hhs-2025-acf-acyf-yz-0005_7.17.25 Modification.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 28, 2025

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program

Maternity Group Home Program Opportunity number: HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-YZ-0005

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 9

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 24

Get registered 25

Find the application package 25

Learn more 26

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

Application contents and format 28

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 44

Application review 45

Award notices 51

Step 5: Submit Your Application 52

Application submission and deadlines 53

Application checklist 55

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 56

Post-award requirements and administration 57

Contacts and Support 59

Before you begin 3

Modifications 62

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 registrations are 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 the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 28, 2025.

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/

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 9

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program

Maternity Group Home (MGH) Program provides outreach, shelter, and services to pregnant or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 for up to 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Maternity Group Home Program

Opportunity number:

HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-

YZ-0005

Announcement type:

Initial

Federal assistance listing:

93.550

Statutory authority number: 34 U.S.C. 11221

Key dates

Application submission deadline: July 28, 2025

Expected project start date: September 30, 2025

Summary The MGH program provides street-based outreach; safe, stable, and appropriate shelter; and comprehensive services for pregnant or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 for up to 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances.

We acknowledge that many young people receiving services through MGH projects are young adults. Throughout this NOFO, we use the term “youth” to also include young adults between the ages of 18 and 21.

Participating youth must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have run away or left home without permission of their parents or guardians.

• Have been forced to leave their home.

• Cannot live safely with a parent, legal guardian, or relative.

• Have no other safe alternative living arrangement.

• Are homeless or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

For more information about eligibility for participating youth, see 34 U.S.C. Subtitle I, Chapter 111 11222. Eligibility.

In addition to shelter, MGHs provide outreach and comprehensive services that support participating youth’s transition to self-sufficiency and stable, independent living. We expect youth who participate to show improvements in four core outcome areas:

• Safe and stable housing.

• Education or employment.

• Permanent connections.

• Social and emotional well-being.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:34%20section:11221%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim%40title34/subtitle1/chapter111/subchapter3&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim%40title34/subtitle1/chapter111/subchapter3&edition=prelim

MGH services also must include, but are not limited to:

• Parenting skills training.

• Child development information.

• Family budgeting support.

• Health and nutrition education.

Your project must accommodate the needs and safety of the dependent children, including meeting facility safety standards for having infants and children on the premises.

Funding details Type: Grant

Expected total program funding: $8,142,259

Total expected awards: 23

Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $100,000

Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $350,000

We plan to fund a three-year project period. Each project period has three one-year budget periods.

Non-competing continuation awards will be offered for the second and third budget periods of the project based on the availability of funds, your satisfactory progress, and review and approval of the continuation application.

To determine satisfactory progress, we will use your semi-annual performance progress and financial reports, site visits, audit reports, and other supporting documentation.

Our application resources include details about how we determine satisfactory progress.

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

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources#_Hlk153875659

Eligibility Eligible applicants These types of entities may apply:

• Public and private nonprofit entities.

• State, county, city or township, and special district governments.

• Independent school districts.

• Public- and state-controlled institutions of higher education.

• Private institutions of higher education.

• Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.

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

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized).

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

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible.

Other eligibility criteria Public and nonprofit entities that are not part of the juvenile justice system are eligible to apply .

For-profit organizations are not eligible.

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

Disqualification factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual, including a sole proprietorship, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from

ACF.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Cost sharing This program requires you to contribute 10% of the project’s total cost per section 383 of the RHY Act, 34 U.S.C. 11274.

You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement in one of two ways:

Method 1: Start with the federal share Calculation: Multiply the federal share (in dollars) by 10 and divide that product by 90.

For example: Multiply $350,000 by 10 and divide that product by 90. This equals a match of $38,889.

Method 2: Start with the total project cost Calculation: Multiply the total project costs by 10%.

For example: Multiply $388,889 by 10%. This equals a match of $38,889.

Types of cost sharing You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

1. Cash contributed by your organization.

2. Cash contributed by partners or other third parties.

3. In-kind (non-cash) contributions from third parties.

Cost-sharing commitments You must follow through on your promise of cost-sharing funds, even if you promise more than the required minimum. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award (NoA).

You’ll have to include your funds when you fill out your federal financial reports.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/law-regulation/runaway-and-homeless-youth-program-authorizing-legislation https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/law-regulation/runaway-and-homeless-youth-program-authorizing-legislation

Program description Statutory authority This program is authorized under title III, part B, section 321 of the RHY Act (34 U.S.C.

