oppOJJDP-2018-13505-cfda16.756-instructions..pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 11/30/2020

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking applications for funding under the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Court Appointed Special Advocates Membership, Accreditation, and Subgrants Program and Training and Technical Assistance. This program furthers the Department’s mission by ensuring that court appointed special advocates are available to all victims of child abuse or neglect and that children receive high-quality representation in dependency court hearings.

OJJDP FY 2018 Court Appointed Special Advocates Membership, Accreditation, and

Subgrants Program and Training and Technical Assistance

Applications Due: April 23, 2018

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are limited to (1) national organizations that have broad membership among court appointed special advocate programs (defined by OJJDP as having a network of volunteers representing the interests of abused and neglected children operating in a minimum of 40 of the nation’s 56 states and territories) and provide training and technical assistance to court appointed special advocate programs and (2) local public or not-for-profit agencies that have demonstrated a willingness to initiate, sustain, and expand a court appointed special advocate program.

All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or management fee.

OJJDP welcomes applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal award; however, only one entity may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as subrecipients (subgrantees).1 The applicant must be the entity that would have primary responsibility for carrying out the award, including administering the funding and managing the entire project. Under this solicitation, only one application by any particular applicant entity will be considered. An entity may, however, be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one application.

1 For additional information on subawards, see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application and Submission Information.

https://www.usdoj.gov/ https://ojp.gov/ https://www.ojjdp.gov/ https://www.ojjdp.gov/

OJJDP-2018-13505

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET) on April 23, 2018.

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline using Grants.gov, and the applicant must have received a validation message from Grants.gov that indicates successful and timely submission. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date to allow time for the applicant to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

OJP encourages all applicants to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov.

For additional information, see How To Apply in Section D. Application and Submission Information.

Contact Information

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800–518–4726 or 606–545–5035, at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays.

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond its control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center (Response Center) at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its application after the deadline. Additional information on reporting technical issues appears under “Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the How To Apply section.

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center by telephone at 800–851–3420 or TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only), by email at grants@ncjrs.gov, or by web chat. Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ET, Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date. General information on applying for OJJDP awards can be found at https://www.ojjdp.gov/funding/funding.html. Answers to frequently asked questions that may assist applicants are posted at http://www.ojjdp.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2018/FAQ/CASA.pdf.

Grants.gov number assigned to this solicitation: OJJDP-2018-13505

Release date: March 6, 2018 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Grants-govInfo.htm https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp https://www.ojjdp.gov/funding/funding.html http://www.ojjdp.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2018/FAQ/CASA.pdf

Contents A. Program Description

Program-Specific Information Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables Evidence-Based Programs or Practices Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities

B. Federal Award Information Type of Award Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Budget Information Cost Sharing or Match Requirement Preagreement Costs (also known as Preaward Costs) Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs Costs Associated With Language Assistance (if applicable)

C. Eligibility Information D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include How To Apply

E. Application Review Information Review Criteria Review Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information Federal Award Notices Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements General Information About Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) H. Other Information

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) Provide Feedback to OJP

Appendix A: Performance Measures Table Appendix B: Application Checklist

OJJDP FY 2018 Court Appointed Special Advocates Membership, Accreditation, and

Subgrants Program and Training and Technical Assistance

CFDA # 16.756

A. Program Description

Overview

The Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–647) contains provisions that support efforts to ensure that all abused and neglected children involved in dependency proceedings have access to a court appointed special advocate. Through the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, OJJDP seeks to ensure that abused and neglected children receive high-quality representation in dependency court hearings. The successful applicant will provide:

• Membership accreditation and subgrants to regional, state, and local CASA organizations that support volunteer advocates who represent abused and neglected children in dependency hearings and will partner with other public and private child welfare system stakeholders at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

• Information, technical assistance, and training to volunteer advocates who represent abused and neglected children in dependency hearings and to other child welfare system stakeholders at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

This program is authorized by the Victims of Child Abuse Act, 34 U.S.C. § 20323.

Program-Specific Information

Abused and neglected children face a complex child welfare system and significant barriers in their search for safe, stable homes. Instability arising from transient placements can have a lasting impact on a child’s emotional, social, and educational development. This program seeks to serve and improve outcomes for children in the dependency system; provide effective advocacy for abused and neglected children, including foster care youth; and build on the training and technical assistance program that OJJDP has developed in collaboration with the National CASA Association.

