HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-TS-1925.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families - Family and Youth Services Bureau

Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-TS-1925

Application Due Date: 07/15/2021

Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-TS-1925

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview Executive Summary

I. Program Description II. Federal Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Other

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management

(SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

VII. HHS Awarding Agency Contact(s) VIII. Other Information

Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families

Funding Opportunity Title: Title V Competitive Sexual Risk

Avoidance Education Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2021-ACF-ACYF-TS-1925 Primary CFDA Number: 93.787 Due Date for Applications: 07/15/2021

Executive Summary

Notice:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire funding opportunity announcement (FOA) carefully and observe the application formatting requirements listed in Section IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission.

For more information on applying for grants, please visit "How to Apply for a Grant" on the ACF Grants & Funding Page at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto.

This FOA includes the following entities as eligible applicants:

County governments City or township governments Special district governments Independent school districts Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education For-profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Administration on Children, Youth and Families' (ACYF); Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) announces the availability of funds under the Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program.

The purpose of the Title V Competitive SRAE Program is to fund projects to implement http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto education exclusively on sexual risk avoidance that teaches youth participants to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity. Eligible applicants are expected to submit plans for the implementation of sexual risk avoidance education that normalizes the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity.

Eligible applicants are limited to local organizations and entities or consortia with the capacity to develop and implement Title V Competitive SRAE projects in states and territories that did not accept Title V State SRAE funding. Applicants located in and/or proposing to manage a project from an ineligible state cannot propose a project that serves an eligible state. Funds are not available for award in Delaware, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as FY2021 allocations will be used to fund the second year of the two-year project of competitive grants awarded in FY2020. Eligible applicants are organizations and entities, including faith-based organizations or consortia, in the following states and territories: Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority The Title V SRAE Program is authorized and funded by section 510 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 710), as amended by section 50502 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law No. 115-123) and extended by division CC, title III, sections 303 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No. 116-260).

Description Background Congress amended section 510 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.710) in fiscal year (FY) 2018 to enable states, territories, or other entities to implement education exclusively on sexual risk avoidance. Title V Competitive SRAE supports funding to organizations in states that did not accept Title V State SRAE allocations to provide education to youth that normalizes the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity. The program is designed to teach youth the holistic and individual societal benefits associated with personal responsibility;

self-regulation; goal setting; healthy decision-making; a focus on future goals; and how other youth risk behaviors, such as drug and alcohol usage, increase the risk for teen sex.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the proportion of high school students who had engaged in sexual intercourse decreased significantly, overall and among ninth and tenth grade students; non-Hispanic Black students in all grades; and Hispanic students in ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades [2]. This trend supports the expansion of sexual risk avoidance education and demonstrates the broad appeal for the Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) message.

While trend data report that fewer teens are currently engaged in risky behaviors, there is a need for intentional efforts to teach sexual delay until marriage as normative behavior. In 2019, the birth rate for youth ages 15-19 reached a low of 16.6 births per 1,000 women, which decreased 5 percent from 2018 [3]. Additionally, the birth rate for teenagers declined for both younger

(aged 15–17) and older (aged 18–19) teenagers 7.92 and 32.3 births per 1,000 women, respectively [3]. Although there has been a significant decline in the teen birth rate for all groups, disparities still exist. The latest CDC data indicate that young people ages 15 to 24 account for half of new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported annually [4]. Adolescents who are at greatest risk of STIs and unintended pregnancies are a complex and dynamic group.

Thus, a targeted and holistic approach is essential to preventing teen pregnancy and other risk behaviors.

SRAE Program Overview Title V Competitive SRAE Goal and Objectives The goal of the Title V Competitive SRAE Program is to provide messages to youth that normalize the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity and other risky behaviors that increase the risk for teen sex. The following objectives of the Title V Competitive SRAE Program are to:

1. Implement curricula that includes medically accurate information, based on adolescent learning and developmental theories for the age group receiving the education.

