HHS_2021_ACL_AOD_PRRC-0078.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

National Paralysis Resource Center

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-PRRC-0078

05/29/2021

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

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

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Statement of Need

Goals and Objectives

Proposed Approach

Special Target Populations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

BUDGET NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION

PROJECT WORK PLAN

LETTERS OF COMMITMENT FROM KEY PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND

AGENCIES

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

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Funding Opportunity Title:

National Paralysis Resource Center Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2021-ACL-AOD-PRRC-0078

Primary CFDA Number:

93.325 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

04/16/2021 Due Date for Applications:

05/29/2021 Date for Informational Conference Call:

04/13/2021 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 https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary ACL intends to award funds over the next five years to support one (1) National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) that will improve the health and quality of life of individuals living with paralysis of all ages, their families, and their support system by raising awareness of and facilitating access to a broad range of services relevant to individuals with paralysis. Through the activities of the NPRC, individuals living with paralysis and their support networks will be empowered to have increased confidence and independence, stronger support networks, and increased opportunities to be valued participants in all aspects of community living. The NPRC will operate a national resource and information center; make subawards to nonprofit community-based organizations that provide long-term services and supports to people living with paralysis; conduct promotional activities and outreach; increase support and resources available to people living with paralysis, their families and caregivers; and evaluate the activities of the Center using a variety of data, including performance measures. All activities funded under this grant will promote greater independence, equality, choice, and control for individuals living with paralysis and to help them more fully integrate into their communities.

I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Purpose / Statement of Need

Finding and accessing the right long-term services and supports can be a daunting task for individuals with paralysis and their families – ultimately leading to increased healthcare costs and loss of independence. Individuals trying to access information on paralysis frequently find themselves confronted with a bewildering maze of organizations and scientific jargon at a time when they are the most vulnerable or in crisis. This often results in individuals and families making decisions based on incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate, information about their options. Not having access to high quality information makes it difficult for individuals to make informed decisions about both their present and their future well-being, which may result in frustration, inappropriate care or equipment, negative health impacts, and increased costs. In addition, COVID-19 has compounded the negative impacts for everyone living with paralysis in multiple ways and on many levels, and when intersectionality is considered for multiply marginalized individuals, those impacts grow exponentially.

The purpose of the National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) is to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with all forms of paralysis of all ages, their families, and their support networks by raising awareness of and facilitating access to a broad range of services, tools, and opportunities available to such individuals. The NPRC currently funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides comprehensive information for people with spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and other mobility-related disabilities and their families.

Available resources include information and referral by phone and email in multiple languages; a peer and family support mentoring program; a military and veterans program; multicultural outreach services; quality of life subawards; and a national website. As the number of individuals who live with paralysis increases and the cost of healthcare rises [1], it is important to ensure that these individuals have access to the most current, relevant information so that they can make informed choices regarding their physical and emotional health and overall quality of life to maximize living in the community.

Activities funded under this grant will ensure people living with paralysis, their families, and their support networks are empowered to live healthy and productive lives; encounter fewer environmental, social, and system barriers to healthy living and community participation;

experience increased self-confidence and independence; and experience increased opportunities to participate in all aspects of community living.

The NPRC will work with ACL and ACL-funded programs to remove environmental, social, and systems barriers to health and community living for individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks from all sectors. The NPRC will provide culturally competent national outreach to educate and enhance community living opportunities and share information and resources targeted to people of all ages and abilities with paralysis as well as outreach to traditionally unserved and underserved populations, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The NPRC will promote the philosophy of Independent Living, which stresses the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities to exercise full choice and control over their lives and to live independently in their communities with the appropriate services and supports. It is expected that the successful applicant will apply this philosophy to advance active, meaningful collaborations with a diverse array of stakeholders vested in independent living, self-advocacy, health, and wellness. Successful applicants also will provide evidence individuals with paralysis and other disabilities, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, will be actively and meaningfully engaged throughout all funded activities, including staffing, administration, and governance.

B. Program History / Background

The Administration for Community Living’s mission is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, their families, and their support networks. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided by networks of community-based organizations and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans.

In 2009, Congress passed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA) (42 U.S.C.

