HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CT-0010 modification.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth, and Families - Children's Bureau

Quality Improvement Center on Workforce Analytics

HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CT-0010

Application Due Date: 05/05/2023

Table of Contents Executive Summary

I. Program Description

II. Federal Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

III.3. Other

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

The Project Description

The Project Budget and Budget Justification

Application Submission Options

IV.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

IV.4. Submission Dates and Times

Explanation of Due Dates

Acknowledgement of Received Application

IV.5. Intergovernmental Review

IV.6. Funding Restrictions

IV.7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

V.2. Review and Selection Process

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

VI.1. Federal Award Notices

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VI.3. Reporting

VII. HHS Award Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

Reference Websites

Application Checklist

General Information

Summary:

Summary Page

Statutory Authority:

Grants.gov Synopsis/Grants.gov Forecast Description (18,000)

Award Information

Award/Funding:

Eligibility Information

Eligibility:

Administrative Policies

NOFO History

PRA Information Collection

Key Dates

Estimated Milestone Date:

Additional Information

Additional Information:

Funding Opportunity Title:

Quality Improvement Center on Workforce Analytics Announcement Type:

Modification Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CT-0010

Primary CFDA Number:

93.648 Due Date for Applications:

05/05/2023 Executive Summary

Notice:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the entire notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) 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/how-apply-grant.

NOTE: This Notice of Funding Opportunity has been modified in the following place:

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Section I, Program Description, Background, PROJECT REQUIREMENTS, Target Population and Site Selection has been modified to clarify that pilot sites shall include geographic diversity, including representation from multiple, distinct jurisdictions (states, tribes, or territories);

Section III.1, Eligible Applicants has been modified to clarify that institutions of higher education may receive awards provided they are not for-profit entities;

Section IV.2, The Project Description, Approach has been modified to clarify that the proposed site selection process must include how the QIC-WA will engage geographically diverse jurisdictions; and

Section V.1, Criteria, Approach has been modified to clarify the review criteria related to site selection must include how the applicant engages geographically diverse jurisdictions.

In recognition of the significant impact of workforce issues on agencies, staff, and children and families, the Children’s Bureau (CB) identified addressing the needs of the child welfare workforce as one of its primary strategic plan goals. Developing and implementing a workforce analytics framework is an evidence-based management strategy and is foundational to correctly identifying and addressing workforce challenges and opportunities. The purpose of this NOFO is to establish by cooperative agreement a Quality Improvement Center on Workforce Analytics (QIC-WA). The QIC-WA will emphasize development and evaluation of workforce analytics to inform worker recruitment, performance, and well-being strategies that support workforce innovation and retention; while also undertaking an array of activities to increase recruitment and decrease the turnover of child welfare staff from the case management workers to top leadership.

The QIC-WA will build knowledge of evidence-based workforce decision-making practices and contribute to research on evidence-based/informed workforce strategies that can support agencies’ effective recruitment and retention strategies; appropriate employee selection protocols; new and innovative non-traditional pathways to expand agency recruitment pools; and organize staff to effectively achieve well-being, safety, and permanency goals.

The QIC-WA will:

Contribute to a national understanding of child welfare workforce metrics;

Identify and establish efficiencies in workforce data collection and analysis, inclusive of, but not limited to, linkages with child welfare outcomes, human resources, learning management systems, and equity goals.

Collect, develop, and disseminate evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies related to child welfare workforce recruitment and development;

Support jurisdictions to establish workforce analytics systems designed to improve worker recruitment, retention, well-being, and performance strategies;

Provide technical assistance support for implementation of data analytics framework and workforce strategies established in partnership with jurisdictions;

Evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions; and Develop capacity for jurisdictions to maintain established workforce data analytics and effective workforce strategies.

The anticipated funding level for this award is $1,270,000 for the first year and $2,100,000 for years 2 – 5.

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority Section 426 (a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 626(a)(1)(A))

Description

BACKGROUND

CB establishes Quality Improvement Centers (QIC) to systematically generate and disseminate research and knowledge to help agencies improve in areas such as organizational structure, practice innovation, data efficiencies, performance, and service delivery. QICs function as evidence building entities, establishing and evaluating practices and frameworks that can be replicated through collaboration with national and jurisdictional partners to improve child welfare outcomes. QICs are part of the continuum of capacity building services offered by CB.

They are designed to explore and evaluate the feasibility of systematic frameworks and activities intended to address specific challenges and opportunities in child welfare.

In 2016, CB funded the first Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC- WD) to improve the capacity of organizations to recruit, retain, and sustain a diverse, strong, and stable child welfare workforce. This work established a commitment from CB to understand and develop evidence for the connection between a stable and well-prepared workforce and improved outcomes for children and families. Recruitment and retention of child welfare workers is not a new challenge. However, persistent low pay and high stress compounded by the impact of the “great resignation” of workers across all sectors increased concerns about child welfare workforce shortages. To address child welfare workforce challenges, the CB will invest in workforce data analytics, designed to inform improvements in workforce stability and effectiveness. The Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Analytics (QIC-WA) will partner with jurisdictions, tribes, and territories to support systematic data collection and data use to:

Establish workforce analytics frameworks and data visualization strategies.

Develop and test data-informed workforce strategies.

Evaluate the impact of interventions on worker recruitment, retention, well-being, performance, and achievement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

Investment in the human capital necessary to appropriately staff and adapt the child welfare system to meet the safety needs of families, while expanding partnerships to better serve children in their homes and communities as required by the Families First Prevention Services Act (IM- 18-02 (Public Law 115-123)) will require a critical review of data by individual jurisdictions to understand trends, needs, gaps, and opportunities. Further, in alignment with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the government has been charged with developing “systemic approaches to embed fairness in decision-making processes that recognize and redress inequities in the policies and programs that serve as barriers to equal opportunity” (Executive Order 13985, January 20.

2021). These policy priorities acknowledge a need to reassess decision-making processes and rebalance service delivery to engage families and communities in addressing well-being and safety needs. They require a critical look at how practices and processes contributed to inequitable outcomes for children and families of color. A clear understanding of how the child welfare workforce needs to be adapted and supported is pivotal to this larger system change.

https://www.qic-wd.org/ https://www.qic-wd.org/ https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im-18-02 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im-18-02 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, the child welfare workforce experienced demands that required increased risk to personal safety in order to continue to meet state and federal mandates and to support children and families who no longer had access to traditional resources, childcare, and educational infrastructures. The cumulative stress on the child welfare workforce has been devastating and has contributed to unprecedented public child welfare staff turnover rates, reported in some areas as between 50 - 88 percent, and vacancy rates of 25 percent or more. In fiscal year (FY) 2022 listening sessions (2022 Listening Sessions) sponsored by CB, child welfare leaders reported increased vacancy rates, a decrease in qualified applicants, increased workloads, stress on all levels of child welfare staff, and continued concerns about an increase in administrative and reporting responsibilities that impact time for quality family engagement efforts. Providing relief to workforce vacancy rates and turnover challenges will require a comprehensive approach that includes, on its front end, the ability to synthesize and utilize data to drive recruitment, staffing and decision-making. The effective coordination, linkage, and understanding of workforce related data will allow jurisdictions to target needs and develop strategies to effectively address their highest priorities. CB recognizes that agencies often do not have the needed infrastructure to systemically analyze data resources and establish plans to coordinate, automate, and utilize data to inform workforce decisions.

Employing a workforce analytics framework is an evidence-based management strategy to correctly identify and address workforce challenges and opportunities and will be the foundational focus of the new QIC-WA.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

The QIC-WA will focus on a data analytics approach to identify, access, link, and organize data collection resources across child welfare and within jurisdictional administrative and reporting systems. Working with select pilot project sites, it will establish workforce analytics frameworks and data visualization resources designed to drive data-informed workforce interventions that help stabilize the child welfare workforce. Workforce interventions will respond to a shifting child welfare landscape that includes stronger connections to prevention, changes in worker expectations post-COVID-19, the need for a culturally responsive workforce, and the engagement of a younger workforce as current workers continue to retire. QIC-WA activities will enhance and improve workforce recruitment, retention, well-being , performance, and equity by addressing issues such as effective hiring, staffing, job design, decision-making, training, management, supervision, workload, worker turnover, worker safety, cultural and linguistic competence, leadership, development, and agency culture. Information generated from the QIC- WA will inform the development of a culturally responsive child welfare workforce and establish child welfare workforce knowledge that will be disseminated nationally. The QIC-WA will build the capacity of select pilot sites to develop and use a workforce analytics framework, including data visualization, and provide assistance to sites to identify and implement effective data-informed workforce interventions. The QIC-WA will evaluate workforce interventions to assess their effectiveness and impact in at least one or more of the following areas:

