[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1475-1484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-583]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
[Program Announcement No. 93612-982]
Administration for Native Americans: Availability of Financial
Assistance
AGENCY: Administration for Native Americans (ANA), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF), DHHS.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of competitive financial
assistance to assist eligible applicants in assuring the survival and
continuing vitality of their Native American languages.
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SUMMARY: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) announces the
availability of Fiscal Year 1998 funds and other available funds for
Native American Language projects. Financial assistance provided by ANA
is designed to assist applicants in designing projects which will
promote the survival and continuing vitality of Native American
languages.
Application Kit: Application kits, (Approved by the OMB under
control number 0980-0204, which expires August 31, 1999) containing the
necessary forms and instructions to apply for a grant under this
program announcement, may be obtained from: Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Administration for Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop
HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447, Attention: 93612-982. You may telefax
your request to: (202) 690-7441; confirm at (202)690-7776.
Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms
may be obtained electronically at the ANA World Wide Web Page: http://
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ana/index.html
The printed Federal Register notice is the only official program
announcement. Although reasonable efforts are taken to assure that the
files on the ANA World Wide Web Page containing electronic copies of
this Program Announcement are accurate and complete, they are provided
for information only. The applicant bears sole responsibility to assure
that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source is
accurate and complete.
DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is March 27,
1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Yatsko, Program Analyst,
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, Administration for Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447, tel: (202) 690-
7843, fax: (202) 690-7441, or e-mail: dyatsko@acf.dhhs.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Part I
A. Purpose and Availability of Funds
The program announcement states the availability of fiscal year
1998 financial assistance to eligible applicants for the purpose of
assisting Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing
vitality of their languages. Financial assistance awards made under
this program announcement will be on a competitive basis and the
proposals will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria in this
announcement.
Approximately $2,000,000 in Fiscal Year 1998 has been allocated for
category I and II grants. For Category I, Planning Grants (project
length: 12 months), the funding level for a budget period of 12 months
will be up to $50,000. For Category II, Design and or Implementation
Grants (project length: up to 36 months), the funding level for a
budget period of 12 months will be up to $125,000. In accordance with
current agency policies, ANA may fund additional highly ranked
applications if additional funds become available prior to the next
competition.
B. Background
The Congress has recognized that the history of past policies of
the United States toward Indian and other Native American languages has
resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of Native American
languages that have survived over the past 500 years. Consequently, the
Native American
[[Page 1476]]
Languages Act (Title 1, Pub. L. 101-477) was enacted to address this
decline.
This legislation invested the United States government with the
responsibility to work together with Native Americans to ensure the
survival of cultures and languages unique to Native America. This law
declared that it is the policy of the United States to ``preserve,
protect and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use,
practice and develop Native American languages.'' While the Congress
made a significant first step in passing this legislation in 1990, it
served only as a declaration of policy. No program initiatives were
proposed, nor any funds authorized to enact any significant programs in
furtherance of this policy.
In 1992, Congressional testimony provided estimates that of the
several hundred languages that once existed, about 150 are still spoken
or remembered today. However, only 20 are spoken by persons of all
ages, 30 are spoken by adults of all ages, about 60 are spoken by
middle-aged adults, and 45 are spoken by the most elderly.
In response to this testimony, the Congress passed the Native
American Languages Act of 1992 (the Act), P.L. 102-524, to assist
Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing vitality of
their languages. Passage of the Act was an important second step in
attempting to ensure the survival and continuation of Native Languages,
as it provides the basic foundation upon which the Tribal nations can
rebuild their economic strength and rich cultural diversity.
While the Federal government recognizes that substantial loss of
Native American languages over the past several hundred years, the
nature and magnitude of the status of Native American languages will be
better defined when eligible applicants under the Act have completed
language assessments.
The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) believes that the
responsibility for achieving self-sufficiency rests with the governing
bodies of Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and in the leadership
of Native American groups. This belief supports the ANA principle that
the local community and its leadership are responsible for determining
goals, setting priorities, and planning and implementing programs which
support the community's long-range goals.
Therefore, since preserving a language and ensuring its
continuation is generally one of the first steps taken toward
strengthening a group's identity, activities proposed under this
program announcement will contribute to the social development of
Native communities and significantly contribute to their efforts toward
self-sufficiency.
The Administration for Native Americans recognizes that eligible
applicants must have the opportunity to develop their own language
plans, technical capabilities, and access to the necessary financial
and technical resources in order to assess, plan, develop and implement
programs to assure the survival and continuing vitality of their
languages. ANA also recognizes that potential applicants may have
specialized knowledge and capabilities to address specific language
concerns at various levels. This program announcement reflects these
special needs and circumstances.
C. Proposed Projects To Be Funded
Category I--Planning Grants
The purpose of a Planning Grant is to conduct an assessment and to
develop the plan needed to describe the current status of the
language(s) to be addressed and to establish community long-range
goal(s) to ensure its surivival. Project activities may include, but
are not limited to:
data collection, compilation, organization and description
of current language status through a ``formal'' method (e.g. work
performed by a linguist, and/or a language survey conducted by
community members) or an ``informal'' method (e.g. a community
consensus of the language status based on elders, tribal scholars, and/
or other community members);
Establishment of community long-range language goals; and
Acquisition of necessary training and technical assistance
to administer the project and achieve project goal(s).
Category II--Design and/or Implementation Grants
The purposes of Design and/or Implementation Grants are (1) so
tribes or communities may design and/or implement a language program to
achieve their long-range goal(s); and to accomodate where the tribe or
community is in their long-term language goal(s) continuum.
Applicants under Category II must be able to document that:
(a) Language information has been collected and analyzed, and that
it is current (compiled within 36 months prior to the grant
application);
(b) The community has established long-range language goals; and
(c) Community representatives are adequately trained so that the
proposed project goals can be achieved.
Category II applications may include purchasing specialized
equipment (including audio and video recording equipment, computers,
and software) necessary to achieve the project objectives. The
applicant must fully justify the need for this equipment and explain
how it will be used to achieve the project objectives.
The types of projects ANA may fund under Category II include, but
are not limited to:
Establishment and support of a community Native American
language project to bring older and younger Native Americans together
to facilitate and encourage the teaching of Native American languages
skills from one generation to another;
Establishment of a project to train Native Americans to
teach Native American languages to others or to enable them to serve as
interpreters or translators of such languages;
Development, printing, and dissemination of materials to
be used for the teaching and enhancement of Native American languages;
Establishment or support of a project to train Native
Americans to produce or participate in television or radio programs to
be broadcast in Native American languages; and
Compilation, transcription and analysis of oral testimony
to record and preserve Native American languages.
It is ANA's policy that funds will not be awarded for projects
addressing dead languages. For purposes of this announcement, dead
languages are those languages that are no longer spoken by any tribal
or community member.
Requirement
The Commissioner shall determine the repository for copies of
products from Native American language grants funded under this program
announcement. At the end of the project period, products or project
models of Native American languages grants funded by this program
announcement should be sent to the designated repository. Specific
information about the repository is in the ANA application kit.
Federally recognized Indian tribes are not required to comply with
this requirement.
D. Eligible Applicants
The following organizations are eligible to apply for funding under
this competitive area:
Federally recognized Indian tribes;
Consortia of Indian tribes (incorporated as a non-profit
or formed
[[Page 1477]]
with one or more Federally recognized tribes);
Incorporated non-Federally recognized tribes;
Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based
Indian organizations;
Urban Indian Centers;
National or regional incorporated non-profit Native
American organizations with Native American community-specific
objectives;
Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia;
Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose
community-based organizations;
Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/
Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects;
Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-
specific projects;
Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal
governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or traditional Councils) as
recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native
Hawaiians (the populations served may be located on these islands or on
the continental United States);
Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native
peoples from Guam, American Samoa, Palau, or the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands (The populations served may be located on
these islands or in the United States);
Tribally-controlled community colleges and tribally-
controlled post-secondary Vocational Institutions; and
Colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam,
American Samoa, Palau or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands which serve Native American Pacific Islanders.
Participating Organizations
If a tribal organization, or other eligible applicant, decides that
the objective of its proposed Native American language project would be
accomplished more effectively through a partnership arrangement with a
tribal school, college, or university, the applicant shall identify
such school, college or university as a participating organization in
its application. Under a partnership agreement, the applicant will be
responsible for the fiscal, administrative and programmatic management
of the grant.
Any non-profit organization submitting an application must submit
proof of its non-profit status in its application at the time of
submission. The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a
copy of the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS)
most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in Section
501(c)(3) of the IRS code or by providing a copy of the currently valid
IRS tax exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles
of incorporation bearing the seal of the State or tribe in which the
corporation or association is domiciled.
If the applicant, other than a tribe or an Alaska Native Village
government, is proposing a project benefiting Native Americans, Alaska
Natives, or both, it must provide assurance that its duly elected or
appointed board of directors is representative of the community to be
served. To establish compliance with this requirement in the
regulations, applicants must provide information establishing that at
lease ninety (90) percent of the individuals serving on a non-profit
applicant's board fall into one or more of the following categories:
(1) A current or past member of the community to be served; (2) a
prospective participant or beneficiary of the project to be funded; or
(3) have a cultural relationship with the community to be served.
Note: Under this program announcement, ANA will only accept one
application which serves or impacts a reservation, tribe or Native
American community. If a federally recognized Tribe or Alaska Native
village chooses not to submit an application under this competitive
area, it may support another applicant's project (e.g., a tribal
organization) which serves or impacts a reservation. In this case,
an applicant must include a tribal resolution which clearly
demonstrates the tribe's approval of the application and the tribe's
understanding that the other applicant's project supplants the
tribe's authority to submit an application under the Native Language
competitive area for the duration of the approved grant period.
E. Grantee Share of the Project
Grantees must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved
cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum
of the Federal share and the non-Federal share. The non-Federal share
may be met by cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are
encouraged to meet their requirement through cash contributions.
Therefore, a project requesting $125,000 in Federal funds must include
a match of at least $31,250 (20% of total $156,250 project cost).
As per 45 CFR 74.2, In-kind contributions are defined as ``the
value of non-cash contributions provided by non-Federal third parties.
Third party in-kind contributions may be in the form of real property,
equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, and the value of
goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to
the project or program.''
