96-17284. Adoption Opportunities Program; Announcement of Availability of Financial Assistance and Request for Applications  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 36424-36449]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-17284]
    
    
    
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    Part II
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Health and Human Services
    
    
    
    
    
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    Administration for Children and Families
    
    
    
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    Adoption Opportunities Program: Availability of Financial Assistance 
    and Request for Applications; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 10, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Administration for Children and Families
    [Program Announcement No. ACYF/CB/AO-96-1]
    
    
    Adoption Opportunities Program; Announcement of Availability of 
    Financial Assistance and Request for Applications
    
    AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), 
    Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health 
    and Human Services (DHHS).
    
    ACTION: Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and 
    Request for Applications to Conduct Demonstration Projects Funded Under 
    the Adoption Opportunities Program in the Children's Bureau, 
    Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Children's Bureau (CB) within the Administration on 
    Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and 
    Families (ACF) announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 1996 
    funds from the Adoption Opportunities Program for demonstration grants 
    to State child welfare agencies, public or private nonprofit child 
    welfare and adoption agencies, organizations and adoptive parents' 
    groups for projects aimed at: (a) Increasing the placements in adoptive 
    families of children, especially minority children, who are in foster 
    care and have the goal of adoption; (b) fostering model collaboration 
    for the adoption of children with developmental disabilities; (c) 
    increasing practice options to secure permanency for children; (d) 
    developing resource materials assisting transcultural and transracial 
    adoptions; and (e) allowing leaders in the adoption field to propose 
    innovative endeavors.
        This announcement contains forms and instructions for submitting an 
    application.
    
    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 record keeping requirements or program announcements. 
    This program announcement meets all information collection requirements 
    approved for ACF grant applications under OMB Control Number 0970-0139.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This program announcement consists of three 
    parts. Part I provides information on the Children's Bureau and general 
    information on the application procedures. Part II describes the review 
    process, additional requirements for the grant applications, the 
    criteria for the review and evaluation of applications, and the 
    programmatic priorities for which applications are being solicited. 
    Part III provides information and instructions for the development and 
    submission of applications.
        The forms to be used for submitting an application follow Part III. 
    Please copy as single-sided forms and use in submitting an application 
    under this announcement. No additional application materials are 
    available or needed to submit an application.
        Applicants should note that grants to be awarded under this program 
    announcement are subject to the availability of funds.
    
    Part I--General Information
    
    A. Background
    
        The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) 
    administers national programs for children and youth, works with States 
    and local communities to develop services which support and strengthen 
    family life, seeks out joint ventures with the private sector to 
    enhance the lives of children and their families, and provides 
    information and other assistance to parents.
        The concerns of ACYF extend to all children from birth through 
    adolescence. Many of the programs administered by the agency focus on 
    children from low-income families; children and youth in need of foster 
    care, adoption or other child welfare services; preschool children; 
    children with disabilities; abused and neglected children; runaway and 
    homeless youth; and children from American Indian and migrant families.
        Within ACYF, the Children's Bureau plans, manages, coordinates and 
    supports child welfare services programs. It administers the Foster 
    Care and Adoption Assistance Program, the Child Welfare Services State 
    Grants Program, the Child Welfare Services Research, Demonstration and 
    Training Programs, the Independent Living Initiatives Program, the 
    Adoption Opportunities Program, the Temporary Child Care for Children 
    With Disabilities and Crisis Nurseries Program, the Abandoned Infants 
    Assistance Program, and the Family Preservation and Support Services 
    Program.
        The federal statutory, regulatory, policy and program framework for 
    adoption has emphasized overcoming numerous complexities in order to 
    facilitate the completion of adoptions, creating financial incentives 
    for the adoption of certain children for whom it would be difficult to 
    secure an adoptive placement, requiring each State to establish a pool 
    of adoptive families reflecting the ethnic and racial diversity of 
    children for whom adoptive homes are needed, and promoting a vision of 
    and guidance for permanence by forging a National Adoption Strategic 
    Plan and stimulating communication and collaboration among foster care, 
    adoption and court professionals.
        The Adoption Opportunities Program, originally enacted in title II 
    of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 
    1978, Public Law 95-266, and most recently amended by the Child Abuse, 
    Domestic Violence, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1992, Public 
    Law 102-295, works to eliminate barriers to adoption and provide 
    permanent homes for children who would benefit from adoption. The 
    Adoption Opportunities Program facilitates the elimination of barriers 
    to adoption by: (1) promoting adoption legislation and procedures in 
    the States and territories of the United States in order to eliminate 
    jurisdictional and legal obstacles to adoption; (2) promoting quality 
    standards for adoption services, pre-placement, post-placement, and 
    post-legal adoption counseling, and standards to protect the rights of 
    the children in need of adoption; and (3) demonstrating expeditious 
    ways to free children for adoption for whom it has been determined that 
    adoption is the appropriate plan. This discretionary program awards 
    grants and contracts to public and private non-profit agencies.
        The passage of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 
    1980, Public Law 96-272, resulted in the establishment of the title IV-
    E adoption assistance program. This entitlement provides funds to 
    States to assist in paying costs associated with the adoption of 
    children who are AFDC or SSI eligible and have special needs, such as 
    being older or disabled. The adoption assistance program encourages and 
    supports permanence for children with special needs in adoptive homes, 
    thereby preventing their inappropriate and excessive stays in foster 
    care.
        Another major legislative initiative in the area of adoptions, the 
    Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA), was passed in 1994. The purposes of 
    MEPA are to decrease the length of time that children wait to be 
    adopted; to prevent discrimination in the placement of children on the 
    basis of race, color, or
    
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    national origin; and to increase the identification and recruitment of 
    foster and adoptive parents who can meet the children's needs. MEPA 
    does three things:
         prohibits an agency or entity that receives Federal 
    financial assistance and is involved in adoption or foster care 
    placements from delaying or denying the placement of a child based 
    solely on the race, color or national origin of the foster or adoptive 
    parent or the child involved;
         allows for the consideration of race, color, or national 
    origin, along with other factors, in making a placement decision only 
    when a child placement agency has made a narrowly tailored, 
    individualized determination that the consideration of such factors is 
    in the best interests of a particular child; and
         requires that agencies engage in diligent recruitment 
    efforts to develop a pool of foster and adoptive families who reflect 
    the racial, ethnic or national origin of the children in care, and/or 
    who can meet the needs of the children.
        In response to MEPA, States have been required to devise 
    comprehensive recruitment plans and to enlist potential foster and 
    adoptive families who reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the 
    children for whom foster and adoptive homes are needed. These 
    recruitment plans must be included in each State's title IV-B child and 
    family services plan.
        The Children's Bureau has provided policy and program guidance to 
    the adoption field by fostering the development of the National 
    Adoption Strategic Plan in December 1995, based on recommendations from 
    the Adoption Program Network. The Strategic Plan specifies goals and 
    objectives and defines measures of success. It identifies what should 
    be accomplished, while affording States the flexibility to determine 
    how to accomplish the goals and objectives. The Children's Bureau has 
    also sanctioned collaboration among child welfare professionals by 
    convening a Permanency Partnership Forum in March 1996 which brought 
    together State adoption, foster care, and court professionals from 
    around the country to share and gain knowledge and ideas on a variety 
    of key cross-cutting issues that impact on permanence for children.
        This FY 1996 Adoption Opportunities Program Announcement maintains 
    the emphasis on permanence and collaboration and encourages 
    demonstration and innovation efforts which target various groups of 
    children and specific types of activities.
    
    B. Statutory Authority Covering This Announcement Title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
    Law 95-266, as amended
    
    Availability and Allocation of Funds
        The Administration for Children, Youth and Families proposes to 
    award appropriately 15 new grants in fiscal year 1996 in varying 
    amounts. The total combined funding for the Priority Areas 1.01, 1.02, 
    1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and 1.06 for fiscal year 1996 competitive grants is 
    approximately $2.1 million.
    
    Part II. The Review Process and Priority Areas
    
    A. Eligible Applicants
    
        Each priority area description contains information about the types 
    of agencies and organizations which are eligible to apply under that 
    priority area. Because eligibility varies depending on statutory 
    provisions, it is critical that the ``Eligible Applicants'' section of 
    each priority area be reviewed carefully.
        Before review, each application will be screened for applicant 
    organization eligibility as specified under the selected priority area. 
    Applicants from ineligible organizations will not be considered or 
    reviewed in the competition, and the applicants will be so informed.
        Only agencies and organizations, not individuals, are eligible to 
    apply under this Announcement. All applications developed jointly by 
    more than one agency or organization, must identify only one lead 
    organization and official applicant. Participating agencies and 
    organizations can be included as co-participants, subgrantees or 
    subcontractors. For-profit organizations are eligible to participate as 
    subgrantees or subcontractors with eligible non-profit organizations 
    under all priority areas.
        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 in which the corporation 
    or association is domiciled.
    
    B. Review Process and Funding Decisions
    
        The closing time and date for the receipt of the applications is 
    4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on August 26, 1996. Applications received 
    after 4:30 p.m. will be classified as late. Timely applications 
    received by the deadline date which are from eligible applicants will 
    be reviewed and scored competitively. Experts in the field, generally 
    persons outside the Federal government, will use the appropriate 
    evaluation criteria listed later in this section to review and score 
    the applications. The results of this review are a primary factor in 
    making funding decisions.
        The ACYF reserves the option of discussing applications with, or 
    referring them to, other Federal or non-Federal funding sources when 
    this is in the best interest of the Federal government or the 
    applicants. ACYF may also solicit comments from ACF Regional Office 
    staff, other Federal agencies, interested foundations, national 
    organizations, specialists, experts, States and the general public. 
    These comments, along with those of the expert reviewers, will be 
    considered by ACYF in making funding decisions.
        In making decisions on awards, ACYF may give preference to 
    applications which focus on or feature: overrepresented populations; a 
    substantially innovative strategy with the potential to improve theory 
    or practice in the field of human services; a model practice or set of 
    procedures that holds the potential for replication by organizations 
    that administer or deliver human services; substantial involvement of 
    volunteers; substantial involvement (either financial or programmatic) 
    of the private sector; a favorable balance between Federal and non-
    Federal funds available for the proposed project; the potential for 
    high benefit for low Federal investment; a programmatic focus on those 
    most in need; and/or substantial involvement in the proposed project by 
    national or community foundations.
        To the greatest extent possible, efforts will be made to ensure 
    that funding decisions reflect an equitable distribution of assistance 
    among the States and geographical regions of the country, rural and 
    urban areas, and ethnic populations. In making these decisions, ACYF 
    may also take into account the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of 
    effort.
    
