HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022_Published.pdf

Administration for Children and Families

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

Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines

HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022

Application Due Date: 05/31/2024

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

Funding Opportunity Title:

Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines Announcement Type:

Initial Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022

Assistance Listing Number:

93.670 Due Date for Applications:

05/31/2024

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 an award, please visit "Applying for an ACF Award" at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant.

This funding will create a national Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines (QIC- H2). The goal of the QIC-H2 is to build capacity to support families through community-based helplines as an alternative to child welfare intervention and support a clear, evidence-based distinction between poverty and willful parental neglect. To achieve these goals, the QIC-H2 has the following program objectives:

• Collect and share national models and best practices in implementing community-based helplines as an alternative to child protective services’ (CPS) hotlines.

• Develop an evidence-informed curriculum or supplemental training materials for mandated reporters and hotline staff to learn skills to overcome bias in decision-making and distinguish between poverty and willful neglect in child abuse reporting.

• Build an accessible and responsive QIC-H2 website and disseminate program tools and resources that build capacity to support families through helplines and hotlines.

• Identify and support a limited number of pilot sites that demonstrate the capacity to successfully test and evaluate strategies developed by the QIC-H2.

• Answer the following primary research questions through a comprehensive process evaluation:

1. What is evidence-informed and/or best practice in operationalizing the distinction between poverty and willful neglect?

2. How can community-based helplines be an effective alternative to the improper use of CPS hotlines?

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

I. Program Description

Statutory Authority Title I, section 105(b)(5) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C.

5106(b)(5))

Description

BACKGROUND

In contrast to other types of maltreatment, neglect can be particularly difficult for states to define because it involves the absence or omission of actions that may result in harm to a child. While federal law sets the minimum standards for child maltreatment, each state must establish its own legal definition of “abuse” and “neglect” and the procedures by which reports of suspected maltreatment should be made. The Children Bureau's (CB’s) annual data report series, Child Maltreatment, clarifies neglect as “the failure by the caregiver to provide needed, age-appropriate care although financially able to do so or offered financial or other means to do so.”

In contrast, nearly all states (98 percent) include inadequate shelter and inadequate clothing in their definitions of child maltreatment and almost half (42 percent) do not specifically exempt a family’s lack of financial resources when assessing for child safety (Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) Report, 2022).

This lack of clarity around what constitutes parental neglect means that child welfare systems are often forced to overextend scarce resources to screen referrals that may not warrant this level of intervention. Families who experience unstable housing, food insecurity, or lack appropriate clothing are often reported to a CPS hotline rather than provided the resources they need (ChildTrends, 2022). National data demonstrates the majority of substantiated child maltreatment referrals (76 percent in fiscal year (FY) 21) involve neglect as defined by each state. While the number of screened out referrals continues to rise (48.5 percent in FY21), many families do not receive the economic or other concrete supports they need to mitigate future child safety concerns. Additionally, the imprecise and unnecessary use of CPS hotlines paired with pervasive systemic bias in decision-making exacerbates well-documented racial disparities in child welfare system involvement and outcomes for families of color (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2021).

In many cases, taking economic and material hardships into consideration when addressing reports of neglect may prevent unnecessary child welfare involvement (Chapin Hall, 2023).

Mandated reporters and CPS hotline staff are well-positioned to assess for a family’s economic need but require alternatives to a child abuse hotline call and investigation. A growing national trend suggests that community pathways for inter-agency collaboration, such as through a helpline, may be a more effective way to link families with needed economic and concrete supports to reduce the risk of child maltreatment. “Helplines are a critical resource to families precisely because they sit outside the child welfare system. They can encourage families to reach out for help before a situation gets truly dire, because helplines are available to all families — not just those in the child welfare system. They can normalize and reduce the stigma around seeking help. Perhaps most importantly, helplines keep families supported by their communities” (Family Voices United). Although helplines are widely available (2-1-1 systems are available to 95 percent of the U.S. population), most are not currently structured as a specific resource for mandated reporters (Casey Family Programs, 2020).