This program will expand the national membership and accreditation program for state and local CASAs and make available training and technical assistance to support existing and new local and state CASA programs across the nation and CASA services in communities where representation rates are low, the numbers of abused and neglected children are high, and service systems do not meet the needs of families and children. In addition, the program will provide training and technical assistance in volunteer advocate recruitment and retention, volunteer advocate training, diversity, data collection and reporting, sustainability, and program standards.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

The goals of the CASA program are to improve outcomes for children in the foster care system and those who are dual system-involved, and to provide effective advocacy for abused and neglected children.

Membership, Accreditation, and Subgrants

Under the membership, accreditation, and subgrant activity, OJJDP has established the following objectives:

• Increase the number of children receiving services under CASA programs.

• Increase recruitment of volunteer advocates under CASA programs.

• Increase the number of volunteer advocates serving children under CASA programs.

• Increase the number of children who exit the program to reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship.

The successful applicant will develop and administer a membership accreditation and subgrants program for local and state CASA programs to assist those organizations in meeting the objectives described above. This activity includes providing screening, training, and supervision of CASA programs in accordance with national standards, including ensuring that:

• A court appointed special advocate association program has a mission and purpose in keeping with the mission and purpose of the National CASA Association and that it abides by the National CASA Association Standards for Programs.

• A court appointed special advocate association program operates with access to legal counsel.

• The management and operation of a court appointed special advocate program ensures adequate supervision of court appointed special advocate volunteers.

• A court appointed special advocate program keeps written records on the operation of the program in general and on each applicant, volunteer, and case.

• A court appointed special advocate program has written management and personnel policies and procedures, screening requirements, and a training curriculum.

• A court appointed special advocate program does not accept volunteers who have been convicted of, have charges pending for, or have in the past been charged with a felony or misdemeanor involving a sex offense, violent act, child abuse or neglect, or related acts that would pose risks to children or to the court appointed special advocate program's credibility.

• A court appointed special advocate program has an established procedure to allow the immediate reporting to a court or appropriate agency of a situation in which a court appointed special advocate volunteer has reason to believe that a child is in imminent danger.

• A court appointed special advocate volunteer is an individual who has been screened and trained by a recognized court appointed special advocate program and appointed by the court to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a result of abuse or neglect.

• A court appointed special advocate volunteer serves the function of reviewing records;

facilitating prompt, thorough review of cases; and interviewing appropriate parties in order to make recommendations on what would be in the best interests of the child.

The successful applicant will develop and administer a subgrant program for local and state CASA programs to assist those organizations in meeting the objectives described above.

Subgrantees will use their awards to develop new CASA programs and provide CASA services in communities where representation rates are low, the numbers of abused and neglected children are high, and service systems are not meeting the needs of families and children. State CASA organization subgrantees may use their awards to strengthen their capacity to provide services to local programs. The successful applicant will design and implement the following activities to achieve the above goals and objectives:

• Draft a request for proposals for subgrant applicants to submit plans in one of the following areas:

o New program development in unserved areas.

o Expansion of existing programs in areas with unmet needs, including rural communities, that are experiencing high rates of poverty.

o Urban program demonstration projects to deliver new programs and services in urban areas.

• Design and administer the competitive process through which applicants will submit proposals.

• Conduct an expert panel review of applications and select successful applicants.

• Administer subgrant funds and monitor the activities of subgrantees. Note: There are limitations on the amount that may be proposed for administrative purposes related to subgrants, as detailed under Federal Award information on page 10.

• Require subgrantees to report data on performance measures that reflect the program objectives identified above.

• Report subgrantee performance measures to OJJDP semiannually.

• Develop a process to certify that subgrantees comply with program standards that the National CASA Association has established and identify subgrantees that will receive appropriate assistance to support accreditation.

• Develop and disseminate publications to increase recruitment of CASA volunteer advocates and share best practices with volunteers and other stakeholders within the dependency system, as approved by OJJDP.

• Engage partner organizations to improve services to children, families, volunteer advocates, and other stakeholders within the child welfare system.

Training and Technical Assistance

Under the training and technical assistance activity, OJJDP seeks to increase the number of:

• Children receiving services from CASA volunteer advocates.

• Volunteer advocates who CASA programs recruit.

• Volunteer advocates trained in the CASA program curriculum and standards.

• Volunteer advocates who report that the CASA training is valuable and useful.

• Volunteer advocates who serve children for more than 12 months.

The successful applicant will design and implement the following activities to achieve the above goals and objectives:

• Provide training sessions (onsite, cross-site/peer-to-peer, telephone, web-based, etc.)

for local, state, regional, and national programs and stakeholders. The applicant should propose the topics for Year 1 of the project as well as types, quantity, duration, audiences, timing, and means of delivery of training sessions, and identify trainers with relevant expertise and audiences with significant need. The applicant will use OJJDP’s TTA360, a centralized system for tracking, monitoring, managing, and reporting on training and technical assistance requests and services. The applicant will include plans for assessing the training sessions to include measuring changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

• Develop training and technical assistance plans that include specific strategies to address:

o Effective methods to increase youth and family engagement (parents, relatives, or adoptive parents).

o Effective approaches to meet the needs of children in rural high-poverty communities.

o Effective practices informed by an understanding of child and youth development and trauma.

o Effective strategies to support youth who are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

• Provide technical assistance for state and local CASA programs that seek to (1) increase the number and quality of services they provide and (2) increase their recruitment of volunteers to work effectively with diverse, at-risk populations, including victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. The applicant will require that the CASA programs provide screening, training, and supervision of court appointed special advocates in accordance with standards that the National CASA Association has approved.

• Coordinate and partner, as appropriate, with organizations that have experience working with diverse populations, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.

• Develop publications that address training and technical assistance needs for the benefit of volunteer advocates, local and state programs, and stakeholders. The applicant will indicate the topics, types, quantity, audiences, and production schedules of proposed publications. The applicant will identify the authors and contributors. The applicant will create a plan to disseminate the publications. The applicant will create a plan for measuring the impact of the publications, at a minimum, collecting data on the number disseminated and the number of times online versions are accessed and by whom (e.g., CASA volunteers, CASA program staff, other child advocates).

• Submit quarterly data collection from local CASA programs and reports to OJJDP on the

Data Collection and Technical Assistance Tool, as directed. The data will address established CASA performance measures (as the Government Performance and Results Act requires) and aggregate data on the gender, race, and ethnicity of children receiving CASA services. Applicants should include detailed plans for how they will collect, store, manage, and analyze the data. Applicants must describe how they will ensure that local CASAs submit required data.

• Disseminate information about the CASA program through partnerships with public and private partners to expand public awareness.

The Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that demonstrate the results of the work completed, as discussed in Section D. Application and Submission Information, under Program Narrative.

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices

OJP strongly emphasizes the use of data and evidence in policymaking and program development in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. OJP is committed to:

• Improving the quantity and quality of evidence OJP generates.

• Integrating evidence into program, practice, and policy decisions within OJP and the field.

• Improving the translation of evidence into practice.

OJP considers programs and practices to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been demonstrated by causal evidence, generally obtained through one or more outcome evaluations. Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention (including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention.

Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on the factors described above, will influence the degree to which OJP considers a program or practice to be evidence-based.

The OJP CrimeSolutions.gov website and the OJJDP Model Programs Guide website are two resources that applicants may use to find information about evidence-based programs in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services.

OJJDP training and technical assistance awardee standards. OJJDP has developed the Core Performance Standards for Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation to promote among providers the consistency and quality of OJJDP-sponsored training and technical assistance and to advance common expectations of performance excellence. The standards present minimum expectations that providers must meet for effective practice in the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of training. Award recipients must coordinate with OJJDP’s National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) in the assessment and delivery of services to ensure the effective use of OJJDP grant funding.

Requirements related to coordination of activities will include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination with OJJDP NTTAC. OJJDP requires all training and technical assistance projects to coordinate their activities with OJJDP NTTAC by complying with all OJJDP/NTTAC protocols to ensure coordinated delivery of services among providers and the effective use of OJJDP grant funding. OJJDP reserves the right to modify these protocols at any time with reasonable notice to the grantee prior to project completion.