    C. Evaluation Criteria
    
        A panel of reviewers (primarily experts from outside the Federal
    
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    government) will review the applications. To facilitate this review, 
    applicants should ensure that they address each minimum requirement in 
    the priority area description under the appropriate section of the 
    Program Narrative Statement.
        The reviewers will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each 
    application using the evaluation criteria listed below, provide 
    comments and assign numerical scores. The point value following each 
    criterion heading indicates the maximum numerical weight.
        All applications will be evaluated against the following criteria.
        (1) Objective and Need for Assistance (20 points). The extent to 
    which the application pinpoints any relevant physical, economic, 
    social, financial, institutional or other problems requiring a 
    solution; demonstrates the need for the assistance; states the 
    principal and subordinate objectives of the project; provides 
    supporting documentation or other testimonies from concerned interests 
    other than the applicant; and includes and/or footnotes relevant data 
    based on the results of planning studies. The application must identify 
    the precise location of the project and area to be served by the 
    proposed project. Maps and other graphic aids may be attached.
        (2) Approach (35 points). The extent to which the application 
    outlines a sound and workable plan of action pertaining to the scope of 
    the project, and details how the proposed work will be accomplished; 
    cites factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work, giving 
    acceptable reasons for taking this approach as opposed to others; 
    describes and supports any unusual features of the project, such as 
    design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or 
    extraordinary social and community involvements; and provides for 
    projections of the accomplishments to be achieved. The Approach section 
    should include a listing of the activities to be carried out in 
    chronological order, showing a reasonable schedule of accomplishments 
    and target dates.
        The extent to which, when appropriate, the application identifies 
    the kinds of data to be collected and maintained, and discusses the 
    criteria to be used to evaluate the results and successes of the 
    project. The extent to which the application describes the evaluation 
    methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
    discussed are being met and if the results and benefits identified are 
    being achieved. The application also lists each organization, agency, 
    consultant, or other key individuals or groups who will work on the 
    project, along with a description of the activities and nature of their 
    effort or contribution.
        (3) Results or Benefits Expected (20 points). The extent to which 
    the application identifies the results and benefits to be derived, the 
    extent to which they are consistent with the objectives of the 
    application, and the extent to which the application indicates the 
    anticipated contributions to policy, practice, theory and/or research. 
    The extent to which the proposed project costs are reasonable in view 
    of the expected results.
        (4) Staff Background and Organization Experience (25 points). The 
    application identifies the background of the project director/principal 
    investigator and key project staff (including name, address, training, 
    educational background and other qualifying experience) and the 
    experience of the organization to demonstrate the applicant's ability 
    to effectively and efficiently administer the project. The application 
    describes the relationships between the proposed project and other work 
    planned, anticipated or underway by the applicant with Federal 
    assistance.
    
    D. Structure of Priority Area Descriptions
    
        Each priority area description is composed of the following 
    sections:
        Eligible Applicants: This section specifies the type of 
    organization eligible to apply under the particular priority area. 
    Specific restrictions are also noted, where applicable.
        Purpose: This section presents the basic focus and/or broad goal(s) 
    of the priority area.
        Background Information: This section briefly discusses the 
    legislative background as well as the current state-of-the-art and/or 
    current state-of-practice that supports the need for the particular 
    priority area activity. Relevant information on projects previously 
    funded by ACYF and/or others, and State models are noted, where 
    applicable.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: This section presents the 
    basic set of issues that must be addressed in the application. 
    Typically, they relate to project design, evaluation, and community 
    involvement. This section also asks for specific information on the 
    proposed project. Inclusion and discussion of these items is important, 
    since they will be used by the reviewers in evaluating the applications 
    against the evaluation criteria. Project products, continuation of the 
    project effort after the Federal support ceases, and dissemination/
    utilization activities, if appropriate, are also addressed.
        Project Duration: This section specifies the maximum allowable 
    length of time for the project period and refers to the amount of time 
    for which Federal funding is available.
        Federal Share of Project Cost: This section specifies the maximum 
    amount of Federal support for the project for the first budget period.
        Matching Requirement: This section specifies the minimum non-
    Federal contribution, either through cash or in-kind match, required in 
    relation to the maximum Federal funds requested for the project. 
    Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of the total cost of the 
    project. The total cost of the project is the sum of the ACF 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 the 
    match requirements through cash contributions. Therefore, a project 
    requesting $150,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of $150,000 per 
    budget period) must include a match of at least $16,667 (10 percent of 
    total project cost).
        Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: This section specifies 
    the number of projects that ACYF anticipates it will fund under the 
    priority area.
        Please note that applications that do not comply with the specific 
    priority area requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' 
    will not be reviewed. Applicants should also note that non-
    responsiveness to the section ``Minimum Requirements for the Project 
    Design'' will result in a low evaluation score by the reviewers. 
    Applicants must clearly identify the specific priority area under which 
    they wish to have their applications considered, and tailor their 
    applications accordingly. Previous experience has shown that an 
    application which is broader and more general in concept than outlined 
    in the priority area description scores lower than one more clearly 
    focused on, and directly responsive to, that specific priority area.
    
    E. Available Funds
    
        The ACYF intends to award new grants resulting from this 
    announcement during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1996, subject to 
    the availability of funds.
        Each priority area description includes information on the maximum 
    Federal share of the project costs and the anticipated number of 
    projects to be funded.
        The term ``budget period'' refers to the interval of time (usually 
    12 months) into which a multi-year period of assistance (project 
    period) is divided for budgetary
    
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    and funding purposes. The term ``project period'' refers to the total 
    time a project is approved for support, including any extensions.
        Where appropriate, applicants may propose project periods which are 
    shorter than the maximums specified in the various priority areas. Non-
    Federal share contributions may exceed the minimums specified in the 
    various priority areas when the applicant is able to do so. However, if 
    the proposed match exceeds the minimum requirement, the grantee must 
    maintain its proposed level of match support throughout the entire 
    project period unless a waiver is approved to reduce it. Applicants 
    should propose only that non-Federal share they can realistically 
    provide, since any unmatched Federal funds will be disallowed by ACF.
        For multi-year projects, continued Federal funding beyond the first 
    budget period is dependent upon satisfactory performance by the 
    grantee, availability of funds from future appropriations and a 
    determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the 
    Government.
    
    F. Grantee Share of Project Costs
    
        Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of the total approved 
    cost of the project. The total approved cost of the project is the sum 
    of the ACF 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 match requirements through cash contributions. 
    Therefore, a project requesting $150,000 in Federal funds (based on an 
    award of $150,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least 
    $16,667 (10 percent of the total project cost). If approved for 
    funding, the grantee will be held accountable for commitments of non-
    Federal resources, and failure to provide the required amount will 
    result in a disallowance of unmatched Federal funds.
    
    G. Priority Areas Included in This Announcement
    
    1.01  Achieving Increased Adoptive Placement of Children in Foster 
    Care
    1.02  Innovations Increasing Adoptive Placements of Minority 
    Children
    1.03  Strategic Collaboration for Completing and Sustaining 
    Adoptions of Children with Developmental Disabilities
    1.04  Expanding Options for Permanency
    1.05  Developing Resource Materials to Assess and Prepare Foster and 
    Adoptive Parents to meet the Needs of Children of a Different Race, 
    Color, or National Origin
    1.06  Operation of a National Adoption Information Exchange System
    
    H. Priority Area Descriptions and Requirements
    
    1.01  Achieving Increased Adoptive Placement of Children in Foster Care
        Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to State social service 
    agencies.
        Purpose: To develop demonstration projects to increase the 
    placement of children, who are in foster care and are legally free for 
    adoption, with adoptive families.
        Background Information: Children in foster care who are free for 
    adoption, especially young people with special needs, often have 
    difficulty attaining permanence through placement with an adoptive 
    family. There are multiple reasons for this. Increasingly, children 
    entering foster care have more complex problems which require more 
    intensive services. Permanent families must be continuously recruited 
    and prepared to parent the growing population of children who cannot 
    return to their birth families. Supportive services must be added or 
    improved so that the children in foster care who are legally free for 
    adoption can move into an adoptive placement in a timely manner. This 
    requires collaborative efforts with the court system to terminate 
    parental rights. In addition, agencies must commit resources for the 
    ongoing support of adoptive families from recruitment through the post-
    legal phase.
        The Adoption Opportunities Program has provided demonstration 
    grants to States to improve adoption services for the placement of 
    children with special needs who are legally free for adoption. States 
    have received awards to make systemic changes in their adoption 
    programs in areas such as: acquiring computer hardware, software and 
    membership in the National Adoption Exchange's Network; developing a 
    consortium of nine States with large numbers of children in care in 
    order to share knowledge to improve and enhance their special needs 
    adoption programs; and forming a seven State national consortium on 
    post-legal adoption services to develop and share model programs and 
    promising practices of post legal adoption services for the adoption 
    community.
        These projects have demonstrated that improvements in placing 
    children with adoptive families are achieved when permanent plans are 
    made and carried out very early in the placement; when there are 
    sufficiently trained and experienced staff; and when there are 
    available resources and administrative commitments to adoption and to 
    coordinated community-based efforts.
        Even though more than half of the States have received grants to 
    improve adoption services, only a small number have been able to 
    sustain these efforts because of limited funds, staffing problems, and 
    because adoption services are often not viewed as a priority.
        This priority area is designed to provide incentives for States to 
    craft innovative initiatives to secure and sustain permanence for 
    children who are free for adoption.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
        Identify and verify the number of children in foster care to be 
    served by the project who are legally free and waiting for adoptive 
    placement.
        Provide and verify the proportion of placement of children in 
    foster care placed in adoption in the year preceding the application 
    (the proportion of placement is the number of children placed divided 
    by the number of children waiting for adoption).
        Describe the measurable improvements to be achieved during the 
    period of the grant and the methods to be employed to increase the 
    proportion of placement of legally-free children in foster care with 
    adoptive families. Improvements should be specified as goals and 
    objectives which are measurable and represent an increase over previous 
    years.
        Describe how the proposed improvements, if successful, would be 
    continued beyond the period of Federal support under this grant as part 
    of the agency's ongoing program and describe the specific steps which 
    would be taken to accomplish this.
        Propose and describe an evaluation plan which will focus on the 
    innovations used to improve the placement of children who are legally 
    free for adoption and which is capable of identifying the successes and 
    failures of the initiative.
        The evaluation plan should include the collection and analysis of 
    data to determine placement rates and the types of clients served 
    (e.g., waiting children, prospective adoptive families). Statistics 
    should be collected to determine the availability of adoptive families 
    during the program period. The evaluation should also include 
    descriptive information on the processes and procedures used in 
    implementing the project.
        Discuss plans for disseminating information on the strategies 
    utilized and the outcomes achieved. Identify audiences who will benefit 
    from receiving the information and specify
    
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    mechanisms and forums which will be used to convey the information and 
    support replication by other interested agencies.
        Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
    Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
    Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
    program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
    welfare issues.
        Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 12 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
    project is not to exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
        Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
    least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
    cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal 
    share. Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based 
    upon an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
    least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
    share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
    encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    two projects will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment Adoption Reform Act of 1978 Public Law, 
    95-266, as amended.
    1.02  Innovations Increasing Adoptive Placements of Minority Children
        Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
    recognized Indian Tribes and Indian Tribal Organizations, public or 
    private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies, and 
    adoption exchanges with experience in working with minority 
    populations.
        Purpose: To implement innovative programs designed to increase the 
    adoptive placement of minority children who are in foster care and have 
    the goal of adoption, with an emphasis on the recruitment, retention 
    and utilization of minority families and adoptive placements for 
    minority children who are over the age of ten and/or a part of sibling 
    groups.
        Background Information: According to the Voluntary Cooperative 
    Information System administered by the American Public Welfare 
    Association (VCIS/APWA), in 1993 almost 1,200 children in the U.S. were 
    separated from their biological parents every day and placed in an 
    unfamiliar setting. VCIS/APWA also estimates the number of ``waiting'' 
    children in the U.S. at approximately 86,000, and concludes that 
    adoptive families for roughly 21,000 of these children are still 
    actively being sought. These are children for whom it is difficult to 
    find an adoptive placement because they are not the young people 
    families generally seek. It is estimated that approximately 44% of the 
    21,000 children seeking an adoptive placement are 10 years and older, 
    and approximately 55% are members of a minority group.
        There continues to be an insufficient pool of adoptive families, 
    especially for older minority children and sibling groups for whom 
    adoption has been deemed the preferred means of accomplishing 
    permanence. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption 
    Reform Act of 1978, Public Law 95-266, places an emphasis upon the 
    recruitment of minority families and provides funds for demonstration 
    projects emphasizing the recruitment of families to adopt waiting 
    minority children. The purpose of this priority area is to be 
    responsive to this legislative intent.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
        Identify and describe existing barriers to minority adoption in the 
    locale where the project would be implemented; the number of families 
    who would be recruited; and the number of children who would be placed.
        Describe the innovative methods that would be employed to recruit, 
    retain and prepare minority families for adoption, making sure to 
    include individuals who are single.
        Provide assurances that the project would not require the payment 
    of fees by families for the adoption process.
        Describe how training in cultural competence would be provided to 
    all relevant staff to increase their effectiveness in serving minority 
    children and families.
        Present an evaluation plan for assessing the project's 
    effectiveness in achieving its stated goals and objectives, and its 
    ability to provide services to prospective adoptive families through 
    the completion of the adoption.
        Document how the project would be continued beyond Federal funding 
    as part of the agency's ongoing program and describe the specific steps 
    which would be taken to accomplish this.
        If the applicant is a private non-profit adoption agency, it must 
    provide evidence of licensure by submitting a copy of its license with 
    the application.
        Discuss plans for disseminating information on the innovations 
    utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving the 
    information and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
    convey the information and support replication by other interested 
    agencies.
        Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
    Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
    Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
    program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
    welfare issues.
        Provide assurances and document that the project would be staffed 
    and implemented within 90 days of the notification of the grant award.
        Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 24 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share of the 
    project is not to exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
        Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantees must provide at 
    least 10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total approved 
    cost of the project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal 
    share. Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based 
    on an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
    least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
    share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
    encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    four projects will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
    Law 95-266, as amended.
    1.03  Strategic Collaboration for Completing and Sustaining Adoptions 
    of Children with Developmental Disabilities
        Eligible Applicants: Agencies administering any of the following 
    public programs: Child Welfare; Developmental Disability Councils;
    