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/law-regulation/child-abuse-prevention-and-treatment-act-capta https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/data-research/child-maltreatment https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/data-research/child-maltreatment https://www.scanpoliciesdatabase.com/sites/default/files/2022-08/SCAN-Facts-Definitions-2019.pdf https://www.scanpoliciesdatabase.com/sites/default/files/2022-08/SCAN-Facts-Definitions-2019.pdf https://www.childtrends.org/publications/in-defining-maltreatment-nearly-half-of-states-do-not-specifically-exempt-families-financial-inability-to-provide https://www.childtrends.org/publications/in-defining-maltreatment-nearly-half-of-states-do-not-specifically-exempt-families-financial-inability-to-provide https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/child-welfare-practice-address-racial-disproportionality-and-disparity/ https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/uploads/ECS-and-FFPSA-Brief_FINAL-4.13.23.pdf https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/safety-and-risk/mandated-reporting/ https://familyvoicesunited.medium.com/warmlines-are-lifelines-to-families-during-covid-19-4ee2e6198293 https://www.casey.org/helplines-vs-hotlines/

For the purposes of this funding, the phrase “willful neglect” is used to signal intentionality on the part of a caregiver, as distinct from a family’s economic need, but not to diminish the impact of any type of neglect on children. This distinction is made to emphasize that risk associated with poverty may be more appropriately addressed through economic and concrete supports instead of a referral to a CPS hotline. Toward that end, the recipient of funding will develop supplemental training materials targeted to mandated reporters and hotline staff to overcome bias in decision-making and distinguish between poverty and willful neglect in child abuse reporting. The recipient will also build capacity to support families through community-based helplines as an alternative to child welfare intervention. A limited number of pilot sites will be selected to test and evaluate targeted strategies and build a knowledge base on how to support families more effectively through helplines and hotlines.

PROGRAM GOALS

The QIC-H2 has two primary goals:

• To build national capacity to support families through community-based helplines as an alternative to child welfare intervention, and

• To bring clarity, consistency, equity, and transparency to the process of assessing neglect in both community and child welfare settings.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

To meet its goals, the QIC-H2 will focus on the following program objectives:

• Collect and share national models and best practices in implementing community-based helplines as an alternative to CPS hotlines.

• Develop an evidence-informed curriculum or supplemental training materials for mandated reporters and hotline staff to learn skills to overcome bias in decision-making and distinguish between poverty and willful neglect in child abuse reporting.

• Widely disseminate program tools, resources, and best practices that build capacity to support families through helplines and hotlines.

• Identify and support a limited number of pilot sites that demonstrate the capacity to successfully test and evaluate strategies developed by the QIC-H2.

• Answer the following primary research questions through a comprehensive process evaluation:

1. What is evidence-informed and/or best practice in operationalizing the distinction between poverty and willful neglect?

2. How can community-based helplines be an effective alternative to the improper use of CPS hotlines?

The QIC-H2 will be structured in two overarching phases. Phase I (Years 1-2) will focus on research and development of capacity building tools. At the end of Phase I, the QIC-H2 will select a limited number of pilot sites to test and evaluate strategies developed by the QIC-H2.

Phase II (Years 3-5) will focus on training and technical assistance (TTA) of pilot sites; the evaluation of program activities; and wide dissemination of findings, recommendations, and lessons learned. As a cooperative agreement, the recipient will partner throughout the life of the project with CB; relevant CB-supported entities; and technical assistance partners, including the National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, Child Welfare Information Gateway, and the Capacity Building Collaborative. This collaboration will begin with an https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/capacity https://friendsnrc.org/ https://www.childwelfare.gov/ https://www.childwelfare.gov/ https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/ introductory call and a kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, within 90 days after the project start date.

Phase I (Years 1–2) A. Establishing the QIC-H2 The recipient will utilize an overarching theory of change to guide the project and develop detailed work plans that document key activities, deliverables, responsible parties, and timeframes for meeting program objectives. The effectiveness of the QIC-H2 will depend on staff teaming structures with robust expertise for the national and site level activities, including evaluation.

B. Identifying National Helpline Models The recipient will identify and share best practices and effective operations of existing community-based helplines designed specifically as an alternative and/or supplement to CPS hotlines. It is anticipated that the recipient will conduct an extensive assessment of existing helpline models in both child welfare and community-based settings to accomplish this objective.

C. Developing Training Materials The recipient will develop an engaging and evidence-informed supplemental training that is relevant for both mandated reporters and CPS hotline staff. Training materials should be built upon a foundational understanding of current state definitions of abuse and neglect and applicable laws. It is anticipated that training materials will be highly adaptable for integration into existing training structures, policies, and laws. Materials should emphasize skill building exercises to support clarity, consistency, equity, and transparency in the assessment of neglect and be intentionally developed with iterative feedback from participants.

