Refugee and Entrant Assistance Wilson/Fish Program

The objective of the Wilson Fish demonstration program is to develop innovative alternatives projects to support refugee resettlement. The current alternative project, the Wilson-Fish Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Coordination Progra

Public or private non-profit agencies are eligible. Applicants for the FY 2020-2024 (post-award, the project period was extended to FY 2020-2025) Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program were required to provide a letter of support from the subdivision of the state agency tasked with the operation of the state's TANF program (or "state TANF office"). In this letter, the state TANF office was required to indicate its intention to coordinate with the applicant's proposed Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program and include a commitment to submit a formal and structured agreement, within 120 days of award, between the project and the state TANF office, to coordinate in the development and implementation of relevant, customized, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services for TANF-eligible refugees. This letter was required to be on letterhead of the state TANF office and signed by the state TANF director or the director's designee. Applicants that did not include this letter were disqualified from review and from funding under the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program.

Refugees, certain Amerasian immigrants from Vietnam, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13 are eligible for services and assistance through funded projects in a community. Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 § CFR 400.43 and ORR Policy Letter 16-01, which can be found on the ORR website at: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letter-16-01.

Assistance is authorized for refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of human trafficking, and Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13, with documentation on their immigration status.

To be eligible for Wilson-Fish funding, recipients must ensure refugees meet all requirements of 45 C.F.R. 400.43, "Requirements for documentation of refugee status." The scope of assistance and services available to refugees from Wilson-Fish recipients is similar to that of the State-administered Refugee Resettlement Programs, which in turn is similar to regular domestic public assistance programs. The primary cost of the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program will include direct support services, such as case management, employment services, and other services.

Funds are made available for this program for one-year budget periods. The project period was originally up to four years and was extended an additional year upon approval by the ACF Assistant Secretary.

For in the Wilson-Fish TANF Coordination Program (FY 2020-2024) preapplication coordination is not required.

Applicants may find and apply for NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov.

The criteria for selecting proposals are published in the NOFO.

Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of this 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. Results of the merit review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, merit review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering 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.

Non-competing continuations are issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award 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 in regard to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.