FY24-CYFAR-SCP-RFA-P.pdf

*FY 2024 total funding is approximately $5,440,000. $1,520,000 will be available to fund the first year of new CYFAR SCP projects and approximately $3,920,000 will fund prior year CYFAR SCP continuation awards.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk

Sustainable Community Projects

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15, 2024

ANTICIPATED PROGRAM FUNDING:

AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL AWARD RANGE:

$5,440,000*

$80,000 - $160,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-010312

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.521

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) program is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.521.

Key Information Key Dates and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, February 15, 2024

• Applicants Comments Deadline: Within six months from the issuance of this notice

(NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA). The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when programs are grounded in DEIA. NIFA is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of programs and encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations from underserved communities to apply to funding opportunities as lead, co-lead, or sub-award recipient(s), and to engage as leaders in the peer panel review process to support the development of strong networks and collaborations. NIFA encourages applications that engage diverse communities and have broad impacts through research, education, extension, and integrated activities to address current and future challenges.

Stakeholder Input. NIFA seeks comments on all Request for Applications (RFA) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service.

NIFA considers comments to the extent possible when developing RFAs, and uses comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov. Please use the following subject line: Response to the CYFAR SCP RFA.

Centers of Excellence. Applicants are encouraged to visit the NIFA’s Center of Excellence (COE) for information on COE designation process, including COE criteria, and a list of programs offering COE opportunities. A recording of COE outreach and COE implementation webinars are also available.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence https://nifa.usda.gov/centers-excellence

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for new CYFAR SCP for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to marshal resources of the Land-grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives.

This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024.

Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The amount available for the CYFAR SCP in FY 2024 is approximately $5,440,000. Of this amount, approximately $1,520,000 will be available to fund the first year of new CYFAR SCP projects.

This notice identifies the objectives for CYFAR SCP projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

CYFAR Grant Application Resources and Information will be made available on the NIFA website. The following are among the materials available on the web page:

1. CYFAR Philosophy

2. CYFAR Guiding Principles

3. CYFAR.org Links for Logic Model Builder & Common Measures https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching C. Centers of Excellence

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Center of Excellence D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Limited English Proficiency

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

KEY INFORMATION

Key Information 1. Key Dates and Deadlines Key Information 2. CYFAR SCP Program Key Information Key Information 3. Budget Request Limits for Year 1 Key Information 4. Budget Request Limits for Years 2-5 Key Information 5. Steps to Obtain Application Materials Key Information 6. Help and Resources Key Information 7. Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects (SCP) is authorized under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, as amended (7 U.S.C. 343(d)).

B. Purpose and Priorities The mission of the CYFAR program, under ALN 10.521, is to marshal resources of the Land-grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives.

The CYFAR Philosophy is the basis for CYFAR SCP.

The purpose of CYFAR SCP funding is to improve the quality and quantity of comprehensive community-based programs for at-risk children, youth, and families supported by the Cooperative Extension System. Collaboration across disciplines, program areas, and geographic lines, as well a holistic approach that views the individual in the context of the family and community, are central to the CYFAR SCP program.

The CYFAR SCP program has two strategic objectives:

1. To support community educational programs for at-risk, low-income children, youth, and families that are based on locally identified needs, grounded in research, and lead to the accomplishment of one of four CYFAR National Outcomes; and

2. To integrate CYFAR SCP programming into ongoing Extension programs for children, youth, and families – ensuring that at-risk, low-income children, youth, and families continue to be part of Extension and/or 4-H programs, and/or Family and Consumer Sciences Programs and have access to resources and educational opportunities.

Preference will be given to applications that propose CYFAR SCP project engagement with 1890 Land-grant Universities, 1994 Institutions, and Hispanic Serving Institutions, as well as Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) States as sub-awardees.

Greater preference will be given to 1890 Land-grant Universities and/or 1994 Institutions in Joint Partnership as eligible applicants.

The CYFAR SCP program is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 goal:

1. Strategic Goal 5 Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal Communities

The CYFAR SCP program is aligned with the following USDA Science and Research Strategy, 2023–2026 priorities:

1. Priority 3: Bolstering Nutrition Security & Health

2. Priority 5: Translating Research Into Action https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:343%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section343)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true#substructure-location_d https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-fy-2022-2026-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-science-research-strategy.pdf

For a program informational webinar please visit the NIFA calendar for dates, event registration, and link. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any of the informational webinars listed, please contact the event host listed no later than 10 days prior to the event.

Key Information- Program Key Information Program Code: MC Program Code Name: Youth at Risk

ALN: 10.521

Project Type: Extension Projects Grant Type: Regular Application Deadline: February 15, 2024 Grant Duration: 12 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 19 (Limited to 1 per Land-grant Institution) Maximum Award Amount(s): $80,000 (regular), $160,000 (joint)

NIFA is offering two extension project types for new CYFAR SCP applications: Regular (Single Eligible Institution) and Joint (Applicant + One Eligible Land-grant Partner). See Part II § C for project type definitions. No more than one award will be made per Land-grant institution for either a new regular CYFAR SCP or a new Joint CYFAR SCP.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will implement ALL seven (7) areas of CYFAR SCP (i.e., CYFAR SCP Management, National CYFAR Outcomes, One Program Model for ALL CYFAR SCP community sites, Integrated Program Components, Selecting CYFAR SCP Community Sites, Logic Model, and Five-Year Work Plan). The following describes the FY 2024 program areas:

1. CYFAR SCP Management

CYFAR SCP projects must be supported by faculty across Extension and university departments and integrated into Extension programs. State CYFAR SCP Extension/university faculty members have responsibility for supporting community-based educational programs for at-risk audiences and integrating them into the ongoing Extension program. CYFAR SCP project directors are expected to build an appropriate team of university(ies), county, and community staff and collaborators with broader experience and understanding of children, youth and families to manage the CYFAR SCP project and to provide technical assistance with planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs at selected CYFAR SCP sites. This team is to include Technology and Evaluation professionals, as well as county Extension professionals who will provide direct support to the community site programs. Community projects are expected to develop, implement, manage, staff, and evaluate their own programs, involving people with relevant expertise of the community and sustainability. To improve consistency in program planning, implementation, training, and evaluation, CYFAR SCP applicants are to identify one National CYFAR Outcome, program model, and common measure that is the same for all community sites (see #2, #3, and #6 below). University faculty and selected community site staffs are to develop a five-year logic model and a five-year work plan as the basis for planning, implementing, and evaluating their CYFAR SCP project (see #6 and #7 below).

https://nifa.usda.gov/calendar

2. National CYFAR Outcomes

The CYFAR SCP project must focus on children, youth, and families who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs as articulated in the CYFAR philosophy. Critical issues and demographic trends influencing children and families in the state should be examined when making outcome and audience decisions. Considerations should include: migrant workers’ children; immigrant children and families; children in families coping with military deployments, separations, and reunions; children, youth, and/or families facing issues related to use of substances (e.g., opioids), violence, crime, mental health, incarceration, social-emotional skills, bullying, teen pregnancies, children being raised by grandparents or older adult family members, sexually transmitted infections/diseases, HIV/AIDS, obesity, isolation, poverty and poor school achievement, climate change and environmental justice, and learning loss as a result of COVID. It is the responsibility of the CYFAR SCP project staff to create an inclusive and equitable process in the state for determining the single outcome. University, county, and community program staff experienced in working with CYFAR SCP and/or similar programs should be involved in the decision on selecting the single National CYFAR Outcome.

Select only one of the four National CYFAR outcomes listed below as this will be the core group for which you will be evaluating/assessing change. Applicants may serve more than just their core group, but must identify their primary audience (e.g., if parents and children are served with the focus being on educating and empowering parents, then the applicant could choose parents/caregivers as their core audience). The selection must be applicable to all proposed community sites.

a. Early Childhood. Children will have their basic physical, emotional and intellectual needs met. Babies will be born healthy.

b. School Age (K-8). School age youth will demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior necessary for fulfilling and contributing lives.

c. Teen. Teens will demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior necessary for fulfilling and contributing lives.

d. Parent/Family/Caregiver. Parents/caregivers will take primary responsibility for meeting their children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs and providing moral guidance and direction. Families will promote positive, productive, and contributing lives for all family members.

