Maria M.

Ruiz -S

Digitally signed by Maria M. Ruiz -S Date: 2026.10.30 12:31:05 -04'00'

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 8

Program description 10

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 33

Find the application package 34

Get registered 34

Learn more 35

Watch the webinar 35

Step 3: Build Your Application 36

Application checklist 37

Application contents and format 38

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 52

Application review 53

Award notices 60

Step 5: Submit Your Application 61

Application submission and deadlines 62

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 64

Post-award requirements and administration 65

Contacts and Support 67

Before you begin 3

Contents 2

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

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 29, 2026.

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

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

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

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 8

Program description 10

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Department of Health & Human Services

Office of Refugee Resettlement

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is seeking residential care providers that specialize in the high-quality care of children in a group home, shelter, or transitional foster home setting.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children

Opportunity number:

HHS-2027-ACF-ORR-

ZU-0045

Federal assistance listing:

93.676

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

FY27: December 29, 2026 FY28: December 29, 2027

Optional informational webinar:

Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 1:00pm EST.

Expected project start date:

04/01/2027

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

Summary Program purpose: This funding supports group home, shelter, and transitional foster care (TFC) providers that specialize in the high-quality care of children. We are most interested in proposals that provide shelter, group home, or TFC care in states and localities near the U.S. southern border with Mexico, where the majority of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) are apprehended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Population served: An unaccompanied alien child is defined by law (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2))) as a child who:

• Does not have lawful immigration status in the United States.

• Is not yet 18 years old.

• Does not have a parent or legal guardian in the United States, or no parent or legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody.

Required services: Care providers must offer comprehensive, on-site services for children, such as education, case management, counseling, recreational activities, and access to health care services.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-124/t6/s279/#:~:text=(2)%C2%A0%20the%20term%20%E2%80%9Cunaccompanied%20alien%20child%E2%80%9D%20means%20a%20child%20who%E2%81%A0%E2%80%94

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding: $280,000,000

Total expected awards: 50

Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $2,000,000

Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $5,600,000

We plan to fund a 3-year project period. Each project period has three 1-year budget periods.

Funding for years 2 and year 3 depends on submission and approval of a non-competing continuation application.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Eligible applicants Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted.

Other eligibility criteria Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

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

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

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

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

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

ACF.

• Does not include an active license (child placement license and/or any other required license according to state regulations) to provide group home, shelter, or transitional foster care services (TFC) for children.

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

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

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Post-award requirements

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

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

Statutory authority ORR services for unaccompanied alien children is authorized under Section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), 6 U.S.C. 279.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-134/t6/s279/ https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values

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

4. Family stability and child well-being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

5. Work, self-sufficiency, and economic mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

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

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Program description Program purpose ORR is seeking group home, shelter, and/or transitional foster care (TFC) providers that specialize in the high-quality care of children. While children remain under ORR custody, care providers are responsible for children’s physical care and safety and must:

• provide services that are available 24/7, and

• be able to accept children at any time (if it aligns with state licensing requirements and it is safe to do so).

This funding opportunity addresses Agency Priority 3.

Ensuring Value Alignment in Funding

To support this commitment, ORR will use a systematic approach to assess how grant programs align with agency priorities, including responsible stewardship of federal funds and overall program goals.

This funding supports three service models:

Group home

• Specializes in caring for specific populations (such as parenting children).

• Run by 24-hour staff or house parents, typically housing 4 to 12 unaccompanied alien children.

Shelter

• Shelters are considered the least restrictive environment.

• All program activities are administered on-site.

• Run by 24-hour staff.

Transitional Foster Care (TFC)

• Specializes in caring for children:

◦ Under 13 years of age.

◦ Sibling groups or related children with at least one sibling under 13.

◦ Pregnant or parenting children.

◦ Children with specific individualized needs.

• Children in TFC are placed in a family or group home and must receive required services at a central location.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values#:~:text=as%20public%20servants-,Priorities,-Promoting%20Quality%20Early

Facility structure requirements Care provider facilities must:

• Be readily available to visitors, staff, and people with disabilities.

• Have sufficient space to accommodate

• designated common areas,

• space for recreation,

• education, and

• case management.

• Have available confidential space for:

• individual and group counseling,

• health care services, and

• meetings with attorneys.

• Have a separate bedroom for communicable disease isolation/quarantine purposes, with a minimum of 28 days.

• Ideally, there should be at least one isolation-capable bedroom, for every 25 children, equipped with a door that closes while allowing line-of-sight through a small window.

• Isolation plans should account for the fact that children in the program may require separate bedrooms for distinct illnesses at the same time (e.g., one child with varicella, one child with influenza).

• An attached private bathroom is preferred.

• Comply with local, state, and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

• Comply with state child welfare laws, regulations, and local building, zoning, fire, health, and safety codes.

• Make automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid kits available in key areas, as required by state licensing.

• Make personal protective equipment (PPE) available for staff and children.

• Be conveniently located with access to immigration courts, pro bono legal services, national airports, and community health care providers, including specialty services.

Security and monitoring Group homes and shelters (not individual foster care homes) must provide a security system, including alarm systems and video monitoring. Care providers must comply

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://www.ada.gov/ https://www.ada.gov/ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973 with state licensing standards and ensure the safety of children in case of attempted escape.

Minimum safety and security requirements include:

• Controlled entry and exit.

• Video monitoring in common areas.

• A communications and alarm system.

• Exterior video monitoring.

• Resident counting system.

• Daily log of residents’ movements.

• Mirrored or small windows for one-on-one meetings.

• Facility inspection checklist.

• Quarterly safety assessments.

• Spot inspections.

Care providers must follow 2 CFR 200.216 when selecting and purchasing video monitoring and telecommunication systems.

Hiring considerations Care providers must put in place effective policies and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to instances of sexual abuse and harassment.

This includes:

• Conducting thorough background checks.

• Providing comprehensive training on appropriate conduct and reporting protocols.

• Establishing accountability and transparency.

Care providers hiring and employment practices must comply with the requirement in 45 CFR Part 411, Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Involving Unaccompanied Children.

Staffing requirements Care providers must submit the name of each potential staff member to ORR for final approval before hiring.

All staff must be at least 21 years of age and have the required qualifications, training, and vaccinations.

Staff who work directly with children must show proof of documented immunization or demonstrated immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted through the respiratory route.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-411 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-411

Table: Position description and qualifications

Position Title Primary Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements

Program Director • Overall management of programmatic, administrative, financial, and operational systems

• Provide regular and timely reports to ORR.

• Establish respectful and supportive workplace environment

• Elevate issues or concerns to

ORR

Master’s degree (MSW or equivalent in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science) from an accredited institution.

OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution plus 5 years’ experience.

• 2 years in program management

OR

• 2 years as director of licensed child care program

Must possess the administrator’s license for the care provider’s facility, if required by state licensing.

• Must possess administrator’s license for facility (if required by state licensing)

• Must comply with state licensing standards (if applicable)

Assistant Program Director (Depending on the size of the program)

• Support Program Director

• Serve as secondary liaison with

ORR

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science from an accredited institution.

5 years of progressive employment experience with social services or child care agency/ organization.

Lead Clinician • Oversee clinical services

• Train and supervise clinical staff

• Ensure behavioral health specialists complete training on

Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling, or another relevant behavioral health discipline from an accredited

2 years of post-graduate direct service delivery experience

• Supervisory experience required

• Must be licensed to provide clinical services in state where facility is located

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Primary Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements evidence-based practices

• Ensures child-facing services are provided on-site program where clinical experience is required.

Clinician • Conduct mental health assessments

• Provide ongoing individual and group counseling

• Screen for human trafficking concerns

• Provide crisis intervention services

Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling, or other behavioral disciplines where clinical experience is required from an accredited institution.

Clinical experience through degree program

• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure

• Non-licensed staff must actively work towards licensure

• Must attain licensure within 3 years of employment date

• Services must be provided on-site

Lead Case Manager

• Coordinate case management and safe/timely release services

• Supervise and train case managers

• Ensure case managers complete training on child welfare topics

Master’s degree in behavioral sciences, human services, or social services from an accredited institution.

OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution plus experience

If education is a bachelor’s degree, at least 3 years of progressive employment experience showing supervisory and case management experience.

None specified

Case Manager • Coordinate case management

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral

Child welfare or case management

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements services under Lead Case Manager direction

• Coordinate timely referrals to external care providers

• Ensure care coordination communication between medical and behavioral health staff

• Coordinate referrals to child advocate services

• Ensure appropriate health interpretation/ translation services

• Coordinate post-release services and continuity of health care sciences, human services, or social services fields is required from an accredited institution.

experience strongly encouraged

Lead Medical Coordinator

• Oversee health services

• Coordinate timely, appropriate health services

• Supervise other Medical Coordinators

Any of the following:

• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor’s; OR

• Higher health-related

Minimum of 1 year of employment in public health or a health care setting with demonstrated experience in care coordination, health administration, or direct clinical care.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements

• Provide staff training on medical, dental, and public health topics

• Develop/ maintain policies for health record management, triage, medical emergency response, environmental health/safety, post-release health care planning qualification (e.g., Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner) from an accredited program or accredited institution.