11221).

Project overview The primary purpose of the Maternity Group Home (MGH) program is to provide street-based outreach; safe, stable, and appropriate shelter; and comprehensive services for a period of 18 months, or 21 months under extenuating circumstances, to pregnant or parenting youth ages 16 through 21 who have run away from home, been forced to leave home, have no safe alternate living arrangement, are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of being homeless.

Our goal is to help youth establish self-sufficient and sustainable lives for themselves and, if applicable, their children. Our programs promote economic independence and prevent long-term dependency on social services.

If you are not planning to provide services to pregnant or parenting youth, you should apply for the Transitional Living Program funding opportunity, HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-

CX-0105.

Project requirements MGH projects receiving this funding are required to provide outreach, shelter, and supportive services. Choosing one or the other is not an option.

Youth who are actively in dependent care or custody of a government child welfare or juvenile justice agency are not eligible for MGH services.

Projects funded under this opportunity must meet the following requirements. Please show how your project meets these requirements in the project narrative section of your application.

Safe, stable, and appropriate shelter MGH projects must provide safe and stable shelter for youth ages 16 through 21, who are experiencing homelessness and, if applicable, their dependent children.

For the purposes of this NOFO, safe and stable shelter is defined as a community-based, adult-supervised transitional living arrangement. This includes group homes, host homes, and scattered apartment sites.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:34%20section:11221%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:34%20section:11221%20edition:prelim) https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/355577 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/355577

With this funding, you must ensure that physical structures, program practices, and procedures protect all youth in the program from exposure to unsafe conditions. These protective measures must meet the criteria in the following subsections.

Additionally, projects must provide shelter according to the following timelines:

• Most youth should receive shelter for a continuous period not to exceed 540 days.

• In exceptional circumstances, youth can continue to receive shelter for a total of 635 days.

• If a youth is still under 18 on the last day of the 635-day period, the youth may, in exceptional circumstances, and if otherwise qualified for the program, remain in the program until their 18th birthday.

Structure Per RHY Regulations at 45 CFR 1351.18 (c), the facilities of your Maternity Group Home project must have a minimum residential capacity of four individuals and a maximum residential capacity of 20 individuals in a single structure. The maximum capacity may be higher only in the following circumstances:

• If local laws or regulations require a higher maximum to comply with licensure requirements for child- and youth-serving facilities.

• If your facility is located within a single floor of an apartment building. In that case, the floor of the structure where you provide services must have a minimum residential capacity of four individuals and a maximum residential capacity of 20 individuals.

The minimum and maximum capacity numbers include both youth and their dependent children.

You must provide appropriate space, equipment, and furnishings to safely accommodate both parents and their dependent children.

You must make sure that accommodations limit the risk of injuries associated with hazards including, but not limited to:

• Falling.

• Burning.

• Electrical hazards.

• Drowning.

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/20/2016-30241/runaway-and-homeless-youth#p-473

Practice and procedures

• If your MGH facility serves adult homeless populations over the age of 22 via separate funding, you must have policies and practices to separate MGH youth from the older adult population.

• MGH projects must have an agreement with an age-appropriate emergency shelter that can accommodate pregnant or parenting youth and their dependent children in circumstances when there are no current MGH openings.

• Your program must be prepared and able to serve pregnant and parenting youth of all ages from 16 through 21, including females and males.

• You must provide direct on-site supervision at all times. Family host homes and scattered apartment models are exempt from this rule.

• You must ensure your staff is trained to interact with youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing any form of trafficking, sexual exploitation, or other similar traumatic experiences.

• You must ensure youth and young adults exiting your program leave to a safe and appropriate housing option.

Local community standards

• You must ensure that your program:

◦ Respects local community standards and values.

◦ Engages with local government, businesses, and community organizations.

◦ Adapts services to reflect the unique character and needs of your community.

◦ Recognizes that local solutions are often more effective than federal approaches.

Comprehensive youth-centered services model You must use an approach that acknowledges the impact of difficult life experiences on youth development while emphasizing personal responsibility, resilience-building, and character development. This approach should help youth develop the strength of character needed to overcome past challenges and build successful, independent lives.

You must also utilize a Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework. This framework is an intentional, prosocial approach to engaging youth. You should seek appropriate feedback from program participants while maintaining clear adult leadership and direction. Program design and implementation decisions must be made by experienced adult professionals with appropriate expertise in youth development and homeless services.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://acf.gov/fysb/positive-youth-development#:~:text=Positive%20Youth%20Development%2C%20or%20PYD,keep%20them%20from%20having%20problems.