3. One Program Model for All CYFAR SCP Community Sites

a. Guiding principles

Once the National CYFAR Outcome is selected, the appropriate CYFAR Guiding Principles should be used to determine the single program model selected for all of an applicant’s proposed community sites. Guiding Principles for Early Childhood, School Age, Teen, and Parent/Family are described on the CYFAR website. Selection of the program model and the relationship of the model to the Guiding Principles must be thoroughly explained in the application. Suggestions for descriptors, strategies for https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/children-youth-families-risk-cyfar implementation, and resources are also posted with the Guiding Principles for use in the development of the CYFAR SCP application. Whether an applicant elects to use an established program model or chooses to design his/her own programmatic approach, each principle for the selected National CYFAR Outcome must be addressed in the CYFAR SCP application.

b. Uniform Program Model

For CYFAR SCP projects, the same uniform program model must be implemented in every CYFAR SCP community site. The key and essential components that must constitute the structure are:

i. Desired short, medium and long-term results;

ii. Age range of high context participants impacted; age range of children impacted as participants in early childhood and parent and family programs;

iii. Frequency and duration of contact with the program;

iv. Group size and staffing plan;

v. Program and curriculum content (science technology, community service, drama, computer literacy, reading literacy, parent education, exercise/fitness, etc.); and

vi. Standardized training and technical assistance plan for project staff.

When one National CYFAR Outcome is selected, applicants must make a conscious effort to assure that these model components are uniform across the applicant’s proposed community sites.

The application and more specifically, program outcomes, must specifically reflect alignment with one of the goals identified in the USDA FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

c. High Context Participants

Research has shown that children and youth need positive relationships with caring adults, inclusive and safe environments, to be engaged in their own learning, to have opportunities for mastery and self-determination, and to see themselves as active participants in the future, and to value and practice service for others (Meyer and Jones, 2015). CYFAR SCP projects are intended to provide long-term, increasingly challenging educational experiences in a high-quality developmental context leading to social, emotional, and cognitive learning.

High context participation refers to experiences in which participants have close connections and challenging activities intended to continue for a significant period of time, optimally beyond the duration of the grant funding. The participants who engage in ongoing, intense interaction with the program are considered the highly engaged children/youth/parents/caregivers and are the focus of the five-year plan. Applications must address the school-aged and teen National CYFAR outcome that includes outcomes for youth.

Children, youth, and adults who are not chosen as the National CYFAR Outcome target audience often benefit from participating in the highly engaging CYFAR SCP programs and activities. These are an important part of the community strengthening aspect of CYFAR SCP projects and should be noted in the five-year plan and reported in the Community section of the year-end report.

Specific to two of the four National CYFAR Outcomes, school-aged youth and teen participants may be introduced to 4-H through low context programs and expand their involvement by enrolling in 4-H clubs to insure long-term progressive educational experiences that provide opportunities for leadership, community service, positive relationships with caring adults, inclusive and safe environments, active engagement in their own learning, mastery, self-determination, and to see themselves as active participants in the future. If either school-age youth or teen is selected as the National CYFAR Outcomes focus area for this project proposal, integration of CYFAR SCP youth participants into the 4-H Youth Development program is strongly encouraged. One high context educational activity that may be considered for participation by teen participants is National 4-H Conference.

d. Parent/Family and Early Childhood Participants According to research, families are the most significant system for developing children (Bronfenbrenner, 1999). Family risk factors such as poverty, low parental educational attainment, and single parenthood can have critical impact on a child’s development.

Applications addressing the parent/family National CYFAR Outcome, which focus on family risk factors and demonstrate impact on the child or children placed at-risk, are encouraged. Research indicates that high quality care in the first years of life (just beyond toddlerhood, up to age five) can greatly reduce the risk that today’s youngest children will become tomorrow’s youth most placed at-risk (Dimidjian, 1989). Applications focusing on the early childhood National CYFAR Outcome, which include outcomes for the child, are also encouraged.

4. Integrated Program Components Community, Technology, and Sustainability are the three program components that are integral to all CYFAR SCP projects and must be addressed in CYFAR SCP applications.

a. Community The Community Component captures the “ecological” approach of CYFAR SCP projects connecting the projects to existing networks as well as ensuring that the family and community remain strong contexts for program participants (Trach, Lee and Hymel, 2018). Children, youth, and family programs are most effective in creating long-term outcomes when they involve change in the larger ecological context of the program participants. The CYFAR SCP program recommends choosing at least one of the following three approaches for integrating Community:

i. A Multi-Level Approach – targets program audiences beyond the program’s primary target audience.

ii. A Community Collaboration Approach – community programs working through a collaborative group.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/national-4-h-conference

iii. A Systems Change Approach – recognizes interacting social, economic, and environmental factors that influence CYFAR SCP program audiences and seeks opportunities to engage CYFAR SCP program audiences in addressing these factors and creating change.

These approaches represent a range of complexity and are intended to give applicants several potential strategies to affect change in their community’s context. Program developers can adopt the best approach for enhancing their primary program outcomes.

All CYFAR SCP applications must address how their programs fit into this “Community” context using at least one of the above three approaches.

b. Technology

Information and communication technologies are permeating American society and lives. Information technology has impact on all sectors of life inclusive of:

communication, education, finance, healthcare and business, for example. Technology literacy is an essential skill to perform basic activities of jobs, school, and personal lives.

Special efforts to create low risk/high utility situations for the program participants must be created. Integrating technology and the development of technology skills into programs, which serve families and communities at-risk, is especially important, as typically they have fewer opportunities to learn and apply their learning. Each CYFAR SCP project must have an explicit technology plan to ensure that information and communication technology is appropriately integrated throughout the program design.

Programs should have adequate information and communication technology infrastructure (i.e., hardware, software, network connectivity/mini-labs, and technology expertise) to support program administration, professional staff and volunteer development, educational programming with clients, online collaboration, and electronic publishing of lessons learned and results. The technology plan needs to put technology tools in the hands of program participants to help them reach the goals of the CYFAR SCP program.

c. Sustainability Planning for sustaining community CYFAR SCP projects is an obligation of CYFAR SCP program professionals. Sustainability is the capacity of programs to continue to respond to identified community needs beyond the duration of the CYFAR SCP program funding. A sustained program maintains a focus consistent with its original goals and objectives, including the individuals, families, and communities it was originally intended to serve. Some programs contract in scope, while others expand, and still others maintain the original program activities. Some programs align with other organizations and institutions while others maintain their independence. One of the key elements of sustainability is retaining the goal of supporting at-risk families by providing continued benefits, regardless of the particular activities delivered. To sustain programs most effectively for children, youth and families, an intentional effort must be made early in the program planning process. Each CYFAR SCP project will develop and submit a sustainability plan including those factors that research has demonstrated to be important for program sustainability: Leadership Competence, Effective

Collaboration, Understanding Community, Demonstrating Program Results, Strategic Funding, Staff Involvement and Integration, and Program Responsiveness. See information regarding sustainability at Strategies for Sustainability of Grant-funded Programs. Proposals must show how these projects will be integrated into their ongoing Extension programs in order to illustrate sustainability and continued funding of these projects beyond the maximum five years of CYFAR SCP program federal funding.

5. Selecting the CYFAR SCP Community Sites

Two or three community sites must be selected based EITHER on criterion (a) or (b) below.

