PKG00249424-instructions.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Administration on Disabilities

Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program Partner State Funding Opportunity

HHS-2019-ACL-AOD-TBSG-0348

Application Due Date: 05/27/2019

Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program Partner State Funding Opportunity

HHS-2019-ACL-AOD-TBSG-0348

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Submission Dates and Times

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information

Department of Health & Human Services

ACL Center: Administration on Disabilities Funding Opportunity Title: Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership

Program Partner State Funding Opportunity

Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2019-ACL-AOD-TBSG-0348 Primary CFDA Number: 93.234 Due Date for Letter of Intent: 04/15/2019 Due Date for Applications: 05/27/2019 Date for Informational Conference Call: 04/10/2019

Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3- 5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary The Administration for Community Living (ACL), Administration on Disabilities is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) State Partnership Program

– Partner State Grants. Through this funding opportunity announcement, ACL intends to award two two-year Partner State awards to lead state agencies for TBI. The purpose of this program is to create and strengthen a system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBI across the lifespan, while providing support for their families and caregivers.

Through the TBI State Partnership Program, ACL’s goal is two-fold: 1) To help states strengthen and grow their capacity to support and maintain a system of services and supports that will maximize the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBI and 2) To learn from and call upon the expertise of states that have built and maintained a strong and sophisticated state TBI infrastructure.

Last year, ACL funded two tiers of grantees through the TBI State Partnership Program: 14 Partner State Grants and 10 Mentor State Grants. Grantees from both tiers are now working together to maximize the program’s impact nationally. Both types of grants provide funding to states for building, enhancing, and expanding their basic infrastructure. Additionally, Mentor State grantees are mentoring Partner State grantees in the context of joint workgroups focused on topics critical to the TBI community and program. Mentor State grantees are also working together with other Mentor State grantees and with ACL to improve the national impact of the TBI program through an effort to create a national, culturally competent, person-centered professional development infrastructure for TBI service professionals.

Applicants for this Partner State grant must agree to: provide the required 2:1 state match;

https://www.grants.gov support a state TBI advisory board; provide at least one dedicated staff person at 50% FTE;

create an annual TBI state plan; create and/or expand a state TBI registry; and actively participate on two or more Mentor State-led work groups.

I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Background and Purpose Administration for Community Living The Administration for Community Living was established in April 2012 to better enable older adults and people with disabilities across their lifespan to fully engage and participate in their communities, make informed decisions, and practice self-determination with regard to their independence, health, and well-being. ACL exists to help all Americans – including people with disabilities and older adults – live and participate in any community.

Programs operated by ACL have the expectation of community living as their foundation. ACL programs actively seek to create communities where the necessary information, resources, opportunities, services, and supports are available and accessible so that people with and without disabilities, their families, and their support networks can live, learn, work, play, and prosper.

The TBI State Partnership Program This announcement solicits applications for the Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program – Partner State Funding Opportunity. This Program is authorized by the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L.115-377). In July 1996, Congress enacted the first TBI Act (P.L. 104-166) "to provide for the conduct of expanded studies and the establishment of innovative programs with respect to traumatic brain injury." This legislation allowed for the implementation of a state grants program to improve access to health and other services for individuals with TBIs and their families.

The TBI Reauthorization Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-196) allowed the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary to review oversight of the federal TBI programs (TBI State Partnership Grant program and the TBI Protection and Advocacy program) and reconsider which operating division should lead them. With avid support from TBI stakeholders, the Secretary found that the goals of the federal TBI programs closely align with ACL's mission to advance policy and implement programs that support the rights of older Americans and people with disabilities to live in their communities. As a result, on Oct. 1, 2015, the federal TBI programs moved from the Health Resources and Services Administration to ACL.

The purpose of the overall TBI State Partnership Program is to create and strengthen a system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBI across the lifespan, their families, and their caregivers. Since the passage of the TBI Act of 1996 and through subsequent reauthorizations, state agencies have received federal funding to develop and enhance services, systems, and infrastructure that serve people with TBIs and their family members and caregivers. Various iterations of this program have included small grants to many states and territories, and more recently, larger grants to fewer states.

Focusing on fewer states has allowed a core group of states to maintain well-developed infrastructure, while many states that have not received a recent grant have found it more difficult to create and sustain the infrastructure necessary to maintain services and supports for people with TBIs.