Medical Coordinator

• Arrange and coordinate appropriate health services (urgent, emergent, preventative)

• Maintain complete, confidential medical records

• Communicate health needs to case managers and clinicians

• Schedule health care appointments

• Coordinate transportation to appointments

Any of the following:

• Licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/ LVN) or higher health-related qualification (e.g., licensed registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree), OR

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.

Minimum of 1 year of employment in public health or a health care setting with demonstrated experience in care coordination, health administration, or direct clinical care

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements

• Ensure qualified interpretation/ translation services

• Serve as liaison for community health care providers

Background Check Specialist

• Assist with background check investigation process

• Coordinate and document required background check requests and results

• Conduct quality assurance reviews

• Ensure background checks submitted completely, accurately, and within required timeframes

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum 3 years employment experience

• Basic technical skills in Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, Smartsheet)

• Good communication and project management skills

Prevention of Sexual Abuse (PSA) Compliance Manager

• Manage implementation and ongoing compliance with Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, human services, or social services from an accredited institution.

At least 1 year experience working with child welfare standards, best practices, or quality assurance/ compliance

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment (45 CFR Part 411)

• Ensure compliance with ORR policies/ procedures related to sexual abuse and harassment

OR

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or management from an accredited institution.

Teacher • Provides high-quality educational services and assessments

• Designs and implements standards-aligned curriculum that meets all requirements of the Foundational Rule (45 CFR Part 410).

• Provides consistent, direct, child-facing services in an on-site setting, ensuring a structured, engaging and compliant learning environment.

Bachelor’s degree is required from an accredited institution.

Teaching experience

• Teaching English as a Second Language

(TESL),

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), or English as a Second Language (ESL) certification

OR

• A valid U.S.

state or territory teaching license standard, provisional, temporary, or emergency), including completion of a

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-411 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-411 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-410?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-410?toc=1

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements teacher preparation program and any required licensure exams (e.g., Praxis or state-specific equivalents).

Teaching certification may be in any grade level or subject area, including but not limited to:

Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary Education, Math, Science, English/ Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, Art, Music, Special Education, Reading Specialist, Gifted and Talented, or Career & Technical Education (CTE).

Trainer • Conduct training

• Select or develop training materials

• Maintain records on training program

Bachelor’s degree is required from an accredited institution.

None specified • Position does not have to be full-time

• Responsibilities may be combined with another position

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19

Responsibilities

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience

Additional Requirements attendance, training offered, and evaluation measures

Youth Care Worker • Provide direct supervision of children in care

• Maintain line-of-sight at all times

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum 1 year employment experience in child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents

Staffing ratio requirements Care providers must meet ORR staffing ratio requirements as outlined in ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.4.1 and state licensing requirements. If state licensing requirements differ, the stricter (i.e., higher staffed) ratio should be followed:

• One (1) on-duty Youth Care Worker for every eight children during waking hours.

• One (1) on-duty Youth Care Worker for every 16 children during sleeping hours.

• One (1) on-duty Case Manager for every eight children.

• One (1) on-duty Clinician for every 12 children.

• One (1) Medical Coordinator for every 35 children.

• One (1) PSA Compliance Manager for every 50 children.

• Sufficient staff to cover one-on-one safety plans, when necessary.

Required background checks Background checks must follow ORR’s policies and state licensing requirements. At a minimum, a background check must be updated every 5 years. See ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.3.1.

Recipients and/or Contractors are required to use E-Verify or another form of verification to confirm that all direct recipients are legally eligible to work in the U.S.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-4

Foster parent requirements Foster parents must be at least 21 years old and have the state required qualifications, training, and vaccinations. In addition, foster parents must meet the following requirements:

• Be able to meet the family’s current financial obligations.

• Reside in a home that passes health and fire inspections.

• Obtain background check clearance (including fingerprint background checks, child abuse and neglect checks, and other required checks) in accordance with state law and ORR policy. This includes background checks of household members, which must be available to ORR.

• Only provide foster care for unaccompanied alien children. Unaccompanied alien children cannot live with children from the U.S. domestic foster care system.

• Meet the care provider and state regulatory requirements before accepting any children for placement.

• Attend a foster parent certification training and become licensed before accepting any unaccompanied alien children for placement.

Training requirements Newly hired employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers must complete training before having contact with children.

Staff must also complete annual training. Please refer to ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 4.3.6 for additional information on ORR’s training policies.

Required training topics include, but are not limited to:

• The right of unaccompanied alien children and staff to be free from sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

• Recognition of physical, behavioral, and emotional signs of sexual abuse and methods of preventing and responding to such occurrences.

• Procedures for reporting knowledge or suspicion of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or inappropriate behavior as well as how to comply with relevant laws related to mandatory reporting.

• Other trauma informed training for all staff, including youth care workers, as identified by ORR on a rolling basis.

Required Services Children in ORR custody must receive care that meets ORR minimum standards regardless of their length of stay. Children placed in medical isolation or quarantine

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 21 must still receive ORR services (e.g., legal, educational, case management). The delivery of these services can be adapted to video calls to ensure the health and safety of staff and visitors.

Providers must offer programs that support children during long stays in custody. When a child’s needs exceed the provider’s skills or resources, the provider must arrange outside services.

Care provider services Activities

Provide children with daily recreation and leisure activities. (The activities do not replace physical education classes):

• 1+ hour outdoors for physical activity (when weather allows)

• 1+ hour of structured leisure activities (does not include TV)

• 3+ hours total on weekends and non-school days

Provide age-appropriate reading materials in the child’s native language for leisure time.

Legal Services

Provide children with ORR-supplied information about free legal assistance, right to counsel, removal/bond hearings, legal relief options, voluntary departure, and trafficking victim rights under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Ensure children can meet with ORR-funded legal service providers, both one-on-one and in groups.

Ensure sufficient scheduled private time in quiet spaces for legal consultations and transport of children to all hearings or proceedings to which the child is a party.

Academic educational services

Required daily for a minimum of 6 hours, Monday through Friday year-round. Use a structured classroom setting that is appropriate to each child’s developmental level.

Focus primarily on basic academic skills and secondarily on English language learning.

The educational program must include instruction and materials in:

• Science.

• Social Studies.

• Mathematics.

• Reading.

• Writing.

• Physical Education.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 22

Nutritional services

Provide meals that meet U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS nutrition guidelines and state licensing requirements. Have procedures in place to accommodate each child’s dietary needs, including food allergies, health conditions, and religious or spiritual requirements.

Religious activity

Whenever possible, provide or arrange for access to religious services and counseling of the child’s choice.

Right to privacy

Ensure children have reasonable privacy rights. Children may wear their own clothes, have private storage space for personal belongings, make private phone calls, meet privately with visitors, and send and receive uncensored mail. Phone calls and visits must follow the facility’s rules. You may review mail only if you reasonably believe it contains contraband.

Behavior management

Create program rules and discipline standards that fit the ages and developmental stages of children in your program.

Use evidence-based and strength-based approaches that include trauma-informed care principles, such as conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques. These approaches should teach children accountability and self-regulation.

Staff training on an evidence-based behavior management plan grounded in child welfare best practices.

Staff must address behavioral issues in a therapeutic, non-punitive way that helps children develop pro-social skills. See 45 CFR 410.1304.

Rules

Post basic rules in shelters at children’s eye level in large, easy-to-read text.

Display rules in English and in the languages children in your program speak.

Provide all ORR-required documents in these languages and include visuals when possible. ORR will verify translations.

Review the rules with each child when they arrive at your facility. Create a way for children to give feedback on the rules.

Visitation

Care providers must encourage visitation between children and approved family members, sponsors, and visitors.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 23 https://www.fna.usda.gov/cnpp/dietary-guidelines-americans https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-410/subpart-D/section-410.1304

Calls

Children are allowed to call family members and sponsors living in the United States and other countries.

Provide children at least 10 minutes of phone time daily, or at least 50 minutes throughout the weekdays (Monday through Friday) as the child and the care provider determine appropriate. This is based on the child’s unique situation, or the child and their family’s preference. The minimum time starts when the call connects, not when dialing begins.

Refer to ORR’s UAC Bureau Policy Guide, Section 3.3.10 for additional guidance on Visitation and Calls.

Vocational Educational Services

Care providers are encouraged to create or provide access to vocational training opportunities.

These opportunities should teach practical and competitive job skills and help prepare children for adulthood. Vocational programs cannot replace academic education.

Case management The following table provides the required timeframes for the completion of various tasks:

Task Timeframe

Orientation Within 48 hours of admission.

Initial Intake Assessment Within 24 hours of admission.

Assessment for Risk Within 72 hours of admission and updated every 30 days.

Unaccompanied Alien Child Assessment

Within 5 days of admission.

Individual Service Plan Within 5 days of admission and updated every 30 days.

Unaccompanied Alien Child Case Review

Must be completed at least every 30 days.

Orientation

Children must receive a comprehensive program orientation that covers:

• The program’s services.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 24 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-3

• Rules (written and verbal).

• Expectations.

• Zero tolerance policy towards sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

• Available medical services and appointments.

• The availability of free legal assistance.

The orientation must be provided in formats that are:

• Age-appropriate.

• Available to children who are limited English proficient, deaf, visually impaired, or otherwise disabled.

• Available to children who have limited reading skills.

Individualized needs assessment

Care providers are required to provide an individualized ongoing assessment for each child, which includes:

• Initial Intake Assessment:

◦ To obtain information about family members, immediate medical or mental health concerns, current medications, and any concerns about a child’s personal safety.

• Assessment for Risk:

◦ To identify risk factors for potential sexual victimization or sexual abuser tendencies so early intervention can take place to mitigate any potential risks or safety concerns.

• Unaccompanied Alien Child Assessment:

◦ To gather initial information relating to:

▪ The child’s journey.

▪ Current medical concerns and health history.

▪ The child and family’s psychosocial assessment, trauma, and substance abuse history.

▪ Information about a child’s work history or concerns about working to pay off debt.

▪ Exploitation or trafficking concerns.

▪ Other essential data relating to the identification and history of the child and their family.

• Unaccompanied Alien Child Case Review:

• To assess the child’s:

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 25

◦ Educational assessment and plan.

◦ Ongoing behavioral issues and any previous juvenile justice or criminal involvement.

◦ Statement of religious preference and practice.

◦ Identifying information.

• Individual Service Plan (ISP):

◦ ISPs are implemented and closely coordinated through a clinician’s assessment and intervention plan and supported by the case management team.

◦ Care providers must document and report trafficking-related concerns to ORR and ensure the child has access to all services guaranteed by the TVPRA of 2008. Same-sex supervision must be provided when indicated by individual treatment needs.

• Case Management Services:

◦ Care providers are required to implement and administer a case management system that tracks and monitors a child’s progress on a regular basis to ensure that each child receives the full range of program services in an integrated and comprehensive manner. At a minimum, Case Managers must meet with children once a week, in person.

• Maintenance of Case Files:

◦ Care providers must maintain comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date case files and electronic records (including network drives and ORR’s databases) that are kept confidential and secure, with written policies for organizing active and closed files, recognizing all records are ORR property and must be provided upon request. Care providers must ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(e) to safeguard protected personally identifiable information including children’s names, dates of birth, and A-numbers.

◦ All requests for records or information from external entities, such as the Department of Homeland Security, must be forwarded to ORR for review and further instruction. Care provider records are the property of ORR; therefore, recipients and/or contractors may not respond directly to these requests without prior ORR authorization.

• Safe and Timely Release Services:

◦ Care providers must follow ORR policies ensuring children’s safe and timely release to qualified sponsors (parents, guardians, relatives, or other adults).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 26 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.303 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.303

◦ Timely release to qualified sponsors must be in a setting that promotes public safety and ensure sponsors can provide for each child’s physical and mental well-being.

◦ Children must be protected from smugglers, traffickers, or others who might exploit them.

◦ The release process includes:

▪ Identifying sponsors.

▪ Reviewing applications and documentation.

▪ Evaluating sponsor suitability through identity verification.

▪ Relationship confirmation.

▪ Background checks.

▪ In some cases, home studies and post-release planning.

• Safety Planning:

◦ Develop a written safety and security plan that includes policies and procedures for all children and program staff. The safety plan must address emergency situations including:

▪ Runaways.

▪ Shelter-in-place (e.g., due to weather events).

▪ Evacuation (e.g., due to a hurricane, fire, or other emergencies).

▪ Medical and mental health emergencies.

▪ Disease outbreaks.

▪ These plans must be exercised at least once per year in accordance with the minimum state licensing requirements.

Transportation and escort Based on children’s needs, transfer to a residential facility within the ORR network may be necessary.

In addition, temporary placement outside the ORR network in an acute psychiatric hospital or psychiatric residential setting may become necessary. This would require transportation of children for placement and discharge once treatment has been completed.

Care providers are also required to provide children with transportation services to local airports. If necessary, care providers must provide an escort for the children according to ORR policies and provide transportation to local services and appointments.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 27

Acculturation and adaptation services Care providers must offer appropriate services that help children build social, interpersonal, and essential life skills.

Health care services The following table provides the required timeframes for the completion of various tasks:

Task Timeframe

Initial Medical Exams

Initial ORR Admission: Required within 2 business days (48 hours, excluding weekends and federal holidays) of admission.

Transfer from ORR Program: Not required. State law or licensing may mandate a new medical evaluation to establish care.

Routine and Follow- Up Care

Schedule routine well-child exams at recommended intervals and complete all follow-up care as directed by the health care provider.

Individual Counseling Sessions

Once per week, unless child opts out.

Group Counseling Sessions

Twice per week, unless child opts out.

Dental Exam

Required within 60-90 days of admission to ORR care, or earlier if required by state licensing. Prophylactic care every 6 months, or as recommended by dental provider.

Medical

Programs must establish relationships with primary and back-up licensed health care providers (MD, DO, NP or PA) for the program who can perform:

• Comprehensive initial and routine medical exams, as appropriate, including:

• Routine childhood vaccinations in accordance with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ Immunization Schedule, on all children including pregnant youth,

• Screenings for infectious diseases,

• Pregnancy tests.

• Timely non-emergent sick and follow-up care services.

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity 28 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

• Medical services requiring heightened ORR involvement.

• Comprehensive information about and access to medical reproductive health services, emergency contraception, and emergency health care services.

• Referrals for specialty care, as needed.

Health care providers may be employed or contracted by the program or based in the community. Providers must be enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and be willing and able to provide additional routine childhood immunizations.

Mental health

Programs are required to provide the following mental health services on-site:

• Individual counseling session with certified counseling staff at least once per week for each child, unless the child opts out.

• Group counseling sessions at least twice a week, unless the child opts out.

◦ At least one group counseling session must be provided according to a psycho-educational curriculum that may be adjusted according to the needs of the population.

• Referral of children with advanced clinical needs to community mental health services.

Dental

Programs must establish primary and back-up licensed dental providers for the following services:

• Perform an initial dental exam (IDE).

• Provide preventative dental care visits every 6 months, or as recommended by dental provider.

• Timely urgent dental care.

• Dental services requiring heightened ORR involvement.

• Referrals for specialty care, as needed.

Licensing and accreditation Standard ORR care providers must be licensed by an appropriate state agency or meet the state’s licensing requirements if located in a state that does not allow state licensing of programs providing or proposing to provide care and services to unaccompanied children. See 45 CFR 410.1302(a).

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 29 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-410/subpart-D/section-410.1302

Licensing citations Care providers must report any allegations and/or concerns of abuse and/or neglect;

and any denials, suspension, and/or revocation of their and, if applicable, any subrecipient(s) licensing to provide child welfare related services. The reporting period covers the past 5 years.

Accreditation requirement After the initial award, recipients must be accredited, or become accredited, by a nationally recognized accreditation organization.

Bonus Points We are most interested in projects that propose residential shelters and group homes with a capacity of 24 beds or fewer, as smaller congregate care settings are generally better positioned to provide individualized attention, closer supervision, and a more stable, child-centered environment than larger facilities. Smaller settings can also improve responsiveness to each child’s needs and help promote safety, consistency, and quality of care.

We are most interested in projects that propose shelters, group homes, or TFC in states near the U.S. southern border with Mexico, where a large number of UAC are apprehended.

Cooperative agreement—Description of ACF’s involvement ORR’s Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau (UACB) is actively involved in the programs after awards are made. Examples of UACB’s involvement include:

• Timely review of required documentation and requests for approval.

• Budget reviews and program oversight to ensure program is in the best interest of the federal government.

• Training on ORR processes and procedures, as needed.

• Regular communication and oversight of program activities.

• Informing recipients of substantive changes that impact the program.

ACF can ask for and review any documents or records related to the federal award.

See HHS Grants Policy Statement and 2 CFR 200.337.

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity 30 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337

As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR

300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

General policies

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

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

• Appropriation of funds.

• Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

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

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

• Funding more applicants.

• Extending the period of performance.

• Awarding supplemental funding.

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

• DEI- or DEIA-related research.

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

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

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

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

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

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Pre-award.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 31 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II.

For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 34

Get registered 34

Learn more 35

Watch the webinar 35

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