A critical component of this effort will be the development of clear, precise, and equitable definitions and assessment recommendations. At a minimum, training materials will include the following topic areas:

• Mandatory reporting versus mandatory supporting

• The role of poverty in child welfare involvement

• The impact of implicit bias in decision-making and ways to overcome it

• How to make clear, unbiased assessments that can distinguish between poverty-related concerns and willful parental neglect

• Skill building exercises and real-world examples (i.e., what to do when economic need is coupled with other child safety concerns such as mental illness or substance use)

D. Selecting Pilot Sites By the end of Phase I, a limited number of pilot sites will be selected to test and evaluate strategies developed by the QIC-H2. The number of sites will be determined by the availability of funding and final selections approved by CB. It is anticipated that the recipient will use consideration of need and opportunity identified through data, jurisdictional leadership commitment, legislative interest, and existing system change efforts in making pilot site determinations.

The recipient should anticipate developing clear and deliberate plans for outreach and engagement of potential pilot sites with a preliminary description of minimum criteria standards and a review and selection process. The final site selection will be approved by CB.

At a minimum, agreements with pilot sites should include the following:

• Data to support identified need and opportunity

• Proposed strategies and intended outcomes

• Project timeframe

• On-going involvement and commitment of leadership

• Key staff and inter-agency partners, time commitment, roles, and responsibilities

• Anticipated logistical/administrative challenges and proposed solutions

• Communication, feedback, and reporting plan

• Preliminary evaluation metrics

• QIC-H2 support (i.e., financial, staffing, technical assistance (TA), etc.)

Phase II (Years 3–5) E. Supporting Pilot Sites The recipient will build upon collaborative partnerships with leadership, staff, and community members in each pilot site to finalize and begin implementation of identified strategies within 120 days from site selection. The recipient will aim to provide intentional support to maintain continued involvement and momentum of leadership and partners through the end of project.

At a minimum, the recipient should plan to support pilot sites through the following activities:

• Conducting site assessments, strategy selection, metrics/measures for implementation and testing.

• Developing a site-specific theory of change and implementation and evaluation work plans for CB approval.

• Developing a plan for site-specific evaluation and data collection activities.

• Establishing data-sharing, communication, and technical support with each pilot site to include data-driven feedback to support successful implementation and intervention fidelity.

• Completing data collection and evaluation activities.

• Providing ongoing virtual and in-person technical support, capacity building, and regular collaboration across pilot sites.

• Supporting presentations and peer learning meetings in Washington, DC, with pilot site representatives, QIC-H2 leadership, and CB.

F. Dissemination The recipient should plan to widely disseminate information and knowledge generated by the QIC-H2 and pilot sites. It is anticipated that one method of dissemination will include an accessible and responsive QIC-H2 website to feature key information on effective models, evidence-informed strategies, best practices, and procedures for developing and operating community-based helplines. Additionally, select products and communications will be disseminated through CB information-sharing platforms, including the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/digital-toolbox/accessibility https://www.acf.hhs.gov/digital-toolbox/accessibility

The recipient should plan to develop dissemination goals and plans for both implementation and evaluation. All products developed must be Section 508 compliant. Please reference the 508 Tips Sheet and the 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. Additionally, the recipient must acknowledge HHS funding in any public documents related to the awarded project. More information on this can be found ACF Administrative and National Policy Requirements website, under the Stevens Amendment.

EVALUATION

The QIC-H2 evaluation will focus on addressing the primary research questions:

1. What is evidence-informed and/or best practice in operationalizing the distinction between poverty and willful neglect?

2. How can community-based helplines be an effective alternative to the improper use of CPS hotlines?

The evaluation should be outcome-focused and include measurable objectives to assess progress in meeting the program goals and objectives. It is anticipated that the recipient will use qualitative and quantitative data to answer the primary research questions and to inform continuous quality improvement (CQI) within and across pilot sites. An appropriate percentage of total award funding should be reserved to evaluate the effectiveness of project activities in accomplishing the goals of this NOFO.

The QIC-H2 evaluator should have the expertise and skill set required to perform high-level data analysis in conjunction with a working knowledge of child welfare priorities, systems change management, evaluation of prevention efforts, and data collection mechanisms. Evaluation team members will work collaboratively to ensure that evaluation efforts inform implementation of strategies.

