[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23263-23271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08711]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[C.F.D.A. Number: 93.591]
Standing Funding Opportunity Announcement for Family Violence
Prevention and Services Grants to States for Domestic Violence Shelters
and Support Services
AGENCY: Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), Administration on
Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF), ACF, HHS.
ACTION: This notice was originally published as Funding Opportunity
Number HHH2013-ACF-ACYF-SDVC-0564 on March 5, 2013 at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-FVPS-0564.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 23264]]
SUMMARY: This announcement governs the proposed award of mandatory
grants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to
States (including territories and insular areas). The purpose of these
grants is to: (1) assist States in efforts to increase public awareness
about, and primary and secondary prevention of, family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence; and (2) assist States in
efforts to provide immediate shelter and supportive services for
victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence (42
U.S.C. 10401 et seq.).
This announcement sets forth the application requirements, the
application process, and other administrative and fiscal requirements
for grants in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Statutory Authority: The statutory authority for this program
is 42 U.S.C. 10401 through 10414 hereinafter cited by Section number
only.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Description Background
The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) is
committed to facilitating healing and recovery, and promoting the
social and emotional well-being of victims, children, youth, and
families who have experienced domestic violence, maltreatment, exposure
to violence, and trauma. An important component of promoting well-being
in this regard includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have
profound impacts on coping, resiliency, and skill development. ACYF
promotes a trauma-informed approach, which involves understanding and
responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and
traumatic stress across the lifespan.
This FVPSA funding opportunity announcement (FOA), administered
through ACYF's Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), is designed to
assist States in their efforts to support the establishment,
maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects: (1) To prevent
incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence;
(2) to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to
community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and (3) to provide
specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who
are members of racial and ethnic minority populations (Section
10406(a)).
The FVPSA State Formula Grant funds shall be used to identify and
provide subgrants to eligible entities for programs and projects within
the State that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate shelter
and supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, and which
may be used to provide prevention services to prevent future incidents
of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence (Section
10408 (a)).
FVPSA funds awarded to subgrantees should be used for:
Provision of immediate shelter and related supportive
services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, including paying
for the operating and administrative expenses of the facilities for a
shelter.(Section 10408(b)(1)(A)).
Assistance in developing safety plans and supporting
efforts of victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating
violence to make decisions related to their ongoing safety and well-
being (Section 10408(b)(1)(B)).
Provision of individual and group counseling, peer support
groups, and referral to community-based services to assist family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence victims, and their
dependents, in recovering from the effects of the violence (Section
10408(b)(1)(C)).
Provision of services, training, technical assistance, and
outreach to increase awareness of family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence, and increase the accessibility of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence services (Section
10408(b)(1)(D)).
Provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate
services (Section 10408(b)(1)(E)).
Provision of services for children exposed to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including age-
appropriate counseling, supportive services, and services for the
nonabusing parent that support that parent's role as a caregiver, which
may, as appropriate, include services that work with the nonabusing
parent and child together (Section 10408(b)(1)(F)).
Provision of advocacy, case management services, and
information and referral services, concerning issues related to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence intervention and
prevention, including: (1) Assistance in accessing related Federal and
State financial assistance programs; (2) legal advocacy to assist
victims and their dependents; (3) medical advocacy, including provision
of referrals for appropriate health care services (including mental
health, alcohol, and drug abuse treatment), which does not include
reimbursement for any health care services; (4) assistance locating and
securing safe and affordable permanent housing and homelessness
prevention services; (5) transportation, child care, respite care, job
training and employment services, financial literacy services and
education, financial planning, and related economic empowerment
services; and (6) parenting and other educational services for victims
and their dependents (Section 10408(b)(1)(G)).
Provision of prevention services, including outreach to
underserved populations (Section 10408(b)(1)(H)).
In the distribution of FVPSA grant funds, the State should ensure
that not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed are used for the
primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and supportive services
to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence, and their dependents; not less than 25 percent of the
funds will be used for the purpose of providing supportive services and
prevention services (Section 10408(b)(2)); and not more than 5 percent
of the FVPSA grant funds should be used for State administrative costs
(Section 10406(b)(1)).
Ensuring the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Families
ACYF is committed to facilitating healing and recovery, and
promoting the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and
families who have experienced maltreatment, exposure to violence, and/
or trauma. This FOA and other discretionary spending this fiscal year
are designed to ensure that effective interventions are in place to
build skills and capacities that contribute to the healthy, positive,
and productive functioning of families.
Children, youth, and families who have experienced maltreatment,
exposure to violence, and/or trauma are impacted along several domains,
each of which must be addressed in order to foster social and emotional
well-being and promote healthy, positive functioning:
Understanding Experiences: A fundamental aspect of the human
experience is the development of a world view through which one's
experiences are understood. Whether that perspective is generally
positive or negative impacts how experiences are interpreted and
integrated. For example, one is more likely to approach a
[[Page 23265]]
challenge as a surmountable, temporary obstacle if his or her frame
includes a sense that ``things will turn out alright.'' On the
contrary, negative experiences can color how future experiences are
understood. Ongoing exposure to family violence might lead children,
youth, and adults to believe that relationships are generally hostile
in nature and affect their ability to enter into and stay engaged in
safe and healthy relationships. Interventions should seek to address
how children, youth, and adults frame what has happened to them in the
past and shape their beliefs about the future.
Developmental Tasks: People grow physically and
psychosocially along a fairly predictable course, encountering normal
challenges and establishing competencies as they pass from one
developmental stage to another. However, adverse events have a marked
effect on the trajectory of normal social and emotional development,
delaying the growth of certain capacities, and, in many cases,
accelerating the maturation of others. Intervention strategies must be
attuned to the developmental impact of negative experiences and address
related strengths and deficits to ensure children, youth, and families
develop along a healthy trajectory.
Coping Strategies: The methods that children, youth, and
families develop to manage challenges both large and small are learned
in childhood, honed in adolescence, and practiced in adulthood. Those
who have been presented with healthy stressors and opportunities to
overcome them with appropriate encouragement and support are more
likely to have an array of positive, productive coping strategies
available to them as they go through life. For children, youth, and
families who grow up in or currently live in unsafe, unpredictable
environments, the coping strategies that may have been protective in
that context may not be appropriate for safer, more regulated
situations. Interventions should help children, youth, and families
transform maladaptive coping methods into healthier, more productive
strategies.
Protective Factors: A wealth of research has demonstrated
that the presence of certain contextual factors (e.g., supportive
relatives, involvement in after-school activities) and characteristics
(e.g., self-esteem, relationship skills) can moderate the impacts of
past and future negative experiences. These protective factors are
fundamental to resilience; building them is integral to successful
intervention with children, youth, and families.
The skills and capacities in these areas support children, youth,
and families as challenges, risks, and opportunities arise. In
particular, each domain impacts the capacity of children, youth, and
families to establish and maintain positive relationships with caring
adults and supportive peers. The necessity of these relationships to
social and emotional well-being and lifelong success in school,
community, and at home cannot be overstated and should be central to
all interventions with vulnerable children, youth, and families.
An important component of promoting social and emotional well-being
includes addressing the impact of trauma, which can have a profound
effect on the overall functioning of children, youth, and families.
ACYF promotes a trauma-informed approach, which involves understanding
and responding to the symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma and
traumatic stress across the domains outlined above, as well as the
behavioral and mental health sequelae of trauma.
ACYF anticipates a continued focus on social and emotional well-
being as a critical component of its overall mission to ensure positive
outcomes for all children, youth, and families.
Annual FVPSA State Administrators Grantee Meeting
FVPSA State Administrators shall plan to attend the annual grantee
meeting. The State FVPSA Administrators meeting is a training and
technical assistance activity focusing on FVPSA administrative issues
as well as the promotion of evidence informed and promising practices
to address family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.
Subsequent correspondence will advise the FVPSA State Administrators of
the date, time, and location of their grantee meeting.
Client Confidentiality
In order to ensure the safety of adult, youth, and child victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their
families, FVPSA-funded programs must establish and implement policies
and protocols for maintaining the confidentiality of records pertaining
to any individual provided domestic violence services. Consequently,
when providing statistical data on program activities and program
services, individual identifiers of client records will not be used by
the State or other FVPSA grantees or subgrantees (Section 10406(c)(5)).
In the annual grantee Performance Progress Report (PPR), States and
subgrantees must collect unduplicated data from each program rather
than unduplicated data across programs or statewide. No client-level
data should be shared with a third party, regardless of encryption,
hashing, or other data security measures, without a written, time-
limited release as described in section 10406(c)(5). The address or
location of any FVPSA-supported shelter facility shall not be made
public except with written authorization of the person or persons
responsible for the operation of such shelter, (See Section
10406(c)(5)(H)) and the confidentiality of records pertaining to any
individual provided domestic violence services by any FVPSA-supported
program will be strictly maintained.
Coordinated and Accessible Services
It is essential that community service providers, including those
serving or representing underserved communities, are involved in the
design and improvement of intervention and prevention activities
identified in the state plan. Coordination and collaboration among
victim services providers; community-based, culturally specific, and
faith-based services providers; housing and homeless services
providers; and Federal, State, and local public officials and agencies
is needed for an effective state planning process and to provide more
responsive and effective services to victims of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence, and their dependents. It is
expected that the communities and organizations noted above will be
included in committees or other activities to ensure they are part of
the planning and decision making to create and maintain fully
coordinated and accessible services.
To promote a more effective response to family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence, States receiving funds under this grant
announcement must collaborate with State Domestic Violence Coalitions
and community-based organizations and should collaborate with tribes,
tribal organizations, and service providers, to address the needs of
victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and
for those who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations and
underserved populations (See Section 10407(a)(2)).
To serve victims most in need and to comply with Federal law,
services must be widely accessible to all. Service providers must not
discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, color,
national origin, or religion (Section 10406(c)(2)). The HHS Office for
Civil Rights provides guidance to grantees complying with these
requirements.
[[Page 23266]]
Please see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights for HHS Office of Civil
Rights guidance on serving immigrant victims and http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/understanding/disability/index.html for guidance on the
Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Services must also be provided on a voluntary basis; receipt of
emergency shelter or housing must not be conditioned on participation
in supportive services (Section 10408(d)(2)).
Definitions
States should use the following definitions in carrying out their
programs (Section 10402).
Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been
in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the
victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be
determined based on a consideration of the length of the relationship,
the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the
persons involved in the relationship.
Domestic Violence: Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence
committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with
whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is
cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a
person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic
or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or
by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected
from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of
the jurisdiction.
Family Violence: Any act or threatened act of violence, including
any forceful detention of an individual that: (a) results or threatens
to result in physical injury; and (b) is committed by a person against
another individual (including an elderly individual) to or with whom
such person is related by blood, or is or was related by marriage, or
is or was otherwise legally related, or is or was lawfully residing.
Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge and supportive services
in compliance with applicable State law (including regulation)
governing the provision, on a regular basis, of shelter, safe homes,
meals, and supportive services to victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
Supportive Services: Services for adult and youth victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and dependents exposed
to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, that are
designed to:
Meet the needs of victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, for short-term,
transitional, or long-term safety; and
Provide counseling, advocacy, or assistance for victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their
dependents.
II. Award Information
For FY 2013, HHS will make available for grants to designated State
agencies 70 percent of the amount appropriated under section
10403(a)(1) of FVPSA, which is not reserved under Section 10403(a)(2).
In FY 2012, ACYF awarded $90,682,686 to State agencies for these
purposes. In separate announcements, ACYF will allocate 10 percent of
the foregoing appropriation to tribes and tribal organizations for the
establishment and operation of shelters, safe houses, and the provision
of supportive services; and 10 percent to the State Domestic Violence
Coalitions to continue their work within the domestic violence
community by providing technical assistance and training, needs
assessment, and advocacy services, among other activities with local
domestic violence programs, and to encourage appropriate responses to
domestic violence within the States. Six percent of the amount
appropriated under section 10403(c) of FVPSA, and reserved under
section 10403(a)(2)(c), will be available in FY 2013 to continue the
support for the two National Resource Centers (NRCs), four Special
Issue Resource Centers (SIRCs), and the three Culturally Specific
Special Issue Resource Centers (CSSIRCs). Additionally, funds
appropriated under FVPSA will be used to support other activities,
including training and technical assistance, collaborative projects
with advocacy organizations and service providers, data collection
efforts, public education activities, research and other demonstration
projects, as well as the ongoing operation of the National Domestic
Violence Hotline.
State Allocation
FVPSA grants to the States, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are based on a population formula. Each
State grant shall be $600,000, with the remaining funds allotted to
each State on the same ratio as the population of the State to the
population of all States (Section 10405(a)(2)). State populations are
determined on the basis of the most recent census data available to the
Secretary of HE-IS, and the Secretary shall use for such purpose, if
available, the annual current interim census data produced by the
Secretary of Commerce pursuant to 13 U.S.C. 181.
For the purpose of computing allotments, the statute provides that
Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands will each receive grants of not less than one-
eighth of one percent of the amount appropriated for formula grants to
States (Section 10405(a)(1)).
Match
Grants funded by the States will meet the matching requirements in
Section 10406(c)(4). No grant shall be made to any entity other than a
State unless the entity agrees that, with respect to the cost to be
incurred by the entity in carrying out the program or project for which
the grant is awarded, the entity will make available (directly or
through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal
contributions in an amount that is not less than $1 for every $5 of
federal funds provided under the grant. The non-Federal contributions
required may be in cash or in kind.
Length of Project Periods
24 Months.
Expenditure Period
FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures on and after October 1 of
each fiscal year for which they are granted and will be available for
expenditure through September 30 of the following fiscal year, i.e., FY
2013 funds may be used for expenditures from October 1, 2012, through
September 30, 2014; FY 2014 funds from October 1, 2013, through
September 30, 2015; and FY 2015 funds from October 1, 2014, through
September 30, 2016. Funds will be available for obligations only
through FY 2013: September 30, 2014; FY 2014: September 30, 2015 and FY
2015: September 30, 2016, and must be liquidated by FY 2013: December
30, 2014; FY 2014: December 30, 2015; and FY 2015: December 30, 2016.
Re-allotted funds, if any, are available for expenditure until the
end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year that the funds became
available for re-allotment. FY 2013 grant funds that are made available
to the States through re-allotment, under section 10405(d), must be
expended by the State no later than September 30, 2014; FY 2014 funds
must be expended no later than September 30, 2015; and FY 2015 funds
must be expended no later than September 30, 2016.
[[Page 23267]]
III. Eligibility Information
``States,'' as defined in section 10402 of FVPSA, are eligible to
apply for funds. The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands.
In the past, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa have applied for funds as
a part of their consolidated grant under the Social Services Block
Grant. These jurisdictions need not submit an application under this
program announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as
part of a consolidated grant application; however, they are required to
submit a Performance Progress Report using the standardized format.
Additional Information on Eligibility
DUNS Number Requirement
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number is the nine-digit, or
thirteen-digit (DUNS + 4), number established and assigned by Dun and
Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities.
All applicants and sub-recipients must have a DUNS number at the
time of application in order to be considered for a grant or
cooperative agreement. A DUNS number is required whether an applicant
is submitting a paper application or using the Government-wide
electronic portal, www.Grants.gov. A DUNS number is required for every
application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award,
including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block
grant programs. A DUNS number may be acquired at no cost online at
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. To acquire a DUNS number by phone,
contact the D&B Government Customer Response Center: U.S. and U.S.
Virgin Islands: 1-866-705-5711. Alaska and Puerto Rico: 1-800-234-3867
(Select Option 2, then Option 1) Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., CST.
The process to request a DUNS Number by telephone will take between
5 and 10 minutes.
SAM Requirement (www.Sam.gov)
The System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov is a new
system that consolidates the capabilities of a number of systems that
support Federal procurement and award processes. Phase 1 of SAM
includes the capabilities previously provided via Central Contractor
Registration (CCR)/Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), Online
Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded
Parties List System (EPLS).
SAM is the Federal registrant database and repository into which an
entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as
a recipient. The former CCR Web site is no longer be available. All
information previously held in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) system has been migrated to SAM.gov.
Applicants may register at www.sam.gov or by phone at 1-866-606-
8220. Registration assistance is available through the ``Help'' tab at
www.sam.gov or by phone at 1-866-606-8220.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to register at SAM well in
advance of the application due date. Registration at SAM.gov must be
updated annually.
Note: It can take 24 hours or more for updates to registrations
at SAM.gov to take effect. An entity's registration will become
active after 3-5 days. Therefore, check for active registration well
before the application due date and deadline. An applicant can view
their registration status by visiting https://www.bpn.gov/PublicSearch.aspx and searching by their organization's DUNS number.
See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_Quick_Guide_Grants_Registrations-v1.6.pdf requires
all entities that plan to apply for, and ultimately receive, Federal
grant fluids from any HHS Agency, or receive subawards directly from
recipients of those grant funds to:
Be registered in at Sam.gov prior to submitting an
application or plan;
Maintain an active registration at www.sam.gov with
current information at all times during which it has an active award or
an application or plan under consideration by an HHS agency; and
Provide its active DUNS number in each application or plan
it submits to an HHS agency.
ACF is prohibited from making an award to an applicant that has not
complied with these requirements. If, at the time of an award is ready
to be made, and the intended recipient has not complied with these
requirements, ACF:
May determine that the applicant is not qualified to
receive an award; and
May use that determination as a basis for making an award
to another applicant.
Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients (i.e., direct
subrecipients) must have an active DUNS number at the time the subaward
is made.
IV. Application Requirements
Content of Application Submission
The State's application must be submitted by the chief executive
officer of the State and must contain the following information or
documentation (Section 10407(a)(1)):
(1) The name and complete address of the State agency; the name and
contact information for the official designated as responsible for the
administration of FVPSA programs and activities relating to family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence that are carried out
by the State and for coordination of related programs within the State;
the name and contact information for a contact person if different from
the designated official (Section 10407(a)(2)(G)).
(2) A plan describing how the State will involve community-based
organizations whose primary purpose is to provide culturally
appropriate services to underserved populations, including how such
community-based organizations can assist the State in identifying and
addressing the unmet needs of such populations, including involvement
in the State planning process and other ongoing communications (Section
10407(a)(2)(E)).
(3) A plan describing how the State will provide specialized
services including trauma-informed services for children exposed to
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, underserved
populations, and victims who are members of racial and ethnic minority
populations (Section 10406(a)(3)).
(4) A plan describing in detail how the needs of underserved
populations will be met (Section 10406(a)(3)). ``Underserved
populations'' include populations underserved because of geographic
location (such as rural isolation); underserved racial and ethnic
populations; populations underserved because of special needs (such as
language bathers, disabilities, immigration status, or age); lesbian,
gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individuals; at-risk youth; or
victims with disabilities and any other population determined to be
underserved by the Statewide needs assessment, the state planning
process, or the Secretary of HHS (Section 10402(14)). The State plan
should:
(a) Identify which populations in the State are currently
underserved, and the process used to identify underserved population;
describe those that are being targeted for outreach and services; and
provide a brief explanation of why those
[[Page 23268]]
populations were selected to receive outreach and services.
(b) Describe the outreach plan, including the domestic violence
training to be provided, the means for providing technical assistance
and support, and the leadership role played by those representing and
serving the underserved populations in question.
(c) Describe the specific services to be provided or enhanced,
including new shelters or services, improved access to shelters or
services, or new services for underserved populations such as victims
from communities of color, immigrant victims, LGBT individuals,
adolescents, at-risk youth, or victims with disabilities.
(5) Include a description of how the State plans to use the grant
funds; a description of the target populations; the number of shelters
to be funded; the number of nonresidential programs to be funded; the
services the State's subgrantees will provide; and the expected results
from the use of the grant funds as required by Sections 10407(a)(2)(F)
and 10408(b).
(6) Describe the plan to assure an equitable distribution of grants
and grant funds within the State and between urban and rural areas
within such State (Section 10407(a)(2)(C)).
(7) Provide complete documentation of consultation with and
participation of the State Domestic Violence Coalition in the State
planning process and monitoring of the distribution of grants and the
administration of grant programs and projects (Section 10407(a)(2)(D)).
(8) Provide complete documentation of policies, procedures, and
protocols that ensure personally identifying information will not be
disclosed when providing statistical data on program activities and
program services; the confidentiality of records pertaining to any
individual provided family violence prevention services by any FVPSA-
supported program will be maintained; and the address or location of
any FVPSA-supported shelter will not be made public without the written
authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of
such shelter (Sections 10407(a)(2)(A) and 10406(c)(5)).
(9) Provide a copy of the law or procedures, such as a process for
obtaining an order of protection, that the State has implemented for
the barring of an abuser from a shared household (Section
10407(a)(2)(H)).
(10) Applicants must include a signed copy of the assurances as
required by Section 10407(a)(2)(B) (See Appendix A).
Forms, Assurances, Certifications and Policy
Applicants seeking financial assistance under this announcement
must submit the listed Standard Forms (SFs), assurances, and
certifications. All required Standard Forms and certifications are
available at Grants.gov Forms Repository unless specified otherwise.
Each application must provide a signed copy of the additional assurance
and policy in Appendices A and B, respectively.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forms/certifications Description Where found
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certification Regarding Lobbying Required of all Available at http:/
applicants at the /www.acf.hhs.gov/
time of their grants-forms.
application. If
not available
with the
application, it
must be submitted
prior to the
award of the
grant.
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying If any funds have ``Disclosure Form
Activities. been paid or will to Report
be paid to any Lobbying'' is
person for available at
influencing or http://
attempting to www.acf.hhs.gov/
influence an grants-forms.
officer or
employee of any
agency, a Member
of Congress, an
officer or
employee of
Congress, or an
employee of a
Member of
Congress in
connection with
this commitment
providing for the
United States to
insure or
guarantee a loan,
the applicant
shall complete
and submit the SF-
LLL, ``Disclosure
Form to Report
Lobbying,'' in
accordance with
its instructions.
Applicants must
furnish an
executed copy of
the Certification
Regarding
Lobbying prior to
award.
Survey on Ensuring Equal Non-profit private Available at http:/
Opportunity for Applicants. organizations /www.acf.hhs.gov/
(not including grants-forms.
private
universities) are
encouraged to
submit the survey
with their
applications.
Submission of the
survey is
voluntary.
Applicants
applying
electronically
may submit the
survey along with
the application
as part of an
appendix or as a
separate
document. Hard
copy submissions
should include
the survey in a
separate envelope.
The needs of lesbian, gay, See Appendix B for See Appendix B for
bisexual, transgender, and submission the complete
questioning youth are taken requirements. policy
into consideration in description.
applicants program design.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paperwork Reduction Disclaimer
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520,
the public reporting burden for the project description is estimated to
average 10 hours per response hours per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and reviewing the collection of information. The Project Description
information collection is approved under OMB control number 0970-0280,
which expires November 30, 2014. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
[[Page 23269]]
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
For States, this program is covered under Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' for State plan
consolidation and implication only--45 CFR 100.12. The review and
comment provisions of the Executive Order and Part 100 do not apply.
Funding Restrictions
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74), enacted
December 23, 2011, limits the salary amount that may be awarded and
charged to ACF mandatory and discretionary grants. Award funds issued
under this announcement may not be used to pay the salary, or any
percentage of salary, to an individual at a rate in excess of Executive
Level II. The Executive Level II salary of the Federal Executive Pay
scale is $179,700 (http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/html/ex.asp) his
amount reflects an individual's base salary exclusive of fringe
benefits and any income that an individual may be permitted to earn
outside of the duties to the applicant organization. This salary
limitation also applies to subawards/subcontracts under an ACF
mandatory and discretionary grant.
Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns,
endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar
expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions, are
considered unallowable costs under grants awarded under this
announcement. Construction is not an allowable activity or expenditure
under this grant award.
Application Submission
Applications should be sent or delivered to: Administration for
Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families,
Family and Youth Services Bureau, Family Violence Prevention and
Services Program, ATTN: Edna James, 1250 Maryland Avenue SW., Suite
8214, Washington, DC 20024.
V. Award Administration Information
Approval/Disapproval of State Application
The Secretary of HHS will approve any application that meets the
requirements of FVPSA and this announcement and will not disapprove any
such application except after reasonable notice of the Secretary's
intention to disapprove has been provided to the applicant and after a
6-month period providing an opportunity for the applicant to correct
any deficiencies. The notice of intention to disapprove will be
provided to the applicant within 45 days of the date of the
application.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Awards issued under this announcement are subject to the uniform
administrative requirements and cost principles of 45 CFR part 74
(Awards And Subawards To Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals,
Other Nonprofit Organizations, And Commercial Organizations) or 45 CFR
part 92 (Grants And Cooperative Agreements To State, Local, And Tribal
Governments). The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at
www.gpo.gov.
An application funded with the release of Federal funds through a
grant award, does not constitute, or imply, compliance with Federal
regulations. Funded organizations are responsible for ensuring that
their activities comply with all applicable Federal regulations.
Equal Treatment for FaithBased Organizations
Grantees are also subject to the requirements of 45 CFR 87.1(c),
Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, which says,
``Organizations that receive direct financial assistance from the
[Health and Human Services] Department under any Department program may
not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship,
religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or
services funded with direct financial assistance from the Department.''
Therefore, organizations must take steps to completely separate the
presentation of any program with religious content from the
presentation of the Federally funded program by time or location in
such a way that it is clear that the two programs are separate and
distinct. If separating the two programs by time but presenting them in
the same location, one program must completely end before the other
program begins.
A faith-based organization receiving Ill-IS funds retains its
independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may
continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice,
and expression of its religious beliefs. For example, a faith-based
organization may use space in its facilities to provide secular
programs or services funded with Federal funds without removing
religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In
addition, a faith-based organization that receives Federal funds
retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain
religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on
a religious basis, and include religious references in its
organization's mission statements and other governing documents in
accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other
applicable requirements governing the conduct of HHS-funded activities.
Regulations pertaining to the Equal Treatment for Faith-Based
Organizations, which includes the prohibition against Federal funding
of inherently religious activities, ``Understanding the Regulations
Related to the Faith-Based and Neighborhood partnerships Initiative''
are available at www.hhs.gov/partnerships/about/regulations/.
Additional information, resources, and tools for faith-based
organizations are available through The Center for Faith-based and
Neighborhood Partnerships Web site at www.hhs.gov/partnerships/index.html and at the Administration for Children & Families: Toolkit
for Faith-based and Community Organizations at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/capacity-building-toolkits-for-faith-based-and-community-organizations.
Requirements for DrugFree Workplace
The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 8102 et seq.)
requires that all organizations receiving grants from any Federal
agency agree to maintain a drug-free workplace. By signing the
application, the Authorizing Official agrees that the grantee will
provide a drug-free workplace and will comply with the requirement to
notify ACF if an employee is convicted of violating a criminal drug
statute. Failure to comply with these requirements may be cause for
debarment. Government-wide requirements for Drug-Free Workplace for
Financial Assistance are found in 2 CFR part 182; HHS implementing
regulations are set forth in 2 CFR 382.400. All recipients of ACF grant
funds must comply with the requirements in Subpart B--Requirements for
Recipients Other Than Individuals, 2 CFR 382.225. The rule is available
at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=18b5801410be6af416dc258873ffb7ec;rgn=div2;view=text;node=
20091112%3A1.1;idno=49;cc=ecfr.
Debarment and Suspension
HHS regulations published in 2 CFR part 376 implement the
government-wide debarment and suspension system guidance (2 CFR part
180) for HHS' non-procurement programs and activities.
[[Page 23270]]
``Non-procurement transactions'' include, among other things, grants,
cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and loans. ACF
implements the HHS Debarment and Suspension regulations as a term and
condition of award. Grantees may decide the method and frequency by
which this determination is made and may check the Excluded Parties
List System (EPLS) located at www.sam.gov/ checking the EPLS is not
required. More information is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants-forms.
Pro-Children Act
The Pro-Children Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C. 7181 through 7184, imposes
restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally funded children's
services are provided. HHS grants are subject to these requirements
only if they meet the Act's specified coverage. The Act specifies that
smoking is prohibited in any indoor facility (owned, leased, or
contracted for) used for the routine or regular provision of
kindergarten, elementary, or secondary education or library services to
children under the age of 18. In addition, smoking is prohibited in any
indoor facility or portion of a facility (owned, leased, or contracted
for) used for the routine or regular provision of federally funded
health care, day care, or early childhood development, including Head
Start services to children under the age of 18. The statutory
prohibition also applies if such facilities are constructed, operated,
or maintained with Federal funds. The statute does not apply to
children's services provided in private residences, facilities funded
solely by Medicare or Medicaid funds, portions of facilities used for
inpatient drug or alcohol treatment, or facilities where WIC coupons
are redeemed. Failure to comply with the provisions of the law may
result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000
per violation and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance
order on the responsible entity.
VI. Reporting Requirements
Performance Progress Reports (PPR)
States are required to submit an annual performance progress report
to ACYF describing the activities carried out and an assessment of the
effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the
grant (Section 10406(d)). Further guidance regarding the assessment
requirement is included in the PPR. A section of this performance
report must be completed by each grantee or subgrantee that provided
program services and activities. State grantees should compile
subgrantee performance reports into a comprehensive report for
submission. A copy of the required PPR can be found at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/resource/ppr-state-fvpsa. the past, Guam,
the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
and American Samoa have applied for FVPSA funds as a part of their
consolidated grant under the Social Services Block Grant. These
jurisdictions need not submit an application under this program
announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as part of
a consolidated grant application; however, they are required to submit
an annual PPR using the standardized format.
PPRs for the States and Territories are due on an annual basis at
the end of the calendar year (December 29). Grantees should submit
their reports online through the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system
at the following address: https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi/ with a copy
sent to: Administration for Children and Families, Administration on
Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Family
Violence Prevention and Services Program, ATTN: Edna James, 1250
Maryland Avenue SW., Room 8214, Washington, DC 20024.
Please note that section 10407(bX4) of FVPSA requires HHS to
suspend funding for an approved application if any State applicant
fails to submit an annual PPR or if the funds are expended for purposes
other than those set forth under this announcement.
Federal Financial Reports (FFR)
Grantees must submit annual Financial Status Reports (SF-425). The
first SF-425A is due December 29, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The final SF-
425A is due December 29, 2014, 2015, and 2016. SF-425A can be found at:
http://acf.gov/grants-forms.
Completed reports may be mailed to: Deborah Bell, Division of
Mandatory Grants Office of Grants Management Administration for
Children and Families, 370 LEnfant Promenade SW., 6th Floor,
Washington, DC 20447. Grantees have the option of submitting their
reports online through the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system at the
following address: https://extranet.acf.hhs.gov/ssi.
Failure too submit reports on time may be a basis for withholding
grant funds, or suspension or termination of the grant. All funds
reported as unobligated after the obligation period will be recouped.
Finable versions of the SF-425 form in Adobe PDF and MS-Excel
formats, along with instructions, are available at http://acf.gov/grants-forms and at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms.
FFATA Subaward and Executive Compensation
Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity may be
subject to the Transparency Act subaward and executive compensation
reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 170. See ACF's Award Term for
Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Subaward
and Executive Compensation Reporting Requirement implementing this
requirement and additional award applicability information.
ACF has implemented the use of the SF-428 Tangible Property Report
and the SF-429 Real Property Status Report for all grantees. Both
standard forms are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms.
VII. Agency Contact
Program Office Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edna James at (202) 205-7750 or
[email protected].
Bryan Samuels,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
Appendix A
Assurances of Compliance with Grant Requirements
The undersigned grantee certifies that:
(1) Grant funds under the Family Violence Prevention Services
Act (FVPSA) will be distributed to local public agencies or
nonprofit private organizations (including faith-based and
charitable organizations, community-based organizations, and
voluntary associations) that assist victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence (as defined in Section
10402(2-4), and their dependents, and have a documented history of
effective work concerning family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence (Section 10408(c)).
(2) Grant funds will be used for programs and projects within
the State that are designed to prevent incidents of family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence by providing immediate
shelter and supportive services and access to community-based
programs for adult and youth victims, as well as specialized
services for children exposed to domestic violence, underserved
populations, and those who are members of racial and ethnic minority
populations (as defined in Section 10406(a)(1-3)).
(3) In distributing the funds, the State will give special
emphasis to the support of community-based projects of demonstrated
effectiveness carried out by non-profit,
[[Page 23271]]
private organizations, and that have as their primary purpose the
operation of shelters for victims of family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence, and their dependents or those which
provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims of
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and their
dependents (Section 10407(a)(2)(B)(iii)).
(4) Not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be
for the primary purpose of providing immediate shelter and
supportive services to adult and youth victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents (Section
10408(b)(2)).
(5) Not less than 25 percent of the funds distributed shall be
for the purpose of providing supportive services and prevention
services as described in Section 10408(b)(2)to victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their
dependents).
(6) Not more than 5 percent of the funds will be used for State
administrative costs (Section 10407(a)(2)(b)(i)).
(7) The State grantee is in compliance with the statutory
requirements of Section 10407(a)(2)(C), regarding the equitable
distribution of grants and grant funds within the State and between
urban and rural areas within the State.
(8) The State will consult with and provide for the
participation of the State Domestic Violence Coalition in the
planning and monitoring of the distribution of grant funds and the
administration of the grant programs and projects (Section
10407(a)(2)(D)).
(9) Grant funds made available under this program by the State
will not be used as direct payment to any victim of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, or to any dependent of such
victim (Section 10408(d)(1)).
(10) No income eligibility standard will be imposed on
individuals with respect to eligibility for assistance or services
supported with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (Section
10406(c)(3)).
(11) No fees will be levied for assistance or services provided
with funds appropriated to carry out the FVPSA (Section
10406(c)(3)).
(12) The address or location of any shelter or facility assisted
under the FVPSA that otherwise maintains a confidential location
will, except with written authorization of the person or persons
responsible for the operation of such shelter, not be made public
(Section 10406(c)(5)(H)).
(13) The applicant has established policies, procedures, and
protocols to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section
10406(c)(5) regarding non-disclosure of confidential or private
information (Section 10407(a)(2)(A)).
(14) Pursuant to Section 10406(c)(5), the applicant will comply
with requirements to ensure the non-disclosure of confidential or
private information, which include, but are not limited to: (1)
Grantees will not disclose any personally identifying information
collected in connection with services requested (including services
utilized or denied), through grantee's funded activities or reveal
personally identifying information without informed, written,
reasonably time-limited consent by the person about whom information
is sought, whether for the FVPSA-funded activities or any other
Federal or State program and in accordance with Section
10406(c)(5)(B)(ii); (2) grantees will not release information
compelled by statutory or court order unless adhering to the
requirements of Section10406(c)(5)(C); (3) grantees may share non-
personally identifying information in the aggregate for the purposes
enunciated in Section 10406(c)(5)(D)(i) as well as for other
purposes found in Section 10406(c)(5)(D)(ii) and (iii).
(15) Grants funded by the State in whole or in part with funds
made available under the FVPSA will prohibit discrimination on the
basis of age, disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or
religion (Section 10406(c)(2)).
(16) Funds made available under the FVPSA will be used to
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public
funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the
objectives of the FVPSA (Section 10406(c)(6)).
(17) Receipt of supportive services under the FVPSA will be
voluntary. No condition will be applied for the receipt of emergency
shelter as described in Section 10408(d)(2)).
(18) The State grantee has a law or procedure to bar an abuser
from a shared household or a household of the abused person, which
may include eviction laws or procedures (Section 10407(a)(2)(H)).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Title
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization
Appendix B
LGBTQ Accessibility Policy
As the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) signing
this application on behalf of [Insert full, formal name of applicant
organization]
I hereby attest and certify that:
The needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
questioning program participants are taken into consideration in
applicant's program design. Applicant considered how its program
will be inclusive of and non-stigmatizing toward such participants.
If not already in place, awardee and, if applicable, sub-awardees
must establish and publicize policies prohibiting harassment based
on race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (or
expression), religion, and national origin. The submission of an
application for this funding opportunity constitutes an assurance
that applicants have or will put such policies in place within 12
months of the award. Awardees should ensure that all staff members
are trained to prevent and respond to harassment or bullying in all
forms during the award period. Programs should be prepared to
monitor claims, address them seriously, and document their
corrective action(s) so all participants are assured that programs
are safe, inclusive, and non-stigmatizing by design and in
operation. In addition, any sub-awardees or subcontractors:
Have in place or will put into place within 12 months
of the award policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, and
national origin;
Will enforce these policies;
Will ensure that all staff will be trained during the
award period on how to prevent and respond to harassment or bullying
in all forms, and;
Have or will have within 12 months of the award, a plan
to monitor claims, address them seriously, and document their
corrective action(s).
Insert Date of Signature:
Print Name and Title of the AOR:
Signature of AOR:
[FR Doc. 2013-08711 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-32-P