2. Implement SRAE curricula and strategies that are culturally appropriate, recognizing the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

3. Teach risk avoidance skills through methods that do not normalize teen sexual activity.

4. Target services to youth ages 10 to 19.

SRAE Program Requirements ACF requires applicants to review evidence-based approaches to determine whether the interventions can be adapted, subject to copyright restrictions, implemented with fidelity, and adhere to the core curriculum components to meet the requirements of programs designed for this grant. The selected interventions must be promising practices or have evidence of effectiveness with the target populations and adhere to the following requirements:

Interventions and/or strategies selected must be medically accurate and complete; age-appropriate with regard to the developmental stage of the intended audience; and culturally appropriate, recognizing the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

SRA education must ensure that the unambiguous and primary emphasis and context for each topic described below is a message to youth that normalizes the optimal health behavior of delaying sexual activity until marriage.

In accordance with Title V Competitive SRAE legislation, interventions must address each of the following topics:

1. The holistic, individual, and societal benefits associated with personal responsibility, self- regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, and a focus on the future.

2. The advantage of refraining from non-marital sexual activity to improve the future prospects, and physical and emotional health of youth.

3. The increased likelihood of avoiding poverty when youth attain self-sufficiency and emotional maturity before engaging in sexual activity.

4. The foundational components of healthy relationships and their impact on the formation of healthy marriages and safe and stable families.

5. How other youth risk behaviors, such as drug and alcohol usage, increase the risk for teen sex.

6. How to resist and avoid, and receive help regarding sexual coercion and dating violence, recognizing that, even with consent, teen sex remains a youth-risk behavior.

SRAE Program Overview and Design ACF is interested in supporting high-quality, well designed programs that include the following:

1. Goals and logic model(s)

2. Medically accurate materials and culturally and age appropriate approaches

3. Evidence-informed interventions and strategies

4. Positive youth development approach

5. Target population to be served

6. Referrals to community resources

7. Local evaluation (optional)

8. National evaluation\

9. Performance measures

10. Sustainability plan

Goals and Logic Model(s) Applicants will be required to submit the goal(s) and a logic model for the proposed programs.

Logic models demonstrate how the process (specified inputs, activities, and outputs) will lead to the outcomes enumerated and, ultimately, the achievement of the goal(s). Where possible, applicants should specify short-term (short-range/ intermediary) and long-term (durable/ persisting) goals and provide the following:

Up to six outcomes that clearly state expected results or benefits of the intervention proposed and link with the goal(s).

A logic model demonstrating how proposed inputs and activities will lead to outputs and outcomes and, ultimately, the achievement of the goal(s).

Proposed outcomes that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-framed (S-M-A-R-T).

Medically Accurate Materials and Culturally and Age-Appropriate Approach Title V Competitive SRAE projects must provide information that is medically accurate and complete. Medical information must be verified or supported by the weight of research. The research must be conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals, where applicable, or comprised of information that leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field recognize as accurate, objective, and complete. Program materials, such as texts, supplements, workbooks, videos, flyers, handouts, posters, and flash cards, should be reviewed, in comparison to current medical statements of fact and in accordance with the most up-to-date scientifically supported information.

For applicants that provide information on contraception, the information must be medically accurate, complete, and ensure that students understand that contraception offers physical risk reduction, but not risk elimination; and the education cannot include demonstrations, simulations, or distribution of contraceptive devices.

Title V Competitive SRAE projects must use culturally appropriate interventions that incorporate the norms, beliefs, and values of the target population into programming. [5] The proposed project should demonstrate cultural competence in providing socially, linguistically, and culturally appropriate interventions with the target population.

Title V Competitive SRAE projects must provide age-appropriate information and activities.

The topics, messages, and teaching methods implemented by the project must be consistent with the developmental and social maturity of the program participants and emphasize sexual delay until marriage as normative behavior.