Intensive street outreach and access to services You must implement a comprehensive and intensive outreach and access strategy to engage runaway and homeless youth and connect them with safe shelter, critical services, and supportive resources. This includes direct outreach in the community, access to emergency shelter, education and awareness efforts, coordination with community partners, crisis stabilization and gateway services, and strategies to address human trafficking and other risks.

Street-based services Your program must conduct regular, face-to-face outreach with youth in locations where they gather. Outreach efforts must be youth-focused and incorporate partnerships with local law enforcement to target areas with high concentrations of homeless youth. Your outreach strategy must include:

• A schedule and frequency of regular, face-to-face outreach activities.

• Identification of key locations where youth gather.

• Adequate staffing, including the number of full-time equivalent outreach workers.

• Youth-focused engagement strategies tailored to individual needs.

• Safety plans for staff and youth during outreach activities.

• Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies or departments to target outreach efforts to high-need areas.

Access to emergency shelter and housing You must ensure that youth engaged through outreach have access to emergency shelter or safe, stable housing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Shelters used—whether directly operated or accessed via referral must:

• Provide age-appropriate shelter options.

• Be licensed in accordance with all state or local requirements.

• Offer adequate supervision to ensure youth safety.

• Provide accessible transportation to shelter locations.

• Have the capacity to support victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

• Have a signed formal agreement in place (MOU or letter of commitment) to accept referrals from your organization.

Education, awareness, and community collaboration You must educate both youth and the community about available services and their benefits using strategies such as:

• Social media campaigns, public service announcements, and publicly posted materials (for example, flyers, QR codes).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Printed materials describing services and benefits.

• Partnerships with organizations serving youth and families, such as law enforcement, health care providers, legal services, and schools.

• Coordination with the National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth (that is, the National Runaway Safeline) to provide information on the resources available.

Gateway services To build trust and ensure successful engagement, you must provide youth with essential supplies and supports, including:

• Food, water, clothing, hygiene products, and transportation.

• Personal safety information, including hotline numbers.

Crisis stabilization and safety planning You must be prepared to provide emergency services and link youth to appropriate crisis resources to de-escalate emergencies and assist with urgent care for substance use or mental health conditions, including crisis response services for mental health and substance use emergencies, with referrals to resources such as:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP

• SAMHSA 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

• Local crisis hotlines

You must establish safety plans with youth who participate in your project and educate them about ways to reduce risk of violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, sexual assault, unplanned pregnancy, substance use, and other forms of harm associated with street life.

You can find more information about supporting youth with adolescent health needs at Activate Center Resource Explorer.

Human trafficking prevention and intervention You must be equipped to identify and support youth who are victims or at risk of trafficking, exploitation, or abuse including labor and/or commercial sexual exploitation, sex abuse, and other forms of victimization. Requirements include:

• Training staff on identification and response.

• Integrating trafficking prevention and intervention strategies into outreach plans, screening and assessment tools, staff training and development, and program approaches.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://activatecenter.org/resource/

You can find more information about supporting youth who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing trafficking or domestic violence through the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Screening and assessment You must have a standard way to determine a youth’s eligibility for your program and assess their needs to make sure services are appropriate. Your screening and assessment tools should also help you determine whether the youth’s participation in your program poses any risks to the health and safety of other youth in the program.

Assessments should strongly prioritize family reunification and preservation, whenever possible. Programs must make concerted efforts to reunify youth with their families of origin when safe to do so, recognizing that intact families provide the best environment for youth development. When working with youth who have left home without permission, programs must make family reconciliation the primary goal, connecting youth with an adult family member who has the youth’s best interests in mind and can provide safe and appropriate housing. Programs should incorporate family counseling and mediation services to address conflicts that led to the youth’s homelessness.

Your screening and assessment tools should evaluate, at a minimum, whether each youth falls into the following groups:

• Pregnant or parenting youth.

• Systems-involved youth, including juvenile justice and child welfare.

• Labor or sexually exploited or trafficked youth.

• Youth in need of substance abuse or mental health services.

• Other vulnerable youth populations.

The assessment and screening tools you use should identify the unique needs of these youth and families, and guide delivery of appropriate services for them.

You should also assess the health and wellness of all project clients and their children on a regular basis.