This may include other Federal funding sources where the
legislation or regulations authorize using specific types of funds for
match, provided the source relates to the ANA project (e.g., Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance funds, through the
Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human
Services). In addition, certain funds distributed to a tribe, including
interest, by the Federal government, may be used for the non-Federal
share. For example:
Funds from the satisfaction of a claim made under Federal
law;
Funds collected and administered on behalf of such tribe
or its constituent members; or
Funds for general tribal administration or tribal
development under a formula or subject to a tribal budgeting priority
system such as, but not limited to, funds involved in the settlement of
land or other judgment claims, severance or other royalty payments, or
payments under the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450f et
seq.) or tribal budget priority system.
An itemized budget detailing the applicant's non-federal share, and
its source(s), must be included in an application.
If an applicant plans to charge or otherwise seek credit for
indirect costs in its ANA application, a current copy of its Indirect
Cost Agreement must be included in the application.
A request for a waiver of the non-Federal share requirement may be
submitted in accordance with 45 CFR 1336.50(b)(3) of the Native
American Program regulations.
Note: Applications originating from American Samoa, Guam, Palau,
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are covered
under Section 501(d) of Public Law 95-134, as amended (48 U.S.C.
1469a) under which HHS waives any requirement for local matching
funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions)
F. Review Criteria
The proposed project should address the Native American languages
purposes stated and described in the ``Background'' (section B) of this
announcement.
The evaluation criteria below are closely inter-related. Points are
awarded only to applications which respond to these criteria. Proposed
projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis using the following
separate sets of evaluation criteria; one set for planning, the other
for implementation grants:
[[Page 1478]]
I. Planning Grants
(1) Current Status of Native American Language(s) (15 points)
The applicant fully describes the current status of Native
American language(s) in the community.
Since obtaining this data may be part of the planning grant
application being reviewed, applicants can meet this requirement by
explaining their current language status and providing a detailed
description of any circumstances or barriers which have prevented the
collection of community language data. If documentation exists,
describe it in terms of current language status.
(2) Goals and Available Resources (25 points)
(a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range
goals and strategies, including:
How the specific Native American long-range community
goal(s) relate to the proposed project; and
How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current
language status.
(b) The application explains how the community and the tribal
government (where one exists) intends to achieve these goals. Ways to
demonstrate community and tribal government support for the project
include:
A resolution from tribes or tribal organizations stating
that community involvement has occurred in project planning;
Community surveys and questionnaires, including those
developed to determine the level of community support for tribal
resolutions; and
Minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and
discussion forums; The type of community served will determine the type
of documentation necessary to demonstrate participation. All tribes and
communities, however, must indicate in their application how they
intend to involve elders and other community members in their projects
and include them in development of language goals and strategies and in
evaluation of project outcomes.
Applications from National Indian and Native organizations must
clearly demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the project was
originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe
how the recipients will actually benefit from the project. National
Indian and Native organizations should describe their membership and
define how the organization operates.
(c) Available resources (other than ANA and the non-federal share)
which will assist and be coordinated with the project are described.
These resources should be documented by letters or documents of
commitment of resources, and not ``letters of support''.
``Letters of support'' merely express another
organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Such support letters
and related documentation do not indicate a binding commitment and do
not establish the authenticity of other resources.
``Letters and other documents of commitment'' are binding
and specify the nature, amount and conditions under which another
agency or organzation will support a project funded with ANA funds.
These resources may be human, natural or financial, and may include
other Federal and non-Federal resources.
Applicant statements that additional funding will be sought from
other specific sources are not considered a binding commitment of
outside resources.
If the applicant proposes to enter into an partnership arrangement
with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment
must be included in the application.
(3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities (30 points)
The proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan (s) relate to
the goal to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native
American language(s). More specifically, together they will achieve for
the tribe or community's language goals for the proposed project.
Each Objective Work Plan clearly describes:
The tribal government's and community's active involvement
in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
How the results or outcomes relate to the community's
long-range goals or the establishment of those goals;
How the project can be accomplished with the available or
expected resources during the project period;
How the main activities will be accomplished;
Who specifically will conduct the activities under each
objective; and
What the next steps may be after the Planning project is
completed.
(4) Organizational capabilities/Qualifications (20 points)
(a) The management and administrative structure of the applicant is
explained. Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of
the proposed scope is well-defined. The application clearly
demonstrates the successful management of projects of similar scope by
the organization and or by the individual designated to manage the
project.
(b) Position descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel,
including those of consultants, are presented. The position
descriptions and/or resumes relate specifically to the staff proposed
in the Approach Page and in the proposed budget of the application.
Position descriptions very clearly describe the position and its duties
and clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the
project objectives. Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff are
qualified to carry out the proposed activities. Either the position
descriptions or the resumes contain the qualifications, and/or
specialized skills, necessary for overall quality management of the
project. Resumes must be included if individuals have been identified
for positions in the application.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to
Native Americans in hiring staff and subcontracting services under
an approved ANA grant.
(5) Budget (10 points)
A detailed and fully explained budget is provided which:
Justifies each line item, with a well-written
justification, in the budget categories in Section B of the Budget
Information of the application, including the applicant's non-federal
share and its source;
Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other necessary
details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability and the
relevance of these costs to the proposed project; and
Requests funds which are appropriate and necessary for the
scope of the proposed project.
Note: Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are
not required to provide a 20 percent match for the non-federal share
if it is under $200,000 and may not have points reduced for this
policy. They are, however, expected to coordinate non-ANA resources
for the proposed project, as are all ANA applicants.
