hhs-2024-acf-acyf-sr-0041_final___.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due June 24, 2024

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Division of Positive Youth Development

General Departmental Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (GD-SRAE) Opportunity number: HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-SR-0041

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18

Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Learn more 19

Join the webinar 20

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

Application contents and format 22

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 35

Application review 36

Award notices 43

Step 5: Submit Your Application 44

Application submission and deadlines 45

Application checklist 48

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 50

Post-award requirements and administration 51

Contacts and Support 54

Appendix 57

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by June 24, 2024 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 24, 2024.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Division of Positive Youth Development

The GD-SRAE program provides funding to organizations to implement sexual risk avoidance education.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity Name:

General Departmental Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (GD-SRAE)

Opportunity Number:

HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-

SR-0041

Federal Assistance Listing:

93.060

Statutory authority number:

42 U.S.C. 710

Key dates

Application deadline:

June 24, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Informational webinar:

May 7, 2024

Expected award date:

August 30, 2024

Expected start date:

September 30, 2024

See deadlines.

Summary This program funds the implementation of sexual risk avoidance education that has a holistic approach and demonstrates societal benefits. These projects must be age and culturally appropriate and focus on the social, psychological, and health gains of refraining from non-marital sexual activity and engaging in healthy relationships.

Projects must do the following:

• Use medically accurate information referencing peer-reviewed publications by educational, scientific, governmental, or health organizations.

• Implement an evidence-based approach integrating research findings with practical strategies that align with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience.

• Teach the benefits associated with personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision making, and a focus on the future.

• Discourage sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illicit drug use.

• Be culturally appropriate, recognizing the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

• Normalize avoiding non-marital sexual activity.

• Be age appropriate.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Funding details Type: Grant

Estimated total program funding: $15 million

Total expected awards: 30

Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $350,000

Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $450,000

Funding periods: One 36-month period of performance with three 12-month budget periods

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligible applicants These types of entities may apply:

• State, territorial, or county governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Independent, regional, and local school districts

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits without 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

• Small businesses

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities may not apply.

Other eligibility criteria Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

See initial review for disqualification factors.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. However, we will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program description The goal of the GD-SRAE Program is to provide messages to youth that normalize avoiding non-marital sexual activity and other risky behaviors that increase the risk for teen sex.

The objectives of this program are to:

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

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

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

• Target services to youth ages 10 to 19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data collected in 2021, the proportion of high school students who had ever had sexual intercourse significantly decreased for all youth. You can find additional data related to teen sexual activity and teen pregnancy through the CDC’s YRBS Explorer.

Projects funded under this program must meet the requirements detailed in the following sections.

Medically accurate; age, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; trauma informed;

and inclusive GD-SRAE program education must be medically accurate, culturally appropriate, linguistically appropriate, age appropriate, and inclusive of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Your project should also be inclusive and trauma informed.

• Medically accurate: Program materials, such as texts, supplements, workbooks, videos, flyers, handouts, posters, and flash cards, must be reviewed in comparison to current medical statements of fact and in accordance with the most up-to-date scientifically supported information.

• Age appropriate: GD-SRAE programs must provide age-appropriate information and activities. The topics, messages, and teaching methods implemented by the project must be consistent with the developmental and social maturity of the

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/122047 https://yrbs-explorer.services.cdc.gov/#/ program participants and emphasize preventing and reducing teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual activity.

• Culturally appropriate: You must provide plans to use culturally sensitive interventions that incorporate the norms, beliefs, and values of the target population into the intervention.

• Linguistically appropriate: Your project must demonstrate responsiveness to the preferred languages, health literacy, and other communication needs of the population served.

• Trauma informed: Your project should incorporate trauma-informed approaches.

You should train staff to realize the widespread impact of trauma and recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in youth. You should build organizational and staff capacity to fully integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices and resist re-traumatizing youth.

• Inclusive: Your project should be inclusive. This means celebrating and amplifying perspectives, voices, and values of youth who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent inequities. Inclusive programming and environments create equitable access to resources and opportunities for all youth receiving services funded by our programs. We are committed to addressing disparities related to disability status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity among youth and young adults.

◦ Therefore, you must have a plan to provide safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive spaces and services for all youth, including youth facing disabilities, youth of color, youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and/or two spirit (LGBTQIA2S+), and youth from other underserved populations.

◦ Also, you must be inclusive of the language access needs of youth and their families.