Employee recruitment and selection Employee well-being Employee development and performance Employee retention and workforce stability https://www.qic-wd.org/blog/child-welfare-workforce-crisis-%E2%80%93-what-we%E2%80%99re-hearing-field

Agency DEI workforce goals

The work of the QIC-WA is expected to inform the national child welfare workforce conversation by developing evidence for data-informed workforce strategies and offering guidance on the workforce metrics needed to understand, expand, and support a workforce in transition. The QIC-WA will provide insight into how jurisdictions collect, coordinate, prioritize, and use data to inform workforce considerations such as workload standards, turnover rates, training, and minimum qualifications. The QIC-WA will support capacity building for selected pilot project sites and, through partnership with CB and its technical assistance partners, will help inform and expand the technical assistance capacity for successful interventions beyond the pilot sites to additional jurisdictions (states, tribes, counties, and/or territories). In order to meet the requirements of the cooperative agreement funded by this NOFO, the QIC-WA will partner with CB to expand upon the work of the QIC-WD and coordinate with other CB-supported training and technical assistance partners, including but not limited to the following:

National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Capacity Building Center for the States Capacity Building Center for the Tribes Capacity Building Center for the Courts Child Welfare Information Gateway

Project Goals The QIC-WA will expand child welfare workforce evidence and innovation, increase data-driven decision-making capacity of selected pilot sites, and inform national workforce technical assistance and data collection. The work of the QIC-WA must be informed by systemic considerations including the need to advance racial equity priorities in the child welfare workforce; the realignment of child welfare priorities in the Families First Prevention Services Act; and workforce capacity to address family engagement, well-being, safety, and permanency requirements. Through a concentration on data analytics, the QIC-WA will establish data-driven processes to inform innovative child welfare workforce interventions designed to improve workforce stability and effectiveness.

The work of the QIC-WA will:

Contribute to a national understanding of child welfare workforce metrics and data linkages.

Identify and establish efficiencies in workforce data collection and analysis, inclusive of, but not limited to, linkages with child welfare outcomes, human resources, learning management systems, and equity goals.

Collect, develop, and disseminate evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies related to child welfare workforce recruitment and development;

Support jurisdictions to establish workforce analytics systems designed to improve worker recruitment, retention, well-being, and performance strategies;

Provide technical assistance support for implementation of data analytics framework and workforce strategies established in partnership with jurisdictions;

Evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions; and

Develop the capacity of jurisdictions to maintain established workforce data analytics and effective workforce strategies.

Target Population and Site Selection The QIC-WA will develop criteria for selecting a minimum of six diverse child welfare pilot sites that can inform a national public child welfare workforce conversation. Pilot sites shall include geographic diversity, including representation from multiple, distinct jurisdictions (states, tribes or territories). These should include sites that have high levels of disproportionate minority representation in the child welfare population and must include at least one tribal site.

Pilot sites shall include consideration of jurisdictional demographics including, but not limited to, rural and urban locations, jurisdictions with strong prevention/community partnerships, established DEI goals, tribal communities, and overall geographic diversity. Pilot sites must be willing to agree to data sharing requirements necessary to design appropriate workforce data analytics and to inform national workforce discussions. Agency pilot project site teams will include human resources (HR) and child welfare leadership involved in workforce decisions, data and information technology (IT) specialists and will provide avenues for input directly from those serving children and families. The pilot project sites must agree to partner for the life of the project and written agreements to that effect must be signed by agency leadership. Final site selections must be approved by CB.

Outreach and Engagement The QIC-WA leadership team can choose to identify and work with all pilot sites for the duration of the cooperative agreement or stagger pilot sites, offering a minimum of 2.5 years per site to complete assessment, data analytics design, intervention, evaluation, and sustainability activities. A minimum of six sites must be served over the course of the 5-year cooperative agreement. Applicants will not be penalized for serving more than six sites and should document proposed timelines and staging of pilot sites in their application.

