted by the program or based in the community. The primary healthcare providers must have the capability and agree to provide the following services:

o Conduct comprehensive initial and routine medical exams, including childhood immunizations and screenings for infectious disease. The initial exam must occur within two business days of placement in ORR care to include immunizations in accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Immunization Schedule, on all children including pregnant youth.

o Enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and willing and able to provide additional routine childhood immunizations.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html o Appropriate routine medical care, including pregnancy tests, medical services requiring heightened ORR involvement; and comprehensive information about and access to medical reproductive health services and emergency contraception, and emergency health-care services.

o Referrals for specialty care, as needed.

• Mental Health - Programs are required to provide the following mental health services on-site:

o Individual counseling session with a certified counseling staff at least once per week for each child.

o Group counseling sessions at least twice a week. At least one group counseling session must be provided according to a psycho-educational curriculum that may be adjusted according to the needs of the population.

o Referral of children with advanced clinical needs to community mental health services.

• Dental - Programs must establish primary and back-up licensed dental providers. The primary dental providers must agree to:

o Perform a mandatory initial dental exam (IDE) within 60 to 90 days of admission into ORR care.

o Preventative dental care for children in long-term ORR care and preventative dental care visits every six months or sooner, as recommended.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Generally, standard ORR care provider facilities must be licensed by an appropriate State agency, or meet the State's licensing requirements if located in a State that does not allow State licensing of programs providing or proposing to provide care and services to unaccompanied children. See 45 CFR 410.1302(a).

You are not required to have a license from a licensing agency when applying for funding to provide group home, shelter, or TFC care for children. However, you are subject to certain requirements after receiving funding:

• Provide monthly updates to ORR on your progress in getting the required license for the program that you are proposing.

• If you are proposing TFC services, you must obtain the required license within six months of receiving your initial award.

• If you are proposing shelter or group home services, you must obtain the required license within six months of receiving your initial award.

• If you fail to obtain the necessary licenses within the 6-month period, your funding may be discontinued according to the rules outlined in 45 C.F.R. 75.371-75.375. If you submit multiple facilities and not all of them meet the requirements, ORR will take action on the noncompliant facility or facilities, rather than affecting the entire award.

II. Federal Award Information https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFRb1309e6966399c7/section-75.371

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$1,500,000,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$500,000,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$15,000,000 Per Budget Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$5,000,000 Per Budget Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

04/01/2026 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.

If an application asks for more money than the award ceiling, it will not be considered for review or funding. Please see Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

The maximum award ceiling is to accommodate applicants proposing a multiple site model in various geographic locations or applicants proposing a significant bed capacity.

Once a care provider is awarded initial funds and starts the three-year project period, funding for years two and three depend on the submission and approval of continuation grant applications, which are non-competitive and contingent upon satisfactory progress (i.e., meeting all UACB requirements referenced in Section I. Program Description and Appendix C. Post Award Requirements), availability of funds, compliance with the terms and conditions of the current award, and the best interests of the Federal government (including a determination that continuing the award effectuates program goals and agency priorities).

Special Note: Until your funded capacity is achieved, funding will be released gradually according to the approved pre-license budgets (your budget prior to receiving a license).

See Section IV.2. Content and Forms of Application Submission, The Project Description, The Project Budget and Budget Justification for additional information.

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

UACB is actively involved in the programs after awards are made. Examples of UACB’s involvement include:

• Timely review of required documentation and requests for approval.

• Budget reviews and program oversight to ensure program is in the best interest of the federal government.

• Training on ORR processes and procedures, as needed.

• Regular communication and oversight of program activities.

• Informing recipients of substantive changes that impact the program.

• Making all release and transfer decisions on behalf of all unaccompanied alien children.

ACF can ask for and review any documents or records related to the federal award. See HHS Grants Policy Statement and 45 C.F.R. 75.364.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility is unrestricted.

Current Recipients

Current recipients in the final year of their project period must check when their project period ends. If the project period end date aligns with this funding opportunity’s projected award date, and you want to apply to continue providing services, you must apply to this funding opportunity.

Current recipients who are not in the final year of their project period and want to apply to this funding opportunity must propose services in a new facility and new location from where they are currently funded. ACF does not fund multiple projects that offer the same type of service in the same location.

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible. See Section III.3.

Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html#HHS%20Grants%20Policy https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html#HHS%20Grants%20Policy https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR7492b9ccc78b4d5/section-75.364

Reference to Legal Status See Section IV.2. Legal Status of Applicant Entity for documentation required to support eligibility.

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

No 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

If an application asks for more money than the award ceiling, it will not be considered for review or funding.

Required Electronic Application Submission

ACF requires electronic submission of applications at Grants.gov. Paper applications are not allowed unless they have prior approval.

You may contact ACF for an exemption if you do not have an internet connection or sufficient capacity to upload large documents to the internet. Please see the ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Electronic Application Submission for more information.

Missing the Application Deadline (Late Applications)

Electronic applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Applications submitted 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 review and funding.

Applications which fail their Grants.gov validation check will not be received or acknowledged by ACF. If you submit the same 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.

Notification of Application Disqualification We will let you know if your application is…