◦ Inclusive programming helps youth feel safe, respected, engaged, and valued for who they are and enables grant recipients to be more sensitive and responsive to their needs. Project materials, practices, and services should not discriminate, alienate, exclude, or stigmatize youth and their families.

GD-SRAE programs must ensure that:

• Any information provided on contraception is medically accurate and complete and ensures that students understand that contraception reduces but does not eliminate physical risk.

• The education provided does not include demonstrations, simulations, or distribution of contraceptive devices.

Youth participation in the GD-SRAE programs must be voluntary.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Evidence-based strategies In accordance with the GD-SRAE legislation, the interventions your program uses must address the following A-F topics:

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

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

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

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

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

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

GD-SRAE programs must exclusively implement education in sexual risk avoidance, defined by statute as voluntarily refraining from non-marital sexual activity (42 U.S.C.

710(b)(1)).

You are not required to choose from a prescribed list of curricula, but recipients of this grant must, at a minimum, implement evidence-based projects that comply with the following requirements:

• Teach the benefits associated with healthy decision making and a focus on the future.

• Discourage sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illicit drug use.

• Normalize avoiding non-marital sexual activity.

• Select curricula that have been identified in social science and educational research as having program elements that are key in attaining positive behavior change.

• Select curricula that are medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally appropriate, linguistically appropriate, and LGBTQIA2S+ inclusive.

• Select curricula that address healthy relationships, life skills, and decision making with a positive youth development (PYD) approach.

• Make education in sexual risk avoidance the exclusive purpose of the grant.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/hecat/index.htm

• To support successful program implementation, recipients should provide formal training for facilitators/educators in the program model and youth risk and protective factors. This training must be delivered by professionals who can provide follow-up technical assistance to facilitators.

• Provide formal training for facilitators/educators on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Link program participants to services with local community partners and other agencies that support the health, safety, and well-being of program participants.

The partnering agencies should share a commitment to positive youth development.

We encourage you to review evidence-informed or evidence-based programs to determine whether the interventions can be adapted, subject to copyright restrictions;

implemented with fidelity; and adhere to the core curriculum components to meet the requirements of programs designed for this grant. More information on evidence-based programs may be found on the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review website.

Positive youth development approach You must incorporate positive youth development (PYD) into your program.

You can learn more at Youth.gov about the key principles of PYD. For more information on integrating PYD into programs, please see Integrating Positive Youth Development into Programs on Youth.gov.

Meaningful youth engagement and leading in partnership with youth and young adults are important components of the overarching PYD strategy. Meaningful youth engagement views youth as equal partners with adults in the decision-making process rather than mere beneficiaries of programs. Involving youth as partners in making decisions that affect them increases the likelihood that the decisions will be accepted, adopted, and made part of their everyday lives.

PYD also encourages projects to consult with and engage young people and offer them opportunities to have input on program implementation. When engaging and collaborating with youth and young adults who have experienced homelessness, you are encouraged to provide compensation for their expertise and may do so using these funds. You can learn more at Youth.gov about ways to lead in partnership with youth and young adults with lived experience. For additional information on youth partnership, please see Involving Youth in Positive Youth Development on Youth.gov.

You can also use the online assessment tool at Youth.gov to find effective ways to engage youth in your programs.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://youth.gov/evidence-innovation/tpper https://youth.gov/youth-topics/key-principles-positive-youth-development https://youth.gov/youth-topics/integrating-positive-youth-development-programs https://youth.gov/youth-topics/integrating-positive-youth-development-programs https://youth.gov/youth-topics/key-principles-positive-youth-development https://youth.gov/youth-topics/involving-youth-positive-youth-development https://youth.gov/docs/pyd_AssessmentTool.pdf

Equity and populations served Your program should advance equity by assessing existing inequities in programs and youth needs and collaborating with young people and communities.

GD-SRAE programs must provide services to youth populations between the ages of 10 and 19.

Your program may target services to vulnerable youth populations including, but not limited to, the following:

• Youth living in under-resourced regions and areas with high rates of teen births and STIs.

• Youth populations who are historically and culturally underrepresented and underserved, especially Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and American Indian/ Alaska Native teens.

• Youth from rural areas and territories.

• Youth in, or aging out of, foster care or adjudication systems.

• Youth who are victims of trafficking.

• Youth who have run away or left home without permission.

• Youth experiencing homelessness.

• Youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

Your program should coordinate, communicate, and engage with community-based organizations whose mission is to reach such populations. Your program should also include staff development and training opportunities to increase knowledge of inequitable barriers related to gender, race, sexuality, disabilities (physical and intellectual), and other characteristics.