II. Design and/or Implementation Grants
(1) Current Status of Native American Language(s) (10 points)
(a) The application fully describes the current status of the
Native American language to be addressed; current status is defined as
data compiled within the previous 48 months. The description of the
current status minimally includes the following information:
[[Page 1479]]
Number of speakers
Age of speakers
Gender of speakers
Level(s) of fluency
Number of first language speakers (Native language as the
first language acquired)
Number of second language speakers (Native language as the
second language acquired)
Where Native language is used (e.g. home, court system,
religious ceremonies; church, media, school, governance and cultural
activities)
Source of data (formal and/or informal)
Rate of language loss or gain
(b) The application fully describes existing community language or
language training programs and projects, if any, in support of the
Native American language to be addressed by the proposed project.
Existing programs and projects may be formal (e.g., work by a linguist,
and/or language survey conducted by community members) or ``informal''
(e.g., a community consensus of the language status based on elders,
tribal scholars, and/or other community members).
The description should answer the following:
(1) Has applicant had a community language or language training
program within the last 48 months? (2) Within the last 10 years?
If so, fully describe the program(s), and include the following:
Program goals
Number of program participants
Number of speakers
Age range of participants (e.g., 0-5, 6-10, 11-18, etc.)
Number of language teachers
Criteria used to acknowledge competency of language
teachers
Resources available to the applicant (e.g., valid
grammars, dictionaries, and/or orthographics or describe other suitable
resources)
Program achievements
If applicant has never had a language program, a detailed
explanation of what barriers or circumstances prevented the
establishment of a community language program should be included.
(2) Goals and Available Resources (20 points)
(a) The application describes the proposed project's long-range
goals and strategies, including:
How the specific Native American long-range community
goal(s) relate to the proposed project; and
How the goal(s) fit within the context of the current
language status;
A clearly delineated strategy to assist in assuring the
survival and continued vitality of the Native American languages
addressed in the community.
(b) The application explains how the community and the tribal
government (where one exists) intends to achieve these goals. Ways to
demonstrate community and tribal government support for the project
include:
A resolution from tribes or tribal organizations stating
that community involvement has occurred in project planning;
Community surveys and questionnaires; and
Minutes of community meetings, tribal presentations and
discussion forums.
The type of community served will determine the type of
documentation necessary to demonstrate participation. All tribes and
communities, however, must indicate in their application how they
intend to involve elders and other community members in their projects
and include them in development of language goals and strategies.
Applications from National Indian and Native organizations must
clearly demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the project was
originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be, and describe
how the recipients will actually benefit from the project. National
Indian and Native organizations should describe their membership and
define how the organization operates.
(c) Available resources (other than ANA and the non-federal share)
which will assist and be coordinated with the project are described.
These resources should be documented by letters or documents of
commitment of resources, and not ``letters of support''.
``Letters of support'' merely express another
organization's endorsement of a proposed project. Such support letters
and related documentation do not indicate a binding commitment and do
not establish the authenticity of other resources.
``Letters and other documents of commitment'' are binding
and specify the nature, amount and conditions under which another
agency or organization will support a project funded with ANA funds.
These resources may be human, natural or financial, and may include
other Federal and non-Federal resources.
Applicant statements that additional funding will be sought from
other specific sources are not considered a binding commitment of
outside resources.
If the applicant proposes to enter into an partnership arrangement
with a school, college or university, documentation of this commitment
must be included in the application.
(3) Project Objectives, Approach and Activities (30 points)
The proposed objectives in the Objective Work Plan(s) relate to the
goal to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American
language(s). More specifically, together they will achieve for the
tribe or community's language goals for the proposed project. If the
project is for more than one year, the application includes Objective
Work Plans for each year (budget period) proposed.
Each Objective Work Plan clearly describes:
The tribal government's and community's active involvement
in the continuing participation of Native American language speakers;
Measurable or quantifiable results or outcomes;
How they relate to the community's long-range goals or the
establishment of those goals;
How the project can be accomplished with the available or
expected resources during the project period;
How the main activities will be accomplished;
Who specifically will conduct the activities under each
objective; and
How the project will be completed, become self-sustaining,
or be financed by other than ANA funds at the end of the project
period.
(4) Organizational capabilities/Qualifications (15 points)
(a) The management and administrative structure of the applicant is
explained. Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage a project of
the proposed scope is well-defined. The application clearly
demonstrates the successful management of projects of similar scope by
the organization and/or by the individual designated to manage the
project.
(b) Position descriptions and/or resumes of key personnel,
including those of consultants, are presented. The position
descriptions and/or resumes relate specifically to the staff proposed
in the Approach Page and in the proposed budget of the application.
Position descriptions very clearly describe the position and its duties
and clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the
project objectives. Resumes demonstrate that the proposed staff are
qualified to carry out the proposed activities. Either the position
descriptions or the resumes contain the qualifications, and/or
specialized skills, necessary for overall
[[Page 1480]]
quality management of the project. Resumes must be included if
individuals have been identified for positions in the application.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to give preference to
Native Americans in hiring staff and subcontracting services under
an approved ANA grant.
(5) Budget (10 points)
A detailed and fully explained budget is provided for each budget
period requested which:
Justifies each line item, with a well-written
justification, in the budget categories in Section B of the Budget
Information of the application, including the applicant's non-federal
share and its source;
Includes and justifies sufficient cost and other necessary
details to facilitate the determination of cost allowability and the
relevance of these costs to the proposed project; and
Requests funds which are appropriate and necessary for the
scope of the proposed project.