The sites must also meet all the criteria listed in items (c) and (d) below.

a. Fifty percent of the population in targeted communities must be living at or below 185% of the Federal poverty level; or

b. A minimum of 50% of participants at each site must meet one or more of the following characteristics: family qualifies for a public assistance program; family income falls below the Federal poverty threshold; greater than 25% of the National CYFAR Outcome target audience is uninsured; family income is less than 75% of the State or county median income; a parent did not complete high school; youth/family on record with community, juvenile justice and law enforcement, or social agencies for foster care, child abuse or neglect, or substance abuse; eligibility for free or reduced school lunch, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other clearly established risk indicator.

c. Integrate focus in plan to adhere to the Guiding Principles of the one selected National CYFAR Outcome;

d. Produce a plan for adherence to the principles of CYFAR SCP Integrated Program Components – Community, Technology, and Sustainability;

e. CYFAR projects are strongly encouraged to partner with community sites inclusive of public housing authorities as well as Hispanic-serving Institutions and minority-serving institutions; and

f. If applicable, community sites that have been previously funded under any CYFAR project will need to provide justification as to how this is a new and different project that merits consideration for CYFAR. Indicate the measured outcomes and impacts of the previously funded project and how this award from NIFA will strengthen the current outcomes and project impacts. Also, cite how this award will contribute to greater sustainability of the CYFAR SCP project.

6. Logic Model

Once the CYFAR SCP community sites are selected, an institutional team should be developed to work with community staff to develop one five-year CYFAR SCP program plan and logic model. The CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center website (CYFAR.org) features two essential resources for applicants applying for FY 2024 CYFAR SCP funding. These resources include an interactive Logic Model Builder and an interactive CYFAR Common Measures Survey Builder. These tools are to be used to facilitate the logic model process within the communities in program development, https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development/4-h-access-equity-opportunity/cyfar-grant-application-resources-information https://cyfar.org/ implementation, and subsequent evaluation for research-based programs to lead to accomplishment of the selected National CYFAR outcome. The logic model provides a visual diagram that illustrates specific components of a program and describes how the program will work.

The CYFAR-specific logic model consists of five elements including:

a. Identified needs and assets,

b. Desired results (short-term and long-term),

c. Indicators (short-term and long-term),

d. Activities, and

e. Resources

Applicants are required to use the CYFAR.org website to create a user account and develop the program’s logic model. The Logic Model Builder can be found at CYFAR.org under Tools. A program’s completed logic model (PDF version) must be included as part of the grant application package. With the use of the newly developed logic model, applicants will also need to identify at least one short-term outcome from the logic model that will result from the applicants’ program and can be subsequently evaluated with a CYFAR common measure. Successful applicants are expected to comply with the required site evaluations submissions. The Interactive CYFAR.org Survey Builder should be utilized to develop the evaluation assessment. The Survey Builder is located at CYFAR.org under Tools. The CYFAR Common Measures include a list of vetted instruments that address Core Competencies in CYFAR programming, as well as Resilience and Skills for Everyday Living Measures and is located at CYFAR.org. New projects are expected to report and share evaluative outcomes regarding their identified CYFAR common measure(s).

7. Five Year Work Plan

CYFAR SCP applications must describe how the selected program model will be implemented over five years. The Work Plan must include tasks such as staffing, recruiting participants, recruiting volunteers, establishing key partnerships, program implementation, marketing, and promotion, materials development, training staff and volunteers, and evaluation methods. The Work Plan must indicate who is responsible, if known, for each of the key functions. CYFAR SCP projects may or may not have the same participants for the full five-year plan. In addition, they may or may not have the same partners for the full five-year period. When there are two or more high context participant cohorts planned for the five years of the project, each should be noted in the five-year plan timeline. Additional requirements on expected performance goals, indicators and targets may be required as a condition of award.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding This RFA is being released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024.

Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The amount available for the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects (SCP) in FY 2024 is approximately $5,440,000. Of this amount, approximately $1,520,000 will be available to fund the first year of new CYFAR SCP projects.

Similar funding levels may be awarded for up to an additional four years as continuation awards provided performance has been satisfactory, funding is available for this purpose, and continued support is in the best interests of the Federal government and the public. The remaining FY 2024 funding, approximately $3,920,000, will fund prior year CYFAR SCP continuation awards.

USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Application for FY 2024 is limited to the following application types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

2. Resubmitted application: Resubmitted applications must respond to the previous review panel summary and are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein. Resubmitted applicants must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm

C. Project and Grant Types The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding:

1. Grant Types. Applicants must submit a Standard Grant. Standard Grants support targeted original scientific Research, Education/Teaching, Extension, or Integrated Projects. An eligible, individual institution, independent branch campus, or branch institution of a state system may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel. The applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners.