Prime recipients will be required to take appropriate action to correct any inaccurate or age-inappropriate information discovered by ACF during the grant project period.

Evidence-Based or Evidence-Informed Strategies Prime recipients are not required to choose from a prescribed list, as there is no mandated list of curricula required by FYSB for Title V Competitive SRAE. Title V Competitive SRAE prime recipients should make this fact clear to all sub-recipient(s) or potential sub-recipient(s). All curricula used by funded prime recipients, as well as their sub-recipient(s), must be compliant with the Title V State SRAE statute (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title05/0510.htm) and use an evidence-informed approach and/or effective strategies to educate youth on how to avoid risks that could lead to non-marital sexual activity.

To ensure effective programming, the SRAE Program must address the six required topics outlined in Section 1 (“Program Description/SRAE Program Requirements”) and implement evidence-informed programming that complies with the following requirements:

Teach each of the six required “A-F” topics, as explained in Section I. Program Description/SRAE Program Requirements.

Provide data that demonstrate how the selected intervention and overall proposal systematically applies core curriculum components that have been found to be effective in positive youth behavior change, especially delaying initiation of sexual activity until marriage, returning to a lifestyle without sex and refraining from non-marital sexual activity.

Provide formal training for facilitators/educators on the program strategies, approaches, and interventions. This training must be delivered by professionals who can provide follow-up technical assistance to facilitators. Selection of curricula from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review list is not required.

Link program participants to services with local community partners and other agencies that support the health, safety, and well-being of program participants. The partnering agencies should share a commitment for optimal health outcomes that do not normalize teen sex.

Education in sexual risk avoidance must be the exclusive purpose of the grant.

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title05/0510.htm

Many of these required components have been identified in research summary documents such as the CDC Health Education Curriculum Assessment Tool: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth /hecat/index.htm. This tool provides critical elements to success in implementing programs to positively change youth behavior. There may be other tools and resources available to assess curricula.

Positive Youth Development Approach Title V Competitive SRAE Programs should include Positive Youth Development (PYD) as part of any risk avoidance strategies to help participants build healthy life skills and protective factors that mitigate the impact of past and future negative factors, empower participants to make healthy decisions, provide tools and resources to prevent pregnancy and STIs, and prevent youth engagement in other risky behaviors. The program approach should include service linkages to local community partners that support the safety and well-being of the target population. For more information on PYD, please see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/positive-youth-development.

Target Populations to be Served Title V Competitive SRAE Programs must provide services to youth populations between the ages of 10 and 19. Title V Competitive SRAE Programs may target services to vulnerable youth populations to include, but not limited, to the following: youth living in under-resourced regions and areas with high rates of teen births and STIs; culturally underrepresented youth populations, especially Hispanic, African American, or Native American teenagers; youth in or aging out of foster care or adjudication systems; youth who are victims of trafficking; runaway and homeless youth; and other vulnerable youth populations. Program services must align with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience and emphasize sexual delay until marriage as normative behavior.

Referrals to Community Resources Title V Competitive SRAE Programs must provide referrals for healthcare and other services, as needs are identified, but may not pay for the services with ACF/FYSB grant funding. As appropriate, programs should provide adolescent pregnancy prevention-related referrals to other providers of healthcare services (e.g., substance abuse, tobacco cessation, family planning, mental health), local public health, and social service agencies. Programs are encouraged to develop partnerships to help facilitate these referrals and must document such referrals. When feasible, programs should track the initiation of service delivery. SRAE programs may only provide education to youth on the requirements provided in this funding opportunity announcement and the statute. (For more information, see Section IV.6, Funding Restrictions.)