Since the TBI programs transferred to ACL, ACL has sought stakeholder feedback in the form of interviews with individuals who have sustained a TBI and their family members, interviews with experts in TBI research and rehabilitation, presentations to national membership groups and state head injury administrators, and outreach to other federal partners who work on TBI prevention, clinical, and research initiatives. This feedback was collected and detailed in the ACL TBI As-Is Assessment. Following the release of this report in November 2016, ACL received additional stakeholder feedback regarding the scope of the program. Specifically, stakeholders reported that it is important for the program to have a broader reach (i.e., that more states should have access to funding). They also reported that spreading the currently available funding among every eligible grantee would result in insufficient funding for any grantee to develop meaningful infrastructure. ACL also heard about the desire for more national efforts including interstate collaboration regarding services and supports for underserved populations, standardized data collection and metrics, and resource sharing of evidence-based practices.

Additionally, stakeholders from state agencies were excited about the opportunity to collaborate more intentionally with other federal programs, in particular other ACL initiatives such as the Centers for Independent Living and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

Through the TBI State Partnership Program, ACL’s goal is two-fold: 1) To help states strengthen and grow their capacity to support and maintain a system of services and supports that will maximize the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBI and 2) To learn from and call upon the expertise of states that have built and maintained a strong and sophisticated state TBI infrastructure.

For the 2018 funding cycle last year, ACL awarded two tiers of grantees through the TBI State Partnership Program:

14 Partner State Grants

Alaska Arkansas California Georgia Idaho Kansas Kentucky Maryland Minnesota Missouri North Carolina Rhode Island Utah Vermont

10 Mentor State Grants

Colorado Indiana Iowa Massachusetts Nebraska Oregon Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Grantees from both tiers are now working together to maximize the program’s impact nationally. Both types of grants provide funding to states for building, enhancing, and expanding basic infrastructure. Additionally, Mentor State Grants are working with Partner State grantees within the context of joint workgroups focused on topics critical to the TBI community and the program. The current workgroups are focused on the following topics:

Advisory Boards and Survivor Engagement Criminal and Juvenile Justice Opioid Use, Substance Use, and Mental Health Return to Learn and Return to Play Sustainable Partnerships Transition and Employment Underserved Populations Using Data to Connect People to Services Waivers and Trust Funds

Mentor State grantees are also working together with other Mentor State grantees and with ACL to improve the national impact of the TBI program through an effort to create a national, culturally competent, person-centered professional development infrastructure for TBI service professionals.

In order to avoid any issues around duplication of effort, it is ACL's intent under this funding opportunity announcement to award grants to two states that do not currently have a TBI State Partnership Program grant.

This funding opportunity is for the Partner State Grants, and applicants must agree to:

provide the required 2:1 state match (State agencies will be responsible for $1 of project funding for every $2 provided by the federal program. Another way of thinking about this is that grantees will provide 1/3 of the total project funding.);

support a state TBI advisory board;

provide at least one dedicated staff person at 50% FTE;

create an annual TBI state plan;

create and/or expand their state’s TBI registry; and work independently and with one or more Mentor State grantee(s) to expand and strengthen the Partner State’s capacity to provide access to comprehensive and coordinated services for individuals with TBIs and their families.

Like all ACL programs, the TBI State Partnership Program operates with a solid focus on the principles of the Independent Living Movement. Independent living is a liberation movement and a culture that empowers individuals with disabilities – particularly individuals with significant disabilities – to exercise full choice and control over their lives and to live independently in their communities. It is expected that the successful applicants will demonstrate how the independent living philosophy will be evident throughout the funded activities, including staffing, administration, and governance.

In alignment with ACL’s commitment to independent living and person-centered planning principles, grantees will work across statewide systems towards the creation or enhancement of a person-centered, consumer-directed service delivery system. Grantees should include evidence-based practices. Grantees should include standards for incorporating consumer-direction into service systems at the development, implementation, and quality management levels through authentic consumer leadership on advisory boards, in focus groups, and through surveying, etc.

B. Program Priority Areas Required Activities

1. State TBI Advisory Board Per 42 U.S. Code § 300d–52, all recipients of this funding opportunity must agree “to establish an advisory board within the appropriate health department of the State or American Indian consortium or within another department as designated by the chief executive officer of the State or American Indian consortium.”