2. Project Types. Applicants must propose an extension project. Extension Projects conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions. Extension Projects may also include related matters such as certification programs, in-service training, client recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative instructional methodologies appropriate to informal educational programs.

There are two specific Extension Project types offered:

a. Regular CYFAR SCP (Single Eligible Institution). The Regular CYFAR SCP Project Type (Single Eligible Institution) refers to one institution applying for CYFAR SCP funding.

In a Regular CYFAR SCP, the applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners. The first year should be focused on planning and launching the program. Applications must be submitted for a maximum five-year project period.

Regular CYFAR SCP should have two or three community sites with a minimum of funding support. Funds may be retained for university support, including technical assistance with program development, evaluation, technology, and linking of CYFAR SCP to other Extension resources in the state and to the CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center. See Key Information Table 3 and Table 4 for Budget Request Limits for project proposals.

b. Joint CYFAR SCP (Applicant + One Eligible Land-grant Partner). The Joint

CYFAR SCP Project Type refers to two or more institutions applying for joint CYFAR SCP funding.

In a Joint CYFAR SCP, the lead institution must include one or more additional eligible institutions. The first year should be focused on planning and launching the program. Applications must be submitted for a maximum five-year project period.

Collaboration will include joint work on the same Five-Year Plan, Logic Model, CYFAR National Outcome, and CYFAR Common Measures. The expectation is the Awardee, and the Sub-awardee will work mutually and respectfully on the same Plan. The Awardee and the Sub-awardee will not work on separate Plans.

All partners must equally share grant funds and this sharing must be demonstrated in the budget justification. This project type should have two or three community sites per eligible Land-grant institution; resulting in a total of at least four to six community sites with a minimum of funding support. Funds may be retained for university support, including technical assistance with program development, evaluation, technology, and linking of CYFAR SCP to other Extension resources in the state and to the CYFAR Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center. See Key Information Table 3 and Table 4 for Budget Request Limits for project proposals.

1862, 1890, and 1994 Institutions are eligible to apply as lead institutions.

Additional consideration will be given during the application evaluation process (see Part V § B) for the following:

i. Joint CYFAR SCP Project proposals in which 1862, 1890, and 1994

Institutions collaborate.

ii. Partnership with Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), where the HSI is a sub-awardee.

Key Information 1. Budget Request Limits for Year 1

Description Regular CYFAR SCP Project (Single)

Joint CYFAR SCP Project

Maximum Amount Requested per Proposal $80,000 $160,000 Maximum Institutional Support (including 10% evaluation costs)

$50,400 $100,800

Minimum Budget for Community Sites $29,600 $59,200

Key Information 2. Budget Request Limits for Years 2-5

Description Regular CYFAR SCP Project (Single)

Joint CYFAR SCP Project

Maximum Amount Requested per Proposal $140,000 $280,000 Maximum Institutional Support (including 10% evaluation costs)

$60,200 $120,400

Minimum Budget for Community Sites $79,800 $159,600

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:343%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section343)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applications will only be accepted if submitted by Cooperative Extension at 1862 Land-grant Universities, 1890 Land-grant Universities, including Tuskegee University, Central State University, West Virginia University, and the University of the District of Columbia, and 1994 Institutions (See Part I § A for legislative authority). Current CYFAR SCP grantees may submit an application for an additional new project; however, if the same community site is being used, a justification must be provided. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

Applicants for the CYFAR SCP program must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA.

Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

To balance geographical diversity, multiple awards will not be made to the same organization, institution, or Project Director in the same fiscal year. Further, organizations and institutions that have received a new Regular or Joint Project type in the last two funding cycles (FY 2022 or FY 2023) are ineligible to apply.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – Institutions may submit more than one application;

however, Project Directors and Co-Project Directors may only submit one application. NIFA will disqualify individual applicants who submit more than one application. For example, a Project Director and Co-Project Director applicant may not submit both a Regular application and a Joint application. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required – The CYFAR SCP program has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

C. Centers of Excellence Pursuant to Section 7214 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) , NIFA will recognize and prioritize COE applicants that carry out research, extension, and education activities that relate to the food and agricultural sciences. A COE is composed of one or more of the following entities that provide financial or in-kind support to the COE.