Local Evaluation A local evaluation provides an opportunity for prime recipients to learn whether desired outcomes are being achieved, identify areas for program improvement, and/or examine whether the programming implemented is effective. Local evaluations also provide prime recipients with an opportunity to contribute to the evidence base for SRAE programming. Applicants have the option to conduct one local evaluation of their Title V Competitive SRAE projects to answer one or more grantee-specific research questions of implementation sites to assess program effectiveness and/or impact. Applicants that choose to conduct a local evaluation should consider the short project period for their grants and must provide a description of the plan to https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/hecat/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/hecat/index.htm https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/positive-youth-development https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/positive-youth-development conduct a prime recipient-specific evaluation, also called “local evaluations.”

ACF is interested in supporting high-quality, well-designed local evaluations that expand the evidence base and provide learning opportunities for programs. ACF will work in collaboration with prime recipients to disseminate information about the evaluation findings. In accordance with legislation, any Title V Competitive SRAE evaluation conducted or supported must be as follows:

Rigorous;

Evidence-based; and Designed and conducted by independent researchers who have experience in conducting and publishing research in peer-reviewed outlets.

The following three types of methodologies are permitted for local evaluations:

Impact evaluations: efficacy/effectiveness studies that have a control/comparison group that either receives no services or distinct services from the intervention group and, preferably, measure behavioral outcomes beyond the period directly following the end of programming, when feasible;

Comprehensive needs assessments: scientific/systematic investigations that identify needs and challenges around a given issue, determine root causes, identify current barriers to addressing the need, and set priorities for future actions; and

Descriptive studies: studies that both document and link program implementation (i.e., activities/components/program delivery) and participant outcomes.

Well-conducted evaluations require time for planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities. Applicants are advised to develop evaluation timelines that are sufficient for conducting impact studies, comprehensive needs assessments, or descriptive studies that document and link program implementation and participant outcomes. FYSB also recommends that applicants review the current SRAE evaluation resources to inform the evaluation plan, including the research questions and evaluation design. These resources can be found at https://sraene.com/resources.

Local evaluations must be designed and conducted by independent researchers, called “local evaluators,” who have experience in conducting evaluations of youth-focused programs in the community and publishing research in peer-reviewed publications. The expertise of the evaluator should match the type of methodology for the proposed local evaluation. Examples of independent evaluators may be universities, research organizations, evaluation consultants, or other institutions with experience in conducting high-quality evaluations of community programs.

ACF will provide technical assistance and/or training to prime recipients conducting local evaluations and to their local evaluators on evaluation planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination, in order to maximize learning from these projects. As part of the technical assistance, prime recipients may also be asked to complete standardized forms and templates to describe their evaluation plans and submit evaluation updates. These forms and templates are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). ACF will obtain OMB approval prior to requiring prime https://sraene.com/resources recipients to complete the forms and/or templates. ACF will review and provide suggestions to prime recipients to improve plans prior to the initiation of local evaluation activities.

Improvements may include reconsideration of evaluation design and funding.

Upon completion of local evaluations, prime recipients may be asked to submit a final report to ACF. The final report template is subject to OMB approval under the PRA, which ACF will obtain prior to use. Although ACF will provide technical support to prime recipients that propose local evaluations, the prime recipients will ultimately have oversight of the entity that conducts the evaluation, as well as the sub-recipient(s) that they select to participate in the evaluation and what data will be collected.

Prime recipient funding levels will not be adjusted if a local evaluation is not proposed.

Applicants should carefully assess whether they have the capacity and sufficient funding allocated to conduct a local evaluation within the short project period.

If the applicant chooses to conduct a local evaluation, they must describe the amount of funding that will be allocated towards conducting an evaluation, within the allowable amount (up to 20 percent of total budget).

National Evaluation ACF will select projects funded under this FOA to participate in one or more rigorous federal evaluations. All prime recipients and applicable subrecipients will be required to participate, if selected, and must give their written assurance they will participate. As part of these national evaluation efforts, prime recipients and subrecipients may also be required to complete surveys, standardized forms, and templates. These instruments are subject to OMB approval under the PRA. ACF will obtain OMB approval prior to launching any evaluations.