• OJJDP-funded webinars. The award recipient must comply with OJJDP’s Webinar

Guidelines, as described in the core performance standards. Minimally, OJJDP training and technical assistance providers will submit information to OJJDP NTTAC in advance of all events for the online calendar, use the approved OJJDP presentation template, and record events and provide the final files which are compliant with Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act to OJJDP or OJJDP’s representative. For more information on Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act, visit www.section508.gov.

• Training information sharing. OJP will collect information from its program offices on OJP-funded training and technical assistance events. Award recipients must use OJJDP’s standard electronic training request form, submit information to NTTAC on all training events (e.g., name of requestor, description of request, dates of event) 30 days in advance of the event date, and report additional data, as OJJDP requires.

https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ http://www.ojjdp.gov/mpg http://www.section508.gov/

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities

The Department of Justice has prioritized the use of evidence-based programming and deems it critical to continue to build and expand the evidence informing criminal and juvenile justice programs to reach the highest level of rigor possible. Therefore, applicants should note that OJP may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities funded under this solicitation. Recipients and subrecipients will be expected to cooperate with program-related assessments or evaluation efforts, including through the collection and provision of information or data requested by OJP (or its designee) for the assessment or evaluation of any activities and/or outcomes of those activities funded under this solicitation. The information or data requested may be in addition to any other financial or performance data already required under this program.

B. Federal Award Information

OJJDP expects to make one award of up to $9,000,000 for a 12-month period of performance, to begin on October 1, 2018.

OJJDP may, in certain cases, provide additional funding in future years to the award made under this solicitation for as much as 3 years total. In making decisions regarding continuation awards, OJP will consider, among other factors, the availability of appropriations, when the program or project was last competed, OJP’s strategic priorities, and OJP’s assessment of both the management of the award (for example, timeliness and quality of progress reports), and the progress of the work funded under the award.

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

Notes related to subgrants: The successful applicant will be required to subgrant a minimum of 35 percent of their total annual award amount. The successful applicant should address this requirement as part of their application. If for any reason this cannot be achieved, the successful applicant must provide a justification to OJJDP and receive written approval to deviate from this plan.

The successful applicant may not use more than 5 percent of the amount subawarded annually for administrative purposes related to those subawards (“subgrants”). The applicant should address this restriction as part of their application.

Type of Award

OJJDP expects to make any award under this solicitation in the form of a cooperative agreement, which is a type of award that provides for OJP to have substantial involvement in carrying out award activities. See Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements, under Section F. Federal Award Administration Information, for a brief discussion of what may constitute substantial federal involvement.

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities2) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements3 as set out at 2 C.F.R.

200.303:

(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that [the recipient (and any subrecipient)] is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

(b) Comply with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal awards.

(c) Evaluate and monitor [the recipient’s (and any subrecipient’s)] compliance with statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of Federal awards.

(d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings.

(e) Take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity designates as sensitive or [the recipient (or any subrecipient)] considers sensitive consistent with applicable Federal, state, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality.

To help ensure that applicants understand the applicable administrative requirements and cost principles, OJP encourages prospective applicants to enroll, at no charge, in the DOJ Grants Financial Management Online Training, available at https://ojpfgm.webfirst.com/. (This training is required for all OJP award recipients.)

Also, applicants should be aware that OJP collects information from applicants on their financial management and systems of internal controls (among other information), which is used to make award decisions. Under Section D. Application and Submission Information, applicants may access and review a questionnaire – the OJP Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire – that OJP requires all applicants (other than an individual applying in his/her personal capacity) to download, complete, and submit as part of the application.

2 For purposes of this solicitation, the phrase “pass-through entity” includes any recipient or subrecipient that provides a subaward ("subgrant”) to a subrecipient (subgrantee) to carry out part of the funded award or program.

Additional information on proposed subawards is listed under What an Application Should Include, Section D of this solicitation.

3 The "Part 200 Uniform Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R. Part 2800, which adopts (with certain modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

https://ojpfgm.webfirst.com/ https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/FinancialCapability.pdf

Budget Information

Cost Sharing or Match Requirement This solicitation does not require a match. However, if a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit.

For additional information on cost sharing and match, see the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.3b.htm.

Preagreement Costs (also known as Preaward Costs) Preagreement costs are costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of performance of the federal award.

OJP does not typically approve preagreement costs; an applicant must request and obtain the prior written approval of OJP for all such costs. All such costs incurred prior to award and prior to approval of the costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant. (Generally, no applicant should incur project costs before submitting an application requesting federal funding for those costs.) Should there be extenuating circumstances that make it appropriate for OJP to consider approving preagreement costs, the applicant may contact the point of contact listed on the title page of this solicitation for the requirements concerning written requests for approval. If approved in advance by OJP, award funds may be used for preagreement costs, consistent with the recipient’s approved budget and applicable cost principles. See the section on Costs Requiring Prior Approval in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm for more information.

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, a recipient may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonuses) to any employee of the recipient at a rate that exceeds 110 percent of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year.4 The 2018 salary table for SES employees is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/18Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a greater rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid with nonfederal funds. (Nonfederal funds used for any such additional compensation will not be considered matching funds, where match requirements apply.) If only a portion of an employee's time is charged to an OJP award, the maximum allowable compensation is equal to the percentage of time worked times the maximum salary limitation.

The Assistant Attorney General for OJP may exercise discretion to waive, on an individual basis, this limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award. An applicant that requests a waiver should include a detailed justification in the budget narrative of its application.

An applicant that does not submit a waiver request and justification with its application should anticipate that OJP will require the applicant to adjust and resubmit the budget.

4 OJP does not apply this limitation on the use of award funds to the nonprofit organizations listed in Appendix VIII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.3b.htm https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/18Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/18Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx

The justification should address—in the context of the work the individual would do under the award—the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the uniqueness of a service the individual will provide, the individual’s specific knowledge of the proposed program or project, and a statement that explains whether and how the individual’s salary under the award would be commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her qualifications and expertise, and for the work he/she would do under the award.

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs OJP strongly encourages every applicant that proposes to use award funds for any conference-, meeting-, or training-related activity (or similar event) to review carefully—before submitting an application—the OJP and DOJ policy and guidance on approval, planning, and reporting of such events, available at https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm. OJP policy and guidance (1) encourage minimization of conference, meeting, and training costs; (2) require prior written approval (which may affect project timelines) of most conference, meeting, and training costs for cooperative agreement recipients, as well as some conference, meeting, and training costs for grant recipients; and (3) set cost limits, which include a general prohibition of all food and beverage costs.

Costs Associated With Language Assistance (if applicable) If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation services, where appropriate.

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section under “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2017 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm.

C. Eligibility Information

For eligibility information, see the title page.

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see Section B. Federal Award Information.

D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include

This section describes in detail what an application should include. An applicant should anticipate that if it fails to submit an application that contains all of the specified elements, it may negatively affect the review of its application; and, should a decision be made to make an award, it may result in the inclusion of award conditions that preclude the recipient from accessing or using award funds until the recipient satisfies the conditions and OJP makes the funds available.

Moreover, an applicant should anticipate that an application that OJP determines is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, including the funding limit, or that OJP https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm determines does not include the application elements that OJJDP has designated to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review nor receive further consideration. For this solicitation, OJJDP has designated the following application elements as critical: Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet, and Budget Narrative.

NOTE: OJP has combined the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative in a single document collectively referred to as the Budget Detail Worksheet. See “Budget Information and Associated Documentation” below for more information about the Budget Detail Worksheet and where it can be accessed.

OJP strongly recommends that applicants use appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Program Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of Understanding,” “Résumés”) for all attachments. Also, OJP recommends that applicants include résumés in a single file.

Please review the “Note on File Names and File Types” under How To Apply to be sure applications are submitted in permitted formats.

1. Information To Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and the OJP Grants Management System (GMS) take information from the applicant’s profile to populate the fields on this form. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit entity, select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable).

