Kinship Navigator Programs: Evaluations
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CF-0004
- Agency
-
Administration for Children and Families
Department of Health and Human Services
- Applications due
- Award size
- $400,000 to $600,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 93.605 Family Connection Grants
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Income Security and Social Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- City/Township Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Other
- For Profit Organizations
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- State Governments
- Public or Indian Housing Auth.
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Independent School Districts
- Small Businesses
- County Governments
- Special District Governments
- Points of contact
-
- Kathleen Dwyer, Ph.D. cb@grantreview.org (888) 203-6161
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families seeks applicants to support implementation and rigorous evaluation of existing Kinship Navigator Programs, with applications due August 7, 2026. Recipients must contribute 25 percent cost-sharing of total project costs. This opportunity targets states and tribal communities not currently operating a Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program.
Eligible applicants include state, local, or tribal child welfare agencies; city, county, and township governments; tribal governments (federally recognized and not federally recognized); 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits; public and private higher education institutions; public or Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; small businesses; special district governments; for-profit organizations; and other entities.
The program will award approximately $4.8 million across 8 anticipated awards of $400,000 to $600,000 per award for the first budget period over a three-year project period. Project start date is September 30, 2026.
Applicants must complete a six-month collaborative planning phase followed by rigorous evaluation using randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs meeting Clearinghouse standards. Required activities include administering KNP services, establishing partnerships with child welfare agencies and community-based organizations, developing comprehensive program manuals, implementing performance and impact evaluations targeting child permanency, safety, and well-being outcomes, and submitting a final evaluation report demonstrating positive outcomes for kinship families. Recipients must attend annual grantee meetings in Washington, DC, and submit semiannual performance and financial reports.
Merit review emphasizes evaluation design (30 points), organizational capacity (30 points), approach (25 points), purpose and need (10 points), alignment with ACF priorities (10 points), and budget (5 points), with up to 10 bonus points available for commitment to implementation in jurisdictions lacking current programs.
The opportunity is assigned to CFDA 93.605, Family Connection Grants.
Synopsis
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the implementation and rigorous evaluation of existing Kinship Navigator Programs (KNPs). The goal is to increase the number of programs that qualify for federal Title IV-E Kinship Navigator funding by building strong evidence of improved outcomes for kinship caregivers and the children in their care. Strengthening the evidence base will position more programs for review by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse. This opportunity is intended for states and tribal communities that are not currently operating a Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program.To achieve this goal, projects will focus on the following objectives: Administering KNP services, Collaborative planning, Evaluating the KNP, Complete a final evaluation report that demonstrates positive outcomes for kinship families.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| hhs-2026-acf-acyf-cf-0004 Full Announcement.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity