FY2024 Maternity Group Home NOFO -final.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due June 7, 2024

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHY)

Maternity Group Home (MGH) Program Opportunity number: HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-YZ-0042

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 9

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19

Get registered 20

Find the application package 20

Learn more 20

Join the webinar 21

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

Application contents and format 23

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 38

Application review 39

Award notices 44

Step 5: Submit Your Application 45

Application submission and deadlines 46

Application checklist 49

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 50

Post-award requirements and administration 51

Contacts and Support 53

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by June 7, 2024 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 7, 2024.

To help you find what you need, 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.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Funding Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 9

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHY)

The MGH Program provides shelter and services to pregnant and/or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 for up to 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity Name:

Maternity Group Home (MGH) Program

Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-

YZ-0042

Federal Assistance Listing:

93.550

Key dates

Application deadline:

June 7, 2024

Expected award date:

August 30, 2024

Expected start date:

September 30, 2024

Informational webinar:

April 30, 2024

See deadlines.

Summary The MGH program provides safe, stable, and appropriate shelter for pregnant and/or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 for up to 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances.

Note: We acknowledge that many young people receiving services through MGH projects are young adults. Throughout this NOFO, and to maintain concise language, we use the term “youth” to include both youth and young adults.

Participating youth must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have run away or left home without permission of their parents or guardians

• Have been forced to leave their home

• Cannot live safely with a parent, legal guardian, or relative

• Have no other safe alternative living arrangement

• Are homeless or are at risk of experiencing homelessness

In addition to shelter, MGHs must provide comprehensive services that support participating youth’s transition to self-sufficiency and stable, independent living.

Through the combination of shelter and services, MGH youth are expected to show improvements in four core outcome areas: safe and stable housing, education or employment, permanent connections, and social and emotional well-being.

MGH services also must include, but are not limited to:

• Parenting skills training

• Child development information

• Family budgeting support

• Health and nutrition education

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 5

For more information about eligibility for participating youth, see 34 U.S.C. Subtitle I, Chapter 111 11222. Eligibility.

The MGH program’s combination of shelter and services is designed to promote long-term economic independence to ensure the well-being of youth and their children.

Your project must accommodate the needs and safety of the dependent children, including meeting facility safety standards for having infants and children on the premises.

Funding details Type: Grant

Estimated total program funding: $5,132,512

Total expected awards: 20

Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $100,000

Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $250,000

Funding periods: 60-month period of performance with five 12-month budget periods

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

Non-competing continuation awards will be offered for the second, third, and fourth budget periods of the project based on the availability of funds, your satisfactory progress, and review and approval of the continuation application.

To determine satisfactory progress, we will use your semi-annual performance progress and financial reports, site visits, audit reports, and other supporting documentation.

You can review details on how satisfactory progress is determined here.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 6 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title34/subtitle1/chapter111/subchapter3&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title34/subtitle1/chapter111/subchapter3&edition=prelim https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources#_Hlk153875659

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligible applicants These types of entities may apply:

• Public and nonprofit private entities

• State, county, city or township, and special district governments

• Independent school districts

• Public- and state-controlled institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities

• Nonprofits with or without a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

Public and nonprofit entities are eligible to apply unless you are part of the juvenile justice system.

For-profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be nonprofit entities.

Applications from individuals, including sole proprietorships and foreign entities, are not eligible and will be disqualified.

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

See initial review for disqualification factors.

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 7

Cost sharing This program requires you to contribute 10% of the project’s total cost per section 383 of the RHY ACT, 34 U.S.C. 11274

You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement in one of two ways:

Method 1: Start with the federal share Calculation: Divide the amount of federal funds by 9 to get the minimum match required.

For example: Divide $250,000 by 9. This equals a match of $27,778.

Method 2: Start with the total project cost Calculation: Divide the total project cost by 10 to get the minimum match required.

For example: Divide $150,000 by 10. This equals a match of $15,000 assuming federal funds of $135,000.