Note: Applicants from the Native American Pacific Islands are
not required to provide a 20 percent match for the non-federal share
if it is under $200,000 and may not have points reduced for this
policy. They are, however, expected to coordinate non-ANA resources
for the proposed project, as are all ANA applicants.
(6) Evaluation, Sharing and Preservation Plans (15 points)
The application should include the following three plans:
(a) An ``evaluation plan'' with a baseline to measure project
outcomes, including, but not limited to, describing effective language
growth in the community (e.g., an increase of Native American language
use). This plan will be the basis for evaluating the community's
progress in achieving its language goals and objectives.
(b) A ``sharing plan'' that identifies how the project's
methodology, research data, outcomes or other products can be shared
and modified for use by other tribes or communities. If this is not
feasible or culturally appropriate, provide the reasons. The goal is to
provide opportunities to ensure the survival and the continuing
vitality of Native Languages.
(c) A ``plan to preserve project products'' describes how the
products of the project will be preserved through archival or other
culturally appropriate methods, for the benefit of future generations.
G. Application Due Date
The closing date for submission of applications under this program
announcement is March 27, 1998.
H. For Further Information Contact
Deborah Yatsko, Program Analyst, Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration for
Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, Mail Stop HHH 348F,
Washington, DC 20447, tel: (202) 690-7843; e-mail:dyatsko@acf.dhhs.gov
Part II: General Guidance to Applicants
The following is provided to assist applicants to develop a
competitive application.
A. Definitions
``Language preservation'' is the maintenance of a language
so that it will not decline into non-use.
``Language vitality'' is the active use of a language in a
wide range of domains of human life.
``Language replication'' is the application of a language
program model developed in one community to other linguistically
similar communities.
``Language survival'' is the maintenance and continuation
of language from one generation to another in a wide range of aspects
of community life.
A ``multi-purpose community-based Native American
organization'' is an association and/or corporation whose charter
specifies that the community designates the Board of Directors and/or
officers of the organization through an elective procedure and that the
organization functions in several different areas of concern to the
members of the local Native American community. These areas are
specified in the by-laws and/or policies adopted by the organization.
They may include, but need not be limited to, economic, artistic,
cultural, and recreational activities, and the delivery of human
services such as health care, day care, counseling, education, and
training.
A ``multi-year project'' is a project on a single theme
that requires more than 12 months to complete and affords the applicant
an opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth
strategies than can be completed in one year. A multi-year project
cannot be a series of unrelated objectives with activities presented in
chronological order over a two or three year period.
``Budget Period'' is the interval of time (usually 12
months) into which the project period is divided for budgetary and
funding purposes.
``Core administration'' is funding for staff salaries for
those functions which support the organization as a whole, or for
purposes unrelated to the actual management or implementation of work
conducted under an ANA approved project.
``Real Property'' means land, including land improvements,
structures and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and
equipment.
``Construction'' is the term which specifies a project
supported through a discretionary grant or cooperative agreement, to
support the initial building of a facility.
B. General Considerations
Non-ANA resources should be leveraged to strengthen and broaden the
impact of the proposed project in the community. Project designs should
explain how those parts of projects which ANA does not fund will be
financed through other sources. For example, ANA does not fund
construction. Applicants must show the relationship of non-ANA funded
activities to those objectives and activities that are funded with ANA
grant funds.
Costs of fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment
drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses
incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions are
unallowable under a grant award. However, even though these costs are
unallowable for purposes of computing charges to Federal awards, they
must be treated as direct costs for purposes of determining indirect
cost rates and be allocated their share of the organization's indirect
costs if they represent activities which (1) include the salaries of
personnel, (2) occupy space, and (3) benefit from the organization's
indirect costs.
All projects funded by ANA must be completed, or self-sustaining or
supported with other than ANA funds at the end of the project period.
``Completed'' means that the project ANA funded is finished, and the
desired result(s) have been attained. ``Self-sustaining'' means that a
project will continue without outside resources. ``Supported by other
than ANA funds'' means that the project will continue beyond the ANA
project period, but will be supported by funds other than ANA's.
C. Activities That Cannot Be Funded by ANA
The Administration for Native Americans does not fund projects
that:
Operate indefinitely or require ANA funding on a recurring
basis.
Projects in which a grantee would provide training and/or
technical assistance (T/TA) to other tribes or
[[Page 1481]]
Native American organizations which are otherwise eligible to apply to
ANA (``third party T/TA'').
However, the purchase of T/TA by a grantee for its own use or for
its members' use (as in the case of a consortium), where T/TA is
necessary to carry out project objectives, is acceptable.
The support of on-going social service delivery programs
or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery
programs.
ANA will not fund the purchase of real property.
ANA will not fund construction.
Objectives or activities for the support of core
administration of an organization.
``Core administration'' is funding for staff salaries for those
functions which support the organization as a whole, or for purposes
unrelated to the actual management or implementation of work conducted
under an ANA approved project. However, functions and activities that
are clearly project related are eligible for grant funding. For
example, the management and administrative functions necessary to carry
out an ANA approved project are not considered ``core administration''
and are, therefore, eligible costs. Additionally, ANA will fund the
salaries of approved staff for time actually and reasonably spent to
implement a funded ANA project.