Linkages and referrals Linkages and referrals to health care and other services are important components of supporting youth holistically.

Your program may include linkages to services including, but not limited to, the following:

• Healthcare.

• Educational services (such as tuition for formal K-12 or General Education Diploma classes).

• Career development.

• Counseling services (such as substance abuse treatment, tobacco cessation, mental health counseling, and intimate partner violence counseling).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Public benefits, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other relevant benefit programs.

You should provide referrals for necessary services but must not pay for the services themselves with FYSB funding. We encourage you to develop partnerships to help facilitate these referrals and document such referrals. When feasible, you should track the initiation of service delivery.

Performance measurement Performance measures are a set of indicators that reflect program performance. Twice a year, all recipients and subrecipients, including their implementation sites, will be required to collect and submit information on program implementation and program outcomes through a common set of performance measures. This requirement applies to any community partners who agree to host a site or recruit program participants (such as school districts or nonprofits).

The purpose of the performance measures is:

• To monitor and provide feedback about whether recipients are implementing GD- SRAE programs as intended.

• To demonstrate progress toward expected objectives.

• To create a foundation for program improvement efforts, through federal, recipients’, and program providers’ examination of these data.

GD-SRAE performance measures provide information based upon these three categories of data collection:

• Structure, cost, and support for program implementation.

• Attendance, reach, and dosage.

• Participants’ entry and exit surveys (which capture characteristics, behaviors, program experiences, and perceptions of effects).

You must indicate your agreement to collect the GD-SRAE performance measures and submit the data to ACF/FYSB.

Recipients will be expected to check local and state laws, policies, and procedures to ensure the feasible collection of performance measures data and obtain any necessary permissions (for example, formal agreements with partners, Institutional Review Board approval, copies of school district approvals) to collect these data.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring all subrecipients and implementation sites collect and submit the GD-SRAE performance measures data. FYSB will provide the performance measures surveys and training on how to conduct performance measures data collection and submission.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Recipients may develop additional questions of program performance, as needed, including adding items at the end of the FYSB’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved entry or exit surveys (for example, youth program satisfaction feedback). However, all FYSB OMB-approved items must be administered first, in the order presented in the approved survey, before any additional items are added. Added questions should not be submitted to ACF/FYSB.

For more information about the GD-SRAE performance measures, including definitions, survey instruments, and data collection tools, please see the SRAE Performance Analysis Study site.

Note: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, (44 U.S.C.

3501-3521), under this NOFO, ACF will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. ACF has obtained OMB approval (OMB Control Number 0970-0536; expiration date January 31, 2025) under PRA to request and collect performance measures.

Local evaluation You have the option to conduct a recipient-specific program evaluation, referred to as a “local evaluation,” of your project. If you intend to conduct a local evaluation, you must provide a detailed description of your evaluation plan in the approach section of your application.

A local evaluation provides an opportunity for you to learn whether your programs are achieving desired outcomes and identify areas for program improvement. A local evaluation also gives you a chance to contribute to the evidence base for SRAE programming.

If you opt to conduct a local evaluation, you may only propose one local evaluation.

Evaluations must answer one or more recipient-specific research questions related to your program.

In accordance with the legislation, any GD-SRAE evaluation that you opt to conduct must be:

• Rigorous.

• Evidence-based.

• Designed and conducted by independent researchers who have experience in conducting and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals or other outlets.

If you opt to conduct a local evaluation, you are permitted to conduct any of the following three types of methodologies:

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.sraepas.com/ https://www.sraepas.com/

• Impact evaluations: Efficacy/effectiveness studies that have a control/comparison group that receives either no services or distinct services from the intervention group. These studies should also evaluate behavioral outcomes beyond the period directly following the end of programming (for example, six-month follow-up), when appropriate.

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

• Descriptive studies: Studies that both document and link program implementation and participant outcomes. Descriptive evaluations generate knowledge or understanding about the programs and populations served.

Additionally, these studies do not have a comparison/control group.

Well-conducted evaluations require time for planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities. We advise you to carefully consider, based on the study selected, whether you have allotted sufficient resources in the program budget and adequate time for conducting your evaluation. We also recommend that you review the current SRAE evaluation resources to inform your evaluation plan.

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

If you plan to conduct a local evaluation, your application must include the following:

• Research questions.

• Research design.

• Plan for recruitment of participants.

• Planned sample size, including the size of each condition, if applicable, as well as the timing of sample enrollment (that is, when sample enrollment will begin and end, and the monthly and annual sample enrollment targets).

