HHS-2017-ACL-AOD-DDTI-0219.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

Diversity and Inclusion Training Action Plan Implementation Grant

HHS-2017-ACL-AOD-DDTI-0219

Application Due Date: 07/10/2017

Diversity and Inclusion Training Action Plan Implementation Grant

HHS-2017-ACL-AOD-DDTI-0219

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information

Department of Health & Human Services

ACL Center: Administration on Disabilities Funding Opportunity Title: Diversity and Inclusion Training Action Plan Implementation

Grant Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2017-ACL-AOD-DDTI-0219

Primary CFDA Number: 93.632 Due Date for Applications: 07/10/2017 Date for Informational Conference Call:

05/23/2017

Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3- 5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with http://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary

The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), Administration on Disability (AOD), Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the federal administering agency for the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) programs. As such, AIDD is charged with funding and oversight of State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy Programs, and the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

The UCEDDs carry out four core functions: (1) interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education of students and fellows; (2) community services, including training, technical assistance, and/or demonstration and model activities; (3) research; and (4) dissemination of information. UCEDDs are interdisciplinary education, research, and public service units of universities, or public or not-for-profit entities associated with universities that implement the four core functions addressing, directly or indirectly, one or more of the areas of emphasis (e.g., quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, and other services available or offered to individuals in a community, including formal and informal community supports, that affect their quality of life).

The purpose of this National Training Initiative (NTI) grant is to award, on a competitive basis, a one year grant to a consortium of UCEDDs with one UCEDD serving as the lead applicant for the consortium, to pay for the federal share of this Diversity and Inclusion Training Action Plan https://www.grants.gov

Implementation grant.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) has long identified the importance of cultural competence and improving expectations and outcomes for people with developmental disabilities across the lifespan, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To this end, the DD Act has various requirements that the programs authorized address the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and individuals who are unserved and underserved. These include the following:

The DD Act requires that the programs authorized under the law are culturally competent to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan, regardless of background, are full participants in all aspects of community life. Section 101(a) identifies the need to ensure that services, supports, and other assistance are provided in a culturally competent manner and that individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds are fully included in all activities provided under the DD Act.

Section 102(7) defines the term “culturally competent” as: Services, supports, or other assistance that are conducted or provided in a manner that is responsive to the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, language, and behaviors of individuals who are receiving the services, supports, or other assistance, and in a manner that has the greatest likelihood of ensuring their maximum participation in the program involved.

Section 101(c). [42 USC 15001] requires that, all programs receiving assistance under this title shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the following principles:

o Services, supports, and other assistance should be provided that demonstrate respect for personal preferences and cultural differences;

o Specific efforts must be made to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan, from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and their families enjoy increased and meaningful opportunities to access and use community services, individualized supports available to other individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan and their families; and o Recruitment efforts in disciplines related to developmental disabilities across the lifespan in pre-service training, community training, practice, administration, and policymaking must focus on bringing larger numbers of racial and ethnic minorities into the disciplines in order to provide appropriate skills, knowledge, role models, and sufficient personnel to address the growing needs of an increasingly diverse population.

The DD Act recognizes the important role that UCEDDs play in enhancing the diversity of the workforce, requiring that UCEDDs coordinate their efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented groups at all levels in order to respond to the changing United States demographics. These requirements in the law are well aligned with current demographic trends.

It is well understood that the United States is home to an ever-increasing number of individuals who come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To ensure that the field is prepared for the unprecedented growth of diverse communities; an inclusive training, staffing and technical assistance agenda that truly reflects our nation’s rich diversity is essential.

Achieving cultural and linguistic competence and enhancing program diversity requires strong and informed leadership to spur the necessary changes within systems, organizations, policies, and practice. Without committed and effective leadership, these efforts typically stall. There is a need for leaders with the energy, knowledge, and skills to guide the difficult work of advancing and sustaining cultural and linguistic competence within programs concerned with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

AIDD plans to award, on a competitive basis, a one year National Training Initiative (NTI) grant to a consortium of UCEDDs with one UCEDD serving as the lead applicant for the consortium on this NTI project. These funds will pay for the federal share of the NTI project that will implement a Diversity and Inclusion(D&I) Training Action Plan using existing tools and resources for the national network of UCEDDs.

The long-term goals of this effort are to: Increase the diversity of leadership, staff and governing bodies across the DD network; Build cultural competence capacity with the leadership, staff, and governing bodies across the DD network; Increase the number of persons from underrepresented racial, ethnic groups, people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged backgrounds who benefit from AIDD supported programs; and Improve the recruitment and employment of underrepresented groups including racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and people from diverse or disadvantaged backgrounds in the UCEDD Network.