The QIC-WA must communicate clear and deliberate plans for outreach and engagement of pilot child welfare agencies selected to participate. A preliminary description of pilot project site minimum criteria standards and a review process plan that includes review of disproportionally index data, capacity and needs assessment, and data infrastructure requirements should be included in the application. The QIC-WA must establish how it will engage project sites in committing to the in-depth nature of the workforce project, establish a process for seeking ongoing feedback, anticipate and address potential barriers to success, inform project activities, and support the agencies' ongoing implementation needs. Engagement of tribal sites should respect tribal sovereignty and cultural practices. The QIC-WA will plan a minimum of one yearly on-site technical assistance event per project site, as allowed by current COVID-19 safety protocols. The QIC-WA will also plan for an onsite reporting, networking and peer sharing meeting in Washington, DC with pilot site representatives, QIC-WA leadership and CB representatives in years 1, 3, 5, and will host either a virtual or in person meeting in years 2 and 4.

Project Activities The QIC-WA project team must be fully functional within 90 days following notification of the award. Project activities will be completed in two overarching phases. Phase I, which includes the first six months of the project timeline, will serve as a program planning and QIC-WA infrastructure development period. Phase II will involve engagement with selected jurisdictions to complete assessments, data analytics design, intervention, evaluation, and sustainability activities. Engagement with CB and its Technical Assistance (TA) partners, as described in the project requirements, will be continuous throughout the life of the project. Initial pilot project sites must be engaged in the work within 180 days following the notification of the award. The recipient must provide tentative timelines for anticipated activities in each of the two overarching phases. The CB Federal Project Officer (FPO) will partner with and provide approval for key staffing, design, site selection, and evaluation activities.

Phase I: Planning and Infrastructure Development (First 6 months)

The QIC-WA project team will be fully functioning as described in the recipient’s timeline, within 90 days of the notification of the award. The recipient is required to attend a kick-off meeting with the FPO in Washington, DC within the first 90 days following the notification of the award. The goal of the kickoff meeting is to finalize project timelines, roles and responsibilities, and the cooperative agreement.

During Phase I, the QIC-WA will:

Establish teaming structures for national and jurisdictional activities, including evaluation;

Identify and review relevant workforce data resources;

Identify a foundational workforce analytics framework and data visualization plan Finalize pilot site outreach and engagement plans Establish an overarching theory of change demonstrating how a workforce analytics framework will improve worker recruitment, performance, retention, well-being, and diversity

Identify or develop workforce planning, data sharing, and evaluation tools;

Establish a QIC-WA website and plan for sharing on-going information from research, data analytics, pilot site activities, capacity building products, and communications to support solutions to the workforce crisis.

Phase II: Implementation (Month 7 through Year 5)

During Phase II, the QIC-WA will complete site assessments, data analytics design, intervention, evaluation, and sustainability activities in each of the selected pilot project sites. The QIC-WA and each selected site will collaboratively implement these projects. Selected sites should be fully engaged in work with the QIC within 90 days of their selection. It is expected that the QIC- WA program team will establish a working relationship with jurisdictional project leaders that includes regular contact, including at least one on-site meeting per year. The working relationship should start with clear communication about how much time is expected of key staff in the jurisdiction and an understanding of any financial and partnership assistance the QIC-WA can provide. The QIC-WA will enter a mutually binding written work agreement with each project site that clearly defines roles and responsibilities. The QIC-WA program design may include resourcing for on-site staffing at project pilot sites. When the QIC-WA partnership is completed, any funding allocated to support on-site staffing provided by the QIC-WA during the period of intervention will have to be paid by the jurisdiction to maintain the designated staff function. The proposed project sites and mutually binding work agreements must receive final approval from the CB FPO.

The QIC-WA support of pilot project sites will include, but is not limited to, the following activities:

Identification of relevant workforce analytics data sources;

Development of a site-specific data analytics framework and data visualization strategy;

Development of a site-specific theory of change, indicating workforce improvements and anticipated impact on child welfare outcomes;

Resourcing and TA to establish and sustain a data analytics framework and to implement recruitment, well-being, performance, equity and/or retention interventions;

Complete data collection and conduct evaluation activities; and Development of communications and sustainability plans to continue and expand effective workforce strategies.

The QIC-WA will work with CB and individual sites to establish a communications plan that leverages workforce analytics to inform on-going workforce needs, shares lessons learned, and disseminates evaluation findings. The QIC-WA will provide a semi-annual report to CB of core data analytics trends, findings and workforce strategies identified in pilot project sites.

