Transmittal No. NEW-ACF-PI-01-02

The purpose of the NEW Program is "to make work activities available" to the populations and service areas specified by NEW grantees (section 412(a)(2)(C) of the Act, as amended). Eligibility for NEW grant funding is limited by law to Indian tribes and Alaska Native organizations that conducted a Tribal JOBS program in fiscal year 1995 (section 412(a)(2)(B)). NEW funding is set by law at "an amount equal to the amount received by the Indian tribe in fiscal year 1994" under its Tribal JOBS program (section (412(a)(2)(A)).

Final regulations for the NEW Program were published February 18, 2000. The NEW regulations are found at 45 CFR Part 287.

To receive funding for their FY 1997 NEW programs, eligible tribes and organizations completed and submitted a NEW plan preprint document. To receive NEW funding for the next 3 years, eligible tribes and organizations prepared and submitted 3-year NEW program plans using the NEW program plan guidance provided with NEW Program Instruction 98-1. These program plans are effective through June 30, 2001. They cover 3 program years – PY 1998-1999 (July 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999), PY 1999-2000 (July 1, 1999 – June 30, 2000), and PY 2000-2001 (July 1, 2000 – June 30, 2001).

To receive NEW funding for the period starting July 1, 2001, eligible tribes and organizations should prepare and submit 3-year NEW program plans using the revised NEW program plan guidance provided with this program instruction. These renewal plans should cover 3 program years – PY 2001-2002 (July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002), PY 2002-2003 (July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003), and PY 2003-2004 (July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2004). (Note: The Office of Management and Budget has approved the revised NEW program plan guidance and the NEW final regulations, which specify that NEW plans are 3-year plans. Title IV-A of the Act, as amended, authorizes the NEW Program through FY 2002. NEW plan requirements will be modified as appropriate to reflect any changes related to reauthorization of the NEW Program, and subject to the availability of funds.)

This program instruction does not apply to grantees whose NEW programs are included in demonstration projects under Public Law 102-477. Grantees that have a 102-477 plan in effect do not need to submit a separate NEW plan. Where an eligible tribe includes the NEW Program as part of its 102-477 demonstration project, information regarding the NEW program will be reviewed and approved through the 102-477 plan review process administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). When a 102-477 plan is newly submitted to BIA, it should contain any appropriate changes related to NEW work activities and supportive services.

To apply for and conduct a NEW program for the period beginning July 1, 2001, an eligible tribe or organization must submit a plan to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) that meets the requirements in the attached NEW program plan guidance. Also attached, to assist tribes in preparing a complete plan, is a "Summary of Requirements for Native Employment Works (NEW) Program Plans for the Period Starting July 1, 2001." There is no required format for NEW plans. However, to expedite preparation and review of NEW renewal plans, applicants may wish to follow the order in which the required plan elements are listed in the program plan guidance and the summary. The NEW program plan guidance and the summary are available on the Division of Tribal Services’ web site at www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs.

NEW renewal plans must cover uses of NEW funds that will be awarded in PYs 2001-2002, 2002-2003, and 2003-2004. They also must cover uses of any NEW funds awarded in PY 2000-2001 that will remain unobligated on June 30, 2001, and will be carried forward for use in PY 2001-2002. (See NEW PI-01-01 on carryover of unobligated NEW grant fund balances, beginning with NEW funds awarded in PY 2000-2001.) (Approved NEW plans may be amended using the procedures in the NEW final regulations at 45 CFR 287.85.)

NEW renewal plans must be submitted to the appropriate ACF regional office, with a copy sent to the Division of Tribal Services (DTS) in the ACF central office. Renewal packages may be mailed and/or faxed. Information on the ACF regional offices is attached to this PI. DTS’s address is: Division of Tribal Services, Attention: NEW Team, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families/ DHHS, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447. DTS’s fax number is 202-401-4745.

NEW renewal plans will be jointly reviewed by the appropriate ACF regional offices and the central office to verify that the NEW Program requirements are met. After a plan has been reviewed, if the plan is approvable, ACF will approve the plan, certifying that it meets all necessary requirements. If the plan is not approvable as submitted, the regional office will notify the applicant regarding additional action needed for plan approval. NEW plans become effective when approved by ACF. Applicants will be notified of plan approvals and grant awards.

/s/

John Bushman
Director Division of Tribal Services