The proposed plan for evaluation will include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• A rigorous literature review related to the proposed study and identification of gaps in knowledge. The literature review will provide a sound justification for the proposed evaluation design and potential for innovation.

• Preliminary description of each stage of evaluation, making a clear connection between the primary research questions and the research methodology that will be used.

• Plan for the development of potential data collection strategies, tools, and appropriate measures/metrics to measure progress.

• Description of data-sharing and confidentiality considerations.

• Description of the proposed analytic approach that will be used to interpret the data and inform national recommendations and best practices.

• Identification of potential obstacles or barriers to the evaluation plan and a plan for overcoming challenges.

• Interpretation and dissemination of findings including a description of an approach to disseminate work to national audiences.

A final evaluation plan will be completed within 90 days of project start date with updates to the plan anticipated during Phase II.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/digital-toolbox/accessibility https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/508_tip_sheet.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/508_tip_sheet.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/administrative-and-national-policy-requirements

AWARD-RELATED REQUIREMENTS

Meetings The QIC-H2 project team (Project Director, Evaluator, and any other key staff) will attend a kick-off meeting in Washington, DC, (or virtually if necessary) approximately 90 days after notice of award. In years 3-5, peer learning meetings will take place in Washington, DC, with pilot site representatives, QIC-H2 leadership, and CB. Virtual status meetings will be held with the Federal Project Officer no less than quarterly.

Subawards Recipients under this 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 UEI number assigned by SAM, if they do not already have one. Prime recipients are required to check 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 website for further requirements involving subawards.

II. Federal Award Information

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$2,500,000 Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$2,500,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$2,000,000 Per Budget Period

Average Projected Award Amount:

$2,500,000 Per Budget Period

Anticipated Project Start Date:

09/30/2024 Length of Project Periods:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR8447823477e44a7/section-75.352

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.

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 the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Please see Section III.3. Other, Application Disqualification Factors.

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

The QIC-H2 will be a cooperative agreement with CB. A cooperative agreement is a specific method of awarding federal assistance where substantial federal involvement is anticipated to provide programmatic benefit to the recipient that would not otherwise be available. A cooperative agreement will clearly define the respective responsibilities of CB and the recipient and is finalized and signed within 30 days of project start date. CB anticipates that involvement and collaboration may include the following activities:

• CB review and approval of proposed deliverables and activities before implementation begins.

• CB and recipient collaboration in key project activities (i.e., strategic planning, pilot site selection implementation, provision of TA, review of publications or products, and evaluation).

• CB monitoring of funding requirements and progress toward the program goals and objectives.

• CB monitoring of performance which may exceed those federal stewardship responsibilities customary for grant activities.

NOTE: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) CB will not conduct or sponsor – and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants Per the statute, “The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, entities that are states, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations, or public agencies or private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such entities)…” (42 U.S.C. 5106(a)).

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

https://digital.gov/resources/paperwork-reduction-act-44-u-s-c-3501-et-seq/#:~:text=Act%20(44%20U.S.C.-,3501%20et%20seq.),of%20information%20from%20the%20public.

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.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No See Section IV.2. The Project Budget and Budget Justification, Commitment of Non-Federal Resources for more information.

III.3. Other

Application Disqualification Factors Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit 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, as stated in Section II. Federal Award Information, will be disqualified from the merit 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 that have not been approved for an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity.

If you do not have an internet connection or sufficient capacity to upload large documents to the internet you may contact ACF for an exemption that will allow you to submit your application 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) 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

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 the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Applications submitted to Grants.gov which fail their validation check, will not be received at, or acknowledged by ACF. If you submit an application for the same NOFO more than once, only the last on-time submission will be acknowledged.

Paper applications with an approved exemption from the electronic submission requirement must be received by 4:30 pm ET on the due date listed in the Overview and in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. Paper applications received after 4:30 pm ET on the due date will be disqualified from the merit 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-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022

6000 Executive Boulevard Suite 410 Rockville

MD

20852

(888) 203-6161 Application Packages

Electronic Application Submission:

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

IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

FORMATTING APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

Notice of Two-File Requirement Applicants applying via Grants.gov must upload only two electronic files, excluding Standard Forms (SFs) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved forms. Additional files will be removed prior to the merit review.

FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:

Signature of Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) Each applicant must designate an authorized organization representative (AOR) with authority to act on the organization’s behalf on matters related to the application submission and administration of awards. The AOR signature must appear on all forms in which a signature is required. By signing, the AOR agrees the organization will abide by all applicable Federal statutes, regulations and terms and conditions of the award.

Accepted Font Style and Size Applications must be in Times New Roman 12-point font, except for footnotes, which may be 10-point font. Pages that contain blurred or illegible text will be removed.

If documents must be scanned, the font size on any scanned documents must be large enough so that it is readable. You may not scan more than one page of a documents onto a single page.

Pages with blurred text will be removed from the application.

English Language Applications must be submitted in the English language and must be in the terms of United States (U.S.) dollars. See 45 CFR §75.111 for more information.

Page Limitations You must observe the page limitation(s) listed under "PAGE LIMITATIONS AND CONTENT FOR ALL SUBMISSION FORMATS" later in this section. Page limitation(s) do not include SFs and OMB-approved forms.

All applications must be double-spaced. An application that exceeds the cited page limitation for double-spaced pages will have extra pages removed, and those pages will not be reviewed.

Application Elements Exempted from Double-Spacing Requirements The following elements of the application submission are exempt from the double-spacing requirements and may be single-spaced:

• Table of Contents

• One-page Project Summary

• Required Assurances and Certifications

• SFs and OMB-approved forms

• Resumes, Logic Models, Proof of Legal Status/Non-Profit Status, Third-Party

Agreements, Letters of Support, footnotes and tables

• Line-Item Budget and/or the Budget Justification

Adherence to NOFO Formatting, Font, and Page Limitation Requirements Applications that fail to adhere to ACF’s NOFO formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will be adjusted by the removal of page(s) from the application. Pages will be removed before the merit review and will not be made available to reviewers.

NOTE: Applicants failing to adhere to ACF’s NOFO formatting, font, and page limitation requirements will receive a letter from ACF notifying them that their application was amended.

The letter will be sent after awards have been issued and will specify the reason(s) for removal of page(s).

Corrections/Updates to Submitted Applications When applicants revise a previously submitted application, ACF will accept only the last on-time application for pre-review under the Application Disqualification Factors. See Section III.3.

Other, Application Disqualification Factors and Section IV.2. Application Submission Options.

Copies Required Applicants must submit one complete copy of the application package electronically. Applicants must follow the registration and application submission instructions provided at Grants.gov.

Accepted Application Format With the exception of the required SFs and OMB-approved forms, all application materials must be formatted so that they are 8 ½" x 11" white paper with 1-inch margins all around.

If possible, applicants are encouraged to include page numbers for each page within the application.

PAGE LIMITATIONS AND CONTENT FOR ALL SUBMISSION FORMATS:

With the exception of SFs and OMB-approved forms, the application submission is limited to 75 pages in its entirety. The two files that applicants must submit are:

File One: Project Description must include the following items in this order:

• Table of Contents

• Project Summary

• Project Description

• Evaluation Plan

• Project Timeline and Milestones

• Organizational Capacity

• Project Budget and Budget Justification

File Two: Appendices must include the following items in this order:

• Proof of Legal Status (if applicable)

• Third-Party Agreements

• Staff and Position Data (e.g., resumes, job descriptions, organizational charts)

• Letters of Support

• Indirect Cost Rate Letter (if applicable)

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

You are required to submit applications electronically unless you have received an exemption that will allow submission in paper format. See Section IV.2. Application Submission Options for information about requesting an exemption.

Electronic applications will only be accepted via Grants.gov. ACF will not accept applications submitted via email or via facsimile.

Each applicant is required to upload ONLY two electronic files, excluding SFs and OMB-approved forms.

File One: Must contain the entire Project Description, and the Budget and Budget Justification (including a line-item budget and a budget narrative).

File Two: Must contain all documents required in the Appendices.

Formatting Submission Files ACF strongly recommends that File One and File Two be uploaded as Portable Document Files (PDFs).

To adhere to the two-file requirement, you may need to convert and/or merge documents together using a PDF converter software. Applicants using Adobe Acrobat Reader software will be able to merge these documents together. ACF recommends merging documents electronically rather than scanning multiple documents into one document manually.

Applicants must ensure that the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader they are using is compatible with Grants.gov. To verify Adobe software compatibility please go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” at the top bar menu and select “Adobe Software Compatibility."