    [[Page 36429]]
    
    Protection and Advocacy Systems; or University Affiliated Programs. 
    Joint applications may be developed by consortiums at the regional, 
    State, Tribal, or local level which bring complementary expertise to 
    bear on the adoption of children with developmental disabilities. All 
    applications, even those developed by two or more organizations, must 
    identify a single lead agency to be the primary administrator of the 
    grant and the official recipient of the award.
        Purpose: To increase and successfully maintain the number of 
    adoptions of children with developmental disabilities through the 
    creation of effective collaboration strategies and models for the 
    provision of adoption services to developmentally disabled children and 
    their families in the public child welfare system.
        Background Information: Children with special needs constitute the 
    overwhelming percentage of young people waiting for an adoptive 
    placement, residing in non-finalized adoptive homes, or benefiting from 
    finalized adoptions. According to VCIS/APWA 1993, almost 82% of the 
    children waiting for an adoptive placement in 12 States, had one or 
    more special needs. Moreover, data from the same 12 States on finalized 
    adoptions, showed that approximately 82% of the children also had one 
    or more special needs. In addition, VCIS/APWA data illustrates that in 
    11 States, almost 76% had one or more special needs. Not all of the 
    children identified above as having one or more special needs are 
    actually developmentally disabled, because in the adoption field, 
    special needs can also include such characteristics as being older or 
    membership in a minority or sibling group. However, the sheer magnitude 
    of the special needs percentages suggests there are significant numbers 
    of young people in the adoption stream who have a developmental 
    disability.
        Relevant public agencies have a responsibility to facilitate 
    adoptions, and provide support and resources to families formed by 
    adoption. In terms of responding to the needs of children with 
    developmental disabilities and families who are motivated to and/or 
    actually adopt them, interagency work is especially vital. While there 
    are examples of effective cooperation between Child Welfare Agencies 
    (CW), Developmental Disabilities Councils (DDC), Protection and 
    Advocacy Systems or University Affiliated Programs (UAP), very little 
    has been done in the way of establishing exemplary collaborative 
    strategies and models. In States with an ``umbrella agency,'' wherein 
    CW and DDC are part of the same Statewide department, there is a need 
    for delineating and implementing collaborative procedures to facilitate 
    work with children with developmental disabilities in need of adoption 
    and families adopting these children. In States with separate 
    departments, there is even greater need to develop such procedures.
        This priority area provides the field with the opportunity to 
    develop collaboration strategies and models to increase the number of 
    adoptees with developmental disabilities and to provide services to 
    strengthen families who have adopted children with disabilities.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the application should:
        Demonstrate knowledge of current issues in public agency adoption 
    and other issues related to children with developmental disabilities in 
    the child welfare system.
        Describe the process that will be use to identify the needs of 
    children and families to be served by the project. Discuss how 
    individuals with disabilities and potential and actual adoptive 
    families will be involved in the process.
        Describe the current system the applicant is addressing at the 
    State, regional or local level. Identify, policy, program and 
    interagency issues which either serve to support or hinder/prevent the 
    adoption of children with developmental disabilities.
        Describe the measurable goals and objectives to be achieved that 
    will lead to increasing and successfully maintaining the adoptions of 
    children with developmental disabilities.
        Describe the development and plans for the institutionalization of 
    the proposed collaborative strategies or model on either a statewide, 
    regional or local basis that will increase and sustain adoptions of 
    children with developmental disabilities.
        Document that the staff to be involved in the project are 
    knowledgeable of relevant policies, federal regulations, laws and 
    cultural issues that impact children with developmental disabilities 
    and their adoptive families.
        Present an evaluation plan for assessing the project's 
    effectiveness in achieving its stated goals and objectives, and its 
    ability to provide services to adoptive families through the completion 
    of the adoption.
        Provide a plan for how individuals with disabilities and potential 
    and actual adoptive families will be involved in the evaluation 
    process.
        Provide specific written commitments from collaborating agencies 
    conveying their role and the work they will perform.
        Discuss plans for disseminating essential information on the 
    strategies and/or model utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit 
    from receiving the information and specify mechanisms and forums which 
    will be used to convey the information and support replication by other 
    interested collaborative groups of agencies.
        Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
    Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
    Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
    program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
    welfare issues.
        Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is not to 
    exceed $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
        Matching or Cost Sharing Requirement: Grantee must provide at least 
    10 percent of the total cost of the project. The total cost of the 
    project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. 
    Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds must include 
    a total match of at least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project 
    cost). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind contributions, 
    although applicants are encouraged to meet their match requirements 
    through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    two projects will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
    Law 95-266, as amended.
    1.04  Expanding Options for Permanency
        Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, federally 
    recognized Indian Tribes and Indian Tribal Organizations, public or 
    private non-profit licensed child welfare or adoption agencies that 
    currently serve children in the public child welfare system.
        Purpose: To develop a system reform project that incorporates or 
    strengthens the practice of one or more of the following non-
    adversarial options for permanency: voluntary relinquishment, 
    concurrent planning and/or mediation.
    
    [[Page 36430]]
    
        Background Information: The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare 
    Act of 1980, Public Law 96-272, mandates securing a safe, permanent 
    home for every child. The child welfare system continues to struggle 
    with meeting this goal in a timely fashion. The practice base for 
    achieving permanency for children is too often based on adversarial or 
    involuntary methods. The major practice is to seek involuntary 
    termination of parental rights (TPR) for children for whom adoption is 
    considered the best permanency plan. Involuntary termination of 
    parental rights can be a lengthy and expensive process which may 
    involve court appeals. The procedure can also be emotionally stressful 
    for birth, foster and prospective adoptive parents and the child. 
    Frequently this practice is insensitive to the need of some children to 
    maintain connections with their birth families. Although necessary in 
    some cases, TPR and other practices of a similar tone, have failed to 
    significantly reduce the large number of children in the foster care 
    system waiting to be freed for adoption, to be adopted, or for other 
    permanent arrangements.
        Alternatively, the child welfare system is encouraged to focus on 
    approaches which set a different tone and emphasize non-adversarial 
    front-end practices and procedures and strengthen the agency's capacity 
    to achieve earlier and better outcomes for children and their families. 
    Expanding options for permanency, which encourage cooperative processes 
    and early decision making among all parties involved, are essential to 
    achieving child, family, and system well-being.
        The demonstration projects funded under this priority area should 
    be designed to inform the field about the efficacy of these non-
    adversarial approaches in achieving permanency earlier, more quickly 
    and more sensitively for these children. Permanency is broadly 
    conceptualized to include adoption, guardianship to a relative or non-
    relative and parental consent to relative or non-relative adoption. One 
    or a combination of the following approaches can be included in the 
    demonstration: voluntary relinquishment, mediation or concurrent 
    planning.
        Mediation is the voluntary, non-coercive process of negotiation 
    with the assistance of a neutral, impartial third party. The aim of 
    mediation in child welfare and permanency is to encourage birth 
    parents, extended relatives and foster and/or adoptive parents to 
    cooperate in making decisions that reflect the best interest of the 
    child.
        Concurrent Planning is the process of workers' developing 
    alternative permanent plans for children during their initial contact 
    with the child welfare system. Concurrent planning involves enacting a 
    plan for family preservation or reunification with the child's birth 
    family, while simultaneously engaging in planning for alternative 
    permanency placements such as adoption and kinship care.
        Relinquishment is a voluntary process of transferring parental 
    rights to an authorized child welfare agency. It is often utilized at 
    the request of the parent and can be provided at any point along the 
    child welfare service continuum. In recent years it has been 
    underutilized by child welfare workers, and the professional skills 
    associated with counseling parents on the issues of voluntary 
    relinquishment have eroded.
        This priority area encourages child welfare system reform by 
    incorporating and/or strengthening non-adversarial approaches into 
    practice to achieve permanency for children in the child welfare 
    system.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
        Demonstrate knowledge of current issues in adoption and permanency 
    for children in the public child welfare field.
        Describe the project and explain why a particular system reform 
    approach or set of approaches is being selected. Demonstrate knowledge 
    and understanding of the reform approach or approaches selected. If 
    more than one approach is selected, describe how they are linked.
        Describe how the approach(es) to be used in this demonstration 
    differ from current agency practice and how this project's reform 
    approaches will be institutionalized.
        Describe the measurable goals and objectives of the project to be 
    used to determine if the approach selected led to an increase in 
    achieving permanency earlier.
        Describe the process and criteria that will be used to identify 
    children and families in need of these services.
        Describe how the birth families and extended families will be 
    involved in the permanency planning process.
        Provide assurances that project staff are knowledgeable of 
    policies, federal regulations, laws and cultural issues that impact on 
    permanency for children.
        Describe the training/staff development components of the project 
    which will be implemented.
        If the project involves coordination with other agencies, present a 
    plan clarifying how these agencies will work with the applicant to 
    accomplish project goals and objectives.
        Describe an evaluation plan which will focus on the reform 
    approaches and which is capable of identifying the successes and 
    failures of the approaches.
        The evaluation plan should be outcome oriented and include the 
    collection and analysis of data to ascertain the effectiveness of the 
    non-adversarial options for permanency. The evaluation should also 
    include descriptive information on the processes and procedures used in 
    implementing the project.
        Discuss strategies for disseminating information on the reform 
    approaches utilized. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving 
    the information and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
    convey the information and support replication by other interested 
    agencies.
        If the applicant is a non-profit private agency, it must provide 
    assurance that the children to be served through this demonstration are 
    public agency children.
        Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
    Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
    Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
    program grantees to exchange information and address current child 
    welfare issues.
        Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
    project is $100,000 per 12-month budget period.
        Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
    the total approved cost of the project. The total approved cost of the 
    project is the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. 
    Therefore, a project requesting $100,000 in Federal funds (based upon 
    an award of $100,000 per budget period) must include a match of at 
    least $11,111 (10 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal 
    share may be cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are 
    encouraged to meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    two projects will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants : title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment
    
    [[Page 36431]]
    
    and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public Law 95-266, as amended.
    1.05  Developing Resource Materials for Foster and Adoptive Parents To 
    Meet the Needs of Children of a Different Race, Color, or National 
    Origin
        Eligible Applicants: States, local government entities, public and 
    private non-profit licensed child welfare and adoption agencies, 
    adoption organizations, university-based institutes and incorporated 
    adoptive parents' groups with materials development expertise.
        Purpose: To develop resource materials capable of assisting foster 
    and adoptive parents in meeting the needs of children of a racial and 
    ethnic group different from their own.
        Background: Many children in foster care are currently being cared 
    for by parents of a different race, color or national origin, and if 
    adopted, are more than likely to be adopted by their foster parents. 
    With the passage of MEPA barriers to transracial and transcultural 
    placements are being eliminated. At times, parents in these 
    circumstances have received little or no assistance in looking at how 
    these differences can affect themselves, their own family and the 
    child(ren). Additionally, they may not have been prepared to deal with 
    the racism and bias their foster or adoptive child(ren) and their newly 
    formed family may encounter.
        To meet the needs of all waiting children both minority foster and 
    adoptive parents and transracial and transcultural families will be 
    formed. Agencies involved in foster or adoptive parent recruitment, 
    parent preparation and/or child placement may need assistance in 
    appropriately assessing the capacity of those applicants to deal with 
    the differences, and providing them with suitable training and 
    education. How parents value, respect, appreciate and educate the child 
    regarding his or her racial and/or ethnic background are among the most 
    critical factors in the child's healthy development.
        The Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) Guidance published in April 
    1995 identifies the following factors as being among those that 
    agencies need to consider in assessing a prospective parent's 
    suitability to care for a particular child. They are:
         the ability to form relationships and to bond with the 
    specific child;
         the ability to help the child integrate into the family;
         the ability to accept the child's background and to help 
    the child cope with his/her past;
         the ability to accept the behavior and personality of the 
    specific child;
         the ability to validate the child's cultural, racial and 
    ethnic background; and
         the ability to meet the child's particular educational, 
    developmental or psychological needs.
        To facilitate the implementation of MEPA, child placement agencies 
    have been looking for new resource materials to use in assessing and 
    preparing families to provide permanence for children who are 
    culturally, ethnically, and racially different. This priority area 
    promotes the development of resources responsive to this need.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
        Describe applicant's understanding of the placement of public 
    sector children in foster care and adoption, as well as an 
    understanding of issues in assessing and preparing prospective foster 
    and adoptive parents for children who have been in foster care.
        Demonstrate knowledge of all factors to be considered in 
    determining a child's placement needs and of factors to be considered 
    in helping a family make a decision to parent or not to parent a child 
    of a different race, color or national origin.
        Demonstrate knowledge of the role that culture and ethnicity play 
    in the development of a child's self esteem.
        Demonstrate knowledge of the current issues in transracial/
    transcultural placements.
        Identify resource deficiencies that currently exist and demonstrate 
    how the proposed resource materials respond to the deficiencies 
    identified.
        Develop a Panel of Advisors from diverse backgrounds and 
    disciplines, to assist in the content development and design of the 
    resource materials.
        Demonstrate that staff to be utilized in the project are culturally 
    competent and have experience working with families and children from 
    diverse backgrounds and racial and ethnic groups.
        Provide assurance that draft and final content of the resource 
    materials will be submitted for review by federal staff to confirm 
    legal and policy accuracy.
        Describe how the resource materials developed will be field-tested 
    and evaluated prior to submission as a final product.
        Discuss strategies for disseminating and/or marketing the resource 
    materials. Identify audiences who will benefit from receiving the 
    materials and specify mechanisms and forums which will be used to 
    convey information about the materials and support utilization by other 
    child welfare agencies.
        Provide assurances that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau. The 
    Conference brings together child welfare professionals, including 
    Adoption Opportunities and other Children's Bureau discretionary 
    program grantees, to exchange information and address current child 
    welfare issues.
        Project Duration: The length of the project should not exceed 24 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
    project is not to exceed $75,000 per 12-month budget period.
        Matching Requirements: Grantees must provide at least 10 percent of 
    the total cost of the project. The total cost of the project is the sum 
    of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a project 
    requesting $75,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of $75,000 per 
    budget period) must include a match of at least $8,333 (10 percent of 
    total project cost). The non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind 
    contributions, although applicants are encouraged to meet their match 
    requirement through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    two projects will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grant: title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
    Law 95-266, as amended.
    1.06 Operation of a National Adoption Information Exchange System
        Eligible Applicants: State or local governments, public or private 
    non-profit agencies, organizations or universities with expertise in 
    adoption and the ability to maintain a National Adoption Information 
    Exchange System.
        Purpose: To maintain a National Adoption Information Exchange 
    System to bring together children who would benefit from adoption and 
    qualified prospective adoptive parents who are seeking such children, 
    and conduct national recruitment efforts in order to reach prospective 
    parents for children waiting to be adopted.
        Background information: The Adoption Opportunities statute spells 
    out the intent of the Congress to facilitate the elimination of 
    barriers to adoption and to provide permanent and loving home 
    environments for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly 
    children with special needs, including disabled infants with life 
    threatening conditions.
    
    [[Page 36432]]
    
        The statute requires the Administration on Children, Youth and 
    Families (ACYF) to conduct directly or by grant or contract with public 
    or private non-profit agencies or organizations, ongoing, extensive 
    recruitment efforts on a national level, to develop national public 
    awareness efforts to unite children in need of adoption with 
    appropriate adoptive parents, and to establish a coordinated referral 
    system of recruited families with appropriate State or Regional 
    adoption resources to ensure that families are served in a timely 
    fashion.
        In 1979, the North American Center on Adoption, a unit of the Child 
    Welfare League of America, Inc. was awarded a three year contract by 
    the Children Bureau for the National Adoption Information Exchange 
    System project. This project focused on three areas: Designing, 
    developing and operating a National Adoption Exchange system; providing 
    and coordinating training and technical assistance to the State and 
    Regional exchanges to enhance their ability to participate in the 
    national exchange system; and publishing a significant quantity of 
    materials needed to facilitate the adoption of waiting children. The 
    contract was replaced with a competitive grant awarded to the Adoption 
    Center of Delaware Valley in 1983, to operate the National Adoption 
    Information Exchange System for two years. The grant was to provide six 
    major services: information and referral, computerized listing of 
    children and families, match/referral, recruitment and public 
    education, training and technical consultation and development of the 
    national adoption network. During the second year of the grant, there 
    was an increased emphasis on telecommunications as a result of input 
    provided by members of the Corporate Advisory Board and Child Welfare 
    Advisory Board.
        In September 1986 ACYF funded 44 States, including Puerto Rico and 
    the District of Columbia, with small grants so that they could purchase 
    hardware and software to join the national adoption telecommunications 
    network, and to communicate with each other around concerns in the 
    field of adoption. In 1985, the National Adoption Center (NAC), 
    formerly the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley, received a grant to 
    continue the development and implementation of the national adoption 
    telecommunication network and to provide coordination and support 
    services to manage the network and to provide technical consultation to 
    States to continue building and implementing the network. The 
    membership of the network includes public and private agencies, and 
    other child welfare organizations, parent groups, independent or non-
    affiliated social workers and researchers.
        In 1990, a new five year grant was competitively awarded to the NAC 
    to continue the National Adoption Information Exchange System. The NAC 
    increased usage of the system by providing training and technical 
    assistance to its members and by providing national outreach and public 
    education to recruit adoptive families for children who wait. In 
    September 1995 an additional short-term grant was awarded to the 
    National Adoption Center.
        During its years of operation under various auspices, the National 
    Adoption Information Exchange System, also known as the NAE has 
    increased the visibility of waiting children and enabled approved 
    families to register and gain maximum access to children waiting for 
    adoptive families. The new computer system put into effect in July 1992 
    has considerably improved the ability of NAE members to access and 
    utilize the information on the exchange. NAE members use the exchange 
    to list children in the child database and to search for adoptive 
    parents for the children whom they list.
        However, there continues to be an insufficient number of families 
    listed on the NAE to meet the needs of these children. State and local 
    agencies are reluctant to list families on the NAE whom they believe 
    are potential resources for children in their own States. The agency's 
    preference to find families for children within the State or within 
    close proximity to the State has prompted the development of State and 
    Regional exchanges.
        We have reached a critical point in the development of the National 
    Adoption Information Exchange System. Previously, the NAE focused on 
    the following areas: (1) Registration of waiting children and waiting 
    families; (2) the development of a computer database which made this 
    information available to members of the exchange electronically; (3) 
    the number of matches made on behalf of listed waiting children; and 
    (4) the development of national recruitment activities aimed at finding 
    potential adoptive families interested in adoption of special needs 
    children.
        In order to remain effective, the NAE must refocus its priorities 
    to emphasize assisting States and localities to build the capacity 
    within their own jurisdictions to meet the needs of waiting children. 
    This priority is based on the premise that only in unusual 
    circumstances should a national search for an adoptive family be 
    undertaken and that the activity is most effective when carried out at 
    the local, State and regional levels. The NAE should be viewed as an 
    extension of State and Regional exchanges, not as their competitor.
        The NAE should be able to develop linkages with a variety of 
    national media organizations in order to educate large segments of the 
    population about the needs of waiting children and on how to access the 
    adoption system. The NAE should be in the position to: (1) Provide 
    training and technical assistance in the development and management of 
    State and Regional exchanges and to provide consultation to exchanges 
    on recruitment strategies for potential adoptive families; (2) 
    facilitate the development of a network of exchanges that connect 
    urban, rural, small and large child welfare service providers in their 
    efforts to bring families and children together; (3) serve as the 
    central receiver of all adoption inquiries generated during national 
    and other recruitment campaigns and disseminate these resources to the 
    Regional and State exchanges; (4) collaborate with organizations such 
    as the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC), the 
    Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA), and 
    other relevant agencies to assist with the identification of, and the 
    possible removal of barriers that prevent ``necessary'' interstate 
    placements which serve the best interest of the child.
        The Federal government is in the process of redefining its 
    relationship with States and other child welfare agencies. A new 
    partnership is being forged based upon a vision wherein all concerned 
    agencies will collaborate and cooperate to provide a continuum of 
    services to meet the needs of children. In light of the current 
    opportunity to revitalize child welfare, the role and responsibilities 
    of NAE must be focused on assisting States to improve their ability to 
    meet the needs of the rising numbers of children waiting for permanent 
    families.
        Minimum Requirements for Project Design: In order to successfully 
    compete under this priority area, the applicant should:
        Demonstrate knowledge of adoption and the current challenges faced 
    by the field.
        Demonstrate knowledge of the issues and problems related to the 
    maintenance of a national adoption information exchange system and 
    provide documentation of the applicant's plan to address them.
    
