Enhance Safety of Children Affected by Substance Abuse

This program is designed to increase well-being, improve permanency outcomes, and enhance safety of children affected by opioid or other substance abuse. This program specifically focuses on children who are in, or at risk of being in, an out-of-home

The RPG program supports services for children and families who are in, or at risk, of entering out of care due to parental or caregiver substance use disorder. The program works to expand the evidence base of practices in the fields of child welfare and substance use disorder treatment. RPG is the only grant program focused specifically on the intersection of child welfare and substance use disorder.

The Secretary has the authority to make awards to Regional Partnerships (RPs). Applicants must be: one of the entities below and able to fulfill all the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Mandatory Partners: (1) The state child welfare agency unless it is an RP entered into by Indian tribes or tribal consortia; (2) The state agency responsible for administering the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant; and (3) The appropriate Court. Optional Partners: (1) An Indian tribe or tribal consortium (federally recognized); (2) Child welfare service providers; (3) Community health or mental health service providers; (4) Law enforcement agencies; (5) School personnel (including institutions of higher education); (6) Tribal child welfare agencies (or a consortium); (7) Any others related to the provision of child and family services. Faith-based organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity.

Agencies or organizations serving children and families who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing an out of home placement as a result of a parent's or caregiver's opioid or other substance abuse.

Awards are provided for services or activities that are consistent with the purpose of section 437(f) of Title IV-B of the Social Security Act and may include the following: (1) family-based comprehensive long-term substance abuse treatment services; (2) early intervention and preventative services; (3) children and family counseling; (4) mental health services; (5) parenting skills training; and (6) replication of successful models for providing family-based comprehensive long-term substance abuse treatment services. Other suggested activities and services are listed in the NOFO.

Awards are available for a 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

90 to 180 days.

Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.