To avoid processing delays, an applicant must include an accurate legal name on its SF-

424. On the SF-424, current OJP award recipients, when completing the field for “Legal Name” (box 8a), should use the same legal name that appears on the prior year award document (which is also the legal name stored in OJP’s financial system). Also, current recipients should enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in box 8c exactly as it appears on the prior year award document. An applicant with a current, active award(s) must ensure that its GMS profile is current. If the profile is not current, the applicant should submit a Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN) updating the information on its GMS profile prior to applying under this solicitation.

A new applicant entity should enter its official legal name in box 8a, its address in box 8d, its EIN in box 8b, and its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in box 8c of the SF-424. A new applicant entity should attach official legal documents to its application (e.g., articles of incorporation, 501(c)(3) status documentation, organizational letterhead, etc.) to confirm the legal name, address, and EIN entered into the SF-424. OJP will use the System for Award Management (SAM) to confirm the legal name and DUNS number entered in the SF-424; therefore, an applicant should ensure that the information entered in the SF-424 matches its current registration in SAM. See the How to Apply section for more information on SAM and DUNS numbers.

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation ("funding opportunity") is not subject to Executive Order 12372. (In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting the response that the “Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”) https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html

2. Project Abstract

Applications should include a high-quality project abstract that summarizes the proposed project in 400 words or less. Project abstracts should be—

• Written for a general public audience.

• Submitted as a separate attachment with “Project Abstract” as part of its file name.

• Single-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (such as Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins.

The abstract should briefly describe the project’s purpose, the population to be served, and the activities that the applicant will implement to achieve the project’s goals and objectives.

The abstract should describe how the applicant will measure progress toward these goals.

The abstract should indicate whether the applicant will use any portion of the project budget to conduct research, as described in Note on Project Evaluations on page 17.

As a separate attachment, the project abstract will not count against the page limit for the program narrative.

3. Program Narrative

Applicants must submit a program narrative that presents a detailed description of the purpose, goals, objectives, strategies, design, and management of the proposed program.

The program narrative should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins, not exceeding 30 pages of 8½ by 11 inches, and use a standard 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman.

Pages should be numbered “1 of 30,” etc. The tables, charts, pictures, etc., including all captions, legends, keys, subtext, etc., may be single-spaced and will count in the 30-page limit. Material required under the Budget and Budget Narrative and Additional Attachments sections will not count toward the program narrative page count. Applicants may provide bibliographical references as a separate attachment that will not count toward the 30-page program narrative limit. If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, OJJDP may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

The program narrative should address the following selection criteria: (1) statement of the problem; (2) goals, objectives, and performance measures; (3) program design and implementation; and (4) capabilities/competencies. The applicant should clearly delineate the connections between and among each of these sections. For example, the applicant should derive the goals and objectives directly from the problems to be addressed. Similarly, the project design section should clearly explain how the program’s structure and activities will accomplish the goals and objectives identified in the previous section.

The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative:5

a. Statement of the Problem. Applicants should briefly describe the need for a national membership and accreditation program for state and local CASA programs.

The applicant should use data to provide evidence that the need exists. Any data or research referenced in the narrative should include information about the source of

5 For information on subawards (including the details on proposed subawards that should be included in the application), see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application and Submission Information.

the data and/or a citation. Applicants should describe the target population and any previous or current experience administering a national subgrant program and publishing resources for court appointed special advocates.

The applicant should also describe the national training and technical assistance program for CASA volunteers using data to provide evidence that the need exists for this program. Applicants should describe any previous or current attempts to implement a national training and technical assistance program.

Applicants should describe any research or evaluation studies that relate to the problem and contribute to the applicant’s understanding of its causes and potential solutions, particularly with regard to diverse populations of children. While OJJDP expects applicants to review the research literature for relevant studies, they should also explore whether unpublished local sources of research or evaluation data are available.

b. Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures. Applicants should describe the goals of the proposed program and identify its objectives. When formulating the program’s goals and objectives, applicants should be cognizant of the performance measures that OJJDP will require successful applicants to provide.

Goals. Applicants should describe the program’s intent to change, reduce, or eliminate the problem noted in the previous section and outline the project’s goals.

Program Objectives. Applicants should explain how the program will accomplish its goals. Objectives are specific, quantifiable statements of the project’s desired results.