Projects or activities that generally will not meet the purposes of
this announcement are discussed further in Section H, ``General
Guidance to Applicants'', below.
D. Multi-Year Projects
Only Category II ``Design and Implementation'' projects may be
developed as multi-year projects, i.e. for up to three years. The
information in this section is not applicable to planning projects.
A multi-year project is a project on a single theme that requires
more than 12 to 17 months to complete. It affords the applicant an
opportunity to develop and address more complex and in-depth
strategies. A multi-year project cannot be a series of unrelated
objectives with activities presented in chronological order over a two
or three year period. Initial awards, on a competitive basis, will be
for a one-year budget period (up to 17 months), although project
periods may be for three years.
Applications for continuation grants funded under these awards
beyond the one-year budget period, but within a two-to-three year
project period, will be entertained in subsequent years on a non-
competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory
progress of the grantee and determination that continued funding would
be in the best interest of the Government. Therefore, this program
announcement does not apply to current ANA grantees with multi-year
projects that apply for continuation funding for their second or third
year budget periods.
E. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
This program is not covered by Executive Order 12372 or 45 CFR part
100.
F. The Application Process
1. Availability of Application Forms
In order to be considered for a grant under this program
announcement, an application must be submitted on the forms supplied
and in the manner prescribed by ANA. The application kits containing
the necessary forms and instructions may be obtained from: Department
of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Administration for Native Americans, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW, Mail
Stop HHH 348F, Washington, D.C. 20447, Attention: 93612-982, Telephone:
(202) 690-7776.
Copies of this program announcement and many of the required forms
may be obtained electronically at the ANA World Wide Web Page:
www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ana/index.html
The printed Federal Register notice is the only official program
announcement. Although all reasonable efforts are taken to assure that
the files on the ANA World Wide Web Page containing electronic copies
of the Program Announcement are accurate and complete, they are
provided for information only. The applicant bears sole responsibility
to assure that the copy downloaded and/or printed from any other source
is accurate and complete.
2. Application Submission
One signed original, and two copies, of the grant application,
including all attachments, must be mailed on or before the closing date
to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for
Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant
Promenade, S.W., Mail Stop 6C-462, Washington, D.C. 20447, Attention:
Lois B. Hodge, ANA No. 93612-982.
Applications hand-carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by
overnight express mail couriers shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date,
between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm at: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division
of Discretionary Grants, ACF Mail Room, Second Floor Loading Dock,
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
The application (Form 424) must be signed by an individual
authorized (1) to act for the applicant tribe or organization, and (2)
to assume the applicant's obligations under the terms and conditions of
the grant award, including Native American Program statutory and
regulatory requirements.
Each tribe, Native American organization, or other eligible
applicant may compete for one grant award under this program
announcement.
The Administration for Native Americans will accept only one
application for program announcement from any one applicant. If an
eligible applicant sends in two applications for this program
announcement, the one with the earlier postmark will be accepted for
review unless the applicant withdraws the earlier application.
3. Application Consideration
The ANA Commissioner determines the final action to be taken on
each grant application received under this program announcement.
The following points should be taken into consideration by all
applicants:
Incomplete applications and applications that do not
conform to this announcement will not be accepted for review.
Applicants will be notified in writing of any such determination by
ACF. An incomplete application is one that is:
Missing Form SF 424
Does not have a signature on Form SF 424
Does not include proof of non-profit status, if applicable
Complete applications that conform to all the requirements of this
program announcement are subjected to a competitive review and
evaluation process (discussed in section G below). Independent review
panels consisting of reviewers familiar with American Indian Tribes and
Native American communities and organizations, and Native American
languages evaluate each application using the published criteria in
this announcement. As a result of the review, a normalized numerical
score will be assigned to each application.
The Commissioner's funding decision is based on the review
panel's analysis of the application,
[[Page 1482]]
recommendation and comments of ANA staff, State and Federal agencies
having contract and grant performance related information, and other
interested parties.
The Commissioner makes grant awards consistent with the
purpose of the Act, all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements,
this program announcement, and the availability of funds.
ANA staff cannot respond to requests for information
regarding funding decisions prior to the official notification to the
applicants.
After the Commissioner has made decisions on all
applications funded with fiscal year 1998 funds, unsuccessful
applicants are notified in writing within 30 days. The notification
will be accompanied by a critique including recommendations for
improving the application.
Successful applicants are notified through an official
Financial Assistance Award (FAA) document. The FAA will state the
amount of Federal funds awarded, the purpose of the grant, the terms
and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the
project period, the budget period, and the amount of the non-ACF
matching share requirement.
G. The Review Process
1. Initial Application Review
Applications submitted by the closing date and verified by the
postmark under this program announcement will undergo a pre-review to
determine that:
The applicant is eligible in accordance with the Eligible
Applicants Section of this announcement; and
The application is signed and submitted by the deadline
explained in section G, Application Due Date.
The application narrative, forms and materials submitted
are adequate to allow the review panel to undertake an in depth
evaluation and the project described is an allowable type. (All
required materials and forms are listed in the Grant Application
Checklist in the Application Kit).
Applications subjected to the pre-review described above which fail
to satisfy one or more of the listed requirements will be ineligible or
otherwise excluded from competitive evaluation.