The State TBI Advisory Board provides an opportunity for grantees to ensure a variety of stakeholders participate in determining the needs of individuals with TBIs, their families, and caregivers within the state. It also creates a structure for statewide cross-systems collaboration, which is essential for systems change work.

Applicants should describe in their applications how their program’s advisory board representation will be in accordance with 42 U.S.C, § 300d–52, which specifies “an Advisory Board shall be composed of representatives of:

(i) the corresponding State, Territory or American Indian consortium agencies involved;

(ii) public and nonprofit private health related organizations;

(iii) other disability advisory or planning groups within the State, Territory or American Indian consortium;

(iv) members of an organization or foundation representing individuals with traumatic brain injury in that State, Territory or region;

(v) injury control programs at the State or local level if such programs exist; and

(vi) a substantial number of individuals with traumatic brain injury, or the family members of such individuals.” which requires participation from individuals with disabilities and their family members, health related organizations, disability advisory groups, and injury control programs (if such programs exist).”

Additionally, ACL believes that high expectations can lead to a stronger, increasingly collaborative, and increasingly person-centered program and that individuals with disabilities need to be engaged in and lead the decision-making processes about their services and supports.

The inclusion of survivor voices at all levels of decision-making is a function of those high expectations and is a core value of ACL. That is why TBI state advisory boards must include a significant number of TBI survivors. To this end, applicants should describe the extent to which they will include the following professional and personal affiliations on their advisory board:

People with TBIs (states should work towards ensuring that people with TBIs comprise 50% of the advisory board membership)

Family member(s) of people with TBIs Center for Independent Living/State Independent Living Council representation Aging and Disability Resource Center representation (if one exists within your state) Protection & Advocacy agency representation Long-term care ombudsman representation The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

(NIDILRR) funded TBI Model System Center representation (if one exists within your state)

2. Annual TBI State Plan During the course of the project, grantees will develop annual state plans that will help them determine how best to improve the services and supports for people living with TBIs in their state. Applicants should describe in their applications, a clear process for how they will develop an annual state plan through the state TBI Advisory Board and also how other people with TBIs, including underserved and inappropriately served individuals will be involved in the plan’s creation. The process should make use of the results of a comprehensive review and analysis of the services, supports, and other assistance available to people with TBIs, as well as the extent of the unmet needs. Annual plans will include goals for closing the gap of unmet needs of people with TBIs in the state along with objectives and activities for the grantees’ funded projects. Grantees will be expected to use the information in their state plans as a foundation for advancing their statewide systems of TBI services, including how such services are targeted and delivered, as well as how known gaps in services are addressed. ACL will review each grantee’s annual state plan.

3. TBI State Registry In the Children’s Health Act of 2000, Congress authorized the CDC to develop a “National Program of TBI Registries” to collect data about TBI. TBI registries [CT(1] require the following primary functions: data collection; identification (maintaining personal identifiers and contact information); and linking people to services (helping them get information about file:///Q:/AoD/ILA/TBI/2019/2019%20Grant%20Competion/Draft%20TBI%20Partner%20FOA%20-%202019%2003%2014%20DF.docx#_msocom_1 available services).* The CDC continues to support TBI registries and related data systems.

ACL believes that this existing infrastructure is a valuable method of connecting people with TBIs to available services and supports. Applicants should discuss how they will collaborate with any existing TBI registries or similar data collection efforts in their states and work to better connect individuals to person-centered services. Applicants should describe how they will work to broaden the registries’ or data collection efforts’ impact – for example, working with the existing infrastructure to expand the referral sources (i.e., beyond trauma care or emergency room visits to include primary care physician visits, Vocational Rehabilitation, justice systems, etc.). If no state registry exists, applicants should describe how they will work toward creation of a registry or similar data collection effort. Applicants are permitted but not required to invest in robust information technology in order to fulfill this requirement. Applicants should also describe how they will consider privacy protections and other safeguards for individuals on this registry.

*https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/future_of_registries-a.pdf

4. Mentorship and Technical Assistance In addition to the statewide and national initiatives detailed above, Partner States grantees are required to join with other Partner State and Mentor State grantees on at least two grantee workgroups focused on a particular an area of need.

The existing work groups:

Advisory Boards and Survivor Engagement – The Advisory Boards and Survivor Engagement workgroup supports the full participation and authentic leadership of TBI survivors in the service delivery system through advisory board activities, needs assessments, and other state activities.

Criminal and Juvenile Justice – The Criminal and Juvenile Justice workgroup is focused on the many individuals who have sustained a TBI and are currently involved in the justice system or transitioning back into community living. Many states are working to screen individuals for potential TBIs and connect them with appropriate supports. The workgroup supports the training of correctional officers, probation officers, and other professionals in the criminal justice system to understand the needs of justice-involved individuals who have sustained TBI.

Opioid Use, Substance Use, and Mental Health – The Opioid Use, Substance Use, and Mental Health workgroup collaborates across this critical intersection of often disconnected support services to address vulnerabilities within the TBI community.

Opioid misuse is a common risk factor following TBI, and the challenges of chronic pain management are further complicated by reactions to the current crisis. Moreover, many individuals who have sustained a TBI also experience co-occurring mental health disorders.

Return to Learn and Return to Play – The Return to Learn and Return to Play workgroup is focused on helping professionals, families, and TBI survivors navigate post-TBI transitions. Following TBI, school-aged children often require assistance returning successfully to school and sports.

Sustainable Partnerships – The Sustainable Partnerships workgroup focuses on establishing partnerships between lead state agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term success of TBI programs. Through robust partnerships, State Partnership Program grantees are able to create comprehensive systems of services and supports for individuals who have sustained a TBI, their families, and their support networks.

Transition and Employment – The Transition and Employment workgroup is focused on how to support individuals who have sustained TBI and are seeking to reenter the workforce. The workgroup develops resources that help survivors know their rights and help potential employers understand the skillsets and accommodation needs of their survivor employees.

Underserved Populations – The Underserved Populations workgroup is working to determine how to effectively reach and serve communities that are often overlooked.

TBI often goes undiagnosed among certain populations such as rural communities, homeless veterans, and native and tribal populations.

Using Data to Connect People to Services – The Using Data to Connect People to Services workgroup focuses on state TBI registries and data collection. TBI registries contain protected prevalence data that helps states provide more targeted outreach to TBI survivors, including information and referral to TBI survivors.

Waivers and Trust Funds – The Waivers and Trust Funds workgroup collaborates to support and further develop state TBI waivers and TBI trust funds. Waivers are an avenue for TBI survivors to access and pay for services. Trust funds help ensure program sustainability through additional funding.

In addition to advancing the field in these focus areas, workgroups also serve as a forum for Partner State grantees to work alongside Mentor State grantees and benefit from their leadership and experience. Applicants should indicate in their applications which of the workgroups they are most interested in working on.

Travel is not required for these activities, but it is allowed.

5. Program Sustainability Plan Through this funding opportunity, ACL expects to realize tangible, measurable, and sustainable advancements in the capacity of states to serve people with TBIs, their families, and caregivers.

Applicants should propose in their applications a plan for their project’s sustainability, beyond the period of federal funding, that is reasonable and feasible. Applicants are encouraged to consider and propose a range of potential approaches for ensuring sustainability of project efforts for three to seven years once federal funding has ended.

6. Grantee Meeting Additionally, grantees will participate in a national or regional TBI-related conference that will be convened by ACL or ACL partners. This event will provide grantees with the opportunity to learn from each other, to share educational resources and promising practices, and expand partnerships across states. Applications should include budgets that request sufficient resources for at least two individuals affiliated with the program to travel to and participate in a national or regional TBI-related conference annually. Applicants' budgets should take into consideration any potential extra costs related to reasonable accommodations that may be necessary for TBI survivors who may be traveling.

7. Performance reporting Applicants should describe how they will report on the impact of their projects, including in the areas of:

Increased capacity to provide access to comprehensive and coordinated services for individuals with TBIs and their families

The strengthening of a system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBI across the lifespan, their families, and their caregivers

Improved national coordination and collaboration around TBI services and supports The establishment of innovative programs with respect to TBI Improved access to health and other services for individuals with TBIs and their families

Please see proposed performance measures for these grants in the Attachments section. ACL is in the process of obtaining clearance to use these measures through the US Office of Management and Budget. But, it is not anticipated that the measures will change significantly from what is presented here[CT(2] .