Project Outcomes The QIC-WA will produce the following outcomes:

Child welfare data analytics frameworks and visualization packages that serve as a foundation for recruiting and retaining an effective and diverse child welfare workforce;

Tested and evaluated promising practices, evidence-informed and evidence-based workforce planning and development strategies, tools, and interventions that can be replicated with fidelity in other child welfare agencies;

National and jurisdiction specific communication plans and dissemination strategies designed to inform and address the child welfare workforce needs;

Improved outcomes in workforce recruitment, retention, well-being, performance and/or DEI goals in pilot project sites;

Improved workforce capacity in pilot project sites to address safety, permanency, well-being and to initiate strategies that address inequitable outcomes for children/families of color and increase family engagement; and

Integration of workforce analytics and data informed decision-making processes into agency strategic planning and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes.

Collaboration The QIC-WA will be required to collaborate with CB staff, CB-funded capacity building partners, and selected jurisdictions to achieve to purposes of this NOFO. As a participant in a cooperative agreement, the recipient can expect to closely collaborate with CB in the review of its proposed activities, selection of key staff, and dissemination strategies.

In some cases, CB and the recipient will revise and jointly develop key project strategies.

CB must approve project plans and activities prior to implementation.

The QIC-WA will be required to collaborate with CB and other federal workforce TA providers to expand the reach of successful QIC-WA workforce strategies. Collaborative activities will include periodic strategic planning meetings, product development, dissemination activities and capacity-building partnerships and training.

CB’s intent is to have the QIC-WA and the pilot project sites collaboratively implement these projects. The QIC-WA will be expected to enter into mutually binding written work agreements with each project site that document a strong partnership between the QIC-WA and jurisdictional leadership from the public child welfare agency with responsibility for administering child welfare program(s) in the targeted geographical areas. Selected sites must also secure partnership agreements with HR entities responsible for the child welfare workforce.

QIC-WA partnership agreements with selected pilot project sites should address, at minimum, the following:

Required partners Anticipated time commitments and roles for all partners, including QIC-WA staff Logistical and administrative challenges, including, but not limited to, data sharing, resourcing, and communications On-going involvement of leadership necessary to address system policies, procedures, and practices to ensure successful implementation of project site activities

The QIC-WA will be responsible for forming and maintaining information-sharing and collaboration activities between project sites. This will include annual meetings designed to share individual site progress, encourage peer networking, enhance innovative thinking, and lead efforts to expand understanding of how workforce analytics can help replenish and stabilize the child welfare workforce. These meetings will be held in Washington, DC in project years 1, 3 and 5 and can be arranged as either an in-person or virtual event in project years 2 and 4.

Evaluation The QIC-WA will establish evidence for child welfare workforce analytics design, data visualization, and the subsequent workforce strategies developed to support worker recruitment, retention, well-being, performance, and DEI goals. Evaluations from pilot project sites will inform a national understanding of child welfare workforce metrics, data linkages and assist in identifying workforce strategies to help stabilize the child welfare workforce. A cross site analysis of workforce analytics frameworks will be required to inform a national understanding of child welfare workforce metrics. The recipient should include an initial high-level logic model, identifying key design and implementation plans, proposed evaluation activities, evaluation measures and expected process and outcome indicators.

For each pilot project site, basic workforce analytics metrics will be adapted, in concert with relevant child welfare data collection, reporting, and decision-making processes, to identify needs, gaps and opportunities to fortify and enhance the child welfare workforce. Based on analysis of relevant workforce metrics, the recipient and the site will choose or develop an appropriate evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention(s) to implement and evaluate.

Evaluation activities shall assess the impact of workforce analytics decision-making structures, and the efficacy of specific strategies in addressing workforce issues and improving child welfare practices and outcomes for children and families. The QIC-WA will establish and conduct individual evaluation plans in partnership with selected pilot project sites. Whenever possible, the evaluation plan should integrate with and inform CQI activities, federal and state data collection requirements, and workforce needs assessment and staffing plans. Evaluation plans must include qualitative and quantitative data collection strategies, including a plan for input from the workforce directly engaging with children and families.