Types of cost-sharing You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• Cash contributed by your organization

• Cash contributed by partners or other third parties

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from third parties

Cost-sharing commitments You must follow through on your promise of cost-sharing funds even if you promise more than required. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award (NoA). You’ll have to include your funds when you fill out your Federal Financial Reports.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 8 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/law-regulation/runaway-and-homeless-youth-program-authorizing-legislation https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/law-regulation/runaway-and-homeless-youth-program-authorizing-legislation

Program description Project overview The primary purpose of the MGH Program is to provide safe, stable, and appropriate shelter for a period of 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances, to pregnant or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 who have run away from home, been forced to leave home, have no safe alternate living arrangement, are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of being homeless. Our goal is to help pregnant and parenting youth establish self-sufficient and sustainable living and well-being for themselves and, if applicable, their dependent children. Our programs promote economic independence and prevent long-term dependency on social services.

Pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness not only need basic necessities, such as food and shelter for their young families, but also to learn how to be effective and nurturing parents. Our goal is to successfully transition pregnant and parenting youth who are experiencing homelessness into adulthood through learning about parenting skills, child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other relevant skills.

If you are not planning to provide services to pregnant or parenting youth, you should apply under the Transitional Living Program funding opportunity, HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-

CX-0192.

Project requirements MGH projects receiving this funding are required to provide both shelter and supportive services. Choosing one or the other is not an option.

Youth who are actively in dependent care or custody of a government child welfare or juvenile justice agency are not eligible for MGH services.

Projects funded under this opportunity must meet the following requirements. Please show how your project meets these requirements in the project narrative section of your application.

Safe, stable, and appropriate shelter MGH projects must provide safe and stable shelter for youth ages 16 through 21 who are experiencing homelessness and, if applicable, their dependent children.

Safe and stable shelter is defined as a community-based, adult-supervised transitional living arrangement for youth and, if applicable, their children. This includes group homes, host homes, and scattered supervised apartments.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 9 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources#_Hlk153875686

With this funding, you must ensure the physical structures, program practices, and procedures protect all youth in the program from exposure to unsafe conditions. These protective measures must meet the criteria in the following subsections.

Projects must provide shelter according to the following timelines:

• A continuous period not to exceed 540 days, or

• In exceptional circumstances, 635 days, or

• If a youth is still under 18 on the last day of the 635-day period, the youth may, in exceptional circumstances, and if otherwise qualified for the program, remain in the program until their 18th birthday

Structure

• Per RHY regulations at 45 CFR§ 1351.18(c), the facilities of your MGH project must have a minimum residential capacity of four and a maximum residential capacity of 20 individuals in a single structure, except in the following circumstances:

◦ If local laws or regulations require a higher maximum to comply with licensure requirements for child- and youth-serving facilities

◦ If your facility is located within a single floor of a structure in the case of apartment buildings, in which case the floor of the structure where services are being provided must have a minimum residential capacity of four and maximum residential capacity of 20 individuals

• The minimum and maximum capacity numbers include both youth and their dependent children.

• You must provide appropriate space, equipment, and furnishings to safely accommodate both parents and their dependent children.

• You must ensure the accommodations limit the risk of injuries associated with hazards including, but not limited to, the following: falling, burning, electrical hazards, drowning, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Practice and procedures

• If your MGH project serves adult homeless populations over the age of 22, you must have policies and practices to separate MGH youth from the older adult population.

• MGH projects must have an agreement with an age-appropriate emergency shelter that can accommodate pregnant or parenting youth and their dependent children in circumstances when there are no current MGH openings.

• Your program must be prepared and able to serve pregnant and parenting youth of all ages from 16 through 21, and of all gender identities.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 10 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-30241/p-473 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-30241/p-473

• You must provide direct on-site supervision at all times. Family host home models are exempt from this rule.

• You must ensure your staff is trained to interact with youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing any form of trafficking, sexual exploitation, or other similar traumatic experiences.

• You must ensure youth and young adults exiting your program leave to a safe and appropriate housing option.

Comprehensive youth-centered services model You must use a trauma-informed approach when providing services. You can learn more about the effects of trauma and utilizing a trauma-informed approach on the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

You must also utilize a Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework. This framework is an intentional, prosocial approach to engaging youth. You must consult with and engage young people with lived experience of homelessness and offer them opportunities to have input on program implementation. When engaging and collaborating with youth and young adults who have experienced homelessness, you are encouraged to provide compensation for their expertise and may do so using these funds. You can learn more about the PYD framework at Youth.gov. You can learn more on Youth.gov about ways to lead in partnership with youth and young adults with lived experience.