Other Allowable Activities Applicants should describe how they will use any remaining funds for other activities that strengthen a system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of persons with TBIs across the lifespan. Examples of some of these allowable activities are listed below. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive.

Hosting trainings for service professionals in the state who are working with people with TBIs

Providing training for people with TBIs on areas of interest such as employment, advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, TBI self-management, health promotion, or cross disability systems change

Screening people for TBIs Providing information and referral services Providing resource facilitation Establishing/enhancing a TBI Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver within the state Establishing/enhancing a TBI trust fund in the state Performing a needs and resources assessment for specific populations Hosting or presenting at conferences Establishing/enhancing a peer or family mentorship program or support groups file:///Q:/AoD/ILA/TBI/2019/2019%20Grant%20Competion/Draft%20TBI%20Partner%20FOA%20-%202019%2003%2014%20DF.docx#_msocom_2

Statutory Authority The statutory authority for grants under this Program Announcement is contained in the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2018 (P.L.115-377); (42 U.S.C. 300d-52)

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement Estimated Total Funding: $300,000 Expected Number of Awards: 2 Award Ceiling: $150,000 Per Budget Period Award Floor: $75,000 Per Budget Period Length of Project Period: 24-month project period with two 12-month budget periods ACL plans to fund approximately two new cooperative agreements under this announcement, with a federal funding level of approximately $150,000 per award for a 24-month project period with two 12 month budget periods, pending availability of federal funds. Not all states that apply for funding will necessarily receive grants. Successful applicants may be asked to revise their proposals based on smaller- or larger-than-requested awards.

Once a cooperative agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend it or the work plan may be made by ACL or the awardee at any time as long as it stays within the original confines of the proposed project description. Major changes may affect the integrity of the competitive review process. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the execution of an award notice. When an award is issued the cooperative agreement terms and conditions from the program announcement are incorporated by reference unless ACL is authorized under the Terms and Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants State, territorial governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribal governments and Native American organizations are the only eligible applicants for funding. The application for a TBI State Partnership Program Partner State Grant may only come from the state agency designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the state as the lead agency for TBI within the state, territory, or Indian tribal government. Only one application from each state, territorial government, federally recognized Indian tribal government or Native American organization may enter the review process and be considered for a TBI State Partnership Program Partner State Grant.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement: Yes Cost Sharing/Matching is required for this program per § 1252(c) of the Public Health Service

Act. The State, Territory, or federally recognized Indian Tribal government or Native American organization must agree to make available non-federal contributions in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of federal funds provided under the grant. Non-federal funds may be cash or in-kind and fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. State, Territorial, or Indian Tribal government contributions may not include any amounts provided by the federal government. The match, as required by the TBI legislation, must come from State or local sources and may be governmental or non-governmental resources.

There are two types of match: 1) non-federal cash and 2) non-federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors and consultants or other project partners ) e.g., nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, foundations, TBI trust funds, etc.) are considered matching funds.

Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third party) donations. Examples of non-federal cash match includes budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project. Applications with a match greater than the minimum required will not receive additional consideration under the review.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

Application Responsiveness Criteria The successful applicants for this funding opportunity announcement will be those that demonstrate the funded program activities will directly serve a state(s), territorial government(s), or federally recognized Indian Tribal government(s) or Native American organization(s) that is not currently served by a TBI State Partnership Program grantee awarded in FY 2018. In other words, applicants should propose to serve areas other than Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Application Screening Criteria All applications will be screened to assure a level playing field for all applicants. Applications that fail to meet the five (5) screening criteria described below will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration.

In order for an application to be reviewed, it must meet the following screening requirements:

1. Applications must be submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, May 19, 2019.

2. The Project Narrative section of the Application must be double-spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of not less than 11, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

3. The Project Narrative must not exceed 15 pages. Project Narratives that exceed 15 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 15 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, Vitae of Key Project Personnel, Staffing Plan, and Budget Narrative/Justification are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 15-page limit.

4. Applications must demonstrate that the applicant has made a commitment to supply the required match from non-federal contributions in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of federal funds provided under the grant.

5. Applicants must be eligible state agencies as defined in Section III.1

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the application deadline.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from http://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grant s/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants /applicants/workspace-overview.html The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with http://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

At the http://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a DUNS number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www .sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at: https://www.sam.gov /sam/ transcript/ SAM_Quick_ Guide_Grants_ Registrations-v1.6. ;pdf.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its DUNS number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a DUNS number at the time the subaward is made.