You must have a standardized way of assessing each youth during street-based engagements or intake, or during program entry. Assessment tools must evaluate, at a minimum, the following factors for each youth:

• Strengths.

• Goals.

• Immediate needs, including but not limited to:

◦ Health (physical, behavioral, sexual, mental).

◦ Potential for victimization.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en https://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2016-30241/p-434 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/20/2016-30241/runaway-and-homeless-youth#p-511 https://resources.rhyttac.org/resources/screening-tool

◦ Current housing status.

◦ Connection to family.

◦ Safety.

◦ Access to resources.

◦ Issues of neglect or abuse.

◦ Other risk and protective factors that impact their well-being and potential for sustainable living.

Case management You must provide youth in your program with the following case management services:

• Individualized service or treatment plan: You must plan for services or treatment strategies based on both your screening and assessment tools and input from the youth receiving services.

• Services for dependent children: You must deliver individualized services for dependent children as well as youth. Services for infants and children must include, at a minimum, well-care visits and sensory and developmental screenings and assessments.

• Partnerships and service coordination plan: You must create and implement an appropriate and accessible service referral and coordination strategy based on the results of the screening and assessments completed at program entry. Services should be coordinated with entities including, but not limited to, the following:

◦ Social services.

◦ Law enforcement.

◦ Educational services.

◦ Vocational and employment training services.

◦ Public benefits, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

◦ Continuums of Care (CoC) (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)).

◦ Legal services.

• Organizations that provide support to those who have experienced trafficking or are at risk of experiencing trafficking.

• Health care programs including mental health, behavioral health, health insurance options.

• Affordable child care and child education programs.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

• Employment or education engagement: You must ensure youth are connected to or engaged in educational advancement, life skills training, job attainment skills, or work activities while in the program.

• Faith-based collaboration: You may develop partnerships with faith-based organizations in your community that can provide additional support services to homeless youth. These partnerships may include:

◦ Include faith-based shelters, counseling services, and mentoring programs.

◦ Respect the religious identity and mission of faith-based partners.

◦ Recognize the important historical role religious organizations have played in serving homeless populations.

◦ Allow youth to access faith-based services that align with their personal beliefs and values.

◦ Ensure that faith-based providers are included in your resource database and referral protocols.

In addition, you must take steps to return youth who are missing from the legal jurisdiction or placement of the juvenile justice or child welfare systems. You must make sure that youth who are on juvenile probation comply with supervision.

You must also help youth who have exited foster care to access benefits they may be eligible for such as medical assistance, Foster Youth to Independence vouchers, Family Unification Program vouchers, Chafee Grants, and Title IV-E re-entry.

You can learn more about what services may be available to young people who have exited the dependent care of a child welfare agency in your community through Childwelfare.gov and the Foster Youth to Independence webinar series.

Life skills training, child care, and referrals You must provide youth with life skills training and referrals to promote their long-term, economic independence and support the well-being of their children. At a minimum, you should provide training and referrals in the following areas:

• Job attainment and educational advancement: You must help youth in your MGH find and maintain sustainable employment.

◦ Where available, link clients with their local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act youth program.

◦ Provide clients support in earning a diploma, GED, or vocational certification, and in pursuing post-secondary education, if desired.

◦ Provide job attainment and readiness training emphasizing:

▪ The importance of work ethic, punctuality, and reliability.

▪ Personal responsibility for one’s choices and actions.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/main/ACYF-IM-23-01%20Leveraging%20HUDs%20Foster%20Youth%20to%20Independence%20Program.pdf https://cwig-prod-prod-drupal-s3fs-us-east-1.s3.amazonaws.com/public/documents/extensionfc.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJKhmPZL9Ow https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/wioa-formula#:~:text=The%20Workforce%20Innovation%20and%20Opportunity,areas%20based%20on%20a%20formula.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/youth/wioa-formula#:~:text=The%20Workforce%20Innovation%20and%20Opportunity,areas%20based%20on%20a%20formula.

▪ The value of delayed gratification and long-term planning.

▪ Practical skills that lead to employment and economic independence.

▪ The connection between personal choices and life outcomes.

◦ Coordinate services with local and regional McKinney-Vento liaisons to make sure clients experience minimal interruption in their education.

• Money management, financial literacy, and budgeting: You must provide clients with training in fundamental financial literacy skills, including money management, credit counseling, banking, home ownership, household budgeting, financial independence and self-sufficiency, and smart grocery shopping.

• Mental and physical health, and nutrition: You must ensure clients receive consistent mental and physical health care, as well as early and consistent prenatal care, postnatal care, well-baby exams, and immunizations. You must document these services in clients’ files. In addition, you should offer instruction in preventative health measures, healthy relationships, healthy diets, and meal planning.

◦ Programs must prioritize whole-food nutrition education and access, recognizing that:

▪ Nearly 70% of American children’s calories come from ultra-processed foods, contributing significantly to chronic disease.

▪ Whole foods produced by American farmers should be at the center of health and healing.

▪ Nutrient-dense foods support optimal brain development, immune function, and overall health.

• Child screening and assessment tools: You must assess the needs of clients’ children through appropriate health and developmental screening and assessment tools. You should partner with clients to identify concerns about their child’s development. You must complete or receive a current developmental screening for each child within 45 days of that child entering the program.

• Child care and Head Start strategy: You must develop a child care strategy to link youth to safe, affordable, and accessible child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start, or other early childhood development services.

• Basic life and parenting skills: You must help families participate in activities that promote positive parent-child interactions and address parenting challenges and barriers. When appropriate, you must work with children’s fathers and teach them responsible fatherhood strategies. Your parenting skills services must include attention to child development, family budgeting, proper nutrition, healthy relationships, and healthy living. You must provide education on:

◦ The benefits of marriage and family stability for long-term economic success.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://schoolhouseconnection.org/homeless-directory/

◦ The importance of responsible parenthood within the context of marriage.

◦ The developmental benefits for children raised in stable, two-parent households.

◦ Practical relationship skills that support healthy marriage and family formation.

◦ The correlation between family structure and positive youth outcomes.

• Parenting curriculum: You must use an evidence-based parenting curriculum to support positive parent and child outcomes.

◦ The parenting curriculum you use must help parents form positive parent-child attachments, promote lifelong learning, help parents develop advocacy and leadership skills, and help them become contributing members of their communities.

◦ The Office of Head Start’s Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center maintains free Parenting Curricula Review Databases, which can help you find appropriate parenting curricula.

• Child development: You must make sure that the development of clients’ children is assessed and documented in clients’ files.

• Counseling services and interpersonal skill building: You must implement strategies that promote and strengthen family connections, recognizing that stable family relationships are fundamental to youth development and long-term success. Programs must:

◦ Provide family counseling and mediation services to resolve conflicts, emphasizing family reunification efforts whenever safe and appropriate.

◦ Implement regular family engagement activities for youth in the program.

◦ Develop a family strengthening plan for each youth that identifies opportunities to heal and restore family relationships.

◦ Connect youth with mentors who model healthy family relationships.

◦ Teach relationship skills that prepare youth for successful family formation.

◦ Help youth understand their family history and cultural heritage, when applicable.

◦ Facilitate regular communication between youth and appropriate family members.

◦ Document all family reunification efforts and outcomes.

Programs must recognize that the optimal environment for youth development is within their family of origin when safe, or within an adoptive family when reunification is not possible. All services should be oriented toward helping youth establish and maintain these life-long family connections.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/parenting/article/parenting-curricula-review-databases https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/browse/topic/child-screening-assessment

Transition planning, aftercare, and follow-up services You must work with each youth to develop a written transition plan that meets their needs and includes strategies to support their safe and stable living after leaving the program. You must make sure youth have access to any important documents they need for themselves and their children, such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses or state identification cards (or Real ID where available), medical records, and credit reports.

You must also provide services to youth for a minimum of three months after they leave your program. You must develop an aftercare strategy with each youth prior to exit counseling. The strategy must include a plan to maintain contact with each youth to ensure their ongoing safety, stability, and access to services.

The aftercare strategy must include, at minimum, how you will document the following:

• Evidence of regular contact (including attempts to contact) for at least three months.

• Youth’s housing status, educational services, and the rate of participation and completion of the services in the plan beyond three months, if services are still provided.

• A referral process that ensures partnering agencies provided support to the referred youth.

• Services, referrals, and counseling related to health care and insurance coverage.

• A plan to help the youth and their dependent children stay connected with their schools or obtain appropriate educational services, including coordination with McKinney-Vento school district liaisons.

• Proactive and reactive strategies to encourage retention in education, employment, and housing.

• Proactive and reactive strategies to encourage dependent children’s retention in school, child care, and regular well-child checkups.

• Supportive services to help youth advance to better jobs.