In conducting the project, this consortium must include the following three key features in the project:

1. Implementation of a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan: Utilizing existing resources, the NTI Consortium will implement a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for the national network of UCEDDs that will work towards building the cultural competence of the Centers. In doing so, the consortium should plan to use multiple traditional and non-traditional modalities to maximize accessibility and outreach, particularly to those who are hard to reach. The methods must be culturally competent in all aspects, including the modalities used.

2. Sustainability: An expected outcome of this project will be the development of a sustainability plan for continuing a national diversity and inclusion training action plan for UCEDDs that will promote further development of cultural competence across the UCEDDs. To achieve this goal, the consortium will employ traditional and non-traditional methods for marketing and maintaining the project over time in collaboration with national organizations, including the UCEDD Resource Center and the network of UCEDDs.

3. Partnership with the National Network of UCEDDs: Another key feature is partnership with the national network of UCEDDs as well as with individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan, parents and guardians, siblings, other family members and supporters from culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

As partners, these organizations will be meaningfully engaged in the project through active involvement in the implementation of the project. These partners will assist the consortium to further understand and address the issue. To facilitate the collaborative process, the consortium should define roles and responsibilities for the partners on the project.

4. Evaluation: The applicant should plan for evaluation to understand the results and accomplishments of this project, as well as to identify recommendations for future work in this area.

As a cooperative agreement, substantial involvement is anticipated between the agency and the grantee (Consortium) during performance of the project. Under this cooperative agreement, the roles and responsibilities of the grantee and the AIDD project officer are:

Role of the Grantee (Consortium):

Coordinate and collaborate with the UCEDD Resource Center.

Collaborate with AIDD in the execution of the work plan and in understanding the programmatic and budgetary issues of the project. Either the AIDD project office or project director may propose revisions to the final work plan at any time. Any changes to the final work plan will require an agreement of both parties;

Obtain guidance and approval of each stage of the project i.e. prior to starting subsequent stages of the project; and Meet with the AIDD project officer at least quarterly, or at such other times as agreed upon, to ensure the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this agreement and to ensure that projects activities are on schedule.

Role of the AIDD Project Officer:

Provide guidance on the project to ensure that it meets the goals and overall intent of the FOA;

Review and approve each phase of the project before subsequent phases are started;

Provide guidance where needed in the design or direction of planning activities to ensure that it is in accordance with the overall intent of the FOA;

Provide technical assistance to the grantee in implementing project activities throughout the development of the course of the project;

Assist project staff to understand the policy concerns and/or priorities set forth by the AIDD by conducting on-going consultations. The project officer will also share with the project staff information about other relevant federally supported projects and activities;

Monitor grantee’s progress in the implementation of program requirements; and Meet with project staff at least quarterly, or at such other times as agreed upon, to ensure that the activities carried out under this agreement are effective and to ensure that projects activities are on schedule.

Statutory Authority In accordance with the DD Act, the Secretary shall make grants under section 152 (d) to UCEDD centers. Entities eligible to apply for funds under this funding opportunity announcement are the 67 current AIDD grantees that are designated UCEDDs. Application is limited to the 67 entities referenced in the Description.

II. Award Information

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement Estimated Total Funding: $350,000 Expected Number of Awards: 1 Award Ceiling: $350,000 Per Budget Period Award Floor: $300,000 Per Budget Period Length of Project Period: 12-month project and budget period

Once a cooperative agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by ACL or the awardee at any time as long as it stays within the original confines of the proposed project description. Major changes may affect the integrity of the competitive review process. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the execution of an award notice. When an award is issued the cooperative agreement terms and conditions from the program announcement are incorporated by reference unless ACL is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Section 151(b) of the DD Act states that from appropriations authorized under section 156(a)(1) and reserved under section 156(a)(2), grants shall be made to UCEDDs to carry out national training initiative grants. Entities eligible to apply for funds under this funding opportunity announcement are the 67 current AIDD grantees that are designated UCEDDs.

Applications will only be reviewed from the 67 current UCEDDs listed at: https://acl.gov/Progr ams/AIDD/Programs/UCEDD/Contacts.aspx Applications from other entities not designated as an existing UCEDD will not be reviewed.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement: Yes Under this ACL program, ACL will fund no more than 75% of the project’s total cost, which https://acl.gov/Programs/AIDD/Programs/UCEDD/Contacts.aspx https://acl.gov/Programs/AIDD/Programs/UCEDD/Contacts.aspx means the applicant must cover at least 25% of the project’s total cost with non-federal resources. In other words, for every three (3) dollars received in federal funding, the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-federal resources toward the project’s total cost.