Since October 1, 2003, The Office of Management and Budget has required applicants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities. The DUNS number is free and easy to obtain.

Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 866-705-5711

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from http://www.grants.gov that contains http://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from http://www.grants.gov.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Dana Fink Administration on Disabilities Phone Number: (202) 795-7604 E-mail: dana.fink@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:dana.fink@acl.hhs.gov

Due Date for Letter of Intent: 04/15/2019 Applicants are requested and strongly encouraged to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity. Knowing the number of anticipated applicants will assist ACL in planning for the independent review process. It will also allow ACL to better estimate the funding range for the grants under this program. Letters of intent should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Dana Fink Administration on Disabilities Email: dana.fink@acl.hhs.gov

Project Narrative The project narrative must be double-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins on both sides, and a standard font size of no less than 11 point, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.

You can use smaller font sizes to fill in the standard forms and sample formats. The suggested length for the project narrative is 10 to 15 pages; 15 pages is the maximum length allowed.

Project narratives that exceed 15 pages will have the additional pages removed and only the first 15 pages of the project narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. The project work plan, budget, budget narrative/justification, letters of commitment, staffing plan and vitae of key project personnel are not counted as part of the project narrative for purposes of the 15-page limit, but all of the other sections noted below are included in the limit.

The sample components of the Project Narrative counted as part of the 15 page limit include:

Summary/Abstract Challenges and Opportunities Goal(s) and Objective(s) Person-Centered Planning and Underserved Populations Proposed Activities Outcomes Mentorship and Technical Assistance Organizational Capability and Project Management

The project narrative is the most important part of the application, since it will be used as the primary basis to determine whether or not your project meets the minimum requirements for grants under the authorizing statutes. The project narrative should provide a clear and concise description of your project. ACL recommends that your project narrative include the following components:

Summary/Abstract All applications for grant funding must include a summary/abstract that concisely describes the proposed project, including goals, objectives, overall approach (including target population and significant partnerships), anticipated outcomes, products to be developed, and duration. It should be written for an audience that includes the general public. To ensure uniformity, please limit the length to 265 words or less on a single page with a font size of not less than 11, doubled-spaced.

More detailed instructions for completing the summary/abstract, including simple descriptions of terms and a sample abstract, are included in the “Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/Abstract" in Section VIII of this funding opportunity announcement.

Challenges and Opportunities This section should describe, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the nature, types and scope of traumatic brain injury services currently available within the state, including increased availability of services as a result of previous grant activities. This section should also include existing gaps and unmet needs that should be addressed and anticipated challenges with bringing existing infrastructure to scale with a person-centered approach.

Goals and Objectives This section should consist of a description of the project’s goal(s) and major objectives. Unless the project involves multiple, complex interventions, ACL recommends you have only one overall goal. Proposed goal(s) should address the overall goals of this funding announcement which are maximizing the independence, well-being, and health of people with TBIs across the lifespan and all other demographics, their family members, and support networks through the establishment of innovative programs with respect to TBI; increasing capacity to provide access to comprehensive and coordinated services for individuals with TBIs and their families;

improving national coordination and collaboration around TBI services and supports; and strengthening the system of services and supports that maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of people with TBIs across the lifespan and all other demographics, their family members, and support networks.

Person-Centered Planning and Underserved Populations This section should describe how the applicant plans to involve people with TBIs, including those who are underserved or inappropriately served, in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposal project. Describe how the state agency will work across statewide systems towards the creation or enhancement of a person-centered, consumer-directed service delivery system. Include any evidence-based practices. Include standards for incorporating consumer-direction into service systems at the development, implementation, and quality management levels through authentic consumer leadership on advisory boards, in focus groups, through surveying, and other techniques. Describe how the state will routinely measure end user satisfaction with the service delivery system and provide necessary supports to facilitate the involvement of consumer leaders. Describe how you will include voices of underserved and inappropriately served individuals and populations based on the needs of your state. A non-exhaustive list of possible underserved populations is included here: veterans, children and youth, older adults, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, native and tribal populations, rural populations, individuals with substance use disorders, homeless individuals, survivors of domestic or other forms of violence, individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, and individuals with co-occurring developmental, intellectual, physical, psychiatric, sensory or emerging disabilities.