• Measures (including any measures in addition to the required performance measures).

• Data collection methods.

• Data analysis methods.

• Program evaluation plan (that is, a work plan for executing the proposed research design).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/project/sexual-risk-avoidance-education-national-evaluation-2018-2023

If multiple waves of data collection will be conducted, plans must describe the timing of those waves and how respondents will be tracked over time for later data collection.

We will provide technical assistance and/or training to prime recipients conducting local evaluations, and to their local evaluators, on evaluation planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. GD-SRAE programs that choose to conduct a local evaluation are required to set aside a maximum of 20% of their annual funding allocation for evaluation activities.

National evaluation We will conduct a national, descriptive study with grant recipients. All applicants must indicate their agreement to participate in the national evaluation. We may invite a subset of program projects to participate in a rigorous, federal evaluation. Federal evaluations are subject to the PRA, and FYSB will receive all approvals prior to launching any evaluations.

Funding policies and limitations We do not allow the following costs under this NOFO:

• Pre-award costs

• Construction

• Purchase of real property

• Major renovation

In addition:

• No more than 20% of funds can be used for local evaluation.

• GD-SRAE allows funded agencies and organizations to assist the youth in their programs in finding services and making referrals, but healthcare and other services must not be paid for with GD-SRAE funds.

• Funds under this NOFO cannot be used for the following purposes:

◦ To supplant or replace current public or private funding.

◦ To supplant ongoing or usual activities of any organization involved in the project.

See 45 CFR 75.420 -75.475 for information on costs that are always unallowable or have restrictions.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those for a common or joint purpose across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project. Learn more at 45 CFR 75.414, Indirect Costs.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. Per 45 CFR 75.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you are awaiting approval of an indirect cost proposal, you may also use the de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 45 CFR 75.2 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Subawards The prime recipient must maintain a substantive role in the project. We define a substantive role as conducting funded activities and providing services that are necessary and integral to completing the project. Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone is not a substantive role. See 45 CFR 75.352 for information on subrecipient monitoring.

We do 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.

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO. Additionally, all subrecipients must obtain a UEI number assigned by the SAM, if they do not already have one. Prime recipients are required to check the SAM to verify that the subrecipients are not debarred, suspended, or ineligible.

Statutory authority The GD-SRAE Program is funded generally under the authority of section 510 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 710, 117-328).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.2(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 19

Find the application package 19

Learn more 19

Join the webinar 20

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need Help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Search Grants at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2024-ACF- ACYF-SR-0041. Then, click the “Package” tab.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials, you may request them from the Grants Management Contact.

If you are also unable to apply through Grants.gov, see exemptions for paper submissions.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants Page.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join our informational webinar. Details are as follows:

Date: May 7, 2024 Time: 4 to 5 p.m. ET Webinar ID: 160 271 5851 Passcode: 731312

Join the webinar through Zoom.

To join by telephone, call the following numbers. For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location:

• +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)

• +1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)

• +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)

• +1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)

• +1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)

• +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)

The goals of the webinar are to develop a better understanding of eligibility, formatting and submission requirements, and programmatic expectations.

Please submit your questions on this NOFO in advance by sending an email to:

fysb.nofo.gdsrae@acf.hhs.gov.

Participants may submit questions anonymously. The due date for submitting questions is May 1, 2024. Only questions submitted in advance and by the due date will be considered for answering during the session.

Applicants unable to attend can access the recording and transcript on the FYSB website after the session has concluded.

If there is a discrepancy between the NOFO and the presentation and/or presentation materials, the NOFO takes precedence.

This webinar is fully voluntary. Opting to participate or not to participate will not affect eligibility, application scoring, or the awards process. Participants may remain anonymous during the webinar.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20 https://acf-hhs-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1602715851?pwd=Y1pBK1JicUE1UjUvUzJYKzVQVDAydz09 mailto:fysb.nofo.gdsrae@acf.hhs.gov https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/funding-opportunities

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 22

Application contents and format Application components You will submit two files plus the other required forms in the application package.

File One: Project Narrative Attachment Form Includes:

• Table of contents

• Project summary, one page

• Project narrative

• Line-Item budget and budget narrative

File Two: Other Attachments Form Includes all attachments.

Other required forms Includes other required forms.

Required format Page limit for File One and File Two combined: 100 pages.