Naming Application Submission Files Carefully observe the file naming conventions required by Grants.gov. Limit file names to 50 characters (characters and spaces).Please also see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html.

Use only file formats supported by ACF While ACF supports all of the following file formats, we strongly recommend that the two files (Project Description and Appendices) are uploaded as PDFs in order to comply with the two-file upload limitation.

ACF supports the following file formats:

• Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx) https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf-8-special-characters.html

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Documents in file formats not listed here will be removed from the application and will not be used in the merit review. This may make the application incomplete, and ACF will not make awards based on an incomplete application.

Do Not Encrypt or Password-Protect the Electronic Application Files If ACF cannot access submitted electronic files because they are encrypted or password protected, the affected file will not be reviewed. This may make the application incomplete, and ACF will not make awards based on an incomplete application.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS:

You must receive an exemption in order for a paper application to be accepted for review. For more information on the exemption, see "ACF Policy for Requesting an Exemption from Required Electronic Application Submission."

Applicants with an approved exemption for paper application submission should download the forms package associated with the NOFO's Synopsis on Grants.gov under the Package tab.

All copies of mailed paper applications must be submitted in a single package. If an applicant is submitting multiple applications under a single NOFO, or multiple applications under separate NOFOs, each submission must be packaged separately. The package(s) must be clearly labeled with the NOFO title and Funding Opportunity Number.

Applicants must submit one original and two copies of the complete application, including all SFs and OMB-approved forms. The original copy must have original signatures. Copies of the application, not the original, will be reproduced by the federal government for review. All application materials must be one-sided for duplication purposes. All pages in the application submission must be sequentially numbered.

Required Forms, Assurances, and Certifications Applicants seeking an award under this funding opportunity must submit the listed SFs, assurances, and certifications with the application. All required SFs, assurances, and certifications are available in the Application Package posted for this NOFO at Grants.gov.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Certification

Applicants self-certify their maintenance of effort.

The MOE should be on the applicant organization's letterhead.

Submission is

Required for all applications.

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

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description required for all applicants under this NOFO. See Section IV.2. Formatting Application Submissions for instructions on its placement in the application submission.

Certificate of Good Standing Submission is required for all for-profit organizations.

Sole proprietorships are not eligible applicants. The submission of the Certificate of Good Standing, along with the current list of board members, and organizational documents that require the establishment and maintenance of a Board of Directors, provide proof of eligibility for for-profit organizations.

Protection of Human Subjects Assurance Identification / IRB Certification / Declaration of Exemption (Common Rule)

Submission of the required information and forms is due with the application package by the due date listed in the Overview and Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. If the information is not available at the time of application, it must be submitted prior to the award of a grant.

Form is available at http:// www.hhs.gov/ ohrp/ assurances/ forms/index.html.

General information about the HHS Protection of Human Subjects regulations can be obtained at http://www. hhs.gov/ ohrp/ . Applicants may also contact OHRP by email (OHRP@HHS.gov) or by phone (240-453-6900).

SF-424 - Application for Federal Assistance

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications.

http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/forms/index.html http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/forms/index.html http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/forms/index.html http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/ http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/ mailto:OHRP@HHS.gov

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

Required of all applicants.

Applicants must have a UEI and maintain an active SAM registration throughout the application and project award period.

Obtain a UEI and SAM registration at:

http://www.sam.gov.

See Section IV.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) for more information.

SF-424 Key Contact Form

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications.

Certification Regarding Lobbying (Grants.gov Lobbying Form)

Submission required of all applicants with the application package. If it is not submitted with the application package, it must be submitted prior to award.

Submission of the certification is required for all applicants.

SF-424A - Budget Information - Non- Construction Programs and SF-424B - Assurances - Non- Construction Programs

Submission is required for all applicants when applying for a non-construction project.

SFs must be used.

Forms must be submitted by the application due date.

By signing and submitting the SF- 424B, applicants are making the

Required for all applications when applying for a non-construction project.

https://www.sam.gov/ appropriate certification of their compliance with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination.

SF-Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL)

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Required for all applications. In the SF-P/PSL, applicants must cite their primary location and up to 29 additional performance sites.

SF-LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

If submission of this form is applicable, it is due at the time of application. If it is not available at the time of application, it may also be submitted prior to award.