284o, 280g-9, 284p) as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act (P.L. 111-11), which authorized a three-part effort to address the public health challenges posed by paralysis.[1] Subtitles A and B provided the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with authority to create paralysis research consortia and fund research into clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols.

Subtitle C (42 U.S.C. 280g-9) gave the Secretary of Health and Human Services the authority to fund projects to improve the quality of life of individuals with paralysis. [2] The National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) is authorized under Subtitle C of the Act. The NPRC has worked with ACL to implement Subtitle C since 2014. [3]

The leading cause of paralysis according to a 2013 study was stroke, followed by spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis [4]. Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. More than a quarter of a million Americans are currently living with spinal cord injuries

(SCI) and there are an estimated 17,810 new spinal cord injuries every year in the United States.

[5]

Secondary conditions from living with paralysis and other co-occurring disabilities have the potential to dramatically impact the health, emotional well-being, community participation, and the lives of individuals, families, and their support networks. For example, a common secondary condition for individuals with many forms of paralysis are pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are difficult to detect and expensive to treat. Each year in the U.S., 2.5 million pressure ulcers are treated in acute care settings. The estimated cost of treating pressure ulcers varies between $50,000 and $130,000 per person. [6]

The number of people who experience some form of paralysis continues to grow as a result of improved emergency and acute care. Medical advances and technology has come a long way in the last few decades with new procedures and devices that enable individuals with paralysis to live longer.

C. Major Activities

Applicants should provide an overall complete, well-designed plan for achieving the project purpose and goals that:

Describes a multifaceted approach to disseminate, using culturally competent methods, current and accurate information in multiple formats and languages related to paralysis, secondary conditions, and resources available.

Proposes strategies and approaches to carrying out the activities – including technical assistance (TA) modalities, partnerships, and collaborations with key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors and diverse populations to fully address the key activities – that will ensure the greatest impact and benefit for people of all ages with paralysis, their families, and their support networks.

Describes how they will incorporate the Independent living philosophy throughout their applications. The philosophy is built around consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.

Identifies specific steps the project will take to help achieve one or more of the following ACL goals:

o Mitigating and overcoming the negative impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had and continues to have on people with paralysis o Working towards racial equity and addressing the impact of systemic racism o Supporting the economic recovery of communities and families

Applicants should also describe their experience and expertise in carrying out the activities described in this funding opportunity announcement and show evidence of the support and active involvement of a wide range of diverse stakeholders to fully achieve the desired outcomes.

There are 6 areas of required activities for the NPRC:

1. Operating and Enhancing a National Resource and Information Center

2. Making Subawards to Improve the Quality of Life of Americans with Paralysis

3. Conducting Promotional Activities and Outreach

4. Increasing Support and Resources Available to People with Paralysis, their Families, and their Support Networks

5. Collaborating and Partnering with Other Organizations, Agencies, and Programs

6. Measuring Performance

In addition, the NPRC is required to embed culturally competent practices throughout all activities of the Center.

1. Operating and Enhancing a National Resource and Information Center:

ACL intends that the National Paralysis Resource Center will be a trusted, nationally recognized entity that individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks can rely on for the best, most up-to-date information and resources.

The NPRC will:

Gather and translate information and resources into multiple languages as well as research to practice. Information and resources, including research translation, will be current and relevant to the stakeholders needs.

Continually expand the resources and tools available to individuals and families looking for information about living well with any type of paralysis. The grantee will also provide real time access to information specialists and subject matter experts in multiple languages.

Seek feedback from people with lived experiences throughout the application and program development process to ensure the information being developed or provided meets the needs of individuals living with paralysis in a meaningful way and includes individuals from underserved or unserved populations.

Operate and maintain a robust national website containing readily accessible, culturally competent, person-centered, high-quality information and resources about paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and secondary conditions. ACL believes that individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks should have a website where they can find a wide array of helpful information specific to their situation at any time. Applicants will demonstrate in their applications that they have experience creating a national website and a strong social media presence within the paralysis community. The website and all the resources available on the website must be 508 compliant and in plain language. Applicants must describe how they will separate and distinguish the web presence of the grantee organization and that of the resource center. The resource center must be branded so that it is clear to the public and others that it was developed with the support of ACL and that ACL and the grantee have entered into a cooperative agreement.