File Format: Portable Document File (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and the Other Attachments Form:

• Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

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

Paper Size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22

If possible, include page numbers

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced

Project summary: Must be single-spaced

Logic Model: Must be single-spaced

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Line-Item budget and Budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: As needed

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

Table of contents At the beginning of File One, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in File One.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of the application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address and your proposed services.

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate and rank against other applications using the merit review criteria. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 23 are more important than length. We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Geographic location Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve. If you will include any subrecipients in your project that will serve the geographic areas, include their locations as well.

Need for assistance Identify the problems you plan to solve. These problems could be physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, etc. To do so:

• Demonstrate the need, including the nature and scope of the problem.

• You may provide supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in an application appendix.

• Include any relevant data based on planning studies or needs assessments. You may refer to them in the endnotes or footnotes.

• Use demographic data and participant or beneficiary information where you can.

Objectives State your main objectives and any sub-objectives. Address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of this program and describe how you will achieve the objectives.

Expected outcomes Identify the outcomes you plan to achieve from the project. Outcomes should relate to the overall program, as described in the program description section. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomes must include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

Approach Outline your action plan. Describe the scope and detail of how you will accomplish your proposed project. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Use the headings and order of sections that follow.

Medically accurate; age, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; trauma informed; and inclusive

• Describe how interventions will address the trauma needs of youth and explain how you will ensure that all curricula, services, and materials are medically accurate; age, culturally, and linguistically appropriate; trauma informed; and inclusive of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

• Describe how you will certify that all SRAE materials presented as factual will be grounded in scientific research. Explain how information shared is medically accurate and aligns with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience.

Evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions and strategies

• Provide a detailed description of the curriculum modules and types of interventions and activities that will be conducted and how they align with the GD-SRAE program requirements.

• Provide a rationale for choosing the selected curriculum, citing evidence that demonstrates how the curriculum and overall proposal apply key program elements to positively influence youth behavior change, namely delaying initiation of sexual activity.

• Describe the process and tools that you will use to monitor program fidelity, and, if adaptations are planned, provide a clear rationale for the proposed adaptations.

Positive youth development approach

• Describe how the program incorporates a PYD approach, including targeting risk and protective factors in young people’s lives that are known to influence sexual activity.

• Demonstrate ways in which you plan to incorporate meaningful youth engagement as part of your larger PYD approach.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

Equity and populations served

• Describe how you will coordinate, communicate, and engage with community-based organizations whose missions include reaching underrepresented and underserved populations.

• Describe how the project will recruit and retain historically underrepresented and underserved populations within the targeted community.

• Describe staff development and training opportunities to increase knowledge of inequitable barriers related to gender, race, sexuality, disabilities (physical and intellectual), and other characteristics.

• Provide a clear justification of the estimated number of the overall project participants in each year of the project. Include a description of the types of participants by age groups or grades, race, ethnicity, and other descriptive factors.

• Provide a detailed and realistic description of the recruitment and retention plan for youth ages 10 to 19. The approach described must be specific for the population of youth served, service delivery location, and implementation setting.

• Identify the methods you will use to ensure facilitators/educators who will deliver the project have been or will be formally trained in the proposed project model and/or strategies. Provide a description of the types and frequency of diversity, equity, and inclusion training that will be conducted throughout the project period.

Linkages and referrals Describe the sites that will be used to deliver services (such as school-based programs and/or youth development programs), including information about referral services/ programs and details on how follow-up will take place.

Project timeline and milestones Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for what you plan to accomplish and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete.

• If you can’t quantify some of your accomplishments, provide their target dates.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26

Organizational capacity Provide the following information for your full project team including the applicant organization and any cooperating partners, contractors, and subrecipients:

• Provide evidence that your team has the relevant experience and expertise needed to carry out your project.

• Describe your team’s experience with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

• Provide evidence that your team has the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and functions effectively.

• Provide a description of the recruitment, retention, professional development training, and technical assistance plan for facilitators/educators throughout the project period. Include a description of how each proposed position is appropriate and relevant to the successful implementation of the proposed project.

You will provide some supporting information in the attachments section.

Current and pending funding support Provide a list of your current and pending funded support for ongoing projects and proposals. Include all sources such as federal, state, and local governments; public or private foundations; for-profit organizations, etc.

Be sure to indicate which projects and proposals require committed time from the Project Director, Principal Investigator, or other key personnel.

Show the total award amount, awarding entity, and the amount of time each key staff member will devote to each project.

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart D. It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management

• Property management

• Procurement

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting

• Subrecipient monitoring and management

• Record retention and access

• Remedies for noncompliance

• Prior written approval

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subpart-D

Describe your framework to ensure proper oversight of federal funds and activities.