They should be clearly linked to the problem identified in the preceding section and measurable. (Examples of measurable objectives include the following: to increase the number of public and private partnerships supporting CASA goals, to increase the number of Hispanic children being served, to increase the number of CASA programs serving children in rural areas, to increase the number of volunteers who exemplify the racial and ethnic composition of the children they serve.)

Performance Measures. OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award (see “General Information About Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements” in Section F. Federal Award Administration Information). The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified under "Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables" in Section A. Program Description.

Applicants should visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance to view the specific reporting requirements for this grant program.

Performance measures for this solicitation are listed in Appendix A: Performance Measures Table.

The application should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the performance data reporting requirements for this grant program and detail how the applicant will gather the required data should it receive funding.

https://www.ojp.gov/performance

Please note that applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Performance measures information is included as an alert that successful applicants will be required to submit performance data as part of the reporting requirements under an award.

The performance measures data reported semiannually will assist OJJDP and the grantee in determining the extent to which the grantee’s activities have moved the project forward to achieve the stated goals and objectives.

OJJDP will require award recipients to submit semiannual performance metrics of relevant data through the Data Reporting Tool.

Note on Project Evaluations An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations should be aware that certain project evaluations (such as systematic investigations designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge) may constitute “research” for purposes of applicable DOJ human subjects protection regulations. However, project evaluations that are intended only to generate internal improvements to a program or service, or are conducted only to meet OJP’s performance measure data reporting requirements, likely do not constitute “research.” Each applicant should provide sufficient information for OJP to determine whether the particular project it proposes would either intentionally or unintentionally collect and/or use information in such a way that it meets the DOJ definition of research that appears at 28 C.F.R. Part 46 (“Protection of Human Subjects”).

Research, for purposes of human subjects protection for OJP-funded programs, is defined as “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” 28 C.F.R.

46.102(d).

For additional information on determining whether a proposed activity would constitute research for purposes of human subjects protection, applicants should consult the decision tree in the “Research and the protection of human subjects” section of the “Requirements related to Research” webpage of the "Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2017 Awards," available through the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm.

Every prospective applicant whose application may propose a research or statistical component also should review the “Data Privacy and Confidentiality Requirements” section on that webpage.

c. Project Design and Implementation. Applicants should detail how the project will operate throughout the funding period and describe the strategies that they will use to achieve the goals and objectives identified in the previous section. Applicants should describe how they will complete the deliverables stated in the Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables section on page 5. OJJDP encourages applicants to select evidence-based practices for their programs.

https://www.ojjdp-dctat.org/ https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/EvidenceResearchEvaluationRequirements.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm

This section should also include details regarding any leveraged resources (cash or in-kind) from local sources to support the project and discuss plans for sustainability beyond the grant period.

Logic Model. Applicants should include a logic model that graphically illustrates how the performance measures are related to the project’s problems, goals, objectives, and design. See sample logic models here. Applicants should submit the logic model as a separate attachment, as stipulated in Additional Attachments, page 23.

Timeline. Applicants should submit a realistic timeline or milestone chart that indicates major tasks associated with the goals and objectives of the project, assigns responsibility for each, and plots completion of each task by month or quarter for the duration of the award, using “Year 1,” “Month 1,” “Quarter 1,” etc., not calendar dates (see “Sample Project Timelines” here).

Applicants should submit the timeline as a separate attachment, as stipulated in Additional Attachments, page 23. On receipt of an award, the recipient may revise the timeline, based on training and technical assistance that OJJDP will provide.

d. Capabilities and Competencies. This section should describe the experience and capability of the applicant organization and any contractors or subgrantees that the applicant will use to implement and manage this effort and its associated federal funding, highlighting any previous experience implementing projects of similar design or magnitude. Applicants should highlight their experience/capability/capacity to manage subawards, including details on their system for fiscal accountability.

Management and staffing patterns should be clearly connected to the project design described in the previous section. Applicants should describe the roles and responsibilities of project staff and explain the program’s organizational structure and operations. Applicants should include a copy of an organizational chart showing how the organization operates, including who manages the finances; how the organization manages subawards, if there are any; and the management of the project proposed for funding.

Letters of Support/Memoranda of Understanding.