Performance Measurement All grantees and sub-recipient(s), including their implementation sites, will be required to collect and report information on program implementation and program outcomes through a common set of performance measures. This requirement applies to any community partners who agree to host a site or recruit program participants (e.g., school districts, non-profits). The purpose of the performance measures is to monitor and provide feedback about whether grantees are implementing SRAE programs as intended and to demonstrate progress towards expected objectives. Performance measures can also create a foundation for program improvement efforts, prompted by federal, grantee, and program providers’ examination of the data. Performance measures provide information based upon the three categories of data collection listed below while rigorous evaluations assess program effectiveness and impact.

SRAE performance measures will be distributed to grantees and funded recipients, who will be required to collect and report on these measures approximately twice a year. ACF has defined measures at the grantee, provider, and program levels. For some performance measures, grantees provide data about activities they undertake directly at the grantee level. For other measures, data are based on information about each separate provider that serves youth directly (i.e., provider level) or each program model that a provider is implementing (i.e., program level). A program model is defined as the core curriculum plus other lessons or activities that may be integrated with the core curriculum to meet the SRAE requirements. In addition, data are also collected from the youth themselves through participant entry and exit surveys.

Ultimately, grantees are responsible for submitting performance measures from the grantee, provider, and program levels to ACF.

The following are the three categories of SRAE performance measures for data collection and submission:

1. Structure, cost, and support for program implementation;

2. Attendance, reach, and dosage; and

3. Participants’ characteristics, behaviors, program experiences, and perceptions of effects

(through participant entry and exit surveys).

Applicants applying for funds must indicate their agreement to collect the SRAE performance measures and submit the data to ACF. Grantees will be expected to check local and state laws, policies, and procedures to ensure that the collection of performance measures data is feasible and obtain any necessary permissions (e.g., formal agreements with partners, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, copies of school district approvals) to collect these data.

Grantees are responsible for ensuring all subrecipients and implementation sites collect and submit the SRAE performance measures. FYSB will provide training on how to conduct performance measures data collection and reporting. Grantees may develop additional indicators of program performance, as needed, including adding items to the entry or exit surveys.

However, all FYSB OMB-approved items must be administered first, in the order presented in the approved survey, before any additional items are added. Any additional survey items should be added at the end of the OMB-approved survey and should not be submitted to ACF.

For more information about the SRAE performance measures, including definitions, survey instruments, and data collection tools, please see www.sraepas.com.

NOTE: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, (44 U.S.C.35-3521), under this FOA, ACF will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. ACF has obtained OMB approval (OMB Control Number 0970-0536; Expiration Date October 31, 2022) under PRA to request and collect performance measures.

Post Award Assurances The acceptance of federal funds under this FOA will signify agreement by the prime recipient that it must comply with the following requirements:

Have the project fully functioning within 90 days following the Notice of Award for the grant;

Formally train facilitators/educators in the selected program components and strategies by professionals who can provide follow-up technical assistance to facilitators;

Budget the annual costs of sending at least two key staff persons to attend the 3-day Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Program Grantee Annual Conference to be tentatively held in the Atlanta, Georgia or through a virtual platform in 2022.

Budget the annual costs for at least two staff to attend a minimum of one of two topical training sessions offered each year of the project in areas such as Washington, DC;

Portland, OR; and Boston, MA, or through a virtual platform

Participate in a prime recipient orientation webinar. The webinar is expected to be held http://www.sraepas.com shortly after the official award date;

Collect and report on OMB-approved federal SRAE performance measures (i.e., prime recipient, partners, and subrecipients); and For prime recipients conducting local evaluations, participate in training and technical assistance provided by the government and follow related guidance provided by

ACF/FYSB.

Agree to participate in the national evaluation, if selected.

Participate in a medical accuracy review of selected curricula sponsored by FYSB.