This “three-to-one” ratio is reflected in the formula included under Item 18 in the “Instructions for Completing Requested Forms.” The applicant can use this formula to calculate the minimum required match. A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost.

There are two types of match: 1) non-federal cash and 2) non-federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants, are considered matching funds.

Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third party) donations. Examples of non-federal cash match includes budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project. ACL encourages you to not exceed the minimum match requirement. Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive additional consideration under the review. Match is not one of the responsiveness criteria as noted in Section III, 3 Application Screening Criteria.

Grantees are required to meet a non-federal share of the project cost, in accordance with Section 154(d) of the DD Act.

Grantees must provide at least 25% percent of the total approved cost of the project.

Reduced Match Amount- 10% match to the total federal funds for the UCEDDs whose activities or products target individuals with developmental disabilities who live in an urban or rural poverty area.

Reduced Match Section 154 (d)(2) of the DD Act states:

In the case of a project whose activities or products target individuals with developmental disabilities who live in an urban or rural poverty area, as determined by the Secretary of HHS, the federal share of the cost of the project may not be more than 90 percent of the necessary costs of the project, as determined by the Secretary of HHS.

DEFINITIONS

Poverty area: Census tracts or block numbering areas (BNAs) where at least 20 percent of residents are below the poverty level.

Urban Area: Collective term referring to all areas that are urban. For Census 2000, there are two types of urban areas: urban clusters and urbanized areas.

Urban Cluster (UC): A densely settled territory that has at least 2,500 persons but fewer than 50,000.

Urbanized Area (UA): An area consisting of a central place(s) and adjacent territory with a general population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile of land area that together have a minimum residential population of at least 50,000 persons. The U.S. Census Bureau uses published criteria to determine the qualification and boundaries of UAs.

Rural: Territory, population and housing units not classified as urban. Rural classification cuts across other hierarchies and can be in metropolitan or non-metropolitan areas. Rural can include frontier, which are places having a population density of six or fewer persons - per square mile.

TWO-TIER ELIGIBILITY SYSTEM FOR REDUCED MATCH

To meet the requirements in the DD Act, AIDD has developed a system that UCEDDs can use to request a reduced match on the core grant. Such a request is optional and not a requirement for UCEDDs. AIDD will use a two-tiered system for determining eligibility for the reduced match:

Tier 1: UCEDDs in States where the poverty rate is equal to or greater than the official national poverty rate would automatically qualify for the reduced match. For 2015, the rate was 14.4% percent.

Tier 2: UCEDDs in States with a poverty rate not equal to or greater than the official national poverty rate would have to show that the UCEDD activities target individuals with developmental disabilities in urban or rural poverty areas. In doing so, the UCEDD would demonstrate that at least 25 percent of the UCEDD projects target individuals with developmental disabilities who live in urban and rural poverty areas by providing the following information to AIDD:

1. The current state poverty rate;

2. A full listing of all the UCEDD's current projects [this can be generated from the National Information Reporting System (NIRS)]; and

3. Identify which UCEDD activities are targeting individuals with developmental disabilities living in urban and rural poverty areas by stating whether the UCEDD activity is associated with any of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators listed in the announcement or is targeted for individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban and rural poverty area through some other means.

A UCEDD seeking to establish eligibility for a reduced match through means other than showing an activity is associated with one or more of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators must include in its application other information that establishes that its activities are targeted to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban or rural poverty area. There are no federal poverty rates for Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, these jurisdictions can qualify for the reduced match by establishing that the UCEDD activity is associated with any of the Urban and Rural Poverty Indicators listed in the announcement or is targeted for individuals with developmental disabilities in an urban or rural poverty area through some other means.

The table below shows the Urban or Rural Poverty Indicators that will be used to determine eligibility for the reduced match.

Urban and Rural Poverty Indicator

Description

Empowermen Areas designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as communities with t Zones and Enterprise Communities

(EZ/EC)

high rates of poverty. The UCEDD project would have to be implemented in an

EZ/EC.

Food Stamps The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families who receive food stamps.

National School Lunch Program

(NSLP)

Also referred to as Free and Reduced Lunch Program NSLP is a federally assisted meal program operating to provide low-cost or free lunches to children.