Develop informational products, resource mapping, toolkits, and/or software that might be helpful to people with paralysis. The NPRC will also make use of on-line support communities such as blogs, webinars, and other opportunities available via social media in order to reach across the nation with useful information.

2. Making Subawards to Improve the Quality of Life of Americans with Paralysis:

The lack of current opportunities to increase independence, self-confidence, or environmental access for people with paralysis can be challenging. The NPRC will provide at least 35 percent of the total awarded federal funds as Quality of Life subawards to nonprofit community-based organizations that provide long-term services and supports to people with paralysis and other disabilities, their families, and their support networks.

The purpose of these subawards is to promote greater independence and increased choice and control for individuals with paralysis to help them more fully integrate into their communities and enhance full participation, independent living, self-sufficiency, equality, and equity. This activity is intended to recognize and support organizations that assist individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks in ways that increase independence, provide social and education opportunities, and increase access to needed services and/or supports. The NPRC will focus its efforts on at least four priority areas of need for people with paralysis across the country based on evidence of national need.

Examples of priority areas of need:

Outreaching to unserved and underserved communities in rural areas;

Improving accessibility to services and supports;

Providing assistive technology;

Expanding career path employment opportunities;

Facilitating nursing home transitions;

Equipping children, youth, and young adults with the knowledge, skills, resilience, opportunities, and supports to succeed in school, college, careers, and life;

Investing in identifying and meeting the needs of individuals with paralysis who are unserved or underserved;

Establishing creative transportation options;

Supporting families and support networks;

Mitigating and overcoming the negative impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had and continues to have on people with paralysis;

Working towards racial equity and addressing the impact of systemic racism;

Supporting the economic recovery of communities and families; and Facilitating access to integrated or specialized recreation.

2.1 Subaward Strategy Requirements

Applicants for the NPRC should describe in detail how they will conduct a national competitive subaward program that incorporates the following criteria:

a. The grantee must issue a minimum of 35 percent of the total federal funds awarded through a competitive national subaward process.

b. Subaward recipients must use subaward funds for programmatic capacity building activities that further subawardees’ ability to improve or increase culturally competent services and/or supports to individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks.

c. The subaward application process must be completely open without any projects being pre-selected or otherwise given a competitive advantage or discriminated against.

d. The proposed outreach activities for subaward applications must be broad and inclusive of a range of organizations that serve people with paralysis, including both secular and faith-based nonprofit organizations and organizations from culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

e. The proposed outreach activities must reach unserved and underserved populations, especially in rural areas.

f. The grantee will provide follow-up technical assistance to the organizations receiving subawards in order to maximize the impact of the subawards.

g. Subaward amounts will be appropriate to the projects and needs expressed by the subaward applicants.

h. The grantee will make subawards available to organizations interested in serving people with paralysis as well as organization and agencies with a history of providing services and supports to individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks in order to help them live more independently, more fully integrate into their communities (for example, through transitions from institutions back into the community or by providing transportation and employment opportunities), and alleviate burnout on the part of their families and others who assist them.

i. The grantee will make subawards available to organizations to address the impact of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and their support networks.

j. All subawards will promote greater independence, equality, choice, and control for individuals with paralysis and help them more fully integrate into their communities.

k. The grantee will not require subaward applicants to provide matching funds and will not give a preference in the selection process to any subaward applicant who does.

l. The grantee must make subawards to agencies or organizations that serve people with paralysis living in the United States.

m. The grantee will not provide subaward recipients with a second subaward in the same tier or category of grants for the duration of the NPRC five-year grant period if multiple categories are planned. The grantee may continue to provide technical assistance to these organizations.

n. Subawardees must expend their subawards within a prescribed period of time not to exceed 24 months.

o. Subawardees may not use funds to provide medical services or direct fundraising activities.

p. The grantee must make subawardees aware that the NPRC is accountable for all federal grant funds, including all subawards provided under the grant program.

q. The grantee must have a process to monitor subaward recipients to ensure the subawards are used for the intended purposes of this program and that expenditures comply with both program and federal regulations.

r. The grantee must have a process for how it will provide TA to subawardees and report on subaward activities.

3. Conducting Promotional Activities and Outreach:

Individuals and service providers need to know where they can find and access services and supports for individuals with paralysis, their families, and their support networks. Applicants should describe how they will co-brand the NPRC jointly with ACL and develop and carry out a marketing plan to increase awareness and usage of the NPRC among professionals in the field of paralysis, individuals with paralysis, families, support networks, and the general public by:

Promoting awareness and usage of the NPRC among service providers within ACL’s disability and aging networks and other national and community-based organizations vested in serving people of all ages living with any type of paralysis.

Identifying opportunities and submitting proposals for presentations at national and local major meetings/conferences for disabilities and aging services professionals and people with paralysis and other disabilities, relevant to the specific goals / outcomes of the project.

Ensuring the marketing plan and its implementation includes a wide variety of strategies to promote and market the NPRC to consumers from traditionally unserved or underserved communities, including rural communities and culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

o A non-exhaustive list of possible underserved individuals includes those who are:

veterans; children and youth; older adults; incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals; racial and ethnic minorities; native and tribal populations; rural populations; individuals with substance use disorders; homeless individuals;

persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); survivors of domestic or other forms of violence; individuals who are uninsured or underinsured; and individuals with co-occurring developmental, intellectual, physical, psychiatric, sensory, or emerging disabilities.

4. Increasing Support and Resources Available to People with Paralysis, Their Families, and Their Support Networks:

Finding the right supports and resources can be challenging to individuals and their families seeking information. Peer mentoring has proven to have positive outcomes and provides the most direct and beneficial way to assist those living with paralysis, their families, and their support networks. The assistance and guidance from someone who has “been there and done that” and has a similar type of paralysis does much to encourage and empower the newly paralyzed, as well as for the person transitioning through the various stages of living with paralysis.

Applicants should propose how they will operate culturally competent peer programs to provide support, information, and resources to those living with paralysis, their family members, and their support networks nationally. Applicants must recruit peers who have lived experience and come from diverse backgrounds from across the country.

Applicants should describe how they will develop and provide peer program resources and supports to individuals living with paralysis, their families and support networks during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural areas and with unserved and underserved populations.

Applicants should also describe how they will measure the impact of the peer program on both the peer mentors and those living with paralysis, their families, and their support networks.

5. Collaborating and Partnering with Other Organizations, Agencies, and Programs:

Collaboration and partnership will be critical for the success of the NPRC. Applicants should have strong partnerships with agencies and organizations vested in working with and serving people with paralysis. Applicants should describe the organizations they are partnering with and how they will reach out to, partner, and collaborate with other agencies and organizations that have similar goals, policy initiatives, and social practice. ACL funds many initiatives that naturally work together and could be strong community partners for the applicant. Applicants should describe their collaborative efforts with ACL’s disability and aging programs as well as with other federally funded programs such as, but not limited to, the ones listed below.

Assistive Technology The Centers for Independent Living Area Agency on Aging The No Wrong Door (NWD) System State Lifespan Respite Grant Program The Veteran Directed Care Program NIDILRR’s Model Systems 14 Centers NIDILRR’s Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Education, Research & Service (UCEDDs) Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) Alternatives to Guardianship Youth Resource Center The Strengthening Aging Services for Minority Populations Through Technical

Assistance, Resource Development, and Program Coordination grantees:

o Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) o National Caucus and Center on Black Aging (NCBA) o National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) o MHP Saludhttps://mhpsalud.org/ o National Asian Pacific Center an Aging (NAPCA)

Provision of funding for subcontracts to carry out specific activities is permissible.

6. Performance Measurement and Evaluation:

The awardee will collect and report on both outputs and outcomes in the semi-annual performance progress reports. Applicants will describe how they will use process evaluation techniques to analyze delivery of project activities to determine, among other things: (a) the extent to which the project is implemented as planned, (b) how the project activities are being received, (c) the barriers to implementation, and (d) areas for project improvements/refinements.