Proposed Activities This section should provide a clear and concise description of the activities you are proposing to use to address the problem described in the Challenges and Opportunities. You should also describe the rationale for using the particular activities, including factors such as: “lessons learned” from similar projects previously implemented in your community, or in other areas of the country; factors in the larger environment that have created the “right conditions” for the activities (e.g., existing social, economic, or political factors that you’ll be able to take advantage of). Also note any major barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project will be able to overcome those barriers. Be sure to describe the role and makeup of any strategic partnerships you plan to involve in implementing the grant activities, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups.

In addition, applicants must describe the following:

Advisory Board and Statewide Collaboration Provide a roster for your State TBI Advisory Board, if one exists, or provide a planned roster for an envisioned Advisory Board including personal lived experiences and/or professional affiliations of the types of members that will be recruited to the Board. This Board should exist within the appropriate health department of the State or Territory or within another department, as designated by the chief executive officer of the State under Public Law 104-166. Per 42 U.S.

Code § 300d–52, “an Advisory Board shall be composed of representatives of:

(i) the corresponding State, Territory or American Indian consortium agencies involved;

(ii) public and nonprofit private health related organizations;

(iii) other disability advisory or planning groups within the State, Territory or American Indian consortium;

(iv) members of an organization or foundation representing individuals with traumatic brain injury in that State, Territory or region;

(v) injury control programs at the State or local level if such programs exist; and

(vi) a substantial number of individuals with traumatic brain injury, or the family members of such individuals.”

Additionally, if your TBI Advisory Board does not contain the following representation, please provide a plan for recruiting additional representatives. Include any barriers you anticipate in recruiting these representatives:

People with TBIs (states should work towards ensuring that people with TBIs comprise 50% of the advisory board membership)

Family member(s) of people with TBIs Center for Independent Living/State Independent Living Council representation Aging and Disability Resource Center representation (if it exists within your state) Protection & Advocacy agency representation Long-term Care Ombudsman representation The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

(NIDILRR) funded TBI Model System Center representation (if it exists within your state)

Provide any history of collaborative relationships between the lead state agency and other entities, particularly across state systems, and the scope of those collaborations. Include a listing of other entities with whom you anticipate collaborating during the project period.

Provide any MOUs or commitment letters that describe working relationships between the applicant organization and other entities and programs.

Annual State Plan Provide information about how the goals, objectives, and activities will be created and the extent to which the advisory board and other people with TBIs, including underserved and inappropriately served individuals, will be involved in this creation. Describe how the plan will be available for public review and comment. Describe how you will review the impact of the activities. Indicate which of the HHS-wide and ACL goals you anticipate incorporating into your state plan.

TBI State Registry Provide information about the existence of a TBI registry or data system in your state including what sources report to that registry (e.g., emergency rooms, trauma centers) and what information can be accessed from the registry by the state lead agency. If no state registry exists, provide a plan including timeframe for creation of this registry. All states should additionally provide information about how the lead state agency would use the TBI registry to connect individuals to person-centered services. States with existing registries should provide a plan for working with the existing infrastructure to expand the referral sources (e.g., primary care physician visits, Vocational Rehabilitation, justice systems). Provide information about personally identifiable information protections and other safeguards for people with TBIs who appear on this registry.

Outcomes This section of the project narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcome(s) that will result from the project. (NOTE: ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes). This section should also describe how the project’s findings might benefit the field at large, (e.g., how the findings could help other organizations throughout the nation to address the same or similar problems.) List measurable outcomes in the optional work plan grid (“Project Work Plan – Sample Template”) under “Measurable Outcomes” in addition to any discussion included in the narrative along with a description of how the project might benefit the field at large.

A “measurable outcome” is an observable end-result that describes how a particular intervention benefits consumers. It demonstrates the functional status, mental well-being, knowledge, skill, attitude, awareness, or behavior. It can also describe a change in the degree to which consumers exercise choice and consumer directed control over the types of services they receive, or whether they are satisfied with the way a service is delivered. Additional examples include: a change in the responsiveness or cost-effectiveness of a service delivery system; a new model of support or health care that can be replicated by other states; new knowledge that can contribute to the field of TBI; a measurable increase in community awareness; or a measurable increase in persons receiving services.