The UCEDD project would have to be implemented in a school that qualifies for the NSLP.

Head Start The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. The UCEDD project would have to work with a Head Start program.

Housing Assistance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a variety of housing assistance programs, such as Section 8 housing assistance programs.

The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families who are receiving federal housing assistance.

Medicaid Title XIX of the Social Security Act

Medicaid is a federal/State entitlement program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who are Medicaid-eligible.

Supplemental Security (SSI) is designed to help aged, blind and disabled people, who Income (SSI) have little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with developmental disabilities who are SSI recipients

Temporary Assistance for

TANF

TANF is a federal poverty program that provides assistance and Needy Families (TANF) work opportunities to needy families through grants to States. The UCEDD project would have to target individuals with developmental disabilities, children with developmental disabilities, and their families who are TANF recipients.

Other The UCEDD may provide other indicators of poverty not included in this list.

The UCEDD would have to provide adequate information to justify use of the 'other' category. In doing so, the UCEDD will have to demonstrate the project is targeting individuals with developmental disabilities in rural and urban poverty areas. ADD will determine the adequacy of the justification for eligibility for a reduced match.

AIDD will review all the information submitted by the UCEDD to determine eligibility for the reduced match, in accordance with the DD Act.

SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR SUBMITTING INFORMATION TO AIDD

To streamline the process, below is a suggested format for submitting the information to AIDD.

List the Official National Poverty Rate of 14.4 percent.

Provide the State Poverty Rate List out the UCEDD Project Title (e.g., Provide Name of Project and project description) and Description and the Indicators of Poverty (List name of poverty program targeted by project)

Of the total UCEDD projects, provide the percent that is targeting individuals with developmental disabilities living in urban and rural poverty areas

STATES IN TIERS 1 AND 2

Below is a list of the States that fall into Tiers 1 and 2

Tier 1 Tier 2

Alabama: 17.5 Alaska: 10.2

Arizona: 18.7 Colorado: 11.0

Arkansas: 17.5 Connecticut: 9.5

California: 14.9 Delaware: 11.1

Dist. of Columbia: 19.6 Hawaii: 10.8

Florida: 14.8 Idaho: 12.4

Georgia: 17.8 Illinois: 12.7

Indiana: 14.9 Iowa: 11.3

Kentucky: 20.5 Kansas: 12.6

Louisiana: 21.0 Maine: 12.8

Mississippi: 20.1 Maryland: 10.0

Nevada: 14.9 Massachusetts: 12.4

New Mexico: 21.8 Michigan: 13.4

New York: 15.2 Montana: 11.5

North Carolina: 16.7 Minnesota: 9.0

Ohio: 14.7 Missouri: 12.6

Oklahoma: 15.3 Nebraska: 11.2

South Carolina: 17.2 New Hampshire: 6.6

Tennessee: 15.8 New Jersey: 10.8

Texas: 16.0 North Dakota: 11.2

West Virginia: 18.3 Oregon: 13.4

Pennsylvania: 12.0

Rhode Island: 10.8

South Dakota: 12.5

Utah: 10.6

Vermont: 8.9

Virginia 10.3 Washington: 11.9

Wisconsin: 11.9

US Poverty Rate 14.4% Wyoming: 10.3

Grantees must provide at least 25% percent of the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum of the ACL (federal) share and the non-federal share.

The non-federal share may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions. For example, in order to meet the match requirements, a project requesting $20,000 in ACL (federal) funds must provide a non-federal share of the approved total project cost of at least $6,667 which is 25% percent of total approved project cost of $26,667. Grantees will be held accountable for commitments of non-federal resources even if they exceed the amount of the required match.

Failure to provide the required amount will result in the disallowance of federal funds.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications received from entities other than the 67 existing grantees defined as UCEDDs, cited in Section III.1. of this announcement, will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. Applications disqualified for this reason will not be returned.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the three screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, by the due date listed in section IV.3 Submission Dates and Times.

2. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed X pages. Project Narratives that exceed X pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first X pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the X-page limit.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from http://www.grants.gov or http://www.acl.gov/Fundi ng_Opportunities/ Announcements/Index.aspx.

Please note, ACL is requiring applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov. The Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with http://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support @grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

At the http://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a DUNS number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Applicants should finalize a new, or renew an existing, registration at least two weeks before the application deadline. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at: https://www.sam .gov /sam/ transcript/ SAM_Quick_ Guide_Grants_ Registrations-v1.6. ;pdf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.acl.gov/Funding_Opportunities/Announcements/Index.aspx http://www.acl.gov/Funding_Opportunities/Announcements/Index.aspx http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov?subject=Support mailto:support@grants.gov?subject=Support http://www.grants.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the subaward is made.

Since October 1, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget has required applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 866-705-5711 or by using this link to access a guide: http ://www. ;whitehouse.gov/ sites/default/files/omb/grants/duns _num_guide.pdf.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from http://www.grants.gov that contains http://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from http://www.grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Pamela O'Brien Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Phone Number: (202) 795-7417 E-mail: Pamela.O'Brien@acl.hhs.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/duns_num_guide.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/grants/duns_num_guide.pdf http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Pamela.O'Brien@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative The Project Narrative must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of not less than 11-point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The maximum length for the Project Narrative is 25 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 25 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 25 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, and Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 25-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 25 page limit include:

Summary/Abstract Problem Statement Goal(s) and Objective(s) Proposed Intervention Special Target Populations and Organizations Outcomes Project Management Evaluation Dissemination Organizational Capability

The Project Narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under the authorizing statutes. The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Summary/Abstract This section should include a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project, including: goal(s), objectives, outcomes, and products to be developed. Detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract.”

Problem Statement This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature and scope of the particular problem or issue the proposed intervention is designed to address, including how the project will potentially affect older adults and /or people with disabilities, their families and caregivers and the health care and social services systems.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, we recommend you have only one overall goal.

Proposed Intervention This section should provide a clear and concise description of the intervention you are proposing to use to address the problem described in the “Problem Statement”. You should also describe the rationale for using the particular intervention, including factors such as: “lessons learned” for similar projects previously tested in your community, or in other areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the “right conditions” for the intervention (e.g., existing social or economic factors that you’ll be able to take advantage of, etc.). Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups.

Special Target Populations and Organizations This section should describe how you plan to involve organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed project. This section should also describe whether, and if so, how the proposed intervention will target disadvantaged populations, including limited-English speaking populations, people with developmental disabilities across the lifespan and their families, and those of greatest economic need and those of greatest social need.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). This section should also describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations throughout the nation to address the same or similar problems.) List measurable outcomes in the optional work plan grid (“Project Work Plan – Sample Template”) under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative along with a description of how the project might benefit the field at large.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It demonstrates the functional status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness or behavior.) It can also describe a change in the degree to which consumers exercise choice over the types of services they receive, or whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered. Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system; a new model of support or care that can be replicated in the ACL network; new knowledge that can contribute to the field of community living; a measurable increase in community awareness; or a measurable increase in persons receiving services. A measurable outcome is not a measurable “output”, such as: the number of clients served; the number of training sessions held; or the number of service units provided.

You should keep the focus of this section on describing what outcome(s) will be produced by the project. You should use the Evaluation section noted below to describe how the outcome(s) will be measured and reported.

Your application will be scored on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited. It is totally appropriate for a project to have only ONE outcome that it is trying to achieve through the intervention reflected in the project's design.

Project Management This section should include a clear delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes. It should specify who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as: leadership of project; monitoring the project’s on-going progress, preparation of reports; communications with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Evaluation This section should describe the method(s), techniques and tools that will be used to: 1) determine whether the proposed intervention achieved its anticipated outcome(s), and 2) document the “lessons learned” – both positive and negative - from the project that will be useful to people interested in replicating the intervention, if it proves successful.

Dissemination This section should describe the method that will be used to disseminate the project’s results and findings in a timely manner and in easily understandable formats, to parties who might be interested in using the results of the project to inform practice, service delivery, program development, and/or policy-making, including and especially those parties who would be interested in replicating the project.

Organizational Capacity Statement Each application should include an organizational capability statement and vitae for key project personnel. The organizational capability statement should describe how the applicant agency (or the particular division of a larger agency which will have responsibility for this project) is organized, the nature and scope of its work and/or the capabilities it possesses. It should also include the organization’s capability to sustain some or all project activities after federal financial assistance has ended.

This description should cover capabilities of the applicant agency not included in the program narrative, such as any current or previous relevant experience and/or the record of the project team in preparing cogent and useful reports, publications, and other products. If appropriate, include an organization chart showing the relationship of the project to the current organization.

Please attach short vitae for key project staff only. Neither vitas nor an organizational chart will count towards the narrative page limit. Also include information about any contractual organization(s) that will have a significant role(s) in implementing project and achieving project goals.

Budget Narrative/Justification The Budget Narrative/Justification can be provided using the format included in the document, “Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format.” Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to this document, which provides an example of the level of detail sought.

Work Plan

The Project Work Plan should reflect and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget. It should include a statement of the project’s overall goal, anticipated outcome(s), key objectives, and the major tasks / action steps that will be pursued to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task/action step, the work plan should identify timeframes involved (including start-and end-dates), and the lead person responsible for completing the task. Please use the “Project Work Plan - Sample Template” format as a reference and resource, if desired.

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

Include confirmation of the commitments to the project (should it be funded) made by key collaborating organizations and agencies in this part of the application. Any organization that is specifically named to have a significant role in carrying out the project should be considered an essential collaborator. For applications submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov, signed letters of commitment should be scanned and included as attachments. Applicants unable to scan the signed letters of commitment may fax them to the ACL Office of Grants Management at 202-357-3467 by the application submission deadline. In your fax, be sure to include the funding opportunity number and your agency name.

3. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications: 07/10/2017 Date for Informational Conference Call: 05/23/2017 Time for the Informational Conference Call: 10:30AM EST. The call-in number is: 877-720- 5216; Passcode: 7413380 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3- 5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with http://www.grants.gov.

Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and (2) register yourself with Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the following Grants.gov web page: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only.)

If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.

If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, please contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this notice and provide a written explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. ACL will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

Note: We will not consider your application for further review if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the cut off date.

Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) will automatically send applicants a tracking number and date of receipt verification electronically once the application has been successfully received and validated in http://www.grants.gov.

4. Intergovernmental Review

This program is subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Applicants must contact their State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State's process under the EO 12372.

5. Funding Restrictions This grant program meets the ACL definition for training grants. For training grants, OGM, ACL allows for indirect costs rates to be capped at 8%. For more information on the long form see: https://rates.psc.gov/fms/dca/a21-appx_c.pdf. In accordance with 2 CFR part 200.331(a)(4) sub-grantees are permitted to use the indirect cost rate negotiated by the http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://rates.psc.gov/fms/dca/a21-appx_c.pdf government. Therefore, applicants must limit the indirect cost rate to eight percent of total direct costs, exclusive of equipment, tuition and stipends, rental of space, major contracts or sub-grants and renovation and alteration, under this program announcement.

Training grant funds may not be used for travel support for conference attendance.

The following activities are not fundable:

Construction and/or major rehabilitation of buildings Basic research (e.g. scientific or medical experiments) Continuation of existing projects without expansion or new and innovative approaches

Note: A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has raised considerable concerns about grantees and contractors charging the federal government for additional meals outside of the standard allowance for travel subsistence known as per diem expenses. Executive Orders on Promoting Efficient Spending (E.O. 13589) and Delivering Efficient, Effective and Accountable Government (E.O. 13576) have been issued and instruct federal agencies to promote efficient spending. Therefore, if meals are to be charged in your proposal, applicants should understand such costs must meet the following criteria outlined in the Executive Orders and HHS Grants Policy Statement:

Meals are generally unallowable except for the following:

o For subjects and patients under study (usually a research program);

o Where specifically approved as part of the project or program activity, e.g., in programs providing children’s services (e.g., HeadStart);

o When an organization customarily provides meals to employees working beyond the normal workday, as a part of a formal compensation arrangement;

o As part of a per diem or subsistence allowance provided in conjunction with allowable travel; and o Under a conference grant, when meals are a necessary and integral part of a conference, provided that meal costs are not duplicated in participants’ per diem or subsistence allowances. (Note: conference grant means the sole purpose of the award is to hold a conference)

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria Applicants must document all of their source material. If any text, language and/or materials are from another source, the applicant must make it clear the material is being quoted and where the text comes from. The applicant must also cite any sources when they obtain numbers, ideas, or other material that is not their own. If the applicant fails to comply with this requirement, regardless of the severity or frequency of the plagiarism, the reviewers shall reduce their scores accordingly even to the degree of issuing no points at all.

Applications are scored by assigning a maximum of 100 points across the desired review criteria:

a. Project Relevance & Current Need

b. Approach

c. Budget

d. Project Impact

e. Organizational Capacity

Project Relevance & Current Need Maximum Points:10 Using the following values in each required item in this criterion, points will be awarded according to the extent to which the applicant:

Establishes the need for a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Training Action Plan to be utilized across the UCEDD network; explains why existing Diversity Trainings are insufficient to meet the need. (5 points)

Describe how the implementation of the training action plan will benefit individuals from underserved diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and improve the overall cultural competence infrastructure of the UCEDD network. (5 points)

Appr…