The proposed QIC-WA evaluation plan must:

Demonstrate knowledge of workforce data analytics, relevant child welfare workforce evaluation tools, and typical human resources and child welfare data collection resources, Describe relevant confidentiality, data sharing, and data linkage considerations, including potential barriers and opportunities, Include evaluation activities that assess the impact of workforce data analytics on data efficiencies and improved workforce decision making processes, Include evaluation activities that assess the efficacy of pilot project site data driven strategies in addressing desired workforce outcomes, and

Include a description of quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies, including a process for getting input from the workforce directly engaging with children and families.

QIC-WA evaluation efforts will contribute to developing the knowledge base about successful processes and strategies for identifying workforce development needs, improving worker recruitment and retention rates, and improving child welfare practice outcomes, including family and community engagement, and addressing disparities for families of color in child welfare.

Evidence of successful workforce strategies will be used to inform replication of processes and strategies across CB TA partners to increase capacity to support additional jurisdictions in addressing workforce challenges. The QIC-WA, in collaboration with its project sites and CB, will be required to produce a comprehensive evaluation report at the conclusion of the project period and present the findings to CB and other partners.

The QIC-WA program team will include the expertise and skill set required to perform high level data analysis in conjunction with a working knowledge of child welfare priorities and data collection mechanisms. The program team will need to demonstrate expertise in workforce analysis and change management. Team members must be able to work collaboratively to ensure that evaluation efforts inform implementation of workforce strategies as necessary and appropriate. The QIC-WA’s evaluation is expected to provide regular, timely, and useful feedback to support successful implementation and intervention fidelity. The QIC-WA will provide regular feedback to the CB FPO in written reports, presentations and through dissemination of products and communications on the QIC website.

Project Sustainability The QIC will contribute to sustainability plans for successful activities in pilot project sites and will inform and support the application and sustainability of successful workforce analytics strategies by other CB TA providers to additional jurisdictions as appropriate. Sustainability responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Engage pilot site leadership in action plans to resource and sustain successful activities.

Support creation and documentation of cost analysis, implementation frameworks, standard operating procedures, training guides, user manuals, evaluation criteria, and other products necessary to sustain successful practices.

Support development of data analytics infrastructure, including technical resource requirements, to ensure data-driven decision-making capacity beyond QIC-WA interventions.

Engage in national discussions to inform child welfare workforce trends, needs and opportunities.

Contribute to research and evaluation of child welfare workforce innovations, data analytics, and systemic issues.

Collaborate with CB national TA partners to build capacity for replication of data analytics frameworks and successful interventions.

Dissemination The information and knowledge generated by these projects will be shared widely to inform solutions and strategies to improve the child welfare workforce challenges. As projects develop and evidence is established, efforts will be made to integrate project knowledge into policy and practice. The QIC-WA will establish and maintain a national QIC-WA website where ongoing information from the research, data analytics, and pilot sites can be readily disseminated;

products to support capacity building can be shared; and lessons learned in the pilot sites throughout the life of the grant can be lived through videos, documents, newsletters, blogs, etc.

Select products and communications will be disseminated through the CB information-sharing platforms, including the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The QIC-WA will co-develop strategic dissemination and communications plans with pilot project sites to support sustainability of workforce metrics, successful interventions and to inform workforce needs and resourcing.

The QIC-WA will produce detailed procedures, materials, and other products that can support replication of workforce analytics designs, successful interventions, and evaluations. Materials may include training manuals, fidelity indicators and measurement tools, implementation manuals, job descriptions and technology specifications. The QIC-WA will develop and disseminate summarized/synthesized information about the project through reports, publications and presentations and is expected to produce a high quality comprehensive final report suitable for archiving in the CB Discretionary Grant Library https://www.childwelfare.gov/more-tools-resources/resources-from-childrens-bureau/cbdg/

The QIC-WA is strongly encouraged to consider using section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 749d) standards to ensure that products, publications, web content, and communications materials are accessible and in conformity with applicable accessibility standards described in section 508. Section 508 standards will be required for any materials distributed through the Child Welfare Information Gateway and CB’s website. The QIC-WA should use 508 Tips Sheet to guide 508 compliance. Please reference the Award Terms and Condition on Requirements for Recipient Electronic and Information Technology on the ACF Administrative and National Policy Requirements website for further requirements involving recipient electronic and information technology.

https://www.childwelfare.gov/more-tools-resources/resources-from-childrens-bureau/cbdg/ https://www.childwelfare.gov/more-tools-resources/resources-from-childrens-bureau/cbdg/ https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/508_tip_sheet.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_10.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_10.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_10.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_10.

Subawards

Recipients under this grant program may opt to transfer a portion of substantive programmatic work to other organizations through subaward(s). The prime recipient must maintain a substantive role in the project. ACF defines a substantive role as conducting activities and/or providing services funded under the award that are necessary and integral to the completion of the project. Subrecipient monitoring activities alone, as specified in 45 CFR 75.352, do not constitute a substantive role. Furthermore, ACF does not fund awards where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for passing funds to other organizations, unless that arrangement is authorized by statute. Subrecipient(s) must meet the eligibility requirements identified in the NOFO, Section III.1. Eligible Applicants.

Additionally, all subrecipient(s) must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM), if they do not already have one. Prime recipients are required to check the SAM to verify that the subrecipient(s) is/are not debarred, suspended, or ineligible. Please reference the Award Term and Condition on Subawards on the ACF Administrative and National Policy Requirements for further requirements involving subawards.

II. Federal Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$1,270,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$1,270,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$1,000,000 Per Budget Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$1,270,000 Per Budget Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

09/30/2023 Length of Project Periods:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods

Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' Additional Information on Awards:

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

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements#book_content_14 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements https://www.acf.hhs.gov/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements

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 funding under this funding opportunity. 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.

For more information on these requirements, see Section III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching.

The anticipated funding level for this award is $1,270,000 for the first year and $2,100,000 for years 2 - 5.

Description of ACF's Anticipated Substantial Involvement Under the Cooperative Agreement Award

A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding federal assistance in which substantial federal involvement is anticipated. A cooperative agreement clearly defines the respective responsibilities of CB and the awardee prior to the award. CB anticipates that agency involvement will produce programmatic benefits to the recipient otherwise unavailable to them for carrying out the project. The involvement and collaboration includes the following:

CB review and approval of planning stages of the activities before implementation phases may begin;

CB and recipient joint collaboration in the performance of key programmatic activities (i.e., strategic planning, implementation, information technology enhancements, training and TA, publications or products, and evaluation);

CB close monitoring of the requirements stated in this announcement that limit the awardee’s discretion with respect to scope of services offered; and

CB close monitoring of the awardee during performance, which may, in order to ensure compliance with the intent of this funding, exceed those federal stewardship responsibilities customary for grant activities.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility is open to public or other nonprofit institutions of higher learning and to public or other nonprofit agencies and organizations engaged in research or child welfare activities.

(Section 426 (a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 626(a)(1)(A)). Institutions of higher education may receive awards provided they are not for-profit entities.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. 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. 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 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., ACF will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.

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

Funding Restrictions Reference Please see Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions for any limitations on the use of federal funds that could affect the eligibility of an applicant or project.

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 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

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

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 funding under this funding opportunity. 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.

Required Electronic Application Submission

ACF requires electronic submission of applications at 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 funding under this funding opportunity.

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."

Missing the Application Deadline (Late Applications)

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

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

Each time an application is submitted via 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 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACF_Policy_for_Requesting_an_Exemption_from_Required_Electronic_FINAL_0.pdf after 4:30 pm ET on the due date will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. Paper applications received from applicants that have not received approval of an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

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 NOFO.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

CB Operations Center C/O LCG, Inc.

ATTN: HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CT-0010

6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 410 Rockville, MD

20852 Application Packages

Electronic Application Submission:

The electronic application submission package is available in the NOFO's listing at Grants.gov.

Applications in Paper Format:

For applicants that have received an exemption to submit applications in paper format, Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and certifications are available in the "Select Grant Opportunity Package" available in the NOFO's Grants.gov Synopsis under the Package tab at Grants.gov. See Section IV.2. Request an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission if applicants do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents (files) to Grants.gov.

Federal Relay Service:

Hearing-impaired and speech-impaired callers may contact the Federal Relay Service (FedRelay) for assistance at www.gsa.gov/fedrelay.

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

FORMATTING APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

Each applicant applying electronically via Grants.gov is required to upload only two electronic files, excluding SFs and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved forms. No more than two files will be accepted for the review, and additional files will be removed. SFs and OMB-approved forms will not be considered additional files.

FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:

http://www.gsa.gov/fedrelay

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)…