    [[Page 36433]]
    
        Describe a plan for establishing a 24 hour, 7 day a week, toll-free 
    national adoption exchange telephone number which can be used for 
    national recruitment initiatives, local recruitment initiatives and 
    incoming adoption inquiries generated by these recruitment initiatives.
        Develop performance measures that can be used to assess the 
    strengths, weaknesses and successes of the NAE as well as State and 
    Regional exchanges.
        Describe a plan for providing training and technical assistance to 
    States and Regions in the following areas: (1) Development of a State 
    or Regional exchange, (2) development of State or Regional recruitment 
    strategies, and (3) use of NAE's telecommunications resources.
        Describe a strategy for the development of a network of exchanges 
    which includes linkages between Regional exchanges, State Exchanges, 
    and the NAE in order to maximize the placement options for children.
        Describe a plan for enhancing, maintaining and continuing 
    technological and telecommunications access to the national listing of 
    waiting children and waiting families for exchange members.
        Demonstrate knowledge of current technologies/programs such as the 
    Internet and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System 
    (SACWIS) which could be used to access information on children in the 
    child welfare system.
        Provide documentation of the commitment to assist States in 
    incorporating the exchange system into their computer systems as these 
    systems are fully developed and implemented at the State level.
        Describe a plan for periodic national recruitment activities, using 
    a range of media sources, on behalf of waiting children on an annual 
    basis (a minimum of 4 separate events per year, including National 
    Adoption Month Activities).
        Develop a media strategy which includes partnerships with State and 
    local agencies in planning, implementing and the follow-up of 
    recruitment activities.
        Describe a plan for the production and dissemination of materials 
    for general recruitment activities.
        Provide assurances that the staff is knowledgeable of policies, 
    regulations, laws and racial and cultural issues that impact the 
    children who are waiting for an adoptive placement.
        Describe a strategy for facilitating linkages and partnerships 
    among (at a minimum) the State adoption specialists, the Interstate 
    Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Administrators, the 
    Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) 
    Administrators and the NAE to address the issues and problems of 
    interstate placement.
        Describe the efforts that will be made to coordinate with the 
    National Adoption Information Clearinghouse (NAIC) and the National 
    Resource Center for Special Needs Adoption (NRCSNA) to assure effective 
    utilization of resources and to avoid duplication of effort and provide 
    assurance that funds from this grant will not be used to support 
    activities that are being conducted by NAIC and NRCSNA.
        Describe how the proposed budget reflects the priorities for 
    activities for the NAE described in this program announcement.
        Describe a plan for developing a national network of State 
    professionals in the field to serve as an advisory group on the 
    operation of the exchange to address the needs of States.
        Provide an assurance that at least one key person from the project 
    will attend an annual 3 to 5 day Child Welfare Conference in the 
    Washington, D.C. metropolitan area hosted by the Children's Bureau.
        Provide assurances that at least one key staff member will attend 
    annually four, one to two day meetings convened by the Children's 
    Bureau in Washington, D.C.
        Provide an assurance that key staff will meet with their Federal 
    project officer and other Children's Bureau staff in Washington, D.C. 
    within sixty days of receiving the award.
        Agree to enter into a Cooperative Agreement which will require the 
    grantee to submit to the Children's Bureau for review and approval: 
    Work plans, including as appropriate, activities involving Headquarters 
    and Regional Office staff; lists of topics to be covered in technical 
    assistance resources, syntheses, summaries and literature reviews; 
    topics, times and places for conferences; topics for any collection of 
    original data; and draft reports, conference agendas and other 
    materials prior to their finalization and dissemination by the grantee. 
    (A cooperative agreement is Federal assistance in which substantial 
    Federal involvement is anticipated. The respective responsibilities of 
    Federal staff and the awardee are negotiated prior to award.) The 
    grantee shall also cooperate, to the extent that its budget will allow, 
    with the Children's Bureau in meetings, briefings, or other forums to 
    disseminate knowledge gained from its work with States and local 
    communities around adoption issues.
        Project Duration: The length of the project must not exceed 36 
    months.
        Federal Share of Project Cost: The maximum Federal share of the 
    project is $500,000 per budget period.
        Matching Requirement: Grantees must provide at least 25 percent of 
    the total approved project. The total approved cost of the project is 
    the sum of the ACF share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a 
    project requesting $500,000 in Federal funds (based on an award of 
    $500,000 per budget period) must include a match of at least $166,666 
    (25 percent of the total project cost). The non-Federal share may be 
    cash or in-kind contributions, although applicants are encouraged to 
    meet their match requirements through cash contributions.
        Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
    1 project will be funded.
        CFDA: 93.652 Adoption Opportunities Grants: title II of the Child 
    Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, Public 
    Law 95-266, as amended.
    
    Part III. Instructions for the Development and Submission of 
    Applications
    
        This part contains information and instructions for submitting 
    applications in response to this announcement. Application forms are 
    provided, along with a checklist, for assembling an application 
    package. Please copy and use these forms in submitting an application.
        Potential applicants should read this section carefully in 
    conjunction with the information contained within the specific priority 
    area under which the application is to be submitted. The priority area 
    descriptions are in Part II.
    
    A. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact The 
    Adoption Opportunities Program is not covered under Executive Order 
    12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
    
        When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
    addressed to: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration 
    for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary Grants, 370 
    L'Enfant Promenade SW, 6th Floor East, OFM/DDG, Washington, D.C. 20047.
    
    B. Deadline for Submission of Applications
    
        The closing time and date for the receipt of applications is 4:30 
    p.m. (Eastern Time Zone) on August 26, 1996. Applications received 
    after 4:30 p.m. will be classified as late.
    
    [[Page 36434]]
    
        Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
    announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline time 
    and date at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
    Administration for Children and Families, Division of Discretionary 
    Grants, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, Washington, DC 20447, (Reference 
    Announcement Number and Priority Area). Applicants are responsible for 
    mailing applications well in advance, when using all mail services, to 
    ensure that the applications are received on or before the deadline 
    time and date. 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 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the 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, SW, Washington, D.C. 
    20024 between Monday and Friday (excluding Federal Holidays). 
    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 faxed to ACF 
    will not be accepted regardless of date or time of submission and time 
    of receipt.
        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.
        Extension of Deadlines: ACF may extend the deadline for all 
    applicants because of acts of God such as floods, hurricanes, etc., or 
    when there is a widespread disruption of the mails. However, if the 
    granting agency does not extend the deadline for all applicants, it may 
    not waive or extend the deadline for any applicants.
    
    C. Instructions for Preparing the Application and Completing 
    Application Forms.
    
        The SF 424, 424A, 424B, and certifications have been reprinted for 
    your convenience in preparing the application. See Appendix A. You 
    should reproduce single-sided copies of these forms from the reprinted 
    forms in the announcement, typing your information onto the copies. 
    Please do not use forms directly from the Federal Register 
    announcement, as they are printed on both sides of the page.
        Please prepare your application in accordance with the following 
    instructions:
        1. SF 424 Page 1, Application Cover Sheet. Please read the 
    following instructions before completing the application cover sheet. 
    An explanation of each item is included. Complete only the items 
    specified.
        Top of Page. Enter the single priority area number under which the 
    application is being submitted under only one priority area.
        Item 1. Type of submission--Preprinted on the form.
        Item 2. Date Submitted and Applicant Identifier--Date application 
    is submitted to ACYF and applicant's own internal control number, if 
    applicable.
        Item 3. Date Received By State--State use only (if applicable).
        Item 4. Date Received by Federal Agency--Leave blank.
        Item 5. Applicant Information Legal Name--Enter the legal name of 
    the applicant organization. For applications developed jointly, enter 
    the name of the lead organization only. There must be a single 
    applicant for each application.
        Organizational Unit--Enter the name of the primary unit within the 
    applicant organization which will actually carry out the project 
    activity. Do not use the name of an individual as the applicant. If 
    this is the same as the applicant organization, leave the 
    organizational unit blank.
        Address--Enter the complete address that the organization actually 
    uses to receive mail, since this is the address to which all 
    correspondence will be sent. Do not include both street address and 
    P.O. box number unless both must be used in mailing.
        Name and telephone number of the person to be contacted on matters 
    involving this application (give area code)--Enter the full name 
    (including academic degree, if applicable) and telephone number of a 
    person who can respond to questions about the application. This person 
    should be accessible at the address given here and will receive all 
    correspondence regarding the application.
        Item 6. Employer Identification Number (EIN)--Enter the employer 
    identification number of the applicant organization, only provide the 
    prefix and suffix assigned by the DHHS Central Registry System.
        Item 7. Type of Applicant--Self-explanatory.
        Item 8. Type of Application--Preprinted on the form.
        Item 9. Name of Federal Agency--Preprinted on the form.
        Item 10. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and Title--
    Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number assigned 
    to the program under which assistance is requested and its title, as 
    indicated in the relevant priority area description.
        Item 11. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project--Enter the 
    project title. The title is generally short and is descriptive of the 
    project, not the priority area title. Place the priority area number in 
    parenthesis after the main program title.
        Item 12. Areas Affected by Project--Enter the governmental unit 
    where significant and meaningful impact could be observed. List only 
    the largest unit or units affected, such as State, county, or city. If 
    an entire unit is affected, list it rather than subunits.
        Item 13. Proposed Project--Enter the desired start date for the 
    project and projected completion date.
        Item 14. Congressional District of Applicant/Project--Enter the 
    number of the Congressional District where the applicant's principal 
    office is located and the number of the Congressional district(s) where 
    the project will be located. If statewide, a multi-State effort, or 
    nationwide, enter 00.
        Items 15. Estimated Funding Levels: In completing 15a through 15f, 
    the dollar amounts entered should reflect, for a 12 month budget 
    period, the total amount requested. If the proposed project period 
    exceeds 17 months, enter only those dollar amounts needed for the first 
    12 months of the proposed project.
        Item 15a. Enter the amount of ACF funds requested in accordance 
    with the preceding paragraph. This amount should be no greater than the 
    maximum amount specified in the priority area description.
        Item 15b-e. Enter the amount(s) of funds from non-Federal sources 
    that will be contributed to the proposed project. Items b-e are 
    considered cost-sharing or matching funds. The value of third party in-
    kind contributions should be included on appropriate lines as 
    applicable.
        Items 15f. Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected 
    to be generated from the proposed project. Do not add or subtract this 
    amount from the total project amount entered under item 15g. Describe 
    the nature, source and anticipated use of this income in the Project 
    Narrative Statement.
        Item 15g. Enter the sum of items 15a-15e.
        Item 16a. Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive Order 
    12372 Process? Yes. --Enter the date the applicant contacted the SPOC 
    regarding this application. Select the appropriate SPOC from the 
    listing provided at the
    
    [[Page 36435]]
    
    end of Part III. The review of the application is at the discretion of 
    the SPOC. The SPOC will verify the date noted on the application. If 
    there is a discrepancy in dates, the SPOC may request that the Federal 
    agency delay any proposed funding.
        Item 16b. Is Application Subject to Review By State Executive Order 
    12372 process? No. --Check the appropriate box if the application is 
    not covered by E.O. 12372 or if the program has not been selected by 
    the State for review.
        Item 17. Is the Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? --Check 
    the appropriate box. This question applies to the applicant 
    organization, not the person who signs as the authorized 
    representative. Categories of debt include audit disallowances, loans 
    and taxes.
        Item 18. To the best of my knowledge and belief, all data in this 
    application/preapplication are true and correct. The document has been 
    duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and the 
    applicant will comply with the attached assurances if the assistance is 
    awarded. --To be signed by the authorized representative of the 
    applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for signature 
    of this application by this individual as the official representative 
    must be on file in the applicant's office, and may be requested from 
    the applicant.
        Item 18a-c. Typed Name of Authorized Representative, Title, 
    Telephone Number--Enter the name, title and telephone number of the 
    authorized representative of the applicant organization.
        Item 18d. Signature of Authorized Representative--Signature of the 
    authorized representative named in Item 18a. At least one copy of the 
    application must have an original signature. Use colored ink (not 
    black) so that the original signature is easily identified.
        Item 18e. Date Signed--Enter the date the application was signed by 
    the authorized representative.
        2. SF 424A--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs. This is 
    a form used by many Federal agencies. For this application, Sections A, 
    B, C, E and F are to be completed. Section D does not need to be 
    completed.
        Sections A and B should include the Federal as well as the non-
    Federal funding for the proposed project covering the first year budget 
    period.
        Section A--Budget Summary. This section includes a summary of the 
    budget. On line 5, enter total Federal costs in column (e) and total 
    non-Federal costs, including third party in-kind contributions, but not 
    program income, in column (f). Enter the total of (e) and (f) in column 
    (g).
        Section B--Budget Categories. This budget, which includes the 
    Federal as well as non-Federal funding for the proposed project, covers 
    the first year budget period if the proposed project period exceeds 12 
    months. It should relate to item 15g, total funding, on the SF 424. 
    Under column (5), enter the total requirements for funds (Federal and 
    non-Federal) by object class category.
        A separate itemized budget justification for each line item is 
    required. The types of information to be included in the justification 
    are indicated under each category. For multiple year projects, it is 
    desirable to provide this information for each year of the project. The 
    SF 424A.
        Personnel--Line 6a. Enter the total costs of salaries and wages of 
    applicant/grantee staff. Do not include the costs of consultants, which 
    should be included on line 6h, Other.
        Justification: Identify the principal investigator or project 
    director, if known. Specify by title or name the percentage of time 
    allocated to the project, the individual annual salaries, and the cost 
    to the project (both Federal and non-Federal) of the organization's 
    staff who will be working on the project.
        Fringe Benefits--Line 6b. Enter the total cost of fringe benefits, 
    unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate.
        Justification: Provide a break-down of amounts and percentages that 
    comprise fringe benefit costs, such as health insurance, FICA, 
    retirement insurance, etc.
        Travel--6c. Enter total costs of out-of-town travel (travel 
    requiring per diem) for staff of the project. Do not enter costs for 
    consultant's travel or local transportation, which should be included 
    on Line 6h, Other.
        Justification: Include the name(s) of traveler(s), total number of 
    trips, destinations, length of stay, transportation costs and 
    subsistence allowances.
        Equipment--Line 6d. Enter the total costs of all equipment to be 
    acquired by the project. Equipment means an article as non-expendable, 
    tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
    and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
    capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
    statement purposes, or (b) $5,000.
        Justification: Equipment to be purchased with Federal funds must be 
    justified. The equipment must be required to conduct the project, and 
    the applicant organization or its subgrantees must not have the 
    equipment or a reasonable facsimile available to the project. The 
    justification also must contain plans for future use or disposal of the 
    equipment after the project ends.
        Supplies--Line 6e. Enter the total costs of all tangible expendable 
    personal property (supplies) other than those included on Line 6d.
        Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
    costs.
        Contractual--Line 6f. Enter the total costs of all contracts, 
    including (1) Procurement contracts (except those which belong on other 
    lines such as equipment, supplies, etc.) and (2) contracts with 
    secondary recipient organizations, including delegate agencies. Also 
    include any contracts with organizations for the provision of technical 
    assistance. Do not include payments to individuals on this line. If the 
    name of the contractor, scope of work, and estimated total costs are 
    not available or have not been negotiated, include on Line 6h, other.
        Justification: Attach a list of contractors, indicating the names 
    of the organizations, the purposes of the contracts, and the estimated 
    dollar amounts of the awards as part of the budget justification. 
    Whenever the applicant/grantee intends to delegate part or all of the 
    program to another agency, the applicant/grantee must complete this 
    section (Section B, Budget Categories) for each delegate agency by 
    agency title, along with the supporting information. The total cost of 
    all such agencies will be part of the amount shown on Line 6f. Provide 
    backup documentation identifying the name of contractor, purpose of 
    contract, and major cost elements. Applicants who anticipate 
    procurement that will exceed $5,000 (non-governmental entities) or 
    $25,000 (governmental entities) and are requesting an award without 
    competition should include a sole source justification in the proposal 
    which at a minimum should include the basis for contractor's selection, 
    justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or offers 
    are not obtained and basis for award cost or price.
    
        Note: Previous or past experience with a contractor is not 
    sufficient justification for sole source.)
    
        Construction--Line 6g. Not applicable. New construction is not 
    allowable.
        Other--Line 6h. Enter the total of all other costs. Where 
    applicable, such costs may include, but are not limited to: Insurance; 
    medical and dental costs; noncontractual fees and travel paid directly 
    to individual consultants; local
    
    [[Page 36436]]
    
    transportation (all travel which does not require per diem is 
    considered local travel); space and equipment rentals; printing and 
    publication; computer use; training costs, including tuition and 
    stipends; training service costs, including wage payments to 
    individuals and supportive service payments; and staff development 
    costs. Note that costs identified as miscellaneous and honoraria are 
    not allowable.
        Justification: Specify the costs included.
        Total Direct Charge--Line 6i. Enter the total of Lines 6a through 
    6h.
        Indirect Charges--6j. Enter the total amount of indirect charges 
    (costs). If no indirect costs are requested, enter none. Generally, 
    this line should be used when the applicant has a current indirect cost 
    rate agreement approved by the Department of Health and Human Services 
    or another Federal agency.
        Local and State governments should enter the amount of indirect 
    costs determined in accordance with DHHS requirements. When an indirect 
    cost rate is requested, these costs are included in the indirect cost 
    pool and should not be charged again as direct costs to the grant.
        Justification: Enclose a copy of the indirect cost rate agreement.
        Total--Line 6k. Enter the total amounts of lines 6i and 6j.
        Program Income--Line 7. Enter the estimated amount, if any, 
    expected to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this 
    amount from the total project amount.
        Justification: Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of 
    program income in the Program Narrative Statement.
        Section C--Non-Federal Resources. This section summarizes the 
    amounts of non-Federal resources that will be applied to the grant. 
    Enter this information on line 12, entitled ``Totals''. In-kind 
    contributions are defined in 45 CFR, Part 74.51 and 45 CFR Part 92.3, 
    as property or services which benefit a grant-supported project or 
    program and which are contributed by non-Federal third parties without 
    charge to the grantee, the subgrantee, or a cost-type contractor under 
    the grant or subgrant.
        Justification: Describe third party in-kind contributions, if 
    included.
        Section D--Forecasted Cash Needs, Not applicable.
        Section E--Budget Estimate of Federal Funds Needed For Balance of 
    the Project. This section should only be completed if the total project 
    period exceeds 12 months.
        Totals--Line 20. For projects that will have more than one budget 
    period, enter the estimated required Federal funds for the second 
    budget period (months 13 through 24) under column (b) ``First''. If a 
    third budget period will be necessary, enter the Federal funds needed 
    for months 25 through 36 under (c) ``Second''. Columns (d) would be 
    used in the case of a 48 month project period. Column (e) would not 
    apply.
        Section F--Other Budget Information
        Direct Charges--Line 21, Not applicable.
        Indirect Charges--Line 22, Enter the type of indirect rate 
    (provisional, predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect 
    during the funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which 
    the rate is applied, and the total indirect expense.
        Remarks--Line 23. If the total project period exceeds 12 months, 
    you must enter your proposed non-Federal share of the project budget 
    for each of the remaining years of the project.
        3. Project Summary Description. Clearly mark this separate page 
    with the applicant name as shown in item 5 of the SF 424, the priority 
    area number as shown at the top of the SF 424, and the title of the 
    project as shown in item 11 of the SF 424. The summary description 
    should not exceed 300 words. These 300 words become part of the 
    computer database on each project.
        Care should be taken to produce a summary description which 
    accurately and concisely reflects the application. It should describe 
    the objectives of the project, the approaches to be used and the 
    outcomes expected. The description should also include a list of major 
    products that will result from the proposed project, such as software 
    packages, materials, management procedures, data collection 
    instruments, training packages, or videos (please note that 
    audiovisuals should be closed captioned). The project summary 
    description, together with the information on the SF 424, will 
    constitute the project abstract. It is the major source of information 
    about the proposed project and is usually the first part of the 
    application that the reviewers read in evaluating the application.
        At the bottom of the page, following the summary description, type 
    up to 10 key words which best describe the proposed project, the 
    service(s) involved and the target population(s) to be covered. These 
    key words will be used for computerized information retrieval for 
    specific types of funded projects.
        4. Program Narrative Statement. The Program Narrative Statement is 
    a very important part of an application. It should be clear, concise, 
    and address the specific requirements mentioned under the priority area 
    description in Part II.
        The narrative should provide information concerning how the 
    application meets the evaluation criteria using the following headings:
        (a) Objectives and Need for Assistance;
        (b) Results and Benefits Expected;
        (c) Approach; and
        (d) Staff Background and Organization's Experience.
        The narrative should be typed double-spaced on a single-side of an 
    8\1/2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. All 
    pages of the narrative (including charts, references/footnotes, tables, 
    maps, exhibits, etc.) must be sequentially numbered, beginning with 
    ``Objectives and Need for Assistance'', as page number one. Applicants 
    should not submit reproductions of larger size paper, reduced to meet 
    the size requirement.
        A page is a single side of an 8\1/2\'' X 11'' sheet of paper. 
    Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures or other 
    printed material along with their application as these pose xeroxing 
    difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in 
    the review process if they exceed the page limit criteria. Each page of 
    the application will be counted to determine the total length.
        5. Organizational Capability Statement. The Organizational 
    Capability Statement should consist of a brief (two to three pages) 
    background description of how the applicant organization (or the unit 
    within the organization that will have responsibility for the project) 
    is organized, the types and quantity of services it provides, and/or 
    the research and management capabilities it possesses. This description 
    should cover capabilities not included in the Program Narrative 
    Statement. It may include descriptions of any current or previous 
    relevant experience, or describe the competence of the project team and 
    its demonstrated ability to produce a final product that is readily 
    comprehensible and usable. An organization chart showing the 
    relationship of the project to the current organization should be 
    included.
        6. Part IV--Assurances/Certifications. Applicants requesting 
    financial assistance for a non-construction project must file the 
    Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances: Non-Construction Programs.'' 
    Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their 
    applications.
        Applicants must provide a certification concerning Lobbying. Prior 
    to receiving an award in excess of
    
    [[Page 36437]]
    
    $100,000, applicants shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying 
    certificate with their applications. Applicants must sign and return 
    the certification with their applications.
        Applicants must make the appropriate certification of their 
    compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing and 
    submitting the applications, applicants are providing the certification 
    and need not mail back the certification with the applications.
        Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
    not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
    signing and submitting the applications, applicants are providing the 
    certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
    applications.
        Copies of the certification and assurances are located at the end 
    of this announcement.
    
    D. Checklist for a Complete Application
    
        The checklist below is for your use to ensure that your application 
    package has been properly prepared.
    --One original, signed and dated application, plus two copies. 
    Applications for different priority areas are packaged separately;
    --Application is from an organization which is eligible under the 
    eligibility requirements defined in the priority area description 
    (screening requirement);
    --Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424, REV 4-88);
    --Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A, REV 4-88);
    --Budget justification for Section B-Budget Categories;
    --Table of Contents;
    --Letter from the Internal Revenue Service to prove non-profit status, 
    if necessary;
    --Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement, if 
    appropriate;
    --Project summary description and listing of key words;
    --Program Narrative Statement (See Part III, Section C);
    --Organizational capability statement, including an organization chart;
    --Any appendices/attachments;
    --Assurances-Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 4-88);
    --Certification Regarding Lobbying; and
    --Certification of Protection of Human Subjects, if necessary;
    --Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
    
    E. The Application Package
    
        Each application package must include an original and two copies of 
    the complete application. Each copy should be stapled securely (front 
    and back if necessary) in the upper left-hand corner. All pages of the 
    narrative (including charts, tables, maps, exhibits, etc.) must be 
    sequentially numbered, beginning with page one. In order to facilitate 
    handling, please do not use covers, binders or tabs. Do not include 
    extraneous materials as attachments, such as agency promotion 
    brochures, slides, tapes, film clips, minutes of meetings, survey 
    instruments or articles of incorporation.
        Do not include a self-addressed, stamped acknowledgement card. All 
    applicants will be notified automatically about the receipt of their 
    application. If acknowledgement of receipt of your application is not 
    received within eight weeks after the deadlines date, please notify the 
    ACYF Operations Center by telephone at 1-800-351-2293.
    
        Dated: June 26, 1996.
    Olivia A. Golden,
    Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
    
    BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
    
    [[Page 36438]]
    
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10JY96.000
    
    
    
    BILLING CODE 4184-01-C
    
    [[Page 36439]]
    
    Instructions for the SF 424
    
        This is a standard form used by applicants as a required 
    facesheet for preapplications and applications submitted for Federal 
    assistance. It will be used by Federal agencies to obtain applicant 
    certification that States which have established a review and 
    comment procedure in response to Executive Order 12372 and have 
    selected the program to be included in their process, have been 
    given an opportunity to review the applicant's submission.
    
    Item and Entry
    
        1. Self-explanatory.
        2. Date application submitted to Federal agency (or State if 
    applicable) & applicant's control number (if applicable).
        3. State use only (if applicable).
        4. If this application is to continue or revise an existing 
    award, enter present Federal identifier number. If for a new 
    project, leave blank.
        5. Legal name of applicant, name of primary organizational unit 
    which will undertake the assistance activity, complete address of 
    the applicant, and name and telephone number of the person to 
    contact on matters related to this application.
        6. Enter Employee Identification Number (EIN) as assigned by the 
    Internal Revenue Service.
        7. Enter the appropriate letter in the space provided.
        8. Check appropriate box and enter appropriate letter(s) in the 
    space(s) provided:
    
    --``New'' means a new assistance award.
    --``Continuation'' means an extension for an additional funding/
    budget period for a project with a projected completion date.
    --``Revision'' means any change in the Federal Government's 
    financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing 
    obligation.
    
        9. Name of Federal agency from which assistance is being 
    requested with this application.
        10. Use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and 
    title of the program under which assistance is requested.
        11. Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If more than 
    one program is involved, you should append an explanation on a 
    separate sheet. If appropriate (e.g., construction or real property 
    projects), attach a map showing project location. For 
    preapplications, use a separate sheet to provide a summary 
    description of this project.
        12. List only the largest political entities affected (e.g., 
    State, counties, cities).
        13. Self-explanatory.
        14. List the applicant's Congressional District and any 
    District(s) affected by the program or project.
        15. Amount requested or to be contributed during the first 
    funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind 
    contributions should be included on appropriate lines as applicable. 
    If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award, 
    indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the 
    amounts in parentheses. If both basic and supplemental amounts are 
    included, show breakdown on an attached sheet. For multiple program 
    funding, use totals and show breakdown using same categories as item 
    15.
        16. Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact 
    (SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the 
    application is subject to the State intergovernmental review 
    process.
        17. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the 
    person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of 
    debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.
        18. To be signed by the authorized representative of the 
    applicant. A copy of the governing body's authorization for you to 
    sign this application as official representative must be on file in 
    the applicant's office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that 
    this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)
    
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    BILLING CODE 4184-01-C
    
    Instructions for the SF-424A
    
    General Instructions
    
        This form is designed so that application can be made for funds 
    from one or more grant programs. In preparing the budget, adhere to 
    any existing Federal grantor agency guidelines which prescribe how 
    and whether budgeted amounts should be separately shown for 
    different functions or activities within the program. For some 
    programs, grantor agencies may require budgets to be separately 
    shown by function or activity. For other programs, grantor agencies 
    may require a breakdown by function or activity. Sections A, B, C, 
    and D should include budget estimates for the whole project except 
    when applying for assistance which requires Federal authorization in 
    annual or other funding period increments. In the latter case, 
    Sections A, B, C, and D should provide the budget for the first 
    budget period (usually a year) and Section E should present the need 
    for Federal assistance in the subsequent budget periods. All 
    applications should contain a breakdown by the object class 
    categories shown in Lines a-k of Section B.
    
    Section A. Budget Summary
    
    Lines 1-4, Columns (a) and (b)
    
        For applications pertaining to a single Federal grant program 
    (Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog number) and not requiring a 
    functional or activity breakdown, enter on Line 1 under Column (a) 
    the catalog program title and the catalog number in Column (b).
        For applications pertaining to a single program requiring budget 
    amounts by multiple functions or activities, enter the name of each 
    activity or function on each line in Column (a), and enter the 
    catalog number in Column (b). For applications pertaining to 
    multiple programs where none of the programs require a breakdown by 
    function or activity, enter the catalog program title on each line 
    in Column (a) and the respective catalog number on each line in 
    Column (b).
        For applications pertaining to multiple programs where one or 
    more programs require a breakdown by function or activity, prepare a 
    separate sheet for each program requiring the breakdown. Additional 
    sheets should be used when one form does not provide adequate space 
    for all breakdown of data required. However, when more than one 
    sheet is used, the first page should provide the summary totals by 
    programs.
    
    Lines 1-4, Columns (c) through (g)
    
        For new applications, leave Columns (c) and (d) blank. For each 
    line entry in Columns (a) and (b), enter in Columns (e), (f), and 
    (g) the appropriate amounts of funds needed to support the project 
    for the first funding period (usually a year).
        For continuing grant program applications, submit these forms 
    before the end of each funding period as required by the grantor 
    agency. Enter in Columns (c) and (d) the estimated amounts of funds 
    which will remain unobligated at the end of the grant funding period 
    only if the Federal grantor agency instructions provide for this. 
    Otherwise, leave these columns blank. Enter in columns (e) and (f) 
    the amounts of funds needed for the upcoming period. The amount(s) 
    in Column (g) should be the sum of amounts in Columns (e) and (f).
        For supplemental grants and changes to existing grants, do not 
    use Columns (c) and (d). Enter in Column (e) the amount of the 
    increase or decrease of Federal funds and enter in Column (f) the 
    amount of the increase or decrease of non-Federal funds. In Column 
    (g) enter the new total budgeted amount (Federal and non-Federal) 
    which includes the total previous authorized budgeted amounts plus 
    or minus, as appropriate, the amounts shown in Columns (e) and (f). 
    The amount(s) in Column (g) should not equal the sum of amounts in 
    Columns (e) and (f).
        Line 5--Show the totals for all columns used.
    
    Section B. Budget Categories
    
        In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles of the 
    same programs, functions, and activities shown on Lines 1-4, Column 
    (a), Section A. When additional sheets are prepared for Section A, 
    provide similar column headings on each sheet. For each program, 
    function, or activity, fill in the total requirements for funds 
    (both Federal and non-Federal) by object class categories.
        Lines 6a-i--Show the totals of Lines 6a to 6h in each column.
        Line 6j--Show the amount of indirect cost.
        Line 6k--Enter the total of amounts on Lines 6i and 6j. For all 
    applications for new grants and continuation grants the total amount 
    in column (5), Line 6k, should be the same as the total amount shown 
    in Section A, Column (g), Line 5. For supplemental grants and 
    changes to grants, the total amount of the increase or decrease as 
    shown in Columns (1)-(4), Line 6k should be the same as the sum of 
    the amounts in Section A, Columns (e) and (f) on Line 5.
        Line 7--Enter the estimated amount of income, if any, expected 
    to be generated from this project. Do not add or subtract this 
    amount from the total project amount. Show under the program 
    narrative statement the nature and source of income. The estimated 
    amount of program income may be considered by the federal grantor 
    agency in determining the total amount of the grant.
    
    Section C. Non-Federal-Resources
    
        Line 8-11--Enter amounts of non-Federal resources that will be 
    used on the grant. If in-kind contributions are included, provide a 
    brief explanation on a separate sheet.
        Column (a)--Enter the program titles identical to Column (a) 
    Section A. A breakdown by functions or activity is not necessary.
        Column (b)--Enter the contribution to be made by the applicant.
        Column (c)--Enter the amount of the State's cash and in-kind 
    contribution if the applicant is not a State or State agency. 
    Applicants which are a State or State agencies should leave this 
    column blank.
        Column (d)--Enter the amount of cash and in kind contributions 
    to be made from all other sources.
        Column (e)--Enter totals of Columns (b), (c), and (d).
        Line 12--Enter the total for each of Columns (b)-(e). The amount 
    in Column (e) should be equal to the amount of Line 5, Column (f), 
    Section A.
    
    Section D. Forecasted Cash Needs
    
        Line 13--Enter the amount of cash needed by quarter from the 
    grantor agency during the first year.
        Line 14--Enter the amount of cash from all other sources needed 
    by quarter during the first year.
        Line 15--Enter the totals of amounts on Lines 13 and 14.
    
    Section E. Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of 
    the Project
    
        Line 16-19--Enter in Column (a) the same grant program titles 
    shown in Column (a), Section A. A breakdown by function or activity 
    is not necessary. For new applications and continuation grant 
    applications, enter in the proper columns amounts of Federal funds 
    which will be needed to complete the program or project over the 
    succeeding funding periods (usually in years). This section need not 
    be completed for revisions (amendments, changes, or supplements) to 
    funds for the current year of existing grants.
        If more than four lines are needed to list the program titles, 
    submit additional schedules as necessary.
        Line 20--Enter the total for each of the Columns (b)-(e). When 
    additional schedules are prepared for this Section, annotate 
    accordingly and show the overall totals on this line.
    
    Section F. Other Budget Information
    
        Line 21--Use this space to explain amounts for individual direct 
    object-class cost categories that may appear to be out of the 
    ordinary or to explain the details as required by the Federal 
    grantor agency.
        Line 22--Enter the type of indirect rate (provisional, 
    predetermined, final or fixed) that will be in effect during the 
    funding period, the estimated amount of the base to which the rate 
    is applied, and the total indirect expense.
        Line 23--Provide any other explanations or comments deemed 
    necessary.
    
    Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
    
        Note: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your 
    project or program. If you have questions, please contact the 
    awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may 
    require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is 
    the case, you will be notified.
    
        As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I 
    certify that the applicant:
        1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and 
    the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including 
    funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to 
    ensure proper planning, management and completion of the project 
    described in this application.
        2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the 
    United States, and if appropriate, the State, through any
    
    [[Page 36443]]
    
    authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all 
    records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will 
    establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally 
    accepted accounting standards or agency directives.
        3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using 
    their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the 
    appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or 
    personal gain.
        4. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable 
    time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.
        5. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 
    (42 U.S.C. Secs. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for 
    merit systems for programs funded under one of the nineteen statutes 
    or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for Merit 
    System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).
        6. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to 
    nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title 
    VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits 
    discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) 
    Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 
    Secs. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on 
    the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
    as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), which prohibits discrimination on 
    the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as 
    amended (42 U.S.C. Secs. 6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination 
    on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 
    1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended relating to nondiscrimination on the 
    basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and 
    Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 
    (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the 
    basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g) Secs. 523 and 527 of the 
    Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. 290 dd-3 and 290 ee-3), 
    as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse 
    patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 
    U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination 
    in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other 
    nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which 
    application for Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the 
    requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may 
    apply to the application.
        7. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements 
    of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real 
    Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which 
    provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or 
    whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or federally 
    assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real 
    property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal 
    participation in purchases.
        8. Will comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 
    Secs. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities 
    of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in 
    whole or in part with Federal funds.
        9. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-
    Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Secs. 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 
    U.S.C. Sec. 276c and 18 U.S.C. Secs. 874), and the Contract Work 
    Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. Secs. 327-333), regarding 
    labor standards for federally assisted construction subagreements.
        10. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase 
    requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act 
    of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood 
    hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood 
    insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and 
    acquisition is $10,000 or more.
        11. Will comply with environmental standards which may be 
    prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of 
    environmental quality control measures under the National 
    Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order 
    (EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 
    11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) 
    evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 
    11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State 
    management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act 
    of 1972 (16 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of 
    Federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under 
    Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
    Sec. 7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of 
    drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as 
    amended, (P.L. 93-523); and (h) protection of endangered species 
    under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93-205).
        12. Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 
    U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1271 et seq.), related to protecting components or 
    potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.
        13. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with 
    Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 
    amended (16 U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of 
    historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic 
    Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.).
        14. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of 
    human subjects involved in research, development, and related 
    activities supported by this award assistance.
        15. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 
    (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the 
    care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for 
    research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of 
    assistance.
        16. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention 
    Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of 
    lead based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence 
    structures.
        17. Will cause to be performed the required financial and 
    compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 1984.
        18. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other 
    Federal laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing 
    this program.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Signature of Authorized Certifying Official
    