If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit the SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

Additional Required Assurances and Certifications Mandatory Grant Disclosures All applicants and recipients are required to submit, in writing, to ACF and the HHS Office of the Inspector General, all information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. (Mandatory Disclosures, 45 CFR § 75.113)

Disclosures must be sent in writing to:

The Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Grants Management, ATTN: Grants Management Specialist, 330 C Street, SW., Switzer Building, Corridor 3200, Washington, DC 20201

And to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, ATTN:

Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue, SW., Cohen Building, Room 5527, Washington, DC 20201

Fax: (202) 205-0604 (Include “Mandatory Grant Disclosures” in subject line) or Email: grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

Proprietary Information and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) ACF will be using non-federal reviewers in the review process. You have the option of omitting from the application copies (not the original) specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the application budget as well as Social Security Numbers, if otherwise required for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information. If applications are submitted electronically, ACF will omit the same specific salary rate information from copies made for use during the review process.

The Project Description The Project Description Overview

General Expectations and Instructions The Project Description requests the information by which an application is evaluated and ranked in competition with other applications for financial assistance. It must address all activities for which federal funds are being requested and all application requirements as stated in this section. The Project Description must explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in Section I. Program Description. As a reminder, reviewers will be evaluating this section in accordance with Section V.1. Criteria.

The Project Description must be clear, concise, and complete. ACF is particularly interested in Project Descriptions that convey strategies for achieving intended performance. Project Descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance and measurable outcomes, not length.

Cross-referencing should be used rather than repetition. Supporting documents designated as required must be included in the Appendix of the application.

Letter of Intent Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify ACF of their intention to submit an application under this NOFO. The letter of intent is optional. Failure to submit a letter of intent will not impact eligibility to submit an application and will not disqualify an applicant from the merit review. Letter of intent information will be used to determine the number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications.

Please submit a letter of intent by the deadline date listed in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times. The letter of intent should include the following information: number and title of this funding opportunity; the name and address of the applicant organization; and the name, phone number, fax number and email address of a contact person.

mailto:grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov

The letter of intent should be submitted to:

CB Operations Center c/o LCG, Inc.

ATTN: HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022

6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: (888) 203-6161 Email: cb@grantreview.org

Table of Contents List the contents of the application including corresponding page numbers. The table of contents may be single spaced.

Project Summary Provide a summary of the project description. The summary must include a brief description of the applicant's proposed project including the needs to be addressed, the proposed activities or services, and if applicable, the population group(s) to be served. The summary must be clear, accurate, concise, and without cross-references to other parts of the application. Please place the following at the top of the Project Summary:

• Project Title

• Applicant Name

• Address

• Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax, Cell)

• Email Address

• Website Address, if applicable

The Project Summary must be single-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, and limited to one page in length. Additional pages will be removed and will not be reviewed.

Non-Profit Organizations

Proof of Non-Profit Status Options:

Option 1: 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible Non-profit organizations applying for funding are required to submit proof of their non-profit status. Proof of non-profit status is any one of the following:

• A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the IRS's most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in the IRS Code.

• A copy of a currently valid IRS tax-exemption certificate.

• A statement from a state taxing body, state attorney general, or other appropriate state official certifying that the applicant organization has non-profit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.

• A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit status.

mailto:cb@grantreview.org

• Any of the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a state or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate.

Unless directed otherwise, applicants must include proof of non-profit status in the Appendices file of the application submission.

For-Profits and Small Businesses For-profit organizations (including small businesses) applying for funding must submit the following to provide proof of their legal status: Documentation establishing the power granted to the entity to enter into contractual relationships and/or accept awards (i.e., articles of incorporation, bylaws).

Small Businesses Small businesses must submit a certification signed by the chief executive officer or designee that states that the entity qualifies as a small business under 13 CFR §§ 121.101- 121.201.

Objectives Clearly state the principal and if applicable, subordinate objectives of the project. Applicants must address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of the program and describe how objectives will be achieved.

Demonstrate a foundational understanding of the nature and scope of the problem and purpose of this NOFO, as described in Section I. Program Description, Background. This must include knowledge of existing state definitions of abuse and neglect, applicable laws, and relevant research that will be necessary to achieve program goals and objectives listed in Section I.

Program Description, Program Goals and Objectives.

Approach Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how the proposed project will be accomplished. Applicants must account for all functions or activities identified in the application.

Cite potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing…