hhs-2026-acf-acyf-ca-0061 Full Announcement.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Monday, August 17, 2026

Administration of Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau

Title IV-E Prevention Accelerator Grants Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CA-0061

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 9

Program description 11

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Step 3: Build Your Application 23

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 36

Application review 37

Award notices 44

Step 5: Submit Your Application 45

Application submission and deadlines 46

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 48

Post-award requirements and administration 49

Contacts and Support 50

Before you begin 3

Modifications 54

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 Monday, August 17, 2026.

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. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 9

Program description 11

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Administration of Children, Youth and Families

Children’s Bureau

This program will help states accelerate implementation of title IV-E prevention services, build claiming infrastructure, and ensure the sustainability of prevention services.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Title IV-E Prevention Accelerator Grants

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-

CA-0061

Federal assistance listing:

93.670 – Child Abuse and Neglect Discretionary Activities

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

August 17, 2026

Expected project start date:

September 30, 2026

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary Despite expanded authority under the Family First Prevention Services Act, title IV-E prevention services account for less than 2% of total program claims. Many title IV-E agencies face implementation barriers including limited infrastructure, provider readiness, evaluation capacity, and complex claiming requirements. The title IV-E prevention program offers a critical opportunity for states to provide in-home parent skills, mental health, and substance use prevention and treatment programs — strengthening families and reducing the need for foster care removals; however, child welfare systems face barriers to fulfilling the program’s promise. There is an urgent need for jurisdictions to efficiently build the infrastructure required to implement and claim title IV-E prevention services.

Awards under this funding opportunity will support the design, implementation, and evaluation of system-level solutions that strengthen agency capacity and address implementation challenges. Funding is intended to accelerate agency implementation of one or more title IV-E eligible prevention services. Recipients will also disseminate tools, best practices, and lessons learned, and will collaborate nationally to promote shared learning.

Recipients will be expected to:

• Select for implementation one or more Clearinghouse-rated prevention services that are either new to the title IV-E prevention plan or not yet fully operationalized within their current title IV-E prevention plan or statewide service array.

• Build title IV-E claiming and reimbursement systems.

• Develop provider capacity and referral pathways.

• Establish data and reporting infrastructure.

• Disseminate knowledge to support jurisdictions nationwide.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://acf.gov/cb/title-iv-e-prevention-program https://acf.gov/cb/title-iv-e-prevention-program

Added services must advance the broader goal of reducing the number of kids entering foster care to increase a state’s ratio of foster homes to kids.

Award recipients will work with an internal or external evaluator to provide feedback as they prepare to implement the program(s) and share lessons learned with the field.

Each recipient must also establish and implement a performance measurement to assess progress and overall impact of the award.

Recipients must demonstrate a long-term sustainability plan. ACF is particularly interested in supporting recipients in efforts to build services and infrastructure that will transition to title IV-E reimbursement within 18 months. By the end of the performance period, ACF expects award recipients to have launched new prevention services and begun title IV-E claiming for new prevention services. Ultimately, longer term outcomes include expanding access to evidence-based prevention services;

increasing their state’s title IV-E prevention spending share; and reducing the number of children entering foster care (e.g., increase the ratio of foster homes to children in need of foster homes).

This is a multi-application funding opportunity. You must choose one of the following application pathways:

• State or Territorial Title IV-E Prevention Accelerator

• Tribal Title IV-E Prevention Accelerator

Funding details Type: Grant

Expected total program funding: $7,500,000

Total expected awards: 10

Minimum award amount (award floor): $300,000

Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $750,000

This is full funding. We plan to fund an 18-month project period with one budget period.

The recipient is required to complete all project activities and obligate all awarded funds within the approved period of performance. No-cost extensions will not be offered or approved.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Eligible applicants State, territorial, or tribal government child welfare title IV-E agencies.

Disqualifying 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), a federal entity, or a foreign entity.

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

ACF.

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.

Title IV-E agencies may only submit one application.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds. 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

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory authority The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C.

5106a)

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section5106a&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjQyIHNlY3Rpb246NTEwNmEgZWRpdGlvbjpwcmVsaW0p%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section5106a&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjQyIHNlY3Rpb246NTEwNmEgZWRpdGlvbjpwcmVsaW0p%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim

Agency priorities Required alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with ACF’s vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles when authorized. Funded activities must advance ACF’s vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities, and support ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being through effective, accountable, and compassionate human services when awarded in any programs that authorize these priorities.

Consistent with ACF’s values, in carrying out any project that is funded under this NOFO, the recipient is required to adhere to the following principle:

1. Program Integrity and Fiscal Stewardship: Administer funds in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions; maintain strong internal controls; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The recipient is also required to adhere to the following principles when consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

2. Evidence-Based and Outcome-Focused Practices: Design and deliver services using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, establish measurable performance goals, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership and Local Leadership: Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, local, and community partners, as appropriate, and tailor services to meet community-identified needs while respecting local decision-making authority.

In addition, in keeping with ACF’s priorities, the recipient must administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives when consistent with the scope of the award and its activities in programs that are authorized to advance them:

4. Family Stability and Child Well-Being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

5. Work, Self-Sufficiency, and Economic Mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

6. High-Quality Early Care and Learning: Where applicable, invest in high-quality early childhood programs that support school readiness, healthy development, and long-term success.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Program description Background The goal of this program is to accelerate the implementation of prevention services under the title IV-E prevention program. Recipients will strengthen agency-level capacity to draw down sustainable title IV-E funding for prevention services within 18 months.

The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) title IV-E prevention program, signed by President Trump, represents a landmark federal commitment to working with children and families to prevent foster care placements and, where possible, the trauma of unnecessary parent-child separation. The program is critical to the success of ACF’s broader A Home for Every Child initiative — a bipartisan effort to increase the number of licensed foster homes relative to children in care — as it provides a critical funding mechanism for states to deliver needed services to families, prevent child maltreatment, and reduce the need for foster care placements. The Children’s Bureau (CB) has strongly encouraged all title IV-E child welfare agencies to take full advantage of this initiative.

This program supports the ACF Priority Area of Ensuring Value Alignment in Funding. It reflects ACF’s commitment to evidence-based, outcome-focused practice to improve family stability and child well-being. This program advances the goals of FFPSA title IV- E prevention program by supporting rapid translation of title IV-E eligible prevention services into real-world practice while building the infrastructure needed for long-term financing, data-driven oversight, and service sustainability.

Project requirements Award recipients will identify at least one new title IV-E eligible prevention service, or at least one service that is not yet fully operationalized within their current title IV-E prevention plan or statewide service array. Awards will support a coordinated set of implementation activities, including the development or enhancement of title IV-E claiming infrastructure, reimbursement and financing strategies for programs such as Medicaid or other federal and state programs, and the establishment of sustainable provider networks and referral pathways. Recipients will also build or refine data systems to support eligibility determination, claims processing, service delivery tracking, and outcome measurement. In parallel, title IV-E agencies will be expected to engage in title IV-E plan amendment development and submission activities necessary to support the newly implemented services and associated financing structures. Award

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://acf.gov/a-home-for-every-child recipients may also use funds to develop plans to evaluate programs and services as part of their title IV-E prevention plans.

Award recipients will work with an internal or external evaluator to provide rapid and real-time feedback as they prepare to implement the program(s) and share lessons learned with the field.

Award recipients will be expected to participate in a learning community with other award recipients.

Program objectives The objectives of this program are to:

• Accelerate the implementation of Clearinghouse-rated, evidence-based prevention and tribal services under the title IV-E prevention program.

• Strengthen agency-level capacity to create sustainable prevention services within 18 months of award.

• Build the operational, financial, and data infrastructure needed to implement and provide title IV-E prevention services at scale.

• Improve coordination between child welfare agencies and other public funding streams, including Medicaid and other federal and state benefit programs.

• Expand access to evidence-based prevention services for children and families at risk of foster care entry.

• Generate, test, and disseminate tools, best practices, and lessons learned to support jurisdictions nationwide.

Program activities Recipients must carry out the following five core activity areas:

1. Selection and Implementation of Evidence-Based Prevention Services Recipients will select and implement one or more title IV-E eligible prevention services that are new to the prevention plan, or that is not yet fully operationalized within their current title IV-E prevention plan or statewide service array.

Activities should include:

• Conducting a readiness assessment to evaluate agency infrastructure, staffing, provider availability, and data capacity prior to implementation.

• Selecting prevention services appropriate to the population served and consistent with the agency’s five-year plan goals.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Developing or refining implementation plans, including timelines, staffing structures, and service delivery protocols.

• Identifying and formalizing partnerships with service providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders needed to support service delivery.

• Completing or amending title IV-E prevention five-year plans to incorporate newly selected services and associated financing structures.

• Ensuring that all selected services advance the broader goal of reducing the number of children entering foster care.

2. Title IV-E Prevention Claiming and Reimbursement Infrastructure Recipients will develop or enhance the systems and processes required to successfully claim title IV-E reimbursement for prevention services.

Activities should include:

• Developing or refining title IV-E claiming workflows, including eligibility determination processes, documentation requirements, and claims submission procedures.

• Establishing or updating cost allocation plans, rate structures, and reimbursement methodologies consistent with federal requirements.

• Formalizing coordination and claiming protocols with other federal and state funding streams, including Medicaid and other public benefit programs, to maximize braided or blended financing strategies.

• Conducting staff training on title IV-E claiming procedures, eligibility criteria, and documentation standards.

• Demonstrating a clear transition plan for how services and claiming infrastructure will be sustained through title IV-E reimbursement within 18 months of award.

3. Provider Capacity and Referral Pathways Recipients will build and formalize the provider networks and referral infrastructure needed to deliver title IV-E eligible prevention services at scale.

Activities should include:

• Identifying, recruiting, onboarding, and contracting with qualified service providers capable of delivering eligible prevention services.

• Assessing provider readiness, including workforce capacity, training needs, and organizational infrastructure.

• Developing and delivering training, coaching, and ongoing support to providers.

• Establishing clear referral pathways and eligibility screening processes to connect families to prevention services in a timely and consistent manner.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

• Developing or refining provider contracts, performance standards, and quality assurance mechanisms.

• Building provider capacity to meet title IV-E documentation and reporting requirements necessary to support claiming and title IV-E program requirements.

4. Data, Reporting, and Compliance Infrastructure Recipients will build or enhance data systems to support eligibility determination, service delivery tracking, claims processing, and outcome measurement.

Activities should include:

• Developing or adapting data systems to capture title IV-E eligibility information, service delivery records, and outcomes data required for compliance and evaluation.

• Establishing data governance protocols, including data sharing agreements with providers and partner agencies.

• Aligning data infrastructure with state or tribal SACWIS/CCWIS systems and Medicaid data systems, as applicable.

• Building reporting capacity to meet existing federal reporting requirements and support continuous quality improvement.

• Ensuring data systems are capable of tracking progress toward performance targets and impact.

5. Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing Recipients will document and share implementation experiences, tools, and lessons learned to support jurisdictions nationwide.

Deliverables may include:

• Documentation of title IV-E claiming processes, financing strategies, and lessons learned.

• Case studies and narratives describing implementation successes and challenges.

• Peer learning events, and presentations for a national audience.

• Participation in a national learning community with other award recipients, including quarterly convenings facilitated by ACF to share progress, coordinate approaches, and develop common resources where appropriate.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Project performance evaluation plan Each recipient must establish and implement a performance measurement framework to assess progress and impact of the award.

Performance measures may apply at the service, agency or system level. Measures must be clearly defined and supported by processes for data collection, reporting, and use across partners.

Performance Measurement Recipients are expected to establish and implement performance measurement approaches that include outcome and systems measures, as appropriate. ACF is particularly interested in the following areas (recipients may track additional or alternative measures that align with their approved work plan):

Outcome Measures:

• Initiation and volume of title IV-E claims submitted for new prevention services.

• Number of families served by newly implemented prevention services.

• Provider readiness and capacity improvements over time.

• Improved coordination between child welfare and other public funding systems, including Medicaid or other federal and state programs.

• Reductions in the number of children entering foster care among families receiving prevention services.

Systems Measures:

• Improvements in data quality and completeness to support title IV-E compliance and evaluation.

• Level of integration of claiming and data systems into agency workflows.

• Sustainability of services and infrastructure beyond the project period, including transition to title IV-E reimbursement.

• Scalability and replicability of financing and implementation approaches across jurisdictions.

Evaluation Requirements Recipients must work with an internal or external evaluator to evaluate effectiveness of strategies implemented and provide feedback throughout the performance period. The evaluator’s role is to support learning and improvement so that findings can be shared with the field.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Evaluation activities should include:

• Documenting implementation progress, successes, and challenges in real time.

• Measuring short- and longer-term outcomes consistent with program objectives.

• Producing and disseminating reports, briefs, or other products that contribute to the national knowledge base on title IV-E prevention implementation.

Sustainability Requirements Recipients must demonstrate long-term sustainability, specifically how services and infrastructure will transition to title IV-E reimbursement within 18 months.

Sustainability plans must address:

• How title IV-E claiming will be operationalized and maintained after the project period.

• How provider networks and referral pathways will be sustained through ongoing contracts or agreements.

• How data and reporting infrastructure will be maintained and integrated into agency operations.

• How the agency will continue to expand access to evidence-based prevention services beyond the project period.

The anticipated outputs include the launch or expansion of title IV-E prevention service implementation, operational title IV-E claiming systems, formalized coordination and claiming protocols with federal and state funding streams including Medicaid and other public benefit programs, trained provider networks, and functioning data infrastructure capable of supporting compliance and evaluation requirements. These outputs are intended to rapidly transition states from planning to execution, reducing delays in implementation of evidence-based prevention services.

Expected short-term outcomes include initiation of title IV-E claims for the prevention services, improved coordination between child welfare and public-benefit programs, including Medicaid systems or other federal and state programs, increased provider readiness and capacity, and expanded access to prevention services for children and families identified as candidates for foster care. Ultimately, longer-term outcomes are expected to include sustained federal reimbursement for prevention services, increased state prevention spending, broader availability of evidence-based services, reductions in entry to congregate and foster care placements, and strengthened integrated financing systems across child welfare and behavioral health.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

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:

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s 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.

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate or show preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Any efforts that promote a “discriminatory equity ideology.”.

◦ To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, ACF will also not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any services or activities that inculcate or promote gender ideology.

For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR part 200.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72

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

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Pre-award costs.

• Data and reporting infrastructure not related to title IV-E claiming, reimbursement, and referral pathways.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

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

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Subawards As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

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

All subrecipients must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332

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 the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid 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.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it at this NOFO’s Grants.gov opportunity page. Then select the Package tab.

This NOFO has multiple “Grant Opportunity Packages” reflecting each priority area.

Note: Do NOT use the Apply button on the View Grant Opportunity screen.

1. Click on the Package tab.

2. Scroll down and identify the Grant Opportunity Package you want to apply to using the competition title.

3. Click the Apply hyperlink in the “Actions” column. You will be directed to the Apply for Grant Opportunity page.

4. Click on the red Apply button. This Apply button will take you to Grants.gov to login and submit your application.

5. Follow the guidance for applying and uploading the application and associated documents.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://www.grants.gov/support

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. 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.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

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.

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

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in Grants.gov.

File one: Narratives Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Component Included in page limit?

Table of contents Yes

Project summary Yes

Project narrative Yes

Line-item budget and budget narrative Yes

File two: Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Component Included in page limit?

ACF priorities alignment attestation No

Indirect cost agreement Yes

Organizational capacity supporting information (including organization chart) Yes

Third-party agreements Yes

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Standard forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Component Included in page limit?

Project Abstract Summary No

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) No

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) No

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) No

Key Contacts No

Grants.gov Lobbying form No

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) No

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

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

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 75 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:

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.

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

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 disqualifying factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

File one: Narratives 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.

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, your proposed services or research questions.

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.

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

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.

Purpose and need Content? Geographic location? Objective?

Response

Approach

Outline your action plan. Describe the scope of your proposed project and describe in detail how you will accomplish it. 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.

You must describe a clear, feasible, and well-organized approach to achieving the objectives of this award. Your approach should be organized by objective and explain how the activities you propose will achieve the intended outcomes. The approach should include a project-wide implementation timeline identifying key milestones, deliverables, and decision points across all objectives and core program activities during the 18-month project period.

Propose an approach that addresses all core program activities. Within the organization of your approach by objective, you must clearly describe how the following program activities will be carried out:

1. Selection and implementation of evidence-based prevention services: Identify the title IV-E eligible prevention service(s), describe readiness assessment activities conducted or planned to support implementation, explain why the selected service(s) are appropriate for your population and aligned with your five-year plan goals, and describe the key activities and timelines.