    Title------------------------------------------------------------------
    Applicant Organization-------------------------------------------------
    Date Submitted---------------------------------------------------------
    
    BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
    
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    BILLING CODE 4184-01-C
    
    [[Page 36446]]
    
    Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
    Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions
    
        By signing and submitting this proposal, the applicant, defined 
    as the primary participant in accordance with 45 CFR Part 76, 
    certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its 
    principals:
        (a) are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for 
    debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered 
    transactions by any Federal Department or agency;
        (b) have not within a 3-year period preceding this proposal been 
    convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for 
    obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, 
    State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; 
    violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of 
    embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction 
    of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.
        (c) are not presently indicted or otherwise criminally or 
    civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State or local) 
    with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph 
    (1)(b) of this certification; and
        (d) have not within a 3-year period preceding this application/
    proposal had one or more public transactions (Federal, State or 
    local) terminated for cause or default.
        The inability of a person to provide the certification required 
    above will not necessarily result in denial of participation in this 
    covered transaction. If necessary, the prospective participant shall 
    submit an explanation of why it cannot provide the certification. 
    The certification or explanation will be considered in connection 
    with the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) 
    determination whether to enter into this transaction. However, 
    failure of the prospective primary participant to furnish a 
    certification or an explanation shall disqualify such person from 
    participation in this transaction.
        The prospective primary participant agrees that by submitting 
    this proposal, it will include the clause entitled ``Certification 
    Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary 
    Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions'' provided below without 
    modification in all lower tier covered transactions and in all 
    solicitations for lower tier covered transactions.
    
    Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
    Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
    
    (To Be Supplied to Lower Tier Participants)
    
        By signing and submitting this lower tier proposal, the 
    prospective lower tier participant, as defined in 45 CFR Part 76, 
    certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its 
    principals:
        (a) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for 
    debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from 
    participation in this transaction by any federal department or 
    agency.
        (b) Where the prospective lower tier participant is unable to 
    certify to any of the above, such prospective participant shall 
    attach an explanation to this proposal.
        The prospective lower tier participant further agrees by 
    submitting this proposal that it will include this clause entitled 
    ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and 
    Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions'' without 
    modification in all lower tier covered transactions and in all 
    solicitations for lower tier covered transactions.
    
    Certification Regarding Lobbying--Certification for Contracts, 
    Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements
    
        The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge 
    and belief, that:
        (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be 
    paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for 
    influencing or attempting to influence an 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 the awarding 
    of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making 
    of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, 
    and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
    of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
        (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been 
    paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to 
    influence an 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 Federal contract, grant, 
    loan or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and 
    submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in 
    accordance with its instructions.
        (3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
    certification be included in the award documents for all subawards 
    at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
    grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all 
    subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.
        This certification is a material representation of fact upon 
    which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered 
    into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making 
    or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
    U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification 
    shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not 
    more than $100,000 for each such failure.
    
    State for Loan Guarantee and Loan Insurance
    
        The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
    belief, that:
        If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
    influencing or attempting to influence an 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 undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL 
    ``Disclosure Form To Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its 
    instructions.
        Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for making or 
    entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
    U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the require statement shall 
    be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more 
    than $100,000 for each such failure.
    
    Signature--------------------------------------------------------------
    Title------------------------------------------------------------------
    Organization-----------------------------------------------------------
    Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
    
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    BILLING CODE 4184-01-C
    
    [[Page 36448]]
    
    Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke
    
        Public Law 103-227, Part C--Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also 
    known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Act), requires that smoking 
    not be permitted in any portion of any indoor facility owned or 
    leased or contracted for by an entity and used routinely or 
    regularly for the provision of health, day care, education, or 
    library services to children under the age of 18, if the services 
    are funded by Federal programs either directly or through State or 
    local governments, by Federal grant, contract, loan, or loan 
    guarantee. The law does not apply to children's services provided in 
    private residences, facilities funded solely by Medicare or Medicaid 
    funds, and portions of facilities used for inpatient drug or alcohol 
    treatment. 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 day and/or the imposition of an administrative compliance order 
    on the responsible entity.
        By signing and submitting this application the applicant/grantee 
    certifies that it will comply with the requirements of the Act. The 
    applicant/grantee further agrees that it will require the language 
    of this certification be included in any subawards which contain 
    provisions for children's services and that all subgrantees shall 
    certify accordingly.
    
    OMB State Single Point of Contact Listing
    
    Arizona
    
    Joni Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue, 
    Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone (602) 280-1315, 
    FAX: (602) 280-1305
    
    Arkansas
    
    Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of 
    Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and 
    Administration, 1515 W. 7th St., Room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 
    72203, Telephone: (501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206
    
    Alabama
    
    Jon C. Strickland, Alabama Department of Economic and Community 
    Affairs, Planning and Economic Development Division, 401 Adams 
    Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690, Telephone: (205) 242-5483, 
    FAX: (205) 242-5515
    
    California
    
    Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning & Research, 1400 Tenth 
    Street, Room 121, Sacrameto, California 95814, Telephone (916) 323-
    7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018
    
    Delaware
    
    Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact Executive Department, 
    Thomas Collins Building, P.O. Box 1401, Dover, Delaware 19903, 
    Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661
    
    District of Columbia
    
    Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants 
    Mgmt. & Dev., 717 14th Street, N.W.--Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 
    20005, Telephone (202) 727-6554, FAX: (202) 727-1617
    
    Florida
    
    Florida State Clearinghouse, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 
    Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, Telephone: (904) 
    922-5438, FAX: (904) 487-2899
    
    Georgia
    
    Tom L. Reid, III, Administrator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 254 
    Washington Street, S.W.--Room 401J, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334, 
    Telephone: (404) 656-3855 or (404) 656-3829, FAX: (404) 656-7938
    
    Illinois
    
    Barbara Beard, State Single Point of Contact, Department of Commerce 
    and Community Affairs, 620 East Adams, Springfield, Illinois 62701, 
    Telephone (217) 782-1671, FAX: (217) 534-1627
    
    Indiana
    
    Amy Brewer, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, Indianapolis, 
    Indiana 46204, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: (317) 233-3323
    
    Iowa
    
    Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department 
    of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 
    50309, Telephone (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4859
    
    Kentucky
    
    Ronald W. Cook, Office of the Governor, Department of Local 
    Government, 1024 Capitol Center Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-
    8204, Telephone: (502) 573-2382, FAX: (502) 573-2512
    
    Maine
    
    Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, State House Station #38, 
    Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: (207) 287-6489
    
    Maryland
    
    William G. Carroll, Manager, State Clearinghouse for 
    Intergovernmental Assistance, Maryland Office of Planning, 301 W. 
    Preston Street--Room 1104, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2365, Staff 
    Contact: Linda Janey, Telephone (410) 225-4490, FAX: (410) 225-4480
    
    Michigan
    
    Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 1900 
    Edison Plaza, 660 Plaza Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: 
    (313) 961-4266
    
    Mississippi
    
    Cathy Malette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and 
    Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202-
    3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX: (601) 359-6764
    
    Missouri
    
    Lois Pohl, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office of 
    Administration, P.O. Box 809, Room 760, Truman Building, Jefferson 
    City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (314) 751-4834, FAX: (314) 751-7819
    
    Nevada
    
    Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse, Capitol Complex, 
    Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-4065, FAX: (702) 
    687-3983
    
    New Hampshire
    
    Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning, 
    Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process, Mike Blake, 2\1/2\ Beacon 
    Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, Telephone: (603) 271-2155, 
    FAX: (603) 271-1728
    
    New Jersey
    
    Gregory W. Adkins, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department of 
    Community Affairs, Please direct all correspondence and questions 
    about intergovernmental review to: Andrew J. Jaskolka, State Review 
    Process, Intergovernmental Review Unit CN 800, Room 813A,Trenton, 
    New Jersey 08625-0800, Telephone: (609) 292-9025, FAX: (609) 633-
    2132
    
    New Mexico
    
    Robert Peters, State Budget Division, Room 190 Bataan Memorial 
    Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-3640
    
    New York
    
    New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget, State Capitol, 
    Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605,
    
    North Carolina
    
    Chrys Baggett, Director, N.C. State Clearinghouse, Office of the 
    Secretary of Admin., 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 
    27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX: (919) 733-9571
    
    North Dakota
    
    North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of Intergovernmental 
    Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-
    0170, Telephone: (701) 224-2094, FAX: (701) 224-2308
    
    Ohio
    
    Larry Weaver, State Single Point of Contact, State Clearinghouse, 
    Office of Budget and Management, 30 East Broad Street, 34th Floor, 
    Columbus, Ohio 43266-0411. Please direct correspondence and 
    questions about intergovernmental review to: Linda Wise, Telephone: 
    (614) 466-0698, FAX: (614) 466-5400
    
    Rhode Island
    
    Daniel W. Varin, Associate Director, Department of Administration/
    Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th Floor, Providence, Rhode 
    Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 277-2656, FAX: (401) 277-2083; 
    Please direct correspondence and questions to: Review Coordinator, 
    Office of Strategic Planning
    
    South Carolina
    
    Omeagia Burgess, State Single Point of Contact, Grant Services, 
    Office of the Governor, 1205 Pendleton Street--Room 477, Columbia, 
    South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803) 734-0385
    
    [[Page 36449]]
    
    Texas
    
    Tom Adams, Governor's Office, Director, Intergovernmental 
    Coordination, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711, Telephone: (512) 
    463-1771, FAX: (512) 463-1880
    
    Utah
    
    Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and 
    Budget, Room 116, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, 
    Telephone: (801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547
    
    Vermont
    
    Nancy McAvoy, State Single Point of Contact, Pavilion Office 
    Building, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609, Telephone: 
    (802) 828-3326, FAX: (802) 828-3339
    
    West Virginia
    
    Fred Cutlip, Director, Community Development Division, W. Virginia 
    Development Office, Building #6, Room 553, Charleston, West Virginia 
    25305, Telephone: (304) 558-4010, FAX: (304) 558-3248
    
    Wisconsin
    
    Martha Kerner, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin 
    Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street--6th Floor, 
    P.O. Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-2125, 
    FAX: (608) 267-6931
    
    Wyoming
    
    Sheryl Jeffries, State Single Point of Contact, Herschler Building 
    4th Floor, East Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, Telephone: (307) 777-
    7574, FAX: (307) 638-8967
    
    Territories
    
    Guam
    
    Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and 
    Management Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, 
    Guam 96910, Telephone: 011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825
    
    Puerto Rico
    
    Norma Burgos/Jose E. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning 
    Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center, 
    P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 
    727-4444, (809) 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270, (809) 724-3103
    
    North Mariana Islands
    
    State Single Point of Contact, Planning and Budget Office, Office of 
    the Governor, Saipan, CM, Northern Mariana Islands 96950
    
    Virgin Islands
    
    Jose George, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 
    Norregade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, 
    Virgin Islands 00802, Please direct all questions and correspondence 
    about intergovernmental review to: Linda Clarke, Telephone: (809) 
    774-0750, FAX: (809) 776-0069
    
    [FR Doc. 96-17284 Filed 7-9-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4184-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/10/1996
Department:
Children and Families Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Announcement of the Availability of Financial Assistance and Request for Applications to Conduct Demonstration Projects Funded Under the Adoption Opportunities Program in the Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
Document Number:
96-17284
Pages:
36424-36449 (26 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Program Announcement No. ACYF/CB/AO-96-1
PDF File:
96-17284.pdf