1. State agricultural experiment stations;

2. Colleges and universities;

3. University research foundations;

4. Other research institutions and organizations;

5. Federal agencies;

6. National laboratories;

7. Private organizations, foundations, or corporations;

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-113publ79/html/PLAW-113publ79.htm

8. Individuals; or

9. Any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in (1) through (8).

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Steps to Obtain Application Materials provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

Key Information . Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two: Download Adobe Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements)

Step Three: Find Application Using this Funding Opportunity Number, USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-010312, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Key Information . Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov

Self-service customer-based support: Grants.gov iPortal Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

NIFA Support

Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application The NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the NIFA Grants Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide number when corresponding with NIFA. Key Application Instructions outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Key Information 3. Key Application Instructions All references are to the NIFA Grants Application Guide

a) Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format. (Part IV)

b) Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

(Part IV)

c) Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission. (Part IV)

d) Follow the submission instructions. (Part IV)

e) Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R. (Part V)

f) Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support and keep a record of the correspondence.

g) Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the CYFAR SCP. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN will be 12pt font, Times New Roman with one-inch margins. The PN must not exceed 12 1.5 spaced pages of written text for a Regular CYFAR SCP (Single Eligible Institution) application and 15 1.5 spaced pages of written text for the Joint CYFAR SCP application and up to 20 1.5 spaced additional pages for figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition.

Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project.

The Logic Model document should be a part of the Appendix and does not count toward the PN page limit. Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit. The PN must include all the following:

Section 1: Project Management

a. Project Title: (Your Institution) Sustainable Community Project

b. CYFAR SCP Staff name, title, address, e-mail for the following:

1. Project Director(s)

2. Evaluator

3. Technology Specialist

c. National CYFAR Outcome (see a. Below)

d. Program Model (see b. Below)

e. Community Sites. For each community site provide:

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

1. Community staff name, title, address, and email

2. Community and faith-based program partners

Section 2: Approach and Design

a. Explain the rationale for the One National CYFAR Outcome decision, the needs assessment process used, and who was involved.

b. Describe the selected One Program Model including the following:

1. Desired short and long-term results

2. Age range of high context participants

3. Frequency and duration of contact with the program

4. Group size and staffing plan

5. Uniform program and curriculum content (e.g., science technology, community service, drama, computer literacy, reading literacy, parent education, exercise/fitness)

6. Standardized training and technical assistance plan for project staff

7. Describe the process used for determining this program model.

8. Explain how each of the CYFAR Guiding Principles is addressed in the selected Program Model.

c. Describe the Integrated Program Components, including:

1. Community: Describe how the proposed program fits into the Community context using at least one of the recommended approaches.

2. Technology: Describe how the Technology Plan ensures that information and communication technology is integrated throughout the CYFAR SCP project.

3. Sustainability: Describe the Sustainability Plan including critical factors.

d. Describe the process and rationale used for selecting the CYFAR SCP

Community Sites. Community sites must be identified at the time of application submission.

e. Describe the Five-Year Work Plan for the CYFAR SCP project. The Work Plan will detail how the selected program model will be implemented over five years.

The Work Plan must address staffing, recruiting participants, recruiting volunteers, establishing key partnerships, program implementation, marketing and promotion, materials development, training staff and volunteers in a five-year timeline. The two or more high context participant cohorts planned for the five years should be noted in the five-year plan timeline.

Section 3: Logic Model Describe a five-year Logic Model for the CYFAR SCP project. The logic model document should be a part of the Appendix and does not count toward the PN page limit.

The Logic Model Builder can be found at CYFAR.org under Tools. Prospective applicants are required to develop a logic model and use the CYFAR.org website to create a user account and develop their program’s logic model. With the use of the newly developed logic model, prospective applicants also need to identify at least one short-term outcome from their logic model that will result from their program and can be evaluated. The CYFAR-specific logic model consists of five elements including:

a. Identified needs and assets

b. Desired results (short-term…