Ensuring equity You must ensure equitable treatment of all youth receiving services funded by our programs. According to research conducted by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, young people of color, notably Black and Latino youth, are at greater risk of experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Roughly 11% of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults are over-represented in the homeless youth population relative to 4% of White, non-Hispanic youth. Additional data from our Runaway and Homeless Youth Homeless Management Information System (RHYHMIS) on gender identity and sexual orientation of youth served in our programs reveals about 26% of youth and young adults receiving services from the RHY Program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, asexual, or Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) or being uncertain of their sexual orientation.

We are committed to addressing disparities related to disability status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity among youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Therefore, you must have a plan to provide safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive spaces and services for all youth, including youth facing disabilities, youth of color, youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, and youth from other

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 11 https://www.cdc.gov/orr/infographics/6_principles_trauma_info.htm https://www.cdc.gov/orr/infographics/6_principles_trauma_info.htm https://www.cdc.gov/orr/infographics/6_principles_trauma_info.htm https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development/youth-adult-partnerships https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development/youth-adult-partnerships https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development/youth-adult-partnerships https://www.chapinhall.org/voices-of-youth-count-graphics/ underserved populations. Also, you must be inclusive of the language access needs of youth and their families.

Outreach implementation strategy

• Direct outreach: You must develop a plan and describe activities to conduct outreach to youth who have run away, are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless or running away. You must seek out youth from your target populations who might not be aware of your program. You must provide information about the services you offer and the benefits of those services.

Outreach activities may include monthly community canvassing, collaboration with community partners to host events, or other recruitment efforts.

• Education and awareness: You must tell the community about your program by developing and distributing materials about your services and benefits. Materials might include social media posts and public service announcements. You can also raise awareness of your program by collaborating with other youth- and family-serving organizations, law enforcement, health care providers, legal services, and other partners.

• Coordination: You must contact the National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth (currently operated by the National Runaway Safeline) to inform them of your national, state, and local resources, and how to connect youth in need with those resources.

• Youth engagement and collaboration: You must engage youth with lived experience to help you locate other youth and design individualized approaches to meet youths’ needs. Including youth with lived experience ensures that your education and awareness strategies are grounded in youth voices and collaboration.

Provision of basic needs When necessary, you must provide gateway services, including food, drink, clothing, transportation, personal safety information (such as national youth hotlines and local hotlines), resource guides (including guides to parenting, pregnancy, and childbirth resources) hygiene products, and other items suitable for pregnant or parenting youth and their children.

You must also be able to identify youth who are at risk of or are victims of trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation, sex abuse, and other forms of victimization, and provide information to those youth (such as the National Suicide Hotline, National Runaway Safeline, National Human Trafficking Hotline, and National Domestic Violence Hotline).

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 12 https://www.1800runaway.org/ https://www.1800runaway.org/

Screening and assessment You must have a standard way to determine a youth’s eligibility to receive shelter and services as well as to identify their needs to make sure services are appropriate. Your screening and assessment tools should also help you determine whether the youth’s participation in your program poses any risks to the health and safety of other youth in the program.

Assessments should prioritize reunifying youth who have left home without permission with an adult who has the youth’s best interest in mind, and who can provide stable housing as defined in 45 CFR § 1351.1 of the RHY Rule.

Your screening and assessment tools should evaluate, at a minimum, the following factors for each youth:

• Sexually exploited or trafficked youth

• Youth in need of substance abuse and/or mental health services

• Other vulnerable populations (for example, tribal youth, youth with disabilities, and youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, as described in 45 CFR § 1351.23(a) of the RHY Rule)

Finally, the screening tools you use should be able to identify the unique needs of pregnant and parenting runaway and homeless youth, and guide identification, assistance, and referral for delivery of appropriate services. Assessments should be used periodically on an ongoing basis to assess the health and wellness of project clients and their children.