Applicants will also describe how they will use summative evaluation techniques to determine project success in meeting the intended outcomes of the project in terms of:

An increase in knowledge related to disability, personal needs, and healthcare services;

An increase in customer satisfaction of I&R services (e.g., online resources, website navigation, etc.);

An increase in the availability of reliable information to people with paralysis, their families, and their support networks and to organizations serving people with paralysis, their families, and their support networks;

An increase in outreach to diverse communities, including to individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse populations and individuals in a variety of geographic areas across the US and its territories, including rural areas;

An increase in self-confidence among people with paralysis;

An increase in action by people with paralysis to meet their needs;

An increase in self-determination of people with paralysis;

A reduction in the barriers for people with paralysis;

An increase in the delivery of quality education and support services to people with paralysis; and An increase in the awareness of and the confidence in the NPRC as a recognized national resource for people with paralysis, their families, and their support networks and to organizations serving people with paralysis, their families, and their support networks.

In addition to their own evaluation efforts, the awardee will also participate in an external evaluation that ACL will conduct. The evaluation will include a process evaluation to document how the NPRC operates with a focus on inputs, activities, and outputs. It will also include an outcome evaluation to measure the extent to which the people and organizations served are meeting the goal of improving the quality of life for all people with paralysis and leveraging resources through collaboration. ACL expects the awardee to work with ACL’s evaluation contractor to provide input into the evaluation design, identify data sources, provide data generated under this grant regarding outputs and outcomes, and facilitate contact with those served and other stakeholders to allow the evaluation contractor to collect follow up information about the sustainability of organizational changes and the longevity of changes in knowledge, skills, awareness, and behaviors among individuals. Applicants must include a definitive statement in their application regarding their commitment to participate and cooperate in this external evaluation.

D. Definitions

Paralysis – For purposes of this funding opportunity announcement and the activities of the

NPRC, “paralysis” refers to a range of disabling conditions due to stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or any central nervous system disorder and results in difficulty or inability to move the upper or lower extremities.

Unserved and Underserved – A non- exhaustive list of possible underserved individuals includes those who are: veterans; children and youth; older adults; incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals; racial and ethnic minorities; native and tribal populations; rural populations; individuals with substance use disorders; homeless individuals; persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); survivors of domestic or other forms of violence;

individuals who are uninsured or underinsured; and individuals with co-occurring developmental, intellectual, physical, psychiatric, sensory, or emerging disabilities.

References:

1. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act: Report (To Accompany H.R. 1727) (Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office). Volume 110, Issue 378 of Report. U.S. Government Printing Office, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-110hrpt937/html/CRPT- 110hrpt937.htm; 2007. Accessed 09.07.13.

2. Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:10. Disability and Health Program. Available at:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/programs.html; 2013. Accessed 9.07.13.

3. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014

4. Research & Practice: Prevalence and Causes of Paralysis—United States, 2013 Brian S.

Armour, PhD, Elizabeth A. Courtney-Long, MA, MSPH, Michael H. Fox, ScD, Heidi Fredine, MPH, and Anthony Cahill, PhD (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 23, 2016: e1–e3. oi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303270) accessed 12-8, 2017

5. National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (2020). Facts and Figures at a Glance. Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2020. https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%202020.pdf

6. Brem, H, Maggi, J, Nierman, D, et al. (2010). The high cost of stage IV pressure ulcers.

The American Journal of Surgery. 200(4): 473-477

Statutory Authority Sec. 14301 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act) and Sec. 317 of the PHSA. Also, 42 USC 280g-9: Programs to improve quality of life for persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$ 43,500,000

Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$ 8,700,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$ 8,700,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' The terms and conditions for this cooperative agreement are as follows and will be incorporated by reference in the Notice of Award (NOA).

The ACL project officer agrees to execute the responsibilities of the cooperative agreement outlined below:

1. Perform the day-to-day federal responsibilities of managing a grant initiative and work with the grantee to ensure that the minimum requirements for the grant are met. Conduct monthly conference calls to ensure goals and objectives are being met.

2. Work cooperatively with the grantee to clarify the programmatic and budgetary issues to be addressed by the grantee’s project, and, as necessary, collaborate with grantee to achieve a mutually agreed upon solution to any needs identified by the grantee or ACL.

3. Share information with the grantee about other federally sponsored projects and other activities relevant to the interests of the NPRC grantee and their activities.