Glossary of Terms The terms, “age-appropriate,” “rigorous,” “medically accurate” “, and youth” are defined according to the legislation. All other terms are defined by applicable research for the purposes of this FOA.

Activities – All actions needed to prepare for and carry out the program. This includes program and financial management, intervention activities, training activities, and staff debriefings.

Age-Appropriate – Information that is suitable (in terms of topics, messages, and teaching methods) to the developmental and social maturity of the particular age or age group of children or adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group. [Section 510(e)(1) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 710(e)(1)] Continuous Quality Improvement – A continuous and ongoing effort to achieve measurable improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness, performance, accountability, outcomes, and other indicators of quality in services or processes.

Comprehensive Needs Assessment – Scientific/systematic investigations that identify needs and challenges in an area, determine root causes, identify current barriers to addressing the need, and set priorities for future actions.

Core Components – Program characteristics that must be kept intact when an intervention is being replicated or adapted for it to produce program outcomes similar to those demonstrated in the original evaluation research that provided evidence for effectiveness.

Dating Violence – Physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a romantic or sexual partner.

Effectiveness –– The impact of a program under conditions that are likely to occur in a real-world implementation.

Evidence-Based – Interventions, strategies, approaches, and/or program models that have been evaluated using rigorous evaluation design such as randomized controlled or high-quality, quasi-experimental trials, and that have demonstrated positive impacts for youth, families, and communities.

Evidence-informed – Interventions, strategies, approaches, and/or program models that bring together the best available research, professional expertise, and input from youth and families to identify and deliver services that have promise to achieve positive outcomes for youth, families, and communities.

Fidelity – The degree to which an intervention is delivered as designed. Faithfulness with which a curriculum or program is implemented; that is, how well the program is implemented without compromising the core content that is essential for program effectiveness.

Goal Setting – The process of deciding what to accomplish and devising a plan to achieve the desired result(s).

Healthy Relationships – Peer, romantic, marriage, family, and other interactions that are based on trust, honesty, and respect, and allow adolescents to feel supported, connected, and independent. In healthy relationships, key elements are communication, appropriate boundaries, empathy, effective conflict resolution, and resistance of peer pressure.

Impact Evaluation – Efficacy/effectiveness study; has a control/comparison group that receives no services or distinct services from the intervention group.

Implementation – The process of introducing and using interventions in real-world service settings, including how interventions or program are adopted, sustained, and taken to scale.

Medically Accurate and Complete – Verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and – (A) published in peer reviewed journals, where applicable; or (B) comprising information that leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field recognize as accurate, objective and complete. [Section 510(e)(2) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 710(e)(2)] Normalizing teen sexual activity – Creating the impression that teen sexual activity outside of marriage is appropriate and/or healthy behavior.

Objectives – The specific and measurable actions that support the expected result of the program.

Optimal health – A dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health. Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of learning experiences that enhance awareness, increase motivation, and build skills; and, most importantly, through the creation of opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice.

Organizational Capacity – The resources (e.g., staff, skills, facilities, finances, technology, partnerships capabilities, and other resources) an organization has to implement a program.

Outcomes – The intended effects of the implemented program or program elements, such as increase in knowledge, development of skills, and behavior changes.

Performance Measures – Indicators that are designed for the ongoing monitoring and reporting of program accomplishments, particularly progress toward pre-established goals.

Promising Practices – Models, interventions, strategies, and ideas that have been implemented and evaluated to varying degrees in programs and communities, and demonstrate positive or promising outcomes.

Rigorous – With respect to research or evaluation, using established scientific methods for measuring the impact of an intervention or program model in changing behavior (specifically sexual activity or other sexual risk behaviors), or reducing pregnancy among youth; or other evidence-based methodologies established by the Secretary. [Section 510(e)(3) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 710(e)(3)]

Self-Regulation – The act of managing thoughts and feelings to enable goal-directed actions, including a variety of actions necessary for success in school, relationships, and the workplace.