2. Competitive Review of Accepted Applications
Applications which pass the pre-review will be evaluated and rated
by an independent review panel on the basis of the specific evaluation
criteria listed in Part II. These criteria are used to evaluate the
quality of a proposed project, and to determine the likelihood of its
success.
3. Appeal of Ineligibility
Applicants who are initially excluded from competitive evaluation
because of ineligibility, may appeal an ANA decision of applicant
ineligibility. Likewise, applicants may also appeal an ANA decision
that an applicant's proposed activities are ineligible for funding
consideration. The appeals process is stated in the final rule
published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1996 (61 FR 42817).
H. General Guidance to Applicants
The following information is provided to assist applicants in
developing a competitive application.
1. Program Guidance
The Administration for Native Americans funds projects
that demonstrate the strongest prospects for addressing the stated
purposes of this program announcement.
Projects will not be ranked on the basis of general
financial need .
In discussing the goals, strategy, and problems being
addressed in the application, include sufficient background and/or
history of the community concerning these issues and/or progress to
date, as well as the size of the population to be served. This material
will assist the reviewers in determining the appropriateness and
potential benefits of the proposed project.
In the discussion of community-based, long-range goals,
non-Federally recognized and off-reservation groups are encouraged to
include a description of what constitutes their specific ``community.''
Applicants must document the community's support for the
proposed project and explain the role of the community in the planning
process and implementation of the proposed project. For tribes, a
current signed resolution from the governing body of the tribe
supporting the project proposal stating that there has been community
involvement in the planning of this project will suffice as evidence of
community support/involvement. For all other eligible applicants, the
type of community you serve will determine the type of documentation
necessary. For example, a tribal organization may submit resolutions
supporting the project proposal from each of its members tribes, as
well as a resolution from the applicant organization. Other examples of
documentation include: community surveys; minutes of community
meetings; questionnaires; tribal presentations; and/or discussion/
position papers.
Applications from National Indian and Native American
organizations must demonstrate a need for the project, explain how the
project was originated, state who the intended beneficiaries will be,
and describe how the recipients will actually benefit from the project.
An application should describe a clear relationship
between the proposed project, language goals, and the community's long-
range goals or plan.
The project application, including the Objective Work
Plans, must clearly identify in measurable terms the expected results,
benefits or outcomes of the proposed project, and the positive or
continuing impact that the project will have on the community.
Supporting documentation, including letters of support, if
available, or other testimonies from concerned interests other than the
applicant should be included to demonstrate support for the feasibility
of the project and the commitment of other resources to the proposed
project.
In the ANA Project Narrative, Section A of the application
package, ``Resources Available to the Proposed Project,'' the applicant
should describe any specific financial circumstances which may impact
on the project, such as any monetary or land settlements made to the
applicant, and any restrictions on the use of those settlements. When
the applicant appears to have other resources to support the proposed
project and chooses not to use them, the applicant should explain why
it is seeking ANA funds and not utilizing these resources for the
project.
Applications which were not funded under a previous years closing
date and revised for resubmission should make a reference to the
changes, or reasons for not making changes, in their current ANA
application which are based on ANA panel review comments.
2. Technical Guidance
It is strongly suggested that the applicant follow the
Supplemental Guide included in the ANA application kit to develop an
application. The Guide provides practical information and helpful
suggestions, and is an aid to help applicants prepare ANA applications.
Applicants are encouraged to have someone other than the
author apply the evaluation criteria in the program announcement and
score the application prior to its submission, in order to gain a
better sense of the application's quality and potential
[[Page 1483]]
competitiveness in the ANA review process.
For purposes of developing an application, applicants
should plan for a project start date approximately 120 days after the
closing date under which the application is submitted.
The Administration for Native Americans will not fund
essentially identical projects serving the same constituency.
If a project could be supported by other Federal funding
sources, the applicant should fully explain its reasons for not
pursuing other Federal funds for the project.
For purposes of this announcement, ANA is using the Bureau
of Indian Affairs' list of federally recognized Indian tribes which
includes nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing
bodies (IRA or traditional councils). Other federally recognized Indian
tribes which are not included on this list (e.g., those Tribes which
have been recently recognized or restored by the United States
Congress) are also eligible to apply for ANA funds.
The Administration for Native Americans will accept only
one application under this program announcement from any one applicant.
If an eligible applicant sends in two applications, the one with the
earlier postmark will be accepted for review unless the applicant
withdraws the earlier application.
An application from a federally recognized Tribe, Alaska
Native Village or Native American organization must be from the
governing body of the Tribe or organization. ANA will not accept
applications from tribal components which are tribally-authorized
divisions of a larger tribe, unless the application includes a Tribal
resolution which clearly demonstrates the Tribe's support of the
project and the Tribe's understanding that the other applicant's
project supplants the Tribe's authority to submit an application under
that specific competitive area for the duration of the approved grant
period.
ANA will only accept one application which serves or
impacts a reservation, Tribe, or Native American community. If a
federally recognized Tribe, or Alaska Native village chooses not to
submit an application under this announcement, it may support another
applicant's project (e.g., a tribal organization) which serves or
impacts a reservation. In this case, the applicant must include a
Tribal resolution which clearly demonstrates the Tribe's support
approval of the application and the Tribe's understanding that the
other applicant's project supplants the Tribe's authority to submit an
application under that specific competitive area for the duration of
the approved grant period.
The Objective Work Plan proposed should be of sufficient
detail to become a monthly staff guide for project responsibilities if
the applicant is funded.