2. Title IV-E claiming and reimbursement infrastructure: Describe how you will develop or enhance title IV-E claiming systems, establish eligibility determination

Step 3: Build Your Application 28 and documentation processes, and coordinate with other federal and state funding streams to support sustainable reimbursement within 18 months of award.

3. Provider capacity and referral pathways: Explain how you will identify, recruit, onboard, train, coach, and support qualified providers; describe workforce development and quality assurance activities that will ensure fidelity and service quality, and describe the referral processes you will establish to connect eligible families to services in a timely and consistent manner.

4. Data, reporting, and compliance infrastructure: Describe how you will build or adapt data systems to support title IV-E eligibility determination, service delivery tracking, claims processing, reimbursement monitoring, and outcome measurement, and explain how these systems will integrate with existing agency and partner data infrastructure.

5. Dissemination and knowledge sharing: Explain how you will document implementation experiences and lessons learned, develop tools and resources adaptable for use by other jurisdictions, and participate in the national learning community to contribute to a shared knowledge base on title IV-E prevention implementation.

You should focus on how these activities will be implemented and integrated, rather than restating the program requirements. All program activities must be implemented in alignment with the project performance evaluation plan requirements described in the program description.

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 tasks you plan to complete 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 by a specific date.

• Provide target dates for activities you can’t quantify.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Impact

Project performance evaluation plan

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

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

• 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 improve your funded activities.

• Any processes that support overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes you will use to 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.

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.

Resources and capabilities

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 (including any partnering organizations) with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

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

• You must disclose your plan to enter into subaward agreements. If planning subawards, describe the work each subrecipient will complete.

• Provide evidence that necessary providers intend to partner with the agency to implement stated prevention service(s).

Step 3: Build Your Application 30

• Provide some supporting information in the organizational capacity supporting information section of your attachments.

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities

You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 2 CFR part 200. 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.

Describe your framework to make sure that your federal funds and activities have proper oversight. Include:

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

• A description of the procedures you use 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 staff and any partners or subrecipients.

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 improved 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, describe how you will maintain their cooperation or collaboration after the federal funding ends.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 31 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-D

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification support the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424A.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

Justify the costs you ask for and provide detail, including calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form. You will provide this information for the full period of performance. See information on 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 the funding policies and limitations.

Please also review the Standard Form instructions.

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

In general, you must:

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

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail necessary 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.

• For applicants planning to use subawards, if your subaward budget is more than 50% of total direct costs, justify why you are subawarding that portion of the project. Explain:

◦ How you plan to maintain a substantive role in the project.

◦ Why you cannot achieve your goals without the subrecipients’ participation.

• Indicate that you have allocated sufficient funds to support your evaluation plan.

Proprietary or personally identifiable information Clearly identify any salary or other proprietary information or personally identifiable information within your application. Identification will ensure this information is not shared with reviewers. Note on page 1 of the attachments file (file two) where the information to be redacted is located.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.1 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget

If you have an exemption for a paper submission, you can protect salary information and any proprietary information by placing that information only in the original application. You can remove the information from the copies, keeping summary information.

File two: Attachments 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.

ACF priorities alignment attestation

Note: Not included in the page limit. This should be submitted with the application or before award.

You must self-certify that you will align with the ACF priorities that are relevant to this funding opportunity, as identified in both the Program description and Step 4, under Merit review process, Scoring criteria, Alignment with ACF Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles, elements 2 and 3. You must provide the following on your organization’s letterhead.

I hereby attest and certify that:

_____________________ (Applicant Name) affirms its commitment to supporting and advancing ACF’s published Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), consistent with applicable federal statutes, regulations, and Administration priorities.

Insert Date of Signature:

Print Name and Title of the AOR:

Signature of AOR:

Indirect cost agreement If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

See the indirect costs section for more information.

Organizational capacity supporting information You must attach the following information to support the information in your organizational capacity section:

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Cognizant%20agency%20for%20indirect%20costs)

• Organizational charts, including all partners.

• Resumes, biographical sketches, or curricula vitae for all key personnel.

• Job descriptions for each vacant key position.

Third-party agreements You must submit agreements with all third parties involved in the project. Third parties include subrecipients, contractors, and other cooperating entities. Third-party agreements include letters of commitment, memoranda of understanding, and memoranda of agreement. We do not consider general letters of support to be third-party agreements.

Any such agreement must:

• Describe each party’s roles and responsibilities for project activities.

• Describe the support…