• Help improving social and emotional well-being and permanent connections.

If applicable, any aftercare services beyond three months should be documented too.

Follow-up services Follow-up services refer to the act of assessing youth progress after the youth has received safety and resource referrals. Follow-up contacts are separate from the aftercare planning described in 45 CFR 1351.26 and apply only to those youth you engaged through street outreach that did not enter your MGH.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19

Performance standards You are required to collect data demonstrating your ability to meet program performance standards. Your program should improve the following four outcomes areas for youth:

• Social and emotional well-being: Youth will connect to trauma-informed providers for help with issues related to physical health, substance abuse, mental health, personal safety (such as potential trafficking situations), and sexual risk behaviors.

• Permanent connections: Youth will experience positive ongoing attachments to their families, adult role models, communities, schools, and other social networks.

• Education or employment: Youth will connect to school or vocational training programs, improve job search skills, or obtain employment.

• Safe and stable housing: After leaving your program, youth will transition to safe and stable housing that appropriately matches their level of need. Housing options may include moving in with family, other permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, residential treatment centers, or substance abuse treatment facilities.

For youth only provided with street outreach services who are not eligible or choose not to enter your MGH, you are required to collect data demonstrating your ability to meet program performance standards, including data on the number of youth and young adults you will contact and the number of youth engaged in a case plan or client assessment.

You will report performance data through RHY-HMIS quarterly. To access RHY-HMIS, you will work with a local CoC Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) lead. You can find more detailed information about performance standards and reporting requirements on our website.

Training and technical assistance If you accept an award, you must agree to work cooperatively with the technical assistance provider. Training and technical assistance is free from the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC). Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Regionally based technical assistance clinics.

• Training sessions.

• E-learning.

• Webinars.

• National grantee training.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/grants/application-resources https://www.rhyttac.net/ https://www.rhyttac.net/ https://www.rhyttac.net/

You must send at least one person to the annual, in-person RHY National Grantee Training and Regional and Program-Specific trainings. You will also participate in learning collaboratives and cohort-based peer engagement activities. More information is available from RHYTTAC.

Funding policies and limitations General policies We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

• Appropriation of funds.

• Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s goals and objectives.

• A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

• Funding more applicants.

• Extending the period of performance.

• Awarding supplemental funding.

ACF does not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any costs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, including research in support of such initiatives, and any other initiatives that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or another protected characteristic. This also includes any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, and any discriminatory equity ideology in violation of a Federal anti-discrimination law. The definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” is in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14190 of January 29, 2025, which can be found here: 2025-02232.pdf.

For guidance on additional types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 45 CFR part 75 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR part 200).

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Costs for renovation of existing structures may not normally exceed 15% of the Federal award. Costs for acquisition is not allowable by statute.

• Fundraising (including campaigns, endowments, gifts, and similar expenses).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 21 https://www.rhyttac.net/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-03/pdf/2025-02232.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72

• Pre-award or proposal costs.

• Distribution of sterile needles or syringes.

• Abortions. (See Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law No. 117-328, div. H, tit. V, 506-507 for exceptions.)

• Any treatment or referral to treatment that aims to change someone’s sexual orientation, sex, or sex identity.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project and cannot be easily separated by project.

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 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate), you may elect to charge a 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 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Subawards As the prime recipient, you 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 as described in 45 CFR 75.352 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 200.332) is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role primarily serves as a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

If they do not have one, all subrecipients must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II. For the Executive Level II salary, please see guidance from the Office of Personnel Management on executive and senior level employee pay.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 22 https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid for with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization. This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 200.307).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 23 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 25

Find the application package 25

Learn more 26

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 select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

When you register or update your SAM.gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations. You must agree to those for financial assistance specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

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 Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2025-ACF- ACYF-YZ-0005. Then select the Package tab.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you select the Subscribe button to get updates.

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 the section on exemptions for paper submissions.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 25 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/search-grants

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

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 28

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

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

File one To submit file one, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

File two To submit file two, you will use the Other Attachments form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes all attachments.

Standard forms The Grants.gov application package for this NOFO includes forms beyond those required for file one and file two. Complete all of these forms and submit through Grants.gov.

See the list of standard forms.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 85 pages.

File format: Portable Document Format (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:

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

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

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Color: Black

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

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Line-item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: Can be single-spaced

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

See disqualification factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

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 your 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 using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes 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.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30

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 testimonials, in an application appendix.

• Include any relevant data based on…