Applicants proposing multi-year projects under Category II
must fully describe each year's project objectives and activities.
Separate Objective Work Plans (OWPs) must be presented for each project
year and a separate itemized budget of the Federal and non-Federal
costs of the project for each budget period must be included.
Applicants for multi-year projects under Category II must
justify the entire time-frame of the project (i.e., why the project
needs funding for more than one year) and clearly describe the results
to be achieved for each objective by the end of each budget period of
the total project period.
The Administration for Native Americans will critically
evaluate applications in which the acquisition of equipment is a major
component of the Federal share of the budget. ``Equipment is tangible,
non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one
year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.'' During
negotiation, such expenditures may be deleted from the budget of an
otherwise approved application, if not fully justified by the applicant
and deemed not appropriate to the needs of the project by ANA.
Applicants are encouraged to request a legibly dated
receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service as proof of
timely mailing.
3. Grant Administrative Guidance
The application's Form 424 must be signed by the
applicant's representative authorized to act with full authority on
behalf of the applicant.
The Administration for Native Americans recommends that
the pages of the application be numbered sequentially and that a table
of contents and tabbing of the sections be provided. Simple
An application with an original signature and two
additional copies are required.
The Cover Page (included in the Kit) should be the first
page of an application, followed by the one-page abstract.
The applicant should specify the entire project period
length on the first page of the Form 424, Block 13, not the length of
the first budget period. Should the application propose one length of
project period and the Form 424 specify a conflicting length of project
period, ANA will consider the project period specified on the Form 424
as the request. ANA may negotiate a reduction of the project period.
The approved project period is shown on block 9 of a Financial
Assistance Award.
Line 15a of the Form 424 must specify the Federal funds
requested for the first Budget Period, not the entire project period.
Applicants may propose up to a 17 month project period
under Category I and up to a 36 month project period under Category II.
4. Projects or Activities That Generally Will not Meet the Purposes of
this Announcement
Core administration functions, or other activities, which
essentially support only the applicant's on-going administrative
functions.
Project goals which are not responsive to this program
announcement.
Proposals from consortia of tribes that are not specific
with regard to support from, and roles of, member tribes. ANA expects
an application from a consortium to have goals and objectives that will
create positive impacts and outcomes in the communities of its members.
Proposals from consortia of tribes should have individual objectives
which are related to the larger goal of the proposed project. Project
objectives may be tailored to each consortia member, but within the
context of a common goal for the consortia. In situations where both a
consortia of tribes and the tribes who belong to the consortia receive
ANA funding, ANA expects that consortia groups will not seek funding
that duplicates activities being conducted by their member tribes.
Projects that will not be completed, self-sustaining, or
supported by other than ANA funds, at the end of the project period.
Renovation or alteration unless it is essential for the
project. Renovation or alteration costs may not exceed the lesser of
$150,000 or 25 percent of the total direct costs approved for the
entire budget period.
Projects originated and designed by consultants who
provide a major role for themselves in the proposed project and are not
members of the applicant organization, tribe or village.
I. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13, the
Department is required to submit to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval any reporting and
[[Page 1484]]
record keeping requirements in regulations including program
announcements. This program announcement does not contain information
collection requirements beyond those approved for ANA grant
applications under the Program Narrative Statement by OMB.
J. Receipt of Applications
Applications must either be hand delivered or mailed to the address
in Section F, The Application Process: Application Submission. The
Administration for Native Americans cannot accommodate transmission of
applications by fax or through other electronic media. Therefore,
applications transmitted to ANA electronically will not be accepted
regardless of date or time of submission and time of receipt.
Videotapes and cassette tapes may not be included as part of a grant
application for panel review.
Applications and related materials postmarked after the closing
date will be classified as late.
1. Deadlines
Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an
announced deadline if they are either received on or before the
deadline date or sent on or before the deadline date and received by
ACF in time for the independent review to: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Division
of Discretionary Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Mail Stop 6C-462,
Washington, D.C. 20447.
Applicants are cautioned to request a legibly dated U.S.
Postal Service postmark or to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a
commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal Service. Private metered
postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant
couriers, or by overnight/express mail couriers shall be considered as
meeting an announced deadline if they are received on or before the
deadline date or postmarked on or before the deadline date, Monday
through Friday (excluding Federal holidays), between the hours of 8:00
am and 4:30 pm at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary
Grants, ACF Mailroom, 2nd Floor Loading Dock, Aerospace Center, 901 D
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024.
(Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not
always deliver as agreed.)
ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax
or through other electronic media. Therefore, applications transmitted
to ACF electronically will not be accepted regardless of date or time
of submission and time of receipt.
No additional material will be accepted, or added to an
application, unless it is postmarked by the deadline date.
2. Late Applications
Applications which do not meet the criteria above are considered
late applications. ACF shall notify each late applicant that its
application will not be considered in the current competition.
3. Extension of Deadlines
Administration for Children and Families may extend an application
deadline for applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and
hurricanes, or when there is a widespread disruption of the mails. A
determination to extend or waive deadline requirements rests with the
Chief Grants Management Officer.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Numbers: 93.612
Native American Programs; and 93.587 Promoting the Survival and
Continuing Vitality of Native American Languages)
Dated: December 31, 1997.
Gary N. Kimble,
Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans.
[FR Doc. 98-583 Filed 1-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