Sexual Risk Avoidance – Voluntarily refraining from non-marital sexual activity.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – STIs/STDs are harmful diseases that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus. Many of these STIs/STDs do not show symptoms for a long time. Even without symptoms, they can still be harmful and passed on during sex.

Avoiding sexual activity is the most reliable way to prevent and protect against STIs/STDs.

See https://www.cdc.gov/std/lifestages-populations/stdfact-teens.htm.

Youth – One or more individuals who have attained age 10 but not age 20. [Section 510(e)(4) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 710(e)(4)] References [1] Leigh E. Szucs, PhD; Richard Lowry, MD; Amy M. Fasula, PhD; Sanjana Pampati, MPH;

Casey E. Copen, PhD5; Khaleel S. Hussaini, PhD3; Rachel E. Kachur, MPH5; Emilia H. Koumans, MD3; Riley J. Steiner, PhD. Condom and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States; 2019. https://www .cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/su6901-H.pdf [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary Trends Report 2009-2019, (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/yrbs_data_ summary_and_trends.htm [3] Hamilton, B.E., Martin, J.A., & Osterman, M.J.K., et al. (2020). Births: Provisional Data for 2019. National vital statistics report; Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.

Retrieved online at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr-8-508.pdf [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved online at: https ://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/adolescents-youngadults.htm

II. Federal Award Information Funding Instrument Type: Grant Estimated Total Funding: $3,400,000 Expected Number of Awards: 10 Award Ceiling: $450,000 Per Budget Period Award Floor: $13,501 Per Budget Period Average Projected Award Amount: $350,000 Per Budget Period Anticipated Project Start Date: 09/30/2021 https://www.cdc.gov/std/life https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/stdfact-teens.htm https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/su6901-H.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/su6901-H.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/yrbs_data_summary_and_trends.htm https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/yrbs_data_summary_and_trends.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr-8-508.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/adolescents-youngadults.htm https://www.cdc.gov/std/life-stages-populations/adolescents-youngadults.htm

Length of Project Periods:

Length of Project Period: 24-month project period with two 12-month budget periods

Additional Information on Awards:

Awards made under this announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds.

Applications requesting an award amount that exceeds the Award Ceiling per budget period, or per project period, as stated in this section, will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement. This disqualification applies only to the Award Ceiling listed for the first 12-month budget period for projects with multiple budget periods. If the project and budget period are the same, the disqualification applies to the Award Ceiling listed for the project period. Please see Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

Note: For those programs that require matching or cost sharing, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period or by project period for fully funded awards, even if the projected commitment exceeds the required amount of match or cost share. A recipient's failure to provide the required matching amount may result in the disallowance of federal funds. See Section III.2. of this announcement for information on cost-sharing or matching requirements.

Applicants must provide a budget for year 1 of the project. This chart establishes award floors and ceilings by state or territory. The annual award ceiling is the maximum award amount available per budget period. Based on the availability of funds, multiple awards may be made in each state or territory.