4. Work with the grantee on the development and implementation of performance measures and quality assurance systems to ensure that performance is measured and continuous improvement occurs.

5. Provide technical advice on grantee work products to ensure they are accurate, objective, unbiased, and of high professional quality, and that they do not violate federal, departmental, or agency grant rules.

6. Attend and participate in major project events as appropriate.

The grantee will agree to execute the responsibilities of the cooperative agreement outlined below:

1. Fulfill all of the requirements of the grant initiative as detailed in this program announcement.

2. Collaborate with ACL on any in-scope modifications and execution of the work plan initially within 45 days of the award.

3. Document the impact of overall project activities and ensure quality assurance systems are in place.

4. Share information with ACL, the ACL contract evaluators, the paralysis/disability networks, national, state and local partner organizations, and other entities as appropriate.

5. Work with the ACL NPRC program project officer to evaluate performance results reported semi-annually and jointly develop strategies to address those areas requiring improvement.

6. Submit resumes of potential key staff hires as detailed under HHS grants prior approval requirements.

7. Report semi-annually on project accomplishments, challenges, and progress towards measurable objectives.

8. Work with ACL NPRC project officer to brand the NPRC in such a way that appropriately recognizes and acknowledges ACL’s financial contributions to NPRC activities.

9. Acknowledge that the Government retains all rights to all data and reports compiled as a result of this grant and agree that no information furnished to or generated by the grantee in the performance of this grant shall be released to the public by the grantee without the prior approval of the project officer.

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 Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education.

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

No For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) 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, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved 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.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria Applications that do not demonstrate the following essential element will not be considered for funding:

Documented commitment to solicit, select, and make subawards totaling at least 35% of the total annual federal award.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the four 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 https://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 Calibri or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 55 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 55 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 55 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, Organizational Charts, and Resumes/Vitae of Key Project Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 55 page limit.

4. Applications must contain a budget request that is equal to or more than the “Award Floor” amount and not more than the “Award Ceiling” amount as found in Section II of this funding opportunity announcement.

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from https://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission.

For example, you will be required to provide an https://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 https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://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 https://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 (https://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. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. 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/pages/public/help/samQUserGuides.jsf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be 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.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide.

Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

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

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living

Elizabeth Leef Administration on Disabilities Email: elizabeth.leef@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission Letter of Intent Due Date for Letter Of Intent 04/16/2021

04/16/2021 Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. The deadline for submission of the letter of intent is (Insert date here). Letters of intent should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Elizabeth Leef

Email: elizabeth.leef@acl.hhs.gov

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 no less than 11 point, preferably Calibri or Arial. You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the Standard Forms and Sample Formats. The suggested length for the Project Narrative is 50 to 55 pages; 55 pages is the maximum length allowed. Project Narratives that exceed 55 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 55 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, Organizational Charts, and Resumes/Vitae of Key Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 55-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The Project Narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components, which will be counted as part of the 55-page limit:

PROJECT NARRATIVE

Summary/Abstract Statement of Need Goals and Objectives Proposed Approach Special Target Populations Outcomes Project Management Evaluation Dissemination Organizational Capability

Summary/Abstract Include in this section a brief (265 words maximum) description of the proposed project that includes the project’s goals, objectives, outcomes, overall approach (including target population and significant partnerships), anticipated outcomes, and products to be developed.

Statement of Need Use this section to demonstrate the nature and scope of the particular need for assistance, in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

Goals and Objectives Use this section to describe the project’s goals and major objectives. A work plan with a timeline of activities should be included. The Project Work Plan should reflect and be consistent with the Project Narrative and Budget and should cover all five (5) years of the project period. 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.

Proposed Approach Use this section to provide a clear and concise description of the approach you propose to use and the problems you proposed in the “Statement of Need.” Also, describe the rationale for using the particular approach, 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 the major barriers you anticipate and your strategies to overcome them. Be sure to describe the makeup of any strategic partnerships and the role they will play in your project.

Special Target Populations In this section, describe how your project will target underserved populations. A non-exhaustive list of possible underserved individuals include those who are: veterans; children and youth;

older adults; incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals; racial and ethnic minorities;

native and tribal populations; rural populations; individuals with substance use disorders;

homeless individuals; persons who are lesbian, gay,…