Include:

• A description of the governance, policies and procedures, and systems you use for record keeping and financial management.

• A description of the procedures to identify and mitigate risks and issues. These might include audit findings, continuous performance assessment findings, and monitoring.

• The key staff who will be responsible for maintaining oversight of program activities staff and any partners or sub-recipients.

Project performance evaluation plan This section of your application demonstrates how you will monitor the performance of your program and how you will meet the performance measurement requirement outlined in the program description.

Describe a plan for how you will monitor your project’s performance and how it will contribute to continuous quality improvement. This plan must describe:

• How you will monitor ongoing activities and the progress towards the project’s goals and objectives.

• The inputs, key activities, and expected outcomes of the funded activities. Inputs might include your collaborative partners, key staff, budget, service processes, or other resources.

• How you will measure the inputs, activities, and outcomes.

• How you will use the resulting information to inform improvement of funded activities.

• Any processes that support the overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes that will track performance outcomes.

• How your organization will collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes. This might include assigned skilled staff, data management software, and data integrity.

• Any potential obstacles to implementing the project performance evaluation and how you will address them.

• A timeline for how you will review information from the performance evaluation and apply it to your ongoing project.

• How data will be collected and reported on OMB-approved program performance measures.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

Local evaluation (optional) State whether you plan to conduct a local evaluation or not.

If you propose to conduct a local evaluation, you must provide a plan to implement the evaluation in the 36-month project period. Explain how the evaluation will do the following:

• Answer important questions of interest to you, to the community, and to the larger field of SRAE.

• Include an appropriate evaluation design.

• Address sexual risk avoidance outcomes, specifically sexual activity or other sexual behaviors, including preventing pregnancy among youth.

• Address key program outcomes.

• Meet expectations of rigor that ACF provides through a system of technical assistance.

• Explain how you will procure an independent local evaluator with experience in the proposed evaluation design and include a summary of the evaluator’s relevant experience.

National evaluation You must also clearly state that your organization and any subrecipients will participate in the national evaluations if selected.

Logic model You must submit a logic model for designing, managing, and evaluating the project. A logic model is a diagram that:

• Presents how inputs drive activities to produce outputs, outcomes, and the ultimate goals of the proposed project.

• Explains the links among project elements.

• Targets the identified objectives and goals of the project.

While there are many versions of logic models, for the purposes of this funding opportunity, the logic model may include the connections between:

• Inputs such as additional resources, organizational profile, collaborative partners, key staff, or budget.

• Target population, such as the individuals to be served or identified needs.

• Activities, mechanisms, and processes such as evidenced-based practices, best practices, approach, key intervention and evaluation components, continuous quality improvement efforts.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

• Outputs, which include the immediate and direct results of program activities.

• Outcomes, which include the expected short- and long-term results the project you expect to achieve. These are typically described as changes in people or systems.

• Project goals such as overarching objectives and reasons for proposing the project.

Your logic model should provide up to six outcomes that clearly state expected results or benefits of the intervention proposed and link with them with the goals. Proposed outcomes should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-framed, inclusive, and equitable.

Project sustainability plan You must propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends. We expect you to sustain key elements of your project. These elements can include strategies or services and interventions that have been effective in improving practices and outcomes.

Provide an approach to project sustainability that is effective and feasible.

Describe:

• The key people and organizations whose support you will require.

• The types of alternative support you will require to maintain the project.

• If the proposed project involves key project partners, how you will maintain their cooperation or collaboration after the federal funding ends.

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification supports the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424-A. See other required forms.

It justifies the costs you ask for and includes added detail, including detailed calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form.

You will provide this information for the initial budget period only (typically the first 12 months of the project). See funding periods.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• How you calculate your costs in ways that are clear and repeatable.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

You must also:

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30

• Include costs in the budget for two key staff members to attend the three-day Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Annual Grantee Conference.

• Include costs for two key staff members to attend a minimum of one of two topical training sessions offered in each year of the 36-month project period.

• Propose a budget with no more than 20% of project costs devoted to evaluation, if you are proposing a local evaluation.

We encourage you also to review the Standard Form instructions.

To create your line-item budget and justification, see detailed instructions on our website.

In general, you must:

• Indicate the method you will use for your indirect cost rate. See indirect costs for further information.

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.

• For any cost sharing, include a detailed listing of any funding sources identified in Block 18 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

Proprietary or personally identifiable information In your application, you may identify salary or other proprietary information or personally identifiable information.