State/Territory Available Award Floor Award Ceiling

Alaska $110,998 $110,998 $110,998

California $656,419 $250,000 $450,000

Connecticut $490,233 $250,000 $450,000

District of Columbia $115,889 $115,889 $115,889

Hawaii $176,567 $176,567 $176,567

Illinois $332,466 $250,000 $332,466

Maine $158,576 $158,576 $158,576

New Hampshire $85,274 $85,274 $85,274

Rhode Island $135,637 $135,637 $135,637

Vermont $54,818 $54,818 $54,818

Washington $951,672 $250,000 $450,000

Guam $80,296 $80,296 $80,296

Marshall Islands $13,501 $13,501 $13,501

Northern Mariana Islands $45,119 $45,119 $45,119

Palau $21,000 $21,000 $21,000

Funds for year 2 will be awarded on the basis of submission and approval of the non-competing continuation applications. Awards are subject to the satisfactory progress by the prime recipient; a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government; and the availability of federal funds, which could be affected by a state claim for its regular annual allotment of funds. The Grants Project Team (Grant Management Specialist, Federal Project Officer, and Technical Assistance Provider) will use the grantee’s semi-annual performance progress and financial reports, site visits, audit reports and other supporting documentation to determine, in accordance with the requirements in the FOA and statute, if satisfactory progress is being made. FYSB will factor in the grantee’s ability to meet the dues dates as identified in the FOA. The Grants Project Team’s review of reports and other documentation will be used to assess progress in: 1) accomplishing the project goals, objectives, and activities; 2) completing proposed activities; and 3) documenting allowable expenses that support project goals, objectives, and the approved budget. Please refer to Section VI.3. Reporting for more information on required reports.

Applicants that propose to serve more than one territory through a consortium are allowed to submit a year 1 budget based upon the cumulative annual award floors and ceilings for each of the territories to be served.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are limited to organizations and entities, including faith-based organizations or consortia, based in the following states and territories: Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply:

County governments City or township governments Special district governments

Independent school districts Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education For-profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses

Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject to the protections and requirements of this part and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., the Department will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization’s religious character, affiliation, or exercise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement: No

For all federal awards, any shared costs or matching funds and all contributions, including cash and third-party in-kind contributions, must be accepted as part of the recipient’s cost sharing or matching when such contributions meet all of the criteria listed in 45 CFR § 75.306.

For awards that require matching by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards, even if the projected commitment exceeds the amount required by the statutory match. A recipient’s failure to provide the statutorily required matching amount may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, where “cost sharing” refers to any situation in which the recipient voluntarily shares in the costs of a project other than as statutorily required matching, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. These include situations in which contributions are voluntarily proposed by a recipient or subrecipient and are accepted by ACF.

Non-federal cost sharing will be included in the approved project budget so that the recipient will be held accountable for proposed non-federal cost-sharing funds as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient’s failure to provide voluntary cost sharing of non-federal resources that have been accepted by ACF as part of the approved project costs and that have been shown as part of the approved project budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

III.3. Other

Title V Competitive SRAE Eligibility Factor States awarded funding for Title V State SRAE under FOA number HHS-2020-ACF-ACYF- SRAE-1848, and entities in those states and territories, will be ineligible to receive an award under this FOA. Applications received from entities located in ineligible states and territories will be disqualified from the competitive grant review process.

Application Disqualification Factors Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.

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

Required Electronic Application Submission ACF requires electronic submission of applications at www.Grants.gov. Paper applications received from applicants that have not been approved for an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.

Applicants that do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents to the Internet may contact ACF for an exemption that will allow the applicant to submit applications in paper format. Information and the requirements for requesting an exemption from required electronic application submission are found in "ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Electronic Application Submission" at www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-6.

Missing the Application Deadline (Late Applications) The deadline for electronic application submission is 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Electronic applications submitted to www.Grants.gov after 11:59 p.m., ET, on the due date, as indicated by a dated and time-stamped email from www.Grants.gov, will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement. That is, applications submitted to www.Grants.gov, on or after 12:00 a.m., ET, on the day after the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.

Applications submitted to www.Grants.gov at any time during the open application period, and prior to the due date and time, which fail the www.Grants.gov validation check, will not be received at, or acknowledged by, ACF.

Each time an application is submitted via www.Grants.gov, the submission will generate a new date and time-stamp email notification. Only those applications with on-time date and time stamps that result in a validated application, which is transmitted to ACF, will be acknowledged.

The deadline for receipt of paper applications is 4:30 p.m., ET, on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received after 4:30 p.m., ET, on the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement. Paper applications received from applicants that have not received approval of an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and from funding under this announcement.

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

IV. Application and Submission Information https://www.grants.gov https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-6 https://www.Grants.gov https://www.Grants.gov https://www.Grants.gov https://www.Grants.