Case management You must provide youth in your program with the following case management services:

• Individualized service or treatment plan: You must plan for services or treatment strategies based on both your screening and assessment tools and input from the youth receiving services.

• Services for dependent children: You must deliver individualized services for dependent children as well as youth. Services for infants and children must include, at a minimum, well-care visits and sensory and developmental screenings and assessments.

• Service coordination plan: You must have an appropriate and accessible service referral strategy based on the results of the screening and assessments completed at program entry. Services should be coordinated with entities including, but not limited to, the following:

◦ Social services

◦ Law enforcement

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 13 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-30241/p-434 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-30241/p-511 https://resources.rhyttac.org/resources/screening-tool

◦ Educational services

◦ Vocational and employment training services

◦ Public benefits, including, but not limited to, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and, when applicable, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

◦ Legal services

◦ Organizations that provide support or services to those who have experienced trafficking or are at risk of experiencing trafficking

◦ Mental and behavioral health care providers

◦ Health care programs (including health insurance options)

◦ Affordable child care and/or child education programs

• Employment or education engagement: You must ensure youth are connected to or engaged in educational advancement, life skills training, job attainment skills, or work activities while in the program.

In addition, you must ensure that youth who are on juvenile probation comply with supervision.

MGH projects should also support youth who have exited foster care to obtain any benefits they may be eligible for in their county or state (for example, medical assistance, Foster Youth to Independence vouchers, Family Unification Program vouchers, Chafee Grants, Title IV-E re-entry, etc.).

Life skills training, child care, and referrals You must provide youth with life skills training and referrals to promote their long-term economic independence and support the well-being of their children. At a minimum, you should provide training and referrals in the following areas:

• Child screening and assessment tools: Your project must assess the needs of clients’ children through appropriate health and developmental screening and assessment tools. You should partner with young parents participating in your program to identify concerns about their child’s development. You must complete or receive a current developmental screening for each child within 45 days of that child entering the program.

• Child care and Head Start strategy: You must develop a child care strategy to link youth to safe, affordable, and accessible child care, Head Start and Early Head Start, if available, or early childhood development services.

• Parenting skills: You must support opportunities for families to engage in activities that promote positive parent-child interactions and address parenting challenges and barriers. When appropriate, you must use father engagement and

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 14 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/main/ACYF-IM-23-01%20Leveraging%20HUDs%20Foster%20Youth%20to%20Independence%20Program.pdf responsible fatherhood strategies. This includes instances of co-parenting. Your parenting skills services must include a focus on child development, family budgeting, proper nutrition, healthy relationships, and healthy living.

• Parenting curriculum: You must utilize an evidence-based parenting curriculum to support positive parent and child outcomes. The parenting curriculum you use must support young parents in forming positive parent-child attachments, promote lifelong learning and teaching, assist youth in developing advocacy and leadership skills, and help them become contributing members of their communities. The Office of Head Start’s Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center maintains free Parenting Curricula Review Databases, which can help you find appropriate parenting curricula.

• Child development: You must ensure that the development of clients’ children is assessed and documented in the client file.

• Job attainment and educational advancement: You must support youth in your MGH program in obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment. Where available, link clients with their local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Youth Program. Provide clients support in earning a diploma, GED, or vocational certification, and in pursuing post-secondary education, if desired. Coordinate services with local and regional McKinney-Vento Liaisons to ensure clients experience minimal interruption in their education.

• Financial literacy and budgeting: You must provide clients with training in fundamental financial literacy skills, including credit counseling, banking, consumer education, home ownership, household budgeting, and smart grocery shopping.

• Health and nutrition: You must ensure clients receive consistent mental and physical health care as appropriate, as well as early and consistent prenatal care, postnatal care, well-baby exams, and immunizations. These services are documented in the client file. In addition, clients must receive instruction in understanding preventative health measures, healthy relationships, managing stress, family planning, healthy diets, grocery shopping, and meal planning.

Transition planning and aftercare You must work with each youth to develop a written transitional living strategy that meets their level of need for a safe and stable living environment after program exit.

You must ensure youth have access to important documents and paperwork for themselves and their children (such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses or state identification cards, medical records, and credit reports).

You must also provide services to youth for a minimum of three months after they leave your program. You must develop an aftercare strategy with each youth prior to exit

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 15 https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/parenting/article/parenting-curricula-review-databases https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/browse/topic/child-screening-assessment https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/browse/topic/child-screening-assessment https://schoolhouseconnection.org/homeless-directory/ counseling. The strategy must include a plan to maintain contact with each youth to ensure their ongoing safety, stability, and access to services.

The aftercare strategy must include, at minimum, how you will document the following:

• Evidence of regular contact (including attempts to contact) for at least three months

• Youth’s housing status, educational services, and the rate of participation and completion of the services in the plan beyond three months if services are still provided

• A referral process that ensures partnering agencies provided support to the referred youth

• Services, referrals, and counseling are offered related to health care and insurance coverage

• Plan to help youth and their children stay connected with their schools or obtain appropriate educational services, training, or employment services. This includes coordination with McKinney-Vento school district liaisons, designated under the McKinney-Vento Act

• Proactive and reactive strategies to encourage retention in education, employment, housing, personal issues, child care, reproductive health care, regular well-child checkups, and other key areas

• Supportive services to help youth advance to better jobs

• Support in improving social and emotional well-being and permanent connections

If applicable, any aftercare services beyond three months should be documented too.

Performance standards You are required to collect data demonstrating your ability to meet program performance standards. Your program should improve the following four outcomes for youth:

• Social and emotional well-being: Youth will connect to trauma-informed providers to assist with any issues they face relating to physical health, substance abuse, mental health, personal safety (such as potential trafficking situations), and sexual risk behaviors.

• Permanent connections: Youth will experience positive ongoing attachments to their families, adult role models, communities, schools, and other social networks.

• Education or employment: Youth will connect to school or vocational training programs, improve job search skills, or obtain employment.

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 16

• Safe and stable housing: After leaving your program, youth will transition to safe and stable housing that appropriately matches their level of need. Housing options may include moving in with family, other permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, residential treatment centers, or substance abuse treatment facilities.

You will report performance data through the Runaway and Homeless Youth Homelessness Management Information System (RHYHMIS) quarterly. To access RHYHMIS, you will work with a local Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) lead. More detailed information about performance standards and reporting requirements can be found on our website.

Training and technical assistance If you accept an award, you must agree to work cooperatively with the technical assistance provider. Training and technical assistance is free from the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC). Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Regionally based technical assistance clinics

• Training sessions

• E-learning

• Webinars

• National grantee training

You must send at least one person to the annual in-person RHY National Grantee Training as well as the RHY Regional Training. You will also participate in learning collaboratives and cohort-based peer engagement activities. More information is available from RHYTTAC.

Funding policies and limitations We do not allow the following costs under this NOFO:

• Construction

• Purchase of real property

• Major renovation (that exceeds 15% of the grant amount awarded)

• Fundraising (including campaigns, endowments, gifts, and similar expenses)

• Pre-award or proposal costs

• Distribution of sterile needles or syringes

• Abortions (See Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law No. 117-328, div. H, tit. V, 506-507 for exceptions)

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 17 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources https://www.rhyttac.net./ https://www.rhyttac.net./ https://www.rhyttac.net./ https://www.rhyttac.net/ https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf

• Any treatment or referral to treatment that aims to change someone’s sexual orientation

See 45 CFR 75.420 – 75.475 for information on costs that are always unallowable or have restrictions.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those for a common or joint purpose across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project.

To charge indirect costs, you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 45 CFR § 75.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you are awaiting approval of an indirect cost proposal, you may also use the de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 45 CFR § 75.2 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Learn more at 45 CFR § 75.414, Indirect Costs.

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 your 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.

Additional information on subawards can be found on our website.

Statutory authority This program is authorized under title III, part B, section 321 of the RHY Act (34 U.S.C.

11221).

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Funding Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.2(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources#_Hlk153875659

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 20

Find the application package 20

Learn more 20

Join the webinar 21

Get registered SAM.gov Your entity must have an active registration with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need Help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Search Grants at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2024-ACF- ACYF-YZ-0042. Then, click the “Package” tab.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials, you may request them from the Grants Management Contact.

If you are also unable to apply through Grants.gov, see exemptions for paper submissions.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants Page.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration http://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Join the webinar The Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Program will conduct a pre-application webinar for the Maternity Group Home program. Details are as follows:

Date: April 30, 2024 Time: 3 to 4 p.m. ET

Join the webinar on YouTube.

The goals of the session are to:

• Orient potential applicants to the new FY 24 notice of funding opportunity announcement.

• Provide an overview of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Maternity Group Home program.

• Address eligibility requirements, application processes, and timelines.

• Respond to questions submitted in advance of the webinar.

Joining and participating is voluntary. Participants may remain anonymous. Opting not to participate in the session will not affect eligibility, application scoring, or the award selection process.

If you aren’t able to attend, you can access the recording and transcript on the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program’s training, technical assistance, and capacity building website after the session has concluded.

In the event of a discrepancy between the presentation and/or materials and the NOFO, the NOFO takes precedence.

Please submit your questions on this NOFO in advance. You may submit questions anonymously.

Due date for submitting questions: April 12, 2024

Only questions submitted in advance and by the due date will be considered for answering during the session.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com%2Flive%2Ff2RtvI8WnuI%3Ffeature%3Dshare&data=05%7C02%7CTimothy.Joyce%40acf.hhs.gov%7C04631269dc77407fc5e008dc4f1f5aa3%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638472243296629252%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nvBGzpTVGDon1oaLkGVIIiaVOfzaPsJ3XaRqSCzMQGQ%3D&reserved=0 https://www.rhyttac.net/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2F84Whp2FAih8st78H9&data=05%7C02%7CTimothy.Joyce%40acf.hhs.gov%7C04631269dc77407fc5e008dc4f1f5aa3%7Cd58addea50534a808499ba4d944910df%7C0%7C0%7C638472243296615575%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nClqiKe02GGX9JB8kNDZu0%2FiW187LGwTsdujTtAhv3k%3D&reserved=0

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 23

Application contents and format Application components You will submit two files plus the standard forms in the application package.

File One: Project Narrative Attachment Form Includes:

• Table of contents

• Project summary, one page

• Project narrative

• Line-item budget and budget narrative

File Two: Other Attachments Form Includes all attachments.

Other required forms Includes other required forms.

Required format Page limit for File One and File Two combined: 85 pages.

File Format: Portable Document File (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and the Other Attachments Form:

• 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)

Paper Size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23

If possible, include page numbers

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced

Project summary: Must be single-spaced

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Line-Item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: As needed

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

Table of contents At the beginning of File One, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in File One.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of the application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address and your proposed services

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate and rank against other applications using the merit review criteria. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length. We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the the funding opportunity, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Geographic location Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve. If you will include any subrecipients in your project that will serve the geographic areas, include their locations as well.

Need for assistance Identify the problems you plan to solve. These problems could be physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, etc. To do so:

• Demonstrate the need, including the nature and scope of the problem.

• You may provide supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in an application appendix.

• Include any relevant data based on planning studies or needs assessments. You may refer to them in the endnotes or footnotes.

• Use demographic data and participant or beneficiary information where you can.

Approach Outline your action plan. Describe the scope and detail of how you will accomplish your proposed project. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

This section of your application should show how you will meet all the project requirements listed in the program description. Use the subheadings and order of the sections that follow to detail your approach. You can refer to the program requirements section of this NOFO for more details on each of these categories.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

Safe, stable, and appropriate shelter With this funding, you must ensure that your physical structures, technologies, staff supervision practices, program practices, and procedures protect all youth, including minor youth, in the program from exposure to unsafe conditions. This includes circumstances where the MGH project serves adult clients who may come into contact with minor youth and their children. These protective measures must meet the criteria in the following subsections.

Housing model and structure

You must explain the housing model you will use. The housing model description must include, at a minimum:

• A physical description of the structure(s) to be used to house youth and their children (for example, single floor, multi-story, scattered-site, dormitory style, etc.)

• The total number of beds in the structure, including the number of beds per floor, if applicable. The total number of beds includes shelter beds paid for through other funding sources (for example, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, state social services, community block grants)

• The layout of living accommodations, including the number of beds per room, common space, kitchen, and bathrooms

• If applicable, any other types of shelter services you provide that will be housed in the same building (such as child protective custody or foster care)

• If applicable and as required by your state, host home models must show evidence of current licensure. If proposing a host home model, describe the number of proposed host homes and recruitment strategy for host families

You must provide appropriate space, equipment, and furnishings. There must be a separate bed for each youth and for each infant or child. In addition, you must ensure these accommodations limit the risk of or prevent injuries associated with hazards including, but not limited to, the following:

• Falling

• Burning

• Electrical hazards

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• Co-sleeping

• Bathing and risk of drowning

For more information about the housing model requirements for this funding opportunity, see the program requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26

Practice, procedures, and client safety

You must explain how you will ensure client safety. The client safety description must include at a minimum:

• A description of how adult populations over the age of 22 are separated from MGH clients, including minor youth

• How your project is linked with an age-appropriate emergency shelter or other temporary housing resource, so that you can provide a referral when there are no current MGH openings, or a youth is outside of your project’s eligibility requirements

• MGH projects that are housing facilities, and not a family host home or scattered apartment model, must provide direct, on-site supervision. You must explain how your residential facility will be adequately staffed and supervised with an appropriate staff-to-client ratio

• How you will ensure your staff is trained to interact with youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing any form of trafficking, sexual exploitation, or other similar traumatic experiences

• How you will ensure youth exiting your program leave to a safe and appropriate housing option

Comprehensive youth-centered services model You must explain how your project will use a youth-centered services model. The description must include, at a minimum:

• How you will use a trauma-informed approach when providing services to youth

• How you will utilize the PYD framework to consult and engage youth with lived homelessness experience in program implementation and provide them with opportunities

Ensuring equity You must explain how your project and organization will ensure equity for the diverse young people you serve. Include your plans and practices regarding:

• How your program will work to provide safe and inclusive spaces, and address disparities faced by youth in your community because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status

• How you will support language access needs for all youth and families to be served in your program

• Staffing practices which ensure diversity of staff and leadership that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the youth your organization serves

• Staff development and training practices that ensure staff and leadership are prepared to implement culturally responsive and culturally specific services

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

Outreach implementation strategy You must explain how your project will implement an outreach strategy to engage youth and educate them on services available through your program. The description must include, at a minimum:

• A description of the outreach activities that will be conducted to seek out youth from the target population and provide information about services available and their benefits

• A description of how you will inform the community about your program including the development and distribution of materials about your services

• A description of how you will coordinate with the national communication system (National Runaway Safeline) to provide resources to youth at risk of experiencing homelessness

• A description of how you will collaborate with youth with lived experience in designing and conducting outreach activities

Provision of basic needs You must explain how your project will meet youth’s basic needs. The description must include, at a minimum:

• How you will provide youth with food, drink, clothing, transportation, personal safety information (such as national youth hotlines and local hotlines), resource guides, hygiene products, and items suitable for pregnant or parenting youth and their children

• How you will identify youth who are at risk of or are victims of trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, sex abuse, and other forms of victimization and provide those youth with resources such as national hotline numbers

Screening and assessment You must explain how your project will determine a youth’s eligibility for services through screenings and assessment tools. Your screening and assessments tools should evaluate, at a minimum, the following factors for each youth:

• Physical health

• Reproductive health

• Potential for victimization

• Behavioral health

• Connection to family

• Safety

• Access to resources

• Issues of neglect or abuse

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

• Other risk and protective factors that impact their well-being and potential for sustainable living

Your explanation must include, at a minimum:

• A description of how you will determine a youth’s eligibility to receive shelter and services, as well as identify their needs to make sure services are appropriate

• An explanation of how you will use the screening and assessment tools to determine if a youth’s participation in your program poses any risks to the health and safety of other youth in the program

• A description of the assessment tools that will be used and what factors they evaluate

Case management You must explain how your program will provide case management services. The description must include, at a minimum:

• How your program will work with youth to plan for individualized services and treatment strategies

• How you will deliver individualized services for dependent children including, at a minimum, well-care visits and sensory and developmental screenings and assessments

• How your program will connect